Nate bit his lip and turned his head away, but from where Travis stood, he appeared to be struggling to hold back a smile. “Got it, Boss. Have yourself a good ride.” The man walked quickly out of the room, but Travis could swear he heard a chuckle drift back.
Chapter Seven
Travis pushed open the door of his office and stepped inside. Angel stood with her back to him, gazing at the large wall map of the ranch and surrounding area. Her long black braid hung between her shoulder blades, and she must have stopped by her room, as her gun sat snug in its holster. He clenched his teeth, feeling as though a Texas tornado had slammed into his ranch and uprooted everything he held dear. Life hadn’t been perfect, but it had been much less complicated a few short hours ago.
It wasn’t fitting, a woman wearing a gun on her hip and toting a rifle. She should be wearing a dress and—he stopped, suddenly ashamed, as a memory returned. Travis had been teasing his sister because she was a girl. Mother had told him that, with God’s help, he could be anything he wanted to be, but so could his sister.
He hadn’t understood at the time, but a small patch of light shone into the darkness of his past prejudice. Could a person really become what he desired with God’s help? Did God care about what he did with his life?
Angel whirled around and stared at him, her hand clenched. He took a step back and rubbed his jaw. “I apologize, Miss Ramirez. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Her chin jutted out. “I wish everyone would quit calling me that. My name is Angel. Is that so difficult?”
Surprise coursed through him, and he raised his hands, palms out. “Hold on there, Miss…er…Angel. No need to get riled.”
Her posture gradually relaxed. “Sorry. It’s been—difficult—the past few hours.”
“Difficult? How?” As soon as the words left his mouth, he wanted to jerk them back. Of course. Coming to a new place, being questioned and stared at.
“It probably doesn’t matter, seeing I won’t be here long. But if everyone would call me by my given name, it would help. I’m not used to such proper talk.”
“Wait.” He stopped her before a torrent of words could bury him. “I understand. Let’s start over. Angel it is.” He strode forward and pointed at the map. “You probably spotted the ranch house.” He touched the lower left quadrant. “Did you come through Sundance?”
She nodded. “I skirted around the town, but yes, that’s the trail I took.”
Travis drew a large circle with his finger. “The ranch encompasses roughly two thousand acres. I homesteaded the first section and purchased land from ranchers wanting out.” He touched three places on the map. “These are the main points where wolf packs have been sighted.”
She kept her gaze fixed on the map.
He lightly touched her arm. “I’ve changed my mind about sending you out today.”
Angel swung toward him. “You’re making me stay here?”
“No. I’m just not sending you alone. I’ll show you some of the landmarks. We can’t cover half of the ranch today, but I can help you get the lay of the land.”
Angel shook her head, and her braid flipped over her shoulder. “No need. I can find my way.”
Travis stifled an irritated remark. “I’m sure you can, but my way will save time.”
She tapped her toe. “I understand how to read a map. I’ve been working the range for years.”
Travis wanted to snap at her stubbornness. “I’m sure you have, but I prefer to take you out the first day.”
She hesitated, clearly torn. “All right. You’re the boss. I’ll meet you in the barn.”
Travis stuffed down his impatience and grabbed his hat off the desk, slapping it on his head. Hopefully he’d made the right decision in hiring this woman. Why he thought he might be tempted to neglect his ranch work with this pretty employee around, he couldn’t imagine. He just prayed he could keep from going loco until he found somebody else.
Angel slung her saddle onto Bella’s back and stuffed her rifle in its sheath. The last thing she wanted was her new boss breathing down her neck. It would’ve been easier maintaining her old role, but she couldn’t deny the feelings of rebellion at the lie she’d lived for so long. People needed to accept her for who she was, not for what they thought she should be.
Travis grasped his horse’s reins. “Ready?”
“Yes.”
