by Kim Redford
“I promise I’ll do my best to find her.” Belle felt worse about the situation all the time. She wished she could wave a magic wand and produce Daisy Sue. She was reminded of how much she wanted to help youngsters through her newsletter and the ranch. If she couldn’t find one missing cow, she wasn’t doing much of a job of reaching out.
“Thanks,” Cole said. “I know they’ll all appreciate your effort. Storm’s had the entire county worried about Fernando’s lost love, so any news will help.”
“The entire county?” Belle couldn’t believe so many people could care about one little girl’s happiness…or one bull out of hundreds. Maybe she needed to rethink Wildcat Bluff County.
“Yes, indeed,” Cole agreed. “Fernando is everyone’s favorite bull. And I don’t mean just in Wildcat Bluff County.”
“That’s right.” Storm raised her chin again. “I’ve been keeping fans updated on his loss of Daisy Sue. Everyone—thousands, at least—are waiting to find out if the Lazy Q, or Lulabelle & You Ranch, brings her home to him.”
Belle felt a chill run through her. Storm had just tossed a publicity nightmare right into her lap, intentional or not. She had to find that cow. But what could have happened to her?
“Belle will do her best,” Rowdy said. “And I’ll help.”
“Thanks…uh, Rowdy.” Storm gave him a sly smile. “We’re all still waiting for your cowboy poem about them. ‘Ode to the Love of Fernando and Daisy Sue.’ Right?”
“I’m not sure what I’m going to call it yet.” Rowdy smiled back at her. “I’m waiting for inspiration.”
“Don’t wait too long,” Storm said. “Christmas is coming up, and it’s our gift to Fernando’s fans. They’re waiting for it.”
“I won’t let you down,” Rowdy said.
“We just need to get Daisy Sue home for Christmas.” Sydney placed a soft kiss on her daughter’s cheek.
“Fernando made it home in time for Christmas last year. Daisy Sue will do the same.” Storm nodded at Belle. “Right?”
“I’ll do my best.” Belle just hoped she could make this girl and the entire county happy by bringing Daisy Sue home in time for Christmas…as well as avoid a Lulabelle & You publicity meltdown.
She glanced at Rowdy and saw sympathy in his eyes. She suddenly felt as if he was the single friendly and familiar face in the whole group…and she’d only just met him. Still, there was something about him that inspired so much trust and confidence.
Chapter 6
Rowdy didn’t just like Belle, he felt sympathy for her. She was unknowingly dealing with a community that wanted her and her ideas gone. Add to that the fact that she’d accidentally stepped into the entire Fernando phenomenon without a clue. And it’d come down on her shoulders. Daisy Sue had to be in a barn or pasture on some ranch, since a feedlot didn’t make sense for her. Any rancher worth his salt could tell with one glance she was a high-dollar cow from a good bloodline. She had to be protected by somebody somewhere. But where was she? And why was it a secret, even from the owner herself?
At least they’d put out the brush fire. He liked things that were controllable in his life…except for his poetry and woodworking, which gave him an outlet for his creativity. Besides, he was high-energy and always needed more to do. He’d like to spend some of that time and energy with a cowgirl who shared his interests, but so far it hadn’t worked out…at least not in the long run. Maybe it was bad luck. Maybe he expected too much. Maybe he lost interest. At thirty-three, enough water had run under the bridge that he realized it’d take an exceptional woman to team up with him.
He liked women. He liked their sweet scent, soft hair, curvaceous bodies, and view of life. He liked to laugh with them over the absurdities that always found their way into whatever was going on. And he liked their companionship…along with the sex, of course, but they couldn’t spend all day and night in bed, no matter how much he might like to do it.
All in all, Belle Tarleton appeared to be the right fit at the wrong time in the worst possible place. He wasn’t even going to let his mind go there, or at least he was going to try to keep it from going there. She wasn’t for him—no two ways about it.
And here they were, all standing around with the fire out and waiting for Sheriff Calhoun or one of his deputies to show up. Not much to say about the blaze except accidents happen. The sheriff’s department, along with the fire department, would still want a record of it.
