"I've got the rest of my life," he murmured huskily. "The rest of my life to look at this." He turned around and set the horse to a slow walk.
The boys were milling about as excitedly as the cattle were, two of the drovers staying near where they'd gathered.
Ben spotted them, pointing a finger their way as he spoke to the men. One of the punchers turned to look at them and kneed his mount in their direction.
He approached them with an affable grin, tipping his dusty hat to Allie. "I'm Fred Barnes, ramrod for this outfit. Are you Mrs. Taylor?"
"Yes," she said. "But it's Mrs. Gabriel now, Mr. Barnes. My husband, Brandon." They shook, and Jay put his hand out too. "My son, Jay."
Fred shook Jay's hand solemnly. "Jay. Good to meet you." His gaze returned to Brandon. "I see you got a start on your pens, but—"
Brandon nodded. "Puts us in kind of a bind."
Fred glanced at the charred remains of the barn, his eyes returning to Brandon's bruised face. "You run into some trouble?"
"Didn't mean to, Mr. Barnes. Trouble seems to know right where to find me these days."
Allie felt Brandon's muscles tighten as the two men sized each other up. Finally, Barnes glanced back toward the unfinished fence line. "The boys an' me have strung many a fence wire. Day's early yet. Lemme see how they feel about givin' a hand, here."
Allie sensed proud denial hovering in Brandon. Before he could reply, she smiled at the ramrod and slid down from the horse quickly. "We can pay for your help, Mr. Barnes, and I'll throw in a good meal."
"The money's appreciated, Mrs. Gabriel, but I have a feeling it'll be the food that'll make 'em want to stay and help." He tipped his hat again and rode away.
Jay slid down and ran to where the other boys stood under the shade of a black oak.
Brandon leaned forward gingerly, dismounting in a fluid motion despite his injuries. When he turned to Allie, she could see the barest hint of anger in his expression.
"You would've said no to him."
Brandon reached for the reins, turning his back to Allie momentarily. "Allison, you shoulda let me handle it. It's my decision—"
The rest of his sentence was cut off when he turned to face her as she put her mouth to his. Oh, yes. This was what she wanted, and what he needed. She felt him try to resist, warring with himself before he gave in, opening his mouth to her as she put her tongue inside him, along his teeth, touching his tongue, sliding over his lower lip in a wet caress.
"Allie," he whispered raggedly. "They're watchin' you."
She nipped at his bottom lip, fingers at the back of his neck, locked in the length of his dark hair. "No," she murmured. "They're deciding whether to put up fence or not."
He gave a short laugh, his eyes smoldering with heat as they met hers. "If you really believe that—"
"I don't care." She put her tongue out, licking his lip as if she were tasting ice cream.
"We're gonna need supplies." His voice was low and edgy. Allie sucked his lip into her mouth, nipping it gently before she pulled back. He groaned, leaning toward her slightly, his eyes smoky with desire when he opened them. "Night can't come soon enough," he whispered.
Allie's lips curved teasingly at the blatant want in his tone. "It'll be a long wait – for both of us."
He sighed. "Here comes Mr. Barnes now."
Allie stepped away.
Fred Barnes rode up with a wide grin on his weathered face, stopping a few feet from where Allie and Brandon stood. "We'll be glad to help. We're looking forward to some decent vittles, ma'am." He looked at Brandon. "Can we borrow some of the boys to help out? We'll get that fence strung up in no time."
Brandon nodded. "They'll be glad to lend a hand. They're new at this. Still look at it as fun."
Barnes chuckled. "We'll get started."
****
Thirty minutes later, Ben and Sam had hitched up the wagon with what tack they had salvaged from the fire.
Sam led the team toward the house just as Allie came through the door, tucking something into the pocket of the cotton skirt she wore.
She nodded to Sam as he reluctantly handed her the reins. "You need someone to go to town with you, Miss Allie."
Allie gave him a quick smile. "Yes, Sam, you're right." She knew Brandon would never let her go alone. It would be nearly impossible to convince him to let her go at all, even if she took Ben and Sam with her – but there really was no choice. She couldn't wait on Doc – not with all the hungry mouths she had to feed. If they left now, they could be back within three hours – if they loaded quickly. She'd need the boys for that. Brandon would argue that he needed them on the fence line, but Ben and Sam were the strongest, most capable of the boys and she'd need them to load and get back as quickly as possible.
Sam helped Allie up into the wagon and she scooted over. "Well, you and Ben come on. We've got to make a quick trip of it."
Relief flooded Sam's features and Ben jumped in on the other side as if he were afraid she might change her mind. Sam climbed up beside her and she offered him the reins.