“Girls?” They all turned at the sound of Dru’s voice.

“I think you could take a break from your lessons and get some fresh air. Why don’t you take Miss Harris for a ride up to the ridge? You might not have another chance, as cold as the weather’s turnin’.” The frown of concentration instantly disappeared from Sabrina’s face as she jumped up from the table.

“Will you come too, Ma?” she asked.

“We could take a picnic lunch.”

“No, darling. I think I’ll stay here and rest. I’m a mite tired today. But I think a picnic’s a good idea for you.”

“we shouldn’t go, Mrs. Blake.” Rachel rose from her chair and stepped toward the fireplace.

“Nonsense. I could use some peace and quiet.” Dru smiled faintly.

“Go on and have some fun. It’s good for the children to get to know you better. I don’t want them thinkin’ that being’ with you always means work. Not when you’ve got so much fun in you to share.” She supposed it made sense, yet she still didn’t feel quite right about it. But the wheels—in the persons of Sabrina and Petula—had been set into motion, and there didn’t seem to be any stopping them. The two girls had already scampered up the ladder to their loft bedroom, moments later returning with britches on beneath their skirts.

“We’ll get the horses into the barn and brush em down,” Sabrina told her.

“Pet and me can do most of it, but you’ll have to help with the saddles. I’m not very good with the cinch.” A shadow of doubt darkened her eyes.

“Can you do that?”

“I’m an excellent horsewoman, Sabrina Blake. I can certainly help you with the saddles. let me change into riding attire, and I’ll be right with you.” The moment the front door closed, Rachel cast a glance toward Dru once again.

“Is there anything I can get you before we go?” Dru shook her head, not bothering to reopen her eyes.

“Just take care of my girls,” she answered softly.

“When I’m not around, just take care of my girls.”

“Mrs. Blake?” Rachel took another step forward.

“Are you certain…” Dru looked at her then.

“Go on,” she said, her voice stronger, more forceful than Rachel had heard in days.

“I’m just going to enjoy my few minutes of peace, all to myself. You get on up to the ridge. It’s our favorite spot ‘round here. Take some of them dried apples and some cheese and bread. You’ll likely all have an appetite by the time you get there.” She smiled warmly at Rachel.

“Go have some fun. Winter will keep us cooped up in the same room soon enough.” Suddenly a ride in the crisp mountain air sounded just like what she needed. She returned Dru’s smile, then hurried to change. Gavin slowed his horse as he approached the log cabin. He’d left Stubs and Jess with the herd along the Salmon River yesterday. They’d be able to get the cows up to the Lucky Strike without his help. Duke and Duchess knew how to work the cantankerous beasts as well as any cow dogs he’d ever seen. They were as good as a half dozen more cowboys. Maybe better. It hadn’t taken much encouragement from Stubs for Gavin to turn around and head back to the basin. He’d been anxious to return. Things had been quiet on the summer range this year, but he still didn’t like leaving the women and children alone for long. The Bannock Indians had caused trouble before, and there were always a few strangers—miners mostly—wandering through. With the men gone with the cattle, there wasn’t anyone there to protect them if trouble came. Rachel stepped out of the cabin, instantly bringing his other thoughts to an abrupt halt. She was wearing a powder-blue wool riding habit with a matching bonnet swathed in a darker blue netting. She looked for all the world like some society debutante about to go riding in a city park. She looked like a woman who always got what she wanted, simply because she was beautiful. He pulled his gelding to an abrupt halt, an old anger welling in his chest. To be honest, it wasn’t because she made him remember things he’d rather forget that bothered him as much as it was the way she’d begun to haunt his thoughts. When he should have been anxious to return to Dru and the girls, it had been Rachel’s face that had continually come to mind. As he watched, she checked the cinch on the rotund mare, then gave it a tug. With a wave of her hand, she motioned the children closer, lifting first Sabrina and then Petula onto the back of the docile steed. He saw her smile up at them, heard her laughter over something Sabrina said. He could imagine the merry twinkle in her eye. He’d seen it often in the few days she’d been with the children. She turned away, moving aside the train of her riding habit with a tiny kick. It was an easy, graceful movement, as he’d come to expect from Rachel Harris. She mounted Dru’s palomino mare with practiced ease, hooking her right knee over the pommel and ignoring the extra stirrup. Fool woman. That was no way to ride a horse out here. If she had any sense, she’d know that. He nudged his gelding forward. Dru came outside just as he was riding into the yard.

“Gavin!” She hurried up to his horse.

“We didn’t expect you back until tomorrow.” She laid her hand on his knee.

