Free Rocky Mountain Rose (Rocky Mountain Bride Series Book 3) by Lee Savino Page A

help you shake off the last of Doyle’s influence.”
    She clammed up because these were very good points.
    Lyle saw his opening and took it, stalking forward and squeezing her shoulders “I’m not going anywhere, Rose. And I want to prove it. Not only that, but it’ll send a message to every man who looks at you the wrong way, including Doyle.”
    “I can handle Doyle.” She wrenched out of his grasp.
    Lyle let her go, blue eyes dark, following. “Last time, he sold you back to your drunken father and I lost you for five years. Forgive me if I’d rather not go through that again.”
    “Oh, I’m sure it was so hard for you.” She rolled her eyes and waved a hand, propping the other on her hip.
    Lyle’s eyes snapped to hers. “You don’t know the half of it.”
    “What a hardship, to lose the younger sister on the eve of marrying the elder. What, Mary wasn’t enough, you wanted to dip your stick in the sister’s well?”
    Storm clouds passed over his face. “Careful, Rose. No one disrespects my Mary. Not even you.”
    “You’re worse than Doyle,” she whispered. “At least he doesn’t tell pretty lies about how he’ll take care of me.”
    “You will speak to me with respect.” Lyle’s voice cracked like a whip. “I know you hate it when I have you cornered, but I have you, Rose, and I’m not going anywhere. Throwing insults will get you nowhere. I’m not backing down from this.” His powerful body pushed forward, herding her back until the back of her knees hit the chaise. Unwilling to face his determined glare, she shut her eyes. The weight of the afternoon, her punishment, the kiss, and his insistence, hit her all at once. Her reserves were dry and she had no more fight.
    Her shoulders slumped and she sank back on the chaise. “Forget all I’ve said. Do what you want with me. It won’t be the first time a man has come to take over my life. And when you’re done with me, and I’m discarded again, I’m sure you won’t be the last.”
    “Rose.” All anger bled out of Lyle’s beautiful face, leaving something she could not bear. Pity.
    “I’m tired.” She started to turn from him. “May I go to bed now, or do you need me to be present and awake during the ceremony?” Her voice was quiet but laden with sarcasm.
    She felt his heat at her back, and when he put his hands on her hips, she stilled but didn’t turn.
    “Mary’s death nearly broke me,” he said.
    She froze.
    “It’s been five years, and I searched for you that whole time. Let my farm languish, left the claim. My cabin burned to the ground, and I rode the Pony Express for a few months and used any time I had to look for you.” Pulling her to face him, he put his hands on her shoulders, his blue eyes deep on hers. “I just knew I had to find you.” His hand cupped the back of her neck with supreme tenderness. “You were my guiding star. I knew I would find you and give you whatever aid you needed.”
    She couldn’t move, could barely breathe. Something huge was happening, and she was helpless in the face of it.
    “You need my help,” Lyle said. “Doyle won’t stop harassing you. Your only friend was shot, and you have no allies. I’m your only hope.” His voice dropped, along with his forehead, leaning against hers in a gesture she knew and loved too well. “I know it’s sudden. It’s not how I would’ve chosen things to go. But you can’t keep on alone. Better to come back with me, hide through the winter, then come spring decide what you want to do.”
    “But why marriage? You can’t marry me.” She shook her head. “It’s crazy.”
    “It’s the only way to send a message to these men, that you’re mine and not to be trifled with.”
    “I don’t need a man.”
    “You need protection. I’m offering. Do this for me, please? Let me care for you.”
    Her heart twisted, softening. The blue eyes and handsome face seemed sincere. What if she let down her shields, just for a while? The marriage would