by Janice Olson
He didn’t say anything more, just nudged Sandy to increase her speed.
BJ slipped her arms around his stomach, grasping lightly. As she did, she felt the slight tightening of Jason’s already taut abdomen, which worked to confuse her more. Desire ignited. She couldn’t wait to get off the horse and away from Jason onto solid ground again.
The horse stopped just short of the gate. Jason grabbed her hand to help her off the horse, holding on until her feet touched the ground.
Jason’s fingers slipped through her palm. A jolt trickled across every inch of her skin. His mere touch called attention to her defenselessness where he was concerned. When he handed over the tripod and camera, she took special care not to touch him. But even that didn’t stop her wayward heart from craving more.
He’s a married man, BJ. Get your thoughts under control.
He crossed one wrist over the other, resting them on the pommel, reins dangling from his fingers, his gaze intense. “Remember, be a little more selective where you go for your photographs.” He glanced down the road past her Jeep. “Sneaking onto private property with no trespassing signs could get you shot. There’s been some rustling around these parts lately. Ranchers losing livestock. So it’s not healthy to sneak onto posted land. Some ranchers shoot first, ask later.”
“Yes, sir.” BJ saluted him.
“Look.” He cocked one brow, squinting through his eyelids. “I’m serious. You might become a statistic next time.” His look sharpened. “And someone might not be around to pull you out of harm’s way.”
Hard to believe that the bull was anything but coincidence … a fluke. But a rancher mistaking her for a rustler? She didn’t fit the bill, but it could be possible.
“I’ll do my best to follow orders.”
His close scrutiny made her nervous. He probably thought she’d do as she pleased, harm or no harm. And he was right. She would. But she would also be a little more cautious.
With a smirk, he nodded toward the gate. “I assume you’ll leave the same way you came?”
“You assume correctly, sir. I came in through the bars. I’ll exit through the bars.”
His soft rumble of laughter gave her another jolt and had her wishing there could be more to their relationship than just a casual acquaintance, but she knew better. “Oh, and Jason.”
He gazed down at her from his lofty perch.
“Thanks for coming to my aid and for the ride.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Can’t say much for the bull chase, but the last part I really enjoyed. Didn’t know riding a horse could be so much fun. I just may have to take some lessons to learn to ride.”
He gave her a cautious glance, then a tug on the brim of his hat. “Have a good afternoon.”
She stepped back. “Same to you.”
He nudged Sandy. The horse swished her henna-colored tail, turned, and then began trotting in the direction of the longhorn herd that had wandered over the top of the knoll, almost out of sight.
BJ didn’t move but continued to watch Jason, amazed that he appeared so at home on a horse and out on the range. She wondered what he and his wife did in their spare time. Ride? The woman had sure made herself scarce around the estate. So much so, BJ hadn’t even caught a glimpse of her.
Reaching the Wrangler, she stored her equipment in the back and walked to the passenger door. She glanced to see how far Jason had traveled and noticed he had stopped, watching her.
Figuring he was waiting for her to leave to ensure she didn’t come back on his property, she waved. He returned the gesture but he still didn’t move.
BJ opened the passenger’s door to grab a juice from the cooler. She jerked back her hand and let loose a blood-curdling scream. Lightheaded, she still had the good sense to scramble backward away from the car as fast as she could go. She had looked death in the face and won.
Chapter 35
Jason’s gut twisted. Something didn’t feel right.
The glint of metal in the bush earlier hadn’t been a figment of his imagination. Neither had the warm unfiltered cigarette butt he’d picked off the ground and put in his pocket. Someone had been watching one of them. Him or BJ? No way to be certain.
He didn’t like riding off with her standing at the gate. But he didn’t want to stick around either. She just might get it into her head that he was dogging her. And besides, she did this for a living—running off to who knows where to take pictures. She’s not my problem.
He shook his head, amazed at how often he had seen the name BJ Spencer in the Texas Highways and yet hadn’t made the connection. Even thought the person was a man. He wasn’t about to let her know he admired her work. Or even that he’d pulled out his old stash of magazines last night, looking for her pictures and articles.
Releasing a disgusted sigh, he kicked himself for being such a sucker for a pair of tawny-colored eyes. You’re getting in way too deep—back off, buster. Don’t get involved if you know what’s good for you.
He’d already broken one vow … not to become concerned with BJ’s welfare. The agreement … separate lives. Not this constant bumping into her or watching her from his window as she traipsed about the estate. And as fate would have it, he had done it again. Even now, he hovered, watching her back.
And what about that other promise, not to let BJ worm her way into his life. On that score, he didn’t have much say-so. His heart dictated that matter. Having constant contact with her had a way of sabotaging his plans. And he’d relished being with her today, the feel of her up against his back.
Enough!
He could move back to the ranch if he wanted to kiss all his holdings and the inheritance goodbye. But that wasn’t an option.
Giving Sandy a nudge, the horse turned and moved further up the knoll away from BJ. Jason made a clicking sound and the animal gained more speed. That’s better. He wasn’t going to wait around to make sure she got off safely, he had work to do. He still hadn’t found out who had been butchering his cattle. And that was priority number one in his book, not BJ.
