COLORADO SPRINGS
TripleCRanch-Eastwhippedtenderfootsintocowboys
“Whoagreedtothisall-femaleduderanchweek,Sam?”CashCooper’sgrumblewashalfteasingandhalfserious astheyleftthestablesonhorseback.“EspeciallywiththeFourthofJulybarbecuecominguponFriday?”
“Youdid,boss”SamReynolds,hislongtimeranchforeman,smotheredagrin
“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” Cashsaid as theyrode their horses past the ramblingfarm-style house built byClarence Cooper,Cash’suncle
Sam,black-hairedandbearded,chuckled.“Youtoldtheownerof Ranchers and Ranges we’dturn’emintocowgirls.Our wranglersarelookingforwardtoworkingwithabunchofinexperiencedwomenasopposedtotheknow-it-allgreenhornmen wesometimesget.”
CashandSambothgaveawavetoChaseandDerekinthehelicopteroverheadflyingduenorth.ThenCashpulleddown thebrimofhisdark-brown,naturalstrawcowboyhatasthesunrosehigherinthecloudlessblueskyonthisfinalmorningin June. Ranchers and Ranges wasCash’sfavoritemonthlymagazine,thushehadasubscription.Themagazinenotonlyfocused onavarietyofranches;duderanches,cattleranches,andhorseranches,butreportedonthe3,000milesofrangesmakingup the RockyMountains. Equallybeautiful, the hundred mountainranges were divided into four maingroups: the Canadianand NorthernRockies,theMiddleRockies,theSouthernRockies,andtheColoradoPlateau.
“Ifanybodycanturnabunchofcitygalsintoranchgals,it’dbeourguys,”Cashsaid.
“Youknow it, boss,” JeffReynolds agreed as he reined inhis horse and trotted alongside them. Jeffwas Sam’s sonand leadwrangleonTripleC-East Withoutthebeard,hewasatough,youngerversionofhisfatherbothingoodlooksandgood manners.“Wecanoutride,rope,andherdhorsesbetterthananywranglersonanyranchanywhere.”
“That,wecan,”Samsaid
Cashasked,“Butwhatpossessedmetoclaimwecouldwhipagroupofhaphazard,first-come-first-servedcontestwinners intocowgirlsinoneweek?”
Themagazineowner,KirkDevereux,hadcomeupwiththeideaandcontactedCashwithanofferofathree-waysplitfor expenses.Themagazinewascoveringathirdofthecost,theguestswerepayingathirdofwhatthey’dnormallyowe,andCash wasreceivingthepublicityforhisthirdoftheexpense
“Whatdoyouthink,Sam?”
“IthinkDevereuxisn’ttakingitnearlyasseriouslyasweare,Cash”
“Hesaidhiswifelikedtheideaofplacingagroupofcityladiesintothehandsofabunchofcountrycowboys,”Cashtold them.“Shesaysitwilladdromanticsuspensetothemagazine.”
Jeffnodded “I’mwithMr andMrs Devereuxandtheguysinthebunkhouse Ilikeit” “Iforgotyou’resingleagain,”Cashsaidandlaughed.
“Ohyeah,”Jeffsaidandgrinned “Likeyou,boss” “Singleworkswellforme.”
Cashhopednoneofthewomenwereredheads Hehadaweakness,afondness,no,anall-outpreferenceforwomenwith redhair.Peopleoftenhadtypesandhishadredhair.Mediumauburn.No,arichburntorange-redtobeexact.No,thatwas not the right color, either, but close. He had a gut feeling this week was going to be challenging enough without the added
distractionofarandomredheadinthemix.
“Technically, we onlyhave to turntenofthe twelve women, who will be arrivinganyminute via a van, into cowgirls,” Sampointedout,watchingthehighwayforthevan “Whyonlyten?”Jeffasked.
Cashexplained,“Discountingthemalemagazinephotographer,who’sagreedtosleepinthebunkhouse,oneofthewomen isanassistanttothewriterandthephotographer.Theotherwomanisthejournalistwho’swritingthehuman-intereststoryon thisranchanditslegacy”
TripleCRanch-EasthadbeenintheCooperfamilysincethe1800s.Cash’sranch,at40,000acres,representedone-thirdof the 120,000 total acres owned by himself and his two siblings. In square miles of Colorado land, the Coopers were responsiblefor1875
Tothe westofhis dude ranch,Chase Cooper,his older brother byfive years,ownedTriple CRanch-Central,a 40,000acreBlackAnguscattleranchwithhundredsofcows,heifers,bulls,andcalves Chasehadinheritedthechildhoodhomestead fromtheir parents who’d been lost to COVID. Chase lived with his wife, Jade, and their two young children, Colton and Courtney,inamountain-stylehouse,builtofstoneandwood At10,000squarefeet,itwasthelargestofthethreemainhouses Amongotherattributes,hisbrotherandsister-in-law’shomesteadboasteda Gone with the Wind staircase,anelevator,andon thebasementlevel,anOlympic-sizeindoor pool.Jadewas amental healththerapistwhosepracticeconsistedofelementary school-agedclients Inadditiontotalkandplaytherapysessions,sheofferedequestriantherapytothechildren,providedby theAmericanquarterhorsesonTripleC-Central.CrawfordCooper,thepatriarchalgrandfatheroftheCooperclanwhowent byCoop,hadbuiltandlivedinaloghomealsoonTripleC-Central
Afew miles pastChase’s ranch, toward Pikes Peak, layTriple C Ranch-West. Cash’s older sister bytwo years, Chloe Cooper Brevard, operated a newlyconstructed bed-and-breakfast near the original country-style house built bytheir Uncle ChesterCooper.Priortomarryingherhusband,DerekBrevard,Chloehadrunherbed-and-breakfastbusinessinthecountrystylehouse.Butthesedays,ChloeandDerekweregladtohavethehometothemselves,theirson,Cooper,andthetwins;aboy, Austin, and a girl, Abilene Chester, having had a competition of sorts with his brother, Clarence, while building their respectivehouses,hadagreedonlytokeepthesquarefootagesimilar.Eachwasdeterminedtobuildthemoreuniquehome.On Triple C-West, Chester had anindoor fishpond, two dumbwaiters, and anoutdoor swimmingpool Derek, a former Marine sniper and deputysheriff, was responsible for addingthe new bed-and-breakfast beside it. After leavinglaw enforcement, Derekhad returned to his family’s roots ofhorse ranching. OnTriple C-West’s 40,000 acres, he’d also builtstate-of-the-art stablesforPercheronstallionsandmareswhichhebredandtrainedformountedpolicethroughouttheUnitedStates.
At thirty years old, Cash had his parents, Carson and Elle Cooper, grandparents, Crawford and Zoe Cooper, Uncle ClarenceCooper,andancestorstothankforhispropertyandhouse Grateful tohavethisranch,hewasaseriousstewardof theanimals,wildlife,land,andnaturalresourcesforwhichhewasresponsible.
“Whatdoyouthinkyourunclewouldsayaboutthisall-femaleduderanchweek?”Samaskedastheynearedthewidefront gateseparatingthedrivewayfromthemainroad.
SamhadworkedforClarenceCooperupuntilthedayCash’sunclehadkeeledoverinacorralfromaheartattackseven yearsprior
“Seeingashowhewasaconfirmedbachelor,Ithinkhewouldhaveenjoyedtheladies,”Cashreplied.
UncleClarencehadalwaysdescribedhimselfasasometimesrowdyyetmostlyrefinedcowboy Hehadnevermarriedand hadnochildren.Atleastnonehe’dknownaboutorwhohadcomeforward.Yet.TherewasacodiciltoClarence’swilltobe acteduponshouldanheircomeknocking Thefamilyknewtwothings;hisheirwouldmostlikelybethechildofoneCharlotte Flemingand the codicil expired soon. Anyway, Uncle Clarence had beenropingand ridingwhenthe heartattackstruck. He wasgonebythetimehehittheground.Cashwasthere,learningtheropes,andhadconsoledhimselfthinkingitwastheway hisunclewouldhavewantedtogo
“Ithinkyou’rerightaboutyourUncleClarence,”Samsaidwithachuckle.
“Iknowhewouldhavebeengladyoustayedon,Sam,anddidn’tletmerunTripleC-Eastintothedirt”
“Youwereyoung,catchingonfast,andjustneededahand,”Samsaid,likethehumblemanandclosefriendhewastoCash andalltheCoopers “Thisishome”
“Yeah, it’s home,” Jeffagreed witha nod. Attwenty-two, he lived inthe ranchbunkhouse withthe other wranglers. His parents,SamandKellie,livedononesideofalargeduplex.Someday,Cashfigured,Jeffmightwanttogetmarriedandliveon theotherside KelliewasnotonlyanRNwhichcameinhandyonaranch,butshewasinchargeofallthingstodowiththe dailymealsfortheirguests.“Who’sgonnabeonthisbus?”
“We’reabouttofindout,”Cashsaidashespiedanoversizedvanheadedtheirway
ThevanslowedandCashreinedinhishorse,CaptainJackSparrow,Captainfor short,totherightofthegatewaytothe ranchsothathewouldbeonthedriver’sside.SamandJeffhaltedtheir horses totheleftandthebus turnedontothepaved driveundertheTripleCRanch-Eastwoodenarch.
“Hello,”thedriverofthevansaid.“I’mJacobBerger,aphotographerfor Ranchers and Ranges.Hereinthepassenger’s
seatnexttome,”themanwithshort,light-brownhairgesturedtoablondwoman “isDonnaSmith,assistanttomyselfand thejournalist.”Cash,outofhabit,assessedbothtobeintheirmid-fortiesandingoodenoughshapetoperformtheirmagazine jobswhileridingahorse “Ithinkyou’reexpectingus”
“Yes,sir,weare,”Cashreplied.“I’mCashCooper.”Therewassomewhoopingfromtheladiesinsidethevan,andCash tiltedhisheadforwardinacknowledgment “Ontheothersideofyourvanaretwoofyourcompanionsfortheweek,fatherand son,SamandJeffReynolds.”Morehootingandholleringinsidethevan.Mightbeafunweekafterallorareallylongone.“If youfollow us,we’llleadyoudownthesideroadandaroundthebackofthemainhousetoourguestcabins Youcanunload thevanthereandthenbringitbackaroundthefronttopark.”