Fortunately, the grass fire wasn’t an issue anymore, but there was palpable tension between Steele Trap Ranch and the newly named Lulabelle & You Ranch. Storm was giving no ground, not that the strong-willed little girl ever did for any reason, particularly not if it involved Fernando. Belle kept looking up toward her house as if it was high ground in rising water. She wanted to escape the situation. Rowdy didn’t blame her. Storm wouldn’t rest easy until all was well for her beloved bull, and Belle was now responsible for that to happen.
He glanced toward Wildcat Road and was glad to see a Texas Highway Patrol SUV repurposed for the Wildcat Bluff County sheriff’s department since it was the best they could afford on limited funds…and they were grateful for the upgrade even at 300,000 plus miles on the odometer.
When the vehicle eased to a stop near them, Sheriff Calhoun stepped out. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man who wore a tan police uniform with a holstered revolver on his right hip, black cowboy boots, and a beige Stetson. He walked right over to them.
“Everybody okay?” Sheriff Calhoun glanced around the group, sharp brown eyes missing nothing.
“We’re fine.” Rowdy took charge since he had been first on the scene. He pointed toward the “No Hunting” sign. “Looks like somebody threw a mason jar against the sign. It broke. We figure sunlight hitting the glass started the fire. Simple accident. Still, it’s your call.”
Sheriff Calhoun walked over, knelt down, and nodded as he perused the burned area. “Looks about right. We’re lucky you caught it in time.” He stood up, pulled out his phone, and snapped a few photographs. “I’ll write up a report.”
“Thanks,” Rowdy said.
Sheriff Calhoun rubbed his chin. “Wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the Everett brothers weren’t out riding around the county, like they do, looking for trouble at night or to make mischief from sheer orneriness or boredom or pick your reason. They particularly don’t like to be kept from hunting, or poaching in their case, whenever and wherever they want to do it. They’ve been a continual problem since they were teenagers.”
“Yeah. Don’t we all know it.” Slade stepped forward and shook the sheriff’s hand.
“I’ve had to run them off the dump when they took to taking potshots at the raccoons,” Cole said, shaking his head. “I doubt they’ve ever been gainfully employed.”
“Doubt it, too.” Sheriff Calhoun looked off down the road as if he could see the brothers. “Still, their family’s been in the county for generations, so they’re here to stay on that ragtag acreage that’s seen better days.”
“It’s not bad land,” Slade said.
“Right.” Cole nodded in agreement. “There’s just no maintenance on it.”
“Maybe one day they’ll pull their lives together. For now, all’s well that ends well.” Sheriff Calhoun tipped his hat to Storm and Sydney. “Ladies, always a pleasure.”
Storm pointed at Belle. “She’s calling the Lazy Q by a new name.”
“Is she now?” Sheriff Calhoun quirked an eyebrow.
“Lulabelle & You.” Storm flicked back a long strand of hair in disdain at the name. “It’s after her business.”
Belle stepped forward, holding out her hand. “I’m Belle Tarleton, new owner of the Lazy Q. And yes, I’m renaming the ranch as a promotional vehicle for my line of women’s Western wear.”
“Pleased to meet you.” Sheriff Calhoun shook her hand. “I’d heard you were in the county. If I can
be of assistance, please let me know.”
“Thank you. Right now Rowdy is helping me update and upgrade the ranch house.”
“Rowdy?” Sheriff Calhoun appeared confused at her words.
“That’s right.” Rowdy gave a big smile, hoping to ease the moment. “I’m at her beck and call for a bit.”
“Oh yeah.” Sheriff Calhoun grinned as he took off his hat and glanced down at it. “Right. Construction.”
“Exactly,” Belle said. “And if we aren’t needed here anymore, I’d like for us to get back to work.”
“Sure thing.” Sheriff Calhoun appeared amused as he put his hat back on his head. “I need to be on my way, too. Thanks for the help.”
Storm stepped close to the sheriff. “Any word about Daisy Sue?”
He knelt so they were at eye level. “Not yet. But we’re on it.”
