“You’ve had rustler problems again?”
“Ah, nope. That’s not the problem.”
“Then why does she want you to work on the fence?”
“Just go check out that pasture. Seeing is believing.”
Travis grumbled as he put the vehicle in gear and headed along the dirt path to the north pasture. He didn’t see a thing out of the ordinary.
A moment later two large animals lumbered out from around the back side of a large grouping of maple trees.
Bison. His jaw dropped and he stared.
Bison on his ranch. Two females. Because what he needed was more women in his life.
The nappy-haired beasts wandered around, making themselves right at home on his pasture, munching on his grass, forb and whatever else was out there.
“Travis? What are you doing here?”
He turned at AJ’s voice. She galloped across the pasture on Ace. Her long hair was braided and hung over her shoulder. The welcoming smile she offered lit her face and warmed him, inside and out. He’d missed AJ the last few days.
Yeah, he’d really missed her.
That was a revelation he wasn’t prepared for.
When the bison lumbered in search of forage, Travis’s gaze followed them and he stared pointedly at the pasture behind AJ.
“Good to see you, boss,” she said as she reined in the mare.
The words momentarily distracted him from the issue at hand.
“Uh, thanks,” he said. The words came out more gruffly than he’d intended and her smile faltered.
“Bison,” he said, pointing out the obvious.
“Aren’t they magnificent? Sort of a reminder that the tall grass prairie is their home. Everything comes full circle with the return of the bison to the plains.”
He crossed his arms. “I have to tell you that was not exactly my first thought. I’m trying to figure out what they’re doing on my land.”
“Now, Travis, before you get riled up, let me explain.”
“Explain? Yeah, I was wondering when you were going to get around to that. I haven’t seen you since you dumped me at the bunkhouse.”
“I didn’t dump you at the bunkhouse.” AJ sat straight in the saddle. “And I was going to tell you.”
“When?” he shot back.
“Today.”
“Was that a question?”
“No. It was the truth. I’ve been real busy.” She swallowed hard and fiddled with the reins.
“You had time to buy bison.”
“It was on my day off and I used my own money. Winnings from the rodeo.”
“Money you could have used to get Gus back.”
“Gus isn’t going anywhere. Lem and I have an agreement. Besides, I thought this could help us with the grant.”
“Bison.” Travis gave a slow nod, still not believing what he was seeing.
“Yes.”
“Where did they come from?”
“I called around and found an auction house with excess stock.”
“They saw you coming,” he murmured.
“It was a fair price.” Ace snuffled and two-stepped as her voice got louder. “Easy there, girl.” She patted the horse’s neck and crooned in her ear.
“They’re eating my pasture grass,” Travis said.
“Oh, come on, you have enough grazing land that we have options that smaller spreads don’t have. Big Heart Ranch can easily support a small bison herd. Maybe as many as three or four. That’s all you need. Besides, they forage differently than the cattle.”
“I like cattle.”
“If you recall, I told you about how beneficial the bison would be for the grants. You never disagreed.”
“You took advantage of my failure to disagree. Is that what you’re saying?”
AJ shrugged. “I did check with your sisters.”
“Why didn’t you check with me? I might have said yes.” When pigs fly, he mentally added.
“I did stop by the bunkhouse. You’ve been mostly sleeping. I could have brought the bison to visit and you wouldn’t have noticed.”
“No. That’s not true.” His gaze connected with hers. “I did notice that you didn’t stop by.”
AJ’s eyes widened. “Travis, ask anyone. I did stop by. Those pills had you knocked out the majority of the time.”
“Hmm, maybe so. Seems my recollection is a bit scrambled. Stupid pain pills.” He stared out at the ugly animals eating his pasture grass. “So Lucy and Emma are all aboard with the bison?”
“Sure, they think they’re cute.”
“Bison are wild animals. There is nothing cute about a wild animal on my pasture land.”
She smiled fondly at the animals. “It’s only two bison. Think of this as fostering.”
He choked on a laugh and gripped his side against the sharp kick of pain. “Nice try. Big Heart Ranch finds forever homes for abandoned, abused and neglected children. We aren’t a foster home to everything on the prairie.”
“You have two goats living on the ranch who contribute far less to the future of Big Heart Ranch than these bison.”
“Goats are educational for the kids.”
“Think of bison the same way.” She raised her brows as she pleaded her case. “I did call the grant committees. Both of them. They love the biodiversity we’re developing on the ranch.”
“Biodiversity.” He gave a bitter laugh. “They come up with fancy new phrases every year, don’t they? Do you suppose they hire someone to do that? That’s a job I should have applied for when I was wet behind the ears.”
AJ frowned. “As I was saying... Having bison pretty much clinches the grants, except for the walk-through. All that’s left is to show a plan for tall grass prairie conservation and sustainable ranching. I know I’ve created more paperwork for myself, but I’m really enjoying this.”
“Good to know someone is. And, by the way, we already have sustainable ranching. Another one of their two-dollar words.”
