The Maverick of Copper Creek (21 page)

A
sh's four-wheel-drive truck moved slowly along a rutted trail that cut across the high meadow. Already a pall of thick black smoke was forming above the nearest hill. As he drew closer to the center of the smoke he caught up with Vern on horseback. When he glanced in his rearview mirror, he caught sight of Brenna and her horse galloping up behind him.

He came to a halt and lowered his window. “You made good time.”

“It's easy when your range is burning.” She turned to Vern. “Any sign of the herd?”

He shook his head. “I figure they're still safe if they're in high country.”

Ash pointed. “You two lead the way and I'll follow.”

“Our range shack is up there.” Brenna pointed to a cluster of trees at the top of the hill.

As she and Vern urged their mounts into a run, Ash put the truck in gear before trailing behind.

When they came up over the ridge they paused to take in the sight of a smoldering heap of ash where the shack had once stood. The clearing around it was devoid of vegetation. It was now a charred ruin.

Ash stepped out of his truck and walked around the smoking rubble. “Not much left. Did you have anything valuable?”

Brenna nodded. “Just the supplies necessary to survive up here. A couple of bunks and sleeping bags. A generator to run a heater, stove, refrigerator, coffeemaker. Enough nonperishables to last through winter. Extra parkas, boots, and gloves in case of sudden snowstorms.”

Ash turned to peer into the distance, where he could see the herd milling about, far ahead of the flames that were burning through the brush.

“Okay. There's the herd. Do you see a horse and rider? Where's Noah Perkins?”

Vern looked around in frustration. “If that lazy drifter's run off, I'll have his hide.”

Ash looked equally furious. “You won't need to. If I find him first, I'll do it for you.”

Just then they saw a figure emerge from the stand of trees.

The man, hair shaggy, face bearded from his days spent alone in the hills, was moving slowly, using a sturdy tree limb as a cane.

Vern's tone was stern. “What's happened to you? I thought you'd be with the herd.”

“Can't. I'm hurting too much.” As Noah drew closer, they became aware of his injuries.

There were cuts on his face, leaving his beard matted with blood. His sleeves and the legs of his denims were streaked with more blood.

“Looks like you tangled with a wildcat,” Vern muttered.

“The cabin.” Noah dropped into the grass, looking exhausted. “I woke and found it in flames. Had to jump out a window.”

“What was wrong with the door?” Vern looked skeptical.

“It was a wall of flames.”

Vern looked around at the smoldering embers. “How'd the fire get started?”

Noah shot him a look of irritation. “How should I know? I told you I was sleeping.”

Vern moved in for a closer inspection. “Looks like you're cut bad.”

“Yeah.” The bloodied man turned to Brenna. “Sorry, boss lady.” He nodded toward Ash. “Who's this?”

“Ash MacKenzie. His ranch is over there.” Brenna pointed to the lush fields to their south.

Now that she'd had time to note the extent of Noah's injuries up close, Brenna made a decision. “You need more medical care than I can give from a medical kit. You need to see a doctor.”

“I agree.” Ash nodded. “Take him to town in my truck and leave your horse here.”

“But the fire—”

“—will eventually burn itself out. It's not looking nearly as bad as I'd feared. If it started here, it's being fed by wind and dry brush. But now that the wind has shifted, it's heading toward Copper Creek, which will act as a natural fire break.”

“And my herd?”

“Looks like they're already at the creek. Vern and I can take them across, if it looks as though the fire might not be contained.”

She took a breath. “All right. As long as you don't need me.”

“Noah needs you more.”

Ash turned to the man half-sitting, half-lying on the ground. “Need some help getting to the truck?”

Noah shook his head and pushed himself up with the aid of his makeshift cane, limping slowly behind Brenna. Once in the passenger's side of the truck, his head dropped back and his eyes closed.

Brenna started the truck and turned it around before heading down the trail.

Ash watched their descent before taking the reins of Brenna's horse and pulling himself into the saddle.

