Whispers of the Heart (11 page)

“Are they going to turn the cattle around?” Kat asked.

“That they are; however, I will give you folks an option before I release you to ride over for lunch. Take time to think about these options while you eat. If you feel you are capable of sitting a saddle at full gallop, and would like to ride close to one of my cowboys, I’ll be happy to pair you up. The stipulation being that you allow my boys to do the work. You’d simply be riding along for the experience. If, however, you are not comfortable riding at full speed, but would still like a chance at playing cowboy, I will have four men nearby whose sole purpose will be to watch for and return strays. Those who wish to stay with those four cowhands, can accompany them and assist with round ups. Again, I’ll let you think over your choice at lunch, so let’s head on over and take a break from these saddles.”

Dalian spurred Swift toward the chuck wagon, his guests trailing along behind. He was curious to see who’d attempt to herd and who’d hang back. The faux cattle drive was something he’d never participated in prior to this week, but that didn’t stop him hearing about it each year. Harvey always returned from the week away, full of tales of those who balked at
being restrained from full participation, those who wanted to return to the ranch mid-drive because it wasn’t their cup of tea; those who invariably ended unseated from their saddle, and those who didn’t want to sign the legal release.
Oh oh,
Dalian thought, as he pulled Swift to a stop and dismounted. Harvey had given him specific instructions for this leg of the drive, and he’d nearly forgotten to recite one of the more basic requisites. “Folks,” he called, “there’s one thing I failed to mention.” He tossed his reins across a tree branch, and then turned to address his guests, some still in the process of dismounting. “The law requires that to participate in this particular part of your vacation, you’ll have to sign a liability form. This form releases
Heart of the Mountain
Dude Ranch and me from any liability should you take a tumble and injure yourself. It also states that you are responsible for your own medical costs should injury occur, so that is another thing to take into consideration before determining whether you want to ride. Those of you who cater to customers can readily empathize with the legal ramifications of being a business owner – I hope.”

“Without a doubt,” one of his guests replied and he heard mutters of agreement from nearly all of the others.
Whew
, Dalian thought, thankful that his first few days on the drive had been free of whiners and complainers.

“Excellent! Now, as you collect your meal from Shaun, he’ll have a pre-filled form for you to sign.”

“What if we decide not to ride with the cattle? Do we still have to sign the form?”

“Unfortunately, yes. I really should have had you sign the form before we left the ranch, but this is when it really becomes essential. Also unfortunate is that those of you unwilling to sign, will have to be escorted back to the ranch by one of my boys. I certainly hope that we all get to stay and enjoy the remainder of our time out here.”

Jason stepped forward, “I think I’ll head on back to the ranch, if that’s okay. I like riding well enough, but I’m more ready to lounge by the pool for a couple of days and relax.”

“Fair enough,” Dalian said, hiding the disappointment from his tone. “I’ll have Achak escort you back as soon as he arrives. If anyone else wishes to return, just be ready to go after lunch. In the meantime, let’s eat, shall we?”

Dalian collected a plate of food first and settled on a nearby log, his gaze seeking out Kat. She was mingling with the other guests in the chow line. As soon as she had her plate, he planned to wave her over and ask she join him for lunch. Surprisingly, she made her way over to him unbidden.

“Mind if I join you?” She asked.

Dalian grinned and nodded to the log next to his, “I was hoping you would.”

She didn’t reply, rather dug into her baked chicken and beans hungrily. Dalian allowed her to eat in peace, but he was chomping at the bit to know whether she’d be staying or if she was one who planned to return to the ranch with Achak. He hoped not. That would make his remaining time on the range very dreary.

When Kat downed the water in her bottle, she finally spoke, “I actually joined you because I wanted to tell you that I am very impressed, but my hunger got the better of me.”

Dalian’s brow quirked and he grinned again, “Impressed with me or my cook’s food?”