They swung into the saddle and rode out of the barn at a hard trot, heading northeast. Neither spoke for the next twenty minutes or so, but Angel didn’t mind. Getting a feel for this country was important— she was thankful Travis wasn’t talkative. Her mind drifted to the cowboy called Arizona. Now that one would talk her ear off if given half a chance, and no doubt propose within a week if encouraged. She’d have to watch herself and not spend any time alone with the man.
Angel twisted in her saddle. She slowed Bella to a walk and pointed at a butte rising in the distance. “Is that peak on your land?”
Travis nodded. “Yes, and it’s an excellent lookout. We keep part of the herd near the base, as there’s a good spring and rich grass. That’s where we’re headed.” He gathered his reins. “We’ve got a lot of ground to cover today. Let’s pick up the pace.” He grazed his gelding with a spur and the horse broke into a ground-eating canter.
A rush of warmth poured over Angel as she urged Bella to catch up. How wonderful to be in the saddle again, doing what she loved best. If only her parents or Uncle José could be here, life would be complete. That’s what she missed the most—a sense of family. Since leaving José, she had no one to call her own. There’d been little interaction with any of the family members on the other ranches where she’d worked. Staying in Travis’s home and sitting at the table had stirred a loneliness she’d thought buried. Angel pushed down the emotions, not wanting to dig too deep.
The cool wind nudged the rim of her sombrero, and the pounding of hoof beats filled the air. The sun-warmed needles on nearby pine trees emitted a fragrant odor and she inhaled deeply, thankful to be alive. No longer did she fear Bart Hinson finding her. Three years was more than enough; by now the man would have turned his attention elsewhere. She could relax, knowing the secret of her past would never be exposed.
The towering rock butte grew more distinct against the azure sky, and a long line of cattle spread along the base, contentedly grazing the knee-deep grass. Travis held up his hand and slowed his horse to a trot. Angel drew up alongside, letting Bella match her pace to the gelding. “Nice spot. How many cattle are you running in this location?”
Travis grinned, and the result surprised her. His normally somber expression relaxed, and smile lines creased the corners of his mouth. “About five hundred. This is one of my favorite places. Wait till you see the spring.” He pointed toward a decidedly green patch near the foot of the butte. “Come on, I’ll show you.”
In another few minutes they reached the wide grassy patch where cattle grazed and calves dozed in the sun. There must be over three hundred head, and the herd extended out of sight around the far edge of the rock outcropping. The butte towered above them and encompassed an area of at least ten acres. Angel had noticed while still at a distance that the top was somewhat level and fell off sheer on the three sides visible.
Cows lumbered to their feet as the horses passed, and calves bucked and jumped across the grassy area. Water gushed nearby, but Travis said it was a spring, not a running stream. Most springs she’d encountered were pools, originating at a seep or trickle of water. Her eyes widened as they arrived at the source and swung down from their mounts.
The rock face split about two feet up from its base with bushes growing on each side. Water boiled from the narrow fissure as though anxious to reach its destination. The entire crack gushed with tumbling water that spilled into a basin below. The resulting pool measured as wide as a grown man could toss a rock, and two sides were ringed with boulders that must have tumbled down over the centuries. Grass grew on the shore, and one area that appeared shallow was tramp
led and churned by the hooves of thirsty cattle.
Angel walked around the edge, noting the imprints of elk and possibly deer. No wolf tracks that she could discern, but that wasn’t surprising. She turned to Travis. “Amazing.” She breathed the word reverently. “I’ve not seen the like of this anywhere in Wyoming— or on south to Texas, for that matter.”
Travis’s brows rose, and a curious light sparked in his eyes.
Angel winced. Most of her work had been done in Wyoming, at least over the past two years. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to know of her history in Texas.
“Sounds like you’ve done a lot of traveling. You track varmints down Texas way?”
She shook her head. “No. Wyoming and Colorado. That’s all.”
His mouth opened, then snapped shut. Good. She didn’t intend to answer any more questions.
Angel turned toward the spring. “I’m surprised you didn’t locate your house here.”