He turned to Vern. “Let's get moving. We've got a lot of ground to cover.”

Brenna maneuvered Ash's truck along the rutted trail. With each bump and dip she glanced over toward the man who remained perfectly still, eyes closed, saying not a word. She was grateful that he wasn't moaning in agony, but his stoic silence weighed heavily on her. He was in this situation, after all, because he'd been working on her behalf.

Her tender heart went out to him.

As she rounded the barns and drove closer to the house she slowed her speed. “Can I get you anything to ease your pain before we head into town to the clinic?”

“Some water would be great.”

“All right.” She parked beside the porch and stepped out. “I'll just be a minute.”

She returned a short time later carrying a tall plastic glass of ice water in one hand, and cuddling Sammy to her chest. She handed Noah the water through the open passenger's-side window before walking around to the driver's side.

Before she could step inside Sammy was yapping wildly and wriggling about so frantically, she nearly dropped him.

“Sammy. Stop that.” She opened the truck door and set the yapping pup on the seat, but he jumped out and began circling the truck while continuing to bark.

She glanced apologetically at Noah, who watched without emotion. “Sorry. I was hoping to take him with us. He usually loves riding in my truck. Maybe it's the fact that Ash's truck isn't familiar. I guess I'll have to leave him here.”

She picked up the puppy and returned him to the kitchen before firmly closing the door.

When she returned to the truck, Noah sat slumped in the seat, head back, eyes closed.

Worried about the extent of his injuries, and suffering a wave of guilt, she drove the entire distance to town without a word.

Once there she parked outside the medical clinic. “Do you need help going inside?” He nodded, and she hurried around to help him exit the truck.

In the clinic, they were greeted by Dr. Mullin's assistant, Kate. After hearing a brief explanation of their visit, Kate said to Brenna, “If you'll wait here, I'll take Noah to an examining room.” She held out a handful of documents to Noah and said to him, “I'll need you to fill these out before the doctor sees you.”

A short time later Dr. Dan Mullin stepped into the waiting room to speak with Brenna. “Your wrangler's got a lot of cuts. A couple of them are deep. I removed whatever glass I could find embedded in his cuts, and I stitched him up where he needed it. I applied disinfectant and he's currently getting an IV antibiotic. I think he ought to stay for at least twenty-four hours so I can observe those wounds that are problematic, just to make certain he doesn't get an infection. I'll call you when I'm ready to release him.”

“Thanks, Doc.”

He lowered his voice. “Noah said there was a fire up in the hills.”

“My range shack. I'm just glad he was able to get out in time.”

“Yeah. That's what he told me. I wanted to test his lungs, to be certain he hadn't inhaled too much smoke. But he said no.”

“Did he give a reason?”

The doctor shrugged. “He says he has no insurance, and since he's working for you, you'd just have to pay for another test he doesn't feel he needs.”

She sighed. “That's very thoughtful of him, but if you think he needs anything, see that he gets it, Doc. I'll wait for your call.”

Under his shaggy bangs, the doctor's eyes were hawk sharp. “I see by Noah's forms that you don't carry any insurance on your ranch hands, Brenna.”

She flushed. “Don't worry, Doc. I'll pay you tomorrow.”

“I'm not worried about getting paid. I'm concerned for you.”

“There's no need. I keep enough money for emergencies.” She offered her hand. “Thanks for everything, Doc.”

“Yeah.” He seemed about to say more, but Kate was already beckoning him toward a second examining room where a mother and her infant were waiting.

He turned away, leaving Brenna alone in the waiting room.

On the drive home, she thought about the debts that kept piling up. A barn door. A range shack. And now Noah's medical bill.

She hadn't been exactly honest with the doctor. Though she kept an emergency fund, it wasn't nearly enough to cover all the emergencies that had cropped up this year.

That had her thinking about Chris, and his scornful attitude about ranching in general and her ranch in particular. He'd made a passionate case for walking away from a lifestyle choice that demanded so much and promised so little. He'd called it a crapshoot that seduced ranchers into thinking they were living a life of freedom when they were really putting everything on the line against thievery, the tax man, and the whims of nature.

