Just then the old cowboy walked in. “Did I hear my name?”
“You’re just in time. Come and eat.”
He hung his hat on a peg at the door, then crossed to the big table and took a seat. “What’s all this?”
“Carry-out. From the E.Z. Diner.” Ace grinned. “Thelma took pity on us because she knew Maggie’s away.”
“How’d she hear that?”
“She said Hazard and the doc were in for a visit yesterday.” Ace sat down and waited for Erin and Hazard to join them before passing the platters and bowls. “Thelma wanted to know how you two enjoyed your pizza on your night alone. I told her it looked like you two enjoyed everything about last night.”
Erin glanced at Hazard, then away.
“I didn’t tell her about the prom, though.”
Hazard started to do a slow burn. “I don’t know why not. You’ll probably tell everybody else.”
“Well, you do have to admit it’s not your everyday occurrence.”
Cody grinned and busied himself spooning sauce over his spaghetti. These sparring matches between the Wilde brothers were as commonplace to him as the changes in the Wyoming weather. Seeing Erin’s look of alarm, he smiled and winked.
At that she sat back and decided to follow the old cowboy’s lead. Ace and Hazard could tease each other or even come to blows. Either way, they’d just have to work out their problems between them.
“So, Doc.” Ace turned his attention to Erin. “Is my brother a good dancer?”
“The best. He’s…very smooth.”
“I’ll just bet.” Ace was having a great time. He couldn’t help jabbing just a little harder. “The guys at Clancy’s were telling me they heard a request on the radio last night. Some guy named Hazard.” He turned up his grin a notch. “Not too many guys named Hazard in these parts. Did you happen to request a Kenny Rogers song last night, Bro?”
Instead of answering, Hazard said, “Clancy’s? Wasn’t it a little early for a beer?”
“Never too early for a beer. And a chance to look over the field of pool players to see if there were any suckers. Fortunately for you, the place was half empty. Otherwise I’d still be in town. And you two would still be trying to figure out how to open a can of soup.” He snatched up a handful of fries. “Now about that request. Was it yours, Hazard?”
“Yeah.” Now that he’d polished off a salad and spaghetti, Hazard was feeling more expansive. Besides, he figured, in a couple more hours he could get rid of Ace and Cody and have Erin all to himself again. The mere thought of it had an amazing effect. He sat back sipping coffee and feeling positively mellow. “What’s it to you?”
“Nothing.” Ace’s smile deepened. “Bet I can guess the song.”
Hazard returned the smile. “Bet you can’t.”
“Ten bucks says you’re wrong, Bro.”
Hazard reached into his pocket and slapped a ten-dollar bill on the table. “You’re on.”
Ace thought a minute, then said, “‘Lady.’”
Hazard’s eyes narrowed. “The guys at Clancy’s told you.”
“Nope.” Ace glanced toward Erin. “The song just suits our doc.” He snatched up the bill and shoved it into his shirt pocket. “Thanks for the ten spot. I’m sure I can double it tonight at Clancy’s.” He scraped back his chair and got to his feet. “Think I’ll head on back to town now. Maybe you two would care to join me?”
Hazard shook his head, hoping he didn’t look too eager at the prospect of seeing his brother leave. “I think Erin and I will just hang out here.”
“Sure.” Ace managed to keep a straight face. “There’s probably a dance step or two you haven’t tried yet.”
He ignored the look of fury on Hazard’s face and turned to the old cowboy, who was struggling not to give in to the laughter that threatened. “How about you, Cody? Feel like spending a couple of hours in town?”
“Might as well.” Cody untangled his long legs. “My poker partner, Russ, is off this weekend.”
Hazard seemed surprised. “During calving season?”
Cody shrugged. “Russ said Peterson gave him the weekend off because he’s been putting in so many hours.”
“Where does Russ go when he’s not working?” Ace asked casually. “Seems to me he doesn’t have anyplace to sleep except the bunkhouse.”
“He claims he can always spend a night or two with Beryl Spence.”
“Clancy’s barmaid?” Surprised, Ace turned to study the old man.
Cody nodded. “That’s what he says. ’Course, he could be bragging. But I saw him take off in one of the ranch trucks right after he’d finished his chores.”
“What’s the matter, Bro?” Hazard taunted. “Were you figuring to add Beryl’s name to your little black book?”
“I might have been.” Ace shook his head in disgust. “But if she’s seeing Russ, I’ve just lost interest.”
“Looks like she lost interest first.”
Ace’s eyes narrowed. “That’s just because she hasn’t had a chance to see a real man. A man in his prime.”
Hazard saw this as a chance to get back at his brother for the remarks about the prom. “Speaking of prime. If you can’t even beat out Russ Thurman, maybe you need to prime that pump.”
Ace’s temper started to rise. “You’d know all about that, wouldn’t you, Bro?”
“I know as much as you.”
“Why you arrogant…”
When the first punch was thrown, Cody saw Erin’s eyes go wide with fear. He leaned close and muttered, “Don’t let the fighting bother you. It doesn’t mean a thing. It’s always been their way of working through things. When it’s over, the air is cleared, and they can get back to looking out for one another.”
