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“How about the other way—?” But Lorna didn’t get to finish the sentence, as he closed it off with a kiss When she did have a chance to speak again, she was too enraptured with the other pleasure to remember what she had intended to say

III

Froht where you’re standin’

As far’s you can see,

That’s Calder range you’re lookin’ at,

And all for you and me

18

When the trail herd left Ogallala, they followed the Platte River Valley into the Wyo as possible, Benteen kept to routes established by previous drives that brought Texas cattle to Wyoes

Five weeks out of Nebraska they were in new country, the virgin plains that had once belonged to the buffalo Itin advance of the herd, scouting terrain as raze, water, and safe places to ford

Behind

hireat pathless solitudes So out for nearly twowork to keep the weary cattle ht she fell into bed bone-tired and snuggled against Benteen, sleeping the minute she closed her eyes

Woolie’s leg was healing, et back in the saddle Lorna didn’t think she’d be sorry to retire her cowboy hat and let him return to the weary, monotonous toil But she was proud of the part she played, and knew she could do it again if her help was needed

No visible lineBenteen rode into camp and announced they were in Montana; the next day they’d cross the Powder River In teeks they’d be pitching their final ca into Lorna’s eyes The trail had seemed endless They’d been on it four months, and in some ways it seemed like four years

“I wish you hadn’t told us how close we are,” she said to him later when they were in bed

“Why?” He turned his head to look at her, lifting a strand of her hair to idly finger it