Hazard

by Ruth Ryan Langan

  “I’ll get it. Tell me about the house plans.”

  “There aren’t any yet.” Maggie and Chance exchanged smiles. “But we’ve talked about what we want, and now we’ll just wait and see what the architect comes up with.”

  “Which reminds me.” Chance caught Maggie’s hand. “Come on. We have to phone the architect and get him started.”

  Maggie paused beside Erin. “It was nice meeting you. I hope I’ll see you before you leave.”

  “Thanks, Maggie. And thanks for the tea. I’m feeling human again.”

  When they were gone, Erin watched as Hazard poured himself a cup of coffee. The plaid shirt couldn’t hide the muscles of his arms and shoulders. Just thinking about the ease with which he’d carried her gave a funny tingle along her spine.

  He turned. The droplets of water from the shower glistened in his shaggy dark hair. He was in need of a haircut, and it spilled over his forehead as he walked to the table.

  “Are you feeling up to a little lab work?”

  She nodded. “It’s why I’m here.”

  “Okay. Follow me. And bring your tea.”

  He led the way through the great room, where a fire still blazed on the open hearth. Then they walked along a hallway until he threw open a door and led the way inside.

  Erin didn’t know what she’d been expecting. But certainly not this. She stared around in openmouthed surprise. There were three walls of floor-to-ceiling shelves. A fourth wall was all glass, allowing natural light to flood the room. More light poured from the skylights above. An island counter in the center of the room had two large sinks, several stools and a computer. Everything was white. The ceramic tile floors, the granite countertops, the cabinets and shelves. Even the walls. White and spotless.

  “This is…almost as big as our laboratory at the university.”

  “Is it?” He shrugged and crossed to the island counter. Within minutes he’d set aside his coffee and was removing several vials of blood serum from a refrigerator.

  “I took these from the dead calves.” He set the vials to one side, then removed several more. “These are from their mothers. Each is labeled. I’ve already done the usual tests for bacteria, virus. As you’ll read in my notes, so far I’ve come up empty.”

  Erin set aside her tea and took the notebook from his hand. As their fingers brushed, she almost dropped the notebook, but managed to retain her grasp on it long enough to set it down on the counter.

  She hadn’t imagined it. At the mere touch of their fingertips she’d felt a sizzle of heat all the way up her arm.

  “Well?”

  She realized he was waiting for her to study his notes. As she bent to the notebook, her admiration for him went up another notch. Not only did he have a fine lab, he kept meticulous notes.

  “Why don’t I run a few simple tests of my own, just to see if we come up with the same results?”

  He nodded. “Good idea. While you’re doing that, I hope you won’t mind if I run out to the barn and check on the new calf.” He shot her a grin. “After all, I was the midwife.”

  She watched as he turned away and let himself out. When he was gone, she took a deep breath, relieved that she was finally alone. She didn’t know quite how it had happened, but ever since she’d arrived here, she seemed to have lost her bearings. For a while, there, she’d felt like Alice falling down the hole. She’d dropped into another world. One that bore no resemblance to the pristine world she’d always occupied.

  But now she was back. Completely in her element. She might be a misfit in a barn, but here in the lab she was right at home.

  Hazard returned to the house wearing a puzzled frown. It seemed these days at the ranch every bit of good news was countered by bad.

  In the good news department, the cow and her newborn were thriving. But just to be safe, he’d taken a vial of blood from each. Tomorrow, Russ Thurman would return them to the herd.

  The bad news was that Russ had confirmed that there were more than a dozen carcasses discovered overnight. All newborns. All apparently healthy.

  He hoped Dr. Erin Ryan could provide him with the answer.

  He paused in the doorway of the lab. She was seated at the island counter, peering through a microscope. Satisfied, she turned to write in a notebook, before returning her attention to the serum sample.

  He leaned against the door, unaware of the smile of pure appreciation that touched his lips. He’d been wrong about her hair. It wasn’t light brown. With the sunlight pouring down from the skylight, it proved to be a rich, honey-blond. One little strand had slipped from the neat knot and kissed her cheek in a most beguiling fashion.

