by Kate Pearce
Blue checked Messi over and made sure he was in the shade before getting into the passenger seat of the truck. Jenna backed up and turned to face the driveway to the Lymond ranch house. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened as they approached the final gate.
“Were you due to visit the ranch today?” Blue asked.
“I’ve already been there.”
“So Mark won’t be expecting a return visit.”
“Actually, I forgot to get him to fill in one of the forms for the Department of Agriculture, so I stopped on the road to get it done and heard the horses neighing to each other.” Jenna took a deep breath. “The thing is—when I asked him earlier, Mr. Lymond told me he’d sold off most of his horses, not left them in a field and seemingly forgotten about them.” She glanced over at Blue, her brown eyes troubled. “Why would he do that?”
“Maybe he couldn’t afford to pay for their upkeep or veterinary fees and decided to let them live off the land for a bit.” Blue shrugged. “He wouldn’t be the first rancher to do that when times are hard. He’s never had a lot of spare cash.”
“But why didn’t he just sell them on like he said he did?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps he didn’t want to admit he was short of money.”
Blue got out to open the gate and closed it behind them. Two dogs ran out barking as they came to a stop in front of the ranch house. It was an unappealing square box with gray textured walls and a shingle roof that was in desperate need of repair.
In fact, the whole place looked like it was suffering from neglect. Blue’s tension level rose as no one came out of the house to greet them.
“How do you want to handle this?” he asked Jenna softly.
“I’m not sure.” She hesitated. “Although maybe I could tell him that I didn’t get his signature on that form, and while he’s fixing that, I could just casually ask about the horses.”
“It’s a plan,” Blue said dubiously. “I’ll just follow along behind you.”
He wanted to do a lot more than that, but over the years he’d learned that the diplomatic approach was always the first thing to try. If Mark got in Jenna’s face about anything, he’d be dealing with Blue instead, and screw diplomacy.
Jenna got out of the truck and patted the two dogs that had come around to investigate her arrival. Blue noted the dogs were on the thin side, too. Whatever was going on at Lymond Ranch was affecting all the livestock. He’d hardly seen any young cattle out in the pasturelands as they’d driven up to the house. If Mark didn’t have cattle, he wouldn’t need ranch hands and they wouldn’t need horses.
Blue walked up to the door of the house and banged the knocker, the sound echoing through the quiet house. There was only one vehicle parked nearby that he knew belonged to Mark and no others, which accounted for the silence. A ranch couldn’t operate with just one man running it.
Blue gave up on the house and directed his attention to the barn.
“Let’s try down there.”
Jenna nodded and set off, her bag in her hand and her chin set at a determined angle that didn’t quite disguise her nervousness. Mark Lymond was a big man and probably a foot taller than Jenna. The thought of her confronting him by herself made Blue want to curse like a sailor. She didn’t lack for guts, though. That was one thing he’d already learned about her.
“Mr. Lymond?” Jenna called out.
A shadow detached itself from the innards of the barn and moved toward them.
“I’m so sorry to bother you again, but I forgot to get your signature on one of the forms,” Jenna said.
“Damn stupid woman,” Mark Lymond muttered as he threw his shovel to the ground. “Shouldn’t be allowed to do work that’s beyond their understanding.”
Blue stepped up until his shoulder touched Jenna’s.
“Morning, Mark.”
The old rancher stopped moving, his gaze flicking between Jenna and Blue.
“BB Morgan. I heard that you and your father were back in town.”
Blue nodded. “I’m due to leave the Marines this summer. I’ll be living on the ranch full-time and helping Ruth run the place.”
“Good luck getting her to listen to a damned thing you have to say.”
Blue’s smile wasn’t friendly. “She’s the expert. I’m the one who’s learning, so I’ll be doing the listening.” He glanced down at Jenna. “Have you got that paper for Mark to sign?”
“It’s here.” Jenna took out the form and found a pen. “There always seems to be one more form than I’m expecting, so I apologize for missing this one.”
