Saving the Sheriff: A Three River Ranch Novella (Entangled Bliss) by Roxanne Snopek Read Free Book Online Page B

Everything sparkles and I can feel the light soaking into my heart, chasing out the darkness.” She aimed her blazing eyes at him. “Can’t you feel it?”
    He gulped. He was pretty sure that whatever he was feeling had more to do with the crusader in front of him than with the environment.
    “It’s an adventure, Red. A week from now it’ll be a memory. We might as well make it a good one, don’t you think?”
    Instantly, an image flashed into his mind. The two of them snuggled together in a snow cave, keeping each other alive while the storm raged.
    Of course, in such a situation, the smartest thing would be to skin down and share all the layers. He became suddenly aware of the pressure of her thigh against his.
    They’d generate some heat, all right.
    He forced himself to move his leg away from hers.
    Maybe Frankie’s relentless positivity was a bid to manage her fears. Maybe it was her way of helping. It was, he confessed to himself, a lot better than flailing hysteria.
    Maybe he was being too tough on her. Frankie didn’t need him making things worse.
    “If we get stranded, I’m not sleeping with the mutt,” he said, maneuvering the pickup into a sheltered spot next to the main barn. “Not that we will. Get stranded. I mean.”
    It was a sad attempt to lighten things up, but Frankie latched onto it with both hands.
    “We’ll share her,” she chirped. “Dogs have a lot of body heat, you know. I wouldn’t dream of keeping her all to myself. That would be selfish.”
    She put an unnecessary emphasis on the last word.
    “Sharing body heat is smart.” He put the truck in park, leaving the engine running, then turned to look at her. Sparks flared between them. “But skin-to-skin is the best way.”
    Her eyes darkened and a smile tickled her lips. “Some people will do anything to survive. Maybe I’ll keep the dog to myself after all.”
    “Good thing I’m here to make sure we get back to the house safely.”
    “Come on, Sheriff, enough flirting. Let’s get to work.” She reached past the dog to open the passenger door. “I’ll even let you hold my hand, if it makes you feel better.”
    A gust of wind pushed the door closed, barely missing the dog’s eager nose.
    “Whoa,” said Frankie.
    Red leaned across her and pulled the door shut tight. “Slide out my door.” His arm pressed against her body, soft and pliant, and he heard a little hitching breath as he pulled away.
    Red slid out of the truck, held his door open and helped Frankie down. He had a sudden image of her, backed up against the truck, him holding her there, his arms and legs on either side of hers, her lips parted, stormy eyes looking up at him…
    As Frankie stepped down, the dog pushed past them both, leaping down into the snow. Frankie’s boot slipped, she grabbed his shoulders and for a moment, his daydream turned vividly real. Her face was next to his, her eyes startled and unguarded. He felt the warmth of her skin, saw the pink flush on her cheeks and heard her intake of breath when his gaze dropped to a tiny crack in that full bottom lip. Had he missed that earlier?
    She stepped away too quickly and he realized his hands were on her torso, his thumbs nearly grazing the underside of her breasts. Or they would be if she weren’t wearing so many layers. He snatched his hands away and she pressed her arms against her sides, both of them reacting as if she’d been naked.
    “Oops, that was close,” he said, acting unaware. “You okay?”
    “Yeah, fine. Sorry about that.” She forced a laugh, then brushed snow off the front of her jacket. She turned to face him. “Lead the way, Boss. I’m all yours.”
    In front of them, the dog bounded and cavorted, her ears flopping, the happiest Red had seen her since his arrival.
    …
    Good job, Frankie. Fall into his arms, now that’s subtle.
    “Subtle like a sledgehammer,” she muttered to herself.
    And where did subtle enter into it anyway? She slipped on the running board,