Rancher And Protector

“No. I wanted to, but Mom wouldn’t let me. After she died, though, Dad always brought me along.” She remembered the times she’d spent with her father on horseback; they were her best memories. Out on the roundups they were equals, each with a job to do, each relying on the other. Memories—good memories—flooded her, and emotion built in her throat.

“He didn’t have a son, and he talked about how I’d need to understand ranching if I was going to run the place after he was gone.” Overwhelmed, she ducked her head as tears began to well in her eyes.

“Rosemary, I’m sure he—”

But she never got to hear his remark because Wes called out, drawing their attention.

“We’ve found the first of the cows. Let’s circle behind them.”

There were about fifteen head grazing, appearing undisturbed by their approach. Wes silently indicated where both Rosemary and Jason should go. Then they began driving the small herd toward the new campsite.

Rosemary eased up on a steer that had come to a halt. She had her lariat out to use to prod the reluctant animal. She slapped the steer on its rump. To her dismay, the steer turned and charged her.

Even as Maggie jerked out of the way, Rosemary heard both Wes and Jason yell. But Rosemary reined her in, struggling to stay in the saddle.

“Rosie, are you okay?” Wes asked as he raced to her side.

“Yes, I’m okay. Maggie took care of me.”

“He turned on you so fast, neither Wes nor I could get here in time,” Jason said. “Do you need to get off your horse and rest?”

“Not with that killer steer in the neighborhood. I’ll let you two deal with him,” she said with a shaky laugh.

“Right,” Jason agreed and turned his mount to force the steer back into the herd.

“I think Jason’s got his number. Are you okay to go on?”

“Of course I am, Wes. Thanks to Maggie.”

“Okay. I’m going to let you and Jason take this little herd on in and I’m going to search out more cows. I’ll see you two in a little while.

“I don’t think you should, Wes. It’s not safe to be out here alone.”

“I know Sara Beth made you promise to take care of me. That’s ridiculous, Rosie. I’m a grown man and I’ve been doing this kind of work all my life. But I’ll be careful, I promise. And you do the same.”

“Okay,” Rosemary agreed, but she wasn’t happy about it.

“Keep an eye on her, Jason,” Wes said.

Rosemary huffed in indignation. “I’ve been doing this all my life, too!”

Jason grinned. “Come on, Rosie, we’ve got to get moving so we can get back quickly.”

She was so used to Wes calling her Rosie that she didn’t even realize Jason was using her nickname until it was too late to protest. She’d have to do that later. Right now the cows demanded her attention.

It only took them about half an hour to reach the new camp. The two cowboys left to maintain the herd were having a cup of coffee with Cookie. When they caught sight of Rosemary and Jason’s herd, they mounted their horses and met them.

“Good job! Where’s Wes?” asked Nick, the newest hand.

“He’s looking for more cows,” Rosemary replied. “We’ve got to get back with him. Have you got these?”

“You bet! Be careful,” Nick called as she and Jason turned back to retrace their trail.

“I think that cowboy has a crush on you,” Jason said as they rode along.

“Who?” Rosemary asked.

“Nick. He watches you all the time.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t,” Rosemary protested.

“I know he does. I’ve watched him.”

“He’s probably thinking the same about you.”

“What? That I’ve got a crush on him?”

She laughed, in spite of herself. “Why are you watching him?”

“Because he’s watching you.” After a moment, he added, “Wes and I talked about it. He said he thinks the same thing. He’s keeping an eye on things.”

“He always keeps an eye on everything. Wes is a great ranch manager.”

“I know he is. You don’t have to sell me on him. I’ve already talked to him about staying on if I get the ranch.”

“Did he agree?” Rosemary asked anxiously. She hoped he would. She knew Wes and Sara Beth would be happy staying there with Jason. He would be a good ranch owner.

The admission surprised her. But it was true, she realized. In just these two days Jason had exhibited some of the most important qualities for an owner, including his willingness to perform any task he’d asked of his men.

Still, Rosie wondered how he’d own the Wyoming ranch when his business was in Denver. She asked him.

“I was wondering when you’d be getting around to asking me that,” he said. He reined his horse out of a gallop to answer her. “I intend to live here full-time.”

“So you’ll be closing your architectural firm, then?” From the looks of the plush offices, she figured it was successful.

“No, I’m not retiring yet,” he said with a laugh. “Actually, it’s a long story. You see I’m an architect by trade. But during the summers to earn money for college, I worked for a builder. After I got my degree, I designed some apartment buildings. I had to finance the first one myself. I intended to sell it once it was built, but I ended up keeping it. And I’ve gone on from there. I now have six apartment buildings in Denver that I own, plus I design other things, like malls and office complexes.”

“Do you own them, too?”

“Only some of them.”

So Mr. Barton was even richer than she’d thought. Would he ever be satisfied with the simple life of a rancher? Out here there wasn’t much call for a tuxedo and shiny shoes. Surely he’d figured that out. Deciding she had to ask, if only to protect Wes and Sara Beth, she said, “Are you sure you’re going to fit in out here?”

Jason grinned. “Absolutely. I can’t wait to leave Denver. I can do all my work from the ranch. I’ll fax my designs to my clients. I’ll have to go to the city to check on the progress of the construction and, occasionally, on my apartment buildings, but other than that, I’ll be a rancher.”

Somehow she could picture him in that role all too easily. “If you’re into architecture, why do you ride like you were born to it?”

“I was raised on a small ranch outside of Denver. We had a couple of horses and I started riding as a little boy.”

“Why not go back there?”

“Because the city has overtaken the property. My parents sold it ten years ago for a nice sum and moved to Arizona.”

“Quite a change. Seems—”

Just then Wes called out their names. She looked up ahead for Wes, but she didn’t see him.

“Where is he?”

Jason pointed up on one of the slopes above them. “Up there. Looks like he’s found more cattle.” Jason picked up his speed and Rosemary followed.

When they got close to Wes, they pulled up and looked at him for guidance. He’d found almost another twenty head of cattle, but they were spread out on rocky terrain. For a moment, the only sound was the wind blowing through the aspen trees.

Wes directed them with hand signals, in order not to startle the cattle. Gradually the three of them managed to pull the cattle into a compact group and moved them down the slopes into the small valley that fed into the larger one where the camp was located.

When they reached the camp, they discovered the herd had tripled in their absence. With the cattle they had found, they were already close to seventy head of cattle. Rosemary was greatly cheered to already have that number on the first day.

Wes, however, after talking with Cookie, discovered the trio that included Ted still had not shown up.

“You two grab some lunch. I’m going to go check on that group. I’m hoping they’re not in trouble.”

“Wes, you need some lunch, too,” Rosemary protested.

“Then see what Cookie has that I can take with me.”

Rosemary hastily made a quick sandwich and handed it to him. “Give me your canteen and I’ll fill it quickly.”

After she handed it back to him, she opened her mouth, but he spoke first. “I know, be careful. I promise.”

Jason stared after him. “I think I should go with him. Ted is my responsibility.”

“Yes, we could do without Ted, but Wes will take care of everything,” Rosemary said.

“We don’t know that he’s caused any difficulties today,” Jason said stubbornly.

“How much do you want to bet?” Rosemary returned, anger in her voice.

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