“HOW WAS THE RIDE?” RAFE’S cheerful voice greeted Ty as he rode up to the porch.

“Good.” He gave a soft laugh. “Better than yesterday. Didn’t think I’d be so sore.” The old rocker squeaked when sat beside his father-in-law.

“Well, it’s only been a month or so since the accident. And you been abed most of the time.”

“True. But I thought walking around would help more.” Ty rocked slowly back and forth enjoying Rafe’s company. “Fresh air and sunshine work wonders, don’t they?”

“I haven’t felt this good in months. Thanks for asking José to bring me out here,” said Rafe as he adjusted the blanket around his knees. “I miss being outside.”

“I was going crazy cooped up in the house. Figured you might feel the same.”

“You’re right. Looking out the window is fine, but bein’ out here, smellin’ the air…there ain’t nothin’ like it.”

Lupe brought them a cup of coffee and they sat in companionable silence for several minutes.

“What do you know about Herefords?” asked Rafe.

“Not much. They originally came from some place in England. Sude Ikard brought some back from up north a couple of years ago. Texas Fever got most of the first group, so he bought some more. He thinks they’ll replace the Longhorn.”

“Yeah, that’s what Ralston told me last year. I never really gave much thought to buyin’ any. What do you think about it?”

“Emma’s smart. She wouldn’t have done it if she didn’t think it was the right decision.”

“Did she talk to you about it?”

Ty chose his words carefully. The last thing he wanted was for Rafe to think he might not support his wife’s decision. “Wasn’t necessary. This is her ranch. She’ll do what’s best for it and didn’t need to discuss it with me first.” He placed his empty cup on the floor. “But if she had, I would have encouraged her to do it.”

Rafe’s brow crinkled in thought. “Why?”

“Well, they’re a hearty breed, more adaptable to open ranges, fatten quicker, and the meat is supposedly better.”

Rafe smiled. “I thought you didn’t know much about ‘em.”

Ty lifted a shoulder. “I’ve met Sude Ikard. All he talks about is the future of Herefords in Texas.” His gaze drifted past the yard to the pasture behind the barn. “The grazing is good here, plenty of water, winters can be hard but not like up north.” He turned to face the older man. “Any decision she makes will be because she’s a rancher’s daughter – and you taught her well.”

Rafe smiled and leaned back in his chair. “She’s quite a gal ain’t she?”

“Yes, sir, she is for a fact.”

 

Emma edged away from the door and swiped at the tears stinging her eyes. When she first over-heard Rafe ask Ty about the Herefords, she prepared to barge out there and defend her decision. Thankfully, she refrained. Her father wasn’t upset about the cattle and Ty said she did the right thing. The two most important men in her life thought she was special and that made her all emotional.

She sniffled as she sat down and focused on the paperwork in front of her. Leo would arrive soon with the new stock and she couldn’t wait to find out if the heifers were bred. If so, the calves would drop before winter set in, and if they did as well as she anticipated, they would add to the herd next year. Thoughts of the white-faced cattle filling the range made her smile.

“I know it’s not paperwork putting that smile on your face.”

Ty’s voice held a trace of amusement.

“Maybe I was thinking about you.”

He sauntered into the room and took the chair in front of the desk. “A man can only dream.”

“How was the ride? Wally didn’t push too hard, did he?”

“Every day is better than the one before. And no, your nurse maid didn’t push.”

His terse comment widened her smile. “You won’t let me go anywhere alone, so turnabout is fair play.”

“It’s been well over a month since the accident and I’ve been walking without the crutch all week.”

“I know, but Diablo is so unpredictable. I just feel better when someone is with you.”

“So, what were you so deep in thought about when I walked in?”

All of sudden, she was nervous about the topic and looked everywhere but at him. “Well, um, I – I was thinking about the new cattle.”

He stared a moment, then leaned forward in his chair. “Emma, you’ve got a rancher’s head on your shoulders. Buying those cattle was the right thing to do.”

She nibbled her lower lip. “I made the deal for them before you came here, but I still should have mentioned it to you.”

“Emma. Look at me.”

She took a breath and met his steady gaze.

“I grew up on a small plantation in Georgia. I know about hard work, managing crops, and building things. We had cattle and horses, but our yields were the main focus. I’ve learned a lot about ranching since the war but I’m no expert. You are.” He sat back in his chair. “Anytime you want to bounce something off me, or want my opinion on anything, I’m all ears. But you have the final say on anything pertaining to this ranch.”