“Yougotit,Mr.Cooper.Leadtheway,”Jacobsaid.
“Cash,”hesaidwithatipofhishat
“PleasecallmeJacob.”
CashnudgedCaptainandtheywereoffwithSamandJeffflankinghim Wherethedrivewaysplit,withtheblacktoproad onthewestsideleadingtothehouse,Cashrodeeastleadingthemaroundhis6500squarefoot,two-storyhomewhichUncle Clarencelikedtodescribeasanupscalefarmhousetofittheupscaleduderanch Actuallynotasall-inclusiveandexclusiveas theranchcouldbe,anideahadbeenrollinginCash’sheadastoamajorupgrade.
Cashskirtedthefrontyardofbluegrass andfollowedtheblacktoptoabackroad,whichranall thewayfromhis ranch, pastTripleCRanch-CentraltoTripleCRanch-West ThisroutetookthempastCash’sfour-cargaragetotheguestcabins A circular drive made drop-offs and pick-ups of luggage and guests easy and separated the main house from the five, twobedroom,comfortablelogcabins Eachoftheguestcabinshadaporchwithtworockingchairsanditsownhitchingpost
Cashindicated a spotinfrontofthe middle cabinand Jacob parked the van. DismountingCaptain, Cashlefthimatthe hitchingpostclosesttothehugebuildingwhichhousedhis combinationTripleCRanch-EastWesternStore&Stables.Cash thoughthisunclewouldhaveapprovedofthebuildinghe’daddedandthebusinesshe’dgrownsinceClarencehadpassed.
“Thisisimpressive,”Jacobsaid,hoppedoutofthevanandslidopendoors.
“Thankyou WelcometoTripleCRanch-East,”Cashsaidtotheguests,asSamandJeffalsodismountedtheirhorsesand joinedhim.
“Thesewillbeyourhomesawayfromhomethisweek,”Samsaid,indicatingthecabins Asthewomenalightedfromthevan,Cashnotedtheywereallshapes,sizes,andages.Athleticabilityorlackthereof,he’d beeninformed byKirkDevereuxthatnone ofthe ladies had muchifanyexperience withhorses. No matter. Theywould be appropriately, which meant safely, matched to their mounts. The women, chatting as they looked this way and that at their surroundings,quietedandgatheredintoagroupfacinghim,Sam,andJeff.
“AsyoumayhaveheardmesaytoJacob,I’mCashCooper IownTripleCRanch-West Tomyrightismyright-handman, SamReynolds,theranchforeman.OnmylefthereisJeffReynolds,myleadwrangler.We’rehappyyou’rehereandplanningto showyouagreatweek”
“Y’allwillbecowgirlswhenyouleave,”Jeffsaid,andwithanodatJacob,added,“andacowboy.”Jacobandtheladies laughedandclapped.
Samsaid,“Ihaveyourcabinassignments,soafterwehelpyouwithyourbags,we’llletyougetsettledinforthenexthalf hour.”
“Thenwe’llintroduceyoutothebestwranglersinColorado,”Jeffsaid,proudofhiscowboycrew “Therearesixofusall together,”hesaid,indicatinghimself,Cash,andSam.
“And we’ll take youona tour ofthe stables where your horses await you,” Cashsaid “So be dressed to step into the saddle.”
Samhandedouttherandomcabinassignmentswiththecenter cabinandthetwoendcabinsbeingslightlylarger thanthe twoinbetweenthem Acoupleofthegray-hairedwomenhurriedforwardtospeakwithCashasSamandJeff,helpedJacob andtheladiestotebagsintotheirlodgings.
“Rememberus?I’mDiane,”theladywhoreachedhimfirstsaid “AndI’mhersister,Joyce,”theotheronesaid.
“Isuredorememberyouladies,”Cashrepliedasthesisters,whomhefiguredwereintheirlatesixtiesorearlyseventies, tookturnshugginghim.“Youhavestayedatmysister,Chloe’s,bed-and-breakfastacoupleoftimes,right?”
“Yes,”Joycesaid.“AndwepackedtheWesternclothesweboughtfromyourstorewhenwevisitedyourranch.”
“It’sgreattoseeyouagain,”Cashsaid,fondlyrememberingthesweetsisters
“You’llseeChloeandDerekandtheirkids attheFourthofJulybarbecue.It’sonmyranchthisyear.”
“Wecanhardlywait,”Dianesaidandclappedherhands
“WecalledChloetotellherwewonthefirsttwospotsinyourcontest,”Joycetoldhim. CashpersonallyescortedDianeandJoycetotheircabin.Withthevanunloaded,Jacobdroveitbackaroundtothefrontof theranchwheretherewas plentyofparkingallottedfor guests.Cashhadcountedandtherewereonlyelevenwomen.When Jacobreturnedwithhisduffelbag,Jeffjoinedhim,readytowalkhimovertothebunkhouse.
“Wait.”CashheldupahandandaskedJacob,“Aren’tweoneladyshort?” “Right.ThatwouldbeTracy,thejournalistwho’swritingthestory,”Jacobsaid. Donnanodded,saying,“Shemissedthevanandhadtodrive” Nosoonerhadthewordsbeenspokenthanashinyred,brandnew,ifCashhadtoguess,FordMustangwithtintedwindows spedaroundthehouseandskid-markedtoastopthreefeetinfrontofhim Cashclenchedhisjaw Thedriver’sdooropened, andapairofblackstilettosswungoutofthecartotheblacktop.Therewasmovementbehindthecardoorandthenafemale wearingablackPanamahatandlargeblacksunglasseslookeddirectlyathimoverthetopofthedoor Steppingfrombehind thecardoorherbody,snuginashortblackdress,waskiller.Hefiguredshewasfivefootfive,hundredandtenpounds.Half hisweight.Shesweptoffherhatanddroppeditonthedriver’sseatoftheMustang,thencasuallyflippedhersunglassestothe topofher head Full lips,a shimmeringcinnamoncolor,tiltedupina radiantsmile,as she strolledtowardhim,car keys in handandhips swaying.Adrop-deadgorgeous redhead.Damn.Whenher bigturquoiseeyes trimmedwiththickblacklashes methisgaze,Cashinwardlygroaned “Tracy,Ipresume?”
CHAPTER TWO
“Hello,”Tracyreplied,hopinghecouldn’tdetectthetremorinhervoice.
Cash Cooper was even more strikingly handsome than his photograph on the Triple C Ranch-East Internet website.
“Hello,”hereplied.
“SorryI’mlate,”Tracysaidtothecowboywhohadnotflinchedasingleinchwhenshe’dnearlyplowedintohim “Uh-huh.”
Mirroringher voice, her bodytrembled over that skiddinglyclose call At least sixfoot four, the powerfullybuilt man stoodunmovinginthemiddleofhis blacktoppeddrive.Thedark-browncowboyhatdidn’tquiteconceal thefrowncreasing hisforehead Broadshouldersandbulgingbicepsfilledoutthesnug,button-down,light-blueshirtheworewithsleevesrolled uphistannedforearms.Largehandswithlongfingerssplayedathistaperedwaistwhereabrownbeltandlargesilverbuckle rodelow onapairofjeans.Thosejeanshuggedhismuscularthighsandpooledarounddark-browncowboyboots.Suddenly realizingthismanwaswaitingforhertoconfirmheridentityshesnappedherheadupandlookedintoeyes Cobaltblue
“TracyDalton,thejournalist.”
“CashCooper,theowner”
“Also,Iapologizeforalmostrunningintoyou,Mr.Cooper.”
“It’s not like you meant to, Tracy.” Donna stepped up beside her and smiled at Cash Cooper. Divorced, Donna was a platinum-blonde,withbrownrootsandbrowneyes.Shewasthefirsttoclaimheramplebosomwasherbestfeaturewhichshe admittedlydrewattentiontoviaherjiggles,lowdécolletages,andaccidentally-onpurpose-brushes.LookingatCashCooper, Donnashookherheadandbreasts,assuringhim,“Tracy’sjustaterribledriver”
“That’s nottrue,” Tracysaid. Donna initiallyseemed like a friend butmore oftenoflate she was a mixed bagoftricks. “Well maybeinthisparticularinstanceit’strue”
“Well…”CashCooperechoed.“HereonTripleCRanch-East,wedon’traceourvehiclesaroundfolksandhorses,Miss Dalton.,”hesaid,handsremainingonhiships.
“Dulynoted,”Tracyreplied.Hewasn’tapushover.
Withtheguestssettlingintheirrooms,Jacobpulledouthiscamera.Jacob,singleandreliable,possessedaneasygoingand friendlypersonality Hehaddonehiscollegeinternshipat Ranchers and Ranges andhadbeenhiredbythemagazine’sowner evenbeforehegraduated.As intelligentas hewas helpful,Jacobknew all theins andouts ofhis job.Tracywas grateful to havehimasherphotographeronherfirstbigassignment Jacobwasalreadybusysnappingphotosofthesurroundings Perhaps takingthatasahinttoperformherjobastheirassistant,DonnaremovedTracy’sbagandpursefromtheMustang.Apparently, TracywasinthemiddlecabinasDonnaplacedherbagonthatporch.Shewonderediftherewasanyremotepossibilitythat Donnawasnotherroommateforthenextweek Tracyrebukedherselffortheunkindthoughtandrememberedshehadherown jobtodo.JacobsmiledandsnappedapictureofCashandTracy’sconversation.
