Jane’s hand froze before she could pluck the crispy bagels free of the toaster. So she wasn’t the only one worried. “You mean in case whoever took me shows up.”
“Yes.” That he didn’t hesitate told her a lot about the kind of man he was. Honest. Reliable. Protective. “Plus I’m going to need some extra help with the herd now that you’re here. There’s always something that needs fixing on a ranch, but the herd also needs tending and I’ve got horses to care for, too.”
“What, no chickens?” Jane teased. “I thought all ranches had chickens.”
“We did have some. Neighbors took them after my grandmother passed. Which was okay since I couldn’t get back here right away. Getting new ones is on my list of things to do.”
Intrigued, Jane got plates and watched as Leo set Ollie’s bowl of chicken and rice in a designated spot at the end of the counter. The dog sat there, patiently, waiting for Leo to give the okay. In the blink of an eye Ollie’s face was in the bowl, gobbling up every morsel.
“What else is on your list?” Jane joined him at the table, wincing as she curled her leg under her. It really was going to be a while before she could move without hurting again.
“You don’t even want to know.” Leo poured a cup of coffee for both of them and even remembered how she took it. “I’m in a bit of a wait and see mode right now. Trying to decide how to move the ranch forward.”
“Is that what your grandfather would have wanted?”
“Absolutely. You make a good bagel.” There was that smile again. Jane’s heart softened in her chest. “He had dreams of expanding the herd to one of the largest in the area. Of course he was thinking of taking them to market, but I’d suggested looking at other options.”
“Which are?”
“You don’t really care, do you? This can’t be interesting at all to you.”
“Why not?” Jane frowned. She had been interested. She wanted to know all about Leo and his family and his business. Not only because she cared but because, honestly, what else did she have to think about other than being kidnapped and tied up in a shed?
Leo shrugged. “You just don’t strike me as the rancher type. Remember?”
“Because my nails were polished and my clothes were designer?” Something similar to offense coiled through her. “That’s a bit rude and more than a bit condescending. Why can’t I be interested in your life when you saved mine?”
“You saved yourself,” Leo argued good-naturedly. Was there anything that ticked him off? “But if you really do want to know.” He polished off his bagel and wiped his mouth. “Sure. Why don’t you come with me today? I’ll show you the ins and outs. I won’t be moving the herd again until tomorrow, so it’s a good day.”
“And you can also keep an eye on me, right?”
Another shrug. “Not going to lie. It’ll be easier than coming back here every few hours. I’ll get my work done faster and when I am done, I can introduce you to the stars of the ranch.”
“What stars would those be?”
“If I told you that, it wouldn’t be a surprise. Finish up. I’ll give you twenty minutes to get dressed. If you’re up to it, that is.”
“I might not know my name, but I do know one thing. I’m always up for a challenge.”
* * *
As his truck rumbled over the rocky and pitted road of his ranch, Leo glanced over at Jane. He’d done pretty well choosing the right-size jeans for her. Maybe too well given the way they hugged her curves like well-worn leather. The lightweight yellow plaid button-down shirt strained ever so slightly in that special area right between her full breasts. That spot that acted as a bull’s-eye for most straight, red-blooded males. Brand-new white sneakers covered her feet—feet she’d insisted on tending to herself this morning. Those shoes wouldn’t be white for long, not with the way she was hopping out to open and close gates for him during the pasture check.
He’d been right about one thing. Having her with him did mean the morning went quicker, or at least the chores did.
“You’re staring again.” Jane didn’t even look at him as she spoke, instead keeping her eyes pinned to the expansive land stretching out around them. “I’m not going to break, Leo. I can handle getting in and out of a truck.”
“I know you can. How’s your head?” It hadn’t escaped his notice this morning that she’d never mentioned headaches or how she’d slept. He should have asked, but he didn’t want to intrude too much into her personal space. After their close encounter in his grandfather’s study, he’d come to the conclusion that distance, emotional and physical, was probably his best course of action.
