Reunited with the Cowboy by Carolyne Aarsen

Falls for that tractor part that was supposed to come in on special order today. He didn’t think it was worth his while to drive back when the delivery is supposed to arrive at any moment.” She gave him an apologetic look. “Hope that’s not a problem.”
    John tried not to sigh. “I’ve got the herd locked up. I was going to give them their precalving shots. Monty was going to cut the cows for me and run them through.”
    â€œAnd neither Alice nor I can help you,” Ellen said.
    â€œI can’t wait until Monty comes back to process them.” There was no way John could sort and run the entire herd through this afternoon on his own. “I’ll have to let them out.”
    He gave Adana another spoonful of soup and, in spite of his frustration, smiled as she caught his wrist, bringing the spoon closer to her mouth.
    â€œThat’s a nuisance,” Ellen said. “I’m sorry Monty didn’t think this all the way through.”
    â€œIt’s okay. We’ll just have to try again Monday.”
    â€œBut cows are always harder to get in the second time, aren’t they?” Heather asked.
    Her quiet comment drew John’s attention to her. He was surprised she knew that.
    â€œAnd Monty is taking me to Helena to see the specialist on Monday, then we’re joining Tanner and Keira at the cattle show in Missoula,” Ellen added.
    John gave a quick nod as his plans grew more tangled. Monty, she, Keira and Tanner had planned to attend the cattle show, and he had encouraged them to go. He had figured on Alice helping him with Adana. If they’d gotten the cows processed today, he could easily take care of everything else on his own until everyone else came back.
    â€œPlus it’s supposed to rain tomorrow,” Heather interjected. “That will make it a lot worse to do on Monday, won’t it?”
    â€œThat it will,” he said with a quick sigh.
    â€œSo let me help.”
    Her simple statement caught him off guard. “What?”
    â€œI can help. I’ve done it before. If you’ve got the cows all gathered up, it’s not that difficult. I can saddle up and cut them out.”
    â€œIt’s hard, dirty work,” Alice said. “Are you sure you’re up to it?”
    â€œYou don’t need to do this,” Ellen stated, her voice quiet and placating. “You never liked helping with the cows before.”
    Heather looked from Ellen to Alice to John. “I’ve helped with the cows before.”
    And you sulked the entire time
, John wanted to add, remembering how she would flounce through her jobs as if she wanted to be anywhere else but helping with those “stinky old cows” as she used to call them. But on the Bannister ranch, when work needed to be done, everyone was expected to pitch in, and when the job was big enough, even Princess Heather had to help out.
    â€œI can help load syringes and move cows,” she said. “I know what needs to be done and how to do it.”
    Still John hesitated, unable to stop from eyeing her current clothes, which were totally unsuitable for the hard, dirty work. She shoved the sleeves of her silk shirt up her arms, as if already preparing herself for the job. “Just let me help,” she insisted. “Please.”
    It was the
please
that finally convinced him.
    â€œOkay. I won’t say no,” he said, still surprised at her offer. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you, Princess.”
    Her eyes narrowed at the reference to her childhood nickname. The one her brother, Lee, had used liberally whenever she’d shirked her chores.
    â€œYou don’t need to warn me. I know what needs to be done,” she said with some force.
    John guessed her defensiveness had as much to do with his use of her nickname as his doubt that she could help.
    He’d always liked to tease Heather about keeping him on his toes. How she could be so