Rescue Me by Catherine Mann Read Free Book Online Page B

strength against her was tempting, melting through her like cotton candy on the tongue. She punched the security code in with extra force and sank back into her seat.
    God, her heart was drumming in her ears.
    She ground her teeth and willed the gate to open faster so she could . . . what? Hurry to her lonely studio apartment with her sad little tabletop tree and perfectly lined up nativity figures? A minute ago the place sounded like a haven. Now, not so much. How strange to suddenly feel so alone when she lived in a place full of people and animals.
    The old Harvester Scout jostled along the dirt road leading to the white farmhouse where Lacey lived. A spotlight shone on a sign that read
Second Chance Ranch Rescue
. Garlands were draped along the top of that new sign, a part of the rescue’s expansion over the past year and a half. Lacey had bought an extra acre when some cranky neighbors moved. She’d expanded fences to take in horses as well but rented out that cabin next door to AJ for extra cash to fund her rescue.
    How different her life would be right now if she’d realized the guy she picked up at a truck-stop bar was the new tenant Lacey had been talking about.
    Last summer when he’d moved in, the leaves on the trees had blocked her view of his home an acre away. But recently, through the icy skeletal branches, sometimes late at night she could see the lights glowing in his place, reminding her she wasn’t the only one who had trouble sleeping. Avoiding each other was tough enough in a small town. Damn near impossible when they lived next door and shared a landlord.
    Silently, AJ drove past Lacey’s house to the red barn that housed many of the rescue’s animals. Lights lined the edges of the roof thanks to Lacey’s teenage son. Earlier this week a preschool class had come by and built snow cats and snow pups around the fenced play yard before feeding the animals treats.
    Mary Hannah grabbed the door handle as the vehicle stopped near the outdoor stairway leading to her apartment. Best to pretend the almost kiss hadn’t happened. “Thank you again for the ride.”
    Her feet hit the hard-packed ice, and she held on to the open door for balance. She refused to be disappointed AJ didn’t say a word to stop her.
    Then he was there in front of her, having moved from his side of the vehicle in a smooth flash. He held the puppy-paw blanket rolled up in his fist. “You’ll probably go by the shelter before I will and can return this.”
    She took the cotton throw, the warmth of his hand clinging to the fabric.
    â€œThanks.” She wrapped the blanket around her shoulders again. “And, uh, Merry Christmas.”
    â€œIt’s been a memorable one for sure.” He took her elbow without asking and steadied her past those lopsided snow kitties and snow pups, toward the steps leading to her place. A sled was propped up against a post at the base, caked in ice as if encouraging her to relax, to play.
    His boots crunched with evenly paced strides. “Now that we’ve declared this truce, how do we get Lacey and Wyatt to back off with the matchmaking?”
    â€œI wish I knew the answer to that. Lacey has done so much to help me, I’m not really sure how to make her understand without telling her everything and I just can’t.” She shook her head.
    â€œWyatt and Lacey seem to think everyone should be as giddy as they are—”
    â€œGiddy? That’s just not a word I would expect you to use.” Her nervousness over that almost kiss made her latch on to the small thought. There was so much about him that confused her.
    â€œWhen have we talked enough for you to form an opinion of my word choices?”
    â€œThat’s my point. You haven’t struck me as the chatty sort.” Yet he’d spoken to her quite a lot today, mixing up that irritability with surprising concern and humor. “You seem like more of