Page 13 of Fool's Gold

Oh, hell. He was getting jealous.

Tab was a good hand, and he knew enough not to poach. Rafe smiled, going along with the ribbing. He watched Sarah blush as she entered the room and thought back to the evening before. He'd almost had her last night. It was a tantalizing taste of what was to come.

She put a fresh bowl of sugar on the table and walked around, distributing the cups.

Zeke grudgingly took the cup she offered him. Zeke, who was as close to Rafe as a father, still didn't trust her. He hoped the two would mend their rift because Rafe was counting on her realizing that this was where she belonged by summer's end.

Rafe's hand lingered on hers for a moment. Her pulse raced. "So, are the boys, right? Are you trying to slip saltpeter into me?"

Anger flared momentarily in her eyes, but then she smiled back at him. "It wouldn't hurt."

The men at the table responded with laughter.

She sat at the table with complete aplomb, unfazed by the sexual double entendre.

Yes, sweet Sarah was more than he'd bargained for.

AFTER SARAH FINISHEDthe breakfast dishes, she went to the bedroom for her camera. Mandy watched her as she walked back into the kitchen with it.

"What are you going to do with that?"

While loading the Nikon with thirty-five-millimeter film, Sarah smiled at the little girl’s curiosity. It was nice to experience old familiar things through a child's bright, curious eyes. "I'm going to take a few pictures of ranch life."

"Why?" There was more than a hint of interest in Mandy's voice.

Sarah noted the girl's lingering glance at the inner workings of the expensive camera. "I'm a nature photographer, honey. It's what I do for a living."

Mandy tilted her head and leaned forward to get a closer look. "I never heard of that."

Sarah held the camera still so she could get a good look. "I'll give you a few photography lessons if you'd like."

Mandy grinned, clapping her hands. "Yes, yes, please."

Sarah grabbed the sack lunch she'd packed and followed Mandy out the door. They strolled toward the corral, where some commotion was going on.

"Let's see what's happening."

In addition to her Endangered Species Shoot, she’d decided on a Western Life series featuring Rafe's ranch and men. It would give her something productive to do and keep her mind off Rafe.

"Are we asking Zeke to saddle us some horses to take us on our picnic and hike?" Mandy asked.

Sarah winced at the thought. She'd been afraid of horses since childhood. "No, I don't think so. I'm not comfortable around horses."

"Why?" She gazed up at her inquisitively.

"I had a bad experience on a horse once. So, if you don't mind, I'd rather walk."

Sarah thought back to her grandfather's insistence she take riding lessons because it was expected of a young lady, and shuddered. She'd been terrified of the hulking beasts and, as a result, had a bad fall, breaking a leg. Thankfully, after that, he hadn't pressed the issue.

Feeling someone's scrutiny, she looked up and caught Zeke listening. Tab and Travis gazed at her intently from their perches on the fence. She didn't like the hands spying on her, but she supposed she was a novelty to the men. The younger guys turned away at her notice, but Zeke scowled at her.

"That's okay. I like to walk, too." Mandy ran ahead, stopping to clamber up the side of the corral.

Sarah took in the flurry of activity as they drew near. Men hung around the railing, cheering, and watching what was happening in the center.

A wild black horse jumped off the ground and turned in a half circle. It took her half a second to realize Rafe was astride the animal. She winced at the jarring leaps that shook his body. The horse could kill him. The horrible thought held her frozen while the horse leaped to the left and pitched to the right.

Rafe flew off the furious animal, landing on his behind in the sand.

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