Cardwell Ranch Trespasser - By B. J. Daniels Page 0,7

couldn’t put her finger on it even now that she was back in the sewing shop—her favorite place to be.

“So what is she like?” Ronnie asked. The thirtysomething Veronica “Ronnie” Tate was an employee and a friend. Hilde loved that she could always depend on Ronnie to hold down the fort while she was away from the shop.

“Dee Anna Justice? It’s eerie. She looks like Dana. But she doesn’t act like her.”

Ronnie seemed to be waiting for Hilde to continue.

Hilde weighed her words. Dana was her best friend. She didn’t want to talk about Dana’s cousin behind Dana’s back.

“More subdued than Dana, but then who isn’t? She’s from New York City and all this is new to her.”

Ronnie laughed. “Okay, what is wrong with her? I can tell you don’t like her.”

“No, that’s not true. I don’t know her.”

“But?”

What was bothering her about the woman? Something. “I just hope she doesn’t take advantage of Dana’s hospitality, that’s all.” Dana had flown her out here and was paying all her expenses, and Dee was letting her. That seemed wrong.

Ronnie was still waiting.

“I don’t want her to be a hardship. Dana is stretched thin as it is with four kids, two still in diapers.”

“How long is she staying?” Ronnie asked.

“That’s just it—Dana doesn’t know.” Hilde had always thought visitors were like fish: three days and it was time for them to go. But then again, she enjoyed being alone to read or sew or just look out the window and daydream. Dana was more social, even though she’d deny it.

“I’m sure Dana will show her a good time,” Ronnie said.

“I’m sure she will since she has already drafted me to help.”

After Ronnie left, she was still wondering what it was about Dee Anna Justice that bothered her. She started to lock up for the day when she recalled Dee’s reaction to Hud as he’d ridden up on his horse.

Dee had suddenly come alive—after showing little interest in Montana, the canyon or the ranch before that moment.

* * *

DEE MOVED RESTLESSLY around the living room of the old ranch house this morning, running her finger along the horns of some kind of dead animal hanging on the wall. Hud had told her, but she’d forgotten what kind.

Last night, while Dana had seen to the kids, Hud had shown her around the ranch. Dee hadn’t been impressed with the corrals, barn, outbuildings or even the view. But Hud, who was drop-dead gorgeous and so wonderfully manly, was very impressive. She’d never met a real live cowboy before. It made him all the more interesting because he was also the marshal.

When the tour of the ranch ended, Hud had excused himself and she’d been forced to stay up late talking with her “cousin.” Dana had shared stories of growing up here on the ranch.

Dee had made up a sad childhood of being raised by nannies, attending boarding schools and hardly ever seeing either of her wealthy parents. The stories had evoked the kind of sympathy she’d hoped to get from Dana. By the time they’d gone to bed, Dana had been apologizing for not knowing about Dee and saving her from that lonely childhood.

“Ready?”

Dee turned to smile at Hud. He had offered to teach her to ride a horse this morning. Her first instinct had been to decline. She’d never been on a horse in her life and she really didn’t want to now. But she loved the idea of Hud teaching her anything.

“Ready,” she said past the lump in her throat.

Hud must have seen her reluctance. “I’m going to put you on one of the kids’ horses. Very gentle. There is nothing to worry about.”

“If you say so,” she said with a laugh. “Let’s do it.”

Hud led the way outside. He had two horses tied up to the porch railing. She felt as if she was in Dodge City. This was all so...Western.

“Just grab the saddle horn and put your foot in my hands and I’ll help you up,” Hud said. She did as he instructed, wobbled a little and fell back. He caught her, just as she knew he would. The man was as strong as he looked.

“Let’s try that again,” he said with a laugh. Behind them, she heard Dana come out on the porch with the two oldest of their children. Dee had forgotten their names.

“Is she going to ride my horse, Mommy?” the little girl asked.

“Yes, Mary, she needs a nice horse since she has never ridden before,” Dana answered.

“Really?”