Never Love a Cowboy by Lorraine Heath Page A

remove temptation with so many men about.”
    He gave a long, thoughtful nod. “Don’t suppose you’d reconsider the wisdom of staying.”
    She shook her head briskly, her smile broadening. “Nope. I wanna be there when they tally the cattle and hand over the money.”
    “We’d bring back your share of the money, Jessye.”
    “I just want to be there to see it, Harry.”
    He released a deep sigh. “Then mount up, Jessye love.”
    She pulled herself into the saddle. “Who’s going to lead the herd?”
    “Kit is the man with the details. He wants to have a few words with the men gathered at the supply wagon before we head out.”
    Her heart swelled with self-satisfaction as she followed him. Half the cattle belonged to her. Half the profits would go into her pockets…along with an independence that no man could ever take from her.
    The cool March air surrounded them, and she saw wisps of smoke curl in front of Harry’s face as he breathed. She knew in her heart that he was probably right. She should stay behind. What sort of investor was she not to trust her comrades?
    One who had paid a dear price for betrayal.
    As they neared the wagon, she saw the men mingling around, talking, waiting. None were mounted. It seemed odd to see the trail hands without horses beneath them. She noticed Kit standing near his bay gelding. Harry gave his friend a brisk nod as he drew his horse to a halt and dismounted. Jessye slipped her foot out of the stirrup.
    Harry wrapped his hand around her ankle. “Stay where you are. Kit will join you.”
    She watched him walk toward the other men, leading his horse behind him. The lonesome image he created surprised her.
    Kit mounted his horse and guided it around to Jessye’s side. She’d never realized how small she was in comparison to him as he sat tall in the saddle. Even though Kit was beside her, Harry’s presence dominated the camp. He spoke not a word, but the men who had been mumbling fell into silence. Other men stopped fidgeting. Into the autocratic stillness, Kit finally spoke.
    “We have close to three thousand head of cattle and a short span of time in which to move them to Sedalia, Missouri. The days will be long, the nights longer. My father taught me that a man was better able to meet his expectations when he knew what they were so here is what I expect: hard work, no grumbling, no cursing, no drinking. You men spent three months burning our brand into the hides of those cattle. A T that rests on top of an L. The Texas Lady. She’s traveling with us because she’s financing this venture. She’s your boss as much as I am. Her voice carries as much authority as mine. Display any disrespect toward her, and you’ll find yourself on a long walk back home with no coins jingling in your pockets. If youhave any problems with my expectations, don’t bother to mount up.”
    Silence grew thick until Harry swung up onto his saddle. Magpie quickly followed his example, then Dan Lincoln. One by one, the men mounted their horses.
    Kit gave a brusque nod. “Gentlemen, let’s take these cattle to market.”
    He started to guide his horse away. Reaching out, Jessye grabbed his arm. He glanced back at her.
    She swallowed, her mouth dry, her heart pounding. “Thank you for that.”
    “Don’t thank me. They were Harry’s words.”
     
    Jessye walked through the camp, her muscles protesting. The first day of their journey had begun before dawn, and they’d continued moving until dusk. The cattle were settling down for the night, several riders circling the herd to calm them.
    She smelled the aroma of baked beans and fresh coffee. Her stomach rumbled, but she wanted to remove some of the dust before she ate. Kit was talking with the young wrangler he’d put in charge of the remuda. She had to give Kit credit. He left no details to chance.
    Slim walked away as Jessye approached. Kit smiled. “Rough day?”
    “You’d think after all these months I’d be used to it.”
    “We