Sam pressed a mug of strong coffee into Garrett’s hand. “You’ll need this to keep up with the boss today.”
Garrett again glanced at Peta who flashed him a grin that woke him up faster than any caffeine could. “Tell me about it. I have a feeling that wherever this Lola is, it’s going to involve more goat tracks.”
Sam chuckled. “Well, whoever finds her gets a double helping of bear sign donuts and Peta does enjoy her donuts.”
“I’d better make sure I have another cup of coffee.”
Sam handed him a plate. “And a big breakfast. Peta’s onto her second serving.”
Garrett helped himself to bacon, eggs, refried beans, and tortillas. While he ate, talk centered on where Lola and her calf could be hiding. The two cowboys who had ridden south had also found fresh grizzly prints beside the stream. Before everyone headed out, he’d remind them to take no risks if they came across the grizzly. With the temperatures cooling and food becoming scarce, a grizzly wouldn’t take kindly to having his search for food, or one of his last meals before hibernation, interrupted.
Breakfast ended and, with saddlebags bulging with more of Sam’s lunchtime wraps, everyone headed out.
Cloud jogged to match Trapper’s long stride as he and Peta rode away from the cabin.
“We have to be the ones to find Lola,” Peta said, her eyes bright and color in her cheeks. “This can’t be the first year someone else does.”
She gazed around at the high-country peaks that were still draped in cloud. The early start, and the previous long day in the saddle, hadn’t dampened her enthusiasm. Her contented expression signaled how much she loved being up here.
“We’ll find her. You enjoy this, don’t you?”
“Yes. Even when the weather turns bad. I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do, in a place that couldn’t be more beautiful. Our trip overseas was to prove to Brent that the only place Kendall wanted to be was here, and it’s also shown me that I couldn’t live anywhere else. This is my world.”
Then, as if embarrassed she’d disclosed too much, she urged Cloud forward. She soon turned left and he only hoped it wasn’t to head toward another narrow and rocky track. She continued to lead the way through the cluster of white trunks of almost bare aspen. Golden leaves might still shimmer on the trees lower down in Paradise Valley, but up here, winter was almost upon them. On the granite slopes to his right, fresh snow gleamed.
Peta slowed Cloud and pointed to an area of sagebrush ahead. He nodded. He’d already seen the black shapes of grazing cattle. This time the herd was larger and not so cooperative. But with Tank’s help they bunched the cows and calves and turned them in the direction of the cabin. When nearby bellows disturbed the silence, the head cow bellowed in return. Leaves rustled and twigs snapped, before four Herefords burst through the pine trees. Voices sounded and then two cowboys on horseback appeared.
“Perfect timing, boys,” Peta said, pulling Cloud to a stop. “I think I glimpsed a Hereford below the snow line. Would you like to get her or take this lot?”
Gus, the oldest of the cowboys, rode toward the herd. “Odds on that’s Lola, so we’ll take these.” He glanced at Garrett with a grin. “You’ll need that double lot of donuts when you get back.”
Garrett examined the nearby snow-capped peak. There was a smudge of russet brown high amongst the granite. “I have a feeling we will.”
While Gus and the young cowboy gathered the cattle into a tight herd, Garrett took off his jacket. He caught the scent of apple blossom as Peta removed her hat, lifted her hair free of her collar and also slipped off her coat. When she let her hair fall, sun glinted in the blonde strands as they settled halfway down her back.
He tightened his grip on his reins and nudged Trapper forward to put distance between them. Now wasn’t the time to listen to his testosterone’s call to lean over, tangle his hands in her hair and to cover her mouth with his. He was supposed to be keeping both his attraction and feelings hidden.
Peta rode beside him until the clearing ended and the pine trees thickened. He then let her forge ahead. She’d know the best way to reach the snow line. The sun’s warmth and the day’s light weakened as the trees grew taller and crowded closer together. Somewhere ahead birds called and water trickled. As the sounds grew louder and light again streamed through the thinning trees, Peta suddenly stopped.
