Read Online Song of the West by Nora Roberts - Free Book Online Page B

shouting at her, but lacked the energy. “Where am I?” was all she could find to say.
    Sitting on the edge of the bed, he drew her head from the pillow, then held a cup to her lips. “Here, drink this first, then we’ll talk.”
    The brandy was warm and strong, and she sputtered and gasped as he poured it down her throat. Its power spread through her, pushing back the mists of unconsciousness.
    â€œNow, to answer your question, you’re at the Double T.” Jake set the empty cup aside and laid her head back on the mound of pillows.
    â€œOh.”
    â€œIs that all you can say?” He was shouting again. He took her shoulders as if to shake her. “Just ‘Oh’? What in heaven’s name were you doing out there?”
    â€œIt seems so long ago.” She frowned in concentration, closing her eyes with the effort. “It wasn’t snowing when I left,” she said in weak defense.
    â€œWasn’t snowing?”
Jake repeated, incredulous. “Samantha, didn’t you see the sky? Where are your brains?”
    â€œThere’s no excuse for insults,” she retorted with a small flash of spirit.
    â€œNo excuse for insults? Are you stark raving mad? Do you realize what nearly happened to you?” His hands retreated to his pockets, as though he could barely prevent them from throttling her. “Out here in the middle of a blizzard, half-frozen and helplessly lost! It was a miracle we found you. A little longer, and you’d be lying somewhere buried in it, and no one would have found what was left until spring. Dan was half out of his mind when he got through to me and told me you’d gone out in this.”
    â€œBree?”
    â€œKnew nothing.” He whirled to face her again. “She was taking a nap. It never occurred to her that you had gone out with a storm brewing.” He laughed harshly.
    The memory of the snow and the terror washed over her, and she began to shake. “I’m sorry,” she managed through the tears that threatened to flow. With a brief oath, Jake ran a hand through his hair. He closed the distance between them and gathered her in his arms. “Samantha,” he murmured against her hair. “What hell you put us all through.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” she repeated, and she began to sob in earnest. “I was so scared, so cold.”
    He rocked and murmured words she could not understand, his lips brushing through her hair and over her damp cheeks until they met hers. The kiss mingled with the salt of her tears. “I’ve gotten your shirt all wet,” she murmured after a while.
    He let out a deep breath. She saw his smile begin to spread before he rested his brow against hers. “That is without a doubt the worst calamity of the day.”
    â€œIt’s dark,” she said with sudden realization. “How long . . . ?”
    â€œToo long. What you need now is rest.”
    â€œSpook?” she began as he lay her down on the pillows.
    â€œIs sleeping off his adventure in the stables. He looks a lot better than you, I might add.”
    â€œI want to thank you for everything.” Samantha reached for his hand. In that instant, she discovered there was nothing covering her save sheets and blankets. “M-My clothes,” she stammered, drawing the quilt higher in a purely feminine gesture that caused Jake’s mouth to twitch.
    â€œSoaked through, Sam.” Rising, he stood, rocking gently on his heels. “It was necessary to get you warm and dry.”
    â€œDid Annie?” She managed a smile at the thought of the matronly presence of Jake’s housekeeper. “I seem to have put everyone to a lot of trouble. Will you thank her for me?”
    â€œWell, Sam, I’d like to oblige you, but Annie left yesterday for Colorado to spend a week with her nephew.” Jake’s grin broadened.
    â€œThen who—?” The question caught in her