The Rivals Read Online Free PDF

Now let’s see if you have brains enough to let me help you.”
    The flashlight was in the hand she was using to support him, with the light aimed up at his face, and she saw a grin flash as he sagged against her.
    â€œYes, ma’am,” he said. “Whatever you say, ma’am.”
    Sarah helped him up the hill and into the cab of the tow truck, where the heater was running full blast. In the light that came on when she opened the door, she saw his face was pale, and his teeth were clenched to keep them from chattering.
    â€œThose boots need to come off,” she said, suiting word to deed. It wasn’t easy getting wet cowboy boots off his feet, but she knew he’d warm up faster that way. She peeled his socks off, revealing feet that were long and narrow and ice cold. She rubbed each of them briskly and realized his Wranglers, wet from the knees down, were dripping ice water onto her hands.
    She tugged at his soggy jeans and said, “Those better come off, too.”
    He lifted a brow suggestively, then reached under his anorak for his belt buckle and undid it, before unsnapping and unzipping his jeans. He lifted his hips and she pulled on the hems of both legs until they came off. He was wearing some kind of snug black underwear that hit him midthigh.
    She handed him a gray wool blanket and said, “Wrap yourself in this. I’ll be back in no time.”
    Once back down the hill, she checked to make sure his pickup was still in neutral, that the brake was off, and that the mini-J-hooks were attached properly. Then she headed back to the tow truck to take up the slack.
    She took her time getting the truck up the hill, moving back and forth between the pickup and the winch, making sure the wheels were headed in the right direction, so the truck came up clean and easy. Once the pickup was secure for the tow back into town, she removed her waders and stowed them.
    Within fifteen minutes she was back in the cab expecting to find the cowboy warmed up. She was troubled to see that his eyes were closed. “Hey, are you all right?”
    His eyes blinked open and he scooted upright.
    â€œSorry to fall asleep like that. I had a late night last night.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t be driving when you’re tired. That’s what causes accidents.”
    â€œIt wasn’t my—”
    â€œI know,” she interrupted. “It wasn’t your fault. At least you were wearing your seat belt. You might have been killed, taking a flying leap off the road like that.” She reached over to peer into his eyes, her flashlight angled slightly away to keep from blinding him. His eyes were blue. An astonishing blue. The sort of blue that made you want to keep on looking.
    He looked right back at her. And grinned. “Last time a woman looked that intently into my eyes, she—”
    Sarah flushed and backed away, shutting off the flashlight, buckling herself in and putting the tow truck in gear. “Spare me the details. Where do you want me to drop you and your pickup off?”
    â€œYou can leave the pickup at the Jackson Hole Garage. I could use a ride to my ranch, if you don’t mind.”
    Sarah didn’t usually provide cab service, but it was late and he was wet, half-naked and hurt. He might very well collapse or get frostbite before a cab finally showed up at the garage to take him home.
    â€œWhere’s your ranch?” she said, eyeing him curiously. She knew most of the ranchers around town, and she didn’t know this man. The way he’d been dressed, in a plaid wool shirt, worn jeans, and boots, she’d figured him more for a cowhand than an owner. “Is there someone who can take care of you overnight? You shouldn’t be alone. You might have a concussion.”
    He cocked another brow at her. “There’s nobody at the main house right now except me.”
    â€œWhere is that?” Sarah asked.
    â€œForgotten Valley.”
    Sarah