her head up once, as if taking a look at the gambler as well. “It’s Duncan’s horse,” Lewt managed. “Or at least I think it is. To tell the truth, I didn’t look all that much at horses a week ago when I was in the barn watching Duncan and the other rangers get ready to ride.”
“They are all very different, just like people. Only this one Duncan trained himself. I remember my uncle Travis shipping a yearling down to Austin as soon as she was weaned. I heard him say that Duncan planned to take over her care. He said Duncan would be the only one who fed her or trained her. There are a few horses that will only have one rider, one master, and this is one of those horses. I guess that’s why Wyatt told us he swam the river to set her free. He knew it was better to let the horse go wild than try to break her.”
“That doesn’t tell me how she found us.”
Em laughed. “She didn’t find us. She found your horse. We’d never be able to rope her and lead her over the river, but she’ll probably follow us.”
Lewt frowned. “You’re saying the horses know each other? That’s a little hard to believe.”
“Herds travel together. They’re from the same herd.”
Lewt shook his head, not believing a word she said. The horse had probably just wandered by and decided to graze with his mount. This Shadow might be Duncan’s horse, but Lewt thought it coincidence that they’d found her, nothing more. He decided to change the subject. “Are you up to crossing the river? We might just make it before daylight.”
“I’ m ready.”
“Good.” He picked up the blanket. “I wish I had those clothes I left with the supplies. You didn’t happen to bring my boots, did you?”
“No,” she answered. “But I’d think you’d be more comfortable in your own style of clothes. After all, you are a gambler.” Her last words had an edge to them.
He didn’t try to deny it. “You found out, did you?”
“Wyatt told us all about how you weren’t supposed to come to Whispering Mountain and how Duncan would be furious if he knew you were on the train he sent.”
“I don’t care about how Duncan feels. My little plan didn’t work, so he should be happy. I don’t belong with the ladies. This past week proved that. If I’d had to listen to one more round of singing or eat one more sandwich cut in little squares, I’d have gone mad. You’re probably mad at me too. You not only think I insulted the ladies, but the horses as well. Gamblers just aren’t invited to dinners or even late suppers with the likes of the McMurrays.”
She poked him in the chest with her finger. “Stop ranting. We don’t have time. I’ll take my time telling you what I think of you, Lewt Paterson, when we get across the river.”
He could tell she was angry. For all he knew the only reason she was waiting was that she wanted a witness when she shot him. True, he had lied to her, tried to enlist her help to marry a rich woman, and pretended to be something he wasn’t, but maybe she’d take into account that he’d saved Duncan’s life, not to mention hers. The way his luck was running lately, she wouldn’t think of that until the graveside service.
Lewt saddled their horse. They walked toward the water. The midnight-gray horse followed from a distance.
Before they waded in, they pulled off boots, jackets, and vests, bundled them into a blanket, and piled it on the saddle in hopes of keeping some of their clothes dry.
When the water was waist deep, he said, “Hang on to the horse; he’ll get you across.”
“I know how to cross a river, Gambler,” she said. “You just make sure you don’t sink. All those lies you’ve told must weigh heavy on your soul.”
“Not really,” he admitted, then tried to act like he felt bad about it. She probably didn’t want to hear that lying was part of his job. Men wanted to gamble with someone they thought was similar to themselves. One of the few people Lewt was honest with, at least until lately, was Duncan.
Three steps later, Lewt slipped on a rock and went under. When he pulled himself up, he saw she’d done the same.
“You all right, darling?” he yelled, as he moved closer to her side of the horse.
“I’m fine,”