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Cassie leaned forward on the wagon seat, squinting anxiously into the incandescent sunrise The riders were a blur in the heat waves, but she was certain that one was Pete More than likely the unidentified rider was only another drifter Still, her stomach would be tied in a knot until she was sure it wasn't her father Not that she was likely to see hiain…especially out here in the desert, hundreds of miles from their little Texas ranch

As she watched, the horses plunged down a dune, sending a spray of white sand into the dry air No, it wasn't her father Even at a distance it was obvious that the race that her father never possessed Her breath escaped in an unexpected sigh That fa of disappointirl deep inside of her that still longed for Daddy to co abandoned?

She removed her sombrero and mopped her forehead with the rolled up portion of her shirtsleeve Ridges of sparkling white sand surrounded the ca now so it could spit its fiery breath at theypsum sands of New Mexico Territory were relentless in their search for new victi a ard strand of curly brown hair back into her bun, she replaced her hat and wrapped the lead lines around the wagon brake With a final glance at the approaching figures, she dropped froon seat and sauntered over to join thecup of coffee, his chocolate gaze scrutinizing; probably searching for so indicated his search was futile Undaunted, he opened the conversation

"It looks like we've got company"

She accepted the coffee and scowled into the tin cup

"Probably another greenhorn Pete had to pull out of a scrape We're already late getting started on account of him and the saddle bu our food"

Fritz shot her a sour look

"WhatGerman accepted a cup of coffee from Davis and squatted beside Royce at the fire His dark eyes reflected the disapproval in his tone

"A wo for a husband, or alreadyto act like alike a man," she answered in a flippant tone "I can do better than that" His caustic expression served as a catalyst to her boredo pants?"