Billionaire Boss by Meagan McKinney Page B

know what to think. Maybe I should inform Jim—”
    â€œThis is my ranch. So tell me.”
    â€œI’m sure everything’s all right.” The woman hugged herself and stared out at the storm that lashed the kitchen window.
    â€œWhat is it?” Irritation sounded in his voice. From his expression it was clear he would brook no more wavering.
    â€œIt’s just that Kirsten decided to take one of the horses out. Now with this storm, I’m a little worried she didn’t get in yet.” Viola smiled, but it didn’t budge the worry in her eyes.
    She waved aside her anxieties. “Oh, I’m sure she’s stuck having to listen to Jim’s tall tales inthe barn.” Her gaze slid to the window and the wall of water that pummeled it on the other side.
    Seth picked up the phone. Pounding in the speed dial, he barked into the phone, “Did Kirsten and Sterling get back yet, Jim?”
    The grim silence gave the answer before he hung up the phone.
    His thoughts tortured him. She couldn’t be in danger. He wouldn’t allow it. He cared too much. He realized he’d gone too far to lose her now. And he would not lose her.
    Viola returned to staring at the window. “I know she’s an experienced rider and Sterling’s a reliable mount, but still, I’d hate to think of her going through this on top of the mountain.”
    Seth was already pulling on his slicker.
    â€œI’ll be happy to call for help from Hazel’s ranch, sir, to look for her,” the housekeeper offered.
    â€œI’ll find her,” was all he said before he donned his black felt cowboy hat and headed out into the storm.

Nine
    K irsten shivered against the lean-to. She was at least out of the rain, but the temperature had dropped severely and she was soaking wet. Chunks of ice rained down on the tin roof.
    It had to be forty degrees now, and when she’d left, the late-afternoon temperature had been almost eighty. She hadn’t even taken her polar fleece. Her only covering was a wet pair of jeans and a T-shirt.
    Huddling next to Sterling for warmth, she tethered the animal while it ate what little straw was left from the last person who’d occupied the three-sided shack.
    The storm would pass and she would be on her way soon, she told herself, her teeth chattering so loudly she could hardly hear the thunderous rain and hail pounding on the corrugated tin roof.
    She hadn’t told Jim where she was planning on riding, but there was no point in wondering about that, because she didn’t need a rescue party anyway. She just needed the rain to end so she could safely see her and the horse’s way home.
    Slowly lowering herself against the side of the cold metal lean-to, she hugged her knees and wiped the water from her face.
    It would be only a matter of minutes before she could be in the saddle again and heading home.
    Just a matter of minutes, she told herself, a strange feeling of comfort and warmth overtaking her thoughts and tingling through her soaked and freezing body.
    And her mind was feeling sleep run through it like a narcotic. Maybe just a little nap would warm her….
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    When Seth found her, he could see hypothermia was taking over. Kirsten hardly roused when he shook her. Her lips were a bluish color andher clothes were soaked through. She had nothing on but a T-shirt and jeans in the forty-degree weather.
    He tethered Noir, quickly took a blanket from his saddle pack and pulled aside his slicker. Treating her like a rag doll, he tore off her wet clothes, bra and panties and all, and pulled her cold nude body against his chest, covering her with his own chamois shirt and the blanket.
    â€œI’m—all—all—right. I—I—I’m all r-r-right,” she protested groggily, her teeth clacking away as she spoke.
    â€œWhen you’re warm we’ll get back to the ranch. Until then, just relax.” His arms encircled her