Chapter 2
Abby guided her rental Ford Escape down the dirt road leading to Brady McLeod’s ranch. If this went smoothly, she’d be able to hit the next two potential clients on her list today, as well.
She liked it here in the King Creek area. If she had a mind to settle down, this would be a nice place to do it.
Settling down wasn’t her thing, though. Heading from town to town and ranch to ranch was fun for her. She liked meeting new people and going to new places, and she loved taking in the new and varied scenery.
This drive took her past palo verde trees and ocotillo, interspersed with brittle bush and patches of creosote bushes. There were a few saguaro cacti at the foot of the Superstition Mountains, but they grew more plentiful around the mountain slopes. She spotted cholla and organ pipe cacti, along with a barrel cactus.
When she got closer to McLeod’s ranch, the area opened up into scrubland with yellow grasses dotted with mesquite bushes, and not much further she reached the entrance. The SUVs tires rattled over the cattle guard and dust gathered around the vehicle as she drove toward the house a quarter mile down the road.
It was a sprawling ranch home like most she’d seen in the state. McLeod’s pueblo-style single-level home sported dark brown wood pillars along the front porch and smooth tan stucco walls. The barn had seen better days and the exterior of the bunkhouse could use a coat of paint, but the house had been well-kept and modernized compared to the rest of the property.
She reached a circular driveway, and a tall cowboy stepped out of the shadows of the yawning mouth of the barn. A blue merle Border Collie trotted at his side as they approached her vehicle.
A western hat obscured the cowboy’s face, but his body appeared to be fairly young, mid-thirties, maybe, and muscular. Was he a ranch hand? Or could he be the owner? She’d expected someone seasoned to own the place.
Abby climbed out of the Escape, shut the door, then waited for him near the back of the vehicle. She smiled as he strode up and the collie made it to her first.
The cowboy pushed up the brim of his hat with one finger and offered her a slight smile. He had intelligent coffee-brown eyes and his brown hair curled at his collar. His work shirt outlined his broad shoulders and hinted at the nice size of his biceps. The opening of his shirt exposed a tantalizing glimpse of golden chest hairs.
Her belly took a sudden dive. Lord, if he wasn’t the hottest, sexiest cowboy she’d met since taking the field rep position with her family’s company.
She wanted to look lower but didn’t dare—she hoped he hadn’t noticed her perusal. He had well-cut features and a strong jaw, his skin bronzed from the sun. Women must fall to this man’s feet, or rather, boots. At six-three or so, he was a good four inches taller than her five-eleven.
She swallowed, expecting the usual once-over that men tended to give her before introducing themselves. He didn’t—he kept his eyes focused on hers, something she found refreshing.
He reached her. “Can I help you, ma’am?”
Abby winced. Ma’am? Not what she wanted a tall drink of water to be calling her. Cowboys tended to be on the polite side, and that included “ma’am” when addressing a woman and “miss” for the younger of the gender. Of course, she fell into the first category.
She held out her hand. “Please call me Abby. I’m Abby Buchanan with Buchanan Fencing Company.”
A wary light glinted in his eyes as he took her hand in a firm grip. “Pleasure to meet you, Abby. I’m Brady McLeod.”
Niiiiice. His touch warmed her through in interesting and definitely not unpleasant ways, followed by surprise that this man, not old and wizened, owned the property. He had to be in his early to mid thirties, like she’d thought.
She released his hand and gave a nod to the Border Collie. “May I pet her?”
His expression gentled with fondness as he glanced at the dog then back to her. “It appears Lady approves of you since she’s not barking her head off, so she’d be fine with that.”
Abby knelt and held out her hand for the dog to check out. “Nice to meet you, Lady.”
The collie sniffed her hand thoroughly, then butted her palm, clearly expecting attention. Abby grinned and petted her, and scratched behind her ears. “My, aren’t you a beautiful girl?”
A light breeze caressed Abby’s skin, soothing some of the heat that warmed the morning. She stood and a lock of her long red hair blew in her eyes, and she brushed it behind her ear.