“Looking out for—” Erin didn’t believe a word of it.
She watched in silence as Ace landed a solid blow to Hazard’s shoulder, sending him back against the kitchen table. Hazard, in turn, countered with a fist to Ace’s jaw that had his head snapping back.
“Not bad, Bro.” Ace gingerly touched a hand to his chin. Finding that it was still there, he brought up his fists, deflecting a second blow aimed at his nose.
“Now I’ll tell you something.” Ace charged, driving Hazard back against the wall. “If I was interested in Beryl Spence, Russ Thurman and the entire crew of wranglers wouldn’t be enough to discourage me.”
“Yeah, right.” Despite the fist in his gut, Hazard managed a laugh before landing a blow to Ace’s chest that had him momentarily breathless.
“Had enough?” Hazard stayed where he was, grateful for the break in the action.
“Only if you have.” Ace pressed a hand to the back of a chair and took several deep breaths.
After a prolonged silence Hazard nodded, and Ace did the same.
With matching grins they came together, punching each other’s shoulders.
“You’re not really interested in Beryl, are you?” Hazard asked with a chuckle.
“Not even a little bit. She’s nice enough but…” Ace glanced at Erin, then said diplomatically, “She’s just not my type. But she’s perfect for Russ.”
The two brothers laughed as though enjoying a wildly funny joke.
Ace mussed Hazard’s hair. “Listen, I’ve got to run. Sorry about leaving you and Erin all alone tonight.”
“Yeah. I bet you are.” Hazard slapped him on the back. “I hope you have a successful night at Clancy’s. Maybe you’ll even triple my ten bucks.”
Ace paused at the back door. “You coming, Cody?”
The old cowboy shot a knowing look at Erin. “Yep. I’m right behind you, boy.”
As he sauntered away, Erin couldn’t suppress the laughter that bubbled up.
Hazard turned. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing.” She walked toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Come on.” He pressed his lips to her temple. “What are you laughing at?”
“You and Ace. You really believe fi
stfights are a sign of affection.”
“That’s crazy.”
“That’s what I thought. But that was before I got to know the Wilde brothers.” She turned away and gave a sigh of disgust at the littered table. “Come on. Let’s see if we can clean up this mess. I know we won’t be as good at it as Maggie, but at least we can make this place presentable before we—” She stopped, and glanced back at Hazard.
He was grinning from ear to ear. “Before we what?”
She laughed. “Before we display our own sign of affection.”
“Dr. Ryan.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her back against him. “I much prefer your way to my brother’s way.”
He began nibbling her ear. As the heat pulsed through his veins he whispered, “Let’s leave this cleanup for later.”
He scooped her into his arms and headed for her bedroom. With a sigh of contentment she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his throat. This was one offer she had no intention of refusing.
Chapter 11
“You won’t believe this.” Hazard paused in the doorway of the lab, where Erin had already resumed testing.
“What?” At the tone of his voice she looked up from the sample she’d been studying under the microscope.
“I just talked to Peterson. So far they’ve found no dead calves this morning.”
“Oh, Hazard.” She slid from the stool and rushed toward him. “That’s wonderful news.”
“Yeah.” He absorbed the jolt as she wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed a soft kiss to his mouth. “The day is early. But right now I’ll take any good news I can get.”
“Maybe the worst is behind us.”
He wondered if she realized what she’d just said. Us. It warmed him to think that she already thought of them as a team. That’s what they had become. The problem had become theirs instead of his. And the solution, if they found it, would be a victory for both of them.
“Maybe,” she whispered against his mouth, “whatever has been killing the newborns has just gone away.”
He returned her kiss. “That’s a nice fantasy. But the truth is, the deaths were real. And I’m sure we’ll have to hear some bad news along with the good. After all, the day is early.”
“Maybe. But keep a good thought.”
“Yes, Doctor. That’s very good advice.” He drew away. “I’ll leave you to your tests. I think I’m going to head up to Peterson’s. Take a look for myself.”
She nodded. “I’m just about finished with all the blood work.”
He picked up a pen and jotted a number on her notebook. “Here’s my cell phone number. Call me if you learn anything.”
She nodded and watched as he walked away. Then she returned to her work. She wanted, more than anything in the world, to end this day with even more good news.
“Now, over here…” Peterson’s voice trailed off at the sound of the ringing of Hazard’s cell phone.
He tugged it out of his pocket. “Yeah?” His smile immediately softened at the sound of Erin’s voice on the other end.
Peterson and the wranglers saw the change in his expression and heard the softening in his voice and exchanged knowing looks. It was impossible to keep a secret from this close-knit group. They were, after all, much more than employees. They were a family. And the rumor mill was already working overtime about Hazard Wilde and Dr. Erin Ryan.
Erin’s voice came over the phone. “I’ve decided, before I do any more testing of these specimens, that I ought to have some tissue samples. Not only from some of the dead calves, but from some healthy ones as well, for comparison. Do you think you could bring some?”
Hazard frowned. “It’s a good idea. But I don’t have the necessary equipment with me.” He thought a moment. “Would you mind leaving the lab for a couple of hours?”
“Of course not.”
