Elle James - High Country Hideout

Duty consisted of being undercover as a ranch hand while protecting the family.

Hank hadn’t given him much to go on, stating he didn’t have much himself. But when a friend of his had called for help, he’d promised to deliver.

His new boss assured him he could handle his mission. Glancing around at the rugged hills and valleys, with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, Angus wasn’t as confident.

From what he’d seen so far since turning off the highway and crossing beneath the arched entrance to the Last Chance Ranch, the place was a large spread. It spanned the lower valleys and high foothills of the Rockies—rocky, rugged and more beautiful than any other place on earth. Angus hoped he could hack the terrain.

After the long drive, he was ready to get out and stretch. Phantom pain still shot through him, but he’d already exceeded the recommended daily allotment of over-the-counter pain meds by noon.

When he topped the next rise, the ranch house came into view. A sprawling log cabin sat in the middle of a field on a gentle knoll, with trees forming a windbreak around the structure. A huge barn stood behind the house, its exterior weathered a dull gray. Fenced paddocks stretched away on all sides, horses in one and a giant Hereford bull in another.

Pulling around the side of the house, he parked next to an old pickup that had seen better days and more paint.

A lanky, gray-haired man emerged from the barn, tugging the collar of his coat up around his ears. He paused and then trudged toward Angus’s pickup.

“Stay,” Angus told Ranger and climbed down. Careful to plant his good leg on the ground, he held on to the door of the pickup for balance as he got both legs underneath him. What a good impression he’d make if he fell flat on his face before he even shook the hand of the owner.

“Can I help you?” The older man shaded his eyes and stared up at Angus.

Angus stuck out his hand. “Angus Ketchum. I’m here about the ranch hand job.”

The old man shook his hand, his eyes narrowing. “You the man Hank sent?”

“Yes, sir. You must be Mr. Davis.”

“Nope,” the old man replied. “Charles Wayne Reinhardt. Ranch foreman. You can call me CW.”

“Is the owner around?”

“Not yet. Actually, I was the one who called Hank. He and I go back to our army days, a couple of decades back. The boss doesn’t know you’re coming.”

Angus dropped the man’s hand and stepped back, frowning. “I don’t understand.”

“Stuff’s been happenin’ around here. Accidents.” CW snorted. “The boss doesn’t seem to think there’s a pattern. I do. That’s why I called Hank. He promised I’d get a ranch hand that could help out with the work but also protect the family.”

“Don’t you think the owner should have a say?”

CW scraped the hat off his head. “The boss is stubborn. But then, you’ll see what I mean soon enough.”

“CW, is that our new ranch hand?” A gray-haired woman stood at the top of the steps to the wraparound porch on the log cabin.

“Yeah, Mamma. He’s come all the way from Texas.”

When Angus turned toward her, she smiled. “Well, come on in. I have a room all fixed up for you.”

“You better go on up,” CW said. “Jo will get you settled in. When you’ve dropped your gear, come on out to the barn. I could use a hand.”

Angus nodded. “I’ll only be a few minutes.”

“Not if Jo has anything to do with ya.” CW waved. “Go on. She’s waiting. And remember, the boss can’t know you’re here to provide protection.”

“Got it.” Angus glanced toward his truck. “Do you mind if I let my dog out?”

The older man peered over Angus’s shoulders at the dog sitting quietly in the front seat. “Does he chase cows or bark a lot?”

“Not that I know of. If I tell him to stay, he won’t go anywhere.”

“I guess that would be all right. Not sure how the boss will react, though.” CW’s brow remained knitted. “I don’t have any patience with city dogs. All bark and trouble. Spooks the cattle.”

Angus reached into the backseat of the four-door truck and retrieved his duffel bag. Then he snapped his fingers, and Ranger leaped out of the truck to the ground at his feet. When he walked toward the porch, the dog kept pace, glancing up for reassurance. Angus reached down to scratch the dog’s head. He’d get him a bowl of water and some food as soon as he got settled.

Careful not to limp any more than he had to, Angus measured every step, wanting to prove himself capable without any preconceived handicaps. As he approached the steps, he was glad for his hard-core therapist, who’d insisted he relearn how to climb. He took the steps one at a time, placing his feet carefully.

Ranger walked up with him.

Jo held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Jolene, CW’s better half. Everyone calls me Jo.” As he shook her hand, she glanced at Ranger. “Not sure how the boss would feel about a dog in the house, but I guess it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission, especially when the boss isn’t around. Follow me.” She led the way into the house.

The door he stepped through led into a large, airy kitchen with a ceramic-tiled floor, massive kitchen table and an oversize stainless-steel gas stove against one wall. Everything was neat and clean and the scent of coffee filled the air.

“I just put a pot of coffee on, if you’re interested,” Jo said. “You can drop your things in your room and come back through for a mug.”

“As good as it smells, I’ll wait. I’d like to get a feel for the place before sunset.”

Jo led him through an open living room with a cathedral ceiling and an entire wall of windows facing the mountains rising up around them. The sun was on its way toward the peaks and would duck behind soon. Angus wanted to check out the barn and animals before it got too dark.

“This will be your room. We have a bunkhouse, but we haven’t had a need for additional ranch hands since I came. Since there’s only one of you, it would cost more to refurbish and heat the bunkhouse than to put you up in the big house. That, and with the troubles, CW and I thought it would be best for you to stay here.” Jo pushed open a door. The room was spacious with rustic log walls. Centered on one wall stood a giant four-poster with a thick goose-down comforter spread across it and a quilt folded across the foot.

“I’ll get a blanket for the dog to bed down on the floor,” Jo offered.

“Thanks, but he has his own dog bed. I’ll bring it in later. I promise he’ll be no trouble. He’s got better house manners than some people I know.”

Jo laughed. “Good, because if he has any accidents, you get to clean up after him.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Angus liked the woman’s candor and frankness. He dropped his duffel on the floor.

“The bathroom is across the hallway.”

“Thank you, ma’am. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get outside.”

“You bet. Supper is prompt at six o’clock. I’m making ham and beans, so don’t be late.”

The thought of a home-cooked meal warmed Angus’s insides and he smiled. “I’ll be there.”

Jo gave him a serious look. “I’m glad you’re here. The boss can’t manage this big place alone. Especially with the troubles.”

“What troubles are you having?”

“Accidents. Lots of accidents. A torn girth on a saddle...a loose floorboard in the loft of the barn...a gate hanging off its hinges. Hay bales falling off the stacks.”

“Those sound like normal wear and tear on a ranch this size.”

“It wasn’t until the cut brake line that CW and I started putting two and two together. I’m not superstitious, and I don’t believe a whole lot in coincidence.” The woman planted her fist on her hip. “I’ve been here more than half my life. Things just aren’t right. That’s why CW and I decided it was time to call for some help.”