She loved her cows. Every one of them, and it broke her heart that she’d likely never see them again. Rory smiled when her cows raised their heads, mooed at her, and went back to eating.
Once they reached the end of the fence line, she looked over her shoulder at Hal to see him looking a little too intently at a section of fence.
“Is everything all right?”
He seemed startled, but he nodded.
“Yes, ma’am. I thought I saw a wolf.”
She knew he was lying, and she hoped she was wrong in thinking he was involved with the theft of her cows, but her gut was telling her she wasn’t.
“Oh, well, I’m sure he’s more afraid of you than you are of him. We can head back now. I think everything is fine for now.” She mounted the horse.
“All right.”
Rory stared at him for a few seconds, then nudged her horse, and they headed back for the barns. Something wasn’t sitting right with her, and she wanted to speak with Wilder about it.
****
Wilder walked out of a milking parlor and swore at the heat. Dust covered his jeans and boots, and he was sweating in areas he didn’t want to even think about. His T-shirt stuck to his chest, and it was too hot to want to work today.
As he stood there, he heard horses and looked to see Rory and Hal riding back from the west. Wilder frowned. Why were they coming back from that direction when they went to the north? He clenched his jaw and flattened his lips as he thought of her being out there with Hal when he was sure Hal was involved with the rustling. What the hell was she thinking?
Mentally shaking his head, he knew she had to be the most stubborn woman he’d ever met in his life.
She rode her horse up to him and dismounted.
“Would you like me to cool your horse?”
“I’m capable, thank you.” As she walked past him, she said, “Please come to the house when you get a chance.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Wilder watched her enter the barn, then looked at Hal.
“Why were you coming from the west?”
“She wanted to check the fence there.” Hal shrugged. “I had to go with her.”
“I think she just wanted to check on her cows.”
“Yeah, probably.” Hal dismounted and led his horse into the barn.
Wilder watched him leading the horse away but he stopped to speak with Bernie then Bernie headed for him.
“Wilder, you’re in and it’s on for tonight.”
“Okay, I’ll be ready.”
“Good, because it’s just you, me, and Hal.”
“Hal? He’s in on it?” Bernie just confirmed Hal’s involvement.
“Yes. I’m telling you because you’ll see him tonight.”
“No one else?”
“No. We’re going to handle it. You just be ready.”