“Good. Cody’s out in the barn. I’ll ring him up and ask him to drive you up here.” He paused. “You’re sure you don’t mind?”
He heard the slight hesitation in her voice before she said, “I’m sure.”
“Good girl.” He knew how difficult this was for her. She was at home in the lab. But here in the field, she was completely out of her element. It was a measure of her dedication that she refused to give in to her fear and discomfort.
“I’ll see you in an hour or so.”
He disconnected before phoning Cody in the barn. Then he returned his attention to Peterson and the wranglers as they pointed out the newest additions to the herd, as well as those cows close to giving birth. And all the while he marveled at Erin’s iron will. She might appear to others to be afraid of her own shadow. He knew better. Beneath that fragile person she showed to the world there was an underlying strength and determination that would put most of these hardened wranglers to shame. It was one more reason why he loved her so.
Love.
The sudden realization caught him by surprise. When had simple lust turned into this? This all-consuming need for her. A need to be with her. To see to her comfort. Her safety. Her peace of mind.
When had he started putting Erin’s needs above even his own?
He remembered something his father had once told him, after he found Hazard grieving for his dead mother. “It’s easy to say you’d die for someone you love. It’s harder, much harder, to live every day for them. The hardest thing I’ve ever done, Son, is keep going without your mother. But I do it for her. And for you and your brothers. So you’ll know that it’s possible to live with a broken heart. If I’ve learned anything in this long, miserable life, it’s this. It’s not what you have in your life but who you have that counts. The only thing I want for you, besides this land, is a woman who’ll stand beside you and love it as fiercely as you.”
Hazard shook his head in wonder, amazed that his father’s words had stayed with him all these years. Could it be that Wes Wilde’s wish had been granted? Without a doubt Erin Ryan, who had seemed completely unsuited to ranch life, had, in a matter of days, turned his life upside down. Not to mention his heart.
“…think about the idea, Hazard?”
Hazard pulled himself back from his thoughts and realized that Peterson and the wranglers were staring at him.
“Sorry. My mind wandered.” He turned to Peterson. “What was that?”
“I asked if you thought we ought to isolate the newborns. That way we could keep them under closer observation.”
Hazard shook his head. “It was never my intention to raise a hybrid that needed coddling. We’ll let the calves be integrated with the rest of the herd. They either make it, or I’ll have to face the fact that they simply aren’t worth the effort, and I’ll disband the entire project.”
He looked up at the sight of Russ Thurman standing with the other men. “I heard you had the weekend off.”
“Just an overnighter,” Russ said with a grin. “A guy can only take so much of these ugly critters. Then he’s got to get back to civilization and see a pretty face. A female face, if you get my drift.”
Hazard turned to Peterson. “I’m surprised you could spare a hand during calving season.”
“Russ reminded me that he hadn’t had a night off in over a month. In fact, we had a few words about it, before I gave in.”
“The wranglers up on the Tower Ridge haven’t had a break in more than three months, and I haven’t heard them complain.”
“Maybe that’s because you haven’t been up there to listen to them.” Russ spat. “We can’t all live in that big ranch house and have our fill of pretty little doctors whenever we have the urge.”
Hazard’s hand was at his throat before he had time to blink. He twisted the wrangler’s shirt collar, dragging him close until their faces were inches apart.
Peterson started to step between them. But one glance at the steely look in Hazard’s eyes had him stepping back.
“I…didn’t mean anything, Boss.” Russ lifted his arms in a signal of surrender. “I don’t wa
nt to fight you. Sometimes my mouth just gets ahead of my brain.”
“The next time it happens, you won’t have to worry. You just mention Dr. Ryan’s name, I’ll bust your jaw so hard, you won’t be able to open that mouth ever again. You hear me?”
“Yeah.”
Hazard continued staring down into his eyes for a minute more, before slowly releasing his hold on him. When he stepped back, every man in the group took a deep breath of relief. The Wilde temper was something they’d all witnessed at one time or another. It was a fearsome thing to see. And though Russ Thurman had made more than his share of enemies among the men he worked with, none of them would choose to be in his shoes if he had to fight Hazard Wilde.
“Okay.” Through sheer effort, Hazard managed to turn away. He clamped his fists at his sides. “Let’s take a look at the new calves. And try to figure out why they survived while so many others didn’t.”
“Hi, Cody.”
Erin came rushing into the kitchen, carrying a satchel filled with necessary supplies. The old cowboy stood in the kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee left over from a pot that Agnes had made that morning. It was thick as mud and nearly as tasty.
Seeing Erin, he dumped the rest down the drain.
“Dr. Ryan.” In a courtly gesture he took the satchel from her hands and reached for his hat, hanging on a hook by the back door. “Hazard said I’m to drive you up to Peterson’s.”
“Yes. I hope this isn’t taking you away from too much work.”
“I’d never complain about the opportunity to drive a pretty lady somewhere.”
He trailed her out the door, then pulled it firmly closed behind him. Outside, the truck was idling.
He helped her into the passenger side, then handed up the satchel before walking around to the driver’s side. Moments later they rattled off across the hills.
Erin glanced at his worn, weathered profile. “Have you always lived in Wyoming, Cody?”
Hazard Page 14
