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

shrugged. “Well, if you’re gonna cry, here’s your chance. We won’t be stopping much on the trail out of here.”
    “I never cry,” Rose said. “Tears never help anything. I learned that long ago.”
    The younger Wilder blinked in surprise and frowned as if he didn’t quite know what to do with her. She met his gaze, keeping her own cool and steady.
    Clearing his throat, Lyle pushed between them on his stallion. “We best get moving.”
    Jesse dropped his head and guided his horse and mule forward. Rose kept glaring at the younger brother’s back, until Lyle cut across her sights. The older Wilder’s handsome face was thoughtful. She tried frowning at him, but the pity in his eyes was too much to bear, and she spent the rest of the ride focused on the trail in front of her.
    *
    They rode into a new town at sunset. Outside the hotel, Lyle helped her dismount, then carried her bags inside. Rose thought how nice it was to have a strong man at her side.
    He could not shield her from the scrutiny of all the men on the street. Even with a bonnet, her red hair spilled out and caught the eye. Add to that her extreme paleness and beauty, and men practically walked into porch posts staring at her. The second time a youth wrapped himself around a railing, she smirked until a shadow fell over her face. Lyle stood there, his height enough to block out the sun.
    “Enjoying yourself?” He didn’t sound amused.
    “Always,” she murmured and accepted his offered arm. Lyle shot a glare around to all the watching men, and her insides curled with glee. This might be fun, after all. As long as she felt safe, she liked being the center of attention. Years in the spotlight cursed with incredible beauty taught her there was no escaping it. She might as well enjoy it.
    Rose entered the boarding house, lifting her chin to meet the stares of ten or so rough-looking men. With Lyle at her side, she was free to look around. He kept a hand at her back as they headed for the front desk. She couldn’t stop a little grin from perching on her face as they paraded together through the room. He would have to keep on his toes if he was going to fend off her admirers.
    Once they reached the desk, Lyle herded her in front of him, his large body blocking the stares of the rest of the room. His possessive clutch wasn’t enough to stop the innkeeper’s eyes flickering to Rose’s bosoms then up again.
    “A room,” Lyle said, jaw clenched. His arm went around Rose, pulling her into his side. Staying meek, she let herself step closer to him, telling herself it was only an act, ignoring the way her heart jumped at his closeness.
    “Two,” Rose corrected. Lyle transferred his glare to her.
    “Dearest,” he ground out the endearing term. “Why go the extra expense?”
    She smiled with a coldness that would chill any man’s heart. “You know why, honey lumpkin,” she answered. “And I will pay the extra expense.” She froze a little when she remembered her gold was gone, but didn’t lose face. A song and a dance, a turn about a room, and she could earn what she needed.
    “You will not.” Lyle put his hand on the counter, with his own purse. “One room,” he ordered the innkeeper, then gripped Rose’s arm and led her to the side.
    “Your enemies are looking for a band of three. Two brothers and a single redhead. It’s bad enough you turn every man’s eye in town.”
    “That’s hardly my fault,” she hissed.
    “We share a room,” Lyle said, grip tightening. Not enough to hurt, but enough to give her pause. “And we act married. Do not cross me in this.”
    “Fine,” she whispered back.
    They stalked back to the innkeeper, who looked from one to another at their obvious snit, eyes lingering longer on Rose.
    “One room,” Lyle repeated. “And I’ll thank you to keep your eyes off my wife,” he said.
    Rose’s head whipped around to stare at Lyle, but he kept glowering at the innkeeper, blue eyes like ice. To Rose’s