CHAPTER ONE

DAYDREAMING

MONDAY

It had only been three hours, and already Eugene was done with this job. He wasn't accustomed to sitting a horse for long hours, but making a fuss wasn't an option. He sighed. He'd waited a long time to go on a roundup or cattle drive—not that he actually wanted to do either. But until he did, he'd never get real respect from his older brothers. Since he'd still been away at college when the spring roundup finished, he'd missed that. But he got home just in time for this drive. So, here he sat, on a horse, following a bunch of cattle through dry, dusty paths.

Fortunately, this was an unusually short drive. For the first time ever, Nick wanted to use the railroad to transfer the livestock. The Stockton spur didn't accept livestock, so they had to drive the cattle to Sacramento. Nick estimated five days but said to allow for six or even seven if they ran into bad weather or other problems.

He tightened his kerchief so it better covered his nose and mouth and squinted to keep the dust out of his eyes. Yes, he was riding drag, behind the herd, eating all the dust six thousand hoofs could create. He could've been in Ohio with sweet Sally Jane instead. His stomach tightened at the mere thought of her. Golden brown hair, sparkling blue eyes, curls galore. And, oh, her kiss. He closed his eyes, his body reacting to the memory.

"Gene!"

Eugene opened his eyes.

"Eugene!" Nick bellowed, galloping towards him and pointing to a steer breaking away from the herd.

Gene went after the stray, and Nick was right beside him.

"Boy, you need to keep your eyes open. You're here to work, not look at scenery."

Gene's cheeks burned. Instead of respect, he just got scolded like a child. He positioned around the stray to cut it back into the herd. He glanced up, hoping Nick saw how quickly he did the job and would give him a wave of thanks or a smile or—or anything.

But, no, Nick was already galloping away, heading to another trouble spot.

Eugene sighed. How would he ever prove his mettle to his brothers? To them, he was still that little kid. But he'd be twenty soon. No longer a teenager, and certainly no longer a child. It didn't help that he'd never grown as tall as his brothers, but he tried his best to be as tough as his brothers—although lifting books didn't quite build the same muscle.

He smiled as he remembered the bar fight he'd gotten into a few weeks ago. Damn, his rancher brothers would've been proud of him. He threw more punches than he took. Jarrod had been in San Francisco and came to bail him out. He'd been kind about it—too kind. He told Eugene not to worry, he'd keep that little indiscretion between the two of them. And, while Gene didn't want his mother to hear about it, he surely would've liked word to get to his cowboy brothers. Unfortunately, his bruises had all healed before he'd returned to Stockton, and it seemed rather lame to casually bring up the fact that he'd gotten into a brawl. Although he could imagine Nick grabbing his shoulders and saying, "Way to go, boy! You do got some Barkley in you!" and Heath giving him that crooked grin and pouring him a drink.

"Eugene!" Nick was charging towards him again.

He looked around, but it took a minute before he realized a steer had separated from the herd and had gotten behind him. He went after it and hurried it back to the others.

But Nick didn't leave this time. He pulled up close to Gene. "I ain't got time to do your job, boy! You need to get your head outta the clouds and pay attention."

A sick feeling bubbled up in Eugene's gut.

"I got fifteen hundred animals and twenty-two men to keep track of, and I can't be running back here to wake you up."

Gene nodded. "Sorry."

"You're gonna be sorry if it happens again. Cause if it does, you and me are gonna have a little discussion about it."

Gene's face burned. "It won't happen again."

"Better not." Nick scratched his chin. "Look, you might want to put more distance between yourself and the herd. That'll give you more time to see what's unfolding and give you more time to react to it." And Nick was off again.

Eugene glanced over at the left drag. He was the same distance from the herd as Gene was. Why did Nick think backing up would help?

Gene released his breath. Dammit, anyway! He hadn't grown up like Nick and Jarrod had. Father took them out on roundups and drives with him even when they were young. He taught them how to do all the jobs on the ranch. Then, when Gene was ten and old enough to go on his first roundup, his father had been killed. Nick had been too busy taking care of the ranch to teach Eugene anything. It had actually been Jarrod who taught him how to cut with a horse and how to rope and how to do other things. Not that Gene really minded. He'd rather stay inside and read or write than mess with smelly critters out in the burning sun. And then he'd been accepted into college at fifteen and rarely was around to work on the ranch.

Pay attention, he reminded himself and forced his eyes to scan the herd. And, sure enough, another one was sneaking away. He went after it and was just cutting it back into the herd when he saw Nick watching him. At least he got caught doing something right this time.

But, no, there was no wave of thanks or thumbs up. Nothing. He hadn't done anything spectacular. Just his job.

Finally, they got the herd into a valley where they could be watched. Lunch time! Eugene was ravenous.

Heath rode to him. "Nick said he wanted you and Perez guarding the flock while the men eat."

Eugene stared at him. He just wanted out of this saddle for a while—and he was damn hungry.

Sometimes he thought Heath could read his mind. "I'll tell you what," Heath said. "I'll guard. You go get something to eat first."

"Thanks." Eugene hurried to the chuckwagon and grabbed a plate and a cup of coffee. He found a spot to sit that wasn't on a horse. He stretched his legs. He'd no sooner taken a few bites than Nick dropped next to him.

"Why ain't you guardin' the herd?"

"Heath said he would."

