Chapter 5
Tanner saton Fury watching the last rays of the sun turn from orange to pink as it set between two of the four peaks for which the town was known. Amanda’s revelations earlier in the day had him thinking as much about her as about his father. Though he’d never wished for death himself, he had wished with all his young heart that it had been he who fell from the hayloft that summer instead of Devlin, but that was due to guilt, not to giving up.
Could Dad, the man who whipped his butt when he got drunk while underage, and who commanded the ranch hands with authority, really prefer to leave them all and be with Mom? It was a sobering thought. If, as a young teenager, unable to see a future caused Amanda to think death was preferable, what was it like for his dad, past his prime with the love of his life already gone? Amanda had recovered completely from what he could see, but Dad did not have the same prognosis, not according to the paperwork.
He tried to imagine how it would feel, not being able to ride, take pride in the ranch, or even enjoy a well-cooked meal, which Dad so often did. Did he know he’d never be one hundred percent? No one could even say what he would be able to do eventually. Was feeding himself the most he could look forward to? Even at the thought, Tanner could see how bleak life could look.
The sound of a horse’s hooves coming closer gave him a heads-up he’d soon have company.
Brody brought Chaos to a stop next to him. “That last patch of fence is mended. Does that mean we can wait on the birthing enclosure repairs until after the calves have been born? I doubt the heifers will want us putting a new roof up while they’re around.”
He looked at his brother. “Yes, we’ll wait. We need every one of those calves to make it. I don’t want anything to jeopardize that.”
His brother chuckled. “And you certainly don’t want Lulabelle mad at you.”
“That’s not what concerns me. It’s ending up with another Lulabelle. If one of those mom’s doesn’t make it, you’ll get nanny duty this time.”
“I don’t think so, bro. I’m only staying until Jackson gets home, then Dad won’t need me anymore. If I end up Mommy to one of those calves, you’ll just end up taking over anyway.”
His stomach knotted, just as it always did when his youngest brother talked about leaving the ranch. When Brody was younger, it was to be a trick rider, then later it was a pilot, but more recently, it was to become a game ranger. The fact that Brody had already taken all the courses proved how serious he was about it. He’d never been the studying type, just getting by with his grades. Of all of them, he’d been the most easy-going and the one that caught the ladies’ attention.
“You’re brooding again. What’s the problem now?” Brody shook his head. “Still sure you want to run this place?”
“Hell yeah.” It’s what their father had always planned, but he wasn’t quite ready to fly solo yet. “I love this ranch. Just look at it.” He faced forward again, the sun having gone down, but the pinks in the sky spread further, turning purple in places.
“Yeah, I love it too. It’s just that I need a change, something different. There’s no saying I won’t be back to mess up your perfectly run operation.”
He raised his eyebrow, knowing that would be exactly what Brody would do. Brody wanted change, and he liked things just the way they were. But if the Town Council was happy with all his assurances today, there’d be a big change. He faced him again. “You know, running a dude ranch is different from running a cattle ranch.”
“I wouldn’t know, nor do I want to. Nothing against the way you’re running the ranch, big brother, but Jackson got his chance to do what he needed to do. The way I look at it, it’s my turn.”
Yeah, it probably was, but he still didn’t like it. He set his gaze back on the sunset, which was more like twilight now. “We’d better get in and get dinner started.” He tapped Fury on the shoulder. “Let’s go home, boy.”
Brody turned with him. “You can make whatever you want. I’m going out tonight, remember?”
Did he? No. “That’s right. Okay, so it will be just Dad and me.”
“You know, you need to get out once in a while, too.”
At his brother’s suggestion, he laughed. Instead of answering such an absurd comment, he kicked Fury into a gallop and headed for home.
His brother kept up with him, the ranch hands having long headed out, so it was just the two of them on the ride to the barn. They each took care of their own mounts in silence. He’d take Maximus out tomorrow. Dad’s horse was in much better shape than Dad. Brody would ride Havoc, Jackson’s horse.
“I’m going in to shower.” Brody slapped his hand on the stall door. “Don’t wait up for me.”
He glanced over his shoulder. Brody was grinning from ear-to-ear. “Get out of here.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.”
Tanner turned back to Fury and finished brushing him down, his younger brother’s whistling grating on his nerves until the front door closed and silence reigned once again. He never remembered being that young. At twenty-seven, he’d been too busy proving to his dad that he could handle the ranch. He paused in the brushing. Hell, he’d been doing that since he was nine, maybe ten. Shaking his head at himself, he finished up and patted Fury. “See you tomorrow.”
