“The group will come in tonight,” Sharon went on, “and ride out before dawn tomorrow. Competence as well as discretion is critical. Which is why I want you.”
Sharon’s trust was reassuring. Last month, a famous actor had visited the ranch, leaving several employees star struck, snapping countless selfies and posting them on social media. Sharon had been furious. Her prominent cousin, a respected horse trainer for the movies, had recommended the Mustang River Ranch for a private getaway and had been similarly displeased.
“I appreciate your flexibility but we do need to fill your hours better.” Sharon glanced pointedly at the piece of brush Kate had placed over the rabbit. “Other than the occasional difficult children, do you like working here?”
Kate gave a vigorous nod. She appreciated the ranch, her easygoing co-workers, and being able to live close to nature. Occasionally the guests were a little quirky. But it beat working in a tiny office, surrounded by concrete buildings, frazzled commuters and cloying car exhaust.
“This place already feels like home,” Kate said, throwing in a plug for winter employment. “And I’d love to stay long term. I’m happy to work wherever you need me.”
“Good to hear,” Sharon said, her eyes twinkling. “Because next year I was considering offering some sort of tracking challenge. Where we’ll give participants a head start and then mounted staff will try to hunt them down. Guests want more than survival classes. They prefer immersion. Monty is good at tracking, and it would be beneficial to have someone with your background.”
“Sounds like a great idea,” Kate said, squeezing her hands so as to refrain from giving Sharon a highly inappropriate hug. But that kind of gig would be a dream job. No worrying about riders who lacked proper trail knowledge, no pressure to find injured campers, no sitting on a dark lonely mountain waiting for a rescue helicopter to arrive. She’d still be outside using her search and rescue skills, but it would all be in fun.
She enjoyed working with Monty. He was the perfect trail partner, a grizzled veteran experienced with all types of terrain, both high and low. Then Kate sighed. Because of course if the guests headed up the mountain, she’d have to follow. And that was something she didn’t want to do.
“Lots of time to decide,” Sharon said. “But we have to find more to keep you busy. Your survival classes simply aren’t drawing the numbers.” She smiled beneath her white cowboy hat, but her words carried a clear warning.
Sharon Barrett was first and foremost a businesswoman. Her ancestors hadn’t held on to their vast land holdings by being soft. They were tough negotiators, and history showed a Barrett rarely lost a fight.
“I understand,” Kate said, squaring her shoulders. “I’m going to help in the kitchen soon. And of course I’ll hang around for the music tonight.”
“Good,” Sharon said. “Make it fun in there. Guests always need dance partners, and positive last impressions mean better reviews. It’s important for things to run smoothly...especially this week. And I’m glad you’re joining Monty on this trail ride. I don’t expect trouble but it’s good to know he’ll have support.”
For such a confident woman, Sharon sounded rather conflicted. Maybe travel agents were visiting, making it more important to socialize in the dance hall and make it look like fun, even if that was the least interesting aspect of Kate’s day.
She preferred mellow campfires to ear-splitting music, and the smell of piney woods over men who dressed like urban cowboys and splashed on too much cologne. At least tomorrow she could look forward to a break. A relaxing three-day ride with guests who’d be tired enough to crawl into their tents and sleep as soon as the sun dropped. And they must be animal lovers or they wouldn’t want to ride all the way in to see the wild mustangs.
“No kids like the ones today?” Kate asked.
“No way.” Sharon actually laughed. “This ride is all about two horse-loving girls. Absolutely no killer mentality.”
Kate gave a happy nod, shifting slightly so she wouldn’t have to look at the hungry crows. A peaceful trail ride in remote country would be like a mini-vacation. And it couldn’t come quickly enough.
“Sounds perfect,” she said.
CHAPTER TWO
“GLUTEN-FREE FLOUR IS like gold,” the head cook scolded. “So don’t spill it.”
Kate nodded and continued with her careful measurements. She usually liked working with the woman but today the cook was edgy, hovering and giving unnecessary instructions.