Annoyed at the direction of her thoughts, she switched on the radio in time to hear Willie warning mamas about letting their babies grow up to be cowboys. But while she tapped a hand on the wheel in time to the music, the nagging little fear remained. With every day that passed, she seemed one step closer to losing everything she'd spent a lifetime struggling to hold on to.

The sight that greeted Brenna back at her ranch lifted her spirits considerably.

Several trucks bearing the logo of the MacKenzie Ranch were parked in her yard. Down at the barn, a handful of wranglers were picking through the remains of her shattered barn door, setting aside any boards that could be reused, while tossing the badly damaged pieces into the back of a truck.

Her once-upended tractor was now sitting in the yard, looking no worse for having been hit by a truck and toppled. As she stepped out of her truck she could hear the tractor engine chugging smoothly. The sound of it brought a smile to her face.

What brought an even bigger smile was seeing Ash and Vern standing to one side, talking with Griff and Whit. At their feet was Sammy, happily chewing on a stick. When the pup spotted her, it ran up and was scooped into her arms. The men looked over as she drew near.

“My herd?” She waited, hoping for good news, but bracing for something else.

Ash touched a hand to her arm. “I had my wranglers take them across the creek. I thought with only you and Vern able to work, we ought to keep them on MacKenzie land for now, where my crew can keep an eye on them. If that's all right with you.”

She felt herself breathing easier. “It's the perfect solution, until we know when Noah will be able to work again. Thanks, Ash.”

“How is Noah?” Vern asked.

“Doc said he stitched some of the deeper cuts, and has him on an intravenous antibiotic as a precaution. He wants to observe him for twenty-four hours or so. The clinic will call when they're ready to discharge him.”

“That's good news, girl.” Vern nodded toward the tractor. “More good news. Look at that. Good as new.”

“Yeah.” Just seeing the old cowboy's smile had her spirits lifting considerably.

Ash turned to Griff. “Now that we've got our woodworking expert here, let's get to work. We have a barn door to build.”

With Griff directing them, they began putting the boards together into some semblance of order. Whit drove a truck loaded with new lumber to a spot beside the barn, where the wranglers began hauling more boards until they had enough laid out to construct a huge barn door.

“Okay, boss man,” Ash called to Griff. “We know how to do the grunt work, but the finishing touches will be all yours.”

Griff strapped on his tool belt and began calling orders as he and the men bent to their task.

“What can I do?” Brenna asked.

“How about a pot of coffee for openers?” Ash called.

“I can handle that.” She set Sammy on the ground and hurried off toward the house.

As the coffee perked, she filled a tray with mugs, cream, and sugar, and rummaged through her refrigerator, wishing she'd stopped at the store in town. What she wouldn't give for some man-sized food for all these workers.

When the coffee was ready she nudged the door open and carried the tray to the barn. The minute she set it down, the men gathered around, filling mugs and sighing with pleasure.

“Caffeine.” Whit closed his eyes. “Now this is all the fuel I need to keep going.”

“Yeah,” Ash said in an aside. “That and a half-dozen roast beef sandwiches.”

“The more I see of him, the more I realize that would be just an appetizer,” Griff muttered.

Whit joined in their laughter. “I do like to eat. So as long as we're talking about food, I figure I could eat a couple of bowls of Wylie's extra-hot chili, followed by some juicy burgers smothered in grilled onions, and washed down by a few ice-cold beers.”

“Why settle for a few?” Griff winked at Brenna. “Why not go for a whole case?”

“And a couple of hot barmaids to serve you,” one of the wranglers called, causing everyone to nod in agreement and add their own comments.

“Sorry, guys,” he said with a laugh. “You know it's my curse. I've had to learn to live with the fact that women just can't resist me.”

As the men returned to their work, they were still moaning and teasing Whit about his famous, numerous appetites.

