Rancher And Protector. Judy Christenberry

you all the time.”

      “I’m sure he doesn’t,” Rosemary protested.

      “I know he does. I’ve watched him.”

      “He’s probably thinking the same about you.”

      “What? That I’ve got a crush on him?”

      She laughed, in spite of herself. “Why are you watching him?”

      “Because he’s watching you.” After a moment, he added, “Wes and I talked about it. He said he thinks the same thing. He’s keeping an eye on things.”

      “He always keeps an eye on everything. Wes is a great ranch manager.”

      “I know he is. You don’t have to sell me on him. I’ve already talked to him about staying on if I get the ranch.”

      “Did he agree?” Rosemary asked anxiously. She hoped he would. She knew Wes and Sara Beth would be happy staying there with Jason. He would be a good ranch owner.

      The admission surprised her. But it was true, she realized. In just these two days Jason had exhibited some of the most important qualities for an owner, including his willingness to perform any task he’d asked of his men.

      Still, Rosie wondered how he’d own the Wyoming ranch when his business was in Denver. She asked him.

      “I was wondering when you’d be getting around to asking me that,” he said. He reined his horse out of a gallop to answer her. “I intend to live here full-time.”

      “So you’ll be closing your architectural firm, then?” From the looks of the plush offices, she figured it was successful.

      “No, I’m not retiring yet,” he said with a laugh. “Actually, it’s a long story. You see I’m an architect by trade. But during the summers to earn money for college, I worked for a builder. After I got my degree, I designed some apartment buildings. I had to finance the first one myself. I intended to sell it once it was built, but I ended up keeping it. And I’ve gone on from there. I now have six apartment buildings in Denver that I own, plus I design other things, like malls and office complexes.”

      “Do you own them, too?”

      “Only some of them.”

      So Mr. Barton was even richer than she’d thought. Would he ever be satisfied with the simple life of a rancher? Out here there wasn’t much call for a tuxedo and shiny shoes. Surely he’d figured that out. Deciding she had to ask, if only to protect Wes and Sara Beth, she said, “Are you sure you’re going to fit in out here?”

      Jason grinned. “Absolutely. I can’t wait to leave Denver. I can do all my work from the ranch. I’ll fax my designs to my clients. I’ll have to go to the city to check on the progress of the construction and, occasionally, on my apartment buildings, but other than that, I’ll be a rancher.”

      Somehow she could picture him in that role all too easily. “If you’re into architecture, why do you ride like you were born to it?”

      “I was raised on a small ranch outside of Denver. We had a couple of horses and I started riding as a little boy.”

      “Why not go back there?”

      “Because the city has overtaken the property. My parents sold it ten years ago for a nice sum and moved to Arizona.”

      “Quite a change. Seems—”

      Just then Wes called out their names. She looked up ahead for Wes, but she didn’t see him.

      “Where is he?”

      Jason pointed up on one of the slopes above them. “Up there. Looks like he’s found more cattle.” Jason picked up his speed and Rosemary followed.

      When they got close to Wes, they pulled up and looked at him for guidance. He’d found almost another twenty head of cattle, but they were spread out on rocky terrain. For a moment, the only sound was the wind blowing through the aspen trees.

      Wes directed them with hand signals, in order not to startle the cattle. Gradually the three of them managed to pull the cattle into a compact group and moved them down the slopes into the small valley that fed into the larger one where the camp was located.

      When they reached the camp, they discovered the herd had tripled in their absence. With the cattle they had found, they were already close to seventy head of cattle. Rosemary was greatly cheered to already have that number on the first day.

      Wes, however, after talking with Cookie, discovered the trio that included Ted still had not shown up.

      “You two grab some lunch. I’m going to go check on that group. I’m hoping they’re not in trouble.”

      “Wes, you need some lunch, too,” Rosemary protested.

      “Then see what Cookie has that I can take with me.”

      Rosemary hastily made a quick sandwich and handed it to him. “Give me your canteen and I’ll fill it quickly.”

      After she handed it back to him, she opened her mouth, but he spoke first. “I know, be careful. I promise.”

      Jason stared after him. “I think I should go with him. Ted is my responsibility.”

      “Yes, we could do without Ted, but Wes will take care of everything,” Rosemary said.

      “We don’t know that he’s caused any difficulties today,” Jason said stubbornly.

      “How much do you want to bet?” Rosemary returned, anger in her voice.