Heading out of the stables, he couldn’t help thinking that with Brody gone, tonight would be the perfect time to talk with Dad. The only problems he could foresee with that plan were that he didn’t want to, and his dad couldn’t talk.
He hesitated as he reached the house. Amanda said his dad could talk somewhat. That in itself had him opening the door and striding in, his step a bit lighter. If Dad could talk, he could weigh in on the Town Council meeting, maybe even give him some advice on prioritizing the many repairs that were still needed after the monsoons that hit last year.
Dropping his hat on the front entry table, he entered the kitchen and pulled a water bottle out of the fridge. He’d just unscrewed the cap and lifted it to his lips when Amanda’s footsteps sounded on the floor before she stepped into the kitchen.
“Another water bottle? You do know you left one by the sink over there earlier, right?”
He twisted around to see he had. “I’m sure there are at least five others about the house. It’s not as if it goes bad.” He picked up the half empty water bottle and set it in the fridge to cool down again. He hated warm water.
“True.” She zipped up her satchel. “I’m out of here. Heading into Phoenix for a Diamondbacks game. I try to take one in every year. You know, support the home team and all that.” She flung her satchel over her shoulder. “Isaac just brought your dad in for a shower. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
With that she headed for the entry way.
“Wait.” The word was out of his mouth before he even knew what he wanted to say.
She stopped, her brows lowering in concern. “What is it?”
He shook his head as much as much at himself as at her. “Nothing important. Just wanted to know how Dad did this afternoon.”
“Pretty much the same. But I’ll keep trying.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
She studied him for a moment then gave a quick nod. “See you later.”
Though he knew he shouldn’t, he couldn’t help watching her walk out the door. Her revelations earlier in the afternoon had him readjusting far too many assumptions about her. Her own struggles helped her with her patients, and her kindness and concern for his father surprised him. She consistently advocated for his dad, even if it meant pissing them both off.
He shook his head, baffled by Amanda Hayden. She didn’t appear to be anything like her father, but how could that possibly be? The man practically raised his kids on his own. That greediness and power had to have rubbed off.
Maybe Amanda’s coma changed her like Dad’s stroke changed him. He had no idea if that was a thing, but if it was, that could explain it. Actually, what he knew of Bill Hayden, that could be the only explanation.
Turning back to the sink, he washed-up before opening the fridge and pulling out the ingredients for meatloaf. He set the oven to the right temperature to give it time to heat. It used to be one of them had to ride in early to make dinner, but with Dad showering before dinner, it gave him extra daylight to get work done.
Mashing up the special low-fat meat was satisfying, and he made a mental list of what to tell his dad. He hadn’t been talking with him about the ranch much as he worried it would anger him that he couldn’t say anything. But now, he could. The possibilities became endless. Why had he never appreciated his father’s input before? It was probably because he and Dad butted heads so much. He was always too busy proving his ideas and suggestions were right. Sometimes he was sure his father argued with him just for the sake of arguing.
He shook his head. Those days might be gone forever. Maybe he could get his dad riled up tonight. He thought of at least three outrageous ideas he could bring up.
After he put the meatloaf in the oven, he realized too late he’d made enough for the three of them, which was a problem since Dad was eating like a cactus wren. Then again, leftovers were just as good.
He heard the water shut off in his father’s bathroom. It would still be a good thirty minutes before Isaac had him dressed and ready for dinner. Did Dad feel embarrassed that another person had to help him bathe?
He hadn’t thought about it before, but now that Amanda had told him how she had felt, he was beginning to think more about what it was like to be in his father’s shoes, instead of how soon he could get better to help him. Here he’d thought he was being considerate and helpful, getting all the best help, but now that he reflected on it, he was just being selfish.
He wanted his father to feel needed because he was. But he also needed to sound upbeat, so as not to overwhelm him.
Everything was done just as Isaac stepped into the kitchen. “Hey, that smells good.”
He held back a smirk. Isaac always praised his and Brody’s cooking because he hoped for some, which he always received. “I’ve got plenty here. Grab a plate.”
“Thanks.” Isaac quickly helped himself. “I’ll just go sit outside. The sounds in the desert are so much more enjoyable than in the city.”
“You mean you like the sound of braying donkeys and mooing cows?”