“PleasecallmeTracy,Mr Cooper”
“YoucancallmeCash,butfirstthingsfirst,oneofusisgoingto slowly driveyourcararoundtothefrontoftheproperty whereguestsparkawayfromourhorses”
Tracyreachedoutandatchestlevel,dangledthecarkeys.Toherutterdismay,herhandshooksowhenCashheldouthis steadyhand,shequicklydroppedthekeysintohisbig,squarepalm.Thoughitwasnotherintention,shegotthefeelinghehad takenheractionsasadirectchallengeashisthickfingerssnappedshutaroundthekeys
“It’s a Ford Mustang Dark Horse 500-horsepower with a 5.0-liter V8 engine,” Tracy said in explanation of her inept controlofthevehicle “It’sasix-speedmanual Andfortherecord,itsofficialcoloris Race Red Ifyou’regoingtoattemptto driveit,this,Ihavetosee.”
“Okay,”Cashrepliednonplussed ToJacobandDonna,whowerenearby,hesaid,“Excuseus”Hewalkedtothecarand openedthepassenger’sdoor.Thepassenger’sdoor?Tracywasconfusedanddidn’tmoveuntilhesaid,“Youhavetoseethis. Right?”
“Right.”Tracywalkedtothecar andslippedintothepassenger’s seat.Her heartbeganto race as Cashclosed her door andthenswaggeredaroundthefrontofthecar.Shesnatchedherhatoffthedriver’sseatbeforeheslidbehindthewheeland handedherhiscowboyhat Whenheadjustedtherearviewmirror,sheasked,“Everdrivenastandardtransmission,Cash?”
“Yeah.”Cash’sleftcowboybootcamedownontheclutch.Withhisrightfootonthebrake,hestartedtheengineandshifted into reverse Carefullyavoidingthe guests who were meanderinginand outoftheir cabins, he backed up Shiftinginto first gear,hesmoothlyheadedthecarsouth,towardthefrontoftheranch.Drivingaroundthehouse,heexpertlyshiftedintosecond gearandthendownshiftedagainbeforepullingintoaparkingspotnexttothevan
“Obviously,youcandriveastickshift,”Tracysaidastheystopped.
“SinceIwastwelve.”
“Okaythen,”Tracysaidandsalutedhimabitmockingly “Welldone” Withoutaword,Cashexitedthecarandcamearoundtohersideashe’ddonewhenheletherintothevehicle.Heopened her door and extended his hand Makingher firstbodilycontactwithCash, Tracyplaced her hand inhis Her hand tingled Tingles?Ridiculous!Thosetinglestraveledall thewayupherarm.Cashtuggedheroutofthepassenger’sseatandletgoof herhand Heclosedherdoor,andshehandedhimthecowboyhat
“That’showwedriveonTripleC-East,”hesaid,puttingonhishat.
“Areyoualwayssuchagentleman?”
“Noma’am,”Cashsaidwiththeslightestcockofarakish,nearlyblackbrow Andwiththat,heplacedathumbandfinger betweenhislipsandletoutashrillwhistle.Amomentlaterabeautifulhorsegallopedaroundthehouse.Itslowedtoatrotand stoppedbesideCash “Everriddenahorse,Tracy?”heaskedsimilarlytohowshe’daskedifhe’deverdrivenastickshift “Notsince Iwas twelve…once ata carnival…ona small horse tied atthe end ofa pole and walkingaround a circular pen.”Tracy’sshoulderssaggedatthememory.“Itwassad.”
“Shouldbeoutlawed,”Cashsaidashepattedtheauburn-coloredmaneofthereddish-brownhorse.“ThisisCaptain.” “ThisisthebiggesthorseI’veeverseeninperson.”
“He’sareddunstallion,standingseventeenhandstallwhichishowhorsesaremeasured He’sanAmericanquarterhorse, bredandraisedhereonmyranch.”
“Nicetomeetyou,Captain,”Tracysaid,keepingasafedistancefromhimasCashmountedthehugehorse “Comeon,”Cashsaidandtookhisleftfootoutofthestirrup. “What?”Tracyglanceddownatherdress.“How?” “Sidesaddle.”
Sheshadedhereyesagainstthemorningsunandlookedupathimtosay,“I’llwalk.”
“Sissy,”Cashtaunted “Putyourleftfootintothestirrupandgrabmyarm”
“No,reallyI’llwalk,”Tracysaid,havingtradedthetinglingfortrembling.Shechangedthesubjectwith,“Sodoyoulivein thisgreatbighouseallbyyourlonesome?”
Cash’s cell phone rang and he answered it instead of her. Tracy decided it was her chance to escape riding that huge stallion.Withatossofherhairoverhershoulder,sheleftCashinherwakeandtookoffonthetrekaroundtheimposinghouse. Daringasfastaclipasshecouldinherstilettos,Tracyheardhimspeakingtosomeoneaboutescortingthegueststothestables tochoosehorses.
It was anabsolutelybeautiful summer day Intownor inthe country, the blue skies of Colorado were endless Onthis sprawlingranchthecombinationofflatlandandrollinghillsbeckoned.SheandJacobhadbeenworkingtirelesslyforweeks, insidethedowntownofficebuilding,onseveralsmallarticlesforthemagazine They’dturnedthemin,andTracyknewJacob waslookingforwardtothisoutdoor workingvacationofsortsasmuchasshewas.Withaquickglancetotherear,shesaw Cashslidehisphoneintohisbackpocket.
Tracyturnedherattentiontostudyingthehouseandwasawaysdowntheroadwhenthetrottingofhoovessoundedfrom behind her. Suddenly, anarmslid around her waistand she was effortlesslyhoisted into the air and seated infrontofCash. Withbothherlegsdanglingovertheleftsideofthehorse,TracylockedherarmsaroundCash’swaist Hischestwashardand thearmholdingheracrosshisspreadlegsfeltassolidasametalpipe.Theytrottedaroundthewidecurveofhishouseandthe cabinscameintoviewinthedistance Holdingonfordearlife,shenotedDonnastandinginthedoorwayofthecentercabin Wasthewomanscowlingatthemorwasthesunmakingherfrown?
“Yes,Iliveinthatgreatbighouseallbymyself.ButI’mnotalwaysalone.”
Cash’sdeepvoicewassoclose,Tracyfelthisbreathmoveherhair “IinquiredonbehalfofthearticleI’mwriting,Cash That’sall.”
“Areyouafraidofhorses,Tracy?”
“Ofcoursenot.”
Hechuckled.“You’reafraidofhorses.”
“Givemethewildestonemostlikelytobuckmeoff.”
“You’reridin’him,”Cashsaid.
Likeanelectricshock,excitementzingedthroughthecenterofTracy’sbody.DidCashmeanhimorhishorse?Notafraidof horses?Havingfallenoffthatonecarnivalhorseshe’driddenandalmosttrampledbytheonefollowinghim,shewasterrified. WhenCashheaded his horse, named Captain, she remembered, into view ofthe stables several ofthe womenclapped She saw another frown,maybe concernor possiblydisapproval,brieflycross Donna’s face andthenitwas gone.Jacob,always withasmile,tookpicturesofherridingsidesaddlewithCash
OutsideahugebuildingwithasignreadingTripleCRanch-EastWesternStore&Stables,Cashreinedthestallioninata hitchingpost Looseninghisgriparoundherwaist,helethergentlyslidedownthesideofthehorsetotheground Wow.Justwow.CashCoopermadethatwildpickupandtamedropoffseemsoeasy.
“Thanksforthelift,”Tracysaidabitflippantly,herkneeswobbly.
“Allpartoftheshow,”Cashrepliedbeforedismounting
Cashturnedawayfromherandspoketoacoupleofmensheassumedworkedonhisranch.Tracy’sskirthadriddenupa bit,soshemeltedintothecrowdofladiesandtuggeditintoplace ShesmiledatDonnawhogavehera‘whatintheworld’ lookbeforehandingheranotepadforjottingdownfacts,statements,andideaswhilewritinghermagazinearticles.
Tracyhadappliedatthemagazineduringthelastonlinesemesterofherbachelor’sdegreeincommunication Bythattime, she’dbeenhiredbythesmallKitCarsonnewspaper.ButwhenRanchers and Ranges offeredherajob,withmuchtrepidation andGrandma’surging,sheresignedherjobatthelocalnewspaper.Thenewspaper’sheadlineshadread; Our Dalton Darling Goes to Colorado Springs Ithadbeenalmostayearsinceshe’dleftherlittlehometownandmovedtothebigcity Soonafter, Donna Smithhad beenhired at the magazine. Full disclosure onDonna per Jacob; Donna had beenlabeled as a flirtatious busybodywhoactedmorelikethemagazineowner insteadofarelativelynew employee Tracyhadnoticedthatas well but hadn’tcommented.
Uponbeinghired, Tracyhad beenassigned to Gerald Moles, the human-interest stories editor and a fairlynew hire as well.AlsoperJacob,everyonelovedTracy.NotsomuchGeraldwho,forreasonsunconfirmed,wasonprobationarystatusat work.Wordtothewise,GeraldwasawomanizerwithadubiouspastandrumorhaditheandDonnaweresleepingtogether. Geraldalsomighthaveasexualharassmentaccusationagainsthimandtherewastalkofpossiblygettinghighonthejob,both probablecausesforhisprobationarystatus.GeraldhadvoicedtoJacobthathe’dtakenalikingtoTracyandclaimedhewas the reasonshe hadgottenthis bigbreak;a weekona dude ranch Triple CRanch-Eastnoless,andthe Mustang As a man withblackhairandashortbeardwalkedtowardher,Tracyforcedasideherworkconcerns.
“Youmissedoutontheintroductionsearlier,ma’am.I’mSamReynolds,theranchforeman,”themansaidwithatipofhis cowboyhat.Asasecondmanjoinedthem,hesaid,“Andthisismyson,Jeff.”
“Nicetomeetyou,”Jeffgreetedher,alsopolitelytippinghishat.
