Page 36 of Fool's Gold

"Someone left an anonymous note on our bed. I read it and, together with the blueprint, and then hearing you tell Zeke you were ready to start the conversion? Well, it seemed like a pretty airtight case."

"How could you believe it?" He gazed at her intently.

"I could never win Grandfather's love and approval. There were always strings attached. It seemed normal to have strings attached to yours, too." Seeing his angry expression she added, "I'm sorry."

"Don't fret about it. You just need to save your strength and hang in there for me."

She was left to wonder at his meaning. Could he want her to stay forever?

Chapter Seven

Rafe held Sarah tight as they rode through the brush. She let her head rest on his shoulder.

He found himself praying she would be okay, and who could have left the note for her?

He could hardly believe it was one of his men. Most of them were like family. Tab was like an older brother. They'd grown up together on the Double-H. Zeke was like a second father to him. The newer hands didn't have much access to the house. Could one of them be working for Blackthorn? It hurt to think there might be a traitor in his midst, but he knew he'd have to be on his guard against future incidents.

More importantly, how could Sarah believe he'd married her for her family connections? He'd make it his goal to convince her it wasn't so.

"How are you doing, sweetheart?"

She sighed, nestled against him. "I'm feeling better now that we're almost home. Boy, am I ever glad you came to bawl me and Zeke out. I hate to think of what might have happened otherwise."

He tightened his arm around her shoulders. His hand was still clamped to her wound. From the looks of it, she was losing too much blood. He made for open land and kicked Umbriago into a gallop.

He craned his neck, but didn't see any signs of being followed. Whoever was taking pot shots at them must havebacked off. It wasn't hard to guess who that someone was. The cowardly bushwhack fit Blackthorn to a T.

And as soon as Sarah was taken care of, Rafe was personally going to take the man apart.

Sarah put her hand up to cover his. "I'll hold it, Rafe. I'm not helpless."

"Uh-uh, sweetheart. I'm giving the orders around here. You just lie back and let me take care of you."

She sighed as he tucked her head protectively under his chin. Her revelation about her grandfather made him sick. What kind of cold-hearted man would reject the needy child she must have been? It put everything her grandfather might have told her into question, including the fact her maternal grandmother was supposed to be dead.

Rafe intended to do some checking to see if it was true.

He came in sight of the ranch and galloped Umbriago across the pasture. Zeke stood with Bob Wilson and the sheriff. Rafe noted Zeke's relieved smile and the sheriff's questioning look as he brought Umbriago to a halt.

He handed Sarah down to Zeke and slid out of the saddle, then nodded toward Wilson. "Zeke, what did you get him here for? I told you to get the law."

Zeke held Sarah out toward Rafe. "You said to get help. You didn't specify who. Besides, I figure you two have a lot of talking to do."

"Our talking is going to take place in his office Monday morning, not before." Rafe lifted Sarah out of Zeke's arms and strode toward the truck.

Wilson followed them to the pickup. "I came because I got a tip you might be nosing around the area where the wolves were found, Halliday."

"Looks like you had a mite of trouble out there, Rafe," the sheriff added sympathetically.

Rafe gave Wilson a distracted scowl. He knew the man was only doing his job, but right now he was as annoying as a mosquito buzzing in his ear. "I want to get Sarah into town for some medical attention. You two got a problem with that?"

The sheriff said, "Do you want to make out a report when you're in town?"

Rafe shrugged. "There isn't much to report. We were in the clearing where the wolves were found when someone got the drop on us from the bluff. If you two hurry on up there, you might find some evidence. That is, if you really want to find it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get Sarah to the hospital."

She lifted her head off his shoulder. "I don't need any medical attention."

"I say you do, and on the Double-H, my word is law. Remember?" He heard her soft chuckle and said a prayer of thanks that she was going to be all right.

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