He leaned his arm against his saddle. “I thought about it, but it’s too far from town to bring in supplies. We have a good, year-round creek not far from the house, but this would’ve been nice. It’s excellent grazing for the cattle, though.”
“I can see that. You ever climb the bluff?”
“Yes. On the back side the slope is more gradual. Great view of the ranch from up there, and with a looking glass, you can see other locations where the cattle hole up.”
“I’ll try it. Might be a good place to spot predators.”
“We haven’t had much trouble with wolves over this way. At least not yet.” He frowned. “But it couldn’t hurt to keep watch.” He gathered up his reins. “Let’s head out. I want to reach the next grazing area before we eat.”
They mounted and headed north. Angel looked back at the pool one more time. This was a place she’d return to—there was something about running water that soothed her soul—and right now, she could certainly use it. She chanced a look at Travis. Did he feel the same way, or was the man so focused on his ranch that he failed to notice the peace? She shrugged and pushed down the thought, irritated that she cared. He was her boss, not her friend, and his feelings weren’t her concern.
Travis glanced back, wondering at the longing that flashed across Angel’s face. What drove her to live this kind of life? Did she want a family, or did she have normal desires? He still had trouble using her given name, even in his mind. What was he thinking, giving this woman a man’s job and asking her to spend long days alone roaming the range? Part of him longed to treat her like the lady she should be, not the man she pretended to be.
Disgust niggled at his heart. Not at this young woman riding beside him, but at himself for not having the strength to stick with his decision when he’d wanted to send her away. But something about the determined—no—desperate expression she’d worn when she thought he might turn her aside had gotten under his skin.
Another half hour of riding brought them within sight of a second herd. Distant bawling floated on the still air and small dust clouds rose. The grassy plain extended for as far as he could see, and he surveyed the area with satisfaction. More cattle grazed here than anywhere on the ranch. He leaned back in his saddle and relaxed. “Tell me about some of the places you’ve worked.”
Angel didn’t reply, and he stiffened. Surely she couldn’t object to a casual question. A swift movement jerked him around—Angel had withdrawn her rifle.
“What do you see?” He rose in his stirrups but only saw calves butting heads and playing.
Angel leaned forward. Her rifle gripped in one hand and holding the reins with her other, she raked her horse with her spurs. The big mare nearly leapt from beneath her and sprang into a hard gallop. “Wolves!” Her voice carried back over the rapidly widening distance.
“Wolves?” Travis strained to see. He urged his gelding into a canter.
Angel leaned low over her horse’s neck, seemingly part of the moving animal. Bella was running flat out now. Her long black mane streamed back as her extended stride covered the ground. The mare jumped over brush, kicking up clumps of sod in her wake. The young woman clinging to her back held her rifle balanced against her thigh, riding effortlessly. She lifted the gun to her shoulder but didn’t slow the pace of her mount. A surge of reluctant admiration grew in Travis’s chest. What a display of first-class horsemanship. She could ride as well as any man. The thought jarred him.
Travis turned his attention toward the cattle and removed his own rifle from its scabbard. The dust cloud intensified, and the bawling of the cattle increased. Suddenly, a young calf broke from the melee and streaked across the clearing. A gray, rangy form shot from the dust in long bounds, rapidly closing the distance. The calf’s distraught mother followed, swinging her head back and forth and bellowing at the top of her lungs.
A loud crack echoed off the nearby hills. The wolf took one final, desperate leap and tumbled to the ground, rolling several times before crumpling. Travis drew back on his reins. But why wasn’t Angel slowing?
He strained to see through the dusty haze. Angel headed for the middle of four wolves circling two mothers with their babies huddled alongside. The hairs on the back of his neck rose. One of the cows dropped her head and charged a wolf that edged closer, catching his chest with the tip of her horn. The animal yelped and sprang backward. Another beast closed on the empty spot in the circle and crouched low.
Travis shouted and spurred his horse forward. He’d nearly caught up with Angel now, as she slid her mare to a halt.
