They were up by dawn and after a quick breakfast, headed out to the corrals to be some of the first to look over the sale horses.
"Those Arabians sure got spirit," Nick said admiringly, watching the horses prance around the corral.
"They are lookers," Belle agreed, "but I'm not sure they're the right temperament for working with cattle. Look how they shy at every bit that blows their way. If it were my choice, I'd go for those Morgans we saw first."
Nick stroked his chin thoughtfully. "They are pretty solid," he admitted, "but don't you think they're a mite small?"
Belle shrugged. "Breed them to some of those big boys we've already got on the ranch," she suggested. "Then you should get size and strength." She laughed as one of the Arabians kicked up its heels and bucked across the enclosure. "Though I have to admit, it'd be a lot of fun to teach one of those beauties."
Nick turned to Jake, who was listening avidly. "What do you think, Jake?"
Jake gave a start of surprise that the boss was asking his opinion. "Makes a lot of sense, what you both say," he ventured. "I really liked those bay Morgans myself."
Nick clapped Jake on the back, causing him to smile.
"How about we go grab some more coffee before the bidding starts?" Nick asked. "Maybe catch some talk, see what kind of competition we're up against."
At the café, Jake was spotted by an old acquaintance of his father's and excused himself, leaving Nick and Belle alone with their coffee. There was a slightly uncomfortable silence before Nick spoke up.
"Think I owe you an apology, Belle," Nick said gruffly. "I didn't really want you along on this trip, thought you'd just be in the way." He stared at his hands. "But Heath and Duke were right, you really do know your stuff and, well, I'm sorry if I've been a little hard on you."
Belle smiled as she regarded her coffee cup. She was sure Nick Barkley apologizing was a rare occurrence. "No matter, Nick, I've come to expect it. Being a woman in this line of work, it can be a real challenge to prove yourself." She met Nick's hazel eyes with her own green ones. "I think I'm pretty lucky, finding a place like yours."
"Well, we do pride ourselves on giving any man who comes through a fair shake. Or woman," he added with a grin. "Never thought I'd have to add that, though."
They sipped some more of their coffee before Nick had to ask, "What are you doing in this line of work, anyway?" Belle raised an eyebrow. "Don't really mean to pry, just…curious."
Belle shook her head. "You and everyone else, but there's not much to tell. My daddy really wanted a boy, but he and Mama only had me. He never knew what to do with a girl, especially after Mama died, so I guess he figured I'd just have to do." She smiled as she remembered her father calling her his 'right-hand man'. When most girls were getting hair ribbons and satin dresses for their birthdays, Belle received roping gloves and spurs. "Taught me to rope, ride, hunt, fish, everything he would've done with a son. I don't really know anything else."
"I'd think you'd still be working with your daddy," Nick ventured.
Belle sighed. "He died about two years ago after losing the farm to gambling debts. Needed to eat, so here I am." She saw the expression on the dark rancher's face. "Don't feel sorry for me, Nick," she warned. "Just let me do my job."
"All right, then." Nick stood up. "We've got some horses to buy."
After some spirited bidding, Nick managed to get the matched bays Jake had admired, plus two other Morgan mares. Remembering Belle's statement about how it might be fun to work with the Arabians, he gave in to his admiration of the beasts and bid and won two of them, one grey and one black.
"What do you say we hit the trail today?" Nick asked after he collected the bills of sale. "If we get moving, we could probably put in at least ten miles before dark."
Belle agreed. "I've got no reason to stay. Jake?"
The young cowboy just shrugged and grinned. "We'll even make it home in time to ask someone to the dance Saturday night," referring to the barbeque the Barkleys were having that weekend.
Nick laughed and slapped him on the back. "Not that any girl'll want the likes of you tromping all over her feet," he joked, then handed Jake some cash. "Go grab our gear from the hotel and settle up the bill. Belle and me'll get the horses all ready to go."
.
.
Due to their skittish nature, Belle made sure the Arabians were tied to a solid tree when they made camp that night, rather than to the picket rope like the others.
"That should hold you," she told the black, giving the mare a pat on the high arched neck. She made sure they had room to browse then made her way back to the campfire where Jake was frying up some beans and bacon. Nick had his back to a tree, long legs stretched out in front of him and Belle almost tripped in the dim glow of the fire. She glowered at Nick, and when he just laughed, she thrust the coffee pot into his hands.
"Make yourself useful and go get some water," she told him.
