“But she’s supposed to be putting on weight and recovering from her illness.” J.D. looked at Rachel. “Do you want to go back to Dallas now?”
“And leave Madge to do all this by herself? Of course not. I’m actually enjoying it. I guess I shouldn’t admit that, but I’m trying out new skills. It amuses me when I manage to do something right.”
Madge patted her arm. “Child, you’re doing everything right. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Thanks, Madge.”
“I owe you a big thank-you, too, Rachel,” J.D. said. “When you’re ready to go back to Dallas, just let me know.”
She couldn’t help the disappointment she felt down deep at J.D.’s easy offer to drive her home. She’d hoped he would have wanted her to stay. The last time she’d visited his ranch they’d spent as much time as possible together. It was so different now….
Without another word J.D. took their plates and put them in the dishwasher. “Well, ladies, let’s go to bed.”
THE REST OF THE WEEK was a struggle. Rachel actually felt guilty because she enjoyed meeting the demands. It built a real self-confidence that she’d never felt before. She did miss getting to ride horseback, but it couldn’t be helped.
By the end of the week, however, J.D. had only Bluey and Billy left standing. It would just be for a couple of days, since some of the earliest down would be back on their feet soon. But for those two days, J.D. needed help.
Madge offered to ride out with them, but J.D. refused, saying she was needed taking care of the sick.
“Well, Cook’s doing better. They really don’t need me down there much.”
“Then why don’t I ride out with J.D., and you can take over here?” Rachel suggested.
“Whoa!” J.D. roared, coming out of his chair. “I’m not taking you out to work the cows. You’d get hurt.”
“Why don’t we ask Billy? He’s my teacher. He would know better than anyone.”
Billy, who was still sitting at the table, as was Bluey, swallowed and shot a panicky look around the room, as if wondering whom he could get to bail him out.
“Well, Billy?” J.D. asked.
“Well, boss, I, uh, I have to say I think Rachel is pretty good on a horse. It’s not like she’d have to do anything dangerous. We’ll be moving that herd just a couple of miles away. She could ride drag. You could take point, and me and Bluey could ride up and down the sides.”
“That’d work,” Bluey murmured.
J.D. glared at both of them, then at Rachel. “You’ll have to do exactly as you’re told. Do you understand?”
With a demure smile, she said, “Yes, boss.”
“Have you got a slicker?” he demanded.
“No, but—”
“I’ll get her one,” Bluey said, interrupting her.
“Dress warmly,” J.D. commanded.
“Okay.”
“Madge, can you figure out some lunch to send with us in the morning?”
“Sure thing.”
J.D. left the table first that evening. The other two men followed him.
“Are you sure you can do it?” Madge asked anxiously.
“No,” Rachel said with a smile, “but I want to help out. I’ll be all right. Billy will help me.”
“And so will J.D.,” Madge said.
Yeah, she thought, and that was part of the problem.
J.D. HARDLY SPOKE to Rachel until they reached the barn the next morning.
Bluey handed her a slicker.
“Tie it down good to your saddle,” J.D. ordered. “Put your lunch in your saddlebag. Most important of all, let me know when you’ve had enough or need a break. You won’t help us by falling out of the saddle.”
“Yes, boss,” she said, holding back a grin. She was as excited about today as she had been about testing her cooking and housekeeping skills.
She was riding the young mare Billy had put her on when they’d ridden out of the corral. After she mounted, Billy rode up beside her.
“Rachel, these are cutting horses. If a cow breaks from the herd, it’s the horse’s nature to go after it. If your mount does that, grab hold of the saddle horn and don’t let go, okay?”
“I won’t, Billy. I won’t embarrass you, I promise.”
“I’m not worried,” he assured her with a grin.
She waited until he guided his horse out of the barn, and she followed on Rocky. Billy assured her the mare got her name because she was as easy to ride as sitting in a rocking chair. Rachel doubted that.
J.D. came up beside her.