  She’d removed the prim jacket to reveal an equally prim, white blouse, buttoned clear to the throat. She had crossed one leg over the other while she worked, and her foot was moving to some inner music. He took a moment to admire the length of thigh visible beneath the skirt, before she tugged on the fabric, blocking his view.

  She glanced up and caught sight of him in the doorway. For a moment her heart did an odd little flip-flop, before settling back to its natural rhythm.

  “So.” He walked closer and bent toward her notes. “Have you solved my problem?”

  “Hmm? Oh. I’m afraid not. In fact, I can’t find anything here at all out of the ordinary.” She frowned. “Are you absolutely certain these calves weren’t just killed by predators?”

  “If I believed that, I wouldn’t have sent out a call for help.”

  “I realize that. I didn’t mean…” She paused, and indicated the serum sample. “Look here.”

  He bent his head beside hers and peered through the scope. When he did, his hair tickled her hand and she pulled it away as though burned.

  “It looks perfectly normal to me.”

  “Yes.” She reminded herself to breathe. The specimen was normal. What wasn’t normal was her reaction to this man. “That’s what I meant. Nothing at all out of the ordinary here. If you were dealing with infection, whether bacterial or viral, there would be changes in the blood serum. But these animals show no sign of disease.”

  Hazard couldn’t hide his disappointment. “Sorry.” He turned away and paced toward the windows, then back. “I guess I’ve been hoping for a quick, easy answer. But now that your conclusions are the same as mine, I realize I’m just going to have to dig deeper.”

  “I’m just as disappointed as you.” At the arch of his brow she flushed. “For quite different reasons, of course. You have a personal stake in this. But as a researcher, I relish the opportunity to solve medical mysteries. I had even allowed myself to think I might stumble upon some new strain of bacteria that would offer a challenge to me and my colleagues.”

  “Yeah. Well…” He leaned a hip against the counter. “I just spoke with one of my wranglers. There are more than a dozen new calves dead since last night.”

  “We had snow. Maybe this is the normal attrition rate during a hard spring. I did detect some hypoglycemia in the blood samples.”

  He nodded. “Typical of hypothermia. But it’s to be expected with all this snow. The stock is hardy enough to survive it.” He shook his head. “Something else is killing off my calves. And I intend to find out what it is.” He gave a sigh of resignation. “Thank you, Erin. I appreciate the fact that you came out of your way as a favor to Professor Wingate.”

  “Actually, I did it as much for myself as for the good professor. Though I must admit, his description of you was intriguing.”

  His head came up. “Really? What did he have to say?”

  “He called you the most gifted, determined rancher he’d ever met.”

  Hazard’s smile was quick and disarming. “He was equally effusive about you.”

  She couldn’t help returning the smile. “He’s a dear. We’ve worked together on a couple of projects. It’s really his influence that brought me here. I wrote a paper that caught his eye, and he and I began corresponding. When there was an opening at the university for a fellowship, he rec
ommended me for the position. And even though it’s only for a year, I thought it would add to my store of knowledge. So here I am.” She realized she’d been babbling. It was completely out of character. It had to be this situation.

  She paused a moment, then came to a decision. “I was on my way back to Laramie, but I think this may be far more important than anything waiting for me in the lab. Besides, it isn’t often that I get the chance to do actual fieldwork. Would you mind if I stayed to do a little blood work on the calves that died last night?”

  “Would I mind?” His smile grew. “Dr. Ryan, I’d be delighted.”

  He walked to the door and beckoned her to follow. “I’ll show you the guest quarters and let Maggie know you’ll be staying for dinner.”

  “You don’t think she’ll mind the extra work?”

  “Maggie?” He laughed. “My sister-in-law is amazing. In the time it would take most of us to open a couple of cans, she can whip up a gourmet meal that would put the experts to shame.”