Isaac opened the slider. “It’s a lot better than police sirens and semi-trucks.”
He imagined it was. As the slider closed, he pulled out the tray and added his dad’s plate to it. Dad was pretty good at feeding himself now, but only if he didn’t need a knife.
Quickly, he cut the meatloaf into bite sized pieces and didn’t put as much on the plate either. His dad always seemed bummed when he couldn’t finish.
Walking in with the tray, he found his father’s wheelchair rolled up to the table and his dad staring into space. Amanda called it the “blank” stare. It was better than finding his dad talking to his mom. “I made the tomato meatloaf, though I bet you could tell from the smells.”
He got raised brows for his comment. Not a bad start. He set down the tray. “I know you would prefer a beer, but they won’t let me serve you yet, so it’s iced tea.”
Dad picked up the fork, ignoring him.
Returning to the kitchen, he made himself a plate and brought it in, then sat across from his father. Since he didn’t want indigestion, he didn’t talk, instead he enjoyed the meal. He watched Dad covertly and when the straw in the iced tea almost knocked the glass over, he grabbed it, to keep it from spilling.
He got a grunt for his efforts, which wasn’t bad. For some reason, Dad seemed in a good mood. That was never the case when he was around, at least not since the stroke. In the back of his mind, he felt like Dad blamed him for some reason, but that made no sense. It was his father who told people where to go on the ranch and what to do. Maybe Dad resented him taking over. Now, that was a possibility.
As he finished his meal, Dad grunted, and he looked up to find he had cleaned his plate. “You ate it all? You must have had a lot of physical therapy today to work up that kind of appetite.”
His father shrugged unevenly, but it was clear he was proud of himself.
Rising, he picked up the tray and walked it into the kitchen, then came back to remove his own plate. He’d love to crack a beer and relax with his father, but that wouldn’t be fair. Returning to the den, he wheeled his father back from the table so he faced the unused bar.
Pulling a chair from the table, he swung it around to straddle it.
Dad watched him, obviously suspicious.
“I think it’s time I update you on the ranch.”
Instead of showing interest, his dad turned his head as if he didn’t want to hear. That didn’t bode well.
He continued anyway. “We had eleven successful births this week. So far that makes twenty-three with only one that struggled, but all are doing well. We also got the western fence fixed, but found there was a minor rockslide on the south side of the south pasture. A large bolder knocked over a post. Luckily, it filled the gap it left, so no cows have gotten loose. I’m going to have Layne use the backhoe to get that monstrosity off, and we’ll get that repaired.”
His father still didn’t look at him.
Taking a deep breath, he continued. “We were going to start putting the new metal roofing onto the birthing enclosure, but we still have a lot of pregnant cows over there, so I decided to wait. The last thing we need is to stress out those mothers, especially Lulabelle. She’d probably never forgive me.”
That got him a grunt, so at least he knew Dad was listening.
“Last week the Town Council asked for a whole bunch of stuff regarding the dude ranch rezoning.” He paused, but there was no sound or movement. “I was able to pull all the information together and get their questions answered in time. Then they had me meet with the planning board this morning.”
He wasn’t sure, but it looked like Dad had stiffened. Was he waiting to hear the result?
“They seemed pretty satisfied with my answers. It’s a good thing you left such detailed reports and notes. I read them all. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to answer anything they asked.” He paused, nervous but determined. “My only concern is if they ask anything else, I’ll be lost. I didn’t prepare everything. You did. It would really help if you could help me get this passed. The dude ranch idea was yours, and as much as I don’t like it, I see no other way for us to survive.”
Dad finally looked at him, his brows drawn down and his lips pursed.
“As much as I hate to admit it, I need your advice to run this place. You have more knowledge than I do. You have more experience.” He smiled. “Yes, I admit it. I need your help.”
He waited, almost breathless. Would Dad argue with him? As far as he was concerned, that would be a good sign.
Dad’s upper lip curled up on one side and his nose wrinkled. “Worthess.”
The single word was said with such vehemence that it caught him off guard. “Worthless? You mean the dude ranch idea? I don’t think so. I think it could work.”
“Worthess.” Dad used his good arm to press his fist to his chest. “Me.”
His heart stopped beating for what felt like a full minute as his brain wrapped itself around what his father meant. A chill permeated his chest as comprehension settled in the pit of his stomach. “What? No, you have all the knowledge. If we are going to save Rocky Road, we have to do it together. You―”
Dad’s fist slammed on the arm of his wheelchair. “No.” He used his good arm to turn the wheelchair around to face the opposite direction.
