Cowgirl Trail by Susan Page Davis

Author:Susan Page Davis [PAGE DAVIS, SUSAN]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-8024-7877-1
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Published: 2012-09-24T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Not one of those cattle is yours.” Maggie lifted her chin and planted her feet firmly as she watched the leader, but inside she quivered.

What had she gotten these women into?

Carlotta spat a stream of Spanish at the cowpunchers near the gate, and Maggie laid a hand on her arm.

“Take it easy, Carlotta.” She had no time to pray, but she sent up a wordless cry for help and fixed Grit with a glare. “It’s true that the Rocking P property and range rights are in my father’s name, but I have full authority from him. I suggest you and your men leave. Now. You’re not taking any cattle out of our herd. If we find any—”

“Riders coming,” Bitty yelled.

Maggie’s heart sank. A few more men from the Bar D—or any other outfit in sympathy with the strikers—would tip the balance of power. More than ever she wished she’d worn her father’s revolver or could lay hands on the shotgun still in the scabbard on her saddle.

She looked toward the stream, but no one came along that trail. She shifted her gaze toward the ranch and town. Half a dozen horses were coming up fast. She held her breath. Things could get uglier in a hurry.

“It’s Alex,” Dolores cried, and Carlotta sucked in a deep breath.

Maggie’s heart pounded. Did Alex mean support—or more trouble? She straightened her shoulders. “As I was about to say, you can tell Mr. Danfield we’ll send any of his strays home at the end of our roundup.”

The six newcomers rode up and halted their horses. Alex looked from Grit to Maggie and back.

“Afternoon, ladies,” Alex said. “What’s the story here?”

“Nothing we can’t handle.” Maggie looked him over, trying to read some motive for this visit, but she couldn’t find any clues. Only his brown eyes seemed different as he met Grit’s gaze—tough and challenging, though he sat relaxed in the saddle. Nevada Hatch, beside him, was another story. Maggie got the impression of a cat, sleek and disinterested, but ready to spring in an instant.

“We heard over to the Bar D that Porter had fired you punchers and hired a new crew, so we thought we’d ride over and make sure they weren’t branding none of our strays.” Grit nodded at Alex. “Never thought I’d find a bunch of females trying to take your place—and your pay.”

Nevada Hatch crossed his wrists and leaned on his saddle horn. “Thought we’d better come see if the ladies needed a hand, seein’ as they’re trying to do a man’s job out here.”

Maggie shifted her gaze to Alex. “I suppose you told the other ranches about us and sent these buckaroos over to make trouble.”

Alex’s jaw dropped. “No such thing. We just heard about it in town. We had no idea you were out here ’til an hour ago, did we, fellas?” He glanced around at his companions.

“We sure didn’t,” Harry Jensen said. “I heard it when I dropped in to see Leo. We just assumed your pa hired some men, Miss Maggie.

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