“No, ma’am. In my youth I drifted a bit. Worked ranches in Montana, and up into Canada. Alberta, Saskatchewan. But I always had a hankering to come back to Wyoming. There was just something about Wes Wilde and his boys that drew me, I guess.”
“Tell me about them. What was it like when they were just starting out.”
“Wes Wilde lived up to his name. He was a wild one. Hard drinking, hard gambling, hard living. But he was a good man. And he loved those boys of his. And this land. He spent the last years of his life trying to do his best to hold it all together, for their sake. It’s probably what ended his life too soon. He was always just one step ahead of his creditors.” He smiled, and she could tell he was warming to the subject. “His boys are just like him. They’re tough. They live hard. Work hard. Play hard. And they’ve earned every one of their successes. Nobody handed them anything. They had to go out every day and do things most folks wouldn’t or couldn’t face up to.”
“Like what?”
He shook his head, remembering. “I recall one spring. It was calving season. Hazard couldn’t have been more’n eighteen or so. He couldn’t afford to hire any help. There was just him and Chance and Ace. And whenever we could manage it, Agnes Tallfeather’s husband, Louis, and me. We’d work other ranches for pay, then come out here and help for free. We were out on the range about twenty hours, delivering calves. Finally we all fell into our beds. About two hours later Hazard woke up and heard the wind howling. When he looked outside, he realized there was a spring blizzard blowing in. He got dressed and headed back out to the range, herding the cattle toward the south ridge, where there was shelter. He drove back to the barns for hay, then went back out there, spreading the hay in the snow so the cattle wouldn’t starve. By the time we got up there the next day to lend a hand, he’d been up around the clock, delivering more calves, keeping the herd together.” The old cowboy shook his head from side to side. “He looked like—” Realizing he was about to speak a profanity in front of a lady he paused, started over. “He was bleary-eyed and ready to keel over from exhaustion. But he had a grin on his face from one ear to the other. That was probably the worst spring storm in fifty years. And Hazard didn’t lose a single calf from it. He was the only rancher in Wyoming who could boast of that. And it was all because of his own hard work and determination.”
“Not to mention good friends like you and Louis Tallfeather.”
He shook his head. “We did what we could. But it was Hazard who kept this ranch going. Nobody else.” Cody turned to Erin. “Didn’t mean to brag on him so much. But he’s turned into one fine man. And so have his brothers. I’ve always figured the measure of a man, when his life is over, is to ask if he’d have made his daddy proud. When it comes to the Wilde brothers, that one’s easy. I know old Wes Wilde must be watching and smiling.”
It occurred to Erin that there was another man who shared that pride. And if Cody wasn’t their father, he was the next best thing.
She looked up to see Peterson’s ranch house coming into view. “Thanks, Cody. For sharing some of their past.”
“You’re welcome, Erin. I think it helps to know a man better by seeing how far he’s come.”
“Your memories certainly made this a pleasant drive.”
He smiled. “It helped pass the time for me, too. I can’t remember when the ride up here was ever this short.”
He brought the truck to a stop and leaned over her to open the door. “I’ll be waiting here when you’re ready to get back to the house.”
She clutched the satchel and stepped down. “I shouldn’t be long.”
Erin picked her way among the cattle. Up ahead she could see a cluster of wranglers. Before she was even halfway there, Hazard had separated himself from the others and was striding toward her.
“Sorry you had to come all this way,” he muttered as he gathered her against him for a moment.
“I don’t mind. And Cody’s such a dear.”
“Don’t let him hear you say that.”
“For Heaven’s sake, why not?”
He grinned. “It goes against the cowboy code. They want to be thought of as rugged individuals. Cody Bridger would be offended if he learned that you thought of him as dear. So keep such sentiments to yourself.”
She laughed. “I’ll remember.”
He nibbled her temple. “You smell wonderful.”
“And you smell like—” she wrinkled her nose “—something unmentionable.”