Mark grunted and moved across to take the form from Jenna’s outstretched hand. “As I said, send Dave next time. He never messes up.”
“I’ll certainly bear that in mind.” Despite the fact that Mark was looming over her, Jenna certainly didn’t seem intimidated. “I noticed you had some horses down at the far end of your property. Did you want me to check them over for you while I’m here?”
Mark slowly straightened, the pen clenched in his fist like a weapon. “You spying on me, little girl?”
Blue cleared his throat. “I saw the horses when I was riding the fence line and I asked the vet what she knew about them.”
“What’s it got to do with you, Morgan?”
Blue met Mark’s furious glare. “I’m looking to buy some more horses for our new program at the ranch. I was wondering whether those four were for sale.”
Some of the anger leeched out of the old rancher’s face. “They might be.”
“Then you won’t mind if Ms. Jenna checks them over, will you? If they are sound, I can make you a cash offer and you can take it or leave it.” Blue shrugged. “It’s way cheaper for me to source my horses locally than have them transported here, so you’d be doing me a favor.”
Mark held Blue’s gaze for a long moment. “She can look at them.”
“‘She’ has a name. Use it.”
“I don’t hold with female veterinarians,” Mark snapped. “They don’t have the strength or the brains to work with large animals.”
Blue stepped back. “Then we’ll be on our way. I don’t deal with misogynists.”
“Miss so jar whats?” Mark scratched his head.
Blue picked up Jenna’s bag. “You ready to go, Ms. Jenna? We’ve got a lot to do this afternoon.”
“Wait.” Mark spoke from behind them, but Blue didn’t turn around. “The veterinarian can look at the horses.”
“Thank you.” Blue nodded at Jenna. Mark must really need the cash. “Do you have time to do that right now, or do you need to schedule a new appointment?”
“I think I can fit it in if I skip lunch,” Jenna said. “I’ll call the clinic and make sure they know where I am. Thank you, Mr. Lymond.”
Mark couldn’t quite force out a “you’re welcome,” but at least he kept his mouth shut as Jenna walked to the truck. Blue waited a beat and then turned to the surly rancher, lowering his voice.
“If I ever hear that you have disrespected one hair on that woman’s head, I will come over here and beat the shit out of you. Understood?”
Mark dropped his gaze, but not before Blue had seen the flash of rage residing there.
“And if those horses don’t make it because you couldn’t be bothered to take care of them, I’ll make sure you face every charge I can pin on you for animal cruelty.” Blue touched the brim of his Stetson. “I’ll be in touch about purchasing the horses. Have a nice day.”
He hefted Jenna’s bag into the truck and got in beside her as she started the engine and drove off.
* * *
“What were you saying to him?”
“Nothing much. Just making arrangements for potentially buying the horses.”
“Yeah right, that’s why he changed color.” Jenna gave Blue the side eye. He looked like some dangerously smug predator sitting beside her. “Did you threaten him?”
“I might have suggested some consequences for his actions that he wouldn’t like if he
messed up.”
“I just bet you did.” She focused on the road for a moment. “My parents always told me that violence wasn’t the answer, but sometimes, when I see animals that have been neglected or mistreated, I wish I had a gun.” She bit her lip. “You probably think that’s appalling, right?”
“Nah. I’d be the one giving you the weapon.”
She fought a smile. “You’d have to teach me how to use it first. My parents—”
“Don’t approve of guns.”
“How did you know?”
He shrugged. “Just a wild guess.”
“Thanks for helping out.” She shivered. “He kind of scares me.”
“I’m not surprised.” The smile was gone from his face. “I know it’s got nothing to do with me, but I’d suggest you get Dave to go up there for a while until Mark gets over his temper tantrum. I didn’t see his wife’s car there. I wonder if she’s still around? He’s definitely struggling, and for some reason he’s decided to take it out on you.”
