Chapter 2
Wade Buchanan’s life was a colossal joke or some playground for the big man upstairs. He’d been enjoying a peaceful morning, moving the herd from one pasture to another for the summer, with a few guests from the resort who paid to experience life working as a “real cowboy.” Next thing he knew, some perky little woman was standing in front of the herd, after one of the greenhorns had spooked them, petting his cattle dog and picking flowers. Now, she wanted to go save a goddamn goat. Who had he pissed off in a past life to warrant this cluster today?
His horse, well-trained to his leg commands, ignored the woman hauling on the reins, though his ears flicked in irritation, and he bobbed his head and snorted, but he didn’t move. Since the herd had gone by, Wade dropped the woman to the ground. It wasn’t that far, a couple of feet, and he hadn’t dropped so much as let her gently slide down, though the way she glared at him, it was as if he’d tossed her to the ground.
She wasn’t as small as he had first thought. When he saw the herd thundering at someone, turning his guts to water at the thought of what could happen, she had appeared as tiny and fragile as a child. Once he had her in his arms, she was taller and curvier than he first thought, and fit him perfectly. Not that he wanted to think that way. Not now.
“What the actual hell, Lone Ranger? Do you manhandle everyone you come across?”
He threw his leg across his horse and slid from the saddle.“Only dumbass women who don’t have the sense God gave them. What the hell were you doing wandering around a cattle pasture? Don’t you know how dangerous it is? There could have been a bull in here—or worse!”
“Gilbert!” she cried out and raced toward where she had been gesturing while he had her in his arms.
A small tan-and-white goat burst from the grass, racing toward him. He whistled and his dog, Festus, broke into action, herding the creature so Wade could catch it. She grasped the red collar.
“Thanks. He got away from me this morning at yoga and I’ve been searching for him ever since.”
Another horse trotted up bearing his cousin, Michael Buchanan. He halted next to them.“All this for a goat?”
She smiled up at his cousin, a look Wade wanted focused on him, as she struggled to contain the wiggling goat.“Yeah, Gilbert escaped during goat yoga this morning. I’m sorry for any chaos I caused.”
Michael tipped his head.“You need to be more careful, Viv. Most of the land around here is reserved for cattle grazing. It’s not empty, not really. I know Greta didn’t have time or the physical capacity to give you a tour before she had to go on leave. Maybe Wade can do it later today.”
Viv shot him a disgruntled look.“I don’t want to be a bother. I think I’ve already interrupted enough of your day.”
Michael only grinned, while Wade glared.“It’s no bother. In fact, Wade is in charge of the cattle side of things here.”
Wade grunted.“He exaggerates. I’m a ranch hand, doing my job, like everyone else.”
Though he had been there longer than almost anyone else, except of course for his cousins who owned the place and a couple of the old-timers, but his situation was different. Family, but not really. Not that he wanted to dwell on that now, not with his cousin frowning down at him.
“Bullshit, Wade. You’d be perfect for the role. By the way, this is Viv Kendrick. She’ll be taking over for Greta, running the spa for the guest ranch for the summer while Greta is out on maternity leave. She had to dive right in when Greta’s doc put her on bed rest unexpectedly yesterday. So, she’ll need all of our help settling in. Can you do that?”
Viv refused to look at him, focusing down on the damned goat that had caused this entire fiasco, and Michael just watched him steadily. Wade sighed, knowing when he was beat.“Sure, boss. I’ll escort Miss Kendrick and the goat back to the center and make sure everything is secure.”
“Great. I’ll settle the herd and get our guests back to the stable for their breakfast.”
Wade grunted and watched Michael ride off after the herd. He turned back to his saddle to find a length of rope.
“You can go do what you need to. I’m perfectly capable of handling this on my own.”
Her tone was stiff and formal, putting distance between them, and Wade decided that he didn’t like that. He much preferred her snark and fire.
“Orders are orders, ma’am. Besides, I’d much rather make sure that little troublemaker is secured so this doesn’t happen again.” He looped a length of rope around the goat’s neck and secured it.
She wrinkled her nose.“I should have thought of that. I brought treats but hadn’t thought of how to drag him back.”
He grinned.“Yeah, I told Greta the goats were going to be trouble. But she was convinced they would bring value to the center. Goat yoga, goat’s milk soaps, lotions and cheeses. I still think they’re more trouble than they’re worth.”
Viv planted a hand on her hip, drawing his eye to the plastered on, skin-tight, wildly colored pants she wore. His mind immediately went to visions of her, bent over in front of him in that downward dog position, the only one he or any other guy really knew, and his jeans grew uncomfortably tight.
“Goats are an incredible draw for your guests, you know. Everyone thinks they’re adorable, especially when they’re dressed up in pajamas or something. The lotions and soaps are very popular and goat cheese is healthier than cow cheese. It has less fat and cholesterol, lower sodium, and more vitamins and minerals.”
He couldn’t help but laugh.“Then maybe we should stop herding cattle and start herding goats.”
She scowled at him.“It’s not funny. I’m being serious.”
He stifled his grin.“How do your guests like when a goat takes a shit in their face?”
She glanced down at Gilbert, who baaed innocently at her, lifted his tail, and crapped on her shoes. She shrieked and jumped back, kicking the goat shit off her expensive-looking sneakers. He smirked.“I can’t imagine that’s in the brochure.”
She sighed.“Goats are not potty-trained, that’s for sure.”
“Well, you can’t have everything. Come on, let’s head back and check out that fence and see where this one got out. And I’ll show you where not to wander.”
“Was I supposed to leave him loose? A coyote or wolf could have gotten him.”
He took the reins of his horse, though Festus would have followed him even without that, and tossed Viv the rope for the goat. Festus trotted next to them, between the two of them, his eyes already fixed on her. Yeah, he was a sucker for a pretty girl.
“Better the goat than you. Next time, let one of the stable hands know and they’ll go or radio us to look out for him. They know the dangers better than you, know the land.”
“Maybe you should give me that tour Michael was talking about, so I get to know the land. I want to incorporate a sunrise walking tour for the guests. This is beautiful country. People want to see it.”
“It’s a working ranch. They can take a trail ride to see it if they want.”
“Not everyone wants to get on a horse.”
He considered her words for a moment.“I suppose. But that is the guest ranch experience, exploring the life on a ranch and outdoor activities. They don’t have to do all of that, which is why we have the spa and other things. But there are so many activities to try. Herding cattle. Trail rides. Camping, fishing, hunting, riding. They should at least try some of the options.”
They walked quietly for a few minutes.“I hadn’t thought of it that way. I should still have that tour.”
He shrugged.“Fine. Come down to the stables and we’ll do it. Let me know the next time you have a day free.”