T
hough it was early spring, the sun burned so brightly, the men were soon removing their shirts and tossing them over low-hanging bushes beside the barn.

Brenna watched Ash as he and Whit followed Griff's directions, fitting each board into place before nailing it securely.

The muscles of Ash's back rippled with each movement, and she felt her throat going dry at the sight of him.

She knew that body. Knew how strong he had become. Strong, yet tender. He'd been such an attentive lover. The thought had her smiling as she turned away to see Vern watching her.

“Can I get you some water, Vern?”

He merely grinned. “You might want some for yourself, girl. You're looking a mite warm.”

She flushed and turned away, aware that there were no secrets between them. Somehow he knew, just by looking at her, that she and Ash had progressed from friends and neighbors to something more.

Something more.

But just what were they now? She wasn't yet ready to probe the topic too deeply. She was in over her head, and willing to drown, just to be with him for however long he chose to be with her. And wasn't that a road leading straight to heartache?

A short time later, while Brenna busied herself mucking stalls, Whit hooked up a hose and turned it on himself to cool off. Once he'd cooled down he couldn't resist turning the hose on his brother.

“Hey.” Ash gave a yelp of surprise when the first frigid spray hit him.

He turned and, seeing that Whit was cranking up the faucet to a full stream, made a mad dash across the distance that separated them, hoping to snatch the hose away.

Whit saw him coming and turned the spray nozzle until it was streaming water like a fire hose. Despite the fact that he was walking headlong into freezing water, Ash kept on coming until the two brothers were wrestling for control of the hose.

The rest of the wranglers forgot about their work as they circled around, cheering on the two brothers and howling with laughter.

Water sprayed everywhere as Ash took Whit down and struggled to get the hose. Whit fought back, and the two rolled around and around in the grass, all the while sending water over everyone nearby.

“Children. Children.” Griff cupped his hands to his mouth in a valiant effort to end this before it turned into an all-out MacKenzie brawl. “Recess is over. Time to get back to work.”

Ash and Whit didn't hear a word he was saying. They were too busy fighting for control. By now fists were flying, and the air was turning blue from their muttered oaths as they matched blow for blow.

Whit threw a punch and the hose slipped from his hand. He barely noticed as Ash's fist connected with his jaw.

While the two continued pummeling one another, Brenna saw her chance to intervene. Putting aside her pitchfork, she sneaked up behind them and grabbed hold of the hose. When she turned it on the two of them, the stinging cold spray had them forgetting all about the fight.

Now they saw only one thing. A common foe. A meddling female.

Ash turned to Whit. “Does she really think she can get away with that?”

Whit was grinning like a conspirator. “I'm with you, bro. The traitor must pay.”

The two of them started advancing toward her.

“Oh, no you don't.” At first, she managed to hold them at bay with a steady stream of water.

Wise to her strategy, they separated, each one coming at her from a different side.

Now, while she was busy spraying Ash, Whit moved in. When she turned to spray Whit, Ash crept in behind her, wrapping his arms around her before lifting her off her feet.

“You're not playing fair,” she cried. “There are two of you and only one of me.”

“You should have thought of that before you jumped in the game, Sunshine.” Ash yanked the hose from her hands and tossed it to Whit, who turned to the two of them with a grin.

“Thanks, bro. Now I'll take you both down.”

“Hey.”

That was all Ash managed before Whit turned the full spray of the hose on both him and Brenna until they were thoroughly drenched.

Ash pushed her behind him before turning to Whit. “Now you pay, little bro.”

The two wrestled again until the wet grass had them slipping and sliding.

Brenna tried to step in and ended up falling, with Ash and Whit landing on their backsides next to her.

By the time Griff managed to turn off the spigot, the entire yard was a puddle, and the three lay in a heap of arms and legs, laughing so hard they were wiping tears from their eyes.

Whit leaned up on one elbow. “Pretty sneaky of you, Bren. I guess since you couldn't take your shirt off like the rest of us, this was the only way for you to cool down.”

