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“Mr. Gallagher didn’t mention three of you.”
“Julian was a last-minute addition,” Rod said. “He’ll assist with shoots.”
The front passenger door of the vehicle swung open, and a tall, thin, young man with long shaggy hair, a minuscule beard and wire-rim glasses rolled out. Earphones were propped on his head. When he glanced around, enthusiasm brightened his eyes. “Wow. This is great. I’ve never been west of the mountains.”
The only female of the group came around the truck to assess the situation. With one hand, she shoved back her shoulder-length cascade of strawberry-blond hair and with the other she pushed an oversized black leather tote over her shoulder.
“I knew we were in Paradise the minute I laid eyes on the good sheriff.” The woman smiled and stepped forward, offering a handshake in greeting. Her nails were short and unpolished, no-nonsense like the woman herself, who was dressed in tan khakis and a taupe sweater. “Abigail Warren. Call me Abi.”
“Rebecca Simpson.”
“Yes,” Abi said quietly. “I’ve read about you.”
“Don’t believe everything you read,” Rebecca murmured in response.
“Never. I’m a writer. I recognize fiction when I see it.”
When Abi winked, Rebecca knew she’d found an ally.
Overhead the sky rumbled. “Uh-oh.” Julian tugged the earphones from his head to listen closely. “Thunder? That can’t be good.”
“Let’s move over to the horse barn. It’s the closest shelter.” Rebecca pointed to the large red building. “The log cabin to your left is Mr. Gallagher’s, and that two-story colonial on your right is the main house.”
When the sky thundered again, the crew picked up their pace, following Rebecca. Along the way, their curious gazes took in the details of the Gallagher ranch, the barn, the fenced-in corral and the utility garage.
“Is that a windmill?” Abi asked, pointing to the teetering, metal structure standing out in the distance.
“It is.”
“What do they use them for?” she asked.
“They used to be utilized to bring water from the aquifers to the cattle. Most ranches use pump irrigation now.”
“When will we meet our client?” Rod asked.
“That depends on when he comes back from the pasture.”
“Horses,” Julian said when Rebecca pulled open one of the large barn doors. Wonderment laced his voice. He turned around to observe the stalls.
“That’s probably why she called it a horse barn,” Abi noted.
“This is Julian’s first big on-location assignment,” Rod said. “His life is usually spent working with computer software in the office. Generally his idea of nature is the Denver Zoo.”
Julian shrugged. “I’d deny it, except it’s absolutely true.”
“Great, then you’ll appreciate that we’re going to tour the ranch first thing tomorrow.”
“It’s starting to rain.” Julian observed the fat drops beginning to touch the ground.
“Rain doesn’t stop life on the ranch,” Rebecca said.
She scrutinized their clothing, from Abi’s open-toe sandals to Julian’s flip-flops and realized that it was actually a very good thing that Joe wasn’t here.
“Let’s talk about your schedule, and then I’ll let you get back to town to check in at the Paradise Bed and Breakfast and do some shopping.”
“Shopping?” Abi perked up.
“Yes.” Rebecca smiled. “First, I’d like to take this opportunity to make a few safety recommendations.” She stared pointedly at Julian. “Leave your earphones and earbuds in your suitcase. While you are working on the ranch, it’s important to listen and be in tune with your surroundings. You’ll want to hear the nuances of the land, including the weather. There are potential dangers, as well.”
“Dangers?” Julian asked.
“Dangerous wildlife, or even a ranch animal in distress.”
Rod nodded as the others focused on her words.
“You need boots. Cowboy boots, hiking boots or sturdy rubber boots with safety toes. Whatever you prefer. They’ll protect your feet and ankles from things like horse hooves, cow patties, insects, or even snakebites. Besides boots, you’ll want to dress in layers. It’s cold in the morning, warm in the afternoon.”
“I’d really like a cowboy hat,” Abi said.
Rebecca chuckled. “You do need some sort of hat. A cowboy hat is perfect. Gloves, sunscreen. All a necessity. Our altitude is higher than Denver’s. You can get burned faster here than in the city.”
“Anything else?” Rod asked.
“Tomorrow we’ll start by driving around the ranch, so bring your gear and water bottles. Keep in mind that there are no restrooms out in the pasture.”
“Any place to charge a cell phone?” Julian asked as he held his phone aloft in various positions, searching for reception.
Rebecca blinked. “I imagine we’ll be using a ranch truck, or utility vehicle, and usually ranch vehicles are of the ancient variety. It probably doesn’t have an adapter.” She paused. “I can’t even guarantee one bar out here. Most days in the warm months, yes. But you never know. It all depends on Mother Nature and where you happen to be standing.”
“You’re on the wild prairie,” Rod said with a chuckle.
“Your priority needs to be hydration. We’re at nearly nine thousand feet above sea level, which beats the 5,280 of the Mile-High City. If you aren’t sufficiently hydrated, you’ll get headaches, feel faint and possibly pass out. You’re Coloradans. You know the drill.”
