by Ronica Black
“She looks like a hellfire. That auburn hair and an ass that won’t quit.”
Normally Rae merely shook her head at Lindsay’s prowlings. But for some reason she wasn’t in the mood to hear her friend ogle over Krista Wyler. “Easy, Lindsay.”
“Sorry, boss.” She grinned. “You into her or something?”
Rae brought the truck to a stop and put it into park. She rolled her eyes at the ridiculousness of the suggestion. Lindsay knew better. “Of course not.”
Lindsay studied her a moment in silence, her face serious and distant, obviously reflecting on the not so distant past. “I’m sorry,” she offered. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Rae nodded while avoiding her eyes, knowing her friend meant no harm. “Just don’t get carried away. Remember who her aunt is.” She switched off the Dixie Chicks and climbed from the truck.
Lindsay came around the front to her side. “So is she gay?”
They walked back to the rear and unlocked the horse trailer.
“Who?”
“Who?” Lindsay’s eyes widened at Rae’s indifference. “The hellfire.”
“How should I know?” Rae didn’t like the conversation and she definitely didn’t like where it was headed. The feeling surprised her. For a long time she just hadn’t felt at all. About anything.
Lindsay leaned against the trailer and folded her arms as she watched a denim-clad Krista Wyler talk with a group of people by the cattle pens. Rae patted her two horses on the rump and backed them out one by one, glad that she and Lindsay were only there to drop off the horses and to clear the other ones for work. Lindsay couldn’t do much damage if they didn’t stay long. Most of the time she was all talk anyway.
Rae climbed atop Shamrock, who was already saddled, and clicked her into place. She called down to Lindsay, who was still eyeing Krista. “Are you coming or are you drooling?”
“With her, I’d like to do both.” Lindsay hoisted herself easily up onto the remaining horse, a beautiful brown gelding, and they trotted over to the stables where Dwight stood packing chewing tobacco into his cheek.
It was a sunny Sunday morning and Rae was pleasantly surprised to see the ranch bustling with activity. Around her, several people walked the property with Krista, one of them taking photos with an enormous lens, all of them looking a little out of place with their shorts and sneakers. Apparently, the ranch was ready to take on its first paying group. And it hadn’t been that long since Krista Wyler had all but told Rae to fuck off when she’d offered her support.
She guessed Krista was right after all. Maybe she didn’t need any help.
“Doc,” Dwight greeted her, taking her horse by the bridle as she dismounted.
“Morning, Dwight.” She bent to stroke Repeat, who licked her hand eagerly, tail wagging.
Lindsay followed close behind, bobbing up and down in the saddle, showing off her dressage skills, earning some looks of awe from several of the onlookers. “Hey, handsome.” She smiled down at Dwight, pleased with herself when he blushed. She sat tall and proud, turning the horse, loving that all eyes were on her.
Rae rolled her eyes, very much aware that Lindsay was showing off for Krista. “She’s not even looking.”
“No, but that blonde sure is.”
Rae searched the small crowd and spotted the stunning blond woman standing next to Krista. Built like a Playboy bunny and dressed as such in short cut-off jeans and a tank top, she stood out like a sore thumb against the backdrop of the ranch.
Lindsay smiled, returning the obvious stare, and pranced her horse. But the smile faded when the blonde’s eyes never left Rae.
Lindsay whistled enthusiastically “You should go say hi.”
Rae frowned, unamused. “Why don’t you take the horses inside and get started on the others?” She patted Shamrock on the rump, encouraging her to follow Lindsay into the stables.
Lindsay did as instructed, her eager eyes back on Krista, hoping the auburn-haired woman would look her way.
She didn’t.
Rae shook her head as her friend disappeared inside, then she walked up to Dwight, shoving her hands down into her pockets. “What’s going on? Anything exciting?”
He glanced at his watch and clicked his teeth. “Well, let’s see here. They’re supposed to take these city folk out on a six-day adventure in about an hour’s time.”
“You’re leaving today?” Wow. Krista really was a miracle worker.
