Rode Hard, Put Up Wet (Rough Riders #2)(18)

She ignored the voices in her head as her strides ate up the distance to the camper.


She stopped between the outbuildings when she realized Macie’s vehicle wasn’t around either. What the heck?


As she debated on what to do next, Carter came barreling around the corner of the barn, scaring her half to death.


“Where is she?” he demanded.


“Who? Macie?”


“Yeah.”


“I have no idea. Have you seen Cash?”


“I saw him headin’ out to the west pasture with a load of hay in the back of his truck about an hour ago.”


“By himself?”


“I guess.”


“Dammit, Carter. Why weren’t you with him?”


His eyes narrowed and he countered, “Why weren’t you?”


She should be beyond blushing at her age. Gemma sighed. “Evidently I overslept.


Which means Cash is out there doing everything on his own.”


“So let him. It is his responsibility now.”


“That don’t make me feel any less guilty. This is my place. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to turn over full operations to someone else.”


“You’d better at least try. What’s the point of hirin’ someone if you ain’t gonna let him do the work?”


Her mouth opened, then closed. She couldn’t think of a rational rebuttal.


Tires thudded by the barn, sounding abnormally loud in the morning stillness. A drawn out squeak echoed as the gate was opened. An engine gunned and a screech bang followed.


Gemma hustled toward the sound. Her stomach did a little flip at seeing Cash.


He yelled, “Mornin’, Gem.”


Cash’s smile died the second he saw Carter coming from the direction of Macie’s camper. His neutral expression became a frown when Carter demanded, “Where’s Macie?”


“If she would’ve wanted you to know, McKay, she would’ve told you.”


“You ornery—”


“Carter,” Gemma said sharply, “enough.”


Cash said, “Maybe you oughta be doin’ your job instead of worryin’ ’bout my daughter.”


“At least somebody is worried.” Carter snorted. “Did you see her last night? Or ignore her? I bet you don’t even know where she is.”


“As a matter of fact, I do know where she is, and the chances of me tellin’ you just dropped to zero, boy.”


Good God. This was ridiculous. “Look. I don’t have time for this stupid male posturing. Carter, what did you get done this morning while Cash was tending the livestock?”


“I moved the horses into the south pasture. I sprayed down the stalls and refilled the flytraps. Then I prepped Daisy’s medicine. Didn’t know if you wanted me to give it to her or if you wanted to do it. Then I took stock of the rest of the veterinary supplies and made a list for the next time someone goes to the feed store.”


Cash seemed impressed. “I noticed them flytraps were lookin’ ratty last night.


Thanks for takin’ care of it.” He knocked his hat up a notch and addressed Gemma. “The stock tank out where the cattle are grazin’ is bone dry. I came back to switch out trucks before I head back out to refill the water tanks.”


“Is that damn pump broken again? That’s twice in the last month,” Carter said.


“I wondered. Thought boss lady could help me out. Show me how, or let me figure out the best way to prime the pump.”



The double meaning in Cash’s words caused Gemma’s stomach to pitch again.


“Sure.”


“Did you notice if the salt licks are gone?” Carter prompted. “’Cause it was damn close to nothin’ the other day when I checked on ’em.”


“Completely gone. I couldn’t find replacements tablets.”


“She keeps them in the cellar.”


“I’ll know where to look next time.” Cash angled his chin at Carter. “Far as I’m concerned, you done everything I thought needed doin’, so there ain’t no reason for you to stick around today. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.”


The two men stared at each other. “Fine. I’ll go. Just as soon as you tell me where she is.”


Cash laughed, a little harshly. “If Macie wants to contact you, she will.”


“And when she does? What then?”


Gemma stifled a groan at Carter’s surety where he stood as far as Macie was concerned, after knowing her for one day.


“If she does contact you, I’ll abide by her wishes. Until then, you’ll abide by mine.


Stay away from her, McKay.”


“You forgot one tiny detail. I don’t think Macie wants to stay away from me.” Carter retreated and loped to the barn. Before either of them said another word, Carter mounted his horse Deacon and galloped across the pasture, away from what probably would’ve been an argument as heated as the day.