Doyle's eyes flashed bright with anger. "You saying I don't know how to do my job?"
"We've got a bunch of sick cattle that says you can't," Landon barked.
Doyle's fists bunched into tight balls. Landon's shoulders tensed. Doyle had probably been waiting for a chance to face down Landon ever since he'd arrived. Landon saw heads turn in his direction. Ranch hands were watching what was going on. Landon heard a voice behind him. "Who's going to check those cattle for signs of sickness?" Beth asked.
Landon turned to face Beth. "Doyle and me were just talking about that." He smiled sardonically. "There seems to be a difference of opinion about who should be organizing this."
Beth peered at Doyle. "Have you done anything like this before?"
Doyle slowly shook his head. "Not exactly. But I've heard plenty about it from other ranch hands."
Beth glanced at Landon. "Then you'll take your orders from Landon. He's done this before. So he's knows how it plays out."
Landon saw Doyle's jaw tighten. The ramrod's features were impassive and unreadable. But Landon knew that, inside, Doyle was burning up with rage and frustration. Maybe the man felt he'd been pushed aside ever since Landon had arrived on the scene. Perhaps he was right, Landon reflected. As far as Landon was concerned that was a good thing. Doyle had been too familiar with Beth. And it was obvious that Katie and Max didn't like the man one bit.
Landon heard a cry from one of the ranch hands. "Got one here!" The tall man was standing alongside one of the cattle. He pointed to the animal. "This one has got something. I'm pretty sure of it."
Landon grunted. Moving quickly toward the man, he waved to him. "Get it out of there." Pointing toward a smaller group of cattle being herded by two lone riders, Landon shouted: "Take them over there. And keep them well away, until we've dug those pits and Jack returns from town with the oil."
Landon turned and saw Beth was watching him. A visible pleasure was written across her features. Maybe she liked the way he'd taken charge in that instant. She hadn't really seen how he worked whenever it was time to roll up his sleeves and get stuff done. Well, now she was seeing it. Up close.
Landon glared at Doyle and pointed toward the sick cow. "Doyle. Give that man a hand."
Doyle's brows became deep ridges, filled with anger. Then he nodded and strode off in the direction of the ranch hand who needed help.
Beth came up to Landon. "I don't think he's too happy," she observed.
"It's not his job to be happy," Landon replied. "He's supposed to keep this herd safe and healthy. He's failed on both scores."
"Don't be too hard on him, Landon."
Landon frowned. "Why not? This is his responsibility." He thrust his hands against his hips and sighed. "I still don't know how this got into the herd."
Beth touched Landon on the arm. "There's nothing to be gained by being angry. We'll find out how this happened. Right now, all that matters is that we have a job to do." Glancing over at the waiting men with the shovels, she added: "You said you were going to do some digging."
Landon narrowed his eyes as he watched Doyle and the ranch hand working to separate the sick cow from the herd. "I think I will," Landon said. Inside, he added something else which wasn't for Beth's ears. He'd do some digging into just what Doyle was up to, Because, Landon figured too many things were happening on the ranch for it all to be just a coincidence.
He felt Beth tugging on his arm. "Are you coming?"
Landon peered across at the waiting men. Straightening his shoulders, he nodded. "Sure." And then he started to make his way across to the men knowing that he'd spend the rest of the afternoon digging holes in the ground.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Jack arrived back at the ranch house just as darkness was falling. Beth made her way out to the yard with Landon. The buckboard was stacked with six, large, metal oil barrels. Beth examined the barrels and turned to Landon. "Is this going to be enough?"
Landon nodded. "It'll have to be," he replied. He shook hands with Jack and the other ranch hand. "Good job, boys."
Both men grinned. "Did they dig the pits?" Jack asked.
Beth laughed. "They sure did. Everything's waiting down there for this oil." She tugged on Jack's arm. "Get yourself inside. Sally has got some grub ready for you both. We're making an early start tomorrow at sunrise. You make sure you get some rest. You're going to need it."
The men grinned at each other and headed for the house. Once they'd left, Landon went to the buckboard and examined the oil containers. "We need to store this carefully," he said. "It's dangerous."
"No-one's going to tamper with this," Beth objected.
Landon's eyes narrowed and his lips formed a thin line. "Still. I'd be happier once I know this stuff is well away from prying eyes."
Beth squinted at Landon. "Who'd want to cause trouble?"
Landon leaned closer to Beth. "Too many things are happening here, Beth. First, the cattle being stolen. Then this problem with the tick fever." Landon rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I don't like how this feels."
"Are you suggesting the tick fever was brought onto the Circle D deliberately?"
"It has been known to happen," Landon replied. "There's more than one way of ruining a herd. And even more ways to destroy someone else's livelihood."
