Page 33 of Fool's Gold

She went to the bedroom to fetch her camera and an extra roll of film from her case. She stopped by Rose in the kitchen on her way out. "Thanks a lot, Rose. I'll pay you back some day."

She grinned. "Helping the boss is payment enough. Now, you be careful and don't let Zeke bully you. You just stand up to the old coot."

Sarah laughed as she went out the door. "Will do."

She walked to the stable, keeping a wary eye out for Rafe, but didn't encounter anyone on her way. She entered the stable and spotted Zeke in the shadowy recesses of the building saddling Bay Rum.

"I didn't see any of the hands around, so the coast is clear."

Zeke cinched the saddle. "Everybody's too busy to pay any mind to us, anyway. Most of the hands are out mending fences today." He walked toward her and handed her the reins. "You need help mounting?"

She took the leather straps and glanced at Bay Rum. The horse looked as sleepy as ever. "Nah, I think I can manage." She put her foot in the stirrup and Bay Rum shifted. She glanced at Zeke in a panic. "Maybe you'd better stand by, just in case." She hopped and swung her leg around, but got stuck midway. "Help."

Zeke gave Sarah's hips a shove, depositing her crookedly on the saddle.

"That ought to do you," he grumbled. "Now, when we get started, just remember to keep a loose hold on the reins. Bay Rum will follow Buttermilk if you don't interfere."

"Thanks." She wiggled her bottom in the saddle, seeking a comfortable fit.

Zeke nimbly mount Buttermilk, belying his years. As soon as he started moving out of the stable, Bay Rum woke up and followed suit.

As they rode out of the building, they almost trampled Travis, who was hurrying toward the door.

Zeke pulled back on his reins. "Whoa, Buttermilk."

Bay Rum stopped abruptly, and Sarah lurched forward, catching herself by grabbing the pommel.

"Don't you have some work to do, boy?" Zeke yelled.

"The boss sent me to get some more wire," he squeaked, in a startled voice.

"Well get on with it then and stay out of our way. We've got business to do."

Sarah gave Travis a sympathetic smile as they rode by, trying to soothe his feelings. She rocked in the saddle as she and Zeke picked their way over the meadow. They passed a few hands on their way, but none of them asked what they were up to. She'd long ago left her fear behind and fell into a kind of peaceful daze that followed the rocking of the animal. A sleepless night was catching up with her.

Zeke reined up and turned to look at her. "Does this look like the right place?"

Sarah blinked and looked around. A sandstone bluff stood over a clearing edged by a stand of scrub pines. "Yes, I think this is it." She slowly dismounted, her muscles complained at the unusual activity.

He dismounted and walked over to her. He put a hand on her arm to steady her. "You, okay?"

After a moment, Sarah smiled at him. "Yes, I'm just not used to riding so long. Thanks for the hand, here and back in the stable."

He frowned and dropped his arm. "Don't mention it."

She was saddened at the break in connection. She wanted Zeke to like her, but she understood why he didn't. "You don't like me much, do you, Zeke?"

He took off his hat and slapped it against his leg, making dust fly. He fixed her with a hard glance. "I can't say as I do. You were pretty rough on Rafe. I can't forget it, just like that."

She sighed, but she knew she deserved the condemnation. He didn't realize she'd had to leave in order to guard her heart. "If I were you, I'd feel the same way." She shook off her melancholy and turned away. "Well, this isn't getting the job done. Let's take a look around."

He dropped the reins on the ground, and the horses bent to munch on the grass.

"What exactly are we looking for?" he asked.

Sarah glanced up at the bluff and snapped a photo. She could use it for comparison later.

"I'm not sure." She walked toward the open area. "I guess anything that looks out of order. You know this land. Maybe you can spot something that doesn't look right." She eyed some stacked rocks. "Those rocks were in the slides. The wolves were lying on the ground in front of them."

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