Stunned, he sat there staring at Dad’s back. No? As in no he wouldn’t help. As in no he couldn’t help. This was not his dad. Brody was right. The person before him was someone else, someone he didn’t know.
He rested his forehead on the back of the chair, the feeling of failure threatening to overwhelm him. He’d finally accepted that his father wouldn’t get well one hundred percent, but he could get a lot better. Amanda believed he could, but only if he wanted to. The man he knew would never quit, no matter what.
Angry, frustrated, and losing hope, he rose from the chair and shoved it back under the table. Then he strode out without another word. In the living room, he knocked on the window to let Isaac know his dad was done eating and headed out the front door.
The darkness was lit by the solar lights along the pathway to the stable, and without thought, he followed it. At the last moment, he walked around the building to face the land that was Rocky Road Ranch.
He stood in the middle of the ATV road heading toward the rest of the ranch. He could barely discern the outline of the two peaks to the north. The darkness resonated with his mood. He felt as if he’d fallen into an old copper mine and no matter what he did, the ground kept giving way beneath him as he tried to climb out. He needed help, and the one man he’d hoped he could depend on, the one man he’d always depended on, refused.
A wild burro honked in the darkness only to be answered by a screech owl. The sounds struck a chord. Is this how his dad felt? Like he couldn’t get out of the darkness? Like he had no help? But he had a lot of help. Unless…
A shiver ran up his spine. Unless Dad didn’t want help because it would be easier to be with Mom. For the first time he allowed the thought to take root, and it grew quickly. If the man inside wasn’t the father he’d always known, then he might give up. The shock of that realization had his eyes itching. He’d already lost his father. A sharp pain struck his chest so hard that he pressed his fist against it. Now it felt as if that old mine was caving in on top of him.
He forced himself to see the shadows, the walls of the stable, the fence of the corral, the giant arms of the saguaro cacti standing sentinel on the hillside. The ranch ran for miles, and he loved every rocky piece of it. He clenched his hands, refusing to lose it. He refused to lose Dad as well. Amanda said a psychologist could help, so that’s what he would do. He wasn’t giving up on the ranch or his dad, even if he had to shoulder it all himself. This was his entire life. Without it, he was nothing.
A coyote howled in the distance before the desert returned to its nightly silence.
Amanda left the den with a smile on her face. If Jeremiah needed help coming to terms with his condition, and understanding that he still had much to live for, he now had the best help available. She’d called in a big favor, but it was worth it. Jeremiah had so much potential if he’d just get out of his own head.
Closing her laptop that sat on the island, she slipped it into her satchel and left it there. No one knew her password, so it was safe. Striding out the front door, the heels of her cowboy boots kicked up the desert dust as she made her way to her borrowed truck. After grabbing her cowboy hat from inside the vehicle, she slammed the door. She donned her hat and strode toward the stables, the heat of early morning Arizona reflecting off her white button-down shirt. She didn’t mind it in the least. A desert cowgirl through and through, she planned to enjoy that part of herself today.
She was in the best mood. Not only had Tanner agreed to a psychologist for his father, but Jeremiah had started talking more. Granted, it was mostly to complain, but it was progress. That he felt comfortable enough with her to talk made her happy. As far as she knew, he wasn’t talking to anyone else. She made sure Dr. Navarro knew that before starting today.
Stepping into the stables, she stopped, listening for any sounds. Sure enough, she could hear Tanner talking to his horse in the last stall. Yesterday, Brody had let it slip they were moving cattle today and how difficult it would be because they were down three men. She moved forward, halting when she reached Fury’s stall, Tanner already tightening the cinch strap on his saddle.
When he finished, he rose.
“Hey, need some help today?”
He whipped around at the sound of her voice. “Why?”
She set her hand on her hip and rolled her eyes. “Let’s see. Because you’re moving cattle and you’re shorthanded?”
He frowned, which was exactly what she expected, which just made it harder to keep from smiling at him. “Brody told me.”
His shoulders relaxed. “That sounds like Brody. What about Dad?”
“He’s in with Dr. Navarro.” She motioned with her thumb over her shoulder. “I am definitely not wanted. So I thought I could help you instead.”
“Are you offering to ride?” His brows rose, clearly skeptical.
