The Rancher Takes A Bride (The Burnett Brides Book 1)

need that will fit in my saddlebags before we leave."
    She looked at him oddly. "What do you mean before we leave? I'm going to San Antonio. You're leaving."
    "Wrong! You're returning to Fort Worth with me, until I find my mother's wedding band."
    "I will not go back with you!"
    "I'll carry you if I have to. You've got one minute to grab some things."
    "I'm not going!" she yelled, her arms folded over her chest. "I stole nothing from you."
    "You've got thirty seconds."
    " Espece de con ."
    "Twenty seconds."
    " II est casse-pieds ."
    "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six . . ."
    " Espece de salaud ."
    "Four, three, two, one. Time's up."
    He started toward her, and she ran around to the other side of the bed.
    Her face was flushed, her lips swollen from his kiss.
    "I'm not going anywhere with you, Travis Burnett! I don't have to and I won't."
    He jumped onto the bed, his boots sinking into the feather ticking as he walked across the mattress to reach the other side before she could get away. Jumping down to the floor in front of her, he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder as though she weighed less than a saddle.
    "Last chance, Miss Severin. Is there anything you want?"
    " Espece de con comme la lune , "she said, trying to kick him with her legs.
    "You know, I really enjoy you speaking that sexy French talk to me. I think you're telling me how you're going to take that pretty little body of yours and make me hotter than a bonfire."
    She hit him with her fist. The blow bounced off his back. He grunted.
    "I'm talking dirty to you all right, but it's not sexual. I'm calling you every curse word that I know, Mr. Burnett. None of it a polite lady would say."
    "Then we're back where we started. You are no lady."
    "You, sir, are no gentleman! Put me down this instant!"
    "Right now I don't want to be a gentleman," he said, starting toward the door.
    "Grab my valise at the very least," she cried.
    He picked up her small suitcase and opened the door to the common room, ignoring her demands to be released.
    "What about my trunk?"
    "I'll have it returned on the next stage."
    All eyes turned and stared as Travis carried Desirée through the common room over his shoulder, her derriere high in the air.
    "Help! Someone please help me—he's kidnapping me."
    The men all looked at Travis. He smiled. "Women! You just can't keep them at home anymore." He tipped his hat to the men. "Later, boys."

Chapter Four

    Rose bounced on Travis's shoulder, her head swaying with every step. His arm clasped her legs right below her buttocks as he walked out the door and into the dwindling sunlight. Her hands throbbed from pounding him on the back, but the pain was like a needle prick compared to the hot blaze of fury that consumed her this moment.
    "Put me down!" she commanded.
    He dropped her with a thump in front of a snow- flake Appaloosa that pranced nervously at the unexpected intrusion.
    "How dare you carry me over your shoulder like I was nothing but a sack of potatoes. You arrogant—"
    He held up his hand as if to halt her. "Uh-uh. Don't say anything ugly. I gave you a choice. You could have walked."
    "I didn't expect you to carry me out bodily!"
    Laughter emanated from his eyes, increasing her frustration. The urge to again pummel him with her fists was strong, but she resisted.
    "I know," he said.
    He stood gazing at her, amused at her show of temper, challenging her with his dark eyes. Finally he moved to stand beside his horse, rubbing the nervous animal on the neck. "We need to get going." He turned toward her. "Let me give you a leg up."
    "I'm not going with you!" she said, fervently hoping he would listen to reason. It was more than just the fact that she didn't want to go to Fort Worth; there was the horse.
    Exasperated, he started toward her. "Lady, I've already carried you out of that roadhouse. In about ten seconds, I'm going to show you how I can throw you over my saddle. I've had enough of your stalling."
    She stepped back, her gaze fixated on the animal, her anger momentarily subdued. Fear rose like a tidal wave, threatening to overwhelm her. Horses were unruly animals that if provoked would run like the wind, dragging a body mercilessly along behind them. This one didn't look too friendly, and she was already far too close.
    "Cowboy, if you think I'm climbing up on that piece of buzzard meat, you're crazy."
    The animal drew back its lips and snorted hot air.
    "I don't care too much for you, myself," Rose responded.
    "Belle