Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a tall slim man who rode as if he and the horse were one. His tanned face was as wrinkled as old leather.
“Howdy, Mrs. Carstairs, I’m Tom.”
“Howdy, Tom, call me Miranda.”
“What a nice, polite old man, and to think that horrible Edward had wanted to fire him after years of devoted service to his father. “I’m glad to have a man of your experience working for me. Never thought I’d get so lucky.”
Rowan smiled his approval of her letting the old man keep his pride. He probably had little else left.
“Miranda, you and Tom do the flanks. I’ll go see Hank and find out how things are going.” He rode off looking tall and proud in the saddle, and she watched him until the herd hid him from view. The cattle were strung out more than she would have liked, although it didn’t take long for her and Tom to collect the stragglers.
They stopped at midday to rest the herd and to share coffee and beans. The trail they were on was different to the one she had taken. Hank lit the fire. He was a thin, wiry looking man who would probably be in his late fifties. Hard to tell with his weather-beaten face and grey hair. What a tragedy for two good men to lose their jobs. She never doubted for a moment they would be excellent cowhands.
“Howdy, Mrs. Carstairs, I’m Hank.”
“Howdy, Hank. I guessed who you were. I’ve already met Tom. Oh, and please, call me Miranda.”
“Thank you for taking me and Tom on. Rowan explained how things were with you, so food and lodging and a small wage is fine for now.”
“I’ll pay you what I can. With men around the ranch it should become more profitable. We had to cull a lot of stock when my pa died, then my brother met this woman and lost interest in it.”
He nodded. “We’ll probably have to take turns at night herding.”
“I can take my turn. It’s not as if I haven’t done it before.”
“You’ll have to talk it over with Rowan. I don’t like the chances of him letting you. He can be stubborn when he wants to be.”
So, can I, she thought. I won’t be treated like some useless little hot house plant by him or any other man. She had done a man’s work for years and had no plans on changing just because she’d been wed.
“We’ll have to eat in shifts, Rowan won’t leave the herd unattended.”
“I noticed you’ve only got your bedrolls and saddlebags.”
“Yeah, Tom and I don’t have much. Rowan packed a few things in a trunk. One of the men at the ranch he could trust, promised to take it town and put it on the stagecoach for Twisted Creek.”
“Good, I’m glad he didn’t have to leave all his possessions behind.”
“Rowan was more of a son to George than Edward ever was. A real shame what happened. Black coffee be okay? No sugar, we had to leave in a hurry. Tom and I reckon Rowan should have burned the cabin down before we left. He wouldn’t do it though, too honorable.”
“Black will be fine. I would have been tempted to burn the place, too.” She fumed every time she thought about the unjust treatment Rowan had received. Thinking about the man must have brought him to her.
“I came back for a quick coffee. The cattle are quiet.”
“What did you mean you don’t want me taking my turn as night herder? I’ve done it before.”
“I prefer you didn’t, not on your own. It’s rough country out here and isolated. It could be dangerous for a woman if some no-good varmint comes along.”
A chill ran down her spine. What he said was true, particularly as there were only three men to ward off any attack.
On thinking about it, she had probably been lucky to make it to Mountview without any mishap.
Chapter Eleven
Late in the afternoon they came upon a small well grassed valley with a creek running through it. It was almost sealed off at one end by a rock fall, and there was an old fence erected to fill the gap. There was a stone fireplace, so obviously others had camped here before.
While the men settled the herd down, Miranda cleared out the old ash from the fireplace, gathered wood and got the fire going.
When Rowan returned, he said. “This is a good set-up,” Hank remembered it from a few years back. It didn’t take us too far out of our way, either.”
“It’s perfect. The cattle should be fine here.”
“Yeah, unless something spooks them,” he said, with a slight droop to his lips.
The loss of his cabin had cut deep. Had he not agreed to marry her, she could have been in the same position and her heart bled for his lost dreams and aspirations.
She walked up to him and touched his arm. “I’m sorry you lost so much, and it’s easy for me to say this, because thanks to you I didn’t lose my ranch. Look forward not back. We could have a good life together if we stop dwelling on past betrayals.” She stood on tiptoe to kiss him on the lips then hurriedly stepped back.
He looked stunned for a moment and she felt embarrassed. Heat surged into her face. When had she become so forward?
Suddenly, he dragged her in to his arms and kissed her, not just a quick brushing of lips like hers had been. His was long and passionate, leaving them both gasping for breath once they parted.
“You fire up my blood.” His voice was husky. “A pity we aren’t out here on our own.”
“I wish we were, Rowan.” There
