Saved by the Rancher by Jennifer Ryan Read Free Book Online

and how would he find out if she went to the hospital?”
    “Her ex-husband. I can’t explain it all now, but he’d find out. Either that or the police will discover who she is, and the media will report she’s there in Hidden Springs. Then he’d surely know where to find her. Please, Jack. You’re trained in combat emergency medical care. You can stitch her up, get her well again.”
    “I can, yes, but she needs a hospital.”
    “She needs you. That’s why I sent her to you. Please, Jack, as a favor to me, help her. Protect her. She won’t let me. Hell, she won’t let anyone near her. You’re my last hope that she’ll survive.”
    Jack wanted to dump her at the hospital, let them care for her, and not think about her ever again. Stick to his safe, normal life on the ranch. After he left the military, he swore he’d never hold another person’s life in his hands. He’d never lose another friend.
    He didn’t want to let her into his life. Shit. Too late. She was already living on his property. He’d been the one to bring her here, even after he saw the bruises at the diner and knew what they meant. Steeling himself against that, he answered resignedly, “Fine. I’ll take care of her. I’ll call you later, and you’ll tell me the whole story.”
    He shoved the phone back into his pocket and gave himself over to the new feelings resonating within him. He couldn’t give her over to anyone else and pretend he’d never seen her. He’d never forget her. Hell, the truth was he couldn’t not help her. She needed him. And, damnit all to hell, he felt something for her. He hadn’t felt anything in a long time. And he resented her for making him feel. Why her? Now? She moaned in pain. Giving himself over to fate, he’d do everything possible to help her and make her well. He’d make sure no one ever did this to her again.

 
    Chapter Six
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    “I ’VE NEVER SEEN anything like this, Jack.”
    Jenna lay moaning in pain, never actually waking up, her body wracked with fever. Summer kept whispering to her and smoothed her hair like she did with her daughter. “This poor woman, someone beat her.”
    Jack placed a hand on Summer’s shoulder to reassure her. He needed the touch as much as she did. “I’ll take care of her.”
    “No, we’ll take care of her. No one should end up like this.” Summer shook her open hands at Jenna. “How can we live in a world where someone gets away with beating someone, cutting them?”
    Summer, the baby of the family, grew up loved and protected. She couldn’t fathom being in Jenna’s condition and ending up in a new place alone. She couldn’t conceive of lying down hurt, knowing no one was coming to take care of her, because she had Jack, their brother and parents, and a husband who loved her.
    “Doesn’t she have someone to care for her?” Summer ran a shaking hand through the side of her hair and the shine of tears filling her eyes spilled over her lashes. She swiped them away and sighed.
    Jack ran his hand over his sister’s hair. “Ben says she’s been on the run for a couple of years. This isn’t the first time she’s been hurt. And no, I don’t think she has anyone. More likely, she won’t allow anyone close to her for fear they may be hurt, too.”
    Jack’s voice calmed and went soft. He didn’t even notice he kept stroking Jenna’s calf, holding on to his sister’s shoulder.
    “What are we going to do?” Summer asked, unsure where to begin.
    “Go out to the truck and open the passenger door. I’ll carry her out and we’ll take her to the house. I can take care of her there. Call Beth and tell her to get the guest room ready.”
    “Do you think we should move her? How will you pick her up without hurting her back?” Summer bit her lip, unable to really look at the welts and cuts.
    “I don’t have a choice. Hopefully, she’s so out of it, she won’t know or feel any pain. God help me if she wakes up.” He narrowed his eyes and frowned