Julian took another swig from his water bottle.
“Try not to get between Mr. Gallagher and his chores. I can’t emphasize that enough. This is a working ranch. One that he manages pretty much solo.”
“We’re going to want to follow Gallagher around for at least a full day,” Rod said. “Then we can go back later to set up some specific shoots.”
“I figured you’d want to shadow him.”
“What time should we be out here?” Rod asked.
“Five a.m. is the time he gave me. Sunrise is at five thirty.”
“In the morning?” Julian squeaked.
“The last time I was up at five in the morning I was pulling all-nighters in college,” Abi murmured.
“Yeah, but think of the sunrise shots we can get. I imagine the sky is endless out here that time of day.”
“Yes. You’re right, Rod. Though tomorrow you get a break. I’ll be shadowing Mr. Gallagher until eight a.m. I’ll meet you in front of the barn at eight thirty, and we can do our tour of the ranch. Keep in mind that it’s another twenty minutes from town to the ranch. You’ll actually have to be up earlier to get here in time.”
“I’m exhausted just thinking about our schedule,” Julian said.
Rebecca chuckled. “Welcome to Paradise, folks.”
Thunder cracked, and they all jumped, turning in time to see the darkened sky light up with a brilliant flash.
“This cannot be a good sign,” Julian murmured.
“They have rain slickers at the tack shop in town,” Rebecca offered.
Abi’s eyes rounded and she looked past Rebecca, mesmerized. “Who’s that?”
Rebecca turned around. From the west, a lone figure rode toward them. A black Stetson on his head, he sat tall and formidable in the saddle.
“That would be Joe Gallagher?” Abi asked.
“My model?” Rod asked with a wide grin on his face.
“It is,” Rebecca said.
“And here I thought I was going to be photographing a grizzled old rancher.”
“Well done, OrthoBorne,” Abi said.
Two dogs appeared, not far behind, racing toward the corrals. As Joe got closer, he raised his left hand to tip the Stetson to the back of his head and narrowed his eyes to assess the strangers on his ranch.
“Uh-oh. Your model doesn’t look happy,” Abi murmured.
Joe reined in the horse a short distance away and dismounted easily from the saddle. Steely-eyed, he crossed his arms on his broad chest and faced them.
“We have a problem,” he said to Rebecca. The words were a slow accusation delivered with a tone that brooked no argument.
“A problem?” She swallowed.
“The paddock and north gate were left open.”
“Oops,” Julian murmured.
Rod and Abi turned to glare at Julian.
“So it was your ranch,” Abi said.
“We took a few cow pictures when we were lost,” Rod said.
“Bull.”
Rod jerked back, his eyes rounding. “Excuse me?”
“That’s a bull, not a cow,” Joe returned.
“Yes, sir,” Rod said with a nod.
Joe narrowed his gaze and looked slowly from Julian, to Rod and then Abi. “You know the first rule of the ranch?”
“Do no harm?” Julian asked.
“That’s doctors,” Rod said drily.
“Leave everything the way you find it.” Joe moved into the barn with his horse.
“Seriously?” Julian said. “I would have never guessed that in a million years.”
“Pay attention, Julian. I suspect Mr. Gallagher is trying to tell us something,” Rod muttered.
Rebecca raised a hand, indicating for the crew to stay put as she followed Joe into the barn. “Your bull is loose?”
“Was. Rowdy crossed the road and knocked down my neighbor’s garden fence and trampled his wife’s tomato plants. It would have been worse except he’s old, and all that exercise wore him out.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Already done. Gil and Wishbone helped me herd him back, which put me an hour behind on my chores, not including the fence I still need to repair.” He ran a hand over his face. “I’ll need to go into town for tomato plants. Oh, and I’ll need to add those fancy frost guards to my list. Good old Rowdy smashed those, as well.” He let out a weary breath.
“Joe, I’m sorry. I’ll have the crew go into town for the plants if that will help.”
“This is my ranch. I’ll handle it.” He met her gaze. “I can tell you what will help. Getting them in and out fast. The longer they’re on Gallagher Ranch, the greater the chances are I’m going to lose my temper.”
“Yes. Yes. Of course. I’ll monitor them more closely and we’ll get this done quickly.”
“The clock starts ticking now, Becca.”
Rebecca offered a solemn nod. He was absolutely right, and she was completely certain that she was going to need some serious prayer time in order to pull off this assignment.
* * *
“I’ll be back in the morning.”
“What?” At the sound of Becca’s voice, Joe turned from brushing his horse and stared at her. She stood in the doorway of the barn, hesitation on her face.
“To shadow you.” She rubbed her right arm for a moment, then stopped, as if realizing what she was doing, and slipped her hands into the pockets of her jeans.
Joe put the curry comb on the shelf. He glanced at his watch, a decision already made in his mind. “Come on, then. I only have a few minutes.”
“A few minutes?”
“Lunch and a trip into town are next on my list.”
