Black Hills

for tagging.”
    “If that’s the primary goal. I’ve handled it myself before. I’d like to buy that horse, Cooper, before spring. If it’s all the same to you.”
    “I’ve got a six-year-old gelding that might suit you. I’ll bring him out so you can take a look.”
    She started to say she’d just go with him, then changed her mind. She’d stay put. Less need for conversation. Less chance she’d give in and ask if she could see what was going on inside the old bunkhouse.
    She liked the look of the gelding right off. He was a handsome brown-and-white piebald with a long slash down to his nose. His ears and eyes stayed alert as Coop led him over to the paddock fence.
    The sturdy build told her he’d carry her and her gear without trouble.
    He didn’t shy or sidestep when she checked his legs, his hooves. He jerked his head some when she checked his mouth, his teeth, but didn’t try any nip.
    “He handles well. Got some spunk so we don’t use him unless the rider’s experienced. He likes to move.” Coop gave the gelding a rub. “He’s steady, he just gets bored if he’s doing nothing but plodding along in a line of others. Tends to stir up trouble. Likes to be in the lead.”
    “What are you asking?”
    “Since you’re buying a horse, you’ve got your saddle with you. Saddle him up, ride him around some. Take your time. I’ve got a couple things to see to.”
    She did just that. The gelding gave her one curious look, as if to say, This isn’t usual. Then stood patiently while she saddled him, switched the tack for her own. When she mounted, he did a little shift and quiver in place.
    Are we going? Are we?
    She clucked her tongue and sent him into a quick, happy trot. She used sounds, her knees and heels, her hands to test him on commands. Well-trained, she concluded, but she’d expected no less from Wilks’s stock.
    She figured her high end, and the price she’d like to pay, while she worked the gelding through paces and turns.
    He’d do, she thought. He’d do just fine.
    She slowed to a walk when Coop came back, leading a bay mare already saddled. “Has this one got a name?”
    “We call him Rocky. Because he just keeps going.”
    That got a laugh out of her. “He fits the bill. What are you asking?”
    He named a price, right at her high end, then walked toward the house to retrieve a pack he’d set on the porch.
    “That’s a little steeper than I’m looking for.”
    “We can dicker on the trail.”
    “I’ll give you . . . what?”
    “I’m going with you.”
    Flustered, she nearly stuttered. “No you’re not.”
    “My horse.”
    “Listen, Cooper.” She cut herself off, took a breath. “Why do you think, mistakenly, you’re going with me?”
    “My grandparents could use some time without me underfoot. I’m tired of hearing the banging. We’re slow right now, so Gull can handle things for a day or two. And I feel like a little camping.”
    “Then camp somewhere else.”
    “I’m going with the horse. You’d better get your gear.”
    She dismounted, looped the reins around the fence. “I’ll give you a fair price for him. Then he’s my horse.”
    “You’ll give me a fair price when we get back. Consider it a test drive. If you’re not happy with him after, no charge for the rental.”
    “I don’t want company.”
    “I’m not looking to be company. I’m just going with the horse.”
    She swore, shoved at her hat. The longer this went on, she realized, the more she wanted that damn horse. “Fine. You keep up or I leave you behind. You’d better have your own tent, your own gear, your own food, because I’m not sharing. And keep your hands to yourself, this isn’t a ride down memory lane.”
    “Same goes.”
     
     
     
    HE DIDN’T KNOW why he was doing it. All the reasons he gave were true enough, but they weren’t the why. The simple fact was he didn’t particularly want to be with her for an hour, much less a day or two—it was just easier to steer clear.
    But he didn’t like the idea of her going by herself.
    Stupid reason, he admitted as they rode in silence. She could go where she wanted and when. He couldn’t stop her if he’d wanted to. And she could have gone without him knowing about it, and if he hadn’t known about it he wouldn’t have thought about it. And wondered if she was okay.
    So when he looked at it that way, it was easier to go than to stay.
    In any case, the impulsive trip had some clear advantage. The first was the