“Please let me help. I don’t want anyone to think I came here on holiday.” Especially your brother, she wanted to add.
“I’ll tell you what. Tomorrow we’ll ride out, and you can get a taste for ranch life. Tonight, get some rest.”
“Days on the ranch start early, Darrow,” said Z. “When Wren says you’ll ride out, she means at sunrise.”
“That isn’t necessary, Z. Let the poor woman get acclimated to the time at least. Just because Quint’s day begins that early, doesn’t mean mine always does.”
“What time is dawn?” Darrow asked.
“Five,” answered Wren, glaring at her father.
“Not a problem. That’s eleven London time.” She winked at Z and followed Wren out of the room.
“Don’t listen to him. You’re a guest here.”
When Wren stopped in the hallway, Darrow did too. She put her hand on Wren’s forearm like she’d done with Quint, glad that she didn’t react the way her brother had. “I meant what I said. I’m not on holiday, Wren. At least I don’t want to be.”
Her friend sighed and looked into her eyes. “I’m sorry about you and Axel.”
Darrow shrugged. “Don’t be. That’s over, and I’m ready to start the next chapter of my life.”
It looked as though Wren wanted to say something more, but when she didn’t, Darrow said goodnight.
“Where are you going?” Wren asked when she continued down the hallway.
“Z said that your brother told him to put my trunk in here. Did you mean for me to have a different room?”
“No, it’s fine. If that’s where Quint told him. It’s best, really. We won’t disturb you in the morning.”
Wren looked puzzled, but Darrow was too tired to continue questioning her tonight. If she was in the wrong room, she’d switch tomorrow and offer to change the bedding.
“If you need anything, let me know.” Wren hesitated before turning to leave. “I’m really glad you’re here, Darrow.”
IT WAS STILL dark outside when Darrow’s eyes sprung open. She checked the time; it was a little after four, which meant she’d slept for almost eight hours.
She rolled out of bed and grabbed riding clothes from her trunk. At least she’d been smart enough to pack those, knowing she was headed to a ranch. They may not be the perfect attire for the work she intended to do that day, but they’d do. Maybe she could talk Wren into taking her shopping later today or tomorrow—after the chores were done, of course.
Knowing it would likely be as hot or hotter later than it was yesterday, she plaited her long, wet hair after she finished showering and then crept into the kitchen, hoping she could find a kettle and tea bags before anyone else was up.
“Bloody hell,” she muttered under her breath, seeing Quint had beat her into the kitchen.
“Good morning,” he said before she had a chance to retreat back to the bedroom.
“Good morning,” she answered.
“You’re up mighty early,” he commented, taking a cup out of the cupboard. “Coffee?”
“As I told Wren last night, it’s almost noon London time.”
“Sleep well?” he asked.
“Very, thank you.”
“How do you take it?” He poured her a cup of the dark brew.
She was about to ask if he had tea, but thought better of it. “A little cream, please? If you have it.”
“Is that a question?”
“No. Not a question.”
Quint grinned and took a glass bottle out of the refrigerator. “Fresh from the cow,” he said, setting it on the counter near her. “Ever milked a cow, Darrow?”
“Can’t say I have. However, I do know how to muck a stall.”
Quint turned just in time to see her cringe after her first taste of coffee.
“Need some sugar, darlin’?” He reached for the door of another cupboard.
“No, thank you.”
“You sure?”
He was laughing at her, at least with his eyes, and she didn’t like it.
“When do we ride out?” she asked rather than respond a second time. She knew her own bloody mind and didn’t like sugar in her tea either.
“About to head out there now myself. You’ll do best to wait for my sister.”
“I’m prepared to go with you.”
He looked down at her riding boots. “Not in those, you aren’t.”
Darrow traipsed down the hall to the bedroom and grabbed her Wellies. “Better?” she asked when she came back into the kitchen.
He half-smiled. “All right, then. Let’s get out there. By the way, tea’s right here.” He opened yet another cupboard and pointed to a cannister.
