The Rancher's Wedding - Diana Palmer Page 0,10
and he doesn’t have the hands of a man who does any sort of physical labor. I’d have pegged him as a businessman. He seems out of place.”
“Curious.”
“It is. But it’s not my business.”
“Nor mine,” JL told him. “I’ve been taking a look around the place. We have lots of things that need to be repaired and painted. I’ve been living in a blue funk, whatever that is. Time I snapped out of it and got some things done. And don’t agree with me,” he said suddenly when Drum opened his mouth. “I’ll call a contractor first thing in the morning and get the ball rolling. Another thing, the chicken picketer left her clothes here. I put them in the dryer, but she went home wearing Bessie’s daughter’s jeans and shirt. I guess I’ll have to make time to take them to her.”
“Is she pretty—the chicken picketer?” Drum teased.
JL chuckled. “She was pretty bedraggled while she was here. Not much to look at, but a tender heart and plenty of compassion. I used to think looks were the most important thing. Now I’m convinced that a good heart’s better.”
“I’ll take pretty, thanks,” came the amused reply.
“You’re welcome to all the pretty women you can find. I’m off women for life,” he added. “I’m never being taken for a ride again.”
“Where have I heard that before?”
“Never you mind. Get busy. I’m going to ride out to the line cabin and see how Parker’s doing with the new horses.”
“Why won’t you let him work them here, close to the house?”
JL raised both eyebrows. “You ever heard him cuss?”
“Oh.”
“I’m not having him around when visitors come to look at our new crop of cattle. He’ll put everybody’s back up and I’ll have to sell my calves at a loss.”
“We could rope him, tie him to a post, and gag him.”
JL pursed his lips and chuckled. “What a thought. But, no, it’s just as well to leave him where he is. If I have to call him down about his behavior, he’ll quit, and he’s the best man with horses I’ve ever had.”
“I’ll echo that. The man has a gift.”
“It’s that Crow in him,” JL replied. “He said his people have a way with animals that runs all the way back through his lineage, all the way to his great-grandfather. He can gentle horses without any rough treatment. Horses love him. I mean they really love him. They follow him around the fence when he’s outside.”
“Imagine a guy with a talent like that,” Drum said. He made a face. “And a mouth like that.”
“He was in the military. He said he learned to cuss dodging bullets in Iraq.” He shook his head. “I’ve dodged my share, but I’m not his equal in a cussing contest,” he added, chuckling. “I guess we all have a few rough edges.”
“His are sharper than knives. But he is good with the horses.”
“Yes. Okay, you call the equipment people, I’ll go talk to Parker.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
* * *
The line cabin was about a mile from the main ranch house, set back in the lodgepole pines, with majestic mountains making an exquisite backdrop for the long, open pasture, cross-fenced, that stretched to the horizon. The cabin was efficient, but small. With its rustic timbers, it looked like part of the landscape.
JL dismounted at the front porch and tied his horse to the rail. There was nobody around. He rapped on the door, but there was no answer. Odd, he thought. Parker was certainly here, somewhere. He wondered what was going on.
He opened the door and walked in. There was a fire in the fireplace. A hot, fresh pot of coffee sat on the counter with an empty cup by it. Wherever Parker was, he must not have expected to be gone long.
JL went back outside and looked around. “Hey, Parker!” he called.
No answer. He walked around the house and saw hoofprints headed down the road. He got back in the saddle and followed them.
He hadn’t gone far when he heard a rifle shot. Heart racing, he turned his horse in the direction of the shot and urged him forward.
“Nothing to worry about, Hardy,” he told the horse, patting him gently on the mane to calm him. The horse was nervous enough without loud noises. “Come on, fellow. Just a little way to go.”
The horse moved forward, but not quickly. In the distance, JL caught sight of a red plaid shirt. Closer, he could tell that it was Parker by his