Mrs. Coley, Gold Dust Ranchâs housekeeper, had suggested Sam ride home with her and Rachel, Ryanâs twin, since Sam was taking Jenâs homework to Gold Dust Ranch anyway.
Sharing the backseat with a silent Rachel made the trip interminable, but she couldnât help comparing the twins.
Both had sleek coffee-brown hair, but Ryan didnât try to hide the intelligence in his dark eyes. Rachelâs eyes, rimmed with black eyeliner, rarely landed on anything long enough for Sam to read their expression.
During the ride home, sheâd ignored Sam, passing the time talking on her cell phone until she lost service. Sheâd dropped the phone on the seat beside her and dug a second, tinier phone from her purse. When that one failed to connect as well, sheâd thrown it on the floor near Samâs feet.
âOne more year in this primitive, vulgar place may be more than I can stand,â Rachel had snarled.
âBrynnaâs always losing cell service,â Sam had sympathized. âShe thinks the truck radios are more dependable than her government phone.â
Rachel hadnât said a word in return. Sheâd given Sam a blank, slightly resentful look. The comment was of no interest, Rachelâs eyes said, and she begrudged the consumption of air used to make it.
But then, when Sam took out her literature book and began reading her homework assignment, Rachelhad crossed her arms and looked insulted.
When theyâd reached Gold Dust Ranch, Rachel had flounced from the car, leaving Sam to thank Mrs. Coley.
âYouâre welcome, Sam,â Mrs. Coley had said with such appreciation that Sam guessed Rachelâeven when she wasnât miffedâdidnât show much gratitude. âI talked with your Gram earlier today at a planning meeting for the church harvest dinner, and she said to tell you sheâd be along to pick you upââ Mrs. Coley glanced at her watch. ââabout now. So, youâd better scurry over to the Kenworthysâ place and get your visiting done fast.â
Sam had lingered by the car for a minute, searching the pastures for a sign of Hotspot, but Shy Boots and Princess Kitty grazed alone in their paddock, and Sam was pretty sure thatâs where Ryan would have put the Appaloosa mare if heâd found her.
Still, Sam had to ask.
âRyan hasnât come back with Hotspot, has he?â she asked Mrs. Coley.
âI havenât seen him since early this morning. He left before breakfastâjust grabbed some granola and an apple, then headed out the door. Linc had plenty to say about Ryan âwasting his timeâ instead of letting BLM bring her in, so Ryanâs fighting an uphill battle, but I think this is one he can win.â Mrs. Coley had smiled, then glanced around, making sure no one stood near enough to hear. âI say itâs about time he stood up to his father and proved heâs a man.â
Sam had only nodded, but sheâd mulled the housekeeperâs words over as she hurried toward Jenâs house.
Was that what Ryan was doing? Proving himself to his father? If so, that might explain why he wanted to do this all on his own. Sheâd have to think about that, but first she wanted to talk to Jen.
But when Lila opened the door, her voice was hushed. âIâm sorry, Sam, but sheâs napping. Here, let me take those,â Lila had said, taking the assignment sheets from Sam. âEven though her sleeping schedule is all twisted around, I just canât make myself wake her,â Jenâs mom apologized. âBut hereâs yesterdayâs homework.â
âWell, please tell her to call me. Iâm going out riding,â Sam paused, but explaining Pam had seemed too complicated a message to leave with Jenâs mom. âBut Iâll be back home for dinner. And I really want to talk to her.â
âIâll tell her,â Lila had said, but then sheâd taken a
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