One Summer At The Ranch: The Wyoming Cowboy / A Family for the Rugged Rancher / The Man Who Had Everything

Johnny pressed a big kiss right on her mouth. That told her everything she needed to know before he scrambled out of her bed to the bathroom. When he was out of earshot, she called the front desk and was quickly put through to Carson.

“Good morning, Tracy.” His voice sounded an octave lower, sending vibrations through her. Maybe it was due to his coughing, or maybe he sounded like that when he first awakened. “What’s the verdict for today?”

She smiled. “Surely you don’t need to ask.”

“Well that answer suits me just fine, since there’s nothing I’d rather do than be on the back of a horse. I’ll tell Buck to go on without you. After you’ve eaten breakfast, I’ll come by the cabin. You’ll need saddlebags to pack your things to stay overnight and go swimming.”

“Swimming?”

“Yes. We’ll be camping next to a small lake on the property. If Johnny has a camera, tell him to bring it. He’ll have a field day taking pictures of the wildlife I was talking to you about.”

An unbidden thrill of excitement ran through her. “We’ll hurry.”

* * *

FORTY-FIVE MINUTES later Carson swung by the cabin in the Jeep, having sent some of the hands to the lake to make preparations for everyone. Johnny was outside shooting off caps.

“Carson!” Like a heat-seeking missile, Tracy’s boy came running in his cowboy hat. “Mom said we’re going on a campout!” He clasped him around the waist, hugging him with such surprising strength, his hat fell off. Johnny had never been this demonstrative before.

Without hesitation, Carson hugged him back. “We sure are, partner,” he answered in an unsteady voice, loving the feel of those young arms clinging to him. Nothing had ever felt so good.

As he started coughing, he looked up and saw Tracy on the porch step, but was unable to read her expression. She’d told him Johnny was protective of her. Without saying more than that, Carson got the point. Her son had a tendency to guard her.

But she couldn’t have missed witnessing his exuberance with Carson just now. It had probably shocked her as much as it had him. Needing to return the situation to normal as fast as possible, he reached in the back of the Jeep and handed Johnny some gear.

“These saddlebags are for your stuff. The bigger one is for your mom. Will you take them into the cabin so she can pack what you need?”

“Sure.”

“Remember to bring a jacket.”

He flashed him a huge smile. “I will. I’ll be right back.”

Carson kept his distance and lounged against the side of the Jeep to wait. Pretty soon they came out. Johnny carried both bags and handed them to Carson to put in the back. It warmed his heart to see the boy was a quick learner.

“Can I ride in front, Mom?”

“If it’s all right with Carson.”

“Anything goes around here. Come on.” He opened both passenger doors for them, avoiding eye contact with her. So much for the talk they’d had last night. Considering he was more aware of her than ever, it had accomplished absolutely nothing. “We’ll drive to the barn and mount up.”

“How come Rachel and Sam didn’t come to breakfast?”

In the rearview mirror he noticed a pair of hazel eyes fastened on him.

“They ate early and went on an activity with Buck. He’ll bring them to the camp later, but they won’t be riding up with us.”

“Hooray!”

“Johnny—” his mother scolded. “That wasn’t nice to say.”

“I’m sorry, but their ponies always come right up to mine.”

Carson glanced at him in surprise. “So you noticed.” He had natural horse sense. Everything the boy said and did pleased him.

“Yeah. They get in the way.”

“I know what you mean. When it happens again, I’ll teach you a simple trick so they’ll leave Goldie alone.”

“Thanks! How come they do that?”

“Have you ever heard of the three blind mice who hung around together?”

Johnny giggled. “Yes.”

“That’s what the ponies do, because they’re friends. When you’re on Goldie, you have to show them who’s the boss.”

“But how?”

“Have you ever heard the expression giddyup?”

“Yup.”

“Well, you’re going to practice saying that to Goldie today. And when you say it, you’re going to nudge her sides with your heels. That’ll make her go faster. Pretty soon she’ll start to go faster every time you say the word and you won’t need to use your heels. When she understands, then you wait until you’re riding with the other kids. If their ponies start to crowd in on you, just call out ‘giddyup’ and see what happens.”

“But what if that makes the other ponies go faster, too?”

Carson threw his head back and laughed, producing another cough. When it subsided, he could still hear Tracy’s laughter. “That’s a very astute question, partner. In all probability it will, so you’ll have to ride even harder and make a lot of noise. But you’ll also need to be prepared to pull on the reins so you don’t lose control.”

“That’s going to be fun!”

Johnny bounced up and down on the seat all the way to the barn where their horses and pony were saddled. Carson parked the Jeep outside before grabbing the bags, including his own. He fastened a set behind each saddle while Bert helped Tracy and Johnny to mount.

Bert waved them off. “Have a good ride!”

“Thanks. We will!” Johnny called back. “See ya tomorrow, Bert.”

“Okay, young fella.”

Add another fan to Johnny Baretta’s list. To charm old Bert wasn’t an easy feat. So far the waitresses and desk staff, not to mention Carson’s buddies, found him delightful.

Carson hadn’t personally known Anthony Baretta, but he had a reputation in their division for being well liked and easy to get along with. Like father, like son.

Carson led them along a track through the sage in a northeastly direction. Johnny followed, and Tracy brought up the rear. When they’d been going for a while, he fell back alongside Johnny and told him to start working on Goldie.

The first few times the boy said giddyup, he didn’t use his heels fast enough and nothing happened. Johnny’s frustration started to build.

“You have to be patient and listen to Carson, honey.”