Read Hunted Love Box Set: Big Game, Bounty, Captured for Free Online Page B

all experienced steady horses with plenty of bottom."
    "What will they do with dogs or gunfire?"
    "They'll stand. I'll bring my personal gear, of course, but is there anything else we'll need besides food? I'll have to get my stuff off the ATV."
    Jakob shook his head and followed her toward the equipment shed where the ATVs she'd already had prepared waited. "You saw what I'm bringing and you know the area better."
    Five minutes later, they transferred her things to another set of packs in preparation for morning. All her tack and equipment for the horses had to be inspected, since something as simple as a worn rivet could spell disaster under the kind of stress and heavy conditions they were about to face. Their lives literally depended on leather straps and brass buckles.
    With that task completed, Jakob stood and pressed his knuckles into his lower back. "If you'll point me to where I can get some supper and bunk for the night, I'll make it an early night and study that topo map a little, and see if I can pin down anything about the lion."
    Normally a male guest would stay at the old bunkhouse with the unmarried hands, and Kate nearly sent Jakob that way, until she noticed how early it was. "I think it's best if you take the guest room in the house. You'd never get any rest in the bunkhouse with all the comings and goings and noise." Too late, she remembered there would be no one else in the house but her. Not like it made any difference though, there wouldn't be anyone else to chaperone during the hunt.
    One dark brow raised, but Jakob nodded without voicing any concerns he might have.
    "As far as supper, we'll have to make do with something simple. My cook got sick a few weeks ago, and I kept hoping she'd recover enough to come back, but she hasn't. I'll have to look for a replacement when we get back." Kate walked and talked, limp nearly forgotten, because he adjusted naturally without her noticing.
    In the kitchen, Kate's stomach growled, reminding her it had been a long time since the quick sandwich she'd had for lunch. The contents of the refrigerator confirmed she definitely needed to find Mandy's replacement as quickly as possible. "Hmm, this is a little embarrassing, but it might have to be cold sandwiches, from the looks of this sad fridge." Figured, a man to feed and she had nothing suitable. Hopefully he was too tired to care.
    She stepped back to close the refrigerator in disgust, only to collide with a hard immoveable surface. Surprised, she stumbled and a pair of strong arms righted her quickly.
    "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." Jakob's breath on the back of her neck sent a flash of heat racing over her.
    Kate slipped to the side to extricate herself with a nervous laugh. "I didn't mean to run over you."
    His soft laughter sent another wave of heat chasing the first. "No, I shouldn't have been right on your heels. Can I take a look?" He leaned to inspect the contents of the fridge. "Hmm, I see potential, if you'll turn your kitchen over to me for a few minutes."
    Kate's turn to laugh. "If you see potential in there, be my guest, it's all yours." She lifted her hands and stepped back.
    "Good." The smile he sent her way would have melted butter. "Let's make a deal then. I cook, you clean?"
    "Works for me. I'd do about anything to avoid another ham sandwich."
    He paused in the middle of placing items on the counter. "Anything? Even give me that kiss I nearly had earlier?" Only a faint trace of humor curved his mouth and whatever his lowered eyelids concealed, it certainly wasn't funny.
    A whole flock of butterflies took to wing in her belly, and instinct made Kate try to derail the tension. "Honey, I'd kiss a buffalo for a good supper."
    His eyes widened, worrying her for an instant, then he laughed. Out loud.
    The sound of male laughter rumbling through her kitchen had a paradoxical effect on Kate. Rather than laugh with him, she suddenly wanted nothing so much as to kiss him.
    Jakob turned back to his