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about themselves, told how much money they had, how much land they owned, how they were better than other men. But William was as comfortable as a woman friend.
    Somewhere during the evening, he had her stretch out on his pallet of blankets and put her head on his firm thigh. Leaning back against a tree, he stroked her hair and encouraged her to talk about herself. Within seconds she found herself telling him about Charley, about her years with him, of the frustrations and hardships, of the triumphs and the failures.
    In return he told her about his life of perfection—or at least that was how he described what to Jackie seemed like an ideal situation. He had never had anyone be cruel to him, never had anyone take an instant dislike to him, never had to struggle for anything.
    â€œMy life makes me wonder about myself. If I were tested, would I hold up?” he asked, frowning into the fire. “Would I be able to do something without my father’s money and the support of the Montgomery name?”
    â€œSure you would,” Jackie answered. “You’d be surprised at what you can do when you have to.”
    â€œLike land a plane that’s just had the propeller knocked off by an eagle?”
    â€œIs that what that was?”
    â€œYou brought that plane down as easily as someone stepping off a chair. Were you frightened?”
    â€œI had too much to do to be frightened. Hey!” She looked up at him in the soft light. “Why haven’t you married? Why hasn’t some woman snatched you up already?”
    â€œI haven’t met a woman I wanted. I like a woman to have a head on her shoulders.”
    â€œA beautiful head, no doubt,” Jackie said sarcastically.
    â€œThat’s of less importance than what’s inside the head.”
    â€œYou know, I like you. I really do.”
    â€œAnd I have always liked you.”
    She was silent for a moment. “I wish I could remember you.”
    â€œTime enough. Are you cold? Hungry? Thirsty?”
    â€œNo, nothing. I’m perfect.”
    â€œThat you are.”
    Jackie was embarrassed by his compliment but pleased by it, too. “When do you want to start…ah, our partnership?” When do you want to start spending enormous amounts of time together? was what she wanted to ask him.
    â€œTomorrow I have to go to Denver for a few days, and I’ll get money from the bank there. I’ll return on Saturday. How about if I come to your place in the afternoon? Can you give me a list of what you need so I can pick it up in Denver?”
    She laughed at that. “How about some new planes for a start?”
    â€œWhat type would you like?”
    He was as serious as she was being lighthearted, and Jackie was suddenly serious too. “How about a couple of Wacos for a start?” And, she thought, maybe later something heavy that can carry a dozen rich passengers in style.
    â€œAll right, I’ll see what I can do.”
    â€œJust like that?” she said. “I snap my fingers and two new planes show up?”
    â€œThey’re not free. I come with them. You have to take me with the planes.”
    That didn’t seem like much of a punishment. “I guess beggars can’t be choosers.” Stretching, she yawned, snuggling her head on his leg.
    â€œI think it would be all right if you went to sleep now,” he said, tucking the blanket around her.
    â€œWhat about you?” she asked dreamily. “You need to sleep too.”
    â€œNo, I’ll stay awake and watch the fire.”
    â€œAnd protect me,” she murmured as she closed her eyes. No, she didn’t think there was going to be any problem with this man’s reliability. Smiling, she dozed off, feeling as safe as though she were home in her own bed, not in the open with coyotes howling in the distance.

Chapter Two
    G ood morning.”
    Wearily, Jackie sat up on the hard ground, and for a moment she didn’t know