The person hiding in the bush by the gate could be responsible for slaughtering the calves and the pellet gun that caused his bull to charge BJ. For certain, Beauregard wouldn’t have chased her on his own accord. Just fortunate for BJ, he hadn’t put off his last minute decision to check for newborn calves in the south pasture. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been here.
A nerve-jolting scream rent the air. Jason yanked hard on the reins causing Sandy to dance around into a hairpin spin. He heeled her flanks. With lightning speed, they headed in BJ’s direction.
The front passenger door on the Wrangler stood open. BJ, her back to a tree, one hand covering her mouth, her free arm hugging her waist looked pasty white.
Jason bolted from the saddle the moment Sandy began locking her legs, skidding to a stop. Hands on the top bar, he leapt, swinging over the gate in one rapid movement, racing to a trembling BJ. For the second time today, he pulled her up close, wrapping her tight in his arms, trying his best to soothe and reassure. Her body trembled against his, and he wanted to kill the person who caused her terror.
“It’s okay, BJ. It’s okay.” His words were muffled up against her hair. Her fear palpable. Her smell exotic. The resolve to stay calmly objective where she was concerned dissolved into thin air. He ran his hand over her hair, down her back, rubbing, soothing. Realizing what he was doing, he pulled her back holding her at arms’ length.
“What’s wrong? What happened?” He searched her face looking for injuries. “Are you hurt?”
She looked up. Face white, her eyes twin mirrors of horror. “A-a-a snake.”
Jason shoved BJ behind him, glancing down on the ground, his eyes desperately searching. “Where?”
“In-n my c-c-car.”
Feeling the quiver of her body, yet knowing that immediate danger was over, Jason pulled BJ back into his arms, doing his best to soothe her fear. Foremost in his mind, the overwhelming desire to chop the sn
ake into a thousand pieces. But he’d have to catch the critter first, which he planned on doing, just as soon as BJ calmed down and he could let her go … or she let go of him.
Fairly positive he knew the real culprit raining down havoc for the last two hours was of the two-legged variety. He was determined to find out who the guy was. He wasn’t about to tell BJ his suspicions though.
Hating the thought of releasing her, he felt her tremors subside, and knew he had no choice. The need to examine the car was greater than the enjoyable task of holding BJ. Again he released her, shoving her up against the tree.
“Stay right there and don’t move.” He allowed his voice to sound harsh for the purpose of letting her know he meant business, hoping she’d listen to him.
“Where are you going?” Her hands gripped the front of his shirt with tight fists.
“To check the car. I’ll be right back.”
He looked down into her blanched face, making sure she understood his orders. “I need to take a look inside your car. And I need you to stay put.” His eyes searched her face waiting for an affirmative answer. When she nodded and released her hold, he pulled away, walked over to the open door, careful to keep his distance.
In a nice round coil, basking in the heat on the passenger’s seat rested a large rattlesnake. Rattle shaking, head arched upward, poised to strike. And by the looks of the creature, it was madder than a hornet’s nest for being disturbed. He heard the crunch of pebbles behind him, before he felt two small hands palm his back.
BJ! She had disobeyed his direct order. Why am I not surprised?
“I swear.” He didn’t take his eyes off the snake. “You definitely have a hearing problem. Or is it orders you have trouble understanding?”
He heard a burble of laughter. “Sorry. I just wanted to make sure I hadn’t imagined the snake.”
He felt her release his shirt, even heard her back away but by the sound not very far.
“You didn’t. You satisfied? Now go stand where I told you.” Jason waved with his hand in the direction where he’d previously left her.
“Okay. But what do you plan on doing? Won’t the thing strike?”
“Not if I can help it and if you don’t distract me. Now please—”
“I’m going. I’m going.”
By her receding steps he could tell she had retreated a good distance this time. He took a quick glance around on the ground for a long stick or branch, keeping sight of the snake in his peripheral.
“What are you looking for … more snakes?” Her voice sounded on the edge of hysteria.
“No. One snake is enough.” He couldn’t keep the amusement from his voice.
“I was—”
“If you want to help, look around for a long, sturdy stick, six feet or better, while I keep my eye on this snake. I don’t think you want him roaming free in your car, do you. We may never find him.”
“No! You watch. I’ll hunt.”
He knew better. He knew he shouldn’t. But he couldn’t stop the laughter from happening.
BJ called him several names as she stomped off to look for a branch, which produced more of the same from him.
The snake, seeing Jason posed no threat, settled down on the seat content to bask in the sun beaming through the front car window.
Keeping a constant eye on it, Jason yelled over his shoulder, “If you can’t find one come here and watch the snake. I’ll break a limb off the tree.” He pointed in the direction of the oak BJ had been using as a safe distance to stand.
“Will this do?”
He nearly jumped out of his skin. She must have walked up while he was yelling because he hadn’t heard her approach.
“Sorry.” The smug grin on her face said differently.
“I can tell.” He grabbed the stick. “Yeah. This will do. Now, go back where you were, while I work on getting this critter out of your Jeep.”
“Jace?”
“Yes?”
