Rocky Mountain Cowboy

He held out the keys to the little cottage with his left hand. “I know where I stand. Do you?”

She nodded, then slowly, ever so slowly, reached up and took the keys, her fingers brushing his.

Joe let out the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

Chapter Four (#u3d19a0ef-d253-53a5-a874-528d3db98c43)

Rebecca turned when she heard the front door of Joe’s two-story log-cabin house open behind her.

It was the man himself. Joe placed his black Stetson on his head and slid his arms into the sleeves of a fleece-lined denim jacket as he stepped outside.

The dark angles of his face were illuminated by the porch light, creating a fierce image of the indomitable rancher. He yawned and rubbed a hand over the stubble on his face before raising his head. Joe’s eyes rounded when he saw her. “What are you doing out here?”

She ignored the harsh note of surprise in his voice. “I’m here to do a job.”

“Why didn’t you knock on the door? How long have you been waiting?”

Rebecca shrugged. “There was no need to bother you. I’ve only been here a few minutes.”

“When are you moving into the cottage?”

“Friday. After Casey’s school lets out for the summer break.”

“What will your daughter do while you’re working?” Joe asked.

“My mother will keep her during the week and I will have Casey here on the weekends. That will be less disruptive while the crew is filming or photographing you.”

“You’re sure that’s going to work?”

“Yes. This is far better than when I lived in Denver and she lived here with my mother all of the time.”

He shook his head and frowned as though he waged a mental battle.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

“Yeah. Perfect.” He strode to the end of the cobblestone walk and paused to take a deep breath. “Smell that?” he asked.

“What?”

“That heavy, dank odor in the air. The smell of cow manure and pond water are magnified when a low pressure system moves in.” He took another deep breath. “Oh, yeah, that’s some strong manure on the wind. It won’t be just dry lightning like last night, either. No, we have a real storm front on its way.”

“I guess I’ve been gone too long. Nothing smells different to me.”

“Give it a few more weeks. We’ll have your smeller sensitized in no time.”

“Sensitize my smeller?” Rebecca smiled at the terminology.

She pulled a pair of worn, soft leather gloves from her back pocket. When she looked up, he was watching her.

“Those look like expensive gloves. Do you want a pair of old ranch gloves?”

“I’m good.”

“And you’re going to be warm enough in that vest?”

Rebecca assessed her black, down-filled vest. “You bet. I’ve got several layers on beneath this.”

“Hat?”

“I’ve got a ball cap in my pocket,” she said.

“You need a proper Western hat to protect you from the elements.”

“This isn’t my first rodeo. I’ll be fine.”

“Your call,” Joe replied.

He turned away and she followed, stretching her stride to keep up with his long legs as he headed past the circular gravel drive, across the yard toward the horse barn.

The morning was silent. The only sound was the sizzle of a halogen light overhead as it came to life, casting a pink glow on the yard. Rebecca glanced up and stared at the endless black carpet of night sky, illuminated only by the scattering blanket of glittering stars.

“Everything okay?” Joe called out.

“Yes, yes. Sorry.” Rebecca doubled her pace in his direction. “I forgot what it was like.”

He shot her a questioning glance. “New moon, you mean?”

“That, too. But I’d forgotten how amazing a ranch is before dawn.”

“I don’t even notice anymore. This is all I’ve ever known. It’s a real life, that’s for sure. You make me realize how much I take it for granted.”

Memories of following her father around Elliott Ranch swirled through Rebecca’s mind. She missed her father with a deep ache, but she never thought she’d miss ranch life once she left.

Then again, she’d been wrong about so many things. Like Nick. Why should she be surprised?

Joe slid open the barn door and whistled. Two dogs raced to his side. “Meet Gil and Wishbone.”

She laughed, offering a bow at the waist. “Gentlemen. Pleased to meet you.”

From a corner of the barn a squawking radio sound cut through the silence. Startled, Rebecca jumped. She looked around. “Dispatch radio. I’d forgotten about them.”