  He opened a door and stood aside. Just beyond the lab was a suite of rooms as impressive as all the other rooms Erin had seen at the Double W. There was a bedroom, with a king-size bed constructed of hand-hewn logs. A chaise lounge was situated in front of a double fireplace that heated both the bedroom and the adjoining bathroom. Another wall contained floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and beside them stood a cozy writing desk and chair.

  “Oh.” Her usual reticence nearly dissolved as she looked around. “This is…quite wonderful.”

  “If you have a suitcase in the car, I’ll be happy to have someone bring it to you.”

  “Thank you.” She dug in her pocket and produced the keys. “It’s in the trunk.”

  As she handed him the keys she felt again the quick rush of heat, the tiny flutter around her heart. It wasn’t the man, she thought. It was the situation. After years in a laboratory, she would actually spend a night at a working ranch. It was the opportunity of a lifetime.

  When Hazard was gone she began to prowl the room, touching a hand to the massive stones that made up the fireplace, sitting on the edge of the mattress to test its softness.

  She didn’t know why she was feeling this quiet hum of excitement. As though she was about to venture into completely uncharted territory.

  But she did know this: by this time tomorrow the mystery surrounding the deaths would probably be solved to everyone’s satisfaction, and she would be on her way back to her tiny apartment on the campus in Laramie. But she would have the satisfaction of knowing that she’d actually spent a night at the biggest ranch in Wyoming. And, in her own small way, had had a hand in making the operation run more smoothly.

  Now if only she could do something about her odd reaction to Hazard Wilde.

  If Professor Wingate were here, he’d probably remind her that it had something to do with digestion. She’d be fine after a hot meal.

  Chapter 3

  Erin changed into her clean shoes, then repaired most of the damage to her other pair in the bathroom, scrubbing and polishing them to a high shine. Then she set about slicking back her hair, seeing to it that every errant strand was carefully tucked in place.

  As she studied her reflection in the bathroom mirror, she wondered about the protocol of going to dinner without her suit jacket. This was, after all, a ranch. Still, as her mother had always cautioned, she had an image to uphold. People expected certain things of a professional woman. In the end she decided that, ranch or no, she would wear her jacket.

  She left her room and started down the hall that led to the great room. Beyond that she’d spotted a formal dining room. But when she got there, she was surprised to find it empty.

  She turned and followed the sound of voices to the kitchen.

  Chance and Hazard were leaning against a counter, laughing, talking and drinking beer. Maggie was busy at the stove, stirring something that smelled heavenly. They all looked up as she entered.

  “Come on in.” Hazard took a step toward her. “Would you like something to drink?”

  She started to shake her head. “I don’t think…”

  Maggie held up a glass of white wine. “It doesn’t have to be beer. If you’d like, you can join me. I’m having a little Chardonnay.”

  Erin smiled. “I’d like that.”

  Hazard poured, then handed her a stem glass.

  “Thanks.” She sipped, ordering herself to relax.

  “I was just telling…” Hazard stopped as the door burst open and Ace breezed in, followed by Cody. “You’re back from Colorado already?”

  “Yep.” Ace reached into his pocket and held up a fistful of money. “With four thousand of McCormick’s dollars, thanks to his lack of skill at eight ball.”

  “You idiot.” Chance exploded, shoving Ace back against a wall. “Why in hell did you have to hustle him in a pool game?”

  “Because he’s such easy pickins, that’s why.” Ace shoved back, then managed to land a punch in Chance’s forearm before stepping out of reach. “Every time we get together, the poor fool just begs me to beat him.”

  Now it was Hazard’s turn to throw a punch. “But you were hoping for a half interest in his mine. Now you’ve spoiled any chance of that.”

  “Have I?” Ace managed two quick fists to the chest, sending Hazard hurtling backward before he straightened and slammed his younger brother against the counter.

  As both brothers came at him, Ace held up a document to stave off further attack. “Wait a minute. Do you see this?”

  Chance and Hazard paused. “What is it?”

  “Just a half interest in McCormick’s mining operation.”

  “You got it?” Hazard looked thunderstruck.