“The grant committee is looking for evidence that we’re ranching with an eye on planning, improving and reevaluating, all while taking into consideration the key economic issues of our region.”
“Aw, that’s a lot of malarkey. Though you are right about one thing. It’s a good thing you enjoy the paperwork.” He paused. “What about cattle reproduction?”
“What about it?”
“We have to either purchase a bull or think about artificial insemination, don’t we?”
“Sure, we can discuss that when you’re feeling up to it.”
He shifted in the seat as a twinge of something like a hot poker shot up his leg from his ankle.
“Should you be out here?” she asked.
“I can’t stay in bed forever.”
“You’re the boss, though anyone with any sense can see you’re hurting.”
“I appreciate your medical opinion, Dr. Rowe.”
AJ jerked back at his words. With a cluck of her tongue and a tug on the reins, she and Ace did an about-face.
“Wait. I’m sorry.” He was acting like an ornery old man in the face of her endless, cheerful optimism.
An awkward silence stretched between them as she slowly turned the horse around.
“Are you going to fire me for buying bison?” AJ finally asked. “If so, let’s get it over with. I heard there was an opening at a big spread near Catoosa.”
Travis released a breath as he contemplated her words. “I’d be an idiot to let you go. What other ranch has a bison nerd on staff?”
Her lips twitched as she gathered the reins. “There is that.”
“And you got Dutch in the saddle before noon.”
“The bison were easier to herd than Dutch.”
Travis felt a begrudging smile coming on. “I owe you a steak dinne
r.”
AJ grinned full-on, happiness brightening her blue eyes and once again causing a disturbance in the vicinity of his heart.
“Yes, you do.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said, meeting her gaze.
She offered a soft smile as his words hung between them. “So am I,” she murmured.
“Soon as I can bear weight on my left ankle.”
“Deal.”
“How’d the interviews go?” he asked.
“Great. I hired two new wranglers. Stellar résumés and work history. They start on Monday.”
“Anyone I know?”
“No. Although they both went to OSU.”
“OSU Cowboys. Terrific. Who are they?”
“Josee Queen and Tanya Starnes.”
“You hired women,” he said dryly.
“I wasn’t supposed to? You saw the applications and I don’t recall you saying anything about hiring only men.”
“That’s right, because I didn’t say that.”
The air crackled with tension. “Then what’s the problem?” AJ sat straight in the saddle, indignation all over her like a soggy blanket. “It’s not as though your good-old-boy team was getting the job done.”
Uh, oh. Now he’d stirred the beehive. And it didn’t help that she was right, too.
Travis kept his mouth shut. AJ was spoiling for a fight and he wasn’t willing to give her one. At least, not yet. His plan was to seize the day. Apparently he picked the wrong day. Maybe he should have stayed in bed.
Bison. It was all their fault. Things were going well until they showed up. One minute he was smiling into the pretty blue eyes of AJ and the next the massive beasts were in his line of sight.
“Aren’t you going to say something?” she asked.
“I’m doing my best not to say anything you’ll regret.”
“You’re mad,” she said as though she fully expected the push-back.
“Mad isn’t the word I’m looking for. Annoyed is somewhat accurate.”
“Annoyed because you put me in charge and I’m doing things differently than you would have?”
Travis paused and met her questioning gaze head-on. She was right. That was exactly why he was annoyed. He wouldn’t have had such a big breakfast if he’d known he was going to eat crow today.
“You’re right,” he said.
“Excuse me?” AJ blinked and cocked her head.
“I said you’re right. Doing things the way I’ve always done them...well, it’s provided a measure of control and security in the past.”
“And now?”
“Now, I’m going to go welcome your new wranglers with Big Heart Ranch open arms and give them the same chance I gave Rusty.”
Her shoulders relaxed. “Thank you,” she breathed.
Travis shook his head. “I am teachable.”
“I—I’ve got to get going,” she said.
“AJ?”
Nosing Ace around, AJ’s gaze rose slowly until their eyes connected.
Travis released a breath. “Thanks for taking me to Pawhuska after the rodeo and thank you for taking care of Big Heart Ranch.”
“You’re welcome.”
For moments he watched her ride off, until she was merely a silhouette on the prairie.
Seventy-two hours was all it had taken AJ to whip Big Heart Ranch into place. Lucy was wrong. AJ could do everything. The woman was a born rancher, trained at her daddy’s knee. Not only that, she was innovative. She made him look like an old rooster ready to be retired.
He could probably learn a lot from AJ Rowe. That is if he could find a way around his pride.
Chapter Eight
Travis looked up and down Southwest Frank Phillips Boulevard, assessing the storefront shops of Bartlesville. “They have great steaks at the Oklahoma Rose in Timber. Locally sourced beef. Why Bartlesville?” he asked AJ.
He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk as the answer to his own question poked him straight in the gut. “You don’t want to be seen with me.”