“You’re just in time to go with Miss Harris and the girls up to the ridge.” His gaze flicked to Rachel, then back to Dru.

“You coming too?”

“Maybe I’d better stay here.”

“Please come, Pa,” Sabrina urged.

“Yes, please,” Petula chimed in.

“Perhaps your father is too tired,” Rachel interrupted with a soft but firm voice.


“You should let him rest, girls. I’m sure we’ll do fine on our own, and Joker will be with us.” It irritated him that she’d used all his own excuses before he could. And for the same purpose. So he could stay behind. Dru’s voice lowered.

“Go with them, Gav. It’ll be good for the girls to have some time with you.” He heard the slight pleading in her words and knew she was right.

“We won’t be long.”

“Take all the time you want.” Dru smiled.

“Bye, Ma,” Petula shouted as the mare moved forward, guided by Sabrina.

“Have fun,” Dru responded, lifting a hand to wave. He didn’t imagine that spending a few hours in Rachel Harris’s company would be fun. Just looking at her fancy blue dress made him mad. Flashing her finery around Dru and the girls, as if making sure they knew she was different. The less he was around her, the better he’d like it.

“Gavin?” He turned to look back at Dru.

“Give Rachel a chance. Whatever’s stuck in your craw isn’t her fault. There’s a lot about that young woman to like.” He nodded but made no reply as he tightened his heels against the gelding’s ribs and started after the other three. She could feel his gaze on her back, as tangible as a touch of his fingers would be. For some strange reason, she found it hard to breathe, harder still to concentrate on the children’s prattle. Why did he have to come back when he did? She didn’t want him along. Being in his company was always the same—disturbing.

“Look, Miss Harris.”

“What is it, Brina?” She focused her gaze on the girl. Sabrina was pointing toward the tree line, where emerald-green forest turned suddenly to the gray, jutting crags of the Sawtooth peaks.

“The sheep. Up there. See him?”

“Sheep?” Rachel squinted, trying to find what the girl was looking at high above them. At last, she did find it, but the heavy-bodied animal didn’t look like any sheep she’d ever seen. It reminded her more of a short, squat deer with its brown coat and white rump. It could have been a deer except for its head. Even from this distance, she could see the crown of massive, spiraling horns.

“It’s a bighorn, Miss Harris,” Gavin said as he rode up beside her.

“The Sheepeater Indians were named for them ‘cause they make such good eating. I agree with the Indians. The bighorn’s better than mutton. We eat them more often around here than our own cattle. Pretty easy to hunt except when they climb up this high.” She was only partially aware of what he was telling her. He has a very handsome mouth. Rachel felt her breathing quicken once again as she looked away. Whatever was wrong with her to be thinking such things? She didn’t even like the man. How could she, when he’d made it so clear he didn’t like or approve of her? He’d been rude and abrupt with her since the day they first met. But the rapid beat of her heart didn’t slow nor the terrible awareness of how near he was. to h-& Should her horse take a slight step to the left, their boots might even chance to touch. Stop it, she scolded herself, lifting her chin in determination. She drew a deep breath of air into her lungs as she nudged her horse to the right. She concentrated on the terrain around her as the horses picked their way up a heavily treed trail, giant pines towering around them, blocking out the sunlight. The mountain silence was broken only by their passing. She could hear the breathing of the horses and the crunch of their hooves on the deep carpet of dried needles and Joker’s occasional bark as he raced ahead, then returned to circle the horses. The scent of pine was sharp, pungent, delightful. The cool breeze made her cheeks tingle. Slowly, she became aware of the children once again. She listened as they chattered easily, moving from one story to another so quickly she was often confused but definitely entertained. She almost succeeded in forgetting Gavin Blake was even with them. Almost. Gavin thought the expression on Rachel’s face when she looked down at the basin from the ridge made the long trip up the mountainside worth it all. Her blue eyes widened, her mouth opened to release an amazed sigh before curling into an enchanting smile.

“It’s spectacular,” she whispered.

“I never imagined it could be so beautiful. No wonder Dru loves it so.” From the ridge, they had a clear view of the rocky mountain sentinels that surrounded the basin. Through the dense forests, they caught glimpses of the crystal-clear lakes that dotted the area, the icy waters fed by melting glaciers. They could see the winding ribbon of the Salmon River, weaving its way through the tall grasses of the valley floor. The bright colors of autumn were especially apparent from this vantage point. Reds and oranges and yellows were splashed among the forest greens, aspen and birch clapping their leafy hands in the breeze, as if applauding the new season.