“I am.” She grinned. “I may be rusty, but I’m better than having no one to chase down strays or bring up the rear.”
His gaze ran from the top of her hat to the bottom of her jeans where they met her boots. “Fine.” He turned back to Fury and walked him out of the stall to loop the reins over the door. “Let me just get Maximus saddled.” He gave her a stern look. “We already know you can handle him.”
She bit the inside of her lip to keep from laughing outright. The man seemed to only have two modes, not happy, and grumpy.
Luckily, he turned away and she covered her mouth with her hand. She followed him to the stall of the majestic Maximus and hung her arms over the half-door to watch him work. He was not only efficient, but thorough. He wore a maroon-checkered button-down shirt, blue jeans that hugged his butt quite nicely where a red bandana peeked from his back pocket. His brown boots looked well-worn, though his straw hat looked new. Nothing about his clothes matched and yet they fit him perfectly.
She grew up with cowboys all around her. Even her brothers were all cowboys, so she’d married a lawyer. But watching Tanner work was actually a pleasure.
He finished getting Maximus ready and walked the big black Quarter Horse out and down the barn toward Fury. The two horses eyed each other, but behaved. “Are you coming?”
Her cheeks heated at being caught staring. She strode forward. “You bet.”
“There’ll be no time for lollygagging around. We’re getting a late start because Layne found Mrs. Silva on the side of the road with a flat tire. If the work is too much or the heat starts to get to you, just let me know before heading in. I don’t want anyone getting heatstroke on my watch. We’re in for another triple digit day. The sooner we can get this done, the better.”
“Got it.” She grasped the horn of the saddle as she set her foot into the stirrup and threw her leg over the horse’s back. Maximus was much bigger than her horse Breeze, which she rode in her barrel racing days. She was glad she’d been practicing with Breeze for the exhibition because the first week of practice she’d been sore after not riding for months. The last thing she wanted was to look like a wimp in front of Tanner Dunn.
Tanner mounted up. “The cattle have been grazing on the northwest corner. We head past the birthing enclosure and take a right. We’re moving them to the southwest corner today. Waylon will have the gates open. He and Nash will ride drag. Brody and Layne are already out there. I’ll be riding point. We’re still short three men, so it’s not going to be easy.”
She gave him a short nod. “Got it, Boss.”
He studied her as if he wasn’t sure it was such a great idea that she help, but finally he clicked his tongue and set Fury into a relaxed pace.
She followed at first, but the day was so beautiful. Wispy white clouds drifted high in the sky and the temperatures had yet to reach a hundred. Unable to curb her energy, she brought Maximus up to Fury and looked over at Tanner. “Race you to the birthing enclosure.” She gave her big horse a nudge and they shot off.
Laughter bubbled up inside and she let it out. But as she heard pounding hooves behind her, she urged Maximus faster. “Come on, boy. I know you’re as happy to stretch your legs as I am.”
She heard swearing as she and Maximus shot forward. Her hat flew back, the tie holding it behind her. Even her ponytail was coming loose, but she didn’t care. This feeling is what life was all about.
“Stop!”
Her focus on the upcoming enclosure, she was startled to find Tanner racing beside her.
“Stop, now!”
The fury in his voice indicated something was seriously wrong, and she quickly slowed Maximus. As they came to a walk, Tanner brought his horse closer.
“What’s wrong?” She let her gaze run over Fury. Did he throw a shoe, step in a hole?
Tanner brought Fury around to halt Maximus, which the stallion did not appreciate, but she kept him under control. “It’s okay, Max.”
“I’ll tell you what’s wrong! You could have broken your fool neck. Or worse, could have ridden Maximus into a groundhog hole and broken his leg!”
Broken her fool neck? Who spoke like that anymore? “What are you talking about? This is the path you and your men take every day. I doubt very much that there are any hazards along it.”
Still, he glared at her as if he was trying, unsuccessfully to calm down. “There is no reason to court trouble.” The words were ground out as if pulled from the depths of his six-pack abs. “A ranch is a dangerous place. Anything could happen.” As he spoke, the words seemed to come easier. “Safety should be paramount at all times. Accidents happen. A charging bull, a broken cactus, a fall.” His mouth closed as if he’d almost revealed too much.
Her brothers rode hell bent for leather on a regular basis, and if she wasn’t mistaken Brody had been a trick rider for a while. He must have taken a bunch of falls learning that. It wasn’t as if she’d been―wait, fall? His father had fallen from his horse when he had the stroke. Could that be why Tanner was so upset? Was he worried about her? The thought made her heart warm.