Garrett pulled up alongside her. Senses alert, he studied a section of the creek bed ahead. Instead of the bank being round and smooth, strong bear claws had gouged hollows and created piles of strewn earth. They’d come across a grizzly dig.
Peta glanced at him. “The soil smells fresh and the uprooted plants are still green. This is a recent dig.”
“And a favorite spot to find either tree roots or ground squirrels. There are older holes over there.” He backed Trapper up. If the grizzly was close by both horses would have alerted them by now. But they still couldn’t take the risk the grizzly might be near. “Is there another way we can get to the snow line?”
Peta too backed up Cloud. “There is. It’ll just take a little longer.”
By the time they drew near to the snow line, they again wore their thick jackets. The higher they’d climbed, winter tightened its grip upon the landscape. Patches of snow lay scattered over the alpine grass. Over on the horizon, the clouds were now more a gunmetal-grey than white. The bad weather would soon roll in. Tomorrow would be a good time to head to the lower elevations.
Peta halted Cloud at the edge of a narrow band of snow. “Those extra donuts are so ours. It is Lola. See, I told you she finds the best places to hide.”
Garrett looked across the protected clearing at the Hereford cow and her large calf. Both lifted their heads to stare at them. “Let’s hope she’s happy to leave. If they make a run for the snow, we could have trouble following.”
Peta gathered her reins. “She’ll be fine. She’s a sensible old thing. Cloud and I will go around to the left and push them back this way.”
“Okay, Trapper and I’ll wait here in case they make a run for higher ground.” Garrett glanced at the strip of snow by Cloud’s hooves. It looked fresh and powdery and didn’t appear to hide any ice below. “Just watch out for ice.”
“I will.”
Garrett huddled deeper into his jacket as Cloud walked through the snow. When the gelding’s front hooves touched green grass, he broke into a lope. As if in slow motion, Garrett saw Cloud’s back offside hoof slip and the grey gelding stumble. Peta kicked her feet free of the stirrups so she could jump clear. The thud as the heavy horse, and then Peta, hit the frozen ground was something Garrett never wanted to hear again.
He was off Trapper and by Peta’s side before Cloud had regained his feet. Garrett only watched the gelding long enough to see him take a step and lower his head to graze on the tufts of grass. The ranch horse was fine. Peta wasn’t so quick to recover. She lay half on the grass and half on the snow, her face pale and her eyes a dazed blue.
He stripped off his leather gloves and gave into the desperation to touch her. “Are you hurt?” He brushed an unsteady hand across her cheek.
“No.” Her voice was breathless but composed. She swallowed. “Is Cloud… okay?”
“He is.”
Relief returned color to her skin. “I’m so glad. It was my fault. I thought the snow was okay.”
“It was just an accident. I didn’t think there wasn’t any ice under that patch either.” His fingertips dusted snow from off her delicate jaw. “Can you move?”
“Yes, I’m just winded and bruised. My emergency dismount was more of a face-plant.” She tied to smile. “Can you help me up?”
He nodded, eased her into a sitting position and slid his arm around her shoulders. If she was aware of his embrace it didn’t show in her wide eyes. He plucked grass from her hair before smoothing the tangled strands from her temple. She stared at him. To his relief, her pupils were a normal size. She hadn’t hit her head when she’d fallen.
&nbs
p; He didn’t know when the awareness deepened between them. All he knew was that when she relaxed against him, her attention shifted to his mouth. As her soft lips parted all he could think about was dipping his head and kissing her to prove to himself she was okay.
The seconds stretched. The only sound between them being the accelerated rush of their breathing.
Then a gust of wind funneled by. The icy breeze stripped the warmth from his skin and brought with it the chill of reality.
He needed to get Peta back to camp where she’d be warm. He needed to remember he had a foreman’s job to finish. It wasn’t a hungry grizzly who’d posed the most threat today. Just his unruly emotions.
He loosened his hold on her shoulders and edged himself away. “Shall we see if you can stand?”
A frown creased her brow as she searched his face and then she nodded.