“It’sapleasuretomeetyoubothaswell”
“Allright,ladiesandJacob,comeon,”Cashsaidinajovialmannerandstrodedownthemiddleoftheenormousstables fullofhorses WithSamandJeffonoppositesidesofTracy,thegroupfollowedtheranchowner “Let’stakeatour,learnafew facts,andpickoutyourhorses.”Amidtheexcitedchatterandnervoustittersamongtheladies,CashturnedtowardTracyand thosecobalteyescapturedher.“Readyornot,I’mgonnateachyoutoride,tenderfoot.”
CHAPTER THREE
CashpurposelysteeredawayfromTracyDaltoninsidethestables.
“Ourwranglerskeeptheirhorsesinaseparatebarnnexttothebunkhouse You’llmeettherestofourcrewshortly,”
Cashsaidtotheguests,beginningthetourofhorses.“InadditiontorenovatingourguestcabinshereonTripleC-East, we’veenlargedthestables.Wenow havethirtyhorsestalls.TwentyofthemareoccupiedwithAmericanquarterhorses.My brother,ChaseCooper,whorunsacattleranchonTripleC-Central,alsohasquarterhorses Theystartfast,turnfast,andstop fastwhichmakesthemexcellentatcuttingcattlefromherds.”
“Aretheythehorsesoftenseeninrodeos?”Tracyaskedpolitely,allbusiness “Yes,quarterhorsesarehighlycompetitiveinrodeosbecausetheyexcel incow-horsecompetitions,calfroping,reining, cutting, and intricate maneuvers like barrel racing,” Cashreplied withthe same professionalism As Tracybenther head to makeanoteinhernotepad,hesaid,“Onaduderanchthequarterhorse’sstrongdesiretoplease,makethemapopularchoice for beginners as well as experienced riders.” He answered questions fromother guests and then said, “We also have five Percherons, whichare drafthorses Theywere bred and bornonTriple C-West Mybrother-in-law, DerekBrevard, runs a largeandsuccessfulPercheronhorseranchalongsidemysister’sbed-and-breakfastafewmilesdownthemainroad.”
“We’vestayedatChloeBrevard’s original bed-and-breakfastandher new one,”Dianepipedupwithaglancearoundat theotherladies.“It’sfabulous.”
“Wehighlyrecommendit,”hersisterJoycesaid,astheotherladieseagerlylistened.
“I’lltellChloeyouladiessaidso,”Cashreplied.
“I’mfamiliarwithAmericanquarterhorses,”Jacobbegan,“butnotPercherons.”
“Percherons areoftenusedbylaw enforcementbecauseofthehorses’intelligence,willingness towork,andtheir docile natureincrowds.HereonTripleC-East,Percheronshaveproventobeanexcellentadditiontoourstables.Despitetheirlarge size,theyaregentleandeven-tempered,alsomakingthemwell-suitedforthenoviceoradvancedrider Likeourquarterhorses we love and respectour Percherons.” Witha wave toward the nearesthorse stall, Cashsaid. “This firsthorse is a quarter horse,amarenamedDandelion.”Walkingtothestall,hepattedthenoseofthepalomino.“Maresarefemalehorsestypically overtheageoffour.Dandelionisgentleandfriendly.”
ItwasagoodthingthistourwassomethingCashdidallthetime,becauseTracyhadzappedhimlikeared-hotthunderbolt. Hewasn’tsurehecouldhavegottenallthewordsoutaseasilyashewasdoingifitweren’tpartofhisregularroutine When he had swept Tracyoff the ground and across his lap she’d settled against his chest and betweenhis spread legs like she belongedthere He’dhadtoconcentratetokeephislowerbodyfromresponding Hecaughtherlookinghiswayandsmiled Shemadeeyecontactbutdidn’tsmileinreturn.
“HorsenumbertwoisaquarterhorsenamedLobo,”Cashsaid.“Alongtimefriendofmine,nicknamedLobo,suggestedthe namesayingthishorsewasasfastashisHarley”
Cashhadalwaysbeenattractedtowomenwithallshadesofredhair;fromstrawberryblondestoauburnbrunettesandhad datedredheadedclassmatesatFalconHighSchool WhileattendingtheUniversityofColorado,hedatedmostlyredheadsand hadcelebratedgraduating,withdualbachelor’sdegreesinbusinessandanimalscience,withdualredheads.Butthiswoman, this TracyDalton wastheepitomeoftheperfectredhead Herhair,nottoolight,nottoodark,wasjustthemostbeautiful shade of red he’d ever seen. Long and thick, it framed her gorgeous face and swung in sexy waves around her slender shoulders.
“ThisfifthhorseisFrederick”SamhadapparentlytakenoverforCashandwassaying,“Ageldingwhich,ifyou’llrecall, Iexplained,isacastratedmalehorse.”
Somewhere,alongtheway,CashhadbecomesolostinthinkingaboutredheadedwomenandwonderingwhyTracyhadn’t smiledback,he’dcompletelylosttrackoftheintroductionofhorsesnumbersthreeandfour;amarenamedLizzieandagelding namedRocky Hechuckledtohimself Evidently,hewasn’tgettingallhisregularwordsoutafterall
Thewomenpettedthehorses’noses andmanes as Jacobsnappedpictures.CashglancedatTracyagain,whowas taking notes as Samspoke. All ofthe guests includingJacob, who’d no doubtbeenescorted to the bunkhouse bySamor Jeff, had
changedintoridingattire;shirts,jeans,andboots.Onlytwowomenweren’twearingboots.Tracy,inher dressandstilettos, stuckoutlikeasorethumb.Hefiguredshestuckoutinanycrowd.
“Thisnexthorseisgoodol’Ben,”Samsaid “He’swiseandkindandreadytoretire,”Samfinishedwithafondpattothe horse’sneck.
“Iwantgoodol’Ben,”Dianesaid,raisingherhandandcatchingCash’seye “Done,”CashsaidwithasmileatDianeasJeffmadeanote.“Ben’sbestfriendisBess,asweetladybyallaccounts.”
“MayIhaveBess?”Diane’ssister,Joyce,pipedup
“Absolutely,”Cashsaidandnodded,asSamwroteitdown.“Goodchoices.”
As Jeffintroducedthenextthreehorses,CashcovertlywatchedTracywhohadnotmadeanyeyecontactwithhimsince he’dsmiledather
ThegroupwalkedforwardtothenextstallandJeffsaid,“Thisisasorrelmare.Sorrelmeansthehorsehasacoppercoat lackinganyblack Matchinghercolor,wenamedherPenny”
Cashadded, “The mostnoticeable difference betweenmyred dunhorse, Captain, and Pennyis Captain’s mane beinga darkerredthanhiscoat”
Cashsaw Tracyglance fromPennybackto Captain, tethered beside the Westernstore near the entrance to the stables. Thoughthetwohorses’colorsweresimilar,Penny’scoatandmanewereboththesameshadeandshewasdarkerthanCaptain. CashhadnoticedearlierthatCaptain’smanewastheexactsameshadeasTracy’shair,whilehiscoatwasalighterred Cash watchedTracyputthetipofherpenbetweenhercinnamonlipsandthenopenhermouth.
“I’d love to ride Penny,” Donna said quickly, standingnextto Tracy Cashcould have swornDonna looked sideways at Tracybeforespeakingup.“Please,Cash?”
“Sure,” Cash replied since Donna had addressed himpersonally. No matter, because he had another mare in mind for Tracy.“We’llmakeanote,Donna.”
He saw Tracysmile and graciouslynod ather assistant. Damn, Tracywas sexy. Per his record withwomen, so far his attentionandinteresthadalwaysbeenreciprocatedbyeverywomantowhomhe’dshowninterest Havingdatedblondesand brunettes,too,hehadenjoyedmorethanadecadeofcarefreefunandsexwithwomen.Itwashislifestyle.Whythen,among countlesswomen,hadthiswomanhithimliketheproverbialtonofbricks?
Hewasn’tsure.Norwashereadyforit,for her. “Boss?”Jeffsaid.“JacoblikesChief,whatdoyouthink?”
“Goodchoice,Jacob,”Cashsaid.“ChiefisaPercheronandagentleman.” “Okay,great,”Jacobsaid,pettingChief’snose.
Needingtoconcentrateonthecontestwinners,andnottheoneredheadinthegroup,Cashgavehimselfamentalshake Jeff and Samled the waydownone side ofthe stables, made a turnand toured everyone backdownthe other side. Eventually, they’d introduced twenty-four ofthe twenty-five horses All ofthe ladies had mentioned a favorite horse or two exceptfor Tracy.
“This lasthorse is a red dunAmericanquarter horse, like Captain,” Cashsaid. “However, instead ofa stallion, she’s a fillywhichishowwerefertoafemalehorseyoungerthanfouryearsold” Notepadinhand,Tracyaskedhim,“Whatisthedefinitionofastallion?”
“Anuncastrated male horse used as a stud for breeding,” Cashanswered, witha slightchallenge inhis voice “Captain approvesofthisfilly’sspirit.”
“Imightswitchhorses,”Donnasaid,whichCashignored “What’sthefilly’sname?”Tracyasked,headdownandwriting.
“Spitfire,”Cashreplied.
“Spitfire?”Jeffechoedbutsaidnomore
“Sinceyouhaven’tpickedoutahorseyet,whydon’tyougiveSpitfireatry,Tracy?”Cashasked. “Iwas jokingaboutgivingme the horse mostlikelyto buckme off,” Tracysaid, evidentlyconcerned aboutthe horse’s name.“I’mnotplanningtorideanyway,justwrite.”
“Therewon’tbeanythingtowriteifyou’renotinthesaddlewiththerestofus,”Cashinformedher “We’llbeoutriding theranchandtrailseveryday,withanightofcamping.”
The other wranglers, Beau, Ed, and Larry, all good guys, arrived onthe scene. The five guestcabins could comfortably accommodateuptofourguestspercabin Sincethiswasconsideredaluxuryduderanch,itmeantextraattentionfromwrangler torider,sotherewasonewranglerassignedtoeachcabin.Whenacabinheldonlytwoguests,groupscouldbecombinedand awranglerwouldusethatweektodootherneededworkontheranchortakeaweekoff Ifsomeonewassick,Samadjusted thescheduleaccordingly.InanemergencytheycouldalwayscallononeofChase’scowboystofillinforadayortwo.The sixthmanrantheWesternstore.