She was laughing so hard she could barely get the words out. “Gee, Whit. Thanks for taking care of that for me. I'm cool enough now.”

“Anytime. That's what friends are for.”

Ash got to his feet and offered a hand up to Brenna, then helped Whit to his feet.

“I guess we're all cooled off enough to get back to work,” Whit muttered as he strolled away.

Brenna turned. “And I guess it's time for me to go inside and change.”

“Don't change on my account.” Ash studied the way her shirt clung to every curve of her body. “I like you just the way you are. But if you'd like my help getting out of those wet things…”

“In your dreams, MacKenzie.” As she walked away, he stood where he was, watching the way her soaked denims molded to her backside like a second skin.

“Yep. That's some dream.” He turned away with a smile of pure male appreciation, only to see everyone watching and grinning like conspirators.

“Get back to work,” he said gruffly.

“Yeah. Right.” Whit winked at Griff, and the two of them shared a moment of secret laughter before turning back to the job at hand.

Brenna looked up at the sound of trucks arriving. Willow was at the wheel of the first, with Mad seated beside her. Ash and Whit set aside their hammers and hurried over to assist their grandfather from the truck and into his wheelchair, which was stowed in the back.

Myrna drove up in a second truck. Stored in the back were more than a dozen covered aluminum steam trays.

Both Myrna and Mad were issuing orders like drill sergeants as they directed that a plank be set up on sawhorses beneath the shade of a huge aspen. This would serve as a perfect buffet table.

Brenna hurried over to lend a hand as they began setting out a feast that would put a church potluck to shame.

There were trays of baked ham and fried chicken, as well as thick slices of rare roast beef swimming in gravy. There were baskets of dinner rolls warm from the oven. There were steaming casserole dishes filled with scalloped potatoes, others with garden peas and green beans. There were cold dishes of potato salad, tossed salad, and a layered salad of red beans, salsa, chips, and sour cream.

A tub of ice was filled with soda, beer, and bottled water.

And then there were the home-baked desserts. A chocolate layer cake. A giant carrot cake. Brownies. And a banana cream pie topped with real whipped cream.

Whit looked at the makeshift table groaning under all that food and turned to Myrna with a wink. “Okay. I see what you made. But where's the stuff Mad was supposed to cook?”

That had everyone howling with laughter. All except Mad, who felt the need to defend himself.

“As a matter of fact, most of this is my handiwork, lad. I only allowed Myrna to slice the ham.”

She shot him a look. “I'll have you know the potato dishes are all mine. And the brownies and chocolate cake.”

Ash nudged his brother, hoping to get a rise out of their housekeeper. “You're lucky Mad even allowed you in his kitchen.”

“
His
kitchen?” Myrna's hands were at her ample hips, her eyes flashing fire. “It was my kitchen long before it became Mad MacKenzie's, I'll have you know.”

“What I know is—” Ash put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek “—we're all grateful for the two of you. And speaking for Vern, I'd say he's the happiest of all, since he gets a day off from having to eat Brenna's cooking.”

That brought another round of laughter before Vern felt compelled to defend Brenna. “Now, Ash, she may not be the best cook in the world, but she's managed to keep me here for a number of years, and I haven't died from starvation yet.”

“Yet.” To soften his teasing, Ash wrapped an arm around Brenna's waist and drew her close to press a kiss to the top of her head.

Seeing it, Willow and Mad exchanged looks before the old man called, “These men have put in a long morning. Let's stop all the chatter and eat.”

The others didn't need to be coaxed. They began circling the table and heaping their plates before finding shady spots in the grass to sit.

Their voices grew muted while they enjoyed the feast.

Most of them went back to load their plates a second and third time, until they'd eaten their fill.

While they were eating, Brady Storm and a group of wranglers rode up on horseback to report that there was no trace of fire in the meadow, and all of Brenna's cattle had been accounted for and were now grazing contentedly on MacKenzie land.

“Thanks, Brady.” Brenna shook his hand. “I'm so grateful for everybody's help.”