“It’s okay. I’m not one of those TSTL females.”
“TSTL?”
“You know, the kind who knows there’s a serial killer at large, hears a noise in the basement, and goes down the stairs to see what’s going on with nothing more than a brave smile and a candle clutched in her hand? Too stupid to live.”
His chuckle surprised her. “I like that.”
“And I’m glad you were with me today.”
“Any time.” He pointed out of the side window. “You should pull in here so we can get into that field.”
Jenna got out of the truck and almost fell over, her knees were trembling so much.
“You okay?” Blue moved so fast he was right beside her, one hand under her elbow.
Jenna took a deep shuddering breath.
“I hate violence.”
“Hey, it’s okay.”
A second later she was turned against the solid wall of his chest, her head neatly under his chin and one of his arms around her shoulders. She should step back, but there was something so appealing about leaning her forehead against him that she let it happen. He smelled of leather and horse and some kind of manly shower gel.
“I wouldn’t have let him touch you.”
“I know that.” She took a big gulp of air, which only meant she inhaled more of him. He smelled good.
His fingers smoothed over her hair as if he was petting her. “I don’t suppose you’d believe me if I told you that even if he had tried anything, you could’ve taken him down.”
This time she did raise her head. “Me? He’s about a foot taller and built like a brick house.”
“Everyone except Ruth is probably taller than you.” His stare became assessing. “Did you ever take a self-defense class?”
“No, it’s not usually one they recommend at veterinary school.”
“Well, they should. Everyone needs to know how to defend themselves.”
There was an implacable note in his voice that Jenna had come to know rather well.
“Maybe I’ll teach you the basics while I’m teaching you how to fire a gun.” Blue nodded as if it was a done deal. “Yeah, I’ll talk to Roy and—”
“Hang on, who appointed you my teacher?”
He raised an eyebrow. “I did. If we’re going to be working together, you don’t want a big old war-toughened Marine deciding to defend you. It could get nasty real quick. You’d be much better learning to do it for yourself.”
Jenna found herself nodding.
“Great.” He took charge of her bag and opened the gate into the field. “I’ll set it up.”
* * *
By the time she’d finished checking the horses, the sun was right overhead and the temperature had escalated from fine to blistering hot. Blue had taken her truck and gone for water, seeing as there was none in the ancient horse trough and the water feed pipe had rusted through.
He’d been really helpful, catching the horses and keeping them calm while she got the basic examinations done. None of the animals showed signs of serious ill treatment and had come willingly to hand. They were just thin and probably dehydrated. If Mark Lymond really couldn’t afford to keep them, Jenna wished he’d just told her. She was in contact with several equine rescue foundations and might have been able to place the horses elsewhere for him.
But he’d made his opinion about her interference clear enough and, like a lot of the local ranchers, obviously didn’t reckon she was up to the job. She sighed so hard that the gelding she was working on turned to nuzzle her hair.
The sound of her truck returning made her look toward the edge of the field where Blue was now manhandling a large plastic drum out of the open back of the vehicle. Even he staggered a bit as he rolled the drum toward the field and then picked it up and dumped it inside the old trough. Sunlight glinted on the blade of his knife as he efficiently cut a third of the plastic away to reveal the fresh water within.
“This should hold them until tomorrow.”
Jenna released the fourth horse with a pat and strolled toward him. “Gosh, that thing must weigh a ton.”
“It sure felt like it.”
He wiped a hand over his brow and then brought his T-shirt up to mop his face. Jenna almost stopped breathing at her first in-person view of six-pack abs. Sure, she’d heard about them, seen them on TV and read about them, but this was her first experience of real abs out in the wild. If she wasn’t mistaken, there were also beads of sweat rolling down over his abs in beautiful slow motion toward his lats.
“Latissimus dorsi,” she murmured. “Oh yeah.”
“What’s up?”
He’d lowered his T-shirt and was looking at her strangely. Was her mouth open? Was she actually drooling?