He carefully pulled her to her feet. For a bittersweet second she filled his arms. The body-to-body contact was only fleeting but it was enough to know her curves were a perfect fit against him.
“Okay?” he asked, as she stepped away.
“Yes, all good.” She turned to collect her fallen hat and he lost sight of her expression. “Now we’d better get Miss Lola and her calf home before the boys eat our donuts.”
Chapter Seven
‡
“It’s okay, Tank.” Peta bent to ruffle the border collie’s thick coat on his neck. “Go with Garrett and the cows. I’ll be along soon.”
With a last look over his shoulder, Tank bounded off toward where Trapper’s bay rump disappeared down the trail.
The cattle were on the move back to the ranch and the border collie had been torn about staying with her at the cabin or following his instinct to herd.
She watched until Garrett noticed Tank and then turned in his saddle to give her a wave. He’d make good use of the border collie and also make sure he’d be okay. She glanced at the pine trees beyond the now empty corrals. Already their boughs creaked and swayed. Over breakfast she’d talked to Garrett about the day’s plans. They’d agreed on a shorter route, that didn’t involve overnight camping, to avoid the incoming bad weather.
Her attention returned to the herd that was making the cowboys on the right flank work hard to keep them together. Wind had a way of making even calm animals flighty. She hoped they weren’t in for a difficult cattle drive. It already would be extra-long thanks to the distance they now had to travel in a single day.
When she could no longer see Garrett, she turned to head into the cabin. With everyone gone but her and Sam, she gave into the ache in her knee that made it hard to walk without a limp.
As she entered, Sam stopped packing saucepans into a crate and faced her. “I thought you said you were okay after your fall yesterday.”
“I am.” She rubbed her left knee. “I’m just bruised and a little slow to get moving this morning.”
“You can ride back with me in the truck, if you like? Cloud can run with the cattle.”
“Thanks but I really am okay. I’ve been hurt worse. I also need to be with the herd. Between the wind and the unfamiliar trail, things could get hairy out there.”
Sam returned to packing away the saucepans. “They could, but Garrett will more than handle whatever happens. Something tells me this drive will be a walk in the park compared to what he’s used to doing.”
“I know and I’m glad you also sense there’s far more to him than he lets on. Hal said he’s been many things but I’m yet to pin down what they are.”
“Well, whatever he’s been, or is, it’s our gain. He’s stepped into Hal’s boots and the ranch hasn’t missed a beat.” Sam’s eyes twinkled. “The boys have been talking. They figure, if he’s willing to ride down that goat track of yours, the two of you are a match made in heaven.”
She fought the instant heat that flushed her cheeks. “The boys can talk as much as they want, but they all know Bluebell Falls is my life. I don’t have time for anything else.” She frowned. “And if I hear that bets have been placed on us getting together…”
Sam grinned. “Don’t worry, the boys aren’t that brave. They still remember when you poured their liquor down the sink because they’d kept you up late with their drinking games. Here,” Sam reached for a foil covered plate, “I saved you some donuts.”
“Thank you.” She lifted the foil and breathed in the sweet, sugary scent of the bear sign. The heat of the plate warmed her palm and told her Sam had cooked the donuts fresh for her that morning. He’d known all along she wouldn’t accept a lift back to the ranch. “I’ll finish up here and help you with the wood, then we can have some.”
She busied herself making sure the cabin was tidy and ordered for their next visit when they’d bring the cattle back for the summer. After a fresh supply of wood lined the outside of the cabin, she enjoyed a quick mug of hot tea and the plate of donuts with Sam.
By the time Sam’s truck rattled down the track, swollen clouds obscured the highest peaks. She used the side of the corral to climb into Cloud’s saddle to avoid jarring her knee. She had everything crossed the storm blowing in wouldn’t hit until at least late afternoon.
They wouldn’t get snow at the ranch yet but the late-fall storms could still bring heavy rain. Once the cattle were in their sheltered pastures bordered by the trees her forefathers had planted as windbreaks, she could relax.
