Chapter 4
“Frankie!” Fear clutched Vanessa’s throat as she yelled for the dog she’d never even wanted. But now that he was hers, she’d fallen hard for the darn pup. He wasn’t just the pet she’d taken in after her mom’s death, he was her best friend. “Come on, boy!”
Dax stood and held out a hand to help her to her feet. “We don’t want to damage the fence even more and no way we can climb over. The barbs will hurt like a bitch.”
She accepted his help then ran after him as he headed to the barn. Thick mud latched onto her sneakers. The curious gazes of the animals still in the pasture followed her. “What about them?”
“They’re pretty content. If we’re quick enough, we shouldn’t have to worry about them getting out.”
Not knowing what else to do, she stayed a step behind him. They ran down the wide aisle of the barn until they made it out the other end.
Dax headed for his rusted pickup truck.
She skidded to a stop. “What are you doing?”
“Grabbing some supplies. Those goats are going to be scared and confused. Herding them all the way to the front of the barn will be a pain. Getting them through the fence will be easier, but I need to make that safer, then fix it as much as possible so they can’t get back through.”
Her mind spun as she watched him leap into the cab of his truck and rummage through a toolbox. He tucked a big pair of gloves into the back pocket of his jeans then secured some tools before jumping on the gravel lane.
“Let’s go.” He took off toward the cluster of trees on the other side of the fence.
She stayed close, sending silent prayers that she hadn’t already failed the animals she’d found herself responsible for.
Frankie’s frantic barks picked up, spurring her on.
He was a city dog, used to leashed walks and tidy parks.
Not muddy forest floors and a maze of wilderness that could swallow him whole.
If he was hurt because she’d given him too much freedom, she’d never forgive herself.
Hell, she’d repack all those boxes and head straight to Chicago.
The ground became uneven, and the canopy of leaves made the dreary day ever darker. Vanessa braced herself against the rough, sturdy tree trunks as she moved deeper into the forest. A thundering noise echoed around her. “What’s that sound?”
“River,” Dax called over his shoulder. “We need to get to the animals before they fall in.”
She picked up her pace, not knowing what direction she headed. “Frankie!” she yelled. “Come here, boy!”
More barking sent shivers of panic through her entire body seconds before she spied Frankie standing on a log. His ears stood at attention on the top of his little head.
“There he is!” She pointed at her pup then opened her arms wide. “Come on, boy. Come see me.”
Frankie stayed rooted to the spot, his barks only increasing as they approached. The cries of goats joined with the chorus of warnings from Frankie.
Dax leapt over the log, stopping to rest his large hand on top of Frankie’s head. “I got it now, boy. Good job. Vanessa, walk slowly and quietly. Your little farm dog led us to the herd, and we need to get behind them before they get hurt. If you spook one of them, they’ll all go a little nuts.”
She walked forward, mindful not to snap any twigs or rustle fallen leaves. She spied a handful of goats. They chewed on branches and pawed at the ground. A wide river rushed by not too far behind them.
“I’ll head to the right,” Dax said. “You take the left. We’ll push them forward until we get to the fence, then I’ll figure out how to get them in the pasture.”
Too nervous to speak, she nodded. She stepped over roots and pushed through weeds as she got into position. She glanced between Dax and the goats. When she stood behind them, she locked eyes with Dax. “Now what?”
“Fan out your arms, keep them wide. Try to keep the goats together as we take this one step at a time.”
“Sounds simple enough, but what about Frankie?”
Dax grinned and his dimples flashed. “I don’t think you have to worry about him. He’s a natural.”
She followed his sightline to her fat city dog. He stood at the head of the herd, ready to take the lead. “Well then, what are we waiting for?”
By the time they made it to the edge of the woods, the rain had started again.
Big drops fell from the sky, soaking her hair and clothes.
Mud and dirt splattered up her jeans, and the white of her sneakers was nowhere in sight.
Her socks were cold and wet. But she couldn’t help the flurry of giddiness that built with each step.
Frankie trotted to the fence. He turned to face them, as if telling them they’d arrived.
She stopped, grinning at what a wild turn her life had taken. She owned a home, a feisty little dog and a herd of animals. Not to mention a patch of land. And come hell or high water, she’d figure what the heck she was supposed to do with it all.
With a surge of accomplishment, she stepped onto the slick blades of grass and her feet slid from under her. Her arms went out to brace her fall. Her palms landed in a patch of mud seconds before her bottom smacked the ground. Dirt sprayed into the air, landing on her face and covering her shirt.
A deep rumble of laughter turned her in the direction of Dax, who stayed behind the goats, pressing them toward the fence. “You all right back there?”
She lifted her hands and drips of muck fell to the ground in clumps. Her own laugher joined Dax’s. “Nothing hurt but my pride, I think.” Climbing to her feet, she wiped her palms on the thighs of her jeans, but the motion just rubbed the dirt around more.
“Don’t think that’s gonna work.” Dax grinned then fit the gloves from his pocket onto his hands and maneuvered the broken fence to allow the goats to slip into the pasture.
Her stomach did a crazy somersault as she watched him work.
Muscles strained against the wet material of his shirt, and his cowboy hat made her think she’d stepped into some weird fantasy that was ripped from the pages of a romance novel.
If Frankie wasn’t standing beside him, his laboring breaths wheezing through his snout, she’d think she was dreaming.
Well, that and the way her bogged-down shoes squished against the grass with each step and the chill clinging to her bones. If she was in dreamland with a hunky cowboy, she’d prefer not to be covered head to toe in mud.
Glancing over his shoulder, Dax shot her another dazzling smile. “I can handle the fence if you want to head inside and clean up. Once you’re done, we’ll go to the office and speak with Madden. We’ll get you right as rain before nightfall.”
