Saved by the Rancher

chapter Twelve


JACK ARRIVED TO the barn later than he normally would any other day. His crew took care of the stalls and fed all the horses. Many of the horses were being groomed. Others were out in the pastures and up in the hills, ridden by his crew checking on the cattle. Caleb stood by Jack’s horse’s stall.

Blue was a huge gray stallion Jack couldn’t pass up at auction last year. Ornery as hell, mean to everyone but Jack. He’d bitten several of Jack’s men. Anyone close enough to him better watch he didn’t get kicked. Jack couldn’t explain it. He loved Blue’s defiance and spirit. They suited each other. Jack’s crew thought he should shoot the beast. It just made Jack laugh.

“This horse is going to hurt someone one of these days. He snapped at the groom and it took two people to move him out of the stall so they could clean it.”

“He’s not so bad. Just a little cranky is all.”

Caleb laughed. “That’s how I’d have described you over the last year. How is she? Better yet, how are you? You look like crap.”

“I’m fine. And thanks, you look like horseshit yourself, but that’s normal.” Jack put all teasing aside and turned serious again. “She’s sleeping. The fever hasn’t gone down. Beth will keep an eye on her. I’ll stay close to the house, check on her when I can.”

“Summer thinks you have a thing for her.”

“Summer’s a smart woman.” He did have feelings for her. He just wasn’t sure what they were exactly, besides a tangled mess with his anger toward the person who had hurt her. The one thing he knew for sure, when he saw her, touched her, something inside him eased and reached out at the same time. Like the way he felt about Blue, he admired her spirit and grit.

“Well, I’ll be damned.”

“I already am.”

“Is it serious?”

“I don’t know. Something inside me broke loose yesterday when I met her. Every time I look into those green eyes . . . I don’t know . . . It’s something I haven’t felt before.” He tossed his hands up in the air and let them fall. “I can’t explain it.”

Caleb smiled. “You think she’ll stay?”

“I’m not sure, but I’ll try to convince her.” He needed to know what this thing between them was. She felt it too, just for a moment in the café. They’d both felt it. “All I know for sure is that I need to find out who did this, and do everything I can to make sure he never gets to her again. I can’t stand by and do nothing. I think that’s why Ben sent her to me. Besides the fact the ranch is isolated, he knew I’d protect and keep her safe against any threat, no matter who it is.”

“You know Summer and I will do everything we can to help.”

“Thanks. I think she’s starting to trust me a little. She doesn’t seem to mind when I’m in the room, or when I touch her. Course, she’s half out of it. We’ll see how she reacts when she’s fully awake. She’s got guts. I’ll give her that.”

“I’m heading out. Call me on the CB if you need anything. I’ll be in the south pasture, then I’ll check the fencing to the east. The crews have all been sent out. Everything’s running like clockwork.”

Caleb left the barn through the large open doors at the end of the stalls. Jack opened Blue’s stall door and stepped in to groom him. The physical work would do him good, and Jack knew horses were sensitive to emotions. Maybe spending some time with Blue would help him sort out his feelings.

Blue put his huge head over Jack’s shoulder. Jack rubbed his hands down both sides of Blue’s neck. Blue rubbed his head against Jack’s head.

“Yeah, big guy. I know. You missed me. A pretty lady needed me. Just like you.” Maybe that’s what finally broke the dam in Jack’s heart. Jenna needed him and he wanted to be needed for something deeper than his wallet.

Jack continued to stroke Blue, working a brush over his whole body. All the strokes and exertion were helping Jack finally relax. Blue shook his big head up and down happy, letting Jack know he appreciated the effort.

Jack finished grooming him and made sure he had feed and water. As he closed the stall door behind him, he gave Blue an apple.

“You’re a fine friend.” Jack felt better.

One of the grooms worked inside a nearby stall, and Jack ordered, “Take Blue into the pasture later, so he can get some exercise.” Jack wasn’t riding anywhere today and the big stallion liked a good run.

He headed into his office at the end of the barn and found Pete waiting for him.

“Everyone’s been talking about the lady you got up at the house. She okay?”

“She will be. What’s everyone saying?” Jack asked.

“All kinds of things. Mostly they think someone beat her up and you saved her. I saw her last night. Never seen anything like that. You get the guy who did it?”

People were talking because Pete let it be known he’d seen Jenna. Jack’s behavior last night had been unexpected and Pete and the others wanted to know if the boss had himself a new woman.

“I don’t know who did it. And I didn’t save her, she saved herself. I just patched her up. Hey, if you see anyone around the property who doesn’t belong, you let me know.”

“No problem. Me and the guys, we’ll keep our eyes open. She staying here a while?”

“If I have anything to say about it. Tell everyone to stop talking about her. I don’t want her to feel self-conscious or embarrassed. She’s scared right now, but she’s tough. She’ll get through this.”

“If you need anything, we’re all here to help.”

“I know, Pete. Pass the word that I appreciate it.”

“Sure, Boss. I’d better get back to it.”

Jack sat and leaned back in his chair, put his head back, and contemplated the ceiling for a while. Tired after the long morning, he gathered up the papers on his desk and worked his way through them. He spent hours working on the computer, entering figures and printing out reports. The ranch was doing well and turning a profit. Jack intended to keep it that way. He started on the paperwork for the diner when the office phone rang.

“Jack, it’s Beth. You’re two hours late for lunch. Get up here.”

Time slipped away from him. He hated doing the paperwork. He’d rather be out in the fields with the horses and cattle. He needed to check on Jenna and felt guilty he’d lost track of time.

“She still asleep?”

“Yeah, now come have lunch.”

“I’m on my way.”

Jack usually went around the house and entered through the kitchen. Today he went in the front and up the stairs to check on her first. She hadn’t moved, was still sound asleep. Beth had put another cool cloth on Jenna’s fevered head. He prepared the antibiotics and gave her another shot and tucked the sheet around her so she wouldn’t get the chills.

She stirred and called his name. He brushed his hand over her head and held it over her soft cheek. “I’m here,” he whispered. She relaxed again and settled into sleep. He rubbed his fist over the ache in his chest.

Sally licked his hand. “You’re a good girl. Keep an eye on her.”

Jack kissed Jenna’s shoulder and lingered over the task. Her skin, so soft. He brushed his lips over her. He hated to leave her, but he needed food and headed downstairs for lunch, knowing she pulled at him even as he left her sleeping.

“She’s fine, Jack,” Beth said when he entered the kitchen. “Your face is hanging so low, you look like a hound dog. Don’t worry. She hasn’t stirred all morning, or afternoon.”

“I know, but that fever hasn’t gone down.”

“I have to leave in an hour. So you’ll need to stay with her, or have one of the guys come up to the house.”

“She wouldn’t like having a strange man around if she wakes up. I’ll stay.”

“Dinner’s in the fridge. Just pop it in the oven for half hour and you’ll be good to go. If she wakes, there’s soup in the fridge for her and fresh bread in the box on the counter.”

“Yeah, I’ve thought about that. I need to get some fluids into her before she wastes away.”

“Why don’t you call Doc Stanton and have him come check on her?”

“If she isn’t better by tomorrow morning, that’s exactly what I intend to do, whether she likes it or not.”