“I apologize.” Maybe she could help him understand. “Since I finished rehab, I’ve always tried to make the most of every moment of life. There was a time when it looked like I would never ride a horse again. That I can, fills me with joy. What seems a simple ride out to move the cattle is a chance to treasure the freedom of movement, fresh air, and beauty of the desert.”
“It’s dangerous.” His grumpy attitude was in full force now. “If you want to help, I can’t be hindered by your foolishness. Now, will you listen to my orders or do you want to go back to the house?”
No one had spoken to her like that since she was in college and her father made it clear no men were allowed to stay the night. She’d packed up the next day and moved out. She couldn’t exactly do that now with Tanner, but she could go back to the house and let him fend for himself.
Yet even at the thought of turning around, she longed for the task that needed to be done. It had been so long since she’d moved cattle. She kept silent longer, making him wait, pretending to decide which she preferred to do.
“Well, are you coming or going?” The words were said by a man at the end of his patience.
“That’s a difficult decision, but since it’s such a perfect day, and Max is such a great horse,” she patted the stallion on his shoulder, “I think I’ll come with you.” She smiled as if she didn’t know he was in a full fury. Hmmm, there was definitely something to the names of the Dunn’s horses after all.
Without another word, he turned Fury around and started forward at a relaxed pace. She followed sedately, unable to help grinning. The man needed to loosen up. He was strung tighter than an exercise band around a barrel.
Her humor evaporated at the thought. She’d figured out early that he loved his dad and would do anything to get him back to his very best, but she’d neglected to think about what a burden that had placed on the oldest Dunn son.
Surely, he’d been trained to run the ranch. Her own brothers, as crazy as they were, ran the ranch with her father barely helping. Bill Hayden gave direction on occasion, usually asking if something had been done yet. That was always a serious hint, but he barely rode out anymore. Yet Jeremiah had been riding out and from the sounds of it, he rode daily. Now, Tanner had to take on those duties, and being short-handed didn’t help. No wonder he was stressed.
She’d just have to prove to him that she could be of help.
As they rode up, the men came in to get instructions. Brody grinned at her. “What, Dad isn’t enough of a challenge for you? You want to take on my brother?”
She rolled her eyes. “No. Your father has another specialist with him and didn’t want me around. Can you imagine that?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. I’ll have to try.”
“Alright. Let’s see if we can get this done sometime before midnight.” At Tanner’s announcement, she pulled her lips in like she’d been caught doing something wrong.
Brody choked on a laugh, coughing instead. “What’s the plan?”
Tanner gave everyone direction, sending her to the flank position to catch strays as she expected. At first it wasn’t hard prodding the cattle forward, but eventually, one decided it preferred the grass on the north side better then moving on and took a sharp turn.
She was on it, herding the wandering bovine back in line before another broke ranks. She wasn’t sure if it was the Dunn cattle that had stubborn minds of their own or it was just that it had been a long time since she’d herded cattle. Either way, it was over an hour before she had a breather, able to look up and pay attention to something other than a cow’s ass.
Tanner was up front on the east side guiding the herd, Fury listening to his commands as if they thought alike. She smiled. No doubt they did. He yelled across to Brody who changed his direction, keeping the herd closer together. Maybe the cows were growing tired, but they all fell in line for a while. Tanner stopped, pulling the bandana from his back pocket and wiping the sweat from his brow as the herd continued along.
He glanced back at her.
Quickly, she gave him a thumbs up.
He gave a curt nod before yelling at one of his hands to watch a bull.
She had to give credit where it was due. Tanner Dunn knew his way around cows and horses. He looked damn good doing it, too. The luster of cowboys had worn off a long time ago for her, though her friends in college were always angling for a chance to come to her ranch when she went home for visits. They were practically googly-eyed over her brothers, who didn’t think twice about showing off, not to mention sleeping with her friends. She always had to make new friends because she couldn’t stand the old ones putting her brothers on pedestals.
She couldn’t see Tanner showing off for anyone. He just did what needed to be done…safely, of course. Had that started after his dad’s stroke or was he always like that? She’d have to ask Brody. She wasn’t exactly on Tanner’s good side right now. Then again, she was helping.
