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Gripping the flashlight, she opened the door and stepped out into the s of her jeans as she headed for a nearby cluh the rainy darkness, but Rose’s innate sense of modesty would not allow her to squat in the open

She had her jeans down and was nearly finished when the underbrush began to sway and crackle Rose froze in terror as a huge shape loo its massive head

Rose sed a screa backward as the startled cow shied, wheeled, and trotted off in the opposite direction Shaking, Rose picked up the flashlight she’d dropped, pulled up her jeans, and raced back to the cahter She’d been so scared—of a silly cow If she was going to live out here, she would have to get used to such things But she was going to need a good, stout fence to keep her planned garden safe

Leaning out of the door, she brushed her teeth, then locked herself in, undressed, and cli, but it had ended fine, she told herself And tomorroould be better

Lulled by the light patter of rain, she pulled the quilt around her and began to drift As she sank into sleep, the last iray eyes

At dawn, Tanner returned to the Prescott bunkhouse, cleaned up, and drove the back road to the Rimrock With luck, he would find Bull Tyler at breakfast or chores and willing to talk He had never met Bull, but he wanted to He was curious about the hness and near-ruthless determination

At least Rose hadn’t spoken too badly of hih of her to return the title to her land Tanner only hoped he could convince Bull how much she still needed his help

The

Rimrock was smaller and less impressive than the Prescott spread But the heart of the ranch had a clean, efficient look about it, the outbuildings solid and in good repair, the raned to blend with the sweeping landscape To the west, the towering escarpainst the sky It was the kind of place a ht, a place that reflected its formidable owner

As he pulled up to the house, two men canized fro before, when the man came to the camper to call on Rose He could only be Jasper Platt, the Ritime foreman The other ray and a challenging gaze, would be Bull Tyler

They watched Tanner’s every move as he climbed out of the truck and approached the porch steps Tanner had left his pistol in the truck—a wise decision, he decided When facing this pair, any suggestion of a threat would be a bad idea

“Goodfor an invitation to join the you can spare me a few minutes My name is—”

“I knoho you are” Bull’s voice and manner matched his nickna undercover on the Prescott ranch And I’ that the two of us won’t need an introduction, either So suppose you co cattle for real this time, I’m all ears”

“Evidently, he is losing cattle, and I’d appreciate your passing on anything you see or hear” Tanner mounted the steps to the porch “But that’s not why I’ve co I need to talk with you about Rose”

“Is she all right?” Jasper Platt’s voice was sharp with concern