Page 16 of Dairy and Deadly

“We?” She met his gaze, wondering if she’d be expected to do any range riding. She’d taken horseback riding lessons as a kid, but it had been years since the last time she’d been in a saddle.

“Me, Hawk Chesney, and Tucker Pratt,” he supplied. “Sometimes Johnny rides with us.”

As if on cue, two more cowboys strode into the barn.

“Well, what do you know?” Clint straightened, grinning. “I was just telling our newest farm hand about y’all. Nothing good, of course.”

One of the cowboys leaped over the railing on the opposite side of the barn without responding. He was a Native American with a mane of blue-black hair that swung around his shoulders. He gave Ashley a two-fingered salute and got right to work unhitching the cows from the milking machines.

“That’s Hawk.” Clint pointed him out. “He doesn’t talk much, but he puts in some long hours here. Mostly evenings and weekends.”

At her questioning look, he added, “Like Johnny, his day job is at Lonestar Security.”

Interesting.“A bit of a workaholic, huh?”

“Yep.” He gave her a thumbs up. “Hawk’s a bodyguard, though, not a detective like Johnny.”

“That’s not the only other job he works.” The third cowboy jogged their way. His Stetson was pulled low over his eyes, hiding his expression. “Hawk also pulls security sometimes for the chief at the rez next door.” He jammed a thumb toward the south side of town.

Three jobs?Byrez,Ashley assumed he was referring to the Comanche reservation that butted up to Heart Lake.

“I’m Tucker Pratt, by the way.” As the cowboy shook her hand, she caught a glimpse of piercing blue eyes that raked her curiously.

“Nice to meet you.” She studied him back.

He tipped the brim of his Stetson at her and went to work unhooking the cows from the milking machines.

Clint helped out, leaving Ashley alone with Can Opener.

She gently removed his paws from her shoulders to follow after the men. “Pretend like I’ve never seen a milking machine before and talk me through what you’re doing,” she pleaded.

So they did. They took it a step further and allowed her to do some hands-on work, hovering nearby and talking her through the steps.

“Nice job!” Tucker reached over to clap her on the shoulder like she was one of the guys.

The streak of ensuing pain stole her breath. She felt her face go white and nearly had to take a knee.

“Whoa!” Clint hurried to stand in front of her and peer anxiously into her face.

She was too busy seeing stars to make out more than his worried expression as he explained, “That’s her bad shoulder.”

The rest of his face slowly came back into focus.

Tucker looked contrite. “I’m really sorry.”

“It’s okay.” She spoke through numb lips. “You didn’t know.” It was taking longer to heal than it should have, which was starting to worry her. Maybe she shouldn’t have been so hasty about canceling her last checkup at the doctor’s office.

“I’m truly sorry,” he repeated. “What happened?”

“Took a bullet.” Though she didn’t mind him knowing, it wasn’t something she wanted to dwell on. “I’m on the mend,” she added quickly.

Before he could respond, a male voice boomed across the barn, “I’ll take it from here.”

Johnny had returned. Something warm and wonderful zinged through Ashley as she noted that Caro was no longer with him.

“I see y’all have met.” He strode their way.

“Yep. We’ve been showing her the ropes.” Tucker went back to work unhooking cows from the milking machines.

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