hide her surprise. “Is that a compliment?”
Travis shrugged. “I guess it is.”
“Maybe you should have raised your expectations before now.”
His lips curved into a begrudging smile. “Maybe.”
AJ opened the stall and led Ace to the center of the stable.
“I’ll meet you outside,” Travis said.
“You’re joining us?”
“Don’t want my new assistant foreman to get lost out there.”
“I’m actually very good with directions.”
“I haven’t given you any directions.”
“You said to check the fences.”
“Good to have company the first time,” he said as he headed to Midnight’s stall.
AJ shook her head. Was the man determined to be contrary? The odd thing was that she’d never once had company doing anything on any other ranch. No, everyone had steered clear of her, careful not to divide their allegiance, because they all knew she was only a place-holder. They were happy to spread rumors but silent when it came to admitting she was always one of the hardest-working ranch hands on duty.
Now she had a handsome cowboy following her around and, while any other woman would be glad, it raised red flags for AJ. Travis Maxwell was the boss. Her father had taught her long ago that fraternizing with someone you worked with was like walking through a minefield.
The simple truth was, the job aside, she hadn’t found a man she could trust since her father died. She’d trusted her last boss and he’d failed to defend her when the rumors swirled.
The only long-term relationship in her life was Gus. Gus never lied and never let her down.
Spits of rain landed on her as she settled into the saddle. AJ shifted and picked up the reins, urging Ace forward. She didn’t have all day and, by the looks of things, the sky was getting ready to burst wide open. Travis would have to catch up.
And he did. Minutes later the thunder of hooves indicated Travis and Midnight were at her side.
“What? You couldn’t wait?”
Annoyance marred his face and AJ struggled not to laugh. Travis Maxwell did not like to be bested.
“The clocking is ticking. It’s about to pour and I still haven’t made it to see that cattle of yours.”
“Northwest pasture. See that big oak tree out there?”
“Yes.”
“That’s your landmark. Veer right.”
It took her a moment to realize why he was giving her directions. By then he and Midnight were racing toward the tree, leaving her and Ace literally in the dust.
“That was a false start if ever there was one,” she called after him.
Travis’s laughter rode on the wind, only encouraging AJ to lean forward in the saddle and spur Ace into the gray dawn. Rounding the massive oak tree, she closed the gap between them. Straight ahead in the distance, on a small grassy knoll, the silhouette of the cattle came into view.
“You’re not too bad in the saddle,” he observed when she caught up. His face was without expression as he narrowed his eyes in assessment.
“I told you in the interview. I was raised on a horse.”
“People say a lot of things in interviews. Ask Rusty.”
AJ jerked back slightly at the comment and pinned him with her gaze, but he had tipped his hat back to look at the sky.
“Uh-oh,” Travis murmured. “Here it comes.”
He was right. Fat drops turned into sheets of rain in a heartbeat. AJ pulled the folded square of clear slicker from her pocket, shook it out and slipped the plastic over her head.
“Got another one of those in your pocket?”
“No. Sorry. I didn’t think—”
“That’s okay. I won’t melt, but just to be sure, let’s duck under the oak tree. That canopy will help some.”
She turned Ace around and followed Travis beneath the stretching arms of the massive tree. For moments they sat in silence as water fell in constant beats onto the hard red clay. The greedy ground drank until full, then the water began to overflow, running downhill in winding rivulets around the horses’ hooves and over the roots of the oak.
Her father called sudden downpours like this “toad stranglers.”
“What’s that sound?” Travis asked moments later. He inched Midnight forward and peered through the curtain of rain.
“Thunder?”
“No. Sounds like a truck bouncing over the ground.” He continued to search the landscape. “But there’s no road out here.”
“Travis, look. Over there. You’re right. It is a truck, coming up on the other side of your steers from the woods.”
“Sure is. A truck and a trailer.” He released a breath. “Cattle rustlers. Must have cut the fence and come around the lodge.”
“You have fifteen head. Why would anyone take a risk for so few cattle?”
“They’re worth a bit over a thousand dollars each at market, that’s why.” He pulled up the collar of his jacket and lifted the reins. “Whoever those rustlers are, they surely know we’re easy pickings out here.”
“Are your calves tagged or hot branded?”
“Tagged. And, yeah, I know that doesn’t stop rustlers. They remove the tag. I was hoping we wouldn’t have to hot brand.”
“No cameras out here?”
“Cameras are in the budget for this year. Add that to your list.”
“My list?”
“Yeah, of all the things I’ve let slide because I haven’t had reliable help.”
“What are we going to do right now?”
Travis pushed his hat low on his ears. “The only thing we can do. Save the stock.”
“What if they’re armed?”
“I can’t let them walk onto our land and take my cattle, can I?”
“You can call the Timber police.”
“Chief Daniels and his two-man police posse? Seriously? It’s Sunday. If I call now, I’ll get dispatch and she’ll tell me that they’ll be out here to take a report later.” He shook his head. “No one is going to miss church for my
