“Miss Harris ….” An index finger poked her arm. Rachel turned her head to meet sparkling brown eyes.
“I did ‘em.” She held out the slate.
“I did ‘em all. Just like yours.”
“Well, Pet, these are very good. I had no idea you would learn so fast. Your mother wasn’t exaggerating when she said you were bright.”
Petula’s head cocked to one side.
“What’s exag… exagger…”
“Exaggeration. It means to make things seem bigger or better than they really are.”
“You mean lie?” The girl’s eyes widened. She shook her head, her expression serious.
“Ma wouldn’t never tell a lie.” Rachel laughed as she smoothed Petula’s hair back from her face.
“Oh, I know that. She certainly didn’t lie about you and Brina. You’re both so pretty and smart. And it’s wouldn’t ever tell a lie.”
“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.