“Yep. Instead of seeing dead steers, it’s time to see beef.” Judd started toward the next steer.

Beef? The cattle hadn’t nearly reached the weight and size he’d hoped for. But Judd was right. If they butchered them before the meat turned rancid, they could salvage this mess and sell off the beef. Their profit wouldn’t be hefty, but it would be something.

“Time to pick up your suspenders,” Judd said, “slap ’em over your shoulders, and get to work.”

Wyatt hopped down from his mount and retrieved the rope from his saddle, guessing that Judd planned on moving the steers closer together for the night so they’d have a better chance at keeping bloodthirsty wild animals away while they worked.

It would be a long, hard night ahead. And an even longer few days to come. But instead of calling it quits and moving on, maybe this time he’d learn to pick things up and fix them as best he could.

At some point, Judd returned to the homestead for more supplies, including lanterns. When he returned, Wyatt was surprised to see Greta with him. From where he knelt in a puddle of blood, he had half a mind to stand up and shout at her to go back to the cabin, that she shouldn’t be here.

At the sight of the dead cattle, she cupped a hand over her mouth, and he thought she’d be sick to her stomach. But then she straightened her shoulders and dismounted. She emptied the contents of her saddlebag, including knives, a sharpening stone, and bone saw. Once she’d stacked them, she approached, carrying a skinning knife.

“If you sever the head and feet and slit the breastbone,” she said, standing over him, “I’ll start skinning.”

He jabbed his blade farther toward the spinal cord, rocking it back and forth. “You shouldn’t be out here. Go back with Astrid.”

“Astrid’s just fine. She’s asleep.” She jutted her chin. “I’m staying and helping.”

“Judd and me, we can take care of things.”

“We’ll have a better chance at saving the meat if we work together.”

He’d already bled several of the steers, but he had a dozen left to go. Dusk had fallen, and though the moon above was full and bright, the lanterns Judd and Greta had brought along would be real helpful.

She would be real helpful too. After growing up on a farm, no doubt she had plenty of experience butchering pigs and chickens, maybe even a cow. Fact was, he couldn’t turn down her offer. At the same time, he didn’t want to subject her to the hours of bloody work ahead.

“Let me help you, Wyatt,” she said softly.

When he glanced up, her beautiful eyes were filled with compassion. Even though she had every right to be angry and hurt, she didn’t have a spiteful bone in her body.