Kat laughed, “Both. More with you, I suppose, in the way you run things here. You’re very good at your job, and the way in which you soothed that calf yesterday was amazing to watch. You really like doing this, don’t you?”

“I can’t imagine ever doing anything else. It’s similar to you and your writing, I’d wager.”

Kat nodded, “It’s a wager you’d win. I can’t imagine not writing. I used to tell Robert that it didn’t matter whether my books sold or not, I just have to write.”

“Robert?” Dalian asked, hoping that she didn’t have a jealous boyfriend back East. Of course, that could explain her barriers, but what it wouldn’t explain is her obvious attraction to him –
which she’s trying to avoid showing, if you recall,
he brain supplied.

Kat’s gaze dropped and she sighed heavily, “Robert was my husband. He passed away two years ago, and I think maybe I need to go and put my dishes away now.” She stood, but Dalian placed a restraining hand on her arm.

“I’m sorry, Kat.”

“Thanks.” Kat smiled and walked away, stopping by t
o place her dishes in the portable dishwasher located on the cook’s van. She found it amusing that Dalian referred to it as a chuck wagon; an antiquated term that couldn’t do justice to this state-of-the-art marvel on wheels, which followed them about on the drive.

Once she’d taken care of her dishes, she decided to take a short walk while the others helped themselves to a second helping of food. She was truthful when she told Janet before coming out here, that she was over her loss, because her heart barely ached now when she thought of Robert, but it still threatened to shatter into a million pieces whenever thoughts surfaced of Mitchell and Stephanie – her precious twins – which always happened when she mentioned Robert. Her twins had been her world and that world stopped spinning for a long while after they were lost to her. Had she been a weaker person, her life as a recluse could very well have become
permanent. Instead, she buried herself in her writing, using it as an outlet for her pain and suffering, which is why her first novel after their loss,
Dreamer of Destiny,
contained so much tragedy. It also proved so cathartic that by the time she’d written three-quarters of that book, the tragic text began to transform into a will to survive and concluded triumphantly.

Her hand swept across the top of the tall grass and she sighed, taking in a deep cleansing breath, “Just breathe, Kat,” she whispered to herself. After a while, the pounding pain in her heart returned to a dull ache and she closed her eyes in gratitude. Once the memories receded, thoughts of Dalian intruded again, and she found herself having to take another deep, calming breath.

“What is it about that man that makes my body and brain turn to goo?” She asked herself, but of course received no answer. She slowly turned and instantly her gaze found him, standing, and conversing with the other guests. Even the men seemed impressed by him, as if by standing near, some of his manly charm and graciousness would rub off on them and make them as appealing to the opposite sex.

“You okay? You look a little distraught.”

Kat jumped and turned to find Cal Withers, another guest at the ranch, standing beside her. She’d seen him staring at her on occasion, but he’d never spoken to her until now. Like Dalian, he was a fine looking man, but he simply did not stir things up in her as Dalian did.

“I didn’t mean to startle you. I thought you might have seen me approach.”

“No, I was focused on . . .”

“Dalian?”

“What? No. I was just thinking about stuff in general.” Kat stammered.

“Ah, well, I’m glad for that.”

“Hey, wait a minute. You didn’t join us on the drive, so how is it you’re standing here talking to me?”

“I’m surprised you noticed that I hadn’t come along, since you always seemed focused on Dalian. You two seemed attached at the hip of late.” Kat’s brow furrowed at the tone in his voice, but before she could comment, Cal offered an explanation. “I rode out with the cowhands. I had planned to remain behind, but got bored. When the radio call came in, I was talking to Achak – what a name, huh? – and asked if he wouldn’t mind my tagging along. Figured I could finish up the drive with the rest of you.”

