Page 17 of Fool's Gold

Sarah got to her hands and knees, giving him a beautiful view of her generously curved derriere encased in faded jeans. He locked in on the sight as a thirsty man would water.

She stood and pulled Mandy close for a hug. "You're welcome. I'm glad we could spend time together."

His heart stopped in his chest at the endearing sight.

He stepped forward and rasped, "Your lunch guest has arrived, ladies. Are you two ready to eat?"

Sarah spun toward him, her smile bright. "We were having a marvelous time, but now we're hungry." She reached down to pat Mandy's head. "Right?"

Mandy ran to get the basket. "That's right. Let's eat."

He spread out the blanket under the pinion tree. He sat, leaning back against the rough bark.

Mandy plopped on the left side of him, leaving the right for Sarah.

As Rafe delved into the picnic basket to help Sarah get the sandwiches and cool drinks, their hands bumped each other. He glanced at her questioningly. She didn't immediately pull away. Instead, she smiled. Rafe’s breath caught in his throat. She was warming to him.

He unwrapped the ham and cheese sandwich she handed him and cleared his throat. "So, what have you two been up to?"

Sarah looked down while opening her can of juice. "We were taking some shots of the rock formations over there." She pointed to a jagged outcropping ten feet away. "Then we ran into the prairie dog burrow." She grinned conspiratorially at Mandy. "We had to sneak up on the little buggers."

Mandy giggled. "Yeah, Aunt Sarah showed me how to use her camera. Maybe when I grow up, I can be a photographer."

Sarah nodded and sipped her drink.

He felt himself falling into their upbeat mood. He smiled at Mandy's hopeful expression. "Munchkin, you can be anything you want to be."

He glanced fondly at the two of them and found himself wishing he could trap this day in a bottle. This was what it would be like when they were a real family. The thought only strengthened his determination not to let Sarah slip away again.

Mandy reached into her pocket and pulled out a handful of stones. She handed them to him with a smile. "See the rocks we collected?"

He turned the golden substance over in his hand.

Mandy leaned forward. "See how they shine, Uncle Rafe? I bet its real gold. We're going to be rich."

He looked into her eager eyes and smiled. "It's only fool's gold, honey. It shines bright, but it's worthless."

He glanced at Sarah. Her suddenly hollow expression left him no doubt she thought it was an apt description of their relationship. But it wasn't, blast it. She loved him, and he needed her. Couldn't she see how right they were together?

She blinked and looked away. He could have sworn there were tears in her eyes, but he knew she was happy with the status quo.

He quickly finished his lunch and got to his feet. Once he got her into bed, she'd understand something clearly at last. He counted on intimacy to cement their relationship.

"Come back to the corral when you two finish up, I've got a surprise for you, Sarah."

Mandy grinned and jumped up. "Did Dazzle Air have her colt?"

He smiled at her curiosity. "You'll just have to wait and see." He walked over to Umbriago and climbed back into the saddle. "I'll see you both later."

Sadness overcame Sarah as she watched Rafe go, despite Mandy's excitement. His words about the shining rocks being pretty but worthless struck close to home. Their marriage might seem genuine to an outside observer, but they both knew it was fake. Still, it was the closest she would ever come to the realthing. She loved the hardheaded cowboy. Instead of hoping for more, she should hang on to what she had.

Mandy started tossing the remains of their meal into the hamper. "Come on, Aunt Sarah, don't you want to see what your surprise is?"

Sarah couldn't help smiling at her excited chatter. It didn't take much to make a five-year-old happy. If only adult life were that uncomplicated. "Okay, let's get going."

Mandy raced in front of her toward the ranch.

What could her mysterious surprise be? And why would Rafe want to give her a present, anyway? It was probably something to increase their mock closeness and impress the men, just like his soft words and husband-like pecks when others were around.

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