Rancher And Protector. Judy Christenberry

I turned my attention to Wyoming. I wanted somewhere with roads less traveled,” he said, almost quoting the ad.

      She smiled. “I’m glad you liked it, and I suppose I’m glad you considered Wyoming.” She shook her head. “Will you look around Wyoming again if I get to keep the ranch?”

      “Probably.” He gave her a devilish grin that nearly stopped her heart. “Shall I hire Wes and Sara Beth even if I don’t get the ranch?”

      She wagged her finger in front of him. “Oh, no. They’ll stay with me. But if you do get the ranch, I’d like you to consider them. They’re the best.”

      In a quick action he snagged her finger, their first contact sending shivers up her spine. “And what do I get if your guarantee doesn’t pan out?” he asked in a low voice.

      “You can name any penalty you want, because I’m sure of my guarantee.”

      “Fine.” Then he leaned in close to whisper in her ear, “If I’m not totally satisfied with their performance, you owe me a kiss.”

      She almost fell over as she jerked away from him. Jason Barton was a smooth operator—and she’d best remember that. And their deal. She lifted her chin in an indignant pose. “Don’t hold your breath!”

      CHAPTER THREE

      THE NEXT morning as they all sat around the campfire eating breakfast, Wes organized them. They would begin their search in groups of three. Of course, since Cookie wouldn’t be rounding up cattle, Wes ordered two men to help Cookie move the spare horses and set up the rope corral in his new camp. Then they would maintain the cattle the others brought back to the camp. That left four groups of three.

      To Rosemary’s surprise, she was in with Wes and Jason. Since Jason showed nothing on his face, Rosemary wondered if he’d talked to Wes earlier. They had again gotten up a little early and drunk their coffee by the fire.

      “After you finish breakfast and wash your dishes, let’s mount up.” Wes had given each group an area to search, so they wouldn’t overlap each other.

      Rosemary helped Cookie pack, as she usually did, and Wes saddled her horse for her. Today she’d be riding Maggie, which eased any tension she might feel. Maggie had been trained by Wes, and she was a great horse.

      Wes, mounted on his horse, led Maggie over to the SUV. “Here’s Maggie, Rosie. You ready to go?”

      “Sure. Where’s Jason?” Not that she really cared, she told herself. But he was a part of their team.

      “He’s coming.”

      As Rosemary swung into the saddle, Jason joined them. “Are we taking a lunch with us today?”

      “Nope. Cookie will have something ready later, after he moves the camp. If we get hungry we can grab something when we bring in any cattle we find,” Wes explained. “Did you talk to Ted?”

      “Yeah. I’m not sure he’ll be of much help. I’m beginning to think he’s a complete fraud.”

      “Could be. He doesn’t seem to understand how to blend in with the other cowboys,” Wes said as he led them toward the area they were to search. “You, on the other hand, seem a natural.”

      Jason chuckled. “I’m just following your lead, Wes. You’re the expert.” Then he added, “You and Rosemary. If you’d told me last week that she’d blend in anywhere, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

      “I don’t see why not!” Rosemary said, irritated.

      Both Wes and Jason laughed.

      “What’s so funny?”

      “Have you ever looked in a mirror?” Jason asked, turning in the saddle to stare at her.

      She frowned. “Of course I have. What are you talking about?”

      “You’re a beautiful woman, the only woman, in a band of cowboys. But they treat you like you’re one of the guys. It’s amazing.”

      She ignored the compliment. “I’ve known most of them for years, and they know Wes would fire them on the spot if they harassed me. So I don’t think it’s so surprising.”

      “I guess you’re right.” He faced forward again and tugged on his hat. After a few seconds he asked, “So you always accompanied your father on the roundups?”

      “No. I wanted to, but Mom wouldn’t let me. After she died, though, Dad always brought me along.” She remembered the times she’d spent with her father on horseback; they were her best memories. Out on the roundups they were equals, each with a job to do, each relying on the other. Memories—good memories—flooded her, and emotion built in her throat.

      “He didn’t have a son, and he talked about how I’d need to understand ranching if I was going to run the place after he was gone.” Overwhelmed, she ducked her head as tears began to well in her eyes.

      “Rosemary, I’m sure he—”

      But she never got to hear his remark because Wes called out, drawing their attention.

      “We’ve found the first of the cows. Let’s circle behind them.”

      There were about fifteen head grazing, appearing undisturbed by their approach. Wes silently indicated where both Rosemary and Jason should go. Then they began driving the small herd toward the new campsite.

      Rosemary eased up on a steer that had come to a halt. She had her lariat out to use to prod the reluctant animal. She slapped the steer on its rump. To her dismay, the steer turned and charged her.

      Even as Maggie jerked out of the way, Rosemary heard both Wes and Jason yell. But Rosemary reined her in, struggling to stay in the saddle.

      “Rosie, are you okay?” Wes asked as he raced to her side.

      “Yes, I’m okay. Maggie took care of me.”

      “He turned on you so fast, neither Wes nor I could get here in time,” Jason said. “Do you need to get off your horse and rest?”

      “Not with that killer steer in the neighborhood. I’ll let you two deal with him,” she said with a shaky laugh.

      “Right,” Jason agreed and turned his mount to force the steer back into the herd.

      “I think Jason’s got his number. Are you okay to go on?”

      “Of course I am, Wes. Thanks to Maggie.”

      “Okay. I’m going to let you and Jason take this little herd on in and I’m going to search out more cows. I’ll see you two in a little while.

      “I don’t think you should, Wes. It’s not safe to be out here alone.”

      “I know Sara Beth made you promise to take care of me. That’s ridiculous, Rosie. I’m a grown man and I’ve been doing this kind of work all my life. But I’ll be careful, I promise. And you do the same.”

      “Okay,” Rosemary agreed, but she wasn’t happy about it.

      “Keep an eye on her, Jason,” Wes said.

      Rosemary huffed in indignation. “I’ve been doing this all my life, too!”

      Jason grinned. “Come on, Rosie, we’ve got to get moving so we can get back quickly.”

      She was so used to Wes calling her Rosie that she didn’t even realize Jason was using her nickname until it was too late to protest. She’d have to do that later. Right now the cows demanded her attention.

      It only took them about half an hour to reach the new camp. The two cowboys left to maintain the herd were having a cup of coffee with Cookie. When they caught sight of Rosemary and Jason’s herd, they mounted their horses and met them.

      “Good job! Where’s Wes?” asked Nick, the newest hand.

      “He’s