“Thank you.” Storm pointed at Belle. “She’s going to help, too. After all, Daisy Sue belongs to her, and you’d think she’d know where she put her own cow.”
Sheriff Calhoun stood up. “Don’t worry. We’ll find Daisy Sue.”
“Just you wait and see,” Storm said. “She’ll be home in time for Christmas like Fernando last year.”
“I don’t doubt it. If I learn her whereabouts, I’ll be in touch.” Sheriff Calhoun gave a nod all around and then walked over to his vehicle, got inside, and drove off.
“Well, that’s that.” Belle glanced around at everyone with a pleasant look on her face. “It’s been a pleasure to meet all my new neighbors…and put out a fire.”
“Glad you caught the fire when you did.” Slade gestured toward the burned section of pasture. “Guess we’ll be seeing you around, since we share a property line.”
“Certainly,” Belle said, maintaining her pleasant expression.
“And you’ll let us know about Daisy Sue?” Storm stepped forward. “Do you have Mom’s phone number?”
“I have it, and I’ll give it to her,” Rowdy said.
“Thank you.” Sydney grasped her daughter’s hand. “We’ll be off then.”
“We’d better get back to the station,” Slade said. “Hedy will be waiting for us.”
“And you never know when we’ll need the booster again, so it’s best we be on our way.” Cole nodded at Belle. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too.”
Rowdy stood beside Belle as the others loaded up, headed out, and drove off. He couldn’t help but have noticed the stilted language so unlike the norm in their county. Belle wouldn’t be winning any popularity contests anytime soon.
“They don’t like me, do they?” Belle said in a matter-of-fact tone.
He didn’t know how to respond. He hated to be the one left to pick up the pieces of the Daisy Sue problem.
“And how would I know about one missing cow?”
“Fernando is pretty famous…and now Daisy Sue is, too.”
“I understand about promotion…and narrative. But a bull and a cow? I don’t get it.”
“He’s a hero. He saved Storm’s life. Folks far and wide like his story, and they enjoy sharing bits and pieces of his life.” Rowdy didn’t know how else to explain the situation. It just was what it was.
“And Daisy Sue?”
“She’s part of Fernando’s life now.”
“What if I can’t find her?”
“You will.”
“How?”
“She can’t have disappeared into thin air.”
“Nevertheless that seems to be the case.”
“We’ll ask Kemp Lander.”
“He’d better know and produce her pronto.” Belle put her hands on her hips and looked off into the distance. “Otherwise, Lulabelle & You is right in the middle of a marketing nightmare.”
“It’ll be okay.” He wished he believed his own words, but he had no idea about anything that was going on at the ranch…except his part in the slowdown. “Come on. Let’s get back up to the house.”
“And talk with Kemp.”
“Is he at the main barn?” Rowdy headed for his truck with her right beside him.
“I have no idea.”
“No?”
“I’ve been focused on the house and my business.”
“The ranch is now your business, too.”
“Guess so. I just hadn’t thought of that aspect of it before all this came to light.”
He opened the door to his pickup and made sure she’d stepped up and sat down safely inside. As he walked around the front, he realized he’d become protective of her. She might know ranches, pickups, cattle, and all, but she still seemed to be too trusting with strangers. Maybe it was him. Maybe it was her nature. Maybe it was something else distracting her. For now, he’d better keep an eye on what was going on at the ranch beyond the house. He didn’t need the aggravation or the worry, but she appeared so alone and yet so independent and determined to succeed. He wished things were simpler between them.
He sat down inside his truck, started the engine, and glanced over at her. With the determined set to her jaw, she reminded him of Storm. Nobody needed two strong-willed cowgirls butting heads. Maybe he needed to take on the job of finding Daisy Sue so at least that wasn’t part of the boondoggle.
“Want to get something to eat?” Food always eased situations, so he gave it a try.
“No.”
“Guess you’re not in a mind to chow down at the Chuckwagon.” He crossed Wildcat Road and headed toward the house.
“Why not?” She gave him a puzzled look and then turned to stare forward again.
“It’s owned and run by the Steele family.”
