Roaring Fork Wrangler (Roaring Fork Ranch #1)

Prologue

PROLOGUE

CORD

January

“ M otherfucker,” I groaned, opening my eyes and trying to get my bearings. I was on the ground—I knew that much—and my head was pounding like someone had hit me with the sharp end of an anvil. When I reached up to where the pain radiated from, and brought my hand back down, my glove was soaked with blood.

I tried to prop myself up on my elbow, but didn’t have the strength. Blinking away the spots before my eyes, I patted my jacket, looking for my phone. When I found it, I swiped the screen, but the damned thing was dead. How the hell long had I been out here?

I was conscious, and it was still daylight. Both good signs. I raised my head, looking for some kind of landmark that would tell me where I was. A few feet away was a lean-to. If I could get that far, at least I’d have shelter. As cold as it was, I wouldn’t last much longer if I didn’t at least try.

I had to drag myself since my every attempt to even get on my knees failed. I made it what I figured was halfway, but the black spots were back, and this time, I couldn’t blink them away.

“Fuck!” I cried out with the little strength I had left. What a goddamn way to go. Freezing to death after riding out to find cattle that were probably dead too.