She glanced wistfully out the window to where wranglers were returning horses to the corrals. Helping with the livestock was preferable to being inside, but nearly every employee was good with horses. Not everyone could cook.
“We also need everything gluten free for a trail ride tomorrow,” the cook went on. “So make two dozen rolls along with some pita wraps. Then make that chocolate flourless cake you did for the birthday party last week. Monty can pack that in as well.”
Kate reached for the recipe rack, hiding her surprise. Cake was never sent in the saddlebags. It didn’t pack well so granola bars were the dessert of choice. “I didn’t realize any of our rides this week were gluten free.”
“The cake is for a special group,” the cook said. “Boss wants these girls treated like royalty. Poor Monty will have to take two packhorses to handle all their requests, and he isn’t as young as he used to be.”
The cook’s voice always softened when she mentioned Monty. They were both longtime Barrett employees as well as close friends. And though Sharon Barrett hadn’t revealed much to Kate about tomorrow’s trail ride, it was obvious the trusted cook knew far more.
“Is all this for the two girls who want to see the mustangs?” Kate asked.
“There will be two teens and two adults,” the cook said. “Or maybe three adults. We won’t know that until later. Depends how everything checks out.”
“Checks out? Do you mean with their horses?”
Riders were assigned horses at the beginning of their stay and then given a chance to get to know each other. But with this group arriving so late, there wouldn’t be time for the usual introductions, something Kate knew would leave Monty irritated. Horses and riders had a safer and less stressful experience if they understood each other before hitting the trail.
“I better tuck in some extra whisky,” the cook said, ignoring Kate’s question. “Monty will need it. And before you stick anything in the oven, take a few more cases of soda outside. Those two boys have emptied the pool fridge again. It’ll be a relief to see their backsides.”
Kate covered the rolls, happy to leave the gluten-free section of the kitchen and escape for a moment. Besides, Allie, the lifeguard, appreciated her help with keeping the boys in line, especially if there were other children trying to swim.
Kate stacked four cases of chilled soda on the trolley then added a case of water, aware Allie never drank pop. And after enduring Johnny and Luke for a couple hours, she was probably hot and thirsty.
Kate heard the boys long before she tugged the loaded trolley through the side door and onto the pool deck. They were snickering at something on Luke’s phone, their heads bent over the tiny screen. At least they hadn’t smashed any chairs and they weren’t fighting.
“I hear you boys are thirsty,” she said.
“Put our drinks on the table,” Luke muttered, not bothering to raise his head.
“Sure,” she said crisply, still a little peeved after burying the rabbit. “Two waters coming up.”
“Not water, stupid.” Luke jerked in annoyance. “We ordered Coke. Oh, it’s you... Sorry.” His eyes narrowed on her head. “Why do you have your hair like that?”
Blaring from their phone pulled the boys’ attention off her hairnet and back to the newscast.
“They can’t threaten us,” Johnny said, his gaze intent on the screen. “If I were the President, I’d just shoot all those terrorists.”
Kate placed two cans of Coke on the table, surprised when both boys mumbled th
anks. They were definitely trying to behave, or perhaps they were just distracted by the news. Two suspected terrorists had been captured by American troops, resulting in ISIS demands that they be released. Over the last month, threats against major U.S. cities had escalated, making Kate doubly relieved she lived on a remote ranch.
She picked up the handle of the trolley and continued along the pool deck toward the swim station. Allie doubled as the afternoon lifeguard and evening dance instructor. Like everyone at the ranch, the woman worked long hours. And right now, Allie was staring at the trolley, obviously in desperate need of a drink. Her lips were parted, her eyes wide with appreciation.
Kate waved, glad she’d thought to replenish the water. But, Allie didn’t give her usual infectious smile. She still gaped, her mouth open, and it was apparent she wasn’t looking at the water but at something behind Kate.
“Could I have one of those, please?” a man’s deep voice asked.
Kate turned, surprised she hadn’t heard his approach. In the back country, she could hear the tiniest rustle, but working around all these guests seemed to have dulled her senses. A shame really. And then she quit thinking about anything but him.