“Please be careful.”
He laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m a devout coward where snakes are concerned. I plan on being real careful. Now stand back over by the tree, please, so I don’t have to worry about you too.”
Jason looked the branch over. He figured the piece was long enough to reach inside the Jeep, slide under the snake, then sling the thing out onto the ground. And hopefully, he could do it all without feeling the sharp fangs in a leg or arm. However, he knew the tricky part would be keeping the snake on the stick long enough without it shimmying off onto the floor of the car to slither under the seat or to places unknown.
Saying a quick prayer, and knowing he’d probably have one chance at this, he shoved the stick under the snake. The head came up, tongue flicking in and out, the sound of the rattle loud and insistent.
In one quick movement, Jason lifted upward, pulling the stick out of the car, snake intact, then slung with all his might. The critter sailed through the air, landed about twenty feet away and laid there as if stunned. One last shake of rattle, it slithered away into the tall weeds.
“Yesss!” Jason slung the stick off to the side of the road. Hands grabbed him from behind and arms wound around him tightly, then immediately released him.
“Oh, Jason, thank you, thank you.” BJ jumped up and down, his shirt bunched within her hands. “You did it. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you were here. You got that hideous thing out of my car.” She gave a discussed yuck, her face contorting. She hugged him again, short, quick, and friendly. “Partner, I owe you big time. You name it. I’ll do it.”
“I’ll have to think on that one. But you’re welcome. You seem destined for trouble today. Might I suggest you go back to The Rose and work?”
“I think I’ll take that suggestion.” She moved toward the car, stopped, turning toward him. “You don’t think that big fella brought along friends do you?”
Jason laughed. “No, I don’t. But I’ll check to make sure.”
BJ followed Jason to the backdoor, looking over his shoulder so close he could feel her breath on his neck. The sensation caused him discomfort and wanting more.
“How do you suppose that snake got in there in the first place?”
“Not sure. Could have crawled in when you left the door open. They move fairly fast.” The lie tasted awful on his tongue.
“I don’t remember doing that, but I could have.”
He checked the Jeep thoroughly, all the while wishing he could find the person who had left the diamondback in BJ’s car. The cigarette he’d found and the gray plume of road dust had to figure in on today’s incidents. But he couldn’t prove his theory.
One thing for sure, he wasn’t about to tell BJ what he thought. Someone was bound and determined to scare her off one way or another. Or were they trying to kill her? He couldn’t let that happen, it was way too important and personal now. He closed the door on the whys.
He turned and bumped into his tagalong. She hopped back; her face changed a delectable shade of pink. “All clear. Didn’t find anything. Just make sure you keep your windows shut and doors locked.”
“I thought I had.” Three little wrinkle lines appeared between her brows.
“Do you have an alarm system on this jitney?”
“No.” Her brilliant amber eyes grew large with concern. “Do you think I should? Why, is someone targeting me?”
“I doubt it.” He had put as much nonchalance in his voice as he could muster, shaking his head. He tried to sound truthful, but the lie still didn’t sit well. “It sure wouldn’t hurt to add a car alarm.” He grinned down at her, raising one brow. “It’s not like you can’t afford it now. Those things are loud and obnoxious. And if someone does tinker with your car, you and all creation within a five block radius will know.”
“A lot of good the alarm would do out where I take pictures. But maybe it would give them second thoughts. I’d at least be aware they’d messed with my car.”
“Yeah. There’s that.”
“Than
ks, Jason. I don’t know what I would have done without you coming to my rescue. Twice in one day.”
“Don’t mention it. Glad to help. Just don’t make it a habit.” He looked back to where Sandy stood then looked at BJ. “I’d better get back to work. Do you think you can get home without any more mishaps?”
“I’ll do my best.”
She gave him a saucy smile that he would have loved to kiss right off her lips. He kicked himself for thoughts that left him wanting.
“See that you do. I don’t have time to rescue you anymore today.” He loped off toward the gate knowing his gruff tone and words had left behind a stunned and bewildered BJ. But it couldn’t be helped. His emotions were on the line.
He’d had all the close proximity to BJ Spencer that he could handle for one day.
Chapter 36
Awakened with a start, BJ glanced at her clock. 3:45. The restless give and take of the trees as the wind pushed and moaned through the branches must have roused her.
A bolt of lightning, followed by a loud crack of thunder, caused an involuntary jerk. Fireworks, one right after another, continued to strike the heavens. Loud booms rumbled causing the windows to rattle. The sky ignited and lit her room then pitched her into a cocoon of darkness over and over again.
Standing, looking out the French doors, she searched the sky and the yard. The trees and bushes swayed in cadence with the gusts of wind. It would be only a matter of minutes before the heavens opened with a downpour of pounding rain.
Normally, storms didn’t bother BJ, but for some reason this one set her on edge. She wrapped her arms about her, rubbing them up and down to ward off the chill that had seeped into her bones.
On the grounds below, the long, thin branches of the huge weeping willow, terrorized by the ravaging wind, thrashed the skinny limbs causing them to beat the air like a whip in the hand of an expert. BJ marveled that the branches could withstand such a hammering force and survive.