Ambush Before Sunrise: Bonus Story (Cardwell Ranch Book12; Montana Legacy

as they look,” she said defensively.
“Didn’t say a word.”
“You didn’t have to.” She leaned on the counter. “Can you rustle up something for them to eat?”
He nodded and began digging in the refrigerator. He came out with a chunk of roast beef. She watched him slice it and said, “They’re young, I’ll admit.”
“Unless my eyes are going, that one looked distinctly female.”
She sighed. “I like her.”
Max laughed, shaking his head. “Bet she reminds you of yourself.”
“Is that so bad?” He said nothing, letting that be his answer. “You hear anything about Royce Richards and Cash Andrews?” she asked, changing the subject. “They used to work for Huck Chambers.”
He looked up from the beef he was slicing. “If you have any misgivings, send them on down the road.”
“I can’t. I have to take a chance with them. I need the help and at least they’re older and probably more experienced.” She looked toward the window and wondered what her father would have done. In the twilight, the pine trees were etched black against the graying sky. Beyond that, the dark outline of the mountains beckoned.
She told herself that she had to follow her instincts. First, she would get the herd up to the high country to graze for the summer. It would buy her time. Then she would decide what to do. She couldn’t think about the future right now.
But of course that was all that was on her mind. “Once this cattle drive is over...” She didn’t finish because she didn’t know what she would do. Just the thought of ever leaving this ranch brought her to tears.
“I’ll run sandwiches over to the bunkhouse,” Max said. “You should get some sleep. You worry too much. You have five wranglers. With a little luck—”
“My luck’s been running pretty thin lately.” If the wranglers had heard what was going on at her ranch, they wouldn’t have wanted anything to do with the Flying J Bar MC and she’d really be out of luck.
“I have a feeling your luck is about to change for the better,” Max said as he picked up the plate of sandwiches and started for the door. “You’re due. You want one of these sandwiches? I don’t remember you eating much for dinner earlier.”
She shook her head. “I’m not hungry, but thanks. Max,” she called, stopping him at the door. “You didn’t have anything to do with those three showing up from Cardwell Ranch, right? You didn’t call Dana Savage, did you?”
He didn’t turn as he said, “Go behind your back? I know better than to do something like that. I’m no fool.” With that he left.
Jinx sighed, still suspicious. Her mother had been friends with Dana and it would be just like Max to try to help any way he could. She let it go, telling herself not to look a gift horse in the mouth. She had five wranglers, and tomorrow they would head up into the high country. Maybe Max was right and her luck was changing.
Still, she stood for a long time in the kitchen, remembering how things had been when both of her parents were alive. This house had been filled with laughter. But it had been a long time ago, she thought as she heard Max leave the bunkhouse and head out to his cabin. Her father’s recent illness and death had left a pall over the ranch even before she’d finally had it with T.D.
You need a change. Don’t stay here and try to run this ranch by yourself. I don’t want that for you. Her father’s words still haunted her. Did he really think it would be that easy just to sell this place, something he and his father had built with their blood, sweat and tears?
She shook her head and was about to head up to bed when she heard the roar of a vehicle engine. Through the kitchen window, she spotted headlights headed her way—and coming fast. “T.D.” She said his name like a curse.

Chapter Two
After they took care of their horses, Angus could tell that something was bothering his cousin and wasn’t surprised when Ella pulled the two of them aside.
“Maybe we should have told her the truth about why we’re here,” she said, keeping her voice down. The other two wranglers were still inside the bunkhouse.
“I thought the plan wasn’t to say anything unless she didn’t hire us,” Brick reminded her. “She hired us, so what’s the problem?”
“It doesn’t feel right keeping the truth from her,” Ella said more to Angus than Brick. She knew how Brick felt. He’d found them a job up by the Canadian border where one of his old girlfriends lived on the ranch. The last thing he’d wanted to do was come to Wyoming instead. Especially knowing the circumstances.
“We don’t want to stomp on the woman’s pride,” Angus said. He knew firsthand where that could get a person. “Jinx needs three good wranglers and that’s what we’re doing here. Once it’s done you can go anywhere you want to go.”
Brick sighed as they reached their pickup and unloaded their gear before continuing on to the bunkhouse. Angus found himself looking out into the growing darkness. He’d felt it the moment they’d driven into the ranch yard. He wondered if the others had, as well, but wasn’t about to ask. Trouble had a feel to it that hung in the air. An anticipation. A dread. A sense of growing danger. It was thick as the scent of pines on this ranch.
He understood why his brother hadn’t wanted to come—and not just because of that cowgirl up by the Canadian border. “Don’t see any reason to buy trouble,” Brick had argued. “I know this woman’s mother was a good friend of our mother’s, but Wyoming?” Brick had never seen any reason to leave Montana. Angus felt much the same way.
But Jinx McCallahan was in trouble and their mother had asked them to help her—but to keep in mind that she was a strong, independent