He threw back his head and roared. “I’ve been up to my knees in cow dung. I promise I’ll shower before I come near you again.”
As he started to turn away, she caught him by the front of his parka. “Not on your life, cowboy. I don’t care how you smell. I just want you to stay close.”
He gave her a long, heart-stopping look. “Lady, you just made my day. Now come on. Let’s get those tissue samples.” As he led the way toward the herd he said, “I hope you remembered the tranquilizers.”
She nodded.
He paused beside a couple of calves that had been culled from the herd. “These two seemed like good candidates as donors. I’ve examined them, and they seem in fine health.”
He opened the satchel and withdrew a syringe containing a tranquilizer. In one smooth movement he injected the calf, then watched as it walked a few steps before beginning to stagger. As soon as it crumpled to the ground, Hazard reached into the satchel and took out a surgical knife. Within a matter of minutes, he had secured a tissue sample, which he slipped into a plastic bag. While Erin neatly labeled the contents, he swabbed the area with disinfectant and started on the second calf.
“Hazard.” A shout went up from one of the wranglers, and Hazard turned away to hold a whispered conversation with his men. He looked back with an apologetic shrug. “Sorry, Erin. We’ve got a complication with one of the births.” He thrust the satchel into her hands. “Think you can handle this one yourself?”
“Yes. Of course.”
As he started away he shouted, “Somebody give Dr. Ryan a hand with that calf.”
Russ Thurman stepped away from the others. “I’ll give our lady doctor all the help she needs.”
Hazard never even heard him. He was already shoving his way through the milling cows.
“Now.” Russ shot a stream of tobacco between his front teeth. “You want to administer that tranc? Or would you like me to do it?”
Erin swallowed back her dislike of the man, vowing not to let him get to her again. “I think I can do it.”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself. Just what is it you’re looking for?”
“Healthy tissue. To compare with that of the calves that died.”
“What for?”
“For two reasons. First, to see if I can detect any specific changes in the tissue of the healthy animals, as opposed to those that died.”
His eyes narrowed. “And the other reason?”
“It could be that one of the herd is a carrier.”
“A carrier?”
“It’s just a theory. I want to see if one of the herd harbors a specific pathogen that carries a disease, but shows no sign of that disease.”
“You mean, in plain language, like a kid who gives everybody else chicken pox, but never comes down with it himself?”
“Something like that.”
“Why didn’t you say so?”
She looked at him. “I just did.”
“Yeah. I know. All those big, fancy words.” He was watching her carefully. Deliberately invading her space. Crowding close enough to smell her. “I guess Hazard likes hearing his fancy lady doctor using all those fancy words. Do you talk to him that way when you’re alone? Does that turn him on?”
She gave him a startled look, which very quickly turned to pure ice. “If you don’t mind, we’ll stick to discussing the herd, or we won’t speak at all.”
He shrugged. Spat. “Whatever suits your fancy. You’re the doctor.”
As she filled the syringe and moved towar
d the calf, he grinned. “Careful. These stupid dogies sometimes like to kick. You might want to avoid her hind feet.”
“Thank you.”
It occurred to Erin that in all the years she’d been working in a laboratory, she’d never before had to administer a tranquilizer to a living creature. When she pressed the syringe against the animal’s hide, it didn’t even penetrate. Instead, it slipped from her hand and fell to the ground. As she started to bend over to pick it up, she saw the calf lift one hoof. With a cry of alarm, she ducked back and lost her footing, landing on her backside in the mud. In that same instant she realized the animal had done no more than sidestep away from her. But Russ’s warning had already had the desired effect, planting the seed of fear in her mind.
He squatted down to peer at her. “You gonna pass out on me, lady doctor?”
“No, I’m—” With as much dignity as she could muster she picked up the syringe and got to her feet. “I’m going to tranquilize this animal.” She reached into the satchel and began wiping the syringe with a disinfectant.
“Now what’re you doing?” Russ demanded.