Rachel felt sure he was there to give her another lecture, but he simply rode along beside her. When she finally dared look at him, he gave her a nod and kept pace with her. She took that as encouragement.
Today she was a cowboy!
Chapter Ten
By noon, Rachel’s enthusiasm had diminished somewhat. She was still proud of being able to help in a crisis, but she felt numb from her waist down. She’d never been on a horse for such a long period of time.
Fortunately, her job was fairly easy. She had to stay in the saddle and bring up the rear of the herd. The other three were gathering the animals, adding to the numbers. The thunderstorms had scattered the cows more than J.D. had expected.
Rachel reached back to her saddlebag and drew out the sandwich Madge had made for her. There was also a candy bar for instant energy, but she thought she’d better save that for later in the afternoon.
She munched her sandwich while she sat on her horse, moving slowly behind the herd. The food tasted good and she relaxed more than she should have. When a cow decided to leave the herd, Rocky took off after it. Rachel dropped her sandwich and grabbed the saddle horn just in time to remain in the saddle.
Fortunately, she’d managed to keep hold of the reins in her right hand, and brought Rocky to a stop so she could gather herself. Then they continued on after the runaway cow. Rachel was proud of getting the cow back to the herd, but she regretted the loss of her sandwich. At least she’d managed to eat some of it before she dropped it.
“You okay?” Billy called.
Clearly, he’d seen her escapade. She waved back to him, smiling at her mentor. She’d promised she wouldn’t embarrass him…but she almost had. She resolved to remain alert. Fortunately, J.D. was up near the front of the herd and hadn’t seen her almost lose her seat.
She thought she couldn’t be more miserable, but then the rain started. She pulled Rocky to a halt and untied her slicker as quickly as she could. She was already wet when she finally got it on, tucking her braid up under the hat Madge had loaned her.
By that time Rachel was ready to eat her candy bar. She pulled Rocky to a halt and got the candy out of the saddlebag, staying on alert so she wouldn’t be surprised by a wayward cow.
She had a growing admiration for the job cowboys did. J.D., Bluey and Billy were still gathering errant cows, working twice as hard as she was, even in the rain. She wanted to crawl into a nice warm bed and stay there for a week or two.
Rachel pictured a hot, steaming tub, and she almost fell out of the saddle with a yearning that surprised her. The contrast to the cold rain made her lose her concentration for a moment.
When Rocky started after another cow, she grabbed the saddle horn, saving herself again. After she brought that cow back to the herd, she had to push them forward. The animals were stringing out too much, which made more work for Bluey and Billy.
By the end of the day, around six o’clock, they got the herd into the pasture J.D. wanted them in. He signaled it was time to go home, and Rachel almost sobbed with relief.
J.D. rode up beside her. “Rachel, you did a good job today. I want to thank you.”
She avoided his gaze. “You’re welcome.”
“Are you all right?”
“I’m tired.”
“Can you make it back to the barn?”
She glared at him, then assured him she could make it to the barn. Her legs were screaming, but she wasn’t about to l
et J.D. know that.
When they reached the barn, Rachel sat frozen on her horse, afraid to get off because she knew she’d fall flat on her face if she did.
J.D. appeared beside her. “What’s wrong, Rachel?”
“I—I can’t get off. I won’t be able to walk,” she told him, unaware that tears were rolling down her cheeks.
“Damn. I knew I was asking too much. Come on, honey, slide into my arms. I won’t let you fall.”
His gentle tones persuaded her as much as his strong arms. She fell off Rocky into his embrace, and he shouted for Bluey.
“Take care of Rachel’s horse. I’m going to get her to the house. Then I’ll come back and help.”
Billy stepped forward. “We can manage, boss. We’ll be up for dinner in a little while.”
“Thanks, guys,” J.D. said, and started toward the house, carrying Rachel.
“I’m sorry, J.D.,” she whispered.
“It’s all right, honey,” he said, his voice husky with emotion. “You did a great job,” he added, holding her even closer.