“Ah, well, it’s definitely been an experience to remember,” Kat said conversationally, and then saw Dalian look her way and wave. “Well, it looks as if we’re about to begin turning the cattle around,” she said, sending Dalian a return wave. She gave Cal a polite smile and then started heading back to the group. Cal fell into step beside her, so Kat told him about the requirements for joining the drive. “If you’re going to want to ride, I believe you’ll need to stop by the lunch wagon and get a release form from Shaun. He’s the cook. I’m sure Dalian will go over the options again for this afternoon.”

True to her word, Dalian reiterated the options the moment that Kat and Cal joined the rest of the group. As soon as he finished speaking, he made his way over to where she and Cal were standing, “Cal, good to see you decided to join us,” he said amiably.

“Apparently he got bored just sitting around the ranch,” Kat offered.

“Yeah, sitting around doing nothing can make your brain start to get antsy,” Cal said with a laugh.

“Well, hopefully you’ll not get bored out here. Have you stopped by to sign the release form yet?”

“Headed that way now,” Cal said and then turned to Kat, “Are you going to hang back and rope in strays? If so, maybe we can keep each other company.”

Cal couldn’t see Dalian, but she could, and his reaction to that one simple query startled her. He stiffened visibly, and she half expected him to interject with an objection. To his credit, he said nothing, allowing her to decide what she wanted to do. To her, it felt as if each man were awaiting a decision about whom she preferred to spend time with. Still, Dalian couldn’t have known that keeping company with Cal wasn’t something she wanted to do, although she couldn’t quite put her finger on why. It was something to do with the way he looked at her. His stare made her feel as if she were a gazelle and he a cheetah.

Initially, she had planned to hang back because she wasn’t certain she’d be comfortable riding near a stampeding herd, but now that she knew Cal was hanging back, she’d risk the herd. Hopefully, she wouldn’t regret her impulsive decision, “Actually, the thought of galloping next to the herd seems fun.” Both men’s gazes widened at her declaration, and she smiled, trying to hide her nervousness.

It looked as if Cal was about to object, but Dalian interjected, “You’ll shadow me.” He stated simply, and Kat felt relief flood through her. If anyone could keep her out of harm’s way, she was certain Dalian could.

“No surprise there,” Cal said sharply, and then turned and headed over to where Shaun was busily storing away supplies.

Kat saw Dalian’s perplexed look and laughed nervously, color seeping into her face, “He seems to think that you and I are “attached at the hip”. His words, not mine.”

“Ah, well, being attached at the hip with you is definitely preferable to being attached to one of the men; so I can’t say as I blame Cal wanting to keep company with you, although I’m glad I get to instead.” What Dalian didn’t say aloud was that he wouldn’t have been as focused on the cattle had Kat decided to remain behind with Cal. In fact, he was very pleased that she seemed disinterested in him. Then it registered that she would be shadowing him on the ride and a different tension filled his body.

“Are you sure you want to ride alongside me though?” He asked. “You sit a saddle well, but I’d feel responsible if something were to happen to you.”

“Actually I’m not a hundred percent sure, no, but . . .” Kat paused. How could she state her objection to staying behind without it sounding as if she were choosing him over Cal?

“But?” Dalian prodded. Kat hadn’t realized that Dalian had taken a step closer to her, until she looked up at him and saw his face was mere inches from hers.

“Oh. Um,” was all she could mutter.

Dalian grinned, but before he could say or do anything more, Jason interrupted, “There you go making gaga eyes at each other again.”

“They been doing this often?” Achak laughed at the embarrassment that registered on
Kat’s face and the disgruntled look on his boss’s face. Dalian took a step back and then took a deep breath.

“Yep,” Jason laughed.

“Hi, I’m Achak Broadwater, assistant foreman. I’m in charge, second to Dalian here, when Harvey isn’t around.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Kat said softly.

“Oh my,” Achak declared, “no wonder Dalian is going gaga over you. Not only are you beautiful, but that accent is to die for.” Achak laughed when Kat turned a deeper shade of red, and then he turned to address Dalian, “You want to stop your pursuit boss, just let me know. I’ll be happy to have her making gaga eyes at me.”