Free Noah by Kelli Ann Morgan Page A

again.
    How had the others missed it? Kate made a
mental note to have Dell swing back around and get it fixed before half the
east herd escaped onto the open range.
    She kept riding until she reached the corrals
near the stone well in the northeast corner of her land where the men were
supposed to be herding in and checking the health and well-being of the cattle
that had come down to the low country a few days ago looking for food. She was
pleased to see several more wind fences, a snow barrier, and a large slanted
shelter had been constructed.
    Bundles of hay had been strewn across the
ground and a good hundred head had already been driven into the corral, but the
men were nowhere to be seen. Either they were the fastest drovers she’d ever
known or these cows had been here at least overnight.
    Kate had been told of several sections of fence
that were in need of mending along the property. Maybe the small, mismatched
crew had already finished up here and moved along—though she doubted they’d
been here at all or they would have fixed the downed section of fence a ways
back. It was more likely they had started on the west side and were working
their way east. She tugged her reins lightly to the left and leaned forward, nudging
her mount toward the north side of the property.
    It wasn’t long before the sound of deep, male
voices could be heard in the distance. She was close. As she curved around the
little bend of the mountainside, the men came into view, but there were only
three of them—Noah, Levi, and Mr. Stiles. There was no sign of Dell or Mr.
Thomas.
    Kate kept her distance, not wanting them to
know she was there. A trail had been carved into the base of the mountain,
leading up to an overhead lookout, hidden by trees. From that position, she may
not be able to hear the conversation, but would be able to watch the men working
and get a better feel for those who’d come to White Willow for the chance to
own a part of it.
    Luckily, she made it to the lookout without too
much noise. She hadn’t anticipated that the trees would block most of her view.
The consequence for getting down from the horse would be that she wouldn’t be
able to get back up again, and without her walking stick, she’d either be stuck
up here all night or have to tell them that she’d been spying. She opted to
stay put and just make out what she could from behind the trees.

CHAPTER TEN

     
    “Careful of that fence there, Stiles, it may
get your suit dirty.” Noah drew several of the large planks from the back of
the wagon and carried them to the section of downed fence.
    The fancy businessman shot to a standing
position and brushed vigorously at his backside.
    “I don’t see why she doesn’t just hire more
ranch hands to do this kind of work.” Gregory Stiles removed his white boater
hat and wiped his forehead with the back of his wrist. “Once we’re married,
this type of labor will be a thing of the past. She’ll be able to take tea with
the other wives and…”
    Noah stopped listening to the droll ramblings
of the older man. It was obvious the Easterner was only there for a claim on White
Willow. Having a wife that looked like Kate, however, would make him the envy
of society.
    They had left Dell and Clifford with the other
wagon and supplies about a mile back to inspect the small group of Herefords
that had wandered down from the high country and congregated in a small, grassy
vale.
    “So, we’re leaving tomorrow,” Levi said
quietly, joining Noah with a bundle of nails.
    Noah held the plank firmly in place against the
top of the post still firmly planted in the ground and Levi drove three of the
metal stakes through the wood. They repeated the process for the bottom edge
and then Noah secured both sides with a string of wire, weaving them tightly
against each other.
    “Don’t remind me. If I have to listen to one
more story about how wonderful it is in the east without having someone to
commiserate with, I may have