She smiled at Brady. “Our fencing company is family-owned out of Montana, and we’ve been in business for seventy-one years now. A couple of months ago we bought out Harkins Fencing in King Creek.”
Brady studied her, clearly appraising her. “I’m not talking out of school when I say Harkins Fencing doesn’t have the best reputation in this area.”
Abby winced internally. That bad rep had been following her around, and it was something she had to work hard to get past. It had been a bone of contention between her and her father, who had been certain this area would be great to expand into.
She resisted winding strands of hair around one finger, a habit she’d developed when she was a kid. “I understand there were some problems, but I’m personally promising top-notch care.”
The corner of his mouth quirked, as if something amused him. Her spine stiffened but she tried to appear relaxed.
“I don’t have to ask why you’re on my property.” He let his gaze drift over his old fencing before meeting her gaze again. “I might be interested in replacing what came with this place, but it depends on if I like what I see.”
He didn’t appear to be flirtatious in any way, yet she wondered if he wasn’t just talking about the fencing. She mentally shook that off. Brady McLeod hadn’t shown the least bit of interest in her as a woman, and she certainly wasn’t looking for that kind of attention.
“I have one reference for this area.” She inclined her head to the east. “We just took care of Elmer Thompson’s property. He was a client in Montana before he moved here, so he’s someone with a lot of knowledge about and experience with our company.”
Brady gave a slow nod. “Haven’t had the opportunity to meet Mr. Thompson, but I know he bought out the Clarks not long ago.”
Abby smiled. “He’s a good man and opinionated, so you’ll know you’re hearing exactly how he feels about anything you discuss with him, including our products.”
Brady focused on her. “You mentioned being from Montana. Have any experience of your own when it comes to ranching?”
More hair blew in her face as the wind kicked up and she brushed it away impatiently. “Born and raised into the industry, and I’ve been involved in every part of it. My family owns a three-thousand-plus acre piece of land and run over two hundred-fifty head of cattle.”
“My operation is a little less than that.” Brady did look amused now. “Hell, a lot less.”
A cowboy strode out of the barn, capturing both Brady’s and Abby’s attention. His long legs ate up the ground as he walked the distance to where they stood.
When he reached them, he gave a nod to Abby. “Pardon, ma’am.” He spoke with a Hispanic accent. He turned to Brady. “Just got a call from the neighbors. Winchell’s cattle are on your property again. Seems the southern fence is down.”
Brady blew out his breath. He inclined his head to Abby. “This is Abby Buchanan. If her company pans out, she just might be able to help us with our fencing problem.”
He turned to Abby. “This is Caesar Garcia, my foreman.”
Caesar gave a nod. “A pleasure, ma’am.”
The corner of Brady’s mouth turned up again and he gave her the once-over. “You’re wearing Wrangler jeans and a good pair of western boots… Would you like to share your cattle round-up skills with us?”
She grinned. “Let me have a look at your available horses and I’ll saddle-up and help you out.”
Caesar raised an eyebrow but turned without another word and headed for the barn. Abby fell into step with Brady as they followed at a good pace. Brady’s long legs made it a challenge for her to keep up, but she managed.
She pulled a hair band out of her pocket and put her hair in a ponytail while they walked. She glanced at him as she lowered her arms. Wow, but he was a hot and sexy cowboy. What was it Emma had said this morning about Abby finding a man who tripped her trigger? Damned if she hadn’t.
Brady hadn’t been this aware of a woman since he’d been left at the altar. The thought of that moment in his life took the edge off his interest in Abby Buchanan, but not by much. What was it about her that made him want to forget about his determination to avoid relationships with women at all costs?
The freckles scattered over the bridge of her nose and along her collarbones added to her youthful appearance, and she had the cutest dimple. She wore feminine-cut western wear that fit her snugly, showing off her trim, but curvy figure. He’d had to fight to keep his eyes on hers when they met. Her eyes were as beautiful as the rest of her. Glass-green, her gaze wide and intelligent.
He now hoped she hadn’t noticed him taking in the gentle swells of her full breasts, or the way her jeans molded to her sexy ass, as they strode side-by-side. He loved a tall woman and she had to be nearly six feet. He loved her long legs and her shapely bottom.
