Romancing the Ranger Read Online Free

where to start.”
    “That is precisely the point. If I gave you an easy task, it wouldn’t be much of a punishment. This way you can make restitution for the damage to the property and repair what you destroyed. If you’re determined to write a check, it probably wouldn’t hurt if you made a nice donation to the park as well.” The judge turned to Wade. “And before that smug grin takes over your entire face, Ranger Baker, I’m putting you in charge of supervising her work.”
    “Me? Why me? I didn’t do anything.” This wasn’t turning out at all like he’d hoped. “You’ve got to be kidding, Judge.”
    The judge fixed him with a hard stare. “Do I look like I’m kidding?”
    “But I don’t have time for this. I have a job to do.” He didn’t have time to babysit this little rich chick who probably didn’t know a hammer from a screwdriver.
    Well, she was about to learn. He’d be damned if he ended up doing all the work while she sat around and painted her nails. She probably didn’t even paint her own nails.
    The judge banged his gavel. “You’ve heard my ruling. My decision is final. Ms. Hudson, you’ll be required to stay in town for the next two weeks.”
    “Two weeks? But I have a job, too. A life.” She slumped in her seat.
    The judge arched an eyebrow at Wade. “I won’t require her to stay in the county jail if Ranger Baker is willing to accept guardianship. Wade, I’m sure your grandmother has room for her over at the bed and breakfast. Why don’t you take Ms. Hudson over there now? She looks like she could use a rest. I’ll have someone drop her car over there later this evening. Are you amenable to that, Ms. Hudson, or do you prefer the fine accommodations of county lockup?”
    She offered the judge a glazed nod. “A bed and breakfast sounds great.” She lifted a hand to her bandaged head. “In fact, any bed sounds great right about now. Thank you, Judge.”
    Well, this was a fine kettle of fish. Wade had wanted to be rid of this pampered princess, not sentenced to spend the next two weeks with her. And now she’d be staying at Gram’s place so he’d be stuck with her at night, too.
    At least she was easy on the eyes. Or would be, if she cleaned up a little. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. He’d get to kick back and spend the next few weeks watching a beautiful woman do manual labor, bending and stretching as she hammered and cut lumber.
    He’d bet Ms. Reese Hudson could wear the hell out of a tool belt.
    Yeah, right. Ms. Hudson did not strike him as the type of woman who got her pretty little hands dirty.
    She only had one shoe left, but even he knew it was an expensive style. He recognized the name on her purse as one Tawnya constantly coveted, and bet the price tag on the purse alone could pay off one of those damn credit card statements that filled the stack on his desk at home.
    He grimaced as he snuck a glance at Reese.
    She held the dog against her, its plump body covering her lap as she stroked its fur and it nibbled her hand.
    He knew the next two weeks with Reese Hudson were going to try all of his patience, but danged if he didn’t feel a tiny stab of envy for the dog as he imagined Reese stroking his back while he found a few places of hers to nibble.

Chapter Three
    What a mess she’d gotten herself into.
    She’d set out this afternoon on a quest to express her freedom and gain control of her life. Instead she’d landed herself in jail and under the thumb of another man who would spend the next two weeks telling her what to do.
    As far as men were concerned, if she had to be chained to one, Wade Baker wasn’t the worst choice she could think of. He did have some redeeming qualities.
    Even when his face wore a frown of annoyance, he was still a gentleman.
    She could tell he was angry, yet his hand was gentle as they left the courthouse and he helped her into the passenger side of an old pickup truck.
    He drove down Main Street then pulled into the Cotton