Maximus suddenly stopped in his tracks. Immediately, alarms went off and she scanned the ground. Her heart thudded hard in her chest. A diamondback rattlesnake had slithered out from under a mesquite tree, no doubt to find out who was making such a ruckus during his afternoon nap.
She kept perfectly still, watching the snake as it looked at Maximus. In her peripheral vision, she noticed another cow stroll away from the herd, but she had more important matters to attend to. This would be a great time to have a gun on her. Unfortunately, even if she did, she wasn’t the best shot.
The snake’s head swiveled looking around to see if anyone else was about, but seeing no one, it settled back to staring at Maximus. She could feel the horse’s muscles tense as he instinctively knew the danger he was in. She wanted to back the horse up, but she wasn’t sure if Maximus would listen.
“Don’t move.” Tanner’s voice was soft, but it still startled her.
She moved her gaze only from the snake to where Tanner sat on Fury about ten yards away. He had his rifle trained on the snake.
“When I shoot, Max will rear. Hold tight.”
She understood and gripped the reins without moving them, hoping Tanner was a better shot than she was.
The next ten seconds as she watched the rattler seemed like hours as sweat trickled down her back and sides. Then as if the snake had realized it had more company, it lifted its head higher to look at Tanner.
The shot went off, and she gripped Maximus with her thighs and leaned forward as his front hooves left the ground. She was a good horsewoman, but it had been years since she’d had to deal with a rearing horse, and she grabbed the pommel to keep her seat, having no idea if the snake was still a threat. As Maximus gained his feet, she turned him away in case the snake still moved.
“You’re good.” Tanner hopped off his horse.
She brought Maximus back around and watched Tanner stride toward the snake. It made her nervous that he could get bit, but as she coaxed Maximus a little closer, she could see the snake was just twitching, its muscles moving after its death. Tanner kicked it under the tree then walked toward her. “You, okay?”
She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Swallowing hard, she tried again. “Yeah.” She patted Maximus on his shoulder. “This is one good horse.”
He looked at her, but didn’t say anything. Instead, he turned and walked back to Fury. Once mounted, he pointed to the east. “Two cows went that way.”
Of course. Back to work. As she turned Maximus in the direction he indicated, she felt her heart palpitate and her hands started to shake. “Shit.” She let Maximus choose his own pace and in no time, they caught up with the cows.
She looked toward the herd, which had gone quite a ways, no doubt almost to the southern area. “Hold up, Maximus.” She pulled on the reins. When the horse stopped, she wiped the sweat off her palms onto her jeans and took a few deep breaths, trying to get herself back on track. When she was ready, she clicked her tongue and started herding the two wanderers.
Of course, upon getting close to the bovine, they split and went in different directions, making her task that much harder. Eventually, she got them headed the right way, but by now the rest of the herd was already resituated. Not about to give up, she coaxed the two forward.
Hoofbeats pounding the ground ahead of her had her looking up to find Tanner returning. He probably was wondering what took her so long.
But as he rode up, he didn’t say anything, just stayed on the other side of the two cows and helped her get them where they needed to go. Everyone else had returned to the house by the time they got the last two into the southern pasture. As Tanner closed the gate, she admitted, if only to herself that she was exhausted. She rode up to where he stood and slipped from her horse.
Her knees buckled under her and she made a grab for the saddle.
Tanner leapt forward, catching her about the waist. “Hey.”
She shook her head even as she found her footing with his help. “I’m okay. Just got a little shaken. I didn’t treasure the idea of having to tell Jeremiah his horse got bit by a snake.”
His arm wrapped around her, and she clasped him about his waist with one arm as he walked her to the fence. He was a solid post of muscle compared to her weak knees.
As he stepped back, she used the fence to lean on. “Just after-scare jitters. I’ll be fine.” She grinned. “Nothing a good dinner, some ice cream, and a hot bath won’t fix.”
He stood there scowling at her. “I don’t like seeing diamondbacks where the cows have been grazing. The last thing I need is to have to treat a cow for a snakebite.”
She cocked her head. “You’re kidding, right? We live in the desert. They live in the desert. It happens.”
He took his bandana from out of his pocket and wiped the sweat from his brow before setting his hat back on. “Yeah, but I still don’t like it. I especially don’t like it when they become a threat to my horses or workers.”
She probably knew the answer, but she had to ask. “How did you know I was held up by a snake?”
