Free Saved by the Rancher by Jennifer Ryan

morning?” Beth asked and continued chopping. She watched Jack with her dark brown eyes, inherited from her Mexican mother.
    “Her fever hasn’t broken. She’s passed out cold. She’ll probably sleep the day away.”
    “I’ll check on her throughout the day. If you want, I’ll sit in the room and watch her while you go to work.”
    “No. Just check on her. Like I said, she’ll probably sleep through the day. I’ll eat and go down to the barn, catch up on paperwork, and check on the horses and the crew. I’m sticking close to the house today. I’ll send Caleb to check the pastures and herds.”
    He scooped scrambled eggs and bacon onto two plates and handed one over to his sister. After she set her plate down, she grabbed him around the waist and hugged him hard, squeezing the air out of his lungs. He almost dropped his plate. He put his own plate next to hers and wrapped his arms around her head, resting on his chest.
    “Honey, it’s all right. She’ll be okay. What you did for her this morning, it was sweet.”
    “It’s the least I can do. I feel bad for her.”
    “I do, too.” He let his sister go and sat on the stool beside her.
    “How did she do last night?”
    “She had a few bad moments. She woke up and panicked at one point when she thought I’d taken her to the hospital to get those stitches. I calmed her down, and she slept well after that. She talked a little in her sleep. Stuff about how she’d never go back, she wouldn’t give up. She’s strong. She’ll get through this.” He took a bite of eggs, not tasting them, but knowing his body needed the food.
    Sally finished eating and burst out of the kitchen heading for the stairs. Jack knew exactly where he’d find her later. He checked the impulse to follow.
    Summer and he finished their breakfast in silence, watching Beth put together her soup in a huge pot on the stove. She got the fixings out to make bread. By the afternoon, the scent of fresh baked bread would fill the house. Jack’s mouth watered thinking about a slice with hot melted butter.
    Jack gulped down another cup of coffee before he stood to go upstairs and shower and walk down to the barn.
    Before he left the kitchen, he asked his sister, “Where’s Lily?”
    “I sent her down to the barn with her daddy to see her pony. I’ll pick her up and take her to preschool on my way to work.”
    “Okay. Don’t let her upstairs. I don’t want her to see Jenna.”
    “She’s curious about the ‘lady upstairs’ and wants to meet her.”
    “Not now. When Jenna’s better.”
    “I agree. I’ll come by after work and check on you guys before I head home. I’ll see you later.”
    “Tell Caleb I’ll be down shortly.”
    “I will.”
    “Beth, come get me if Jenna stirs.”
    “Count on it. Get cleaned up. Go to work. I won’t let you down.”
    “You never do.” Beth’s eyes glassed over at his praise and confidence in her. Jenna had made a big impact on his life. He’d been a hard, cold man for too long. Jenna was bringing him back to his true nature and it showed this morning. It took her arrival and knowing she’d spent the last couple of years isolating herself from everything and everyone around her to make him see he’d done much the same in his own life.
    Sure enough Sally lay on the bed next to Jenna, watching the door. Jenna hadn’t moved. He passed her door and went down the hall to his own room. He pulled his shirt over his head and made his way to the bathroom. He sat on the toilet and worked off his boots and socks. He got up and turned on the water in the big marble shower. Steam filled the large bathroom. Jack stripped off his jeans and boxers and stepped into the shower washing away his hard night. He wished it could wash away the images of Jenna’s beaten body from his mind.

 
    Chapter Twelve
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    J ACK ARRIVED TO the barn later than he normally would any other day. His crew took care of the stalls and fed all the horses. Many of the horses were