quickly saddled the mare and led her out to Grace.
Harry was pleading with Grace now. She wouldn't accept the crop, even
when he told her he'd give it to her for free.
"It's time to get going, " Daniel announced. He tied her valise behind
the saddle and then lifted her up so that he could adjust the
stirrups.
She felt as light as a handful of feathers. He couldn't hide his smile
when she put her straw hat back on her head. White ribbons trailed
down her back. He thought she looked as though she was about to go for
a Sunday ride through the park.
Looks could be deceiving, he knew. She'd surprised him when she'd
proven to be so knowledgeable about horses, and the way she sat in the
saddle told him she hadn't exaggerated about her riding experience.
"Why are you smiling? " she asked.
"We just might make it to the train, " he replied. "That's what I was
thinking." There was a speck of dirt on his chin. Before she could
think better of it, she reached over and gently brushed it away.
He reacted as though she'd just struck him a hard blow. He jerked back
and turned away from her.
"Let's go, " he ordered. "Harry, open the back doors for us. We'll go
out that way."
"How long will we be in Texas? " Grace asked.
Daniel was about to swing up into his saddle when she asked the
question. He turned to her. His arm was casually draped over his
saddle, his head was tilted ever so slightly to the side, and she
thought he looked exactly like one of the wild and rugged gunmen of the
West she'd read stories about. The wilderness men, as they were
called, were bigger than life and couldn't be tied down. They roamed
the land seeking adventure and danger, and left broken hearts behind
them. Was Daniel like that? she wondered. She thought perhaps that
he was. He just looked the type who would never, ever settle down.
"There's no way of knowing, " Daniel answered, wondering why she was
frowning so intently. "Why do you need to know? " "I have other
commitments, " she said. "They're personal. Could you please make a
calculated guess, Daniel? I really do need to know."
"It's going to take us a week or two to get to Blackwater, depending on
the amount of trouble we run into, " he said. "Then you'll have to
stay until the trial's over and the other men have been caughtţ"
"Why?
" she interrupted. "That could take months."
"I can't let you go on your way until I'm certain none of the other
gang members will come after you." She closed her eyes. "All right
then, " she agreed. "You're telling me I could be in Texas for as
little as a few weeks or as long as two months."
"Could be longer, " he told her.
Her reaction surprised him. Tears came into her eyes. "Then it's
settled."
"What's settled? " he asked, confused by the sadness he heard in her
voice.