This man had the most piercing eyes, brown with flecks of yellow and gold, rather like a wolf’s. And he had that same aura: powerful, confident, aloof. At a ranch where nearly every guest donned a cowboy hat, this man’s was different, as if the hat truly belonged. Better yet, he smelled of fresh pine, not sweat or beer or cologne.
Probably not a guest. Maybe a long-lost Barrett relative? He had that family’s stunning good looks although he didn’t have the Barrett blue eyes. He certainly was no chatterbox. He studied her, just as she studied him. And the boys and their loud phone and the clattering from the kitchen faded away.
Someone pushed past her.
“Hey,” Allie said, splendid in her tanned skin and striped cover-up with the ranch logo. “Come with me. I have some water in the cooler, already chilled.”
The man inclined his head, but his eyes remained locked on Kate’s. “Need any help unloading those cases?” he asked, his velvety baritone voice sending a little shiver down her back.
“No, thank you,” Kate said, surprised she sounded so normal when his sheer masculinity left her breathless. And when did a guest ever offer to unload her trolley?
“Over here,” Allie prompted, urging the man toward the tall cooler on the other side of the pool.
Kate followed more slowly, pulling the rattling trolley and grabbing the chance to study the man. He was just as spectacular from the back, his powerful shoulders tapering to long muscled legs. His jeans, a perfect fit, were slightly faded in spots, as if he were accustomed to being in the saddle. The heels of his leather boots were clean but well worn. And while he might have a cowboy’s clothes and good manners, he also had the self-assured walk of an esteemed guest. Not a swagger exactly, just an abundance of confidence. As if he wouldn’t be afraid to walk in a dark alley. Or anywhere really.
She gulped, yanking her gaze off him and back to Allie. At some point, Allie had slipped off her cover-up, leaving her bikini-perfect body on full display. She bent in front of the cooler, reaching for a water bottle on the bottom rack, her shapely butt waving in the air. Kate couldn’t see the man’s face but even Johnny and Luke looked up from their phones.
However, the man didn’t linger. He accepted the water, gave a polite incline of his head and strode from the pool enclosure.
Both Kate and Allie gaped until he disappeared beyond the gate.
“Wow, when did Mr. Hottie arrive?” Allie asked, theatrically fanning her face before slipping her cover-up back on. The boys hooted their disappointment, silencing only when Kate shot them a look.
“Guess he just came,” Kate said, swinging the cooler door open.
“I figured you’d already met. The way you two were talking.”
Kate blinked. They hadn’t been talking. She didn’t remember saying a word.
“Do you think he’s here alone?” Allie asked, turning to help transfer a case to the cooler. “He wasn’t wearing a ring. He seemed serious but sexy. And he moves like he’d be a great dancer.”
Her gaze drifted to Kate’s hair. “I’d just die if someone caught me wearing a hairnet. And sorry that I cut in like that, but I know you don’t date.” She paused to shout a warning at the boys who were spraying pop, sending a sticky dark shower over the pool chairs.
“That’s why I love this place,” Allie said, grimacing at Kate. “The bad kids always leave. Best of all, you never know what the next wave of guests will bring.”
Kate shoved the last bottles into the cooler. Allie preferred dealing with grownups and more than once she’d rescued Kate from over-eager dancers, guys emboldened by a sense of freedom and a little too much alcohol. In exchange, Kate tried to help her out with the more difficult kids.
Allie wrinkled her nose in confusion. “But he didn’t seem one bit interested. I even took my cover-up off. And that always works, with guys of every age.”
“I don’t understand why he didn’t look,” Kate said, totally sincere. Allie was a lovely person with a truly splendid body.
“Oh, he looked,” Allie said. “But barely. I got the feeling he was evaluating me. Like he took three seconds to absorb everything about me, and then I was dismissed. Just like that.” She gave a dramatic snap of her fingers.
“He’s probably here with someone,” Kate said.