Nick nodded. "Then you hurry up and eat and go relieve him."

Eugene glared at Nick. "Why are you being such an ass?"

Nick glanced around to see if any of the men had heard. They hadn't. "You say that to me in front of the men, and I'll hafta knock you down." Nick didn't sound angry—he almost sounded apologetic. He leaned closer to Gene. "Look, I can't treat you any different than any other man."

"You haven't been riding anyone else's ass all day."

"That's because they're doin' their jobs. If they were out there daydreamin' like you, I'd be treatin' them the same way—and probably worse. I wouldn't've given anyone else a third chance."

Eugene scowled.

"Look, Gene, you gotta understand that we're doing something important here and everyone involved has to pull their own weight. You're not along with us for a fun ride through the country. You're here to do a job, and you must do that job. Got it?"

Gene sighed. "Yeah."

"Now, go relieve Heath so he can get somethin' to eat."

"Yes, sir," Gene said with a bit of sarcasm.

Nick raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

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Heath grabbed a plate before Cookie closed up. Only burnt beans and stale bread were left, but Heath didn't complain.

Nick walked up to him. "We need to get these animals moving again. We got a good ways to get before the day ends."

Heath nodded. "I know. We've made good time so far." He took a bite and looked at his brother. "I'm moving Eugene to right flank and Arnold to point. I'll take right-drag."

Nick stepped back and eyed Heath. Then he rubbed his chin. "You know, I was thinking I was in charge of this operation."

Heath smiled. "You are, dear brother, you are." He slapped Nick on the shoulder. "And I'm glad you see things my way. I'll let Eugene and Arnold know."

Nick shrugged. "That frees me up to do something other than babysit Eugene. But don't you spoil that kid too much."

"Oh, I won't. I'll keep him on task."

"Tell him that if he messes up again, he'll be pulling guard duty all night."

Heath turned and took his plate and mug to the chuckwagon, went to the remuda, and picked up a fresh horse. He wasn't planning on babying Eugene, but he did plan to keep an eye on the kid.

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Finally. They arrived at the Higgins Ranch to stay for the night. Joe Higgins allowed the Barkleys to use a large, fenced holding pen for their cattle. Of course, the Barkleys would return the favor when the Higgins' drove through or near their property. Gene hoped it wouldn't take long to get the cattle moved in and they could get off the blasted horses for a while. He didn't think he could possibly stay in the saddle for one more second. His sitting place was past being sore—it downright hurt. His inner thighs were raw. His leg muscles were quivering from constantly guiding the horse while keeping his hands free. And his back needed stretched.

Nick, who'd been at the front helping the point men turn the cattle into the holding pen, now rode towards Gene. "Doing okay?" he asked.

Gene nodded.

Nick grinned. "Saddle sore, huh?"

"A little bit."

"We made good time and the weather's good, so we'll have a relaxing evening. Me and Heath will have to stay out until we get everything squared away, but you can go on over to the grounds just north of the cattle where we'll be making camp. The remuda and the chuckwagon is already there. Just put your horse in the remuda and someone will take care of it, and pick up our bedrolls. Pick out a good place to camp—near the creek and near the campfire. We'll come join you when we get done."

"Okay. Thanks." Eugene couldn't get there fast enough. He had set up their sleeping area, helped the men gather firewood, and eaten before Nick and Heath finally got arrived. They were both grinning and chatting with the men on they slowly walked towards Eugene. As tired as he was, Eugene didn't want to sit. So, he stood and stretched and waited for his brothers to make their way to him. While his brothers often camped out, Eugene hadn't been much a part of that. Before Heath arrived, Nick was so busy he didn't have time to take a few days off to relax. By the time Heath arrived, Gene was at Stanford.

At least the drovers were friendly and treated him like he knew what he was doing. Some of them had gathered around the campfire and were playing cards. Perez played a harmonica, and a ranch hand he didn't know was telling one tall tale after another. Eugene leaned against a tree and enjoyed the camaraderie.

"Having fun?" Heath asked quietly.

"How come you're standing there?" Nick asked and then laughed.

"Sat enough for one day," Gene answered, which made both Heath and Nick laugh harder.

"Did you eat?" Nick asked.

"Yes."

"Make sure you get a good meal tonight. The Higgins roasted a pig for us—but we won't be eatin' that good every night. Enjoy it while you can." Nick saw someone approaching on horseback. "There comes Joe now. I need to thank him for his hospitality." He waved at the giant of a man.

Joe paused. "Just checkin' to make sure everything's okay for you."

Nick grabbed his hand and shook it. "Great, Joe," he said. "We couldn't ask for better."

"Good. Good. Send someone to the house if you need anything."

"Thanks. As soon as you have your dates set, make sure to let me know so we can return the favor."

"I will, Nick." He tipped his hat at Gene and Heath, then turned to go.

"Aren't you gonna eat with us?" Nick asked.

"Already ate with the wife and kinder." He went back the way he came.

Nick and Heath flopped down in front of a tree. Nick looked at Eugene. "I know you're busy holdin' up that tree, but why don't you go get me and Heath a plate?"

"Sure." Eugene started to go, but Nick started laughing uproariously again.

Gene turned. "What's so funny?"

"You're walkin' like you've been sittin' a horse all day."

Gene scowled at Nick. "Go get your own food."

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