Читать книгу High Country Hideout - Elle James - Страница 10

Chapter Three

Reggie had stripped in the mudroom, wrapped a towel around herself and headed through the house to shower. All the while her mind drifted back to the man in the barn and the way her body still felt after simply brushing up against him.

Naked beneath the towel, her breasts tightened. Jo and CW had insisted on the new ranch hand staying in the house. The older couple had a small cabin nearby, which meant they wouldn’t be around at night should she need help.

What if she ran into him in the hallway when she was only wearing a towel?

Her body burned at the thought. Holy hell, she was lusting after a stranger. How could she, when her husband had only been gone a year?

She entered the master bedroom and closed the door. Riffling through a drawer, she unearthed clean underwear. If they happened to be her best, black-lace bikini panties, that was only because all her cotton underwear were in the wash.

Once in the master bathroom, she dropped her clothing on the counter and switched on the water, adjusting it to hot. When she faced herself in the mirror, she almost laughed out loud.

Though her body was somewhat clean, her jeans and shirt taking the brunt of the mud bath, her face was smudged with mud, some of it drying. Her hair stood on end, caked in mud. And to think, she’d been having lusty thoughts about the new ranch hand.

Covered in mud, she looked more like a pig in a poke than a young, beautiful and desirable woman. Not that she wanted him to desire her. No, sir. She was far from ready to reenter the dating pool. With a struggling ranch to run and a son to raise, she had her hands full.

Reggie stepped into the shower and eased beneath the hot spray. After a good soaking, she poured a heaping helping of shampoo into her palm and scrubbed her hair. Using a fresh washcloth, she scrubbed her face, arms and body and finally felt clean of mud and manure. And she smelled more like a woman than the horse she’d ridden in on.

Of course it was purely for personal hygiene, not a desire to prove she was an attractive woman beneath the jeans and dirt.

She stepped out onto the mat and dried off. She’d shared this bathroom with Ted. It was spacious, with a tub big enough for two people. They’d shared many baths in that tub, learning to love each other, spending time together even after a hard day’s work.

Their life together had been going so well. Why did he have to die?

A hard lump settled in her chest, but she’d already spent all her tears. The fact was, Ted was gone and she’d been left behind to take care of their son. If she could manage to keep up with the ranch his father had left for him. Ted’s life insurance had paid off the land, now all she had to do was make the land support them.

And that was the biggest test of all. Raising cattle in the Rockies was iffy at best. The cold winters and the crazy amounts of snow made every day a challenge. If they lived closer to a city, Reggie could go to work and support them, but Fool’s Fortune was so small. Most jobs consisted of selling real estate to the wealthy people from Denver and serving those wealthy people in the bars, diners and souvenir shops in town when they came to the mountains for vacations.

They’d been lucky so far this winter. The snows had held off. And a good thing, too, since the cattle had spread all up in the hills, and getting them down had taken Reggie longer than she’d anticipated. She still had a dozen in an upper pasture that needed to be brought down the next day. The weatherman was predicting the first blizzard before the end of the week.

For a moment Reggie debated adding a layer of foundation to her face and a little color to her cheeks. Shaking the thought from her head, she dabbed on lip balm and left the bathroom. In her bedroom, she threw on clean jeans and a cream sweater that covered everything. A glance in the mirror reminded her that while it covered everything, the sweater also hugged her body like a glove, emphasizing the curves of her breasts and hips. Maybe she’d be better off wearing one of the chambray shirts she worked in.

“Reggie, dear, supper’s ready!” Jo called, ending the sweater debate.

As she hurried out into the hallway, she ran into a solid wall of bare muscle coming out of the guest bathroom. She braced her hands on a broad, naked chest and glanced up into deep brown eyes, so very different from Ted’s hazel ones.

Strong arms came up around her waist, crushing her even closer to him.

“Steady there,” Angus said, his chest vibrating with the deep resonance of his voice.

For a moment she forgot where she was as she inhaled the clean, woodsy scent of him, her fingers curling against his skin. He wore blue jeans and sneakers, and nothing else. The smooth expanse of skin drew her like a bee to honey, her insides igniting.

His lips curled upward on the corners as if he knew the effect he was having on her. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“Mmm, yes, yes.” When she realized her hands still rested against his bare skin, heat rose up her neck and filled her cheeks.

Reggie backed away. “I’m fine. Perfectly fine.” She pushed a drying strand of hair away from her face and tore her gaze from his dark, enigmatic one. “Supper’s ready and Jo likes everyone to be on time.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“Well, then.” She smoothed that same strand again. “Well, if you’ll excuse me—”

“Of course.” Angus stepped out of her way and Reggie beat a hasty retreat to the kitchen.

What was wrong with her? She’d touched the man. Hell, she’d laid her hands all over his chest. And, damn it, she’d liked the feel of his skin against her fingertips. She had to pull herself together.

As she neared the kitchen she slowed, composed herself and stepped in.

Tad ran to her, his arms open.

She scooped him up and hugged him close. “When did you and CW get back from town?”