"You don't mean Harding," Beth exclaimed. "He couldn't have anything to do with this, could he?"
"You saw the way he reacted when we were on his spread the other day. Men like Harding will do anything if it means they can seize what they want." Landon shook his head. "I know it's hard to believe. But, this can be dangerous country. Not everyone is looking to do good for others. This is the frontier. And frontier living can bring out the worst in some people. As well as the best."
Beth wrapped her arms around herself and started to walk away from the buckboard. Landon followed alongside her. They walked up the short slope to the cottonwood tree near the side of the ranch house and halted beneath the wide canopy of its branches. Gazing out across the rangeland, Beth sighed contentedly. It had been a long day. She'd seen the way Landon had instructed the men during the digging of the pits. It had been hard work, and Landon had played his full part. She'd seen the way he'd supervised the men. Seen the instant respect in the way the men had responded to Landon's clear commands. Now that he was well again, she was seeing the real Landon Baxter. The rancher who'd entered her life and changed it forever.
Leaning back against the tree, Beth glanced at Landon. "Do you think we're going to succeed?"
"With the cattle?" Landon replied. Nodding, he smiled tentatively. "The important thing is to get in early. Before too many of the cattle start showing signs of sickness." He folded his powerful arms. "I think we might have a chance." She wondered if he was truly confident, or whether he was just trying to save her from worrying.
"Tomorrow's going to be a long day." Beth tilted her head. "Will we get all the cattle dipped in the pits?"
"We'll have thirty men working on it. And a thousand head." Landon sighed heavily. "It'll take all day. Assuming nothing holds us up."
She didn't even want to think about anything going wrong. It was bad enough that she stood to lose the whole herd to disease. All day, she'd tried to keep her mind from worrying about that possibility.
Landon turned and faced Beth. Lifting a brow, he smiled at her. "Welcome to the world of ranching," he said softly. "And you thought it was only about keeping cattle well-fed. And managing ranch hands."
"There's so much for me to learn," she said.
"That's why you need good men on the Circle D," Landon stated. "Experience is everything, when it comes to ranching."
"I can see that, now." She watched as Landon leaned against the tree. The last time he'd been this close they'd ended up kissing. Beth gazed into Landon's eyes. She could see a familiar expression in them. One she was beginning to get used to seeing. She felt butterflies tumbling in her middle. That feeling was starting to become a regular thing, she told
herself. Every time she was near Landon, those butterflies took flight.
"Maybe I can find a way of being a help to you, "Landon suggested quietly.
Lifting a brow, she asked: "How?" She guessed what he was going to say, but she wanted to hear it from his own lips. The lips she wished would kiss her.
Landon's mouth turned down thoughtfully. "I'm not that far away. These days, my family's ranch is running pretty smoothly." He grinned and quirked a brow. "I might be able to find some free time," he added.
"Really," she said evenly, matching his mischievous tone of voice. "Now why would I want you to come all the way over here? Especially when you've probably got more important work to do on your own spread."
"Who said coming here isn't important to me?" he asked slyly. "I'd say there's nothing I'd rather do than be here," he said and leaned closer. In a lower voice, barely a murmur, he added: "With you, Beth."
Nerves quivering with delight, she felt her cheeks flush pink. Heartbeat quickening, she glanced down at Landon's full, moist lips. When she looked back into his eyes, there was a certainty in them. A softness and calm resolve that told her exactly what he needed to do next. Then his hand cupped the curve of her chin. His touch was tender and exquisitely gentle. The lids of Landon's eyes became heavy with desire. Her breath hitched in her chest and she felt her lips open. Then he dipped his head. His lips settled gently upon hers. Just as on the previous time she'd stood beneath the tree, her heartbeat raced and every nerve in her body ignited into vibrant life. She gasped quietly as he swept her into his warm embrace. Landon drew her against him, enclosing her in his powerful arms. Beth lifted her hands and curled her fingers against his muscled shoulders, feeling the sheer strength in them. This kiss was even more wonderful than the last one, she told herself as she sank into a deliciously warm sensation. Landon's scent was heady, exhilarating and manly. She knew she wanted him to hold her forever. Knew that she belonged in his embrace. A cool breeze swept up from the rangeland, and the branches of the tree above her head whispered. It sounded like a murmur of approval.
Then, suddenly, a voice cut through the sound of the branches moving. "Mama?"
Katie.
Beth leaned her head away from Landon's and she gasped. Shifting to one side, releasing herself from his embrace, she peered toward the ranch house. She couldn't see Katie. Maybe Katie was standing at the door and couldn't yet see the cottonwood. But Katie would only need to take a few steps out into the yard and she would be able to see her mother and Landon standing together.
