Page 53 of Taming the Wild Cowboy

Maclyn jumped when her phone rang. Trev. Finally.

The surge of relief she felt was normal, right? Not overblown.

“Where are you?” It was still daylight, but it was also late and worried thoughts had been nipping at her. Wade had returned an hour before and waved at her from his porch as she screwed a replacement plank into place. He hadn’t seemed concerned, so Mac assured herself that even though the ATV was gone, and a light rain was falling, Trev was fine.

“In the north pasture. I need your help.”

Mac frowned. “Sure.”

“Get the ATV with the winch. The old one parked under the equipment roof. If you can get it started, put the toolbox on back and meet me at the place where you put up the solar fencing.”

“Uh … okay?”

“I’ll explain when you get here. Is Wade home?”

“He is. Do you want me to—”

“Let sleeping dogs lie. Yes. Yes, I do. Call back if you can’t get the ATV started.”

“Right. See you in a few.” A few meaning about twenty minutes if she could get the big machine going.

Before Frank had robbed the family business, Mac had depended on mechanics when she had an issue with a vehicle. After going to work for the Sweet Grass Ranch, she’d learned the ins and outs of starting small engines, be it a lawn mower or an ATV. Choke, gas, the right amount of pressure on the pedal or trigger. Because of that, she was able to get the quad started second go. It chugged and blew dark smoke, but the engine eventually stopped hiccuping and settled into a steady rhythm.

The curtain on the kitchen window moved as Mac drove by the house, but she ignored it and headed to the gate leading to the north pasture. She debated about taking Raisin, but not knowing the cattle situation, had decided to leave her sidekick at home. She’d no doubt pay for that later because Raisin had been deeply offended. Ten minutes after leaving the ranch, she crossed the wooden bridge and then headed to the area where she’d strung solar fencing. She passed some cattle on the way, so the fence wasn’t the problem, unless only a few had managed to escape before Trev stopped them.

When she came over the brink of the hill he pushed off the post he’d been leaning on and started toward her. She grimaced as she braked and left the ATV in neutral before swinging her leg over the seat.

“Dare I ask?” He was covered in mud.

“Some douche left the gate open, and the steers went visiting. I was putting them back when I lost control of the quad.”

“Where is it?”

He pointed to a gully on the other side of the fence. “It slid most of the way on its side so not much damage all things considered, but there’s no way I can get it back on its wheels alone.” He wiped the moisture off his cheek with the back of his hand. “What’s going on with you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Job interview?”

“Oh. Yeah. Probably not going to work out.”

“Why?”

“Let’s get that machine out of the gully, then we can talk.” Maclyn started for the idling quad, but Trev caught her arm. She shot him a look and decided that she wasn’t doing anyone any favors by holding off telling him.

“Brooke is engaged to the owner of Dawson Meadow Arena.”

“Our Brooke?” he asked on an incredulous note, a rivulet of water running down the side of his face.

“If you want to claim her, then yes, our Brooke.”

Trev pulled his ball cap off and slapped it on the side of his leg, sending droplets of water flying before settling it back on his head. “Did you see her?”

“From a distance. I thought I was hallucinating, but there was a picture of her and Mike, the owner of the facility, in the office. Engagement portrait.” Maclyn shrugged. “I told him I knew Brooke. I figure that he’ll bring it up to her, she’ll say don’t hire the bitch and that’ll be that.” She smiled darkly. “I’ll hear tomorrow.”

His expression softened as he reached out to pull her against his wet coat, wrapping his arms around her. The muddy canvas was cold, but his body was warm, and it seemed very possible that steam would rise between them if she didn’t step back.

Maclyn risked the steam, pressing against him. She wanted the comfort of a warm body. Trev brought his hand up to the back of her head, gently cupping her damp hair and Mac closed her eyes, drew in his scent.