Cassie

She wanted to hate Bordeaux for what he had done, but like a shameless hussy, she still longed to hear his voice - feel his touch. She turned and stared out the window. Only she wasn't going to lie down and give up like her mother. Bordeaux had found what he wanted and claimed his prize. It was something she would have to learn to accept - get on with her life. Life could be productive without Bordeaux - or any other man, for that matter. As for the ranch, she had always known it could be taken away. So her plans were changed. She had a little money to buy another place. Maybe she could convince her father to repay the money she had put into the ranch - if he hadn't already spent it. Texas was full of beautiful valleys.

Surprisingly, Darcie was good company, which helped the trip go by faster. The undulating swing of the coach finally rocked them to sleep, though.

The stage pulled into Bradley in a cloud of twilight dust. The stage to Springtown wouldn't leave until the next day. She'd need that time to settle her business and pack her things.

After a nice warm bath and a night's sleep, she stopped in the hotel restaurant to eat breakfast. Darcie was there, but Cassie pretended not to see her. Right now she didn't want to think about Bordeaux or her father. Darcie was a constant reminder of both.

After breakfast, she closed her account at the bank and turned in her resignation. By the time the stage arrived, she was packed, but not ready for the trip. She tried not to think of Bordeaux, instead focusing her attention on the twins and what she was going to say to her father. What could she say?

Darcie wasn't the only passenger on the stage to Springtown. Maybe the presence of the other two women was why she was so quiet. The two young women chatted endlessly about the latest fashion in Paris and the boys who were attracted to them. Cassie tried to shut them out by thinking about something else, but her mind kept going back to the same thing.

With every mile they traveled closer to the ranch, her anxiety increased. How did the twins feel about all of this? Had Bordeaux already taken possession of the ranch? Were the twins with their father or still at the Hertz ranch? Would Bordeaux be there? She sighed. Why did every thought train follow the tracks to Bordeaux?

They finally arrived in Springtown in the early afternoon. The stage came to a halt in front of the station, and people drifted by, satisfying their curiosity about its occupants. A few people acknowledged Cassie, and glanced curiously at Darcie. The two young women didn't get off at that stop.