“While you were in the shower.” He hugged her and wiggled out of her arms. “Did you meet the cowboy? He said his name is Angus. Isn’t that a kind of cow? I like him. He’s a real cowboy, and he’s going to teach me to ride.”

“Whoa, slow down there.” Reggie laughed. “I was only in the shower a few minutes and you learned all that?”

He nodded and ran for the basket of bread rolls on the counter. “Jo made fresh rolls for dinner.”

“I see that. Did you wash your hands?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He held up his small hands. “See?” Then he darted around her and ran for the door to the kitchen. “Angus, you can sit by me. Where’s Ranger?”

“He’s resting in my room. I didn’t think he’d be welcome at the dinner table.” Angus winked as he stood in the doorway, wearing a clean, blue chambray shirt, buttoning the buttons as he stood there. When he finished, he took Tad’s hand and let him lead him to the table.

“Sit there,” Tad said, pointing to a chair.

“Tad...ask nicely,” Reggie admonished.

“Please, sit there.” He tapped the back of a chair and claimed the one beside it.

CW and Jo always sat at the other side of the table, which forced Reggie to sit at the end next to Angus. He pulled out the chair and waited for her to take her seat before sitting.

The table overflowed with food. After each platter had been handed around, Reggie lifted a forkful of ham and paused. “So, Angus, I’m not convinced we really need a ranch hand, but CW assures me we do. I can offer room and board, but I can’t afford to pay a lot.”

“I don’t require a lot,” he said, poking a bite of roll into his mouth.

“Then why would you want to work here?”

“I enjoy working with animals and being outdoors.”

She studied him for a long moment. “You can stay.” Reggie held up a finger. “On a trial basis.”

“Fair enough.” He turned to Jo. “Mrs. Jo, the rolls are wonderful.”

Jo preened. “You look like you could do with some good old-fashioned home cooking.”

The man was muscular, but his face was somewhat hollow, as though he’d been through rough times. Reggie raised her glass and drank a long pull of water, studying Angus in her peripheral vision.

Jo continued, “Since you’re out here alone, I take it you’re not married.”

Water lodged in Reggie’s throat and backed up into her nostrils. She stopped herself short of spewing it across the table as heat burned its way into her cheeks. Trust Jo to get down to the personal questions first thing.

* * *

ANGUS FOUGHT THE SMILE that threatened to erupt at Reggie’s distress. The ranch owner turned an alarming shade of red and coughed several times.

He leaned back and thumped her on the back. “Are you okay? Don’t need a hug, now, do you?”

“No...no...” she gasped. “Wrong pipe.” Then she glared across the table at Jo. “Leave Angus alone, Jo. He doesn’t have to answer personal questions to work here.”

Jo laughed irreverently. “He does if he wants another one of those rolls.” She winked at him. “So, are you married?”

Angus liked the woman’s forthrightness and laughing smile. “No, I’m not.” And he probably never would be.

“That’s interesting.” Jo tilted her head. “A good-looking young man like you should already be settled with half a dozen children.”

His jaw tightened. “The opportunity never came up.”

“CW tells me you were in the army.”

Angus’s entire body tensed. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Were you deployed overseas?” Jo continued her interrogation.

“Four times.”

“Goodness. That would make it difficult to form a lasting relationship. Takes a special woman to marry a soldier and make it work.” She glanced across at Reggie. “A strong woman who can keep the fires burning on the home front. Reggie’s one of the most independent women I know. She can ride the range, round up cattle, muck stalls and still have time to read to Tad.”

“Leave me out of this conversation,” Reggie muttered and turned to Angus. “And watch her. She’s an uncontrollable matchmaker.”

“I am, and danged proud of it.” Jo set her fork on the table. “Angus, you want another one of those rolls?” She passed him the basket.

Angus selected one and studied Jo Reinhardt. The woman obviously loved Reggie and wanted the best for her. She probably thought the young widow needed a new husband.

Too bad she was barking up the wrong tree.

His gaze shifted to Reggie. Her soft sandy-blond hair was drying, the curls springing up around her shoulders.

A man would be lucky to have her as his wife. She wasn’t clingy or froufrou. Though she could ride and work animals like any other man, that was where the resemblance stopped. The way her sweater hugged her curves and her jeans caressed her hips, she was one hundred percent female.

“Got a lot to do tomorrow.” CW’s words pulled Angus back to the table.

The older man slathered his roll with butter. “Supposed to get down below freezing tonight. If the ground gets cold enough, that snow headed this way later this week will stick.” He glanced at Angus.

Reggie nodded. “We need to get the rest of the cattle down from the upper pastures tomorrow.”

Glad the conversation had shifted from him to the ranch, Angus took a bite of the smoked ham, enjoying the flavors.

“You up for riding so soon?” CW’s gaze met Angus’s, making him wonder if Hank had told him the extent of his injuries.

Angus swallowed. “Yes, sir.” He’d be damned if he showed a single ounce of weakness in front of Reggie. “It’s been a while since I saddled up, but I’m sure I can manage.”