Cloud set off at a walk and she grimaced as sore muscles stretched and her knee pinched. But as uncomfortable as she was last night it was her thoughts that had kept her awake. Something more had happened up on the mountain than her misreading a patch of snow. She’d discovered Garrett too felt the pull between them.
When she fallen, the gentleness of his touch had made her throat ache. When he’d held her, his warmth and strength had made her feel cherished and protected. And when he’d stared at her lips, hunger and need had burned in his eyes. Then just when she’d thought he’d lower his mouth to hers, he’d pulled away. All emotion had faded from his gaze and his features had settled into remote and impassive lines.
She shivered, but it wasn’t the wind breathing down her jacket collar that made her body tremble. Despite seeing the way Ivy and Rhett looked at each other, she’d never really bought the whole physical attraction thing. She’d only ever found a man’s touch and kiss, at best, pleasant. But when around Garrett, her heart pounded and the need to be close to him was almost an ache. She’d been so breathless and desperate for him to kiss her she could only imagine how she’d feel if his mouth covered hers.
She sighed. If she wasn’t such a lost cause when it came to men, she’d go after what she wanted. All her life she’d been intent on living up to her masculine name and on proving to her father she could run Bluebell Falls better than any man. Dating had never been on her radar. She might know all there was to know about cattle and horses but when it came to the opposite sex, she had no clue. A month’s worth of vacation flirting didn’t equip her to handle a man like Garrett or her feelings toward him.
But, as Hal always said, if she didn’t know what to do, go with her gut. And her gut told her if she and Garrett ever got up-close-and-personal again she had to make the most of such an opportunity. Otherwise she’d continue to feel like she did now, that something precious had slipped through her fingers.
This time when the wind delved beneath her collar, she pulled her jacket closed at her throat. A snowflake melted on her cheek warning her she needed to get moving. She clenched her jaw against the pain in her knee and nudged Cloud into a lope. It wasn’t long until she saw the low dust kicked up by the cattle’s hooves.
Garrett had assigned the boys positions around the large herd. Up the front would be Troy at point. He’d lead the drive and make sure Lola, who would be the head cow, took the cattle where they were supposed to go.
Outriders were positioned on the left and right wings to stop the herd from spreading too far out and to bring back any strays. She could also see cowboys at the left and
right flanks that would make sure no cow fell behind. Garrett and Tank then travelled around the herd checking everything was in order.
She slowed Cloud to a walk and sat straight in the saddle as Garrett changed direction to ride toward her. Tongue lolling and doggy grin wide, Tank ran to Cloud’s side. When Garrett approached, she didn’t miss the way his attention centered on her left knee. It wasn’t only Sam she hadn’t fooled about being okay after her fall.
“Hey,” he said, as he reined in Trapper beside her.
“Hey.”
She hoped the hitch in her breathing hadn’t registered in her voice. Today Garrett wore a cherry red shirt beneath his thick jacket and the rich color highlighted his tanned skin. The suede leather of his chaps pulled tight as he sat relaxed in the saddle and three days’ worth of stubble blurred the carved line of his jaw. The longings she’d felt when he’d held her stirred and she fought to keep her expression from changing.
The gravity in his eyes, and the way he stared at her without speaking, suggested he too thought back to yesterday. It gave her hope that what had smoldered between them had been real. Even if he regretted such a moment, it proved he did notice she was a woman, after all.
“Sam get away okay?” Garrett asked, voice quiet.
“Yes. He’ll set up camp down by the tree line so the boys can have a cooked lunch and a coffee.”
Garrett glanced at the sky that she noticed was as grey and as grim as his gaze. “Everyone will appreciate having something hot to eat. This wind feels like it’s coming straight off the snow fields.”
“It does. But if the rain holds off we’ll make it to the ranch by nightfall. The herd’s travelling well, considering the weather and the unfamiliar trail.”
Garrett nodded, his focus on a skittish calf as the Black Angus tried to make a break to the left. A cowboy quickly herded the calf in the right direction.
His Christmas Cowgirl Page 8