Cashhadselectedthisweekforthecontestwinnersbecausetherewereonlythirteenguestsasopposedtotwenty.WithJuly FourthonFriday,thebarbecuebeingheldonTripleC-Eastmeantextraworkforthestaff,sofewerguestseasedtheworkload.
BetweenMondayandFriday,thewranglerswouldteach,ridewith,andhelptheguestscarefortheirhorses.
SamhadmadetheassignmentsandannouncedhewouldtakeDianeandJoyce,Ed,anaffablegoodol’boyfromGeorgia wasassignedtoBethandLisa,whowereclosestinagetoDianeandJoyce Larry,aformerhighschoolbuddyofJeff’s,had ladiesbythenamesofNatasha,Michaela,andLeAnn.Jeffwouldridewiththethreeyoungestandpotentiallymostenergeticof thecontestwinners:Patience,Brittany,andDaphne
“Okay,” Cashsaid and, knowinghis crew as he did, noted the wranglers silentlyappreciatingTracy’s standout beauty. PositionednearJacobandDonna,hesaid,“ThatleavesmewithJacob,Donna,andTracy” “Yay!”Donnaunabashedlywhooped.
Cashacknowledged that witha nod and turned to Tracy to say, “For safety reasons youneed to change into jeans and boots”
“Idon’thaveboots,”Tracysaid,tappingherpenagainsthernotepad.“Because ” “Becauseyouweren’tplanningtoride,”Cashfinishedforherandcrookedhisfinger “Butsinceyouare,let’sfindyoua pair of boots. Anybody else who needs to buy or rent some boots, follow me. I’ll introduce you to Beau who pulled shopkeeperdutythisweek”
“Ineedsome,”saidBeth,ashortwomanwithshorthair,maybefifty-five.“Bebackinajiffy,”shesaidtohercabinand ridingpartner,Lisa,andtheirwrangler,Ed.
While Sam,Jeff,Larry,andEdbegantheir usual instructions,demonstrations,andsafetyrules withthose whohadcome fullyprepared,CashledTracyandBethintotheTripleCRanch-EastWesternStore&Stables.Agood-sizedstore,Cashand Samkeptone-halffullystockedwithcowboyhats,shirts,jeans,andboots Ontheothersidethereweresaddles,saddlepads, bridles,reins,stirrups,leathers,horseblankets,andgroomingtoolsforthosewhofellinlovewithhorsesandriding.
“Beauwilltakecareofyou,”CashsaidtoTracyandBeth,aswellasJacob,whowastaggingalongtotakephotos.“The storestaysbusyandeverybodytakesaturnrunningit,includingSamandme.”
“Welcome,ladies,”Beausaid.Tallandnicelooking,hewasthebestsalesmanoutofallthewranglers.Thestorewouldbe evenbusierthanusualduetotheupcomingholidayweekendandCashwasgladtohaveBeauwithhisskillsintheshop “Isee weneedboots,”BeauaddedwithanappreciativesmileatTracyandthenasmileforBeth.ToTracyheasked,“Andjeans?”
“Gotjeans Justboots,”Tracysaid
“Rightoverhere,ladies,”Beausaid,leadingthemtotheboots.
Leavingthewomenincapablehands,Cashheadedtothedoor,andfoundDonnawaitingfor him.Cashhadoccasionally runinto guests like Donna, and frankly, theycould be a pain. Whenever thathad happened inthe past, he’d oftenelected to workinthestorethatweek.Butwithhisranchbeingthesubjectofthemagazine’sstory,hedidn’tfigurethatwastherightthing todothisweek HewalkedDonnapastthefillyhe’dreferredtoasSpitfire,tothemarenamedPenny,whichshe’doriginally saidshewantedtoride.CashbegantheinstructionsashewouldwithanyguestbutkeptaneyeoutforTracy.
WhenTracyemergedfromtheshop,Cashgrinned Notjustbecauseshelookedfantastic,butbecausedespitethefactshe saidsheonlyneededjeans,Beauhadher fullyoutfittedinWesternwear inthecolor knownascinnamon.Fromthebuckskin Elsa-stylecowboyhatonherheadtothesnugwhiteshirtwithcinnamon-coloredstripesandcinnamonpearlsnapstomatch,to the form-fittingblue jeans, downto the cinnamonleather boots withblacksoles and heels She looked more delicious than anythingmadewithcinnamonthatCashhadevertasted.Andnowhehadanameforthecolorofherhair.
Sincetherewereonlyacoupleofothercustomerswhowereregularsintheshop,atthemoment,BeauescortedTracyto CashandBethtoEd.AsTracyandJacobspoke,BeaupausedbesideCashandnoddedtothemarenexttoCaptain.
“Shethinkshermare’snameisSpitfire,”Beausaidquietly “Ithinkbetweenthetwoofusand Spitfire,we’regonnaturn yourjournalistintoacowgirlsoonerthanlater.”
Cashchuckled.“Yeah,don’ttellhertherealnameofherhorse.”
Donnahadoverheard ShebrazenlytuggedonCash’ssleeve,leanedincloseenoughtobrushher bosomagainsthisarm, andaskedconspiratorially,“What’sherhorse’srealname?”
“Fornow,it’sSpitfire,”Cashreplied ThankingBeauwhoreturnedtotheshop,hecasuallysteppedawayfromDonnato TracyandJacob.“Jacob,Ihopeyougotbeforeandafterphotosofyourjournalist.She’smadequiteatransformation.”
“Yes,Isuredid,”Jacobsaid “MayIgetapictureofyouandTracyoutsideofyourWesternstore?”Cashmovedinfrontof the glass door to the store and whenTracycame to stand beside him, Cashshoved his hands into his front jean’s pockets. “Tracy,looponearmthroughCash’sandputyourotherhandonyourhip.”
“Likethis,”Donnasaidasshehurriedtodoso,ontheothersideofCash
Tracy posed as Jacob asked and he took photos that included Donna. That done, Cash worked with the three of them pointingoutfeaturesofSpitfire,Chief,andPenny Healsoshowedthemthesaddlesandputnamestotheothergeartheywould beusingtoridethehorses.Tracywastakingnoteswhenshegotacallonhercell.Shewalkedawaytotakethecall,butCash sawtheexpressionofconcernonherface.AshecontinuedwithinstructionsthatTracyneededforhersafetyandforherstory, Cashwasmakingnoteofwhatshe’dmissed.
Forget about the human-interest storyonhis ranch. What was Tracy’s story? Whyhad she beenlate today? Boyfriend?
Boss?What?Who?
“Iseverythingokay?”CashaskedasTracyreturned.
“Yes,”Tracysaiddistractedly “No”Withahalfheartedlaughshesaid,“Idon’tknow” “CanIhelp?”
“Oh,no No”SheshookherheadandthenyankedonbothsidesofthebrimofhernewElsahatasiftomakesureitdidn’t fall off. She was spectacularly adorable in the hat. A city girl or maybe a small-town girl, instead of a country girl, but sensational “Thankyou,though,Cash”
“Let’snotwreckyournewhatonthefirstday,”Cashsaidanddemonstratedwithhishathowtoadjustitbytouchingthetop insteadofdraggingdownthebrim.“Trythatnexttime.”
Tracyhadwatchedandnoddedseriously “Iwill,”shesaidasshereceivedanothercall
Thejanglingoftheringeronthetriangularsidesofthechuckwagonbellsignaledlunchintheoutdoorkitchenanddining areawherethesignabovethewoodenroofread;Cooper Café Withsidesthatpulleddown,heatingforthewintermonthsand fans for summer,itwas simplyandfondlyreferredtoas the café.Sam’s wife,Kellie,wouldhave all the fixings for a great welcomingfirstmealfortheguestsandwranglers
“Let’sgotothecaféandeat!”Cashcalled.“We’llsaddleupafterlunch.”Everyonestartedfilingtowardhim,andwitha glanceatTracy,heasked,“Coming?”
“Berightthere.”Tracyforcedasmile.
WorriesweighedsoheavilyonherthatevenwhenCash,surelythebest-lookingcowboyonearth,hadsmiledat herearliershe’dnotevenhadthepresenceofmindtorespondinkind.Shewalkedoutofthestablesandplacedher celltoherear.
“Ifyou’relatetolunchyouhavetofeedthechickenslater,”Cashwarnedherasheledthechitchattingguestspasther As the group walked toward tables and chairs housed under the roofofthe café, Tracysincerelywished the chickens were the worstthatcouldhappen Cashadded,“There’reahundredof’em” Ahundred?Tracyflinchedbutgavethehandsomecowboyathumbs-up.Listeningtothevoiceontheotherendoftheline, shewonderedhowbaditwouldbeifsheweretobowoutofthisduderanchweek Bad Mostlikelythemagazinewouldfire her kindofbad.Hergutsaidchanceit.Herheartwantedtobelieveeverythingwouldbeallright.Herbrainwarnedherthis wasthebeginningoftheend.
Hercellstillpressedtoherear,shesatdownonawoodenbenchjustoutsidetheentrancetothestablesandlistened What wouldshedoifshegotfired?Whocared?MaybesheneededtogettoWildHorseatallcosts.Butwhatwouldshedowithout income?Shehadlessthanathousanddollarsinsavings Otherjobs?Here?Injournalism?Notifthebiggestmagazinesouthof Denver let her go. She had recently finished writing her first two children’s picture books but was still working on the illustrationsforthesecondone.Unpublishedbooksweren’tgoingtopayherbills.Wasthelifeshewastryingtobuildforthe twooftheminColoradoSpringsnotmeanttobe?TherewasdefinitelynofutureinWildHorse.Buthewasthere.Whatabout him?