“I ain’t, no. I’m staying behind to look after things. I’ll be preparing the meals and such and a wrangler will take the fresh supplies out to the group.” He chewed on the wad in his mouth. “They’re gonna ride about a day’s journey out to the cattle and then circle them back to the ranch in a radius, making sure to only stay a day’s ride out from the ranch.”
Any small comfort in hearing the detailed plans dissipated when she realized that Dwight was staying behind. The thought of the rushed preparation and the absence of experienced hands only made her all the more concerned. Judith had called her yesterday, requesting two horses, but she hadn’t mentioned when the group was leaving. Rae had assumed they needed the horses for the city folk to learn to ride a little before they set out. But leaving today? She studied the group of men and women, all in shorts, three wearing fanny packs, and all of them looking as green as grass.
Rae tried her best to mentally catch up to the situation. “Doesn’t it seem a little too soon? Have any of these people ever been on a horse?”
“By the looks of things yesterday when Cody was helping them rope, I’d say no,” Dwight confirmed. “We showed ’em how to team pen a little and they didn’t do too bad. A couple fell off but they got right back on. But cowboys? No. They ain’t no cowboys.”
Rae’s mind flew in a fury of disbelief. Even if they’d ridden before, they’d probably never had to chase cattle or ride and rope for real. Team penning and roping for fun were one thing. Doing it for real out in the harsh terrain of the desert was another. It sounded like a nightmare waiting to happen. “And Judith’s all right with this?”
“Shoot, Judith don’t know. This is all Krista.” Dwight met her eyes briefly before refocusing on the group. “But don’t worry. They won’t be going anywhere until the other wranglers show up. They were due in yesterday and we haven’t heard from ’em yet.”
Rae still couldn’t believe what she was hearing, that Krista was even trying to take these people out on the trail so soon. She removed her ball cap and slapped it against her leg as she walked along the perimeter of the pen to where Krista stood, talking and smiling.
When she saw Rae, Krista’s smile vanished. Rae noticed, but it didn’t change her focus on the seriousness of the situation. “You got a minute?”
Krista seemed a little embarrassed. “Please, excuse me.” She walked a few steps away from the people she’d been speaking with and stopped in the shade of the stables. “How can I help you, Dr. Jarrett?”
Rae clenched her hat in her hand. “Rae, it’s Rae.” Flustered, she said, “There’s no way you can take these people out on the trail today.”
Krista’s fiery green eyes flashed before she spoke. “I’m sorry, do you have a problem? Is there something wrong with one of the horses? Judith assured me that you were bringing another two.”
Rae held up her hands. “This isn’t about the horses.”
“No? Then what’s it about?”
“You can’t take these people out into the high desert without teaching them how to ride and rope better first.”
“Most of them have ridden before.” Krista forced a smile. “They spent yesterday morning and this morning grooming the horses, getting to know them. Dwight and Cody showed them how to herd a few of the cattle with the horses. And I was just about to have Cody lead another brief course on roping before we head out.” She checked her watch. “We’ve still got an hour or so. I’ve got it all under control.”
A young cowboy walked up and tipped his hat, hesitant about interrupt
ing the conversation. Rae recognized Cody and nodded a hello. He had worked the ranch off and on for about two years as Dwight’s second in charge.
“Ma’am?” he addressed Krista.
“Yes, Cody?”
“Our wrangler just showed up.” He pointed to a short, stout cowboy, knapsack tossed casually over his shoulder. Dwight was talking to the new arrival.
“Wonderful.” Krista smiled at Rae, obviously pleased with herself.
“I’m afraid it’s not wonderful, ma’am.” Cody looked serious way beyond his twenty years. “He’s the only one comin’. The other two bailed.”
Krista kept smiling, her face set in stone. “Oh. Well, I’m sure it won’t be a problem. Go on ahead and start the roping. We’ll get it worked out.”
Cody sighed and tipped his hat again. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Well, now you can’t leave.” Rae almost sighed herself, relieved.
“If you’ll excuse me, Dr. Jarrett, I have urgent business to attend to.” Krista brushed past her, storming up to Dwight and the wrangler. Rae couldn’t hear what was being said, but whatever it was, the tone wasn’t good.
