Free The Cowboy's Reluctant Bride by Debra Cowan

you.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    There was no denying that someone was out for her, and they’d gotten closer to her than they should have. Gideon wouldn’t let that happen again.
    The anger he felt at her near injury didn’t surprise him, but the sudden unfamiliar tide of possessiveness that welled inside him did. He didn’t understand it. Ivy didn’t belong to him; he didn’t want her to. But the desire he’d been reining in rose to the surface.
    Damn, he wanted her. Even more than he remembered wanting Eleanor.
    The memory sobered him. He’d been blinded by his feelings before, and he wouldn’t make that mistake again. He was here to protect Ivy, and that was all.
    * * *
    She was fine. Thanks to Gideon, Ivy didn’t have even a scratch. Still, her nerves twitched at every noise, and it seemed as though just a hiccup might make her shatter.
    Tears stung the backs of her eyes. Someone meant to do her harm. Who? Why? Did they want to kill her? Ruin her business? From the poems to the creepily detailed drawings, everything had grown more threatening. The dead animals, now a vicious trap.
    With a shudder, she pushed the thoughts away. She needed to stay busy. Not only to keep from losing her composure, but also to keep her mind off how she’d wanted to give herself over to Gideon when he had wrapped her in his arms. She’d felt safe and protected, and it vexed her. She didn’t need a man for that or anything else.
    An hour after her close call, Ivy was doing laundry. She had washed the bedding in the kettle kept hot by the fire beneath then rinsed everything in the big pot full of cold water. She focused only on the moment—the warmth of the sun on her neck, wringing water from the sheets.
    Walking over to the clothesline that stretched between two posts a few yards away, she hefted the wet bulk of the linens. Tossing the heavy weight over the end of the line, she reached for the sheet on top.
    “Let me help you.”
    At the sound of Gideon’s voice right behind her, she jumped. Her heart gave a painful kick.
    “Sorry.” He ducked under the line to the other side. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
    “It doesn’t take much,” she said wryly.
    Thunder bounded up to her, and Ivy bent to scratch behind the pup’s ears.
    Studying her, Gideon draped the sheet over the line. “Are you okay? From before, I mean.”
    “Yes.” She lifted another piece of bedding. “I stripped your bunk, too.”
    He nodded, taking the linen from her and arranging it beside the other piece. “I hung that trap on the wall in the barn. Won’t hurt anybody now.”
    “Thank you.” She really didn’t want to talk about this. Dwelling on it chipped away at her resolve not to cry. Drawing in his dark male scent, her gaze wandered to his big hands. He easily managed the unwieldy laundry. Just as easily as he’d handled her after snatching her out of harm’s way.
    Despite the size of his hands, his touch had been gentle. Reassuring. Just to be held without being expected to give anything in return had made her want to stay in his arms. That had rattled her almost as badly as the near miss with the trap.
    It still did. She needed him gone from here.
    “Thanks for your help. I think I’ve got it now.”
    “Okay.” He thumbed his hat back, his blue eyes narrowed on her. “You sure?”
    “Yes,” she said tersely, then softened her voice. “I’m fine. Really.”
    He stooped to pass under the line and stand beside her. “I didn’t find any tracks besides the ones in the woods.”
    The reminder of what had happened had her swallowing past a lump in her throat. Tension stretched across her shoulders. She wished he would go before her poise deserted her.
    His gaze fixed on her face. “I’ll be in the barn.”
    “All right.” She managed a smile, knowing he wouldn’t leave until he believed she was fine.
    Finally, he seemed satisfied and walked back the way he’d come, the pup trotting behind. Relieved, she closed her eyes