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d them?” Annie asked.
“We use a special mixture of corn and other grains that Chad came up with,” Dallas said. “He just mixed up a new batch a few days ago.”
“Yep, I sure did,” Chad said.
“Is it possible that someone could have poisoned the grain?” Annie asked.
“No,” Dallas said. “Absolutely not. All my men have been with me for years.”
“Hmm.” Annie looked around at the dying animals. “When were they last fed the grain?”
“This morning.”
“What time this morning?”
“I don’t know. We don’t keep to an exact schedule.”
“A steer can die within minutes if he eats a lethal dose,” Annie said. “It’s taking these guys longer, if the grain is the culprit.”
“Can you treat the ones that haven’t died?”
“I’m afraid it’s too late for some of them. The ones that are staggering along, though, we can drench in sodium thiosulphate. They should recover. I have enough for about ten head in my bag. I’ll have to return to town for more, and I’ll order a huge supply first thing in the morning. You may need it if we can’t find the source of the cyanide.”
“You really think it’s the grain, Annie?” Dusty asked.
“Seems more likely than the grass, even considering the drought. I’ll take a sample with me and have it analyzed. In the meantime, Dallas, don’t feed them any more of the grain. Let them live on the grass for a few days. If more get sick, we’ll know it’s the grass and not the grain.”
She pulled some packages out of her bag and handed them to Chad. “Sixty grams of this in six hundred milliliters of water. Give it to any that are staggering and looking ill. Don’t bother with the ones who are already comatose. It’s too late.”
Annie pulled a syringe out of her bag and took a sample of the dead steer’s blood. She petted him gently on his bristly head. “I’m sure sorry, fella,” she said under her breath.
Dallas knelt down beside her.
“You love them all, don’t you?”
She nodded, unable to speak for a minute. She hated suffering, especially of innocents. To her, animals were as innocent as newborn babies.
“Animals can’t help themselves. I became a vet so I could help them. When I can’t…” She blinked back a few tears and took a deep breath. “Well, there’s no use crying over it, is there?” She stood up. “Get me a sample of the grain.”
Dallas nodded, reached toward her, and caressed her forearm with his thumb. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Annie brushed the dirt off her knees. “I wish I could have done more.”
“You did your best, which is better than any of us could have done.” Dallas rose and stood next to her. His fingers grazed hers, and a spark shot through her.
Damn chemistry.
“If you could get me the grain sample…”
“In a minute.” He took her hand. The ranch hands were still busy herding the cattle, and Dusty and Chad were dispensing the medication. “Thank you, Annie.”
“It’s my job, Dallas.” She tried to pull her hand out of his, but he held on tight and lowered his head.
“Don’t,” she said.
“Just one. Please.” He released her hand, cupped her face, and brushed his lips lightly over hers.
The sparks rippled across her skin, tightening her nipples and landing between her legs.