“I don’t know why you or anyone else would think I had anything against them. I’m simply trying to get up to speed here. One cow was not on my agenda.”
“Is it now?”
“Of course it is.” She stiffened her shoulders. “I told you it could be a marketing nightmare.”
“What about the cow…and Storm?”
“I’m sympathetic. I don’t like to see a little girl upset or a beloved cow go missing.”
“That’s what I figured.” He was glad to know she wouldn’t solve the issue strictly because it’d hurt her business. He wanted to believe she had a big heart. Still, Daisy Sue could be a helpful distraction in addition to what he’d be doing at the house, so the longer she had to look for the cow, the better for the county.
He maneuvered up the drive and parked in front. He wanted no part of the upcoming business, but Wildcat Bluff County came first. And he’d agreed.
She released her seat belt, turned toward him, and placed a hand on his right bicep.
He felt her touch like a torch through the cotton of his shirt and blaze all the way to his gut—hot as fire. When she released him, he felt the loss like a chill. Not good. And yet he had to see this to the end—and that meant running her out of the county.
“Look, I’m a straight shooter. I like you. You’ve been honest and kind to me. I need it here where I feel as if the world is against me. And I don’t know why.”
“It’s just—”
“I’m not local. I get it. But I have plans to help.”
“Plans?” He didn’t like the sound of that at all, and nobody else would either. Had she bought something else in the county that she was going to transform, too?
“I don’t want to talk about my plans just yet, but please believe me when I say I’m not here to harm the county or anyone in it.”
“What plans?”
“That’ll come later.” She touched his arm again, but with only her fingertips this time.
He felt her touch go deep. She was revving him up like nobody’s business. He had to get a handle on his reaction to her, or he’d never be able to stay on course.
She opened her door. “Let’s see what
we can find out about Daisy Sue.”
He just sat there a moment, feeling as if Belle Tarleton was going to change his life…and the natural order in Wildcat Bluff County.
Chapter 7
Belle stalked toward the front door with Rowdy right behind her. She shouldn’t have touched him—not his arm, not anywhere. But oh, that bicep was rock-hard, exciting, enticing, tempting. And she hadn’t touched him only once, she’d done it twice. Something about Rowdy just set her off. Where it came from, she didn’t know, didn’t care, didn’t need. She had to get back in control…or maybe she was tired of being totally in control with nothing but work on her agenda. Was that true? If so, she didn’t have time for it, not with so much on the line.
As if her attraction to Rowdy wasn’t bad enough or her sudden need for a getaway even worse, there was this entire Daisy Sue business to cause trouble. She wasn’t sure if any of the Steele Trap folks believed her. She had to admit that losing a high-dollar cow didn’t make much sense from a rancher’s viewpoint, but she hadn’t been here when it’d happened, so she couldn’t possibly know about it. Now she needed to get information.
She’d start with Kemp Lander. She hadn’t seen him or heard from him since he’d set out for a pasture that morning. She’d been so busy with the house and her business that she hadn’t paid enough attention to the ranch, and she still didn’t have time to do it. She depended on Kemp, even though she hadn’t known him long. But where was he? She should’ve heard from him by now.
She stopped abruptly in her tracks and felt Rowdy plow into her back. He grabbed her shoulders to keep from knocking her over and pulled her against his muscular chest. She froze. He froze. She heard his breath ratchet up, caught his scent, felt his heat…and neither of them moved, maybe couldn’t for the power of the energy zinging between them.
Finally, he cleared his throat, lightly squeezed her shoulders, and dropped his hands. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to run into you. Are you okay?”
“My fault. I stopped in front of you.”
She didn’t look back at him. She couldn’t. She feared what he would see in her eyes. Lust. Pure, unadulterated lust. Red and pink and purple lust. She went from hot to cold and back again. She felt her fingers tingle and itch with the need to stroke him all over, every single bit of him. And still she didn’t look at him. She stared at the double front doors in front of her, unable or unwilling to move away from him. He didn’t move either. They weren’t touching now, but they might as well have been because that energy still bound them…as if it were a rope meant to capture, tie, and hold forever.