Rough Road Home (The Circle D series) Read Online Free PDF

hadn’t viewed a woman’s touch as comforting in a long time. He grasped her upper arm with his hand, her flesh firm and toned, yet pliant beneath the soft flannel of her shirt. As she wrapped her arm around his waist and pressed tightly against his tender ribs, he forced a harsh breath through gritted teeth. Women only appeared kind and gentle. Given the opportunity, they’d rip your heart out.
    The pain began to pound until his hat felt ten sizes too small. He’d had concussions before, but none of them had ever affected him this way. Shaking his head to clear his vision, he limped along with Rachel until the clatter of the engine echoed in the distance.
    “Breathe deep, okay?” She stopped at the edge of a grassy rise with rock croppings. “I don’t want you to sit down, just fill your lungs with oxygen.”
    Her flannel shirt molded her torso as she inhaled an exaggerated breath. Nick looked away and fixed his sight on the next hill. The last thing he needed was to be caught ogling. He inhaled as she’d suggested, surprised to detect a potent pine scent this late in the season. Thoughts of the Circle D floated through his mind. Pine trees grew thick throughout the spread. He remembered sitting out on the deck of his house just enjoying the sights and smells of creation. His headache faded as his breathing became regular.
    “You’re not going to pass out on me, are you?”
    The anxiety in her voice became clear as he looked at her worried face. He saw no sign of the infuriating smile, only golden rimmed green eyes scrutinizing him.
    “I think the air cleared my brain.” He tilted his head to test motion. As her gaze remained fixed on him, the little lines around the corners of her eyes disappeared giving way to soft-lidded speculation. He tried to look away, but couldn’t. Whether she knew it or not, Rachel wore her emotions boldly, front and center for all the world to see. “What made you pull over?”
    “The nurse told me to watch for signs. When I saw you rubbing your forehead, I knew we’d better stop for a bit and see if there’s a problem.” She patted the pockets of her jeans. “I have a prescription for painkillers we need to fill. In the meantime, I need to dig out the bottle the hospital sent home with you.”
    She stepped closer until the scent of strawberries cleared out any thoughts of pine. Reaching out, she placed her small hand against his wind chilled cheek.
    Nick swallowed as her palm slid across his jaw and curved behind his neck. “You feel warm.” Her breath tickled the hairs at the base of his throat.
    Warm? He turned his head and stretched away from her hand. Given a moment longer, he feared he might lean into that hand and accept all the comfort it offered sending his better judgment out the roof.
    “Cowboy, look at me,” she said as she gripped his shoulder.
    No way, lady.
    “Nick?”
    Her voice held the same throaty quality he’d detected in the hospital. He couldn’t resist her plea. As he returned her gaze, he noticed the stubborn set of her jaw. Rachel got her way this time. The swollen lids of his left eye barely budged as he tried to stare back.
    “Like what you see?” he asked, anything to divert the intensity of her perusal.
    A shadow of doubt flitted over her face before the hated wooden smile snapped into place. “Not really.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
     
    He frowned. Not really? What was that supposed to mean? Maybe she didn’t like his bristled whiskers? Or maybe, she didn’t care for the way he towered over her when they stood side by side.
    Or maybe, she just didn’t like him. That thought struck home and he quickly brushed it aside.
    She searched his face a heartbeat longer. “Hmm, I think we’re okay. You’re a little dilated, but the rest of you appears stable.”
    “Thanks.” Nick relaxed, unsure of the offhanded comment.
    Rachel squeezed his shoulder, her touch sending an unaccustomed