Cassie

He dismounted and retrieved the snakes from the sand. As he lifted the grisly pair high to admire, the wind tugged his hat off, slinging it on the sand a few feet away. So absorbed was he in tormenting her, that he didn't seem to notice. His bright gaze mocked her.

It was hard to look at his face without being fascinated by the color of his eyes. An idea brought a mischievous smile to her lips. "You'd better put your hat back on. It would be a shame to ruin those beautiful eyes with this sun."

She felt vindicated by the color that stained his dark cheeks. He retrieved his hat and quietly led his horse away.

She fed and hobbled the mules and then started a fire to cook supper. By the time Bordeaux returned with the cut up snakes, she had lard sizzling in a large skillet. She rolled the pieces of meat in flour and fried them. Much as she hated to admit it, they tasted good.

After supper she cleaned up the camp and headed for her wagon. Grabbing an armful of the hay they had packed around the supplies in each wagon, she dropped it on the sand and the mules eagerly began eating. The bay wandered up and nibbled at the hay. One of the mules bared its teeth at him.

"Come on, boy," she said to the bay as she turned to the wagon. "I'll get you some hay." She pulled a handful of hay from under the tarp and fed it to the horse. "There you go."

She ran her hand down his sleek neck and hugged him. "You're so beautiful. If I had a horse like you I wouldn't drag him out in this awful desert."

He nibbled at her shirt and she ran her fingers across his velvety muzzle. He nickered softly.

A deep voice spoke from behind her.

"I didn't know you were so fond of horses."

Bordeaux 's shadowy form materialized out of the darkness.

She patted the bay's shoulder and stepped away from it.

"I love horses. I like to watch them move and listen to them - I even like the way they smell."

His laugh was soft and low. "I know what you mean."

She sighed. "I had a beautiful black once, but I had to sell it." Her voice turned sour. "Mom was sick and we needed a doctor. Of course, we still had Old Charlie, but he wasn't much account."

"I'm sorry." Bordeaux stepped forward, and before she had time to protest, he swept her up and deposited her on the back of the bay. He gazed up at her with a wry smile.