“It’s hot, isn’t it?” Was that her squeaky voice?
“Yeah.”
He was still watching her as though she was an unexploded bomb he might have to deal with. She’d been pressed up against that chest and those abs earlier. She hadn’t appreciated what lay beneath his boring T-shirt.
“You look a bit flushed yourself,” Blue said. “Do you have sunscreen on?”
“Yeah. But I left my hat in the truck.” She flapped her hand in a wide circle. Great, she was babbling and pointing now.
“Would you like me to get your hat for you, or are you finished here?”
“I’m done. The horses are all in good shape.”
“Good. I’ll talk to Chase tonight and make sure we have the cash available at the bank in town to give to Mark.” He put away his knife.
“You’re going to take them?”
“Sure.” He paused. “Unless you have any objections. They seem pretty well-trained and even-tempered to me.”
“I agree.”
She picked up her bag and walked toward her truck while Blue gave Messi a turn at the water trough before mounting up. He rode alongside her truck and looked down at her, his face shadowed beneath the brim of his hat.
“Will you come back to the ranch?”
“Do you need me to?”
His smile made her want to smile back and maybe twirl her hair and giggle. “It’s lunchtime, and Ruth would never forgive me if I didn’t invite you. You can tell her and Roy what happened today at Lymond’s place.”
“Do you think I should?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “I’ll see you back there, then.”
With a click to Messi, Blue took off cross-country, leaving Jenna staring at a cloud of dust. What was it about Blue Morgan that made her nod and follow along so obediently? He just made huge assumptions about everything, and she seemed incapable of stopping him.
And she’d practically slavered over his abs after assuring Yvonne that she didn’t think he was all that.
And he’d held her close and not made fun of her when she’d had a delayed reaction to the stress of dealing with Mr. Lymond. In fact, he’d offered to teach her how to defend herself.
Jenna jammed her hat on her head and started the engine.
Actually, he hadn’t offered, he’d basically told her he was going to teach her some moves. How would it feel getting up close and personal with a muscular Marine with the reflexes of a cat?
She realized she was making a moaning breathy sound and hastily shut her mouth as she turned into the long drive up to Morgan Ranch. She didn’t have to do anything he suggested.
She could just say no.
Not that it would make any difference. She had a sense that when he made a decision, he wouldn’t let little things like her halfhearted objections get in the way. He wasn’t so much bossy as formidable. Yet he’d suggested she could learn to take care of herself rather than assuming she was just a weak and feeble female who needed a strong man to defend her. That was . . . encouraging. Because she could take care of herself. She’d already learned that the hard way.
Chapter Five
“So you and Blue seem to be getting along well,” January said as she licked cream out of her chocolate éclair.
The three of them were sharing a table at the coffee shop for a quick lunch and catch-up session before January got back into writing her thesis about the origins of Morgan Ranch and Jenna returned to the clinic. Morgantown might not be a metropolis, but it had everything Jenna needed to survive as well as two good friends who didn’t know her family, which was a definite bonus.
Jenna tried for an indifferent shrug. “He’s okay.”
“Okay?” Yvonne asked. “Three weeks ago you said he was bossy and opinionated and that I could have him. So what’s changed?”
“Abs.” Jenna took a hasty gulp of her cappuccino.
“You saw his abs?” Yvonne leaned closer. “Were they as fine as I imagined they would be?”
“Finer,” Jenna admitted. “When I saw them I kind of lost the power of speech for a moment.”
January cleared her throat. “Are you two objectifying my future brother-in-law here?”
“It depends on what you mean by objectifying,” Jenna said. “I certainly didn’t touch anything.”
Yvonne snorted. “But you wanted to, didn’t you? I can see it in your eyes.”
Jenna sighed. “There was this bead of sweat just traveling downward I couldn’t stop staring at.”
“You like him.” January nudged her. “You wanted to lick him like a Popsicle, didn’t you?”