She made her way into the stables where Lindsay stood brushing down one of the Wylers’ horses.
“What’s wrong?” Lindsay’s eyes were glued to Rae’s face.
“Nothing. Everything.” Rae positioned herself and bent to lift the horse’s hoof and held it between her legs, checking its shoe. Normally she didn’t do farrier work, but she made an exception for the Wylers, making sure all of their horse needs were met and exceeded. The service saved her longtime friends both time and money. She worked quickly, lowering the first hoof and lifting the next. “Let’s just get the horses checked and get the hell out of here.”
She wanted no part of Krista Wyler’s hasty scheme. Couldn’t she see how crazy it was to take a group of inexperienced strangers out into the harsh desert to rough it as cowboys for six days? And without enough real wranglers? She lowered the other front leg and moved to the back. As she examined the shoe, she pulled her clippers from her back pocket and began trimming the hoof. She thought of Judith and the promise she’d made her. Like it or not, she couldn’t just walk away. At the very least she would have to go and talk to Judith. The sooner the better.
“Can you handle this?” she asked Lindsay, handing over the clippers. “I need to go see Mrs. Wyler.”
“Sure, go.”
Rae tugged her ball cap down snug and walked toward the house. She smiled broadly, her heart warming at seeing Mrs. Wyler sitting outside on the porch in one of the large rockers. “Hi there, pretty lady.” Rae bent and kissed her hello. Her pale skin felt warm from the sunlight.
“Sweet-talker.” Judith smiled. “Sonja finally let me out of that dungeon.” She fingered her IV pole. “Still can’t get rid of this damned thing.”
Rae pulled up a neighboring rocking chair and stared with her off onto the property. She folded her hands and rocked a little, laying her elbows on the armrests. “A lot going on today.”
“Yes, there sure is. It’s nice to see the ranch this way again. Full of life.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Rae replied, not sure how to broach the topic of Krista biting off more than she could chew. “The house looks good.”
Judith smiled up into the sun. “Yes it does. Krista said the bunkhouses are next.”
The rocking chair creaked as Rae worked up her nerve. “Dwight says they’re heading out on the trail today.”
“Are they?” Judith looked delighted. “Well, good. I knew Krissy could handle things.” She patted Rae’s arm. “With your help I knew she could do it.”
Rae started to correct her, but stopped short. What could she say? I didn’t help. I didn’t follow your wishes? Rae hung her head.
“I’m a little worried about them heading out so soon. They’re short two wranglers and…” Rae stopped talking as Dwight and Krista walked up.
“Rae tells me you’re ready to ride out today,” Judith said excitedly.
Krista smiled, her eyes traveling over to Rae where they lingered with curiosity. “She did, did she?”
Dwight spit and leaned against one of the posts. “Mrs. Wyler, we’re short two men and, as I was just telling Krista, there’s no way they can head out.”
Krista folded her arms in defiance. “The guests expect to leave today. They were promised six days on the trail. They’ve been wandering around here for two days already. There’s no way I can tell them no. And there’s no way we can afford to refund them. We need to ride out. Today.”
Judith seemed to think a moment, all eyes on her. “Krissy’s right, you can’t tell them no. It would ruin the business we’re trying to build.” She looked to Dwight. “Can’t you call in a buddy or two?”
“They’re all working other ranches or are too far away to get here by today.”
“There’s no one?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Well then, that leaves us with only one option.” Judith’s eyes fell on Rae.
“What’s that?” Krista asked.
“You’ll have to go along with them.”
Krista’s hands fell from her hips in utter surprise. “Me? No way. I’m not qualified—” She stopped herself short of admitting her inexperience. “I haven’t been on a horse in years.” Again she stopped herself.
“I know, I know.” Judith held up a hand to calm her. “That’s why I want Rae to go too.”
Krista’s mouth fell open. Rae was a little shocked as well.