Nick rose to his feet. "Yes, ma'am," he said with a smile, tipping his hat in her direction. Belle watched him leave, reflecting on how easy their relationship had become in the past few days. She'd originally thought Heath and Duke were both crazy, suggesting she accompany Nick on this trip, but was now glad they did. If anyone asked now, she wouldn't hesitate to call Nick Barkley a friend. And if circumstances were different, if she didn't work for him…well, if she didn't work for him, they likely would never have met so any other thoughts would just have to remain that way.
Nick soon returned with the water, dinner was eaten and the dishes cleaned. Nick made one more check on the horses, then they all bedded down for the night.
A high-pitched whinny rent the air, starting Nick into instant wakefulness. Grabbing his gun, he noticed Belle and Jake were also up and armed, trying to see beyond the dying embers of the fire. He heard a muttered oath come from the darkness.
"Someone's after the horses," Nick said quietly. "Belle, you go left, Jake, you go right. I've got the middle." They sprang from their bedrolls, Jake finding cover behind a tree, Nick and Belle behind some of the large rocks strewn about the campsite as shots rang out in their direction.
"Hold it right there!" Nick called out. His shout was answered by more shots from the darkness. Taking aim, he fired at the muzzle flashes, all he could see.
"Grab them horses!" came a yell from the direction of the gunfire. Nick heard the stampede of hoofbeats echo into the distance as the gunfire ceased.
"Jake? Belle? You all right?"
Belle limped out from behind her rock, arm wrapped tightly around her side. "Don't think it's too bad," she offered. "Jake? How about you?"
There was a loud groan from the tree Jake had dove behind. Nick strode over and knelt down. The bullet had just grazed Jake's temple and blood was dripping into his unfocused eyes.
"Belle, I've got a roll of bandage in my saddlebags." Nick helped the young man to a sitting position as Belle returned and handed him the bandage. It didn't take long to stop the bleeding and Nick tied the strip of cloth tightly around Jake's head. He then guided the still dazed Jake to his bedroll. "You lie down and get some rest," Nick advised.
Jake nodded slightly and closed his eyes.
Nick rubbed a hand across his face and sighed, looking over at Belle. It was then he noticed the crimson stain seeping through Belle's shirt.
"Dang it Belle, why didn't you say you've been hit, too? Sit down and let me have a look." Nick took her arm and propelled her closer to the fire.
"We had to take care of Jake first," she reminded him.
"Take off your shirt and we'll see how bad it is." Belle threw him an annoyed glance, and Nick coughed to hide his mortification as he suddenly realized what he'd just asked. "Or maybe you should take care of it yourself," he amended quickly. "I'll go check on the horses."
Nick walked to where they had tethered the animals. Fine time to be comfortable with Belle being a ranch hand and start treating her like one. Nick felt like a prize idiot and hoped Belle wouldn't take his comment about taking off her shirt in the wrong way.
It took a minute for him to realize something wasn't right and he swore loudly. Nick stomped back to the campfire. "They got the Arabians," he growled. "Ain't that just peachy?" He swore again, then looked at Belle. "Sorry," he apologized, for his language and his earlier assumption.
"No need." Belle paused for a moment. "Uh, Nick, I think I do need your help." She was trying to use one hand to wrap the bandage while the other kept pressure the wound and she grimaced in pain.
"Let me." Nick took the bandage out of Belle's hand. She carefully held her shirt out of the way, revealing a several-inch-long gash across her ribs. Belle put pressure on the wound, while Nick tried to keep his mind and eyes on the task in front of him, not on what else he was trying not to see. As he gently bandaged Belle's ribs, Nick fought down his growing desire for the woman in front of him, fueled by the undeniable attraction he'd discovered for her and the heat of the moment.
"Looks like you'll need some stitches," he said, trying to keep his mind on the matter at hand. "We'll find a doc as soon as we get to a town. You'd best get some rest." Belle nodded as she crawled into her bedroll, watching as Nick restoked the fire.
Belle had a difficult time falling asleep. It was hard to get comfortable with the pain in her side and she kept remembering the warm feeling Nick's hands evoked when he helped bind her wound. She could tell by the look on his face that he hadn't meant his request she take off her shirt in any sort of indecent way and it made her feel good Nick was finally accepting her as 'one of the men'. But Belle wasn't sure if she wanted him to think of her as one of the men. She couldn't stop herself from imagining those hands stroking her back, holding her close…
Belle shook her head. This was not the time and not the place, and besides, he was her boss and that was that. But it was hard to get the image and the feelings out of her mind.