“Okay,I’llstayhere,”Tracyheardherselfsaytothecaller “Fornow”Sherubbedherforehead,feltthebrimofherElsa hattouchherfingertips,andglancedaroundTripleCRanch-East.Shehadlookedforwardtothisassignmentandtowritingher firstbigranchstoryforweeks “ButIwanttoseeyou I need toseeyou”Shelistened,lookedeasttowardWildHorse,and nodded.Headdown,shoulderssagging,shesaid,“Remember how muchIloveyou.”Thesentimentwasreturned,andTracy whispered,“Bye-bye.”Sheclickedoffhercellbutstaredatit.
Tracyglancedatthecafé.Shewasmissingthefirstmealofherduderanchadventure.Jacobwouldn’tsayanunkindword. ButDonna would have anopinion. So far she’d arrived late, nearlyrunover the ranchowner, and beenunprepared to ride. WhatwasCashCooperthinkingofher?ThatshewasaloserwithacapitalL?
Notonetofeelsorryforherself,Tracyraisedherchin,squaredhershoulders,andtookoffwithpurposeinhersteptoward the people, food, and tables Pastinga smile onher face, she walked under the arched roofto the servingline There were oblongmetal pans positionedover candles nolonger lit.The firstpanhelda single barbecuedrib,the center panhadhalfa scoopoffriedpotatoesinthecorner,andinathirdpanbakedbeanswereallbutgone.Tracypickedupatinplateasalady, maybeinherlateforties,walkedbehindtheservingtableswithtwonearlyemptypitchers Onepitcherappearedtohavebeen filledwithicedteaandtheotherwithlemonade.
“I’mKellie, Sam’s wife and Jeff’s mom,” the tall, slimwoman with short, black hair said, setting the pitchers aside “You’reTracy,thejournalist?”
“That’s the rumor,” Tracysaid self-consciouslywitha laughand a smile “It’s nice to meet you, Kellie I’msorryI’m arrivinglatetomyfirstmealontheranch.”
“Noproblem,”Kelliesaid,puttingonovenmitts.“Hungry?”
“MorethanIrealized,”Tracyadmitted
“Good.I’vegotyoucovered.”Kellieopenedtheovenandremovedatinplatefilledwithbarbecuedribs,friedpotatoes, andbakedbeans ShegesturedforTracytodiscardherplateandcarryingthewarmone,shesaid,“Followme”Kelliesetthe tinonapicnictablewheretherewasanemptyspotnexttoJacobandacrossfromJeff.“Sweetteaorlemonade?Cash’sAunt RachelmakesthebestsweetteainColorado SheandIbrewitthesameway”
“Sweettea,please,”Tracysaid.
Allsmiles,Jacobsaid,“Pickupthatrib,Tracy,andlet’sgetashot.”
Tracyalreadyfeltbetter,sittingwithJacobandJeff.Kelliewasbackwithsweettea,napkins,andutensils.Tracytooka biteofthemostdeliciousbarbecuedribshe’devertasted.Hereyesopenedwideindelightandshenoddedherappreciationat Kellie
“Yeah,Mom’sagreatchef,”Jeffsaidandgrinned.
Tracycovertlyglancedaroundtheothertables Shedidn’tseeCash ShecaughtDonnastaringather,butintheblinkofan eye, Donna smiled. Jeff and Jacob talked about the ranch. As Tracy quickly ate, to catch up with the others and more ravenouslythanshewouldhavethoughtpossible,shespiedCash Standingnearacorral,whereseveralhorsesweresaddled, hewasspeakingtoastrawberryblonde.Thewomanreachedoutandtookhishand.Tracyrememberedhowherownhandhad tingledwhenCashheldit.Shesilentlyacknowledgedanoddstabinherstomachasthewomansteppedcloserandplacedher otherhandonCash’schestwhichTracyknewwasrockhardwithmuscle WhenCashshookhishead,theredheadseemedto betryingtocajolehimintosomething.TracysaidnothingandlookedawayasSamReynoldsjoinedthem.
“IseeRustyisback Again,”Jeffsaidtothemanwiththeblackhairandbeard “Yeah,”Samrepliedbutdidn’telaborate,insteadgreetingTracyandJacob. Tracyconcentratedonfinishingher foodandwhenshedaredlookupagain,itwas duetothesoundofCash’s voice He wasatthepicnictablewhereEdandtwoolderladiesinthegroupsat.TheredheadnamedRustyhadvanished.Where?The house?Thestable?Downtheroad?
“Guesswho’sfeedingthechickensthisevening?”CashaskedonhiswaytothetablewhereTracysat Hestoppedatthe oppositeendofthetableandlookingather,said,“Thatgirl.”
“Chickensdon’ttakewelltostrangers,”Jeffsaidseriouslyandshookhishead “Anyexperiencefeedingchickens?”Samaskedher.
“No,I’vebeentoldthey’redangerous,”shesaid.
“Notiftheydon’tpeckyou,”Jeffreplied.
“Oh,they’llpeckher,”Cashsaid.
Tracy’sonlyencounterswithfowlshadbeenatadistance “They’repeckers?”
“Theycanbe,”Kelliesaidwithanarchedbrowaimedatherhusband,son,andboss.“Ignorethesemen,Tracy,butwear yourbootsaroundthechickens Theynipbaretoes”
Everyonelaughed,includingTracy.Wranglersbeganfilingoutofthediningarea,stackingtheir platesonanemptytable. Theguestsassignedtothemfollowedtheirlead.
“Seeyoulater,”Samsaidtohiswife,thenstoodandgaveherakissonthecheek.
Tracy, Jacob, and Cash stood as well. Then it was back to the stables and time to saddle the horses. She realized the wranglers’horses weretheones alreadysaddledandinthecorral As themeninstructed,demonstrated,anddidmostofthe heavylifting,JacobengagedDonnainhelpinghimgetsomeshotsoftheaction.
“Firstbitofinformation,” Cashsaidas Tracypulledher notepadandpenoutofher jeans pocket “You’ve gotbarbecue sauceonyourlip.”
“Ohno.”Tracydidn’thaveatissue.Notonlythat,sherealizedshe’dleftherlipstickandcinnamonmintsinherpurse.So, nolipstickandmaybebarbecuebreathfortherestoftheafternoon Swell Toridherselfofthebarbecuesauce,sheslowlyran hertonguearoundherupperandlowerlips.ThenshepuckeredthemforCashtosee.“How’sthat?”
“Hot”
“What?”
Withagrintuggingononesideofhismouth,Cashreplied,“Let’ssaddleyouup”Likehiswranglersweredoing,hebegan showingherhowitwasdone.“Thisisatrailsaddleandweighsabouttwenty-fivepounds.”Heswungitontothepadresting onthehorse’s backandsecureditinplace.Pullingthereins tothehorses over their heads,hehandedTracythereins tothe fillyshehadn’tplannedtoride HoldingontoCaptain’sreins,Cashswunghishandtowardtheoversizeddoortothestables leadingoutside.“Afteryou.”WhenTracystoodunmoving,hesaid,“Yourealizeyoumissedagoodamountofthetutorials.”
“Iknow Iapologizeforbeingsorude”
“You have to stay focused around here to remain safe,” Cash said seriously. Tracy knew it was an opening for her to confideinhim Itwasthesecondtimehe’doffered,thefirstbeingwhenheaskedherifeverythingwasokayandifhecould help.“Thinkyoucandothat?”
“Yes,sir.”Thatcameoutmoreflippantlythanshe’dintended.Withasmile,shesaluted.Thatonlyseemedtomakethings worseasCashgrimaced Tomovepasttheawkwardnesssheasked,“ShallIgetonthehorsenow?”
“Wedon’t saddle up insidethestables.Shouldthehorsebuckorbolt,it’ssafertomountoutintheopen.Tugonthereins andthehorsewillfollowyou”
“Oh.”
Tracy couldn’t remember having made such a horrible first impression anywhere as she had on Triple C Ranch-East. Hopingnottodoanythingelsestupid,wrong,orrude,shetookastepandtuggedonthereins.Thebeautifulhorsefollowedher justlike Cashsaidshe would.Theywalkedtheir horses outofthe stables.TracylistenedintentlytoJeffandSamwhotook
turnsdemonstratingandexplaininghow tomountthehorses.Wranglersstoodby,offeringhands-onhelpasneeded.Whenthe ladiesbegansaddlingup,Tracytookadeepbreath,hopingshewouldsaddleupcorrectly.
“Okay,Spitfire,”TracysaidandglancedatCash “Let’sdothis”
“Talktomeasyoumount,”Cashsuggested.
“Holdbothreinsinmylefthandjustabovethewithers,”sherepeatedwhatSamhadsaidandtouchedthehighestpartof the filly’s back, at the base of her neck. “Along with the reins, grab a handful of mane. This prevents excess pressure on Spitfire’smouthandsaddle”
“Good,”Cashsaid,standingafewfeetfromher.
“Turnthestirrupirontowardmeandslidemyleftfootin?”
“Correct”
Tracygrabbedthefilly’smaneandrecallingwhatJeffhadsaid,sherecited,“Pointmyleftfootdown,soasnottokickher inthesideandgivemyselfabounceonmyrightfoot Standupintheleftstirrupandswingmyrightlegoverher whatwas it?”
“Croup Thecroupisthehighestpointofahorse’shindquarters,”Cashremindedher “Dothatandyou’llbeinthesaddle” “Let’shope.”Tracynodded.Sheslidherfootintothestirrup,hopped,andswungherrightlegastold.Withagrin,shewas sittingontopofthehorse.“Woohoo!”
“Rightfootinthestirrup?”
“Ohright.”Shelookeddownherrightsideandfoundthestirrup.“Nowitis.”
“Yeehaw,”CashsaidandmountedCaptain “Yeehaw!”Tracyhopedshesoundedconfident.
