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warmed with affection.
    â€œYes, little sister, I mean it. It should be more.”
    â€œThe dapple-gray gelding,” she began in a rush, ignoring the last part of his comment. “Can I take him?”
    â€œAlready inspected the stock, and it appears you know your horses.” Dan chuckled and shook his head. “Spook’s a good mount. A little frisky, but from what Sabrina’s told me, you can handle him.”
    â€œOh, I can, and I promise I’ll be careful with him.” She sprang from her chair and crossed the room, flinging her arms around his neck. “Thanks, Dan. You are absolutely my favorite brother-in-law, bar none.”
    â€œI think she likes the idea, Sabrina,” Dan commented as he met his wife’s eyes over Samantha’s head. “In fact, I’d say she’s downright pleased about it.”
    â€œAnd I thought I hid my emotions so effectively.” She gave his cheek a loud, smacking kiss.
    â€œYou be ready to start out about nine.” He patted Samantha’s slim shoulder. “Jake’ll be around, then.”
    â€œJake?” Samantha repeated. Her smile froze.
    â€œYeah, he’ll be riding out with you. Actually,” Dan continued, “he suggested the idea this afternoon. He thought it would do you good to get out of the house for a while.” He sighed and scratched his dark head, managing to appear sheepish, for all his size. “I’m ashamed I didn’t think of it first. I guess I’ve been a bit preoccupied and didn’t notice you were looking a littled tired and hemmed in.”
    â€œI’m not tired,” she denied automatically.
    â€œHemmed in?” Sabrina offered with a knowing smile.
    â€œA little, maybe, but I’m hardly in the last stages of cabin fever. I’m sure it’s very kind of Mr. Tanner to be so concerned about my welfare.” She managed to say his name in a normal voice. “But there’s certainly no need for him to go with me. I know he has hundreds of more important things to do with his Sunday.”
    â€œWell, now, he didn’t seem to think so,” Dan said. “It was his suggestion, and he seemed keen on the idea, too.”
    â€œI don’t know why he would be,” she muttered. “Besides, I don’t want to impose on him. We’re practically strangers. I can just go by myself.”
    â€œNonsense.” Dan’s refusal was good-natured but firm. “I couldn’t possibly let you ride out by yourself just yet, no matter how good you are on a horse. You don’t know the country, and it’s easy to get lost. There’s always the possibility of an accident. Besides,” he added, and his grin was expansive, “you’re part of the family, and I grew up with Jake, so you’re not strangers. If anyone knows his way around this part of Wyoming, he does.” He shrugged and rested his back against the cushions. “He owns half of it, anyway.” Samantha glanced at her sister for help. Sabrina, however, appeared to be engrossed in her needlepoint.
    Frowning at the lack of support, Samantha stewed over her predicament. If she refused Jake’s company, she would not only forfeit the opportunity to ride the Wyoming countryside, but she would spoil Sabrina’s and Dan’s plans for a day alone together. She shrugged in resignation and offered a smile.
    â€œI’ll be ready at nine.” She added to herself, If Jake Tanner can stand a day in my company, I guess I can stand a day in his.

Chapter Three
    Sunday dawned with a sky as cold and clear as sapphire. The sun offered thin light and little warmth. To her annoyance, Samantha had overslept. Hurriedly, she showered and dressed in forest-green cords and a chunky beige pullover.
    Her riding boots clattered on the parquet floor as she hurried from her room and down the hall to the kitchen. She frowned as she reached the doorway. Jake was sitting at the