“Mrs. Wyler, I don’t know. I’ve got appointments…”
But Judith wouldn’t hear any of it. “I expect both of you to go. Since you both want to grant my wishes and all. Rae, I’m sure Lindsay could cover for you. And, Krista, it will do you good to go out on the trail. After all, you’re the one that’s going to be running the show from now on. You might as well learn how the show is run.” Slowly, she stood and anchored herself on the back of the chair. “You girls better get busy, then.”
Chapter Seven
Two hours later, Rae stood packing her horse, softly cursing to herself about the situation. “If she’d allowed me to help, we wouldn’t be in this position,” she grumbled, tightening her saddle.
She’d gone home right after their conversation with Judith and thrown a few days’ worth of clothes and supplies together. She glanced at her truck, almost forgetting the one thing she valued most. Reaching into the backseat, she pulled out her black guitar case, and felt relief just by feeling it in her hands. Even though it was inconvenient as hell to bring it with her, she never went anywhere without her guitar. It had been her only comfort for a long time and more recently, her savior. The afternoon sun was hot on her back as she strapped the soft case to the horse.
“You sure you don’t need me to go along?” Lindsay stood next to the truck, one hand on her hip.
Rae squinted into the sun as she looked over at her. “Yeah, I’m sure. You’ll be plenty busy covering my appointments.”
“I don’t know, Dr. Jarrett.” Krista’s voice chimed in.
Rae looked to her with surprise as she walked up.
“Maybe your assistant should go. That way I could stay behind.” Krista returned Lindsay’s eager smile.
Lindsay took Krista’s hand with confidence and shook it long and slow. “I’m Lindsay Cassidy.”
“Krista Wyler.”
Lindsay still held Krista’s hand cupped in both of her own. “I have to admit, Krista,” she said in her best seductive voice, “I would only want to go if you were going as well.”
Rae flushed at the blatant come-on. Krista kept smiling but she blinked a few times as if she wasn’t sure what to say. Rae decided to settle it once and for all. “Lindsay is needed here. She has to cover my appointments.”
Krista finally pulled her hand away, her smile slowly disappearing. Her eyes lingered on Lindsay a moment longer before finding their way back to Rae. “That’s a shame,” she said, her voice losing pitch. She tu
cked her hands into her jeans pockets and Rae thought she looked and sounded a little flustered. “I better get back to the guests.”
She gave Lindsay a polite smile and strolled away, back to the pen where everyone was gathered.
“Damn.” Lindsay laughed, her gaze traveling over to one of the cattle pens where two of the guests were slinging loose loops of rope over their heads, trying unsuccessfully to rope their wooden target. Some of the other guests were busy packing up their horses or trying their new cowboy hats on at different angles. “I wish I could go. Looks like fun.”
“Be thankful as hell you aren’t going,” Rae said, shaking her head at the guests and their new denim wardrobes. They’d changed clothes, ready for the trail. “This is going to be a nightmare.”
They both watched as the busty blonde they’d seen before shrieked with delight upon saddling her horse. The tall, thin man with the camera laughed along with her, snapping photos of her as she undulated on her saddle. She looked Rae’s way and waved.
Lindsay whistled long and slow and then smiled. “Whatever you say, boss.” She opened the door and climbed into the truck. “Whatever you say.” She winked and started the engine.
Rae saddled her horse and watched Lindsay drive away. With a sigh, she tugged on the worn black Stetson she rarely wore and trotted over to the main pen. She counted six fresh and eager faces, all of them standing next to their assigned horses, all of them listening intently to Krista Wyler, who was introducing the wranglers.
Cody tipped his hat modestly as his name was called, unlike the short, muscular cowboy named Howie.
“Howdy,” he grinned and removed his hat, eyes trained on Krista. A thick, weathered-looking hand held Krista’s up to his sneering lips. “This trip is sure to be a pleasure with this pretty lady leading the way.”
Rae slid off her horse, the urge to interfere almost getting the better of her. Seeing Lindsay do as much to Krista had caused some surfacing jealousy, but to watch this cocky cowboy try and kiss Krista’s hand nearly overwhelmed her with rage. Rae told herself it was just protectiveness because Krista was Judith’s niece, and she fought to let it go.