Women often came to the ranch alone, drawn by their love of horses. Men, not so often. Unless they were here for a cattle working package or a fall hunting trip. But this guy didn’t fit in either of those categories. He certainly didn’t look like he needed an instructor, of any sort. In fact there was something about him that left her uneasy, like when she came across the track of a big grizzly and wasn’t sure if the animal was behind or in front of her.
“Oh, well.” Allie shrugged and closed the fridge door. “At least he knows I’m interested. And thanks for bringing the water. Glad it’s stocked up for when you’re gone.”
Kate was already turning the empty trolley back toward the kitchen but stopped, her eyes shooting to Allie’s face. “Gone?” she asked. “What do you mean?”
“I heard you’re helping Monty with an important three-day ride tomorrow.”
Relief swept Kate like a wave, but she kept her body relaxed, hiding the fact that she’d thought she might be laid off. Like the cook, Allie stayed on top of the news. The girl may not go out on rides, but working at the pool during the day and the dance hall at night gave her access to all the gossip. Everyone loved her bubbly personality.
“Are you all right about going with Monty?” Allie asked, her pretty face worried. “And doing an advanced ride? Maybe I can talk up your survival classes at the dance hall. Push some guests your way.”
“I’m fine, thanks,” Kate said, touched by the offer. “Anyway, it’s not an advanced ride. Just a low-country trip, to see some wild horses.”
“So that’s where it’s going. Monty wouldn’t say, of course, and no one in the kitchen would talk either. Which is really strange because they usually tell me.”
“Maybe I misunderstood,” Kate said quickly.
“But the fact you’re going means it’s the Mustang River trail,” Allie said. “We all know you don’t like to ride in the mountains.”
Kate’s hand tightened around the trolley. Everyone knew that? No wonder guests weren’t signing up for her classes. A search and rescue expert who couldn’t rescue anyone wasn’t much use.
“Maybe you should learn to dance better,” Allie said. “I can teach you. In the winter, we cover the bar as well. And there are big tippers at Christmas, especially when they’re getting a drink and a dance.”
Kate appreciated Allie’s support. However, she couldn’t imagine forcing smiles for tips. On the other hand it was obvious she needed to prove she was an employee worth keeping. And that for the sake of steady employment, it would be wise
to accept Allie’s offer, even though the thought of spending more time in the dance hall left a sour taste in her mouth.
CHAPTER THREE
MUSIC AND LAUGHTER leaked from the wooden dance hall, following Kate as she skirted the building and veered toward the horse paddocks. She couldn’t avoid the raucous hall for too much longer. But the sun hadn’t set yet, and Monty might need help preparing for the trail ride.
A flashy palomino snorted, eyeing her suspiciously as she walked past the holding pen. None of the other horses even bothered to lift their heads. Most of the animals knew the ranch routine better than she did. Guests never rode at night and riders were brought back long before dusk. It was too dangerous to be riding trails in the dark. Even the overnighters stopped to make camp long before the sun dropped. The horses knew they wouldn’t be saddled at this time of day and were more interested in gobbling up their hay than checking out a random human.
She scanned the two small paddocks and the animals that had been selected for tomorrow’s trip. Two mules, two sets of distinctive ears. No, three mules. A wave of relief swept her. Thank you, Monty. Mules were smarter than horses, more cautious and unlikely to tumble off a trail. Or over a cliff.
“Evening,” Monty said, his laconic greeting coming from the left side of the corral.
She walked over to join him.
“I had the wranglers round up Belle for you,” Monty said after a moment. He was never one to rush his words, and Kate had learned to wait him out. “She’ll question your judgment a bit. But she’s a good girl.”
“Thank you,” Kate said, giving Monty a grateful smile. She hadn’t wanted to inconvenience anyone by insisting on a mule, but Monty understood. Riding Belle also meant she’d be in back with the pack animals, where conversation with guests would be limited. And that suited her just fine.
At the sound of her voice, the palomino scooted sideways, ramming into the shoulder of a stocky sorrel who had been busy eating. The sorrel immediately flattened his ears, snaking his head and letting the palomino know of his displeasure.
Shadows of the Mountain Page 2