“I’m fine with coffee, thank you.”
If he made coffee in the morning, that’s what she’d drink, and she’d learn to like it. She wanted no special treatment, and that included her morning beverage.
“THIS HERE’S THE BOARD,” he said, pointing to the obvious when they got to the barn. “If you’re first out, check this, and you’ll know what to get started on.”
“When do you milk the cows?”
“I don’t. No one does. There are machines for that.”
“Ever milked a cow, Mr. Alexander?”
He smiled. “Sure as sugar have, sugar. And we do away with formality around these parts. I answer to Quint.”
“Mornin’, Fish,” said a man who walked up behind her. “Who’s this?”
“This is Darrow Whittaker,” Quint answered. “Visiting from England. Darrow, this is Decker. He’s the ranch foreman. Aren’t many days when someone beats ol’ Deck to the barn. You draggin’ today, buddy?”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am,” Decker said to her, and then rubbed the back of his neck. “Missed ya up at the Branch last night, Fish.”
Quint eyed the man, and they both grinned. Darrow assumed that “Fish” was an inside joke. She didn’t mind being excluded; it had been that way most of her life. If they thought a little cowboy humor first thing in the morning would rattle her, they should try accidentally walking in on a hot wash after a mission in which several people were killed.
“Miss Whittaker here is going to ride out with us today, Deck. Who you want her to mount?”
The look passed between them again, but the meaning of that particular joke wasn’t lost on her.
“Please, do away with the formality, Fish. I answer to Darrow.”
Quint laughed out loud. “Follow me,” he said, walking her over to a stall. “This is Wren’s horse, Spark.”
She put her hand on the horse’s muzzle. “Good morning, Spark.”
“I’ll have you ride Tink today. See how you do. Deck will get her saddled up.”
“I can do it. I’m assuming that’s the tack room.” She pointed to an open door.
“Sure enough,” said Quint, leading her over to it.
She went ahead of him and grabbed the tack from the peg with the horse’s name above it. “Anything in particular I need to know about her?”
“You’re out here early,” Wren said, approaching them before Quint could respond to Darrow’s question. “What’s up?”
She watched the look that passed between brother and sister. It was an entirely different interaction than the one she’d witnessed moments before with the foreman. Wren’s hand was on her hip, and Quint looked sheepish.
“Thought I’d get Darrow acquainted with the workings of the ranch,” he answered.
“You’re so full of it,” Wren muttered, taking Tink’s tack out of Darrow’s hand. “And, you’re an asshole.” Wren stalked past them and hung it back on the peg before grabbing what was below the name Sage.
When she returned, Wren glared at her brother, whose eyebrows were raised. “She can probably outride every one of us,” she said to him before turning to Darrow. “You’d be lucky to get out of the nearest pasture on Tink. She doesn’t exactly like to get out and work. Sage, on the other hand, you’ll enjoy.”
THEY’D BEEN OU
T, riding for a little over two hours and, so far, hadn’t done anything other than explore. She’d paid close attention though as her friend explained how the pastures were laid out and the easiest way to identify each of them. Most had some kind of landmark that signified their name.
“We refer to this pasture as Schoolhouse,” Wren said, pointing to a dilapidated building that looked like it could’ve once housed a schoolroom. “Time for breakfast,” she added, motioning Darrow back in the direction of the barns.
“It’s so beautiful here, Wren,” she said as they slowed their horses to a walk.
“I forget how much so when I’m gone.”
Darrow nodded, wondering if she’d feel the same when the day came that she set foot back on the grounds of Whittaker Abbey.
They let the horses loose in the corral and walked up to the ranch house. “Quint will eat with Deck and the guys down at the bunkhouse this morning,” Wren told her when they went inside.
“Does he usually?”
“No, not usually. It depends on the time of year, really. I’m sure he’s just giving us time on our own.”
After being on their own since they rode out? More likely he just wanted to avoid her.
Maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea after all. She hadn’t considered that Wren wasn’t the only one who lived here when she’d begged Z to bring her to the ranch. Maybe she was more selfish and inconsiderate than she was trying to convince everyone she was.
“You can tell me if I’m being intrusive, Wren. I know I blindsided you and your brother by just showing up here. He didn’t even have a say in it.”
“Of course he did,” said Z, coming from the back of the house. “I cleared it with him earlier in the week.”
“I knew it,” Wren mumbled.
“Oh, dear,” muttered Darrow.
Z put his arm around her shoulders. “Stop worrying so much. You’re welcome here. Isn’t that right, Wren?”
“Absolutely.” Wren opened the refrigerator and pulled out eggs and bacon. “Hungry, Z?”
He looked at his watch. “I guess I have time to eat before I leave.”
“Leave?” asked Darrow. “You’re leaving already?”
“Her Majesty’s work never ends,” he said with a wink.
“We’ll take you to the airport. That way we can stop and pick up some cooler clothes for you,” Wren said, looking over at her.
“Maybe I should just go back with Z.”
“Givin’ in already?” asked Quint, startling her.
“I thought you and Deck were having breakfast with the crew,” said Wren.
“We came up to say goodbye to Z. Heard you say you’re taking him to the airport. While you’re out, get her a decent pair of work boots.” He motioned at Darrow with his thumb and then turned to look her in the eye. “If you’re stickin’ around, that is.”
Darrow met his gaze and squared her shoulders. “I am.” She couldn’t tell by the look on his face if he was happy or otherwise, but he hardly would’ve suggested his sister take her to get a pair of work boots if he wanted her to leave, would he?
“Go sit. I can do this,” Wren told her.
“I’d really like to help. Please.”
Wren nodded, and Darrow washed her hands.
Quint, Deck, and Z were sitting at the kitchen’s bar, neither saying much. Darrow couldn’t stand the lack of conversation.
“Why do you call him Fish?” she asked Decker.
“Long story,” Quint answered before Deck could.
She waited for either of them to elaborate, but neither did. They spent the next fifteen minutes in relative silence.
“Thanks for breakfast,” Quint said five minutes after they began eating. “I gotta get back to work.” He stood, and so did Decker and Z. “See you next time, Pa.”
“I’ll be back soon, boy.”
Darrow watched as the two men smiled and then embraced, obviously sharing yet another inside joke.
“See ya,” Quint muttered as he and Decker walked past her and Wren, and then out the door before she had the chance to respond.
“I don’t think he likes me,” she murmured.
“Maybe he likes you too much.”
“Don’t start, Z,” admonished Wren. “Let’s go, or you’ll miss your flight.”
5
Q uint watched as the two women got in the SUV with his father, and let out a deep sigh.
“She’s a looker,” said Decker, coming up beside him.
“Yep,” murmured Quint, chewing on a piece of straw.
“You oughta invite her down to the Branch tonight.”
“I don’t think so.” Quint walked out to the corral and whistled for Gunsmoke. “I’ll be up at Schoolhouse, checking on water if you need me.”
Decker nodded with scrunched eyes.
Quint was partway up the ridge when he saw the SUV pull out of the ranch gates. Funny how he couldn’t wait to see it driving back in.
There’d be no way he’d be inviting the sweet Miss Darrow to the bar Decker affectionately referred to as the Branch. Not that she wouldn’t have fun. No, he had an entirely different reason—once the other cowboys took one look at her, there’d be a line out the door of men waiting to take her time.
“Hold up,” he heard Deck say from behind him. “We goin’ over to Big Bend on Friday?”
“Why wouldn’t we be?”
“You seem preoccupied is all.”
“Of course we’re goin’ to Big Bend. Knock this shit off, Deck.”
Between the beginning of June and the end of September, there was a rodeo just about every weekend put on by the WRCA—the Working Ranch Cowboys Association. It was the purest form of rodeo, stemming back to how it all began. One cowboy or a group of them from one ranch would brag to another, and pretty soon they’d be circling the trucks and setting up a competition.