She lay her head on his shoulder, a sigh of contentment escaping her lips. She was in a miserable state, but she felt as if she’d died and gone to heaven. Being in J.D.’s arms was all she’d wanted. For days. For months.
When they reached the house, he put her down to open the back door. He intended to pick her up again, but instantly she came to her senses.
“I think I can walk now, J.D. I don’t want to scare Madge.”
“All right. I’ll keep my arm around you just in case you can’t make it.”
Madge met them at the door because she’d heard them on the porch. “Rachel, are you all right?”
“Of course, Madge. I just need to have a hot bath before dinner. But I’m starving. I hope you fixed something good.” Unfortunately, her voice wobbled as much as her legs, and Madge reached out for her.
“I’ll get her in a hot tub, J.D. It’ll revive her quickly, I promise.” She escorted Rachel to the bathroom.
“I helped them, Madge, but it was hard work. It always looks so easy when they ride. They do it so well. Am I rambling?”
“Maybe just a little, honey. Come on now. You start taking off your clothes while I start the water running.”
Rachel struggled to undo the slicker she’d worn to keep out the rain. Madge stood and helped her.
“It must’ve been hard out there.”
When Rachel lowered herself into the tub, she moaned as the hot water hit her tense muscles. Then she closed her eyes and sank back against the rim. “Oh, Madge, this feels so good.”
“I guess it does. I’m going to go put dinner on the table. Don’t stay too long. I made green enchiladas for tonight.”
Rachel’s stomach growled. She had intended to stay in the tub forever, but her hunger was telling her to head for the dinner table. After soaking for about fifteen minutes, the cooling water and her desire for food had her getting out, drying off and dressing in cozy, warm clothes.
She got to the table just as the men came in. She apologized for not taking care of her horse, but they assured her it was no big deal.
As they ate, the men talked about tomorrow. Rachel suddenly realized they were trying to figure how to manage with just the three of them. “I’m going back out tomorrow,” she stated.
“No, you’re not,” J.D. said firmly.
“Was I that big a handicap today? You said I helped.”
“Of course you helped, but you couldn’t even walk when it was over,” he exclaimed. “I’m not letting you do that to yourself again.”
“But, J.D., it will just be for one more day, and the second day will be easier.” She saw refusal in his face. “Won’t it, Billy?”
“Probably. It takes awhile to get used to riding all day. But you did a good job today, Rachel.”
“Thanks, Billy. See, J.D.? You’ll have your regular cowboys back soon. I’m just filling in.”
J.D. shook his head and asked for a piece of cake.
Rachel repeated her intentions more emphatically. “I’m going out tomorrow, just like today. I’m not an expert, but I can make it for one or two more days.”
“This is good cake, Madge,” J.D. said, completely ignoring her.
“Boss, how are we going to manage, just the three of us? This herd was scattered all over the place. If we didn’t have Rachel pushing from behind, we wouldn’t have managed. The other herd will be just as spread out.”
Billy’s impassioned plea didn’t seem to have an effect on J.D., so Rachel was surprised when he relented at last.
“Okay, if she can get out of bed in the morning, I’ll take her. But Bluey will point the herd this time. I’m hanging back on the side so I can keep an eye on her.”
“Why are you going to do that?” Rachel retorted. “I made it, didn’t I?”
“I’m letting you come. Don’t push your luck,” J.D. warned, glaring at her.
She took his advice and ate her chocolate cake and the glass of milk Madge had insisted on giving her. Even with all the activity, she figured eating like this would definitely help her put on weight.
But her weight and health weren’t on her mind when she took to her bed later on. Worries about riding—and being watched by J.D.—kept her up most of the night.
When the alarm went off at six the next morning, Rachel was afraid she couldn’t climb out of bed. It was a struggle, but she managed. She took a hot shower and almost forgot to get out of it and dress. She didn’t reach the kitchen in time to help Madge, but at least she got there.
J.D. was sitting at the head of the table and he watched her carefully as she walked in. “You okay this morning?”
