Rocky Mountain Miracle by Christine Feehan Page B

disturbing the precarious balance Maia seemed to have. The next blast of chilling wind revealed her straightening and backing away from the shape on the ground, clutching her bag in her hand. She walked quickly toward the Cruiser as the wolf jumped to its feet, shook itself, and hurried off.
    The moment he slid in beside her, her gaze went to the gun in his hand. “Good grief. I thought you couldn’t carry a gun once you’d been in jail.”
    â€œRanchers need guns.” He shoved it back into his leg holster and glared at her. “The next time you decide to take a stroll with a bunch of wolves in a blizzard, let me know ahead of time.” He wanted to shake her although she was already shivering uncontrollably and covered in white and that instantly made him feel protective of her.
    â€œI’ll do that.” She didn’t sound as tough as she would have liked with her teeth chattering. “Is that heater putting out any heat?”
    â€œYes, you should warm up again in a minute.” He was cautious as he began maneuvering along the road, alert for any more animals. “Are you going to explain what just happened?”
    Maia pushed the alarming warnings out of her mind and shook her head. “I don’t think there is an explanation. Do you want to tell me how you get away with carrying a gun?”
    â€œI hide it.”
    â€œI’m not buying that. You wouldn’t risk losing Jase over it. You’re not even on parole are you? Is all the gossip untrue? Have you ever been in prison?”
    He sighed. “Maia, I have a job. I’m good at what I do, and I’m good because I don’t answer questions. Most people I just tell to go to hell, or look at them and they shut up. Why don’t you believe what everyone else wants to believe and make it easy on me?”
    She leaned back against the seat, for the first time relaxing. “Because it’s all made up, and I prefer to hear the real story. What kind of job do you have?”
    Exasperated, he glared at her. “It isn’t going to happen.”
    She thought it was progress that he didn’t tell her to go to hell.

chapter
4
    â€œI’ M GOING TO PULL YOUR RIG into the barn. You’ll need all your equipment, right?” Cole asked.
    Maia nodded as she climbed into the backseat. “Keep looking straight ahead while I change into my scrubs. I don’t have a lot of clothes with me and I don’t want to get everything filthy.”
    â€œI do have a washing machine.”
    â€œSince I only have what I’m wearing and my scrubs, I’m not taking any chances,” she said.
    He glanced at her in the rearview mirror. She was shocked to see humor creeping into his eyes. It wasn’t much, and it faded fast, but it was there. “I managed to keep this thing on the road through animals running out in front of me and a blizzard, but now you’re asking just a little too much. I’m not exactly a saint.”
    Maia wiggled out of her jeans and dragged her familiar soft cotton, drawstring pants over her hips. “You will get us into an accident if you don’t watch what you’re doing.” She tossed her shirt aside and pulled her loose top over her head, showing the minimum amount of skin. “And I’ll bet no one has ever accused you of being a saint.” Shewhistled as Cole honked the horn in front of a large building. “Nice setup.”
    The doors swung open to allow him to drive inside. The barn was huge and very clean, obviously used as a hospital for the animals on the ranch when needed.
    Jase Steele waited anxiously as they parked the Cruiser in the huge barn. Maia saw his face, puffy and swollen from shedding tears he thought no one would see. The boy was unable to hide his relief as Cole unfolded his large frame from the Land Cruiser. “It’s bad, Cole,” he greeted.
    â€œLet the vet take a look, Jase,” Cole advised. For one