Bet You'll Marry Me

Bet You'll Marry Me by Darlene Panzera Page A

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Authors: Darlene Panzera
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could cheat the guy at a private game of cards, he didn’t know. All he did know was that he had to protect her.
    â€œRob, did you tell Lucarelli I can get him the money Billie owes him as soon as I sell these Northwest land parcels to Mr. Davenport?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œAnd?” Nick held his breath and could almost hear Rob squirm during the brief hesitation that stretched between them.
    â€œIf you don’t get the money within the next two weeks he’s coming after you.”
    J ENNY PULLED THE covers higher, hoping to catch a few more minutes of sleep before chores needed to be done. A few more minutes of . . .
    Her heart rate doubled as she sprang straight up in the bed and glanced around the room. She was alone. Taking a deep breath, she eased back against the pillows.
    She’d dreamed about him last night. As much as she hated to admit it, Nick Chandler had entered her dreams . . . and kissed her. She could almost feel . . . She ran a finger over her lower lip and shook her head.
    So what if he was the best rider she had ever seen? She’d fallen for rodeo stars before and it brought nothing but trouble. No, she couldn’t allow herself to lose focus. She needed to win the bet. She needed that ten-thousand-dollar check to save her ranch. She could not subject herself to any more of Nick Chandler’s playful teasing looks or incorrigible banter.
    There was no way he’d ever really fall for a girl like her. He was too good-looking, too full of himself, too determined to win her heart. Men like him couldn’t be trusted. They always had an ulterior motive for whatever they did. And he was distracting her. That’s what he was—a big distraction. Well, she couldn’t let him distract her any longer. Harry had asked her to give Chandler a week, but she couldn’t allow the handsome cowboy to stay another day.
    Jenny dressed and, once outside, squinted against the bright sun as she scanned the fields.
    She spotted Harry’s white hair at the far end of the pasture and marched toward him, fists clenched. Harry would listen to her this time and there was nothing that dream-invading Casanova cowboy could do about it. Chandler would be off the ranch within the hour.
    Jenny quickened her pace and kept her eyes on her uncle. Harry began to swing a hammer, then he clutched at his arm and staggered backward as if stung. She’d warned him about the bees by that fence.
    But a man doesn’t keel over from a bee sting.
    â€œHarry?” Jenny broke into a run. “ Harry! ”

 
    Chapter Five
    N ICK RAN PAST Jenny and dropped to the ground next to the old man’s body. Harry wasn’t moving. Ripping open his employer’s shirt, he bent his head to listen for a heartbeat.
    Jenny fell down on her knees beside them. “ Dear God, no.”
    â€œHe’s alive.” Nick straightened and glanced at her ashen face. “Jenny, I need your help.”
    At first she didn’t respond. She appeared dazed, as if in shock, and he shook her hard.
    Then she motioned him aside, and proceeded to check Harry’s vitals. “His pulse is faint. His airway is clear, but he’s not breathing. I need thirty chest compressions, like this.” Jenny placed her hands together and pumped her uncle’s chest. “I’ll give two breaths, and then you continue the compressions.”
    Nick nodded and followed her lead. He’d never given anyone CPR. When her uncle failed to respond, he wondered if it was his fault. “Should I press harder?”
    â€œNo.” She lifted her head. “You’re doing fine. I think he’s . . . Oh, dear God, he’s turning blue.”
    Nick glanced at Harry’s marbled face, and despite the intense heat beating down upon them, an icy drop of sweat ran down the length of his spine.
    â€œWe’ve got to get him to the hospital.” His hands pumped Harry’s

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