“Hazard said the animal was healthy. I’d like her to remain that way.”
“She’s just a dumb critter. Give me that.” He snatched the syringe from her hand, but before he could plunge it into the animal’s rump Erin caught his wrist.
He looked up in surprise. Then a slow smile spread across his face. He peeled back his lips in an imitation of a smile, revealing teeth stained yellow. “You trying to hold my hand, lady doctor? Hey, no need to go to all that trouble. All you had to do was say so.”
“Step back, please.” She had to struggle to keep the note of panic from her voice. “I intend to handle this myself.”
He gave an exaggerated bow. “By all means. Be my guest. Doctor.” He emphasized the word with extreme sarcasm.
It took her three attempts before she managed to plunge the syringe into the animal’s rump. Each time, she could feel Russ watching her, thoroughly enjoying her discomfort.
Within minutes the calf began to stagger before dropping to the ground.
Erin steeled herself for what was to come. With her jaw clenched and her palms sweating, she knelt in the muddy snow, ignoring the fact that her jeans were nearly frozen to her skin.
She sliced away a strip of hide. When she’d secured the small tissue samples needed, she placed them in a plastic bag. Once again her hands were trembling so badly, she could hardly write.
Seeing it, Russ grinned and spat another stream of tobacco, watching with smug satisfaction as it landed beside her in the snow.
She looked up at him and could read the amusement in his eyes. After swabbing the cut with disinfectant, she got to her feet, clutching the satchel to her chest for courage.
Just then Hazard came hurrying up. Seeing the look on her face he turned to Russ. “What’re you doing here?”
“You wanted somebody to give the doctor a hand with this calf.”
“And you naturally volunteered?”
Russ shrugged. Spat. “I didn’t see anybody else stepping up.”
Hazard didn’t bother to keep the anger from his voice. “Go give Peterson a hand. Tell him I’ll be along in a minute.”
“Sure thing.” With a sly look at Erin, he sauntered away.
Hazard touched a hand to her arm. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” She was shivering so violently she could hardly speak over the sound of her chattering teeth.
“You’re freezing.” He placed an arm around her shoulders and started leading her toward the waiting truck. “Let’s get you out of this cold right away.”
She knew it wasn’t the weather that had caused this reaction. It was bad enough to inflict pain on a helpless animal, in the name of science. Just the simple act of tranquilizing and then taking tissue had left her trembling. But the added trauma of dealing with Russ Thurman was more than she could cope with. It shamed her to admit to herself that she was such a coward. But whenever she was around Russ, all she wanted to do was run and hide. And now, with Hazard’s arm around her, she felt safe again.
When they reached the truck, Hazard yanked open the door and helped her inside, then handed up the satchel.
He looked beyond her to where Cody sat watching in silence. “Crank up the heat, Cody. And get Erin home fast.”
He turned cool, steady eyes to her. “Forget about the testing when you get back to the ranch. First thing I want you to do is get a long, hot bath.”
She managed a weak smile. “Yes, sir.”
That brought an answering smile to his lips. “I like a woman who can take orders.” He closed the door before she could reply, then strode quickly away to join the wranglers.
When he was gone, Erin leaned her head back and gave a long, deep sigh. For the space of several seconds Cody watched her. Then he shoved the truck in reverse and started back to the ranch house.
Chapter 12
“Maggie…Chance.” Erin hurried out of the lab at the sound of their voices. “How long have you been back?”
“We got in about an hour ago.” Maggie moved aside as Chance and Cody hauled bags and boxes toward their suite of rooms. “Didn’t you hear our plane?”
“I guess I was too absorbed in my work.” Erin smiled. “I don’t hear much of anything when I’m working.”
“It must be wonderful to be that much in love with your work.”
Finished with his chore, Chance paused beside his wife and gave her a quick kiss. “You obviously haven’t seen yourself when you’re trying a new recipe. You have that same sort of concentration.”
“Do I?” She returned the kiss.
