Read Online Taming Talia by Marie-Nicole Ryan - Free Book Online Page B

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    He shook his head. “Get dressed.” His voice was low and raspy. “The horses need to be fed and watered. A cow needs milking.”
    At that, the sounds of bovine lowing intruded into her fantasy. Pulling up her riding pants, somewhat carefully due to the tenderness between her legs, she nodded. “I know.”
    They quickly finished dressing. Jared tended to both horses’ needs while Natalia milked the cow. “What’ll we do with all this milk?” She nodded toward the wooden bucketful of milk with steam rising in the frigid air. “Maybe we could get one bucket back to the house.”
    “Maybe.”
    She walked over to her mare’s stall and rubbed her nose. “It’s going to be all right, Esperanza. It will.” Her mare nickered softly under Natalia’s touch.
    “Trying to convince the mare or yourself?”
    “A little of both, I guess.”
    “Are you ready?” he asked, nodding toward the door.
    “To brave the elements? As ready as I’ll ever be.” Truly, if they never left the stable until the snow melted in the spring, she couldn’t imagine a better… Maybe not. She wrinkled her nose as an awareness of the stable smells hit her full force. Horse droppings. Cow patties.
    “Good. ’Cause getting back to the ranch house isn’t going to be a Sunday stroll.” He buttoned the heavy overcoat she’d given him from Reginald’s wardrobe. It was a snug fit through the shoulders, but loose through the gut. Reginald had sported quite a belly.
    Jared dragged the bale of rope that would be their guideline between the stable and house over to the stable door, then set it down. “First things first. Let’s get this door open.”
    She picked up two shovels, then walked over to the door to stand beside him. “I can help.”
    Grinning down at her, he took one of the shovels and delivered a slow, deliberate wink. “Wouldn’t think of leaving you behind.”
    Natalia watched as Jared lifted the heavy wooden crossbar securing the stable door. He seemed to put all his weight against the door, but it didn’t budge. Setting down her shovel, she said, “Here. Maybe if we both…”
    “Can’t hurt.”
    Together they pushed. One inch. Then two. She peeped outside and couldn’t believe her eyes. Even though she’d struggled through the storm last night, there was nothing visible but the glare of white snow, glistening almost to her eye level. She swallowed the lump in her throat. Her heart pounded as the reality of their situation hit her. “We’re stuck. We can’t get out.” She tried to keep the panic from sounding in her voice but failed.
    “I’ll climb up into the loft. We can lower ourselves on the rope. Get out that way. Damn good thing I pulled it in last night after bringing you inside.”
    She nodded slowly. He sounded so self-assured, so positive his plan would work. Who was this Jared Fields who had a solution for every obstacle? How did a man from the East, a mere financial advisor, become so adept at survival? Who was he really?
    If the simple answer was that he was the man who’d saved her life, then questioning his motives served no purpose. His reasons would only count once their ordeal was over. For now, survival was all that mattered.
    “There’s a ladder over there,” she said, pointing toward the back of the stable.
    “Right.” He gave a quick nod. “Saw it earlier.”
    He picked up the ladder and propped it on the loft ledge, then grabbed up the bale of rope and began to climb. “What’re you waiting for,” he said over his shoulder, “an invitation?”
    She stuck her tongue out at him and stepped onto the ladder. “You’re in my way, Señor Fields. Move it.”
    “The shovels? Bring the shovels, Natalia.”
    “ Sí , señor . Jefe .” She jumped from the ladder and grabbed up the two shovels.
    “Now see if I’m getting in your way.” He climbed slowly but with a grin.
    “I shall wait until you are in the loft and will hand you one of the shovels; then I’ll come up with the