Life was complicated enough without getting involved with a woman without a past. A woman who could, at the very most, be married with children and at the very least, be in a relationship. A woman like her didn’t live a solitary life. It couldn’t matter that she’d taken up permanent residence in his thoughts. Or that he wondered what it would be like to kiss her. Really kiss her.
Kiss her until neither of them could stop.
Kiss her until he’d explored every perfect inch of her.
His hands tightened on the steering wheel. Except he had to stop. He had to stop thinking about Jane in any way other than a woman who needed his help. Not only because it was the right thing to do, but any intimacy between them would be based on a lie.
“Jane?” he asked when she didn’t answer his question the first time. “Your head?”
“It’s on my shoulders where it belongs.” She pushed the sunglasses higher up on her nose as if in defiance. “You didn’t finish telling me what other plans you have for the herd. What else can you do with cattle other than sell them off for food?”
Boy, she was willing to talk about anything other than her headache, which he knew she had because she kept pulling the brim of his grandmother’s old hat lower over her eyes. Well, she asked for it.
“Depends on what you want to do. There’s breeding or milk production. Or there’s the option of selling them to other ranches for their own purposes.”
“What have you been doing?”
“Raising them for market.” Leo set his jaw. “Beef prices aren’t what they used to be. Dealing with ranching or farming these days is a risky business. I need to keep looking ahead if I’m going to keep this place going. Which is why I’m considering adding stud services. If that were to take off, I could change over completely. Would mean a different type of overhead, but I think it’s doable.”
“Can you? Keep the ranch going?”
“Is that your way of asking how much money I have?”
Ah, that did the trick. Leo grinned as Jane snapped her head around to glare at him. “It most certainly is not.”
There was something in her voice, not haughty exactly, but definitely upper class. “I’m teasing you, Jane.” And confirming something he’d suspected from the first time he saw her in the barn. She was not a country girl.
“My grandparents made a very good living off this place. It’s been successful for a number of years and in no danger of going under even with the fluctuating market. Aside from annual taxes, I own it free and clear. As for myself...” He shrugged. “Most of the money I earned working up north is invested. I don’t need a lot to live on. Don’t have a lot of expenses. What I do have, I plan to use with this place. Make it even more than it is. Not a lot more. Just...”
“Just filling in your grandparents’ dreams?” Jane shifted and leaned back against the door. Now she was the one who was staring. “That’s quite lovely, Leo.”
“Why, thank you, Jane.” He was about to go on, but something caught his eye. He stopped the truck and climbed out. “Stay here.”
“What? Why?” She was flipping her head back and forth as if to look in every direction at once. “Do you see something?”
“Runaway calf.” Leo laid his hand on her arm for
a brief moment. “I’m sorry. I should have said. It’s nothing to worry about. Just a lost baby. Odd. I can’t remember the last time that happened.”
“I thought you counted the herd back at the feeding?” As if she hadn’t heard his order to stay in the truck, she hopped out.
“Doesn’t mean I was right.” Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Jane was a distraction. Bringing her with him might have been a mistake. But leaving her behind...
He didn’t relish the idea of walking in and finding her in the throes of another panic attack.
“Where...? Oh, there she is! I see her.”
“Wait, Jane! Don’t—” Leo found he couldn’t move as he watched Jane dart away from the truck and head straight for the runaway calf. “She has no idea what she’s doing, does she, Ollie?” The dog barked and rolled his eyes. “You want to go help her?”
Ollie sighed and dropped out of the truck beside Leo.
“One little calf isn’t going to hurt her.” At least, Leo hoped that was the case. Still, there was a sight to behold—Jane, in her brand-spanking new jeans and shirt, her glowing white feet darting across the field, holding on to her hat as her long red braid swung almost all the way down her spine. “Beautiful,” Leo whispered, then whistled for Ollie to follow.