CW continued to stare at Angus for a moment longer and then his gaze dropped to the buttered roll in his hand. “Riding a horse is a lot like riding a bicycle. Once you learn, it’s easy to remember.”

Angus hoped like hell CW was right. One thing he’d discovered in rehab was that, since his injury, he’d had to relearn everything to do with walking, running and riding a bicycle. Horseback riding would be an entirely different experience. He considered rising early to practice mounting without Reggie or CW standing around to witness his shame if it proved too difficult.

“Gonna be a bunch of stars out tonight,” Jo said. “The weatherman reported there’ll be a meteor shower today and tomorrow.” She glanced at Reggie. “You used to love watching the meteor showers, Reggie.”

“Really, Jo?” Reggie’s lips twisted. “Not in frigid temperatures. Now, if you don’t stop, you’ll run off our hired help.”

“What?” Jo held her hands up. “All I said is that there’s a meteor shower gonna light up the sky. Tonight might be your only chance to view it.”

Reggie finished her meal before everyone else and pushed back from the table. “If you will excuse me, I want to check on Jake’s leg before I call it a night.”

Angus pushed his chair back and started to stand. “Let me.”

Reggie shook her head. “I can get this myself. Please, don’t get up.”

He waited until she’d slipped out the back door before he stood. “Need help with the dishes, Mrs. Jo?”

“No, thank you, Angus.” Jo tilted her head toward the back door. “You go on out and help Ms. Reggie with that horse.”

“Leave the kids alone, Mamma,” CW said. “I know a boy who would love a couple of your chocolate-chip cookies.”

“Me!” Tad raised his hand. “I want some.”

The boy’s delight at the cookies made Angus smile. To be so young and carefree that chocolate-chip cookies could make you happy was a gift. He slipped into his jacket and left through the back door, careful to let it close softly behind him. He thought about letting Ranger out for a walk, but didn’t want to frighten Reggie again. He’d let him out later.

Reggie was nowhere to be seen, but a light from the barn glowed like a beacon, drawing Angus across the yard.

Jo had been right about the sky being clear and the stars shining bright. Used to the big skies of West Texas, he did feel a little closer to the heavens in the higher altitude of the Rockies. And the air seemed cleaner, not dusty and dry like Texas.

For a moment he stood still, inhaling the fresh mountain air, for the first time in a long time glad he was alive.

Though Reggie hadn’t asked for help, as the new ranch hand he felt obligated to check in with her and make certain she hadn’t run into issues with the horse. And, based on his true job description, he was supposed to be keeping an eye on the owner and her family.

He turned and headed for the barn.

A scream rent the air, the sound coming from the direction of the barn.

Angus kicked out his bad leg and ran as best he could to the structure looming in front of him. As he neared the door, a shadow moved to the east of the barn. At first Angus thought it might be Reggie, but it slipped out of sight and a horse whinnied nervously from inside the structure, the sound of hooves banging against wood drawing Angus toward the barn door.

Had one of the animals broken out of a stall? Or worse, had Jake spooked again while Reggie had been in his stall? She could be lying at his feet, being beaten to death by flailing hooves.

Angus ran in his lumbering gait for the door and flung it open to a darkened interior.

“Reggie?” he called out, his pulse pounding so loud in his ears he was afraid he might not hear her response.

Reaching inside the door, he felt for and tripped the light switch. Nothing happened. Earlier, he’d noticed a flashlight hanging in a charger on the wall by the door. He felt along the boards until his fingers gripped the handle of the flashlight and he yanked it from its cradle.

Feeling as if he was taking far too long to check things out, he fumbled until he located the switch and turned it on.

Light sliced through the darkness.

Jake nickered worriedly and pawed at the boards of his stall.

Angus crossed to him and touched a hand to his nose. “Shh, boy. Where’s Reggie?” He leaned over the gate and shined the light at the base of the horse’s hooves. Nothing moved. All that was there was fresh straw.

The horse pressed his nose into Angus’s hand.

“It’s okay, boy. I’ll find her.” Angus turned around and pointed the light toward the door he’d come through, and slowly shone the beam across the floor. Nothing moved in front of the stalls. The floor was clean except for loose hay and straw.

As the beam slid toward the back of the barn it encountered a dark form lying in the shadows near the feed buckets he’d located earlier.

His heart beating hard against his ribs, Angus neared the lump. A few steps closer and he realized it was Reggie. Facedown, blood pooling beneath her forehead.

“Reggie, darlin’.” He dropped to his good knee and braced his other leg out to the side.

She moaned and stirred.

“Reggie.” He touched her shoulder. “Tell me you’re all right.”

She pushed against the floor and rolled onto her back, raising her hand to cradle the back of her head. “Ted?”

“Not Ted. It’s Angus. What happened?”

“I’m not sure.” She closed her eyes. “Something hit me in the back of my head.”

Angus glanced around for a fallen object and found nothing. He recalled the shadow outside the barn and almost jumped up and chased after it. But with Reggie lying at his feet injured and possibly concussed, he couldn’t leave her. Not with the distinct possibility that whoever had attacked her might come back to finish the job.