Even though she overhead him say something similar earlier, having him state it to her face was beyond exhilarating and her cheerfulness returned. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now…I’m assuming you’re going to want to keep them in the corral for a bit after they get here?”

They spent the next half hour discussing accommodations for the new arrivals and other ranch business. It was wonderful to be able to discuss the inner workings of Twin Oaks with him. While he was bull headed at times, like not wanting her to go anywhere alone, he was also intelligent, supportive, and eager to learn and he possessed an off-beat sense of humor that matched her own.

He laughed at himself without rancor – like last night when he was so sore from his ride, every muscle hurt. It was one of those nights where they didn’t make love. Instead, they fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms, which was emotionally satisfying in itself. She recalled the warmth of his skin against hers, the touch of his calloused hand on her arm, the brush of his lips on her brow. Happiness and contentment filled her. I love this man. With every fiber of my being, I love him.

It took a moment to realize he stopped in mid-sentence and watched her, his gaze soft and tender as a caress.

“What?”

“You’re wearing that look again.”

She arched a brow. “What look?”

He moved around the desk and pulled her up, hands cupping her face. “The one that says kiss me. Now.” His lips brushed hers lightly, then covered her mouth.

She met his kiss eagerly, reveled in the gentleness of his touch, drowning in the sweet ecstasy it inflicted.

At length, he pulled back, gulping air before he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “I better get out of here while I still can.”

He grabbed his hat off the desk. “I’m going to take another ride, see if I can work out more of this soreness before tonight.”

The look he gave her sent a rush of heat to her lower body.

It took a while for her heart rate to slow and concentration on work to return.

Three days later, Emma rode up to the front of the house and dismounted, delighted to see her father sitting on the front porch again. It was so hard to believe how much he improved each day. Just yesterday, Doc said maybe he was wrong and it wasn’t consumption after all, but a prolonged case of pneumonia.

“How’s Sarah today?”

“Good. She thinks the baby will be coming any time now.”

“No problems?”

She shook her head. “I told Ty I didn’t need for Wally to accompany me again, but he won’t hear of it.”

“Don’t get mad, Emma Rose. He’s concerned. That’s all.”

“I know. I just don’t think I need a babysitter every time I go there. It’s only an hour each way.”

Rafe looked as though he was going to say something, then pointed off to the east. “They’re here.”

They watched in silence as Leo and two other hands brought the cows down the lane toward the corral.

“Still don’t see why he didn’t send at least one of the boys back. One man can handle three head.”

Rafe’s snippy comment caused Emma to bite back a smile. Her father was back. “I’m going over there. Think you can make it?”

He shook his head. “I’ll wait for José or Tyler to help me. I can get by without the chair around the house, but that might be pushing it.”

She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, then dashed off toward the corral.

“Howdy, Miss Emma,” said Leo as they herded the white faced cows through the open gate where water and food awaited them.

“I didn’t expect you for another day or two.” She went to the fence and stepped on the bottom rail, arms draped over the top. “You made great time.”

He nodded. “They trailed really good. Didn’t have any trouble out of ‘em at all.” He dismounted and looped the reins over the fence, then reached in his pocket and handed her an envelope. “It’s the bill of sale and the draft for the herd, minus the cost of the new stock.”

She nodded and stuffed it in her back pocket. “They really are beautiful, aren’t they?”

He looked at her and ducked his head, cheeks a bright red. “Yes, ma’am, they sure are.”

“What about the heifers? Are they bred?” She gifted him with a bright smile. “Was that your surprise?”

He shuffled his feet, then removed his hat. “No ma’am. Uh, what with losing your husband and all, and well, your Pa, too…” his voice trailed off and he turned to his horse, retrieving something from his saddlebag. “Well, I thought you might need some cheering up.” He held a small, crudely wrapped package in his hands.

Emma dropped down from the fence and looked at Leo, but didn’t reach for the package. “I didn’t lose my husband.”

His brow puckered. “But he went in the water…we couldn’t find him.”

“As you can see, I am still here.”

Leo whirled at the sound of Ty’s voice, his face contorting briefly, then becoming unreadable.

“You ain’t dead.”