Free Saved by the Rancher by Jennifer Ryan Page B

the stall door behind him, he gave Blue an apple.
    “You’re a fine friend.” Jack felt better.
    One of the grooms worked inside a nearby stall, and Jack ordered, “Take Blue into the pasture later, so he can get some exercise.” Jack wasn’t riding anywhere today and the big stallion liked a good run.
    He headed into his office at the end of the barn and found Pete waiting for him.
    “Everyone’s been talking about the lady you got up at the house. She okay?”
    “She will be. What’s everyone saying?” Jack asked.
    “All kinds of things. Mostly they think someone beat her up and you saved her. I saw her last night. Never seen anything like that. You get the guy who did it?”
    People were talking because Pete let it be known he’d seen Jenna. Jack’s behavior last night had been unexpected and Pete and the others wanted to know if the boss had himself a new woman.
    “I don’t know who did it. And I didn’t save her, she saved herself. I just patched her up. Hey, if you see anyone around the property who doesn’t belong, you let me know.”
    “No problem. Me and the guys, we’ll keep our eyes open. She staying here a while?”
    “If I have anything to say about it. Tell everyone to stop talking about her. I don’t want her to feel self-conscious or embarrassed. She’s scared right now, but she’s tough. She’ll get through this.”
    “If you need anything, we’re all here to help.”
    “I know, Pete. Pass the word that I appreciate it.”
    “Sure, Boss. I’d better get back to it.”
    Jack sat and leaned back in his chair, put his head back, and contemplated the ceiling for a while. Tired after the long morning, he gathered up the papers on his desk and worked his way through them. He spent hours working on the computer, entering figures and printing out reports. The ranch was doing well and turning a profit. Jack intended to keep it that way. He started on the paperwork for the diner when the office phone rang.
    “Jack, it’s Beth. You’re two hours late for lunch. Get up here.”
    Time slipped away from him. He hated doing the paperwork. He’d rather be out in the fields with the horses and cattle. He needed to check on Jenna and felt guilty he’d lost track of time.
    “She still asleep?”
    “Yeah, now come have lunch.”
    “I’m on my way.”
    Jack usually went around the house and entered through the kitchen. Today he went in the front and up the stairs to check on her first. She hadn’t moved, was still sound asleep. Beth had put another cool cloth on Jenna’s fevered head. He prepared the antibiotics and gave her another shot and tucked the sheet around her so she wouldn’t get the chills.
    She stirred and called his name. He brushed his hand over her head and held it over her soft cheek. “I’m here,” he whispered. She relaxed again and settled into sleep. He rubbed his fist over the ache in his chest.
    Sally licked his hand. “You’re a good girl. Keep an eye on her.”
    Jack kissed Jenna’s shoulder and lingered over the task. Her skin, so soft. He brushed his lips over her. He hated to leave her, but he needed food and headed downstairs for lunch, knowing she pulled at him even as he left her sleeping.
    “She’s fine, Jack,” Beth said when he entered the kitchen. “Your face is hanging so low, you look like a hound dog. Don’t worry. She hasn’t stirred all morning, or afternoon.”
    “I know, but that fever hasn’t gone down.”
    “I have to leave in an hour. So you’ll need to stay with her, or have one of the guys come up to the house.”
    “She wouldn’t like having a strange man around if she wakes up. I’ll stay.”
    “Dinner’s in the fridge. Just pop it in the oven for half hour and you’ll be good to go. If she wakes, there’s soup in the fridge for her and fresh bread in the box on the counter.”
    “Yeah, I’ve thought about that. I need to get some fluids into her before she wastes away.”
    “Why don’t you call Doc Stanton and have