“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.
“It’s so… so untouched,” Rachel said, her tone almost reverent. Gavin stepped down from the saddle and walked over to her horse. He lifted his hands.
“Let me help you down. There’s a spot over there where you can see even better.” Their eyes met momentarily, then she leaned forward, her hands on his shoulders, allowing him to lower her to the ground. She was light, yet there was something real and solid about her. Not like Dru, who was wasting away so quickly. The light breeze ruffled the net of her bonnet and teased him with whiffs of her honeysuckle cologne. Her eyes looked bright, excited.
“Thank you, Mr. Blake.” It wasn’t until she pulled away that he realized he’d still been holding onto her waist. His hands felt suddenly empty. He rubbed his palms on his trouser legs and turned toward the children’s voices, hoping they could distract him from the odd feeling of loss that suddenly filled him.
Chapter Nine
It wasn’t easy being the oldest. When you’re older, you know things your little sister doesn’t know. Sometimes you hear the adults talking when they think you’re asleep. Or sometimes they think you’re not
smart enough to understand. And sometimes you just know things without anybody telling you anything at all, on purpose or by accident. Like when Sabrina was seven and her pa was gored by the bull. Not Gavin, her new pa, but her real pa, Charlie Porter. She’d heard her ma’s weeping after Mr. Stubs and Mr. Chamberlain brought him in on the back of the wagon, and she’d known he was dying. She hadn’t had to be told. She’d just known. She’d been just as sure of his dying as she was of her ma’s. Nobody ever talked about her ma being sick, of course, but she was. Ma tried to hide it, tried real hard, but Sabrina still knew. Ma wasn’t going to live much longer. That’s what made today so special. Sabrina didn’t have to think of those things. She didn’t have to see her ma getting thinner and weaker. She could pretend for a little while that nobody got sick and died, not Pa or Ma or anybody else. She could pretend that her ma was as healthy and pretty as Miss Harris and that she could run and play games and laugh a lot—just like Miss Harris.
“She’d be plenty scared,” Petula whispered into Sabrina’s ear.
“Think so?”
“She’d probably scream for Pa.” There was a mischievous gleam in Petula’s eyes.
“Let’s see.” Stifling her giggles, Sabrina agreed. The two girls squatted behind the large tree, trying to stay quiet so Rachel wouldn’t know where they were. They waited for what seemed an eternity before they heard her voice calling through the trees.
“Brina! Pet! It’s time to go.” Sabrina squeezed Petula’s hand, excitement racing between them, hazel eyes sparkling, brown eyes twinkling in return.
“Come on, girls. Your mother will be worried.” Her voice was closer this time. Sabrina nodded at her little sister. In unison, they jumped up and raced around the tree and down the path toward Rachel.
“A bear!” Sabrina cried.
“There’s a bear after us!”
“It’s gonna eat us!” Petula shouted. They had expected Rachel to turn and run away with them, calling for their pa’s help. Instead, she grabbed each of them by their hands, drawing them to a sudden halt and forcing them to stand beside her.
“Really?” she said, peering up the trail.
“I’ve never seen a bear before. let’s wait and have a look at him. Is he very big? What color is he?” Sabrina felt a flash of panic, suddenly believing she would see a bear any moment. Why were they just standing there?
“You know, girls,” Rachel whispered without looking at them, her tone ominous, “when you’re planning to scare someone, always make sure they’re not listening on the other side of the tree. It spoils the surprise.” She dropped their hands and tapped Sabrina and Petula on top of their heads.
“Tag! You’re both it.” Lifting the hem of her riding habit, her laughter trailing behind her, Rachel raced off down the trail. The two girls turned startled expressions on each other, then took out after their governess with shouts and laughter of their own. Gavin turned from the horses just in time to see Rachel come running out of the trees. She had removed her hat earlier and now her hair had tumbled free of its pinnings. It flew out behind her like pale gold wings. Her laughter rang like clear bells in a mountain cathedral. Sabrina appeared just as suddenly, her arm outstretched, obviously intent on tagging her governess. Petula’s shouts were heard long before her short legs carried her into the clearing. But Rachel was far too quick for either of them. There was no hope of Sabrina catching her, let alone Petula. Except Joker entered the picture at that exact moment, his excited barks added to the shouts and laughter. The big hound bounded between Rachel and Sabrina, then turned to run a circle around Rachel. She tried to stop, but it was too late. She tripped over the dog just as Sabrina, in hot pursuit, hurled herself through the air. They fell to the ground in a jumble of skirts, then the two of them were tumbling head over heels down the grassy incline, Petula scurrying after them. Gavin sprinted forward, but by the time he reached them, their giggles told him no one was hurt.