He didn’t like this. At all.

The possibility dawned on him that maybe he was being set up for something. But what? Juan’s breathing grew more rapid and a chill raced up his spine.

He pocketed his phone, ran to his nightstand, and grabbed the only weapon he had: a four-inch folding knife. He shoved it in his front pants pocket.

A knock sounded on the front door, and a rough voice called, “Dr. Gutierrez, I’ve been sent to bring you to the airport.”

Chapter Eleven

A cool breeze blew in from the north, carrying the scent of freshly cut hay, as Frank O’Reilly scanned the field of cattle and nodded approvingly. “They sure seem to be taking to the alfalfa and getting some weight on them.”

Buck nodded. “Yes, sir. We should get a pretty decent price for them come next summer.”

Jasper barked. The dog was pacing back and forth, his eyes never leaving the herd.

“That’s right, boy,” Frank said, “that’s where those yummy scraps come from that we feed you.” He turned to Buck. “How’s the breeding herd doing? Did the inseminations take?”

The freckle-faced ranch hand launched a brown splash of tobacco-laden spit at a nearby rock. “We preg-checked everyone, and almost all of the cows took, same with the heifers. Want me to cull the ones that didn’t take?”

“Nah, let’s give them three tries, and if they’re not taking, then put them in with the beef stock.” Frank squinted at the far end of the pasture, where the cows were gathered against the fence. “Buck, your eyes are better than mine. Look down there. Is one of the posts leaning? Cows have been scratching themselves against the rails.” He pointed, and the pain in his shoulder flared.

Buck raised his hand over his brow to block out the sun. “Yeah, I see it. It’s practically knocked over.”

Frank snatched the two-way radio off of his belt and pushed the call button. “Boys, get over here to pasture four right away. We’ve got a fence that needs mending.”

“Yessir, Mr. O’Reilly. Hank, Johnny and me just about got one of the herds penned off at pasture two. We’ll be there in ten minutes.”

Frank wished he could take care of it himself—or even just take to a horse again. His knees were aching worse than ever. He looked at the end of the pasture once more and growled. “Damn it, some of the cows are taking off through a gap in the fence.”

Without hesitation, Jasper barked as if acknowledging Frank’s comment and took off running toward the broken fence.

“Shit, Mr. O’Reilly, that dog’s going to get himself a hoof in the head if he ain’t careful.” Grabbing the reins of his horse, Buck mounted and rode off after the runaway dog.