Rocky Mountain Rose (Rocky Mountain Bride Series Book 3) by Lee Savino Read Free Book Online

caught, cocooned by his powerful arms, as he drew her against his chest. His body absorbed her tremors and gave back only comfort. As he held her, he made shushing noises until the fear seeped out of her and she could relax.
    “You’re okay, Rose. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you. You’re mine now,” he whispered.
    Her head drooped forward, and his tilted with it. His breath was soft by her ear, his short hair tickling her cheek.
    “Lyle…I can’t…” Her words choked off.
    He waited a few long minutes, but she couldn’t finish.
    “Sleep now, Rose,” he commanded. “Whatever it is, we can face it in the morning. Together.”
    Trapped in his arms, she let go and did as he said.
    *
    In the darkness, she jerked awake, a harsh banging noise filling her ears. Someone was in the hall, pounding on a door next to theirs.
    “Lyle?” she asked, voice filled with fear. Terror raced through her, transporting her back into the body of a little girl hiding under her sister’s bed while Mary barricaded the door against the shouting monster their father turned into every night.
    “Shhh,” he whispered, just above her ear, and she realized the solid warmth at her back was his long body. He still hadn’t moved, after all those hours of sleep.
    The banging outside their room continued, raised male voices and boots with a heavy tread adding to the sinister cacophony. Breathing hard, Rose pressed her face to the mattress unable to fight the fear clawing at her. In past years, sleeping alone or with Sam nearby, she’d rise and fight the urge to hide under the bed, Nelly her only comfort. Tonight, though, the threat was real, and her demons were too many to fight. She must have whimpered, because Lyle went up on one arm, gun cocked, pointing towards the door.
    The tension lasted a few minutes, then the noises died away, the boots receding down the hall. Rose sensed the tension go out of Lyle’s taut body as he lowered his gun.
    “They’re gone.”
    She couldn’t stop herself, but she didn’t want to. Rolling to face him, she pressed her face into his chest, burrowing into him.
    He curled around her, setting the gun down and then pulling her securely into his arms.
    “It’s okay, Rose,” he whispered. “You’re safe. No one is going to harm you.” Both his arms went around her, cradling her against his strong chest. Again the tremors gripped her, but Lyle only held her closer, letting her shake against him, his muscular form her port in a storm.
    In her panic, she was almost deaf to his soft reassurances, but she felt him kiss her head. At last her eyes grew heavy and she fell asleep.
    She woke to a dark form shaking her.
    Lyle caught her hands before she could lash out. “Rose, it’s me. We have to leave. Otis has found us.”
    Feeling numb, she rolled out of bed and dressed herself quickly, securing her pistol under her sash.
    Lyle waited by the door.
    “But what about…” Her voice died off as his serious silence hit her. Her life was in danger, and any delay might mean death.
    There was a sudden commotion outside, and Lyle stepped nearer, a tall, dark guardian angel. Rose stood and slung the bag over her shoulder.
    “Jesse has your trunk; he will meet us outside of town.”
    Most of the gaudy gowns she would be happy to never see again—they reminded her of Sam. Her throat closed when she realized they would not have time to bury her friend.
    “Tell Jesse to sell the rest,” she said. “I have no need of it.”
    “You sure?” Lyle asked, but didn’t wait for an answer, just took her arm and led her to the door. In the hall, he paused, gun in hand, checking the shadows for enemies. They snuck out the back where a black horse waited. Lyle wasted no time handing her up and swung up behind her before she could protest.
    “Hang on,” he said into her ear. He leaned forward, his arms going around her to grab the reins. She could feel the lithe strength of his muscles as he guided the massive stallion