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judgment to make.” She looked him square in the eye. She was a little thing and had to tilt her head back to do it, but that didn’t faze her. “I made up my mind to go west—somewhere.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I want to make a difference. I want both my brothers to be as proud of me as I am of them. Jeff is building railroads that link the country from coast to coast. Jack could have had a job with him, something safe in an office. He’s looking to find his own fortune instead of choosing the easy way. Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I don’t have dreams too.”
    “But why here?”
    “Because Jack is here, and that will ease my family’s concern. There’s no need to tell them he’s prospecting and cause them to worry.”
    “There’s nothing for them to be concerned about. I promised I’d look out for you, and I always keep my word.”
    She snorted in the same way she had earlier, in a way he knew would make the headmistress of any exclusiveeastern ladies’ academy cringe. But she didn’t say a word as she turned away and headed for the buckboard again.
    “Now don’t try to drive that thing, not after what just happened. I’ll take you to the fort.”
    “All right,” she said.
    As he tied his horse to the back of the rig, Kane watched her lift her skirt to scramble up, giving him a tantalizing view of her slender ankles and calves. Tempting as that was, he realized she’d rather flaunt convention than wait for his help. Just as well. He didn’t trust himself to touch her without revealing how much she affected him.
    It took some doing, and she was breathing faster by the time she finally climbed in, but she did it herself and sat down. He moved up beside her and unwrapped the reins from around the brake.
    Cady looked at him. “Will you show me how to drive?”
    Kane studied Cady’s determined expression. “Yes.” Her eyes opened wide. “Don’t look so surprised. You seem bent on staying out here, and I promised your brother I’d watch out for you. Aside from the fact that I don’t particularly want to tangle with Jack, I take my responsibilities seriously. The more you know, the better you can take care of yourself.”
    And if she could take care of herself, he wouldn’t have to keep an eye on her.
    “Major Wexler seems very nice,” Cady said.
    They had left the commanding officer a few minutes before to drive to her quarters. She lifted her long hair from her neck, trying to catch a possible breeze and cool herself, but there was no relief from the heat. She climbed out of the buckboard, anxious to go inside.
    “He’s a good man.” Kane jumped down and went to the rear of the wagon. “This is where you’ll be staying,” he said and started to lift her trunk. “What have you got in here, rocks?”
    “That’s Jack’s specialty. I brought books.”
    “All the better to settle the frontier with.” He smiled. “If there’s an Indian attack, you can throw books at them.”
    “I’m here to teach.” She glanced at the revolver strapped to his hip. “Guns are your tools, books are mine.” She remembered the short interview in Major Wexler’s office and the obvious respect and admiration between Kane and his commanding officer. She had the impression that Kane handled a lot of responsibility at the fort, yet he’d been genuinely surprised when he recognized her after stopping the buckboard. Wouldn’t he have known she was coming?”
    “May I ask you something, captain?” When he nodded, she continued. “Didn’t you know a teacher was coming”
    “I knew.”
    “But you assumed I was here to meet my husband.”
    “I was aware that the major had arranged for a teacher. He never told me who the person was.”
    “If you had known it was me, what—”
    Just then, she heard someone call out Kane’s name followed by the sound of running footsteps. A redheaded boy of about twelve raced over and stopped beside the buckboard. “I’ll give you a hand with that,