Whirlwind - Janet Dailey Page 0,22

breakfast that morning. “That’s been known to happen, when a bull is feeling out of sorts.”

“Don’t worry, he’ll be fine.” Ruben spooned black beans over his scrambled eggs. “The new trailer and the bigger crowds will take some getting used to. But once he gets in that arena, with a cowboy on his back, it’ll be business as usual.”

Ruben had recruited his son-in-law, Pedro, to help him drive four other bulls to Flagstaff. The younger man sat next to him, eating quietly, his gaze lowered.

Lexie wished silently that Ruben could be the one going with her. Aaron, who’d jumped at the chance to go along, was good with the truck and could repair almost anything. But he didn’t know much more about bulls than he did about the few steers he raised. And Lexie couldn’t imagine what they’d find in common to talk about.

Aaron glanced up at Callie as she bent over the table to replace the empty coffee carafe. “Will you ladies be all right here?” he asked.

“We’ll be fine.” She paused behind his chair. “We haven’t had anybody come onto the place since that gate was opened. If we do, the boys will be here, and Tess is a dead shot.” She chuckled. “Me, I’m pretty handy with a broom, or that poker by the fireplace. And I can scream to high heaven. So put your worries to rest.”

“Don’t worry about your place either, Aaron. We’ll take care of everything.” Tess had finished her breakfast. Rising from her chair, she gathered up her empty dishes to take to the kitchen before going outside to check the trailers and see the bulls off.

Callie had packed two coolers with sandwiches, cold sodas, and oatmeal raisin cookies to take in the trucks. Ruben grabbed one; Aaron carried the other and stowed it behind the front seat. “Want me to drive first?” he asked.

“No, I’ll take it for a while. That switchback road up to the pass is tricky with a trailer.” Lexie checked Whirlwind to see whether he was settling. The bull was still snorting, tossing his head, and rolling his eyes. Not good. But maybe the familiar motion of the ride would calm him.

As a safety precaution, the two trailers would go up the road separately. Lexie and Aaron would be leaving first. After the smaller trailer had reached the top, the larger one would start out. Ruben had made countless drives up the winding road with a loaded trailer. Lexie had no cause to worry about him or the bulls.

They started out slowly, rolling out of the ranch gate and onto the hard-packed gravel road. Lexie gripped the wheel, keeping the tires away from the edge as the truck pulled the trailer up the narrow switchbacks. With eyes narrowed behind her sunglasses, she focused all her attention on steering the rig over the pass and down the other side without jostling its precious cargo.

When they finally reached paved road, they made a quick stop to check on Whirlwind. The bull was safe but still agitated.

“Will he be all right?” Aaron asked.

“He should be fine. He’s just missing his buddies,” Lexie said. “Driving on smooth roads should help settle him.”

Looking back toward the pass, Lexie could see no sign of Ruben and the long trailer. Maybe they’d had some delay—a problem with the truck or with one of the bulls. Or maybe they’d just needed a little more time.

Stop worrying! she told herself.

Would the ranch be safe, with just Tess, Callie, and the two boys to watch the place? There’d been no sign of trouble for days. But what if the person who’d opened the gate was just waiting for a chance like this, to make more devilish mischief?

Stop worrying! Just do your job!

Starting up again, they headed northeast, mostly by back roads, to Albuquerque. The monsoon had arrived, with its afternoon showers. The light rains had settled the dust, leaving the humid air smelling of rain and damp earth. Seeds were sprouting on the desert, poking up tiny green heads.

As the wheels rolled along the paved road, with the radio playing country music, Lexie began to relax a little. She’d known Aaron Frye as a neighbor for as long as she could remember, but she’d never spent time alone with him. She’d expected some awkwardness, but he was courteous, helpful, and didn’t try to fill the silence with small talk. Maybe driving with him wouldn’t be so bad after all.

At least the trip wouldn’t be too long. When it