He gestured toward the north. “I saw a cow leave the herd and when you weren’t on its tail, I looked for you. I saw you just sitting there, and I knew something was wrong. It wasn’t until I rode closer that I figured out from your posture that you had a snake problem.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re a better shot than I am.” She grasped the fence rail tighter as she remembered the moment. “I had no idea if I could get Maximus to back up. Honestly, at that point, I was just hoping the snake would decide to slither back into the shade.”
He rested his hand on the rail next to her as he shook his head. “That wasn’t happening. That snake had you in his sights. He could have bit you as easily as Maximus.”
Despite the heat of the day as the sun climbed to its zenith, she still shivered. “I haven’t been that nervous since I went to my prom in a wheelchair.” She attempted a laugh, but it sounded pathetic.
“I’m glad you held your seat. A fall from Maximus can be just as dangerous as a snake bite.” His voice lowered, sending bubbles bouncing around in her stomach.
“Yeah, I thought about that, too.”
He cupped her face with his hand. “I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”
She licked her lips at the intensity in his green gaze. “I’m glad, too.” Her heart started to beat faster as he lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers, sending a tingling down to her toes. Her breathing hitched, and she opened her mouth to take in air.
Whether she meant it as an invitation or not, he took it, his mouth pressing to hers as his tongue slipped between her lips.
Just as before, his kiss sent fireworks shooting to all parts of her body, exciting her from the inside out. His leather and sage scent filled her nostrils even as she leaned into him. She tangled her tongue with his, wanting more of him.
As if he felt the same, he turned to face her, his hand moving to the fence rail on the other side of her as he pushed her against it, his body harder than the wood behind her. Every womanly area of her body woke up as if from a deep sleep and celebrated the feeling of being wanted.
She looped her hands around his neck, as liquid fire filled her limbs. She wanted him. Pressing her hips to his, she felt the hard ridge in his jeans that told her he felt the same way. Immediately, her core ached, and need climbed up her back.
His mouth left hers, but before she could groan her displeasure, he was kissing her neck in the one spot that dropped all her inhibitions. Her knees began to weaken all over again, and she held on, not willing to miss―
The ring of his phone filled the air, waking her up as if her alarm had gone off. She reacted similarly, too groggy to understand exactly what it meant. Still, she managed to move her hands from around his neck and let them rest against his hips.
Tanner sighed, lifting his head, but he didn’t back away. Instead, he reached into his back pocket and answered as he looked at her. “Yeah.”
She could hear a voice, but not what was said.
“Alright. I’m coming in now.”
She smirked at his wording. Didn’t she wish.
He put the phone away still looking at her as if he was trying to figure her out, his hand returning to the fence on the other side of her. He was always so careful. Sometimes the man just needed to enjoy life for what it was.
“We have to head in now.”
She’d figured that out already, so his comment made her want to laugh, but she managed to keep it in. “Too bad. I liked where this was going.”
At her words, his eyes darkened.
Her heart skipped a beat as every nerve-ending came alive.
He pulled her hard against him and kissed her with such intensity, that all she could do was hold on. When she was breathless, he broke the kiss, and stepped back.
She grabbed hold of the fence to steady herself.
“Thank you.”
For what? The kiss? She stared, not comprehending. Who thanked someone for a kiss that was mutually shared?
He took another step back as if being so close was too tempting. “We couldn’t have made the switch in pastures so quickly without your help. You did good.”
For some unknown reason, his praise filled her with pride. Now that she knew what he was thanking her for, she could find her balance. “It was fun. I don’t get to work on a horse as much as I used to. Except for barrel racing exhibitions, I don’t get much riding in.”
He visibly stiffened. “Barrel racing? You could get hurt.”
“Only if I didn’t know what I was doing. But I do. I’ve been doing it for twenty years, the last five just for exhibitions, not true competitions. Trust me, I’m good.” She pushed away from the fence, quite sure there would be no more kissing…for now. She had to admit she hoped there would be another opportunity. Who would have guessed?
She walked by him, tempted to smack his tight butt, but refrained. “You should come see the races during Pioneer Days. I open them as the announcer explains the rules and the goal.”
He shook his head, grumbling something under his breath as he mounted Fury.
She squelched another chuckle as she swung her leg over Maximus, happy the horse hadn’t been hurt.
As Tanner turned Fury toward the trail, he brought his horse next to hers. “No racing.”
“Spoil sport.” She grinned, pretty sure she heard him snort before he flicked the reins and set a relaxed pace back to the house.