ShewasscaredbutdeterminedtoimproveherimageinCash’seyes.Notjustforhersake,butforthatofthemagazine.She glanced at Jacob who was smilingas he trotted up to her onthe geldingcalled Chief. She noticed Donna, staringat Cash. Tracy’sgazealsodriftedbacktoCash.Hisvibrantblueeyesmethersandwhenwinkedather,Tracy’sheartskippedabeat. Samoffered to letanyone who wanted to practice, byridingaround inthe corral, the opportunityto do so Otherwise, they wereheadeddownabackroadoftheranch.Everyonevotedtoheadontothebackroad,ratherthanbecoopedupinthecorral. Jefftookthe lead and the horses beganto move At this point, Tracyand Cashwere inthe rear ofthe group ofguests and wranglers.
“YoudowellonthisrideandI’llhelpyoufeedthechickens,”Cashsaid.“Whatdoyouthink,spitfire?” “Spitfirethinksyou’vegotyourselfadeal.” CashgaveTracyacocky,sidewaysgrin.“Doesshe?”
“Yes,shedoes,”Tracysaid,carefullyleaningforwardtopatthehorse’smane AsCaptainwalkedforward,Tracy’shorsefollowedhimonherown.TracyrecalledCashsayingCaptainlikedSpitfire’s spirit Obviously,SpitfirelikedCaptain’sspirittoo Cashcasuallysaid,“Bytheway,yourfilly’srealnameisCinnamon.”
Daybreakthistimeofyearwasaroundfivethirtya.m.
Cashdidn’tneedanalarmtowakeup,butheusuallysetitanyway Ashelayinbed,hisfirstthoughtthismorning wasthememoryoffeedingthechickenswithTracyDalton.Hiseyesstillclosed,hechuckled.Therewasnoruleon the ranchabouthavingto feed the chickens ifyouwere late to lunch. He suspected Tracyknew that, butshe’d beena good sportandplayedalong
Whenhe’dstartedshooingdozensofwhite,black,andredhensacrossthefencedpencontaininggrassyareasandnatural shade,towardthelargeA-framedchickencoopwithglasswindows,aregulardoor,andapopdoor,Tracyhadshooedthem too.He’dchuckledasthechickenscluckedatTracywhooccasionallyshriekedandjumpedoutoftheirway.
“WecallallthewhitehensLily,theredhensGoldie,andtheblackhensIris,”Cashhadsaidashepluckedupabigblack chickenbeforeshecoulddipunderneaththerampleadingtothedoorforthecoop.Placingherintothecoophesaid,“Oncewe getthemallpastthispopdoorwecloseittokeep’emsafefrompredatorsforthenight.”
“Why’sitcalledapopdoor?”Tracyhadasked “Becausethechickenspopinandoutofthecoop,”he’dsaid.
Tracy’sturquoiseeyeshadslicedasidewaysglanceathimevidentlynotknowingifhewasseriousaboutthepopdooror pullingher leg.He’dassuredher thathe was completelyserious.All buta couple ofthe chickens were safelyintheir coop whenTracyhadspiedastray.She’dlookedcuteandsexyinherElsahatandsnugjeans,asshebentoveratthewaistandtried tocoaxalittleredchickenoutfromunderabush.
“Thischickendoesn’twanttobecaught,”Tracyhadsaid,handsonherslimhips.
“Can’tgiveuponher”
“Goldie!”Tracyhuffed.“Comehere,chick,chick,chick.”
“Thattagirl”
Cashhad takenup a positiononthe other side ofthe bush, and blockingthe chicken’s escape route, chased her toward Tracy.WithallofGoldie’sdramaticcluckingandwing-flappingandTracy’ssquealingandprancing,itwashighlyentertaining. He’dlaughedandthencheeredwhenTracyhadfinallysucceededincatchingthechicken.
Eyesstillshutandrelivingitallagain,Cashgrinnednowashehadthen.NosoonerhadTracycaughtGoldiethanthelittle henhadescapedherarmsandflownacrossthegroundtowardCash He’dcaughtGoldieanddemonstratedholdingthechicken likeapuppy.Surprisinghim,Tracyhadheldoutherarms.Hehadhandedherthehenandonhersecondtry,Tracyhadmadeit tothecoopwithher Closingthepopdoor,hehadtakenTracyinsidethecoop There,hehadopenedaplastictubofcracked corn,distributedit,andscoopedmealworms outofa canister.He gave Tracya handful andher expressionofdisbeliefwas pricelesswhenhe’dtoldhershewasholdingmealworms.Tohercredit,shedidn’tdropthemandrun.
“Whyaren’tthechickenscock-a-doodle-do-ing?”Tracyhadaskedasshesprinkledthemealwormsforthem “Becausethey’rehens,notroosters.Onlyroosterscrow.”
“Iknowforabsolutecertaintyhenscock-a-doodle-do I’veheardthem” “Iknowforabsolutecertaintywhatyouheardwereroosters.”
Withanoutrightlaughnow, Cashrolled outofbed, wonderingifTracywas awake OnTuesdays, the wranglers usually tooktheguestsoutforaride,letthemhavelunchalongatrail,andthenrodebacktotheranch.Intheafternoon,guestscould rest,walkthetrails,orrideagainiftheywishedtodosobeforesupper.Thiswasallinpreparationofridingtotheovernight campgroundafewmilesaway
After showering, Cashshrugged into a dark-brownshirt witha Triple C Ranch-East logo and rolled the sleeves up his forearms He wore jeans everydayonthe ranch, usuallywitha brownleather belt, one ofhis Triple Csilver buckles, and browncowboyboots.
Remembering how Tracy had held that chicken like a puppy, Cash thought once again about getting a dog He’d been meaningtopursuefindingagood-sizedbreed,butranchdutieskeptgettinginhisway.Hisgrandfather,knownasCoop,hadan Australiancattledog,namedCrockett,lovedbyall.Cashsmiled,hisgrandfatherwaslovedbyalltoo.
Hemadehiswaydownstairs,throughthehouse,andoffthescreenedporchtothebackyardoftheranch.KellieandSam werealreadyinthecafé.Jeff,Ed,Beau,andLarrywerefollowingtheirnosestobreakfast.Cashjoinedthemandovercoffee, bacon,biscuitsandgravy,theytalkedabouttheday’sschedule,weather,guests,andhorses
“Thanks for breakfast, Kellie,” Cash said, after setting his empty plate on the designated table near the oversized dishwasherandfarmsink
“Anytime,” Kellie said jokinglyas she served breakfastfive, sometimes sevendays a week. “Since youguys are taking guestsoutonthetrails,Iwillhavetheirsacklunchesreadysoon”Shenoddedtothetablewherethefoodwouldbewaiting “It’sTuesday,soI’llbemakingsoftandhardtacosfordinnerthiseveningtoservealongwithrefriedbeans,rice,chips,and salsa.Andmaybeinadditiontosweettea,I’llwhipupapitcherortwoofmargaritas.”
“Soundsgoodtome,”Cashreplied
“Thanks,”SamsaidtohiswifeandkissedherbeforefallingintostepwithCash.
Itwasalmostsevenam asCashandSamheadedtothestables Theynoddedatladiesemergingontocabinporches The guests would soon head to the café as they’d been advised breakfast was served from seven a.m. to eight a.m. Shortly thereafter,Kelliewouldringthechuckwagonbellforfolkstopickuptheirbaglunches
Thewranglerswouldbeinthestablesandguestswerewelcometoaccompanythemenonroundsastheycheckedonevery horse,gavemedicinestothoserequiringit,ordistributedadditionalfeedforhorsesneedingextracalories.Jacobwasthefirst guesttomakeittothestableswithhiscamerainhand Butitwasn’tlongbeforetheladiesbeganfilingawayfrombreakfast andmakingtheirwaytothestables.CashhadsaddledCaptainandglancedathiswatch.Timetoride.Andhereshecame.It wasallCashcoulddonottowolfwhistle
“Abouttimeyougothere,”heteasedthestunningredheadasshenearedhim.
“Iwastired,”Tracysaid,stoppingbesidehiminthestables.“Ihadtochasechickensyesterday.Awholeherdof‘em.”
“Apeep,flock,orbrood,”Cashcorrectedherwithagrinandshakeofhishead.“Aherdisforcows.”
“Iwassotuckeredoutafterchasingawhole peep ofGoldies,Lilies,andIrises,Ioverslept,”Tracysaid,addingabitofa twangtohervoice
“Didtheownerinformyou,youhadtofeedthatflockofchickensbreakfast,too,toearnyourkeep?”
“No, he did not!” Tracysnapped, obviouslyfightinga smile as she placed daintyhands to saucyhips Her new Elsa hat hungfroma cord downher backand her hair caughtthe morningsunshine. Today, he noticed a few faintfreckles sprinkled across her nose and wondered ifyesterday’s sunhad broughtthemoutonher ivoryskin. She wore a snug, turquoise, threequarterlengthsleeveteeshirtthatmatchedhereyes,alongwithjeansandhernewcowboyboots.“I’mthinkingImayverywell reportthewholefeed-the-chickens-if-you’re-late-for-lunchandto-earn-your-keepscaminRanchers and Ranges. ”
Theybothlaughed Sheplacedherhatonherhead,withoutyankingonthebrim,ashe’dshownherthepreviousday Beau wasalreadybusyinthestoreasguestsandwranglersledtheir horsespastitintotheopenarea.Edwasinchargeofapack mule,namedEloise,cartingextrabottlesofwater Guests pickeduptheir sacklunches andbottlesofwater whichwentinto theirindividualsaddlebags.
Themorningtrailridewason.