* * *
“You could have told me about the mud puddles,” Jane grumbled when they were on their way back to the house. “I look like I’ve been wrestling with pigs.” All she wanted was a shower and a change of clothes. And maybe for Leo to stop laughing at her.
“Pigs. Now, there’s something the ranch might need.”
“I was doing okay before you tried to help.” At least, she thought she had. It might have been better if she’d had a rope with which to guide the animal back. How hard could it be to wrangle a solitary calf that was simply looking for its mother? A lot more difficult than she’d ever anticipated, that was for sure.
It was now an hour later, and after returning the calf to the herd, Leo had declared the day a success.
Jane was just glad to declare it over. She scrubbed a hand over her face. Leo sputtered with laughter again. “What?”
“Nothing. You look...as you would say, lovely.” He chucked a finger under her chin and motioned toward the visor mirror.
Jane stared back at her mud-caked face and groaned. “You were right.” She sagged back in her seat. “I’m not a country girl.”
“Darlin’, you’ve never looked more country in all the time I’ve known you.”
Darlin’. My, how she liked the sound of that. She hid her smile as she hugged Ollie, but even the dog seemed put off by her extra coating of sludge. “Does this mean I get the surprise?”
“I’m saving that for tomorrow. You’ve had a big day. Don’t want you passing out on me in this heat.”
“What heat?” Jane asked with an innocent blink of her eyes. It was just noon, and the sun was pounding down on them with all the strength of a supernova. Glancing at Leo, she bit her lip. Did he have any idea how handsome he looked, the sun reflecting off that face of his, droplets of sweat glistening. Not for the first time she had to stop herself from taking her thoughts too far. Attraction was one thing. Following through with it, that was going to take some planning on her part.
She’d learned enough about Leo to know an honorable man like him wouldn’t make the first move. Not with a woman who didn’t have a clue of who she was. That he wouldn’t made him all the more appealing to her.
Jane fanned herself, the very mention of the temperature making her hot. What was it? Early August? Being baked by the sun certainly made her long for a snow-kissed Colorado winter. She’d bet this place was glorious coated in snow that sparkled beneath the sunshine. A longing pinged deep inside her. Christmas on the ranch. Christmas with Leo. Didn’t that just sound...perfect.
Her sigh was cut off by a glint of light in the distance. There, by the house. Or were her eyes playing tricks on her? She became muzzy-headed, and she closed her eyes as the red and blue lights took over again. The footsteps pounded in her head. Coming closer. Reflections exploded, glass in the sunlight. No. Not glass. A window. Her window. A window she couldn’t get closed...
“Jane?” Leo’s hand landed on her arm and she jumped.
“What?” Bile rose in her throat, but she swallowed hard, determined not to lose control again. She wouldn’t cower. She wouldn’t surrender. She would fight. And keep fighting until whatever life she’d left behind was clear again.
“It’s okay. It’s Trapper. That’s his horse, Spectacle. All those mirrors are part of Trap’s warning system.”
“Warning who?” Jane tried to joke. She must have been too out of it yesterday to notice them. “Him or us?”
“Yes.” Leo’s response didn’t make her feel any better. “You want to stay in the truck?” He pulled to a stop between the house and the stable.
Yes! She didn’t want to see anyone. Meet anyone. She didn’t want to leave the protective bubble she’d found with Leo, but as he reminded her yesterday, life wasn’t going to stop. Not for any of them. “No.”
She might have imagined the approving glance he shot her. “Afternoon, Trap.” Leo’s door creaked as he slammed it shut. “Passing through?”
Jane dropped cautiously to the ground, gently pushing the door closed after Ollie followed her out. It was difficult to tell who was older—Trapper or his horse. Both displayed that weathered, bedraggled look she supposed one got when living in the elements, but she also noticed a resilience and sheer inner strength, too. Trapper turned cautious and stunning blue eyes on her. Eyes that crinkled with decades along the edges as he straightened and brushed off the front of the button-down shirt he wore beneath a midlength jacket. Jane began to sweat again just looking at him.
