The gaze he bent upon Bo somehow pleased Helen.

The last year or two, since Bo had grown prettier all the time, she had been a magnet for admiring glances.

This one of the cowboy's inspired respect and liking, as well as amusement.

It certainly was not lost upon Bo.
"My uncle once said in a letter that he never had enough men to run his ranch," replied Helen, smiling.
"Shore I'll go.

I reckon I'd jest naturally drift that way--now." He seemed so laconic, so easy, so nice, that he could not have been taken seriously, yet Helen's quick perceptions registered a daring, a something that was both sudden and inevitable in him.