Read Online The Rough and Ready Rancher by Kathie DeNosky - Free Book Online Page A

to a grimace.
    â€œIt’s okay, Jim,” Jenna said, her voice gentle. “We’re here now. Everything will be all right.”
    Envy swept through Flint when she laid a comforting hand on Jim’s cheek. The sound of her velvet voice saying another man’s name, the sight of her hand caressing the young cowboy’s jaw, had Flint wishing he were the one stretched out on the ground with his head resting in her lap.
    He gritted his teeth against the irrational thought, rose to his feet and went to the bay’s side to unfasten the extra saddle blanket. “Jenna, take off your belt.” He walked back to place the blanket beside Jim’s injured leg, then removed his own belt. “I’ll need yours, too, Jim. Can you get it off?”
    Jim struggled for a moment to sit up, but pain forced him to sink back against Jenna. “Give me a minute…to catch my breath…and I’ll try again.”
    â€œI’ll get it,” she said, reaching for the buckle.
    Flint watched her hands, so slender, so soft, hover above Jim’s waist. How many times in the last few days had Flint caught himself reliving the feel of her hands touching his skin? Remembering the effect they had on his body? Nowthose same hands were tugging at another man’s belt, mere inches from…
    If Jenna unbuckled a man’s belt, it damn well better be his.
    Cursing, Flint brushed her hands aside, helped Jim to a sitting position and made short work of removing the leather strap. “Support his leg while I get this blanket under it,” he commanded, ignoring the exasperated look she shot him.
    He fashioned a makeshift splint out of the stiff pad, then secured it with the belts. When he finished the task, he looked up to see Jenna helping Jim remove his tattered shirt.
    â€œWhat do you think you’re doing?”
    â€œDidn’t you say he might have some cracked ribs?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThen don’t you think it might be a good idea to tape them?”
    Flint knew he was acting the fool and being completely irrational, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. To watch her help Jim out of his clothing, to see her gentle hands touch his bruised side, was more than Flint could take.
    He bent to tape the man’s ribs, then helped him stand on his good leg. “I don’t like having to do this, but we don’t have a choice, Jim. We’re going to have to ride out of here. Think you can stay upright in the saddle?”
    His lips white with pain, Jim sucked in a sharp breath and nodded. “I’ll give it a damned good try.”
    â€œHe can double up with me,” Jenna offered, steadying the cowboy from the opposite side.
    Flint shook his head. “He’s going to need support, and you’re not strong enough.”
    â€œI’m stronger than I look.”
    â€œDon’t be ridiculous—”
    â€œIf you two don’t mind,” Jim interrupted, “I’d like to get to a doctor before this leg falls off.”
    â€œJenna, bring the horses over here.” Flint felt guilty as hell. Jim needed immediate medical attention, and all Flint wanted to do was argue with Jenna. Well, that wasn’t all he wanted, but it did help to ease some of his pent-up tension. And for now, that would have to do.
    After Jenna led the horses to his side, Flint tied the saddlebags to the buckskin’s saddle, lifted Jim onto the bay, then swung up behind him. He steadied the younger man with his arms as Jim’s body went limp.
    â€œHang on,” Flint encouraged the now-unconscious man. “Whiskers is going to meet us at the wash.”
    A half hour later Flint guided his horse across the sandy bottom of the ravine, relieved to see Whiskers and Ryan waiting for them on the other side with one of the ranch trucks.
    â€œI put some blankets and pilla’s in the back so Jim could lay down,” the old man said. “How long has he been