Nowadays, the teams were made up of men and women who worked ranches full-time, every day of their lives. The events included bronc riding, team roping, branding, doctoring, and penning, and everyone’s favorite, wild cow milking.
Competing groups were typically sponsored by ranches, just like he, Decker, and the other three members of their team were sponsored by King-Alexander.
Like the better-known, flashier, and in his opinion, less authentic rodeos, the WRCA had a World Championship event at the beginning of November. They’d gone every year for the last ten, and it was something he looked forward to, whether they won, placed, or none of the above.
“Nothing’s changed, Deck, and nothing’s going to.”
His friend turned and rode away, leaving Quint feeling as though Deck didn’t believe him any more than he did himself. Change was coming; he could feel it. That didn’t necessarily mean it was related to the lovely Darrow. It could be anything. There was no denying, though, that it was in the wind.
HOURS LATER, the sun had set on Quint’s day, but Wren and her friend still hadn’t gotten back. He’d thought about calling his sister, but he never checked in with her. Doing so now would be completely out of character, which would make Wren suspicious.
He sat out on the porch of the ranch house and enjoyed the peacefulness of the night. It was still eighty degrees, but that beat over one hundred, so he wouldn’t be complaining.
As he took another swig from his bottle of beer, he saw the SUV approaching the gate and breathed easier. He thought about getting up and going inside so they didn’t think he was waiting for them, but he spent plenty of nights sitting just like he was now. There was no reason for him to feel uncomfortable about it.
He could hear Darrow’s laughter as the two women climbed out of the vehicle, and it warmed his heart, not just because the Englishwoman’s laugh was so sweet, but also because he hadn’t heard his sister laugh so much since they were kids. If nothing else, Z’s bringing Darrow here was good for Wren.
“Have fun?” he asked as they approached.
Darrow startled; he could see it from where he sat.
>
“We had a great time,” answered Wren. “Why are you home? I thought you’d be up at the Long Branch. In fact, I thought about stopping there, but we had a long day as it was.”
Quint was damn glad they hadn’t stopped. Especially since he wasn’t there. “Wasn’t feelin’ it tonight.” He noticed that Darrow was pulling bags out of the back of the SUV and stood to help her. “Let me get those for you,” he said.
“Thanks,” she murmured, looking down at their hands when his finger brushed hers as she handed a couple to him.
“Leave them. I’ll bring the rest in,” he said when he saw her reach in for more.
“It’s okay. I can…”
Her words trailed off when he leveled his gaze on her. It was fairly dark, with just a sliver of the moon illuminating the sky, but he could see her eyes clearly.
“Thank you,” she said, walking to the house in front of him and giving him the perfect view of how good her heart-shaped ass looked in her new pair of jeans. Yeah, he was damn glad they hadn’t stopped at the Long Branch.
He followed her to the back of the house and the bedroom he’d told Z to carry her suitcases to the night before.
“Whose room is this?” she asked when he set her bags on the trunk at the end of the king-size bed.
“Yours now.”
“Whose was it before?”
“It was my parents’ room.”
“Oh.”
“It’s been a long time since it was, Darrow. Like I said, it’s for guests now.”
He watched her eyes as they surveyed the space. “I could stay in a smaller one. Wren mentioned that you may have chosen this so I wouldn’t be disturbed in the morning, which is actually the last thing I want. I mean, I want to get up when you do and help. I didn’t come here on holiday, I hope you know that. I intend to…”
When Quint rested his hand on her shoulder, she stopped talking and looked up at him. “I’ll see you in the morning, Darrow.”
He turned and walked out of the room, knowing that if he didn’t, he’d do something really stupid, like kiss her. When he walked into the kitchen, Wren was waiting there for him.
“Quint—”
“Save it, Wren.”
“You don’t know what I was about to say.”
Shadow (Military Intelligence Section 6 Book 4) Page 3