The Rancher And The RunawayBride: Part 2 Read Online Free PDF

him that Princess had indeed found another
     cat. “Hush, little one,” he said soothingly, taking one step at a time. “It’s all
     right.”
    The bundle turned out to be a burlap sack. As he bent over it, he saw a white cat
     nursing five kittens. Their damp bodies and the blood on the burlap told its own story,
     as did the ragged tears in the cloth.
    “What happened?” Rita asked, coming up to stand beside him. “Oh, my. Kittens.”
    “She just gave birth. Probably this afternoon. Some bastard put her in a sack and
     left her out here to die.”
    Rita blanched. “That’s disgusting. What kind of person would do that?”
    “You’d be surprised.” Princess came up and nudged his hand. He crouched beside the
     dog. “You saved her, didn’t you, girl.”
    Princess whined. There were scratches on her face. A deep one in her cheek still oozed
     blood. He checked her paws. All her nails were intact, although she’d worn away patches
     of skin in her effort to free the cat.
    “Let me get the first aid kit,” Rita said.
    “Don’t bother. We need to get everyone back to the barn. Once they’re safe there,
     the vet can come out and check all the cats and Princess.”
    “How are we going to move them? I’ve got the cell phone and we can call Tex to bring
     the truck, but I don’t think it will make it here.”
    He eyed the rough terrain. “We’d be faster just carrying them back. Did you bring
     blankets?”
    “Sure. There’s a couple.”
    “Good. We’ll make slings.”
    She walked to her horse. Once there she seemed to be having trouble with the saddlebags.
     Brady stood up and moved to her. “Can I help?” he asked.
    She shook her head, but didn’t turn around.
    “Rita?”
    “Damn,” she muttered, and got the bags open. She thrust her hand inside and pulled
     out the blankets, then tossed them to him. “Here.”
    He caught the blankets, but didn’t turn away. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing.” She sniffed, then spun toward him. Raising her chin defiantly, she said,
     “I’m just being a typical female and dissolving into tears. Ignore me.”
    Just as she said, tears filled her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. Her skin was
     smudged, and the moisture left visible tracks.
    “I know it’s stupid,” she continued. “And emotional. I just can’t believe anyone could
     be so cruel. It’s awful.” She folded her arms over her chest and swallowed. “This
     is where you tell me I’m too much of a city girl to make it out here.”
    Without stopping to consider it wasn’t a good idea, he slid his arm around her shoulders
     and squeezed her close. “This is where I tell you that you’ll be just fine out here.
     Big hearts are always welcome.”
    She raised her head and stared at him. “You don’t think I’m a sissy girl?”
    He thought she was beautiful, even red-eyed and dirty. He thought she was compassionate
     and funny. He thought she had the kind of body designed to drive him to the edge of
     sanity, but doubted she wanted to hear any of those things.
    “I think you’re special,” he said, and dropped a quick kiss on her forehead.
    Her smile nearly blinded him. He was forced to turn away so she wouldn’t see the shock
     in his eyes.
    “What do you want me to do?” she asked, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand.
    “You’re going to have to carry Princess,” he said. “She can’t make it back on her
     own. I don’t think she’s caused herself any serious injury, but those paws have got
     to hurt her.”
    Rita nodded. “Walking in the dirt will only increase the chance of infection, too.
     But how do I carry her?”
    “With this.” He took the smaller blanket and folded it into a triangle. Then he walked
     behind her and secured the ends, with the blanket hanging over one shoulder. “She
     can sit on the saddle in front of you. The blanket will hold her securely so she doesn’t
     fall off. Can you ride back like that?”
    “Of course. Are you taking the