She debated staying and watching him work. The drizzling rain would hide the drool probably running down her chin. But there was no reason not to go inside. Dax probably had more to do today than handle her problems. She shouldn’t make him waste more time with her than necessary.
“Okay. If you don’t mind,” she said.
“Go for it. I’ll find you when I’ve got the animals in their pens.” He swiped his hat from his head and wiped a forearm across his brow before replacing it.
Oh dear Lord. Chilled bones weren’t her problem anymore. Dax McKay was, and he was one problem she wasn’t sure she wanted fixed.
* * *
By the time Vanessa walked onto the porch shiny and clean, Dax had the fence patched and animals settled.
Water soaked through his shirt and his jeans had taken on that annoying stiff texture that happens when wet.
He wanted nothing more than to grab a hot shower and a change of clothes, but that had to wait.
“Wanna hop in my truck or drive?” he asked. “I might get ya all dirty again.” He held out his arms to display the state of his clothes. He hadn’t ended up ass-deep in mud like she had but traipsing through the wet forest had left its mark.
She fisted her hands on her hips, the motion making her ponytail swing behind her. “I think Frankie and I can handle it. As long as you’re not sick of us yet?”
“Not even close. Jump in. I’ll let Madden know we’re on our way.”
Rounding to the passenger side, he held it open, waiting for her to run through the sprinkle of rain with her dog in her arms and climb inside before shutting it. He jogged back around and jumped behind the wheel. “Ready?”
“Yep.”
Frankie curled into her lap and closed his eyes.
“He’s worn out.” Dax scratched the dog between his ears before reversing out of the driveway then heading for town. “He did good today. Surprised the hell out of me. Didn’t think he’d have the instincts to get those goats to listen, but he came through.”
She stared out the window, wide-eyed and with a ghost of a smile on her lips. “His were better than mine, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t fun. Well, at least it was after I knew the animals were safe.”
“See, you’re a natural.”
She snorted. “I’m not sure about that. I still don’t know what I’ll do with the property. I just kind of jumped in with both feet. I should have stopped and really given this some thought. Realized what I was getting myself into.”
With his wrist draped over the top of the steering wheel, he cast her a quick glance before returning his attention to the road.
“Nah. This land is in your blood. You’re here to protect it, to cherish it, to hold it close and use it in a way that would make your grandpa proud. I have no doubt you’ll do that.”
“How can you be so sure?”
He shrugged. “Just am.”
He wouldn’t admit it, but he didn’t know a damn thing; he just wanted it to be true.
She’d impressed the hell out of him by diving in and doing what needed to be done in the moment.
Even when she’d plunged into the mud, she hadn’t gotten angry or frustrated.
She’d laughed and made sure everything was taken care of before washing herself off.
As far as he was concerned, her tenacity was the number-one thing she’d need to make it on her new patch of land.
Comfortable silence settled between them.
She stared out the window like a child about to tear into a candy store with an endless budget.
He didn’t want to disturb her, but a few minutes down the road, curiosity got the best of him.
“You doing okay over there? If you press your nose any closer to the glass, you’ll fog up my window. ”
She chuckled but didn’t tear her gaze from the passing scenery.
“I was too upset and on edge earlier to really take in my surroundings. Now I feel like I’m in a dream.
I’ve read so many stories about this place.
Grandpa described it so well, yet at the same time I never imagined Cloud Valley could be so beautiful. ”
“I’ve lived here my whole life, and I don’t think I could ever get sick of the view of these mountains. This land’s in my blood, and it’s in yours, too. I’m sorry you never got a chance to experience it until now. I’m sure Earl would have loved showing you around.”
More questions burned the tip of his tongue, but he held them back.
He understood what it was like to have people poking around in his business.
Judging things they had no understanding of then making him feel like crap in the process.
If Vanessa wanted to explain why she’d only ever read about this town, she’d tell him when the time was right.
She sighed then faced forward while smoothing a palm over Frankie’s head. “I wish he’d have had the chance, but there’s no use living your life in regret.”
“That’s a damn hard lesson for most to learn,” he said with a snort. The heat of her stare singed his cheeks, but he kept his eyes forward.
“Do you speak from experience?” she asked.
“Darlin’, that’s a long story for another time. Let’s just say life lessons are never easy, especially for a stubborn son of a bitch like me. I’ve learned a few, and I’m sure there are plenty in store down the line. For now, I just take each day as it comes and try to make the most of it.”
“And making the most of it includes helping a stranger wrangle goats in the rain?”
The laughter in her voice hiked up the corner of his mouth. “Sure is, but lucky for you the day isn’t over.”
“Oh really?” Amusement smothered the question. “And why is that?”
He motored down Main Street until he found a parking spot close to Sunrise Security’s office.
Pulling in, he shut off the engine then shifted to hook his elbow on the seatback.
“The way I see it, you’ve had a hell of a welcome to Cloud Valley.
First the intruder, then the fence. I’m sure you have a lot on your shoulders right now, and I don’t see many people ’round to share that burden. ”
“Not sure where that luck’s coming into play.” She frowned, pulling the deep V in the middle of her forehead toward her nose.
He chuckled. “After I get your house all set up, I’m going to take you out to dinner, if you want, and show you how the fine folks of Cloud Valley like to welcome newcomers. With a cold beer and warm smile.”
Her expression turned serious. “That’s all I get for dinner? I’m going to need something a little more substantial.”
He burst into laughter. “I think we can handle that. Now, let’s figure out exactly what you need. The sooner we get started, the sooner we can finish.”
She flashed him a smile that made his heart beat in triple time before she hopped out of his truck with her dog tucked under her arm.
He watched her for a second before giving a tiny shake of his head and meeting her on the sidewalk.
He had a funny feeling that as far as Vanessa Kemp was concerned, things were very far from over.