Captured by Cowboys (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 1)

“Slow down, cowboy,” Emmett said. “She’s a newborn to this world. Let her get her bearings first.”

Emmett was a smart man.

“Listen to your brother, Cody,” she said. “I need to crawl before I can walk, okay?”

Cody twisted his mouth into a false frown and then smiled, warming her heart. “Okay, Amber. Now, about that bath?”

Bryant hit him on the back. “You’re hopeless.”

She laughed. “If you three promise to be gentlemen, I wouldn’t mind a bath. I might need help though. I’m still pretty shaky.”

“We’ll be gentlemen, Amber,” Emmett said and turned to his brothers. “Right?”

Bryant nodded.

“Always.” Cody’s eyes betrayed him.

He was definitely not used to being a gentleman, but she did think he could be trusted, if only for a single bath. She prayed she was right about him and his brothers. So far, they’d given her no reason not to trust them. Besides, what choice did she have at the moment? She had to depend on them for help until she recovered both in body and in mind.

“After my bath, I might want more of your delicious tea, Cody.” Perhaps the bath and the tea might help her bring back the image of the boy. Surely if she could remember his name, she would be able to remember her own. “Would you mind brewing me more?”

“For you, Amber, I would travel to China to harvest the best teas in the world if it would evoke a single smile from your gorgeous lips.”

Emmett snorted. “For the love of God, Cody, grow some balls.”

“There’s a lady present,” Bryant snapped.

“Oh, you’re right.” Emmett cleared his throat. “Cody needs to grow a pair then. Better?”

Bryant shook his head. “Oh for God’s sake.”

“Emmett, women love poets, but you wouldn’t know that.” Cody turned to her. “Am I right, Amber?”

Memory or not, she was feeling better. “Depends if the poet is disguised as a cowboy or not.”

Chapter Three

Emmett carried Amber in his arms down the hallway to the bathroom. She’d tried to insist on walking herself, but after her fainting episode earlier, there was no way he would let her.

Bryant and Cody were inside the space, preparing it for her.

“Thank you for everything.” She peered at him with her sweet eyes.

“My pleasure, sweetheart. Here we go.”

He walked into the space that was filled with aromas of long ago. Apparently, his brothers had found some of their mother’s bathing salts and scents. The big claw-foot tub had a little steam wafting up over its edge. The only light came from several candles placed strategically around the room.

“It’s not too hot, is it?” he asked his brothers.

“Just moderately warm. Even though she doesn’t have a temperature, best to be safe,” Bryant said.

“Let me check the water, Amber. Ready to be put down for a second?” She was still a little pale and shaky. Emmett wished again that they’d been able to get her to a doctor.

Amber sighed. “I’m not an invalid, Emmett. Yes. I can stand on my own two feet.”

She had spunk with a dose of contrariness. Just the perfect mix in a female he couldn’t get enough of.

“Sassy lips can get you in trouble if you’re not careful.”