That left Freddy. She learned quickly, but Dal wasn’t sure that she learned thoroughly. When she had finally managed to lasso the sawhorse steer by herself, she’d seemed to believe that tossing the rope over the horns one time had accomplished her goal and now she could move on to something else. He had an uncomfortable feeling she believed she was learning parlor tricks that she might someday perform on a larger stage.
A man didn’t get to be thirty-two years old without meeting a few women who caught his eye and rattled his equilibrium. But he didn’t recall running across one like Freddy, who set his mind and body at odds. Every time he brushed against her, his mind said leave her alone, but his body said take her and tame her.
Grady glanced up at the lights shining inside the ranch house. “We ain’t talked about you,” he commented, hanging a question mark at the end of his statement.
“I’ve been sober for over a year,” he said, studying the end of his cigar. “When this is over, I plan to buy a ranch in Montana. There’ll be a place for you, if you want it.” He flipped his cigar toward a puddle, then pulled down the brim of his hat. “I guess I’ll have to go get our charges. Doesn’t look like they plan to work today.”
“Me and the horses will be waiting. Not too eagerly, if you want the God’s truth.”
Stepping into the chill rain, Dal walked to the house and pounded on the front door. Se?ora Calvos let him inside, and he asked her to fetch the sisters. When they straggled into the parlor, he stared at their skirts and raised an eyebrow.
“Grady’s waiting for you two,” he said to Freddy and Les before he turned to Alex. “Why aren’t you out back, practicing your cookery?”
They looked at each other, then Freddy pointed to the water dripping off his slicker and answered for them all. “It’s raining.”
“Why yes, I believe it is. And it’s chilly, too. Now that we’ve discussed the weather, shall we return to the subject at hand? Why the hell are you three taking a day off?” Lowering his eyebrows, he scowled at them. “It’s going to rain on the trail, ladies. Your duties aren’t going to stop just because it’s cold and wet. Now, get moving.”
Alex rolled her chair forward a few feet. “I cannot possibly make a fire in the rain, Mr. Frisco.” She spoke in the same slightly incredulous tone that Freddy had used.
He lowered his gaze to hers. “So what do you plan to tell twelve starving cowboys when they show up at your wagon expecting a hot meal? That you’ll feed them only when the sun is shining, and only if the wind isn’t too strong or whenever it happens to be convenient for you?”
“Do tell us, Alex,” Freddy said in a pleasant voice. “I’m sure the outfit would rather starve than inconvenience you, but I’d love to hear your explanation of why they should have to.”
Alex’s eyes narrowed and her lips thinned. “Just shut up,” she hissed at Freddy.
Dal was in no mood to sugarcoat any speeches. “Plant an umbrella in the ground over your fire site, dig a pit, and build a cook fire. Get that coffee boiling.” He swung toward Freddy and Les. Instantly their expressions altered from the pleasure of hearing Alex reprimanded to stares that suggested they hated his guts. “Mud riding is different from dry riding. Get out there and learn what it feels like.” He spread his hands. “What do I have to say to you to make you realize that a cattle drive is a seven-day-a-week, twenty-four-hour-a-day job? We don’t stop for aches and pains. We don’t stop when the weather turns sour.” He jammed his hat back on his head. “Here’s how it is. The herd is ready to move. There’ll be enough range grass to graze them in about two weeks. But you three are not ready. Mrs. Mills, you have yet to prepare three meals in a day.” He swung toward Freddy and Les. “And you two have yet to stay on the back of a cutting horse through an entire session.”
“We’re stiff and hurting,” Freddy said hotly. “We have new bruises every day, and—”
“And none of you have had a single shooting lesson. There are all sorts of predators out there, just looking for a chance to carry home some beef for supper. What are you going to do? Stand there and watch a wolf take down one of the steers you need to get your inheritance?”
“No, Mr. Frisco.” Freddy’s green eyes flashed. “Since you know everything, I’ll call you to come and shoot it, so you can save the steer you need to get your place in Montana.”
Her feistiness always made him want to laugh. He liked it that she gave as good as she got. “That might be a workable solution if I planned to ride at your side and nursemaid you from here to Abilene, but that’s not how it’s going to happen. I could be a couple of miles away. And maybe that wolf doesn’t have a taste for beef, Miss Roark. Maybe that wolf would like to improve himself by swallowing a bite or two of actress.” He walked past them, heading for the door. “You’ve got two weeks to show me some reason why you should go on this cattle drive.”
He grinned as a wave of hatred hit his back and propelled him out the door.