Always a Cowboy by Linda Lael Miller

guess.”
    â€œNot much of a breeze, either,” Slater observed, using a cordless drill to put the first screw into the new hinge. “That sure isn’t usual in Wyoming.”
    Drake grimaced. “I swear it only happens if you’re repairing a fence. That’ll make the breeze die down every single time. I’ll do the dirty work and hold it in place.”
    The gate was heavy, but his older brother knew his stuff and the hinge was done in a matter of minutes. Slater leaned against the fence and crossed his arms. “So, still no missing calf?”
    â€œNope.” Drake had searched as far as anyone could in country this size and hadn’t found anything; that was predictable. “Not a trace.”
    â€œToo bad—but here comes trouble of a different kind.” Slater’s grin was wide. “I think your campaign of avoidance is about to go south, brother. I have to give you credit. Up until now, you’ve been fairly successful.”
    Damned if his brother wasn’t right. Drake saw the unmistakable outline of the female figure walking toward them, the sun catching the chestnut glints in her hair. Any trace of guilt was wiped clean by his irritation. He muttered, “I know you find this just hilarious, but how would you like it if some eager film student wanted to follow your every movement?”
    â€œHmm.” Slater nodded with exaggerated introspection. “Grace might not approve of this answer, but between you and me, if the nonexistent film student looked like Ms. Hale and I wasn’t happily married, I would have no objections at all.”
    â€œShe knows nothing about running a ranch.”
    Slater burst out laughing. “So maybe you should teach her? I think that’s why she’s here.”
    Starburst had the gall to lift his head and whinny in greeting as she walked up. Her cheeks held a slight flush, but otherwise the hike apparently hadn’t been that much of a challenge. Slater was watching in obvious amusement, so Drake tried to respond with equanimity. “You found us, I see.”
    â€œAnd I did it without a horse,” she shot back defiantly.
    He let the gibe pass. “Red will teach you to saddle one if you give him a sweet smile. Grace’s mare is gentle enough.” For a greenhorn.
    â€œWhy do I feel I’m being patronized?” So much for his attempt at subtlety. “Plus, you’ve been avoiding me.”
    That was true. Slater was clearly enjoying the exchange. From the corner of his eye, Drake could see his brother grinning like a damn fool. “I’d say you are being patronized,” Slater said.
    Luce seemed to be as annoyed by that as Drake was, so at least they had one thing in common.
    â€œThe wild horses are back on that ridge,” she said curtly.
    Drake’s attention sharpened. “The entire herd?”
    Luce nodded. “I spotted them as I walked up here. The stallion was standing at the top, watching me. A hundred feet away is my estimate.”
    Drake felt a prickle of alarm. That was way too close. “A hundred feet?”
    â€œYes. That’s what I said.” In the next moment, she turned breezy. “I go looking for them every day, and when I’m lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, I sit there as quietly as I can and try not to spook them. The big guy’s starting to get curious about what I might be up to.” A pause. “Should we go over and take a look if you’re done here?”
    They could. Why not? Slater was still smiling to himself as he gathered up the tools, not even bothering to pretend he wasn’t taking in every word.
    Drake considered Luce’s invitation. He had plenty of other things to do, but he wouldn’t mind an opportunity to recover at least some of those mares. There were other considerations, of course. Starburst was not a small horse, and he might spook the herd. Size-wise, he and the