Cashlet Jeff lead the way Jeff, thoughyoung, had beenraised onTriple C Ranch-East He’d earned his place as lead wranglerthroughhardworkanddedication.Alongtherideoverflatlandpastcreeksandtowardthehills,Samtookturnswith Jeff, Ed, and Larry in telling the guests about the surrounding Colorado area They answered random questions about everything fromthe American quarter horses and Percherons to daily ranch duties, rodeos, bunkhouse living, and even the broodofchickens,withprideandloyaltyringingintheirvoices
Cashenjoyedthequestionsandcommentsmadebytheguestsandrepliedtothoseinregardtohisranchsuchashowlongit hadbeeninhisfamily?How haditcomebyitsname?Hesaidhispaternal grandparentshadnameditafter their threesons; Carson, Clarence, and Chester How bigwas the ranchand did he have relatives nearby? Cashtold themthe acreage and describedhissiblings’ranches.Hesaidhisentirefamilyplannedtobepresentforthefireworksdisplay.Tracyaskedforsome specificsastorunningayear-roundduderanch
“Youhave to be a businessman, hotel operator, and recreation director,” Cash said. “You have to know horsemanship, livestock,ranchmaintenance,andpublicrelations Youmustgetalongwithallkindsofpeople”
“HowdidtheCooperscometoownthislandbackinthe1800s?”Tracyasked. CashgaveabriefaccountingofhowtheHomesteadingActof1862,hadopenedthedoortohisancestorsbuyingColorado land WhenTracyaskedabouthisranchinparticular,hetoldhowhe’dinheriteditfromhisbacheloruncle
“Intheearlydays,SamandKelliekeptmefromrunningitintotheground,”CashsaidmodestlywithatipofhishattoSam. “Jeffandour wranglers helpmaintainthis ranch”Healways gavecreditwhereitwas due “Icouldnotdoitwithoutall of thesefriendswhoaremorelikefamily.Theymakethehardworkenjoyable.”
Cashespeciallyenjoyed Tracyas she occasionallysmiled at himbetweenaskingquestions and takingnotes. He’d also noticedherassistant,Donna,ofteninterruptedTracyorcutherofforworseyet,sometimesansweredherquestionsaboutlife onaranch.Incorrectly.EvenJacobhadfrownedinsurpriseatDonnaonceortwice.
“Whereareweheadednow?”Jacobasked,takingphotosofthewoods,thehills,andthelandstretchingonforever.
“FishCreek.It’supaheadinthecopseoftrees,”Cashrepliedandpointed.“Thoseofyouwhowanttoflyfishcandoso whenweridetoTurkeyPond We’llpackfishinggearforthepondandforflyfishinginthecreek,inwagonswhichwe’llhitch toEloiseandourothermule,Mavis.”
“Whenwillthatbe?”Dianeasked “Tomorrow,”Samsaid.
“We’veneverfished,”Joycesaid
“Firsttimeforeverything,”Samrepliedwithasmile.“We’llrideoutafterbreakfastandcampovernightnearthewater.” “Incabins?”Michaela,atall,blondebarista,asked.
“No,ma’am,”Larryanswered
“Intents?”Brittany,aprettyandpoliteschoolteacherguessed.
“Yes,intents,”Jeffsaidwithanod
“Are there indoor bathrooms where we’ll be camping?” Lisa, a slightlychubbywomanwitha quirkylaugh, wanted to know
“No,ma’am,”Edrepliedwithastraightface.
“Nobathrooms?”LeAnn,themostpetiteladyofthegroup,gasped.
“I’mwarningyounowifmybarebubblebuttfromtheBronxtouchesmud,themudwillburnsohotit’llbelikelavaoozing fromavolcano!”abrunettenamedNatashawarnedthemquiteseriously.Everyonelaughed.Natasha’sbigbrowneyesrolled assheswungahandintheairforemphasis “I’mnotkidding”
“Therearehisandherouthouses,”Samassuredthegroupandchuckled.
“Yay!”PatienceandDaphnewhoopedinapparentreliefatthesametime.
“We’vetraveledforaboutanhour,sowe’regonnaletthehorsesdrinkfromthecreekandrest,”Jefftoldthem.“Thenwe’ll travelforanotherhourtoourlunchsite.”
Cashsmiled atthe excited remarks as theyreached the creek The ladies did well indismountingand helpinglead their horsestothecreekforadrink.BackinthesaddlestheyrodefurtherdownFishCreek.Inagrassymeadowthatwasatypical Tuesdaystopforguestsoftheduderanch,therewerepicnictablesunderawoodenshelter Oncetheyarrived,everyonebegan dismountingandthewranglersshowedguestshowtotethertheirhorsestotreebranches,sothey’dhavearidehome.
“Who’ssharingatentwithyoutomorrownight,Cash?”Donnaboldlyasked,sidlinguponhisright.
“Sam,”Cashrepliedstoically.
“JacobcanbunkwithJeff,”Samsaid,joiningthem.“EdandLarrywilltentupasusual.”
Tracyhadoverheardandwalkingtothem,shesaid,“Iassumeweladiesshareatentwiththepersonwe’reteamedupwith inourcabins.”ShehaddirectedhercommentmoretoDonnathantoCashasifshe’ddetectedDonnamightbewearingonhis nerves “Right?”
“You’repartlycorrect,”Cashsaid.“Therearetwocotspertent.Sotheladieswhoarethreetoacabinnow cansplitup andsleeptwotoatent.”
Jeff, Ed, and Larry were unloading water fromEloise, placing red and white checked cloths on the picnic tables, and encouraginggueststowalkaroundandtakeinthescenery.TracyreceivedatextandCashsawthesameexpressionofconcern onherface,ashehadwhenhe’daskedherifeverythingwasokay
HestronglysuspectedsomethingorsomeoneinTracy’slifewasnotokay.Shestruckhimasaloner,withlittlehelpfrom anyone Perhaps she was carryinga weightthatwas far too heavyand shouldn’tbe onher shoulders inthe firstplace She could be a little brashand he wondered ifthatwas her wayofcompensatingfor some insecurity. Maybe it’s how she kept herselfmovingforward.Sincewhendidhetrytofigureoutawoman?Never.
Tracywanderedawayfromthepicnicareaofchattingpeopleandsatdownonalarge,flatbouldertotextback Cashgave herafewminutesandwhensheappearedtohavefinishedhertext,hegrabbedherlunchandhis.Withwaterbottlesinhandas well,hewalkedovertoher Cashwasn’tsureexactlywhyhecaredorwhyhewantedtohelpher Buthedid “Hey,”Tracysaid,lookingupfromhercellathim.
“Hayisforhorses,”Cashsaid “Andyoucan’tbetoocarefularoundhorses Sobeforeyougetdistractedandinjured,why don’tyoutellmewhat’sgoingon?”
“I’mfine,”shesaid.
“Yeah?”Cashnotedthatsameslumpofher shoulders she’dhadwhenacall hadtakenher outofthestables “Soyou’re alwayslatetoajob,misssafetyinstructions,andhavetofeedchickens?”
Hersmilewashalfhearted “Notusually” “Fair enough.” Cash sat down next to her. On the flat surface of the rock, he placed their bag lunches between them. Handingherawaterbottle,heasked,“Howbadcanitbe?”
“That’sjustit.”Tracysighed.“Idon’tknow.”
Cashopenedalunchsackandhandedheradeli-stylesandwich.“Normally,cowboyseatdriedmeat,beans,hardbiscuits,
anddehydratedfruitwhenthey’reoutonthetrail.Kellietakespityontheguestsandtreatsustomuchbettergrub.”
“Letmemakeanoteofthosefoods,”Tracysaidandquicklyflickedawayasingletearbeforereachingforherpadandpen.
“Icanremindyou,”Cashsaidandplacedhishandoverhersassheheldherpadandpen “Isitmycompanythat’smaking yousad?”heaskedwithagrin,hopingshe’dsmile.
Butinsteadofsmiling,hereyebrowsdrewtogetherbeforeshelookedaway Cashpulledhishandfromhersandtookabite ofhissandwich.Afteramomentshebitintohers.Hechewedandwaited,wonderingifshe’dconfideanything.Ifnot,hedidn’t feelhecouldaskherathirdtime Astheyate,asummerbreezeblew,catchinglonglocksofTracy’shairandtossingthemover hershoulder.Cashimaginedthosecinnamonwaveswouldbeassilkysoftastheylooked.Whenalockblewacrossherfaceas shetriedtotakethelastbiteofhersandwich,hecaughttheredstrandandmoveditoverhershouldertoherback.Yeah,even softer
“It’sthecompanykeepingsomeoneIlove,”Tracywhispered.
She’dsaiditsoquietly,Cashwasn’tabsolutelysurehe’dheardhercorrectly Butheranherwordsoverinhisheadandhis firstthoughtwasthatshehadaboyfriendwhowascheatingonher.Ifthatwasthecase,whatafooltheguywas.Buthowcould awomanasbeautifulasTracy not haveaboyfriend?Abunchofboyfriends AstingofjealousyjabbedCashrightinthegut Thenagain,maybehecouldbeashoulderforhertocryon.
“Whatdoesthatmean,Tracy?”CashnoticedDonnastaringatthemassheswungherlegsoutfromunderthepicnictable. He did not want the womaninterruptingthemand thoughshe was technicallya guest, he sent a frownher way “Does the companyinvolveaman?”
“Oh,yeah”Tracynoddedbutdidn’tmakeeyecontact
“Look,it’snoneofmybusiness.Ijustwanttokeepyousafeandfocusedthisweek.”
“Safe,”Tracyrepeatedthewordandlookedintothedistanceasifshewereamillionmilesaway.“I’mnotconvincedhe’s safecompany.”
“Tracy,”Cashsaid.Herglitteringeyesmethis.“Wasthattextfromhim?”
“Yes”
“Ishethreateningyouinsomeway?”
“No”
“Whatthen?”Cashasked.
“Winstonsaysshefellandsprainedheranklebutismuchbetterandnottoworry,”Tracysaidandblinkedtoclearthetears gatheredinhereyes.
“IsWinstonyourex?”Cashasked.Shedidn’treply,almostasifshe’dfloatedsofarawayhiswordshadn’treachedher. “Does she meanyourdaughter?”
“No,” Tracysaid as if his second questionhad finallyregistered. “I’mnot here to burdenyouwithmyproblem, Cash. Everythingwillbeokay”Thoughherturquoiseeyesbeliedherwords,hervulnerabilityhadvanished Shestoodup “I’lltryto bemorepunctualandfocused.Ipromise.”
“Twoheadsarebetterthanone,”hesaid.“Letmehelp.”
