Rancher And Protector

“Was your wife upset about you being away for several weeks?”

“No.”

“I’m glad she—”

“I don’t have a wife,” Jason said abruptly.

Rosemary stared at him. When she’d learned he was the supposed buyer for the ranch, she’d look him up on the Internet. In addition to his successful architectural business she found pictures of Jason and his beautiful wife attending society events in Denver. “But I saw—”

“We’re divorced.”

“Oh. Sorry.” She spurred her horse to move a little faster, but Jason fell back beside Ted. Just as well, she told herself, now that she knew Jason Barton was a bachelor.

When they reached camp that afternoon, the sun was just sinking over the rims of the Rockies. In a matter of minutes, it was dark, in spite of the millions of stars visible at night. Rosemary loved the sky out on the ranch. In Cheyenne, there were a few too many city lights.

Cookie had everything ready to eat as soon as they’d taken care of the horses and put up the rope corral. They’d picked their way through the rocks and foothills and the ride actually took longer than the ride yesterday. No question but that everyone was hungry. Tonight, Cookie had made skillet meat loaf and a pot of vegetables. After he’d served everyone, he promised mashed potatoes tomorrow night since he wouldn’t be traveling a long distance.

Of even more interest was the chocolate cake he set on the tailgate of the SUV. “Now don’t you be thinking I made this cake. Sara Beth sent it along. I just had the feeling you’d appreciate it more tonight than you would’ve last night,” Cookie informed them all.

There was a cheer from around the campfire and Cookie grinned at them. “I’ll tell Sara Beth you’re much obliged.” Then he filled his plate and sat down to eat.

Rosemary kept an eye on Ted. She couldn’t help thinking he might do something wrong again. After he’d eaten his dinner he started to get up, but Jason, who was sitting next to him, said something and Ted sat back down.

Jason must’ve figured out that no one got dessert until Cookie finished eating. A cook on a roundup worked hard, and he needed to have time to eat his meal. Rosemary wondered what kind of a roundup Ted ran, or if he ever had. Maybe she’d ask Jason that question if she got a chance.

When Cookie finished his meal, he cut the cake and served each cowboy his piece in his own plate. Even Ted accepted his cake with good spirits.

Jason, who was sitting next to Wes, leaned over and asked something, but Wes smiled. Rosemary wondered what Jason had said that amused her manager. She’d have to remember to ask Wes later.

She guessed Jason had convinced Ted to follow the rules. He certainly hadn’t caused any problems this evening. He was even making conversation with the cowboys around him.

Rosemary let out a breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding. But when Jason squatted down beside her, she jumped.

“Is everything going okay?” he asked with that charming smile that always made her pulse accelerate. She told herself she was safer if she kept her eyes on her cake, rather than the man too close to her.

“Yes, of course, everything’s going well. Doesn’t Wes think so?”

“I assume so. He hasn’t said anything to me about any problems.”

Which made Rosie think of his prospective manager. “Have you ever seen Ted in action, on a cattle drive?”

“No. But he came highly recommended. You can be sure I’ll be looking at that recommendation again when I get back to Denver.”

“I’m not trying to pressure you, but Wes and Sara Beth will be out of a job if you get the ranch. I would feel better if you hired them in place of Ted.”

“I’ve been wondering if you would mind me hiring them.”

At that, she turned and looked at him, and was struck by his deep blue eyes dancing in the firelight. Her effusive enthusiasm tempered into a more professional tone when she finally was able to speak. “I’d be pleased.” She cleared her throat. “If you get the ranch, I’ll go back to Cheyenne, but I’d keep in touch with them. I want them to be happy, and I can guarantee their work.”

“What exactly did you do in Cheyenne?”

She was surprised by that personal question—and more surprised that she answered. But Jason seemed to be drawing her in, and like an oppositely charged magnet she had no choice but to go. “I worked in publicity for the Tourism Department of the state government.”

“You mean you’re responsible for those catchy ads about visiting Wyoming?”

“Well, I worked on the team that came up with them. They were great, weren’t they?”

“Yes, they were. I’d looked for some land in Colorado, but after seeing one of those ads, I turned my attention to Wyoming. I wanted somewhere with roads less traveled,” he said, almost quoting the ad.

She smiled. “I’m glad you liked it, and I suppose I’m glad you considered Wyoming.” She shook her head. “Will you look around Wyoming again if I get to keep the ranch?”

“Probably.” He gave her a devilish grin that nearly stopped her heart. “Shall I hire Wes and Sara Beth even if I don’t get the ranch?”

She wagged her finger in front of him. “Oh, no. They’ll stay with me. But if you do get the ranch, I’d like you to consider them. They’re the best.”

In a quick action he snagged her finger, their first contact sending shivers up her spine. “And what do I get if your guarantee doesn’t pan out?” he asked in a low voice.

“You can name any penalty you want, because I’m sure of my guarantee.”

“Fine.” Then he leaned in close to whisper in her ear, “If I’m not totally satisfied with their performance, you owe me a kiss.”

She almost fell over as she jerked away from him. Jason Barton was a smooth operator—and she’d best remember that. And their deal. She lifted her chin in an indignant pose. “Don’t hold your breath!”

CHAPTER THREE

THE NEXT morning as they all sat around the campfire eating breakfast, Wes organized them. They would begin their search in groups of three. Of course, since Cookie wouldn’t be rounding up cattle, Wes ordered two men to help Cookie move the spare horses and set up the rope corral in his new camp. Then they would maintain the cattle the others brought back to the camp. That left four groups of three.

To Rosemary’s surprise, she was in with Wes and Jason. Since Jason showed nothing on his face, Rosemary wondered if he’d talked to Wes earlier. They had again gotten up a little early and drunk their coffee by the fire.

“After you finish breakfast and wash your dishes, let’s mount up.” Wes had given each group an area to search, so they wouldn’t overlap each other.

Rosemary helped Cookie pack, as she usually did, and Wes saddled her horse for her. Today she’d be riding Maggie, which eased any tension she might feel. Maggie had been trained by Wes, and she was a great horse.

Wes, mounted on his horse, led Maggie over to the SUV. “Here’s Maggie, Rosie. You ready to go?”

“Sure. Where’s Jason?” Not that she really cared, she told herself. But he was a part of their team.

“He’s coming.”

As Rosemary swung into the saddle, Jason joined them. “Are we taking a lunch with us today?”

“Nope. Cookie will have something ready later, after he moves the camp. If we get hungry we can grab something when we bring in any cattle we find,” Wes explained. “Did you talk to Ted?”

“Yeah. I’m not sure he’ll be of much help. I’m beginning to think he’s a complete fraud.”

“Could be. He doesn’t seem to understand how to blend in with the other cowboys,” Wes said as he led them toward the area they were to search. “You, on the other hand, seem a natural.”

Jason chuckled. “I’m just following your lead, Wes. You’re the expert.” Then he added, “You and Rosemary. If you’d told me last week that she’d blend in anywhere, I wouldn’t have believed you.”