“Hoping you can help.” Trapper gestured to his horse. “Something odd’s going on with her front hoof. Thought I’d stop in and use the stable for a bit. Is Gwen around?”
“Afraid not.” Leo patted the old man on the arm as he passed before approaching Spectacle with an affectionate stroke. “Hey, girl. You feeling poorly?”
Jane stood away from them, arms crossed over her chest, fascinated, but not surprised at Leo’s reaction to an unexpected visitor. After all, he’d taken her in, hadn’t he?
“Afternoon, ma’am.” Trapper tipped his gray, beat-up Stetson and cleared his throat. “John McHugh Trapper. Pleasure to meet you.”
“Hello.” Jane couldn’t help but smile back at the twinkle in the old man’s eyes. Most of his face was obscured by facial hair. Not quite a beard, but he was trying. He didn’t stand as tall as Leo; she often had to tilt her chin up to meet his eyes. Where Leo was muscular and toned, Trapper was on the thin side. Scrappy. The word almost made her giggle. “I’m Jane. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, um, visiting?” Trapper’s eyes skimmed her up and down, and when his lips twitched she realized why. She was caked, head to toe, in mud.
“For a while, yes. Leo’s been, um, showing me the land.” She could all but hear the dried mud crunch under her folded arms.
“You need good shoes for that. Boots. Not those things on your feet.” Trapper’s brows knit. “What kind of idjit—”
“The selection wasn’t vast,” Leo said. “Looks like Spectacle here’s got a sticker caught under her shoe. Got an infection running. Not too bad, but needs to be treated.” Leo glanced at Trapper and tilted up his hat. “I’ve got some antibiotics from Duke’s last go-around. Can replace this shoe and keep her comfortable. If you’re good with staying a few days.” His gaze shifted to Jane, who nodded without hesitation.
Maybe Leo’s land was her safety zone, or maybe it was the fact that Ollie was as excited to see Trapper as he welcomed his breakfast. Either way, she didn’t find herself concerned about the old codger.
“Hmm.” Trapper looked between the two of them before g
oing over to his horse and running a hand down the side of her neck. “Wouldn’t want to intrude.”
“You wouldn’t be intruding,” Jane said before Leo could explain.
“Truth be told—” Trapper ran a hand across his beard hard enough for Jane to hear the whiskers scrape against his palm “—would be nice to hunker down in that bunkhouse of yours.”
“Might need a bit of tidying up, but it’s yours for as long as you’d like.” Leo didn’t have to explain the relief Jane heard in his voice.
“I won’t be a lollygagging layabout,” Trapper insisted. “I’ll do my part around here. You just point and I’ll get to hopping.”
“I’ll come up with a list,” Leo assured him. “How about I help you unload and get settled. Jane, did you want to go take that shower?”
She might be clueless about some things, but not about the subtle hint he wanted to talk to Trapper alone.
“I do indeed. I can toss together some lunch after. About an hour?”
“Perfect.” Leo’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Thank you.”
“Okay. Come on, Ollie. Keep me company.” She patted her leg as had become second nature, and stopped outside the back door long enough to toe off her shoes. Shoes she suspected were done for after one day. Only when she was in the kitchen and glancing out the window did she wonder, and worry about, what Leo and Trapper were about to discuss.
* * *
“Bet she’s a pretty thing. Under all that mud.” Trapper turned his fuzzy grin on Leo, who found himself chuckling. “She, ah, a new friend?”
“Something like that.” Leo motioned for the other man to start unloading Spectacle, beginning with the various mirrors and reflective objects looped onto the saddle. He accepted pile after pile of items—saddlebag, tote, reusable grocery bags—and was topped off with a makeshift fishing line and reel, and a rusted metal toolbox filled, Leo recalled, with intricate lures and tackles. “Bunkhouse hasn’t been touched since Buck retired. Hate to admit it, but I don’t think I’ve been in there since he left.”
Colton on the Run Page 6