Ready to Protect by Valerie Hansen

Author:Valerie Hansen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-01-17T18:55:33+00:00

* * *

Jamie had been so full and so weary after the big meal she hadn’t argued when Ben had delayed their ranch tour. By morning she’d felt so much better she’d slung her camera around her neck by its strap and was anticipating getting some good shots.

“I’m glad we put this off,” she told him as they walked into the same large barn where he’d taken her to recover from her encounter with the mustangs. At that time she’d been too shaken to notice much, let alone recall details, so she asked, “What’s in here? Cows?”

“Heifers,” Ben said. “Cows are experienced at giving birth. Heifers are the younger mothers. Sometimes they need a little help.”

Unsure of whether he was merely explaining or alluding to her, Jamie chose to give him the benefit of the doubt. “I imagine they appreciate it.”

His laugh was warm and deep. “Not usually. But if we don’t assist, they can die.” She saw him quickly sober. “I didn’t mean...”

Jamie thought she noticed his cheeks reddening beneath the shadow of stubble that made him look so rugged. She couldn’t help smiling. “Not to worry. As I told you, I have plenty of time to get back to Denver.”

“Right.”

Before she could explain the arrangements she’d already made, Drew jogged into the barn. That was the fastest she’d seen him move multiplied by at least ten. His eyes were wide, his hands trembling, his breathing shallow and rapid.

Ben immediately hurried to him. “What’s wrong, Dad? Are you feeling sick?”

The older man shook his head. “No, but you will be. A couple of the boys were out patrolling the fences like you told them to and they found a killing ground.”

“How many?”

“Two yearling steers. They’re looking around for more.”

Jamie didn’t have to ask for details. The distress emanating from both men explained enough. She wanted to say how sorry she was for the ranchers and for the poor cattle but chose to just listen.

The more she thought about the situation, the more connections her imagination made. What if Sawyer cattle were being slaughtered to cause an upset that pulled her bodyguard away from her? That tactic had worked before, and a man had died. She blinked away tears and sniffled, assuming no one would notice.

Ben did. He stepped closer to her and slipped an arm around her shoulders. A brief urge to discourage him again passed without Jamie taking any action.

It was all she could do to keep from leaning into him as he spoke orders into his cell phone. “I’ll stand down this time, Mac. You take some of the boys and meet up with the ones already on scene so you can give the sheriff’s deputies directions to the site.”

She assumed his foreman had agreed when Ben nodded and said, “That’s right. Now. Leave everything else and go.”

Drew seemed to be calming himself pretty well, which pleased Jamie. His condition fluctuated between being in a haze and acting more typical. Fortunately, he’d been on the aware side when action was needed and for that she was thankful.

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