How do I get a row count in an access database without creating a dataadapter first

Can I just access the database directly?

Code:
    Public m_cnADONetConnection As New OleDb.OleDbConnection
    Public m_daDataAdapter As New OleDb.OleDbDataAdapter
    Public m_cbCommandBuilder As OleDb.OleDbCommandBuilder
    Public m_dtTimeOff As New DataTable
    Public intLastTrans as Integer


        'This does work and gets my last transaction number
        m_cnADONetConnection.ConnectionString = _
            "Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=" & g_strDefaults(0) & "\" & g_strDefaults(1)

        m_cnADONetConnection.Open()

        m_cbCommandBuilder = New OleDb.OleDbCommandBuilder(m_daDataAdapter)

        m_daDataAdapter.Fill(m_dtTimeOff)
        intLastTrans = 0
        If m_dtTimeOff.Rows.Count > 0 Then intLastTrans = m_dtTimeOff.Rows(m_dtTimeOff.Rows.Count - 1)("Trans")

        'But seems like a lot to get just the row count of a database


        'Now I create a dataadapter based on inputed criteria
        'I need the last transaction before I do this select for future calculations
        m_daDataAdapter = _
            New OleDb.OleDbDataAdapter("Select * From TIMEOFF WHERE Badge = '" & g_strEmployeePicked & _
            "' and Round > 0", m_cnADONetConnection)

         m_cbCommandBuilder = New OleDb.OleDbCommandBuilder(m_daDataAdapter)

        m_daDataAdapter.Fill(m_dtTimeOff)
This is probably an easy solution, I just can't figure it out.

Thanks, Shozy