Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63469 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63469 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
“You’re so odd,” he said, rounding on me.
Lost in admiring his solid, carved frame, I almost walked into him, and because I was embarrassed, I bristled. “Don’t insult me any—”
“Shut up. I didn’t mean nothin’ by that.”
“Then what did you mean?”
“I mean,” he said irritably, “that you whine and complain more’n any two people I know, but without even a word, you jump into that ice-cold river and walk those calves across one by one. What the hell?”
“I don’t complain.”
“Watch you don’t turn into a pillar of salt, lyin’ like that.”
“I—”
“You didn’t want to ride drag even though you’re one of the only people who can, with all your experience. You think Rand is making us all carry too much gear.”
I realized he’d been making a list…which went on.
“You’re tired and hungry, but when it’s time to rest, you pet the dogs instead of closin’ yer eyes, and when we stop for chow, you don’t eat nothin’. And that’s all just this mornin’, for crissakes! I won’t even get into how much you bitch whenever you’re out at the Red.”
I felt my face get hot. “Well, don’t worry. I won’t be back after this.”
He growled, grabbing hold of my arm. “You’re such an idiot.”
I yanked free and stalked toward Juju, who’d stopped to nibble some grass. “I really love being told that all the fuckin’ time!”
“Get your ass back here!”
Ignoring him, I mounted and rode away to catch up with the now wandering cattle. With the help of the dogs and the fast and nimble Juju, I got all the calves and their mothers rounded up and moved my charges farther down the trail. I would keep up if it killed me, because dealing with Mac or Rand or Zach was not something I wanted to do. I just wanted to get the job done and get home. I also had to take some time to understand why my temper, normally not on a hair trigger, exploded all over my brother, Mac, and Rand whenever any of them spoke to me. It was probably time to take a moment and figure that out.
After a few hours, between the rub of my jeans, the belt, and the cramp in my side from trying to sit awkwardly, I was in real pain. I took off the T-shirt I had on under my flannel, folded it up, and pressed it between the waistband of my underwear and my skin, over the scrape. With the grinding sensation gone, I felt better. I was a little light-headed, but I figured it was because it was so hot and I hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast. When we crossed the next part of the river, after I got all the calves from one side to the other, I let Juju rest and have some water while I splashed some on my face.
“Glenn!”
Jesus. Rand’s voice could cut glass.
He brought his horse closer but still stayed well out of touching distance of Juju, and once I was mounted again, I rolled my head to look at him.
He was silent.
“What?” I asked curtly.
“Stop moving the stock and wait for Pierce and Tom.”
“Why?”
His jaw clenched. “Goddammit, Glenn! First you’re pissed that you’re back here all alone, but when I say to hold up because I’m sending you help, you want to go on and keep moving. You make no sense.”
I groaned irritably, squeezing Juju with my legs, and when I did, she moved on her own, walking quickly sideways.
Both horse and rider were looking at us. The stallion whinnied, clearly chafed, and Rand was scowling.
“What now, Rand?”
“What now?” Rand repeated, incredulous. “The hell is that? Is she a circus horse or something?”
“No,” I snapped because I didn’t like how he’d said it. It sounded derogatory. “She was just doing her sidestepping thing she does when she knows I’m on edge.”
He pointed at us. “That’s not normal.”
“Says you with your beast of a stallion,” I fired back.
His headshake was full of disgust. “You realize you’re following so far behind, you don’t even know where the goddamn line is.”
“It’s called GPS, Rand, but if you wanna give me the final coordinates for the night, I can get out my compass and figure it out,” I muttered and was going to dismount to get into my saddlebag, but Rand stopped me with the sharp command to stay in the saddle. I bristled. “So you like me being lost or—”
“Just shut up,” he instructed me. “Christ, it’s a wonder you’ve lived this long.”
I threw up my hands, waiting on him.
“Jesus.”
“Are you done?”
“Mac said you’re really hurt,” he retorted.
“Mac worries like an old woman.”
“There’s blood on your shirt, idiot,” he huffed.
“It’s dry. I ain’t bleedin’ no more.”
“Just follow me back to the wagon, lemme give you a shot of penicillin and a painkiller, and we’ll tape it all up.”