Taking a quick step backward, Landon turned and followed Beth's gaze. She heard Katie calling her name again. Landon glanced at Beth inquiringly. Beth wrapped her arms around herself and walked a few steps to her right, peering around the corner of the ranch house. "I'm here, Katie," she cried out.
Standing at the open door of the ranch house, Katie smiled at Beth. "Sally says dinner is ready. She wants you and Landon to come to the kitchen."
"We'll be there in a minute," Beth replied in a clear voice. Then she realized she'd just confirmed to Katie that Landon was with her. Beth saw Katie frown thoughtfully. But the little girl didn't say anything. After she'd stepped back into the ranch house, Landon came to Beth's side.
"I guess we better get into the house," he said.
Every one of Beth's nerves was still tingling with the memory of the kiss. Her heart was only just beginning to slow its furious pace. "I suppose we should."
Landon lifted a brow. "You realize we might have started tongues wagging. I don't suppose Sally will be fooled if we try and pretend we weren't out here together."
"Sally already has opinions about you and I," Beth told him.
"She does? What's she been saying behind my back?" he asked and then grinned. Was he enjoying being the subject of ranch gossip?
"She's seen how friendly we've become," Beth said. "And how much the children like you."
Landon seemed pleased about that. She asked herself if that was because he liked the idea of Sally believing he and Beth were closer than ever. Or maybe because he enjoyed Sally's approval of how good he'd been with the children. Perhaps it was both, she reflected.
And then he said something which set her back on her heels. "I like the Circle D. And everyone on it. Especially you, Beth." It was a bold statement. A simple one. And she believed every word of it. Before she had a chance to say anything, he took her arm gently. "Come on," he said softly. "I'm getting hungry."
Then she and Landon started to walk back to the ranch house. And as she entered the house, with her elbow cupped in Landon's hand, she told herself she was quite happy for everyone to see just how friendly she had become with the handsome rancher.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The next day was Saturday and the sky was clear and cloudless, promising a day without rain. Landon spent the entirety of the morning and afternoon with Beth down at the river. Organizing the dipping of the cattle turned out to be a big job. In all, thirty men had been brought down to the river. Landon figured they could have done with double that number of men. Four pits had been dug and filled with water. The layer of oil which would clean the cattle of the ticks was added to each of the pits. Then, the work of corralling the cattle, one by one, into the pits had really begun.
Things hadn't gone smoothly. Some of the cattle had resisted being forced to step into a pit filled with water and oil. And, it had been important that the cattle be dunked up to their necks. Additional scrubbing had been done by some of the ranch hands with brushes and buckets of water and oil. It was a messy business. The air was soon filled with the stench of the oil and the distressed moans of the cattle. Cattle roared their complaints as they were herded into the pits. It was back-breaking work. But it was a vital job. The only way to save the ranch from ruin. All of the ranch hands seemed to understand the importance of what they were doing. The knew what was at stake.
Beth had worked alongside Landon throughout the day. She'd really rolled her sleeves up and thrown herself into the task, even though Landon knew this wasn't something she'd done before. But, Beth was a fast learner. And she had the respect of the ranch hands. It seemed like Beth had won that respect through sheer dogged determination over the last few months. Every order she'd given the men had been carried out without a murmur of complaint. Landon had taken a secret delight in watching Beth at work. He wondered how he could feel so much pride in a woman he'd barely known for a week. From the moment he'd opened his eyes down at the creek, she'd made an enormous impact on him. More than that. She'd taken up a place in his heart. Helping to save her ranch had become an urgent task, impossible to ignore.
The day stretched on, until at last, with the sun sinking down behind the distant mountains, the last of the thousand head of cattle had been plunged into the water-filled pit. The scrubbed herd had been moved away from the river. Now, the ranch hands had settled down to the task of cleaning up the mess. And there was plenty to do. They hadn't used all of the oil. Half-full metal containers of the oil were stacked over by a corner of the temporary encampment the ranch hands had set up. Luckily, Jack had bought all the oil he could get from the mercantile. The surplus would come in handy for other uses around the Circle D.
Beth came to Landon as he was helping some of the men cut channels to dispose of the water from the pits. Landon glanced up and saw that Beth was frowning at him. Straightening, he peered inquiringly at her. "Is something wrong?" he asked.
She turned her head and looked off to Landon's right. Turning, he saw the reason for her unhappy expression. A few yards away, Wes Harding was standing alongside his horse. He was watching the labors of the ranch hands with a steady gaze.
Landon exchanged an astonished look with Beth. "What does he want?"
Beth shook her head. "He wouldn't tell me."
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