The young woman raised her rifle again. Holding his own weapon at the ready, Travis slowed to a trot and watched Angel’s practiced movements. A series of shots rang out, and two wolves fell. A third yipped as he headed for the nearby trees. The fourth ran close on his heels, her tail tucked as she looked furtively toward the now silent gun.
Travis drew up alongside Angel, who sat reloading her rifle, a scowl marring her pretty face. “That was some shooting.”
She raised her chin and stared at him. “I should have had those last two. My gun jammed.” She flipped the chamber closed and shoved the rifle back in its sheath. “I’ll check it when I get back to the ranch.”
“I could have one of the men—“ Travis nearly bit his tongue at the look she shot him. “I’m sure you’re quite capable.”
She nudged her horse forward. “We’d best check the herd. Make sure the wolves didn’t injure any of the calves.”
“Right.” He followed her, suddenly at a loss for words. What was he supposed to do now? Angel had proven her worth as a hunter and horseman, but that didn’t change how he felt. He still didn’t believe she should be riding the range alone. Although she seemed capable of taking care of herself, there were more predators a woman had to worry about than wolves.
Chapter Eight
Angel drifted around the kitchen, feeling lost for the first time in years. Libby had taken the buggy to town and left instructions for Angel to help herself to whatever she could find for dinner. Shooting, riding, even brandings calves, were all easier than spending time in the kitchen. Of course, she’d fixed meals out on the range, but that was over an open campfire and with vittles the ranch cook supplied.
She could count on one hand the number of times she’d been alone in a house during a workday. Strange that Travis insisted she take the day off. Maybe he felt he owed her, even though she’d been on the job for only ten days.
This man was different from her past bosses. Of course, none of them had known she was a woman, so that could account. But Travis seemed gentler, even under his gruff, irritable exterior. She’d noticed the tender way he looked at Libby and how he ruffled James’s hair. He even treated his cowboys with gratitude when they’d done a good job. Appreciation wasn’t something she’d grown accustomed to, but it was nice, even if it meant a day away from the range.
She stepped into the pantry and surveyed the array of tinned goods, bags of sugar and flour, beans, rice, and other things she couldn’t identify. Where
to start? Maybe she’d just skip the noontime meal. One last look at the myriad of bags and tins on the shelves and she made her decision.
The air outside smelled fresh and clean after last night’s shower. What to do? Angel pondered her next step. Take a ride and pretend not to be working, but bring her rifle along just in case? She shook her head. Bella needed rest, and that wouldn’t be fair.
Try to find a book to read? But Angel had never been a big hand at reading, and this day was too beautiful to sit indoors.
A boot crunched on the gravel, and Angel’s hand flashed to her waist. Stupid! She’d left her gun in her room. A muscle twitched in her cheek, and she turned slowly.
Arizona stood there sporting a huge grin. “Sure glad you’re not armed today, Miss Angel.” He hooked his thumbs in his belt.
Angel squelched the smile threatening to slip out. “That can easily be remedied.”
Arizona’s grin faded, and he took a step back.
“I didn’t mean any harm. Jest wondered if maybe you was feeling lonesome, with Libby gone and Travis and James on the range.”
“I enjoy being alone.”
“I thought pretty girls always enjoyed company.” He scratched his head.
Angel leaned against a post of the covered porch. “I’m not a pretty girl. I’m a ranch employee, the same as you.”
Arizona hooted with laughter. “Sorry, Miss. But that you ain’t. You and me, we’re not a bit alike.”
Angel straightened. It was time to take control of this situation. “Where’s your sidekick?”
“You mean Wren? You ain’t soft on him, are you?”
“Soft on him?” She wrinkled her nose. “Are women all you think about, Arizona?”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and grinned. “Maybe, but I do have a few other interests. Nothing wrong with wanting to court a pretty woman, is there?”
“I guess that depends on the woman—and if she wants to be courted.”
The cowboy leaned closer. “I’d be willing to show you around town if you’d have me.”
Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming Page 6