  “I told you I would. And when I set my mind to something, I take no prisoners.”

  “So first you beat him at eight ball, then you somehow persuaded him to throw in a half interest in his mine, as well?”

  “Something like that. Actually, he was determined that I take half.”

  Hazard frowned. “If he was that insistent, it could mean we’ve just acquired 50 percent of bad debt.”

  “Hey. Do I look that stupid?” Ace held up his hand. “Don’t answer that. I looked over the books. They’re showing a profit.”

  “If that’s the case, why would McCormick need WildeMining as a partner?”

  “Because he needs the refining and distribution our company can offer. So I told him, if the legal department agrees, he’ll have himself a partner. If legal finds any reason to nix the deal, it’s off.”

  He glanced at Erin, who had watched this entire scene in jaw-dropping silence. The violence between these three had shocked her to the core.

  Ace stuck out his hand as though he hadn’t just used it to punch his brothers. “Sorry. We haven’t met.”

  Hazard handled the introductions. “Dr. Erin Ryan, my brother Ace.”

  “Doctor?” Ace grinned and pressed her hand to his forehead. “I think I feel something nasty coming on. You might want to check me for a fever.”

  While Erin blushed clear to her toes, the others merely laughed at Ace’s clowning.

  “She’s not that kind of doctor.” Hazard twisted the tops off two bottles and handed one to Ace and one to Cody, before giving Ace a resounding punch to the shoulder. “She’s a laboratory researcher. Here to find out why I’m losing so many calves.”

  “Oh.” Ace tipped up the bottle and took a long pull, before returning the punch with one of his own. “One of those deep thinkers, who like to study things and people under microscopes. Nice to meet you, doc.” He turned to Maggie. “Have I got time to change out of my let’s-make-a-deal clothes before dinner?”

  “I’ll give you ten minutes to slip into your jeans.”

  “I can do it in five.” He sauntered away.

  Maggie turned to Cody, who was leisurely sipping his beer. “Are you staying for dinner, Cody?”

  “No, ma’am. I promised to give Russ Thurman a chance to win back the five dollars I to
ok off him last night in gin, before he heads on up to Peterson’s ranch. Besides, Agnes said you were making the wranglers pot roast. I wouldn’t want to miss that.”

  “I don’t know how much will be left. Agnes took dinner to the bunkhouse about ten minutes ago.”

  He drained his beer and set the bottle on the counter. “If that’s the case, I’ll say good-night.” He gave a courteous nod of his head to Erin. “And good night to you, ma’am.”

  “Good…good night, Cody.” She was still almost speechless by the physical battering among the three brothers. How was it possible that they could nearly beat each other senseless one minute, then joke the next? Yet they truly seemed to hold no grudges.

  Now she watched as the old cowboy retrieved his hat from a hook by the door and let himself out.

  Minutes later Agnes waddled in and set several serving platters on the counter. “You’d have thought those wranglers were a pack of hungry wolves, the way they attacked that food.” She wiped her hands on the apron that hung at a lopsided angle around her middle. “Never used to eat like that. Used to have some manners, and eat slow and easy like.”

  “Maybe it’s the weather.” Maggie was far too polite to suggest it might have been the food they’d been forced to endure for so long. She’d heard the tales of muddy chili and greasy burgers. She began filling a basket with rolls still hot from the oven. “Erin, have you met Agnes Tallfeather? Agnes, this is Dr. Ryan.”

  The old woman looked over at Erin. Her face creased into a sly smile. “I see you found your way to the barn.”

  “Yes.”

  “Figured you would. Hard to miss. You staying the night?”

  Erin nodded.

  “Well then. Guess I’ll toss some clean towels in your bathroom before I go off to my room.” Agnes heaped her plate with dinner. “Can’t stay for dinner. Want to watch Wheel of Fortune.” As she waddled away she called over her shoulder, “I’ll see you in the morning. ’Night.”

  “’Night, Agnes,” the others called.

  Erin turned to Maggie. “She doesn’t eat dinner out here?”