“Speaking of cooking—” Erin laughed “—Ace and Hazard will be as thrilled as I am to hear you’re back, Maggie. We’ve had to make do with carry-outs from the E.Z. Diner while you were gone.”
Maggie clutched a hand to her throat in mock distress. “It’s a wonder you’re all still alive.”
“I doubt we’d have survived much longer. Not with the sludge Agnes calls coffee.” Erin clapped a hand over her mouth. “I can’t believe I just said that. I’ve been listening to Ace and Hazard too long.”
That had Maggie and Chance roaring with laughter.
“It’s hard to believe,” Chance said between chuckles, “that my brothers and I survived on that stuff all these years.”
As they talked they made their way to the kitchen. Once inside, Maggie stared around lovingly. “I think, in honor of our return home, I’ll make something special for dinner.”
Chance turned away. “That’s my cue to excuse myself and call my secretary.”
“Coward,” Maggie muttered to his retreating back.
When they were alone, Erin settled herself on a kitchen chair. “So, how did you enjoy the trip?”
“It was wonderful.” Maggie hauled a large roasting pan from the cupboard. “We ate in so many fine restaurants. I was introduced to several new recipes that I hadn’t thought of before. That’s always fun. I can’t wait to try them out and add my own variations. And we shopped. All over Manhattan. I bought a new saute pan. And a beautiful set of antique cups and saucers we found in a little shop. And an oversize stock pot that I couldn’t resist. And a lovely pewter chafing dish. And a set of French cookware that’s being shipped. And—” She stopped when she saw the grin on Erin’s face. “What?”
“Is that all you think of? Things to use in the kitchen?”
Maggie broke into peals of laughter. “That’s just what Chance asked. But I get really excited when I look at pots and pans. Mmm.” She rubbed her hands with glee, then glanced up. “Wouldn’t you feel the same way if you were looking at new laboratory equipment?”
Erin nodded. “I’m sure I would. If they stocked such things in department stores. But I thought you’d be more interested in buying jewelry or clothing. Something for yourself, that you can’t buy when you’re here in Wyoming.”
Maggie gave a quick shake of her head. “
That’s the wonderful thing about living here. I need so little. A warm parka. Some comfortable jeans. Speaking of shopping—” Maggie glanced pointedly at the slim-fitting jeans, the snug little sweater that Erin was wearing “—looks as if you made a trip into Prosperous while I was gone.”
“Oh. Yes.” Erin glanced down at herself. “I thought I’d been borrowing your things long enough. It was time for some of my own.”
“You look different.” Maggie studied her with a critical eye.
“You’re just used to seeing me in that suit I wore when I first came here.”
“Maybe. Or maybe it’s the hair.”
“Well.” Erin could feel the heat staining her cheeks as she scraped back her chair and headed for the door. Was it possible for others to know, just by looking at her, that she was somehow different from the woman she’d been just days ago? “I guess I’d better get back to my work. I’ll see you at dinner.”
“Yeah. I’ll see you.” Maggie continued to watch her as she walked away.
There was definitely something different about Erin. But, she thought as she opened the freezer, it was more than the hair or the new clothes.
She was too busy to give it any more thought just now. But when she had more time, she’d figure it out.
“Maggie, girl, I sure am glad you’re back.” Cody hung his hat by the back door, then made his way to the table, where the others were just taking their places.
With the return of Maggie and Chance, the ranch house had taken on a festive air. The room was perfumed with the wonderful aroma of herbs and meat roasting. The sinful fragrance of chocolate and hazelnut drifted in heavenly clouds from Maggie’s special torte.
“I agree. You don’t realize how great Maggie’s cooking is until you’ve had to rely on Thelma’s carry-outs.” Hazard held a platter so that Erin could help herself to a portion of rib roast.
As an afterthought he spooned garlic and thyme sauce over it. “Wait till you taste this,” he whispered.
The first taste had Erin sighing. The second had her closing her eyes in sheer bliss.
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