Bare Back Read Online Free PDF Page B

We’ll figure out a way to get back there quick, hopefully without running into those guys again,” Dodge says, handing me the map. His boyish grin compliments the green eyes and blonde hair he has. Never have I been happier that I deal with potbellied cops instead of these gorgeous Rangers. I mean, is it a requisite that they’re attractive? Do they have to hand in head shots when they fill out the application?
    “Darling? You ok?” Mitch asks me. Snapping out of my thoughts, I kneel down next to the guys, glad that I’m a woman and they can’t see my arousal. Though, the grin Mitch is giving me says he might. Unfolding the ir map, Dodge shows us about where we are. According to this, we aren’t too far off. We can already hear the water from the creek, and Billy Joe’s campsite was near the water.
“Ok, this is about where dad is,” I point to a clearing on the surface map. “We can follow the water down and get to him pretty quick. Should only take us about twenty minutes.” The guys look at each other and nod. Mitch slowly puts his shirt back on and though part of me is sad to see it covered again, some part of me is filled with relief. I can tell he tries to hide it, but I know better. I see the flicker of pain that flashes across his face as he shoves his arm in the sleeve.
     
    Picking up the med bag, Mitch swings it over his shoulder and heads towards the water. Dodge looks back, waiting for me to move, then follows. The two men silently make their way along the water, carefully watching each step, Dodge behind me, Mitch ahead. We come across a particularly slippery part of rocks and Mitch reaches his hand out to help me across. Hesitating for a moment, I suck it up and grab his hand. Instantly an electrical shock flows through my body. My core heating from just that small contact. As soon as I’m across, I yank my hand out of his. Looking into his face, that cocky grin reappears.
“I won’t bite Kel. Not unless you ask me to.” Ignoring his comment, I continue on.
“Hold up a sec,” Dodge calls out. He opens the map again. Figuring where we are, he points north. “We should be able to head into the woods due north and come right across the clearing.” Following his lead, my heart races. I’m anxious to get back to my father. A few minutes tramping through the trees and I see the clearing. I begin to run until two arms wrap around my waist, stopping me in my tracks.
“What are you doing?” I hiss at Mitch.
“Sugar, I need to make sure it’s safe to rush out there. You need to be patient for a minute.”
“Patient? My father could be dying. Let’s go.” As we bicker, Dodge creeps out to the opening, scanning the area, his gun in his hand.
    “Does everything look the way you left it?” he whispers over his shoulder to me.
“With the exception of my convict not being tied to the tree anymore, yes, it does. Can we go now?” Dodge scans one more time then nods, motioning us forward. As we step into the clearing, I take off, running to my father’s side. For fifty, he’s in pretty good shape. We work out four times a week and I’ve seen him run faster than kids half my age. His brown hair makes his face look paler than it is, unless he’s really lost that much blood. Then it’s not good.
 
    “Dad, hey, we’re here. I brought some Rangers with me. Dad, can you hear me? Do you remember Mitch?” His eyes flutter open as he tries to focus on me. Dodge and Mitch get to work tending to his wound. Mitch tries to push me back, but I sit firm and won’t budge.
“If you’re not going to move then you need to help. Here, hold this on there for pressure until we have everything ready,” Mitch growls at me. He hands me a clean gauze bandage and I toss aside the dirty tee. Holding the fabric on my fathers’ shoulder, I look down into his face. Still trying to fully open his eyes, he half smiles.
“Mitch, you broke my girl’s heart. I never thought I’d be able to forgive you, but