Taming Talia by Marie-Nicole Ryan Read Free Book Online Page B

their horses?
    Of course, he had to be the hero. More like a futile Don Quixote. Madness to continue any farther. But just as he had risked his life for her, in good conscience, she couldn’t just return to the ranch house and consign him to whatever fate had in store. Grasping the knotted sheet as her guide, she waded deeper into the snow.
    The unrelenting wind knocked her backward more than once. Madre de Dios , she was as strong as any woman she knew. And stronger than many men, if determination and sheer grit counted for anything. This wind and snow and ice—she wouldn’t let them defeat her. Not after all she’d been through. Not now. Not ever.
     
     
    Exhausted by what seemed like hours of slogging through the heavy, packed snow, Natalia was more than ready to concede the folly of her actions. The knotted rope was slack, no longer attached to Jared. No longer attached to anything. Had she walked over his body buried in one of the drifts which were already shoulder-deep some places?
    If so, she’d never find him. Someone still had to check on the animals in the stable. She would have to do as Jared had intended and bring back the rope, which would act as a guide between the ranch house and the stable. She wouldn’t allow her mare to freeze or starve to death, or any of the other animals. The hacienda was her responsibility now, and she would care for it alone, as long as necessary.
    She rubbed the frozen tears from her lashes, sniffed, and immediately regretted inhaling a blast of air that burned inside her chest. Jared was such a virile man. To think of his death saddened her, no matter how short their acquaintance. Whatever his true reasons for seeking her out, they wouldn’t have kept him from her bed. She knew when a man wanted her, just as she’d known when her husband hadn’t.
    Dios , it hurt to breathe. So tired. Every step a herculean trial.
    She stumbled, falling to her knees. Her eyelids so heavy. Just needed a moment to rest. The snow so soft like a down mattress. And warm…like a blanket.

Chapter Six
    The wind continued to howl, increasing in intensity from earlier. Tying one end of rope to a sturdy post, Jared secured it with two square knots. No way would that come undone. He could spend the rest of the night in the barn, which would save another trip in the morning. Nah. He shook his head and hefted the bale of rope onto his shoulder. One way or another, he had to go back. Didn’t matter that he’d warned Natalia to stay inside; he didn’t trust her as far as he could sling her over his shoulder and toss her across the Rio Grande.
    Fiery. Passionate. And stubborn as all get-out. Might take it into that pretty head of hers to see what was taking him so long. Last thing he needed was the subject of his inquiry getting lost in a blizzard, leaving too many unanswered questions regarding her husband’s death.
    No point in waiting. Storm wasn’t going to let up. The door wouldn’t open wide enough for his shoulders and the rope. He shoved the rope out the door, then squeezed through and picked up the rope once again. For a moment, he stood still, searching for his bearings. The wind still blew from the northeast.
    Keep the wind to the left on the trip back. Still dark. No moon visible. The going was tougher than the trip out. No fucking wonder. Snow was a foot deeper too. Most of his path had filled in while he was in the stable.
    Just keep the wind to your left.
    He hadn’t gone far when he stumbled and fell over an obstruction in the snow. Digging frantically, he uncovered a body. He swept off the Stetson covering the face and discovered long black hair spilling over the snow. “Son of a bitch!”
    Her face was waxen. Her pale lids gave not so much as a flutter. He shook her. “Natalia!” And still no response. He pulled her flaccid body from the drift, intending to take her back to the stables. The house was too far to carry her and a large bale of rope. He needed to warm her up, and