Page 27 of Fool's Gold

Mike nodded. "That's quite a coincidence. I just developed some slides of scenery and animals. Except they were dead."

She recoiled from the thought. Who on earth would want to take pictures of dead animals? He was probably a hunter, showing off his kill. She tried to erase the repellent scene from her mind. She'd been around the wild long enough to understand the survival of the fittest. Every living thing waseither predator or prey when you got to the basics. Still, she could never fathom the joy of killing a magnificent wild beast.

The door chimed.

Nevell Blackthorn walked up to the counter. "Do you have those slides ready for me yet, Mike?"

"They'll be ready in two shakes, Mr. Blackthorn. I've got to ring up this lady's purchase first.”

Blackthorn glanced at Sarah's purchases and frowned. "It looks like you're buying enough supplies for a year."

Mike beamed while he reached for Sarah's credit card. "Yup, the little lady will be one of my best customers. It's good to have a professional photographer move into the area. This here's Mrs. Halliday, Rafe's wife."

"A photographer, you say? I didn't know that." Nevell doffed his hat. "Sarah and I have already been introduced, although it's a pleasant coincidence to run into her again." His eyes narrowed. "So, I take it you're planning on sticking around."

"That's Mrs. Halliday to you." She gritted her teeth, but added calmly, "What I do is none of your business. I thought Rafe and I made that clear yesterday." He was deliberately trying to upset her, the jerk, but she wasn't going to rise to the bait.

Blackthorn's thin lips compressed into a tight line. "You and Rafe planning on attending the Rancher’s Association Meeting tonight?"

She shrugged. "Maybe." What business was it of his? She and Rafe hadn't even discussed it.

He sniffed. "I'd recommend it. You might find it instructive."

She noted Mr. Daley was lingering nearby to eavesdrop. No doubt, he’d repeat this acrimonious conversation all over town by nightfall. Maybe Blackthorn had planned it that way.

"It seems like you're pretty anxious we be there."

He shrugged and looked away. "It's my job to remind people of the meeting."

She didn't buy his nonchalant façade. Something amiss was in the wind, but she had no doubt Rafe could handle anything Blackthorn threw at him. "If it's that important, I'll try to get Rafe to go."

Blackthorn had a smug smile on his face. "Excellent. At least one of the Hallidays shows some intelligence."

She ignored the barb. She signed the charge slip and picked up the sack of supplies, feeling Blackthorn's gaze on her as she left the store.

As she drove home, she thought about his reason for wanting Rafe to attend the meeting. He was probably trying to cause some trouble, but Rafe could handle it.

She pulled up to the ranch house and killed the engine. As she opened the rear door of the Jeep to gather her purchases, a dark shape moved out of the shadows of the porch.

Startled, Sarah stared at it until it drew nearer.

Rafe, and there was a furious look in his eyes. What had him so upset?

He took the sack out of her hands and looked her up and down angrily. "Where in blue blazes were you?"

"I went to town to get supplies." She was startled by his raw anger. Then she spotted the truck keys in his hand. "What were you going to do? Track me down?"

He stepped closer. "I knew you didn't go far because Rose said you left two hours ago and didn't take a suitcase. I checked, and your clothes were still here."

She seethed in outrage. "You went through my things?"

He scowled. "Hell, yes, I went through your things. I have every right." He slid the keys into his hip pocket. "Remember, we have an agreement. You have to stay here for the whole summer. And I'm not going to let you run away."

Sarah snorted and yanked the bag out of his grip. She'd had enough of his high-handed attitude.

The bag ripped, spilling film canisters and darkroom supplies onto the ground. "Just look what you made me do." She bent down to gather up the supplies and glared at him.

He crouched next to her and helped.

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