“We’ve discussed this before. It’s not you. It’s me. I’m trying to head off the rumor mill. I’ve been through this one too many times. I thought you’d understand. After all, you’re the one who made me drive you to Pawhuska when you were hurt.”
He sighed. “Yeah, I get that, but I don’t like the idea that two friends have to hide the fact that they’re sharing a meal. You’ll sit in the office and drink coffee with me and talk for hours but you won’t ever let me buy you a cup of coffee at the Timber Diner.”
“What do you want me to say, Travis?”
“Nothing. I’m annoyed, I’ll admit. Except there isn’t much I can do about it until you stop worrying about what people think.”
Laughter spilled from her lips. She cleared her throat and put a hand to her mouth.
“What’s so funny?”
“I hate to beat a dead cliché, but isn’t that...you know...the pot calling the kettle black?”
“It’s different. I’m not ashamed to be seen with you.”
“I never said that,” she huffed.
“No, you didn’t,” Travis said, already weary of the subject. “Let’s not argue. Okay?”
She nodded.
He offered a conciliatory smile that she returned. “I sure hope you’re going to make the round trip to Bartlesville worth my while by eating like a starving wrangler.”
“I can eat my weight in steak. Anytime and any day. And I’m looking forward to a baked potato with all the trimmings.” She sighed. “I’ll have you know that I haven’t eaten all day in preparation.”
“You need to get out more often. No need to starve yourself.” He pulled open the glass door of the restaurant. “By the way, you look lovely. More than lovely.” He glanced down at her patterned blue sundress and heels. “AJ Rowe ought to wear dresses more often.”
“Thank you,” she murmured. “My new roommates refused to let me out of the bunkhouse in my jeans.”
“Remind me to give them both a raise.”
“Oh, I will, I will.”
He turned to find AJ peeking up at him through her dark lashes.
“What?” he asked.
“You look nice, as well. I’ve never seen you in anything besides Wranglers.”
“If we’re telling truths, you can blame Tripp.”
“Tripp gave you fashion advice?”
“Unsolicited, even,” Travis said. “You have no idea what I put up with between him and Dutch.” As he spoke, his gaze assessed the crowd. “Pretty busy place, huh?”
“Friday night. It’s date night.”
Date night. He liked the sound of that. It had been a long dry spell since his last date. Nearly five years. Even he couldn’t believe that. Five years was a long time to be gun-shy.
Oh, he talked a good show. Two friends having dinner. He was her boss and this was all business. But deep inside he knew the truth. There was something about this particular woman that stirred him with once-in-a-lifetime emotions. Feelings that made him willing to take a chance, even if it meant getting his heart broken again.
A young couple bumped them as they squeezed past into the restaurant.
“Maybe we should have called ahead for reservations,” he said.
“I made them,” AJ said. “Under your name.”
He shook his head. “How do you manage to keep on top of everything?”
“Oh, come on. It’s a proven fact that women can multitask better than men. Something to do with the prefrontal cortex of the brain.”
Travis arched a brow and stared at her. “You’re messing with me.”
“Not at all. I wasn’t born with a messing-with-you gene. Remember, unlike you, I didn’t have any siblings to harass or be harassed by. I was a studious, only child and I
became a very literal adult. What you see is what you get. If you want someone to mess with you, you should talk to Emma or Lucy.”
“Or Dutch,” he said.
“Exactly.”
He chuckled as he followed her and the hostess to a cozy table near the window where they settled across from each other.
AJ picked up the menu. “I forgot to ask about your ankle. How long will you have to wear the walking boot?”
“Four weeks, and then more X-rays and I may get promoted to my ropers.”
“Wonderful.”
“I think so. Limits my horseback riding, but other than that, I’m starting to pull my weight around the ranch again.”
“A few days down and out with injuries hardly makes you a slacker,” she observed.
“AJ, let’s not fool ourselves. You’re the one who’s wrangled the ranch into shape over the last six weeks. Everyone knows that. You do it seamlessly, too, as though you’ve always been part of the Big Heart Ranch family.”
AJ’s face pinked at his words.
Travis only shrugged. “I’m not blowing smoke here. It’s the truth, so why be embarrassed? Assistant foreman AJ Rowe gives each day two hundred percent. It’s like you have a personal stake in Big Heart Ranch.”
“I feel like I’m part of something bigger than myself at Big Heart.” She folded her hands in her lap. “Do you know how many ranches I’ve worked?”
Travis shook his head.
“Thirty-four since I left home for college.”
His head jerked back. “I didn’t know there were that many ranches in Osage County.”
“I’ve worked ranches in half the counties in Oklahoma.”
“I don’t get it. You’re the hardest working employee we’ve ever had at the ranch.”
“There’s always a reason for me to be let go. Sometimes it’s because I’m too pretty. Sometimes it’s because I won’t budge on my moral stance. Or maybe just because I’m too female. It never mattered before because none of those ranches meant anything to me. Until now, I never knew what it was like to feel like I’ve come home.”
Falling for the Cowgirl Page 11