Judy Christenberry - Rancher And Protector

Jason grinned. “Absolutely. I can’t wait to leave Denver. I can do all my work from the ranch. I’ll fax my designs to my clients. I’ll have to go to the city to check on the progress of the construction and, occasionally, on my apartment buildings, but other than that, I’ll be a rancher.”

Somehow she could picture him in that role all too easily. “If you’re into architecture, why do you ride like you were born to it?”

“I was raised on a small ranch outside of Denver. We had a couple of horses and I started riding as a little boy.”

“Why not go back there?”

“Because the city has overtaken the property. My parents sold it ten years ago for a nice sum and moved to Arizona.”

“Quite a change. Seems—”

Just then Wes called out their names. She looked up ahead for Wes, but she didn’t see him.

“Where is he?”

Jason pointed up on one of the slopes above them. “Up there. Looks like he’s found more cattle.” Jason picked up his speed and Rosemary followed.

When they got close to Wes, they pulled up and looked at him for guidance. He’d found almost another twenty head of cattle, but they were spread out on rocky terrain. For a moment, the only sound was the wind blowing through the aspen trees.

Wes directed them with hand signals, in order not to startle the cattle. Gradually the three of them managed to pull the cattle into a compact group and moved them down the slopes into the small valley that fed into the larger one where the camp was located.

When they reached the camp, they discovered the herd had tripled in their absence. With the cattle they had found, they were already close to seventy head of cattle. Rosemary was greatly cheered to already have that number on the first day.

Wes, however, after talking with Cookie, discovered the trio that included Ted still had not shown up.

“You two grab some lunch. I’m going to go check on that group. I’m hoping they’re not in trouble.”

“Wes, you need some lunch, too,” Rosemary protested.

“Then see what Cookie has that I can take with me.”

Rosemary hastily made a quick sandwich and handed it to him. “Give me your canteen and I’ll fill it quickly.”

After she handed it back to him, she opened her mouth, but he spoke first. “I know, be careful. I promise.”

Jason stared after him. “I think I should go with him. Ted is my responsibility.”

“Yes, we could do without Ted, but Wes will take care of everything,” Rosemary said.

“We don’t know that he’s caused any difficulties today,” Jason said stubbornly.

“How much do you want to bet?” Rosemary returned, anger in her voice.

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