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water was cold, but Rose, who’d taken plenty of cold baths in Mexico, was braced for the chill Draping the towel on an overhanging tree li herself

The cool wetness felt delicious on her skin Rose crouched, lowered her head, and let the water flow through her dusty hair Clean, refreshed, and safe, she would sleep well tonight

She’d nearly finished bathing when, from the far side of the creek, she heard the rustle of bushes and the unry voices

With a gasp of horror, she snatched the towel off the li it around her body, and dashed for the trailer

Tanner had been patrolling the perimeter of the Prescott ranch, with plans to stop by and check on Rose, when he’d recognized Garn Prescott’s sleek black Porsche parked in the trees, twenty yards this side of the creek The sight of the e’s half-baked son had come to press his attentions on Rose, it wouldn’t be the first time But damn it, it would be the last

After dousing the lights and parking the ranch pickup at an angle to block the Porsche, Tanner had climbed out of the truck, closed the door with a quiet click, and walked forward in the direction of the creek

Through the s, he’d seen the outline of Garn Prescott Garn’s back was toward hi in the creek

Tanner’s one dry as he realized what it was Rose stood in the water Her body, just visible in the first light of the risingdown her back Garn’s hands were in front of hi

“Turn around and zip your pants, boy” Tanner’s voice was a low, rowl

Garn flinched and turned around, fuot no business here, McCade One word to my father and your job is toast”

Out of the corner of his eye, Tanner saw a pale flash as Rose grabbed a towel and raced out of sight At least she was safe for now

“And ould your father say if I told hi here?” Tanner demanded

“He’d laugh in your face The woo-ahead Said I could even marry her if I wanted Not that I would She’s as common as dirt Not much better than a whore You think she didn’t knoatching her? Hell, she was showing off”

Tanner loorab Garn by the scruff of the neck and slaainst the hood of his fancy Porsche Much as it would have given him pleasure, he was here to do a job, not beat up the boss’s son “Is this what you do in your spare tirowled “Hell, you deserve to be tarred and feathered”

“I didn’t plan this,” Garn said “I just stopped by to see how she was doing, and this is what I found You can’t blaht You’d do the same, I’ll bet And I’ll bet you want her, too”