“Sure, I’m fine,” she answered. It surprised her to discover that she really was. Half an hour earlier, she would’ve sworn she’d never feel good again.
With a smile for Madge, she ate her breakfast. “Working outside certainly does improve your appetite, doesn’t it?” she said, looking at Bluey and Billy. They were both quiet this morning. “You two aren’t getting sick, are you?”
“Not me,” Bluey said at once.
“I hope not,” Billy said with a lot less conviction.
Madge jumped up from the table and walked around it to feel Billy’s forehead. “You’re running a fever.”
“Not much. I’ll take something for it. I can’t leave J.D. even more shorthanded today. Tomorrow a couple of the guys are going to be able to ride out again.”
“Are you sure you can make it, Billy?” J.D. asked, frowning.
“I’m sure.”
Rachel hurriedly finished her breakfast, then grabbed her slicker and Madge’s hat, adding a sweater over her T-shirt. “I’m ready,” she announced. J.D. was the only one waiting for her.
“Come on. The guys went ahead to saddle up.” His face was grim.
“Are you feeling all right?”
“Of course I am,” J.D. snapped.
Rachel had nothing else to say. When they reached the barn, Bluey gave her Rocky’s reins. After tying on her slicker and putting her lunch in the saddlebag, she swung up into the saddle with more ease than she expected.
“I’m ready,” she told J.D. again.
The other two men were on their horses.
“Follow me,” J.D. said, and rode out of the barn into the cool, damp air.
Rachel did much the same job as she’d done yesterday, but today she knew what to expect. She didn’t start out with the romantic attitude that she was on a lark. She knew she was going to work hard. But she also knew she could do it.
Around noon, J.D. dropped back beside her. “You ready to eat lunch?”
She was wearing her slicker again, with her braid tucked up under her hat. Looking at her watch, she realized a lot of time had passed. “I could eat. But I’m not sure I can ride and eat at the same time.”
“How about a little hot coffee?”
“I’d kill for that,” she admitted.
J.D. pulled out a the
rmos and poured some coffee into the lid, which served as a cup. He carefully handed it to Rachel.
“What about you and the others?” she asked.
“I’ll take a drink after you, and Bluey has a thermos for him and Billy. I told him to drink all he wanted before he let Billy drink out of the same cup. I don’t want Bluey to get sick.”
“You think Billy’s coming down with it?”
“Yeah, I do. He’s not looking so good. But I think we’ll finish up early, maybe around four. Would you like an early day? That will give me time to take care of the animals in the barn.”
“I can help do that.”
“No. You can soak in a tub and have a nap before dinner. Doesn’t that sound better?”
“You know it does,” she said with a smile, “but it hardly seems fair.”
When she handed him the empty cup, he poured himself some coffee. “I appreciate your help more than I can say. But I know it’s hard on you. I don’t want you to do so much that you get sick again.”
“I’m stronger than I look, J.D. And doing all these things I didn’t know I could do makes me feel better about myself. Modeling for a living doesn’t give me that feeling.”
“So, after you leave here, you’re going to want me to write you a reference letter?”
She grinned. “No, thank you. But if I wanted one, would you write me a good one?” She tilted her head and watched him carefully.
“I’d write you a wonderful letter, Rach. You’re the best.” With a smile, he put the thermos away and rode back to his position on the herd.
He’d never before used that shortened form of her name, like Rebecca did. It indicated a closeness Rachel wasn’t sure she could trust, forced her to think about their relationship. She’d been so busy learning new things she’d almost forgotten why she’d been reluctant to see J.D. again. He’d made glorious love to her and then ridden away, out of her life.
Well, to be fair, she’d left, too. But she hadn’t wanted to. He’d given her no encouragement to stay. And now he was calling her Rach.
“Rachel! Get that cow!” J.D. shouted.
Rachel awoke from her thoughts and chased after the cow, grateful for Rocky’s skills. They got the animal back to the herd, and she reminded herself once again that this job did not lend itself to daydreaming.
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