Espino, Stacey - Hardcore Cowboys [Ride 'em Hard 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read Online Free Page B

expected the stench of death to overpower his senses, but it didn’t.
    Wyatt cautiously plucked the woolen cap off the driver’s head, releasing an array of wild curls. The driver was a woman, her eyes closed and face the most angelic thing he’d ever seen. Her skin wasn’t ashen, so he patted her cheeks with his palm. Although she was cold, she was soft and had some lingering body heat. She didn’t awaken, but he noticed her lip twitch, which was the final bit of proof that the stranger was indeed alive. He released the tense breath he held, staring at her for a few moments longer while his fears filtered out of his body. After unlocking and opening the door, he scooped up her petite body, blankets and all, and carried her close to his chest. He kicked her car door shut and managed to open the passenger side of his truck while holding her. She groaned, a faint sound, but never opened her eyes. He settled her on her side and then returned to his driver’s seat a minute later.
    “It’s okay, darlin’. You’re in good hands now.” He knew she couldn’t hear him, but he felt the need to reassure the poor little thing. His brothers would know what to do, and home wasn’t far now. Val and Cord volunteered for the community fire department, so they had all sorts of medical training. Wyatt hoped all the girl needed was warmth and rest and didn’t have any lasting damage from the cold. His entire world shifted in a heartbeat—all that mattered was the girl.

    * * * *

    Val checked the phone lines again, but they were still down. No phone, no satellite, no electricity. Not much fun when he was holed up with his brother for God knew how long. At least they were prepared, so they wouldn’t suffer. They agreed not to use their gas-powered generators until absolutely necessary. With heat from the woodstove and fireplace, they couldn’t complain. Val couldn’t help but worry how his neighbors were faring, but it would be suicide to head out in this monstrous storm to check on them. Everyone just had to hold tight and wait it out. Val and Cord would deal with the aftermath both on their own ranch and around town when the skies cleared.
    The large room was eerily quiet with only the howl of the wind against the boarded windows. “What do you think the purpose of life is?” Val asked. He couldn’t sit still, pacing the room, feeling antsier than usual. He’d spent too long trapped in the house when he was used to working and keeping busy. Quiet reflection would eat him alive if the storm didn’t die down soon.
    “Where the fuck did that come from?” Cord was lying on the sofa, taking a break from polishing every bit of tack they had in the mud room. They were both bored to tears.
    “It’s a straightforward question.”
    “The purpose of life? The hell if I know. You work, get old, and then you die.” His brother peeked open an eye and lifted his head slightly. “You’re not getting all emotional on me, are you? I’d rather face the storm, in that case.”
    Val groaned and dropped into his chair, resting his feet on the wooden coffee table. “We’re past our prime, brother. Don’t you think of things like family and children?”
    They rarely talked about settling down. The mere idea of splitting up, getting married, and moving on—away from each other—was not something either of them wanted to contemplate. But as the years passed by, Val thought more and more about life and the future. Farming wasn’t as fulfilling as it had been. He wanted something to live for.
    “You’re just pent-up. The storm will pass soon enough.” Cord returned to his feigned sleep, draping a forearm across his eyes.
    Val couldn’t sit still. He bolted back up and looked around the darkened room, lit by firelight. “This place is a fucking shrine. Look at it!” He ran a finger over the thick dust on the mantle. Nothing had changed over the years. They dared not touch a thing, so afraid of erasing memories of the past. But