Song of the West by Nora Roberts Read Free Book Online Page A

slowed his Arabian’s gait to the gelding’s meandering walk. She would never have admitted to the man at her side that his words had disturbed her peace of mind.
    What business was it of his how she chose to run her life? What gave Jake Tanner the right to question her relationship with Sabrina? No one asked him for his advice. And why in heaven’s name should anything he said matter in the first place?
    They were approaching a large ranch house. A redwood porch skirted the building’s front, graced by evergreen shrubs. A gray wisp of smoke rose in a welcoming spire from the chimney. Ranch buildings sat neat and unobtrusive in the background.
    â€œWelcome to the Double T, ma’am.”
    Jake drew her eyes with the uncharacteristic formality in his tone. She turned to see him smile and touch the brim of his well-worn Stetson.
    â€œThank you, Mr. Tanner. I can honestly say your ranch is spectacular. But what, may I ask, are we doing here?”
    â€œWell, now . . .” Jake shifted in the saddle to face her directly. “I don’t know about you, but nearly three hours in the saddle gives me a powerful appetite. I figured here we might do a bit better than beef jerky.”
    â€œThree hours?” Samantha repeated, and pushed Sabrina’s hat from her head so it lay against her back. “Has it really been that long?”
    The angles of his face moved slowly with his grin, and she found herself once more intrigued by the process. “I’ll take that to mean you were so delighted with my company, time stood still.”
    She answered with a toss of her head. “I hate to tread on your ego, Jake, but the credit goes to Wyoming.”
    â€œClose enough for now.” Reaching over, he plopped the brimmed hat back in place on Samantha’s head and urged his mount into a canter.
    Samantha stared after him in exasperation, watching the confidence with which he rode the Arabian. They moved like one form rather than horse and man. Scowling, she pressed her heels to the gelding’s side and raced forward to join him.
    As she reached his side, he skirted the ranch house and rode toward the buildings in the rear, following the left fork on a long, hard-packed road. A large, sleepy-eyed Saint Bernard rose from his siesta and romped forward to greet them. A deep, hoarse bark emitted from his throat. Jake halted in front of the stables. He slid off the Arabian’s back, running his hand through the dog’s thick fur as he hit the ground.
    â€œWolfgang’s harmless.” He acknowledged the loving, wet kisses with another brief caress and moved to the gelding’s side. “He’s just a puppy.”
    â€œA puppy,” Samantha repeated. “You don’t see many hundred-and-fifty-pound puppies.” Tilting her head, she gave the overgrown baby a thorough examination before she brought her leg over the saddle to dismount.
    Jake gripped her waist as she made her descent, holding her off the ground a moment as if she were weightless. As her boots touched earth, she was turned around and drawn against a hard chest. She tilted her head to inform him that his assistance was unnecessary, but saw only a brief blur of his face before his lips captured hers.
    Her mind whirled with the touch and scent of him. She felt as though she were falling into a deep well and her heart began to beat a mad tempo against her ribs. She clutched at his jacket in defense. Perhaps the kiss was brief. It could have lasted no more than a portion of a minute, but it felt like forever. She knew his mouth was warm and sure on hers while decades flew into centuries.
    The strange sensations of timelessness and loss of control frightened her. She stiffened and began to struggle against his grasp. He released her immediately, staring down at her clouded blue eyes with a satisfied smile. The smile transformed terror into fury.
    â€œHow dare you?”
    â€œJust testing,