“That's what neighbors are for,” Willow said as she came up beside them.

“But this is above and beyond.” Brenna waved a hand to include the food, and the happy wranglers. “I know your crew is neglecting work at your ranch while they help out here.”

“They'll make it up tomorrow.” Brady smiled at her, showing white, even teeth in his deeply tanned face. “And believe me, I'll see to it.”

“I'm sure you will.” She returned his smile. “Now, please eat. And you don't have to worry, I didn't cook any of it.”

Everyone shared a laugh at her self-deprecating humor.

“Thanks.” Brady removed his wide-brimmed hat and shook it against his leg, sending up a cloud of trail dust. He glanced at his wranglers, who were already lining up to eat. “Don't mind if I do.”

As he strolled away and began filling a plate, Brenna turned to Willow. “You're lucky to have a foreman like Brady.”

Willow nodded before adding, “And you're equally lucky to have Vern Wheeler with you all these years. Bear used to say Vern was the kind of man he'd like to have watching his back.”

“I agree. He's the best.”

When Willow walked away to speak with Mad, Brenna dropped down in the grass between Ash, Griff, and Whit, and leaned back, sipping from a bottle of water. “Your family's a lifesaver in so many ways. Not only taking in my herd, and lending me the use of their wranglers, but all this.” She spread her hands to indicate the food. “I was thinking about driving all the way to town to buy enough chili at Wylie's to feed everyone, and then they did this.” She shook her head from side to side. “I don't know how I could ever repay them.”

Whit shared a smile with Ash and Griff. “If you try, they'll be insulted. You heard Ma. That's what neighbors do for neighbors in need. Next time, it may be one of us, and we know you'll be there, doing what you can.” He got to his feet. “Time to get back to that door. Griff says we'll have it finished and installed before dark.” He glanced at Griff. “You still think we'll make that deadline, Griff?”

“You bet. Come on. I'll join you.”

As the two strolled away, Brenna turned to Ash. “Your family's amazing.”

“Yeah.” He looked around with a satisfied smile. “They are.” He leaned close to press a kiss to her cheek before getting to his feet. “And I've got you to thank for reminding me.”

When he joined the others, Brenna remained seated, looking around at the beehive of activity.

An hour later, Mad and Myrna, along with Willow and Brenna, began packing up the leftovers and storing them in containers. Brenna carried an armload toward one of the trucks.

Willow stopped her. “That's going in your fridge.”

Brenna shook her head. “Willow, there's enough here to feed an army.”

Mad winked at his daughter-in-law before saying to Brenna, “I'm thinking there's just enough there to feed Vern and Ash for another day or so. The way those two eat, you'll soon have to think about cooking again.”

With a laugh Myrna led the way to the house, where they stowed the food in Brenna's nearly empty refrigerator

When they were done, Brenna shook her head. “That's the most food this place has ever seen at one time!”

She trailed them outside, where Mad patiently waited at the foot of the steps.

Without a word she began pushing his wheelchair toward the truck, where Ash and Whit were waiting to lift him up to the passenger's side.

“Thanks again for all you did.” Brenna leaned in the open window to press a kiss to Willow's cheek.

“You're more than welcome.” Willow squeezed her hand. “I'm so glad we could help.”

Ash and Whit ambled away to join the workers.

Brenna stepped back and waved as the trucks began rolling out, with Willow and Mad in the first, and Myrna following in the second truck.

She recalled that when she was a girl, the MacKenzies had always been the family she'd wished she had. Whenever her father got drunk and mean, she would close her eyes and pretend that she was in a room somewhere in the MacKenzie house, warm, fed, and feeling safe.

Wasn't that exactly what they'd done for her today? They'd taken charge of the fire, her herd, and her ranch. And they'd done it all with such good humor, they'd made it feel like just another day on the range.

And that was exactly what she'd always most loved about them. From the first time she'd met them, they'd welcomed her into their home and hearts, and made her feel that it was the most natural thing in the world to make her a part of their wonderful family.