She had the brightest red hair he’d ever seen, and up close he saw the strands of gold and bronze woven through it. His fingers itched to explore the softness of it. When he got close enough, he caught the scent of orange blossoms.
He cleared his throat when they walked through the barn doors. Caesar was loading the utility task vehicle, or UTV, with fencing supplies. He would leave behind his own horse.
Brady led Abby to the stalls where he nodded to the four horses that poked their heads over their stall doors. “Echo, the palomino gelding, is mine, and the appaloosa on the left is Caesar’s mare, Windstorm. You have your choice of the other two mares—the bay, Firestarter, or the appaloosa at the end, Marigold.” He tipped his head to the area where he kept the riding supplies. “There’s a saddle about your size along with the rest of the tack.”
Abby went up to the stalls and spoke in soft, soothing tones to each mare, stroking them as she spoke. He couldn’t hear what she was saying to them, but the sound of her voice made him think about warm intimate nights.
He nearly groaned aloud and forced himself to take his attention off Abby and to the business of saddling up his palomino.
She turned back to him. “They’re both sweethearts, but I think I’ll take Firestarter.”
This should be interesting. Either she’d get thrown off and land on her ass, or she’d stay on and fight to keep her in line.
Brady took down one of the Stetsons hanging on hooks in the tack room. “This one might fit you. It’s gonna be a hot one today.”
Her fingers brushed his, sending an electric thrill throughout his body as she took the hat with a smile. “Thank you.”
Her smile sent heat through his gut, and he turned aside. He attended to Echo while keeping Abby in his peripheral vision, watching as she walked Firestarter from the stall then expertly saddled the mare. She continued to speak to the bay in a low and gentle voice, and surprisingly finished without the mare giving her any difficulty.
Abby swung up and into bay’s saddle in an easy, fluid motion and held the reins loosely as she waited for Brady to mount Echo. Her red hair hung over one shoulder in its ponytail, like a trail of bright flame.
He clicked his tongue and guided the palomino through the gate that Caesar held open, and Abby followed behind. Caesar followed in the UTV that now contained all the supplies they’d need to fix the fence, along with water bottles. Lady perched on the seat beside him.
Brady kept close to Abby, ready for Firestarter to pitch a fit, but the horse remained calm beneath the woman’s firm yet light touch.
They found the Winchell’s cattle half a mile from the southern fence line. Abby handled her mount in and out of the brush as if she’d always worked in the Arizona desert rather than growing up in Montana, which had terrain a good deal different than his home state. She didn’t have a moment’s trouble with Firestarter as she fell into rounding up the cattle and driving them back where they belonged.
With Lady’s help, it didn’t take long until they finished moving the Herefords over the downed fence line.
Perspiration glistened on Abby’s neck and arms as she took a cold water bottle from Caesar that he’d grabbed out of the cooler he’d brought. Stray hairs had escaped her ponytail and her cheeks had reddened from exertion.
She was even sexier than ever.
Sweat-soaked his denim work shirt, and he poured cold water over his face to cool it off.
They swung down from their saddles and set to work repairing the fence the best that could be done. Abby’s quick efficiency and ability to handle the repairs impressed him, and by Caesar’s expression, he had a similar feeling.
When they’d completed the repairs, Brady’s stomach grumbled, telling him it was time to get something into his belly.
He swung into Echo’s saddle as Abby settled into her own. He lightly held the reins. “How about some lunch?”
“That sounds great.” Abby wiped perspiration from her forehead with the back of her hand. “I’m starving.”
“You should be, after a workout like that.” Brady threw a pair of work gloves into the toolbox in the back of the UTV and turned to Caesar who was walking up from the fence line. “I’m making sandwiches at the big house, Caesar.”
“Thank you, but no.” The older man set the roll of baling wire he held into the UTV. “Charlene made jalape?o cornbread last night, which sounds real good right about now with one of her glasses of iced tea. Then I’ll head to town for that list of supplies we went over this morning.”
Lady gave a single bark, inserting her vote.
“You’ve got it, girl.” Brady grinned at her. “I’ve got a meat stick with your name on it.”