Black Hills

truck.”
    “Problem there would be I’ve never driven one of those rigs.”
    “You won’t be driving. You’ll be in charge of the cat. Her safety—public safety—her health. It’s about a seven-hour drive—eight, tops. Farley will handle the rig.”
    “Oh, Lil.”
    “Big picture, Tansy. He can handle the truck, and he’s a top-level volunteer. He’s the best one for it, and he’s got enough experience helping around here to assist you in any way you might need. I don’t anticipate any problems.”
    “Your big picture’s logical. But what about the yen? What about that?”
    Lil knew exactly how to play it. She widened her eyes. “Are you telling me you can’t handle Farley and his yen?”
    “No. Not exactly.” Trapped, Tansy hissed out a breath. “Damn it.”
    “You could be there in six hours if it goes well,” Lil continued, talking fast, “check out Cleo, charm and reassure the owner. Spend the night, load her up the next morning, and be back here before feeding time.”
    Now, shamelessly, Lil added the big guns. “I can’t do it myself, Tansy, so I need you to do me this really big favor.”
    “Of course I will. But it’s a situation.”
    “Then why did you have dinner with him last night?”
    Scowling, Tansy stuffed her hands in her coat pockets. “How do you know I did?”
    “Because interns eat, too, and talk.”
    “It was just a burger.”
    “And this is just transport. I’ll put everything together for you before the end of the day, and you can go over any medical stuff you feel you might need to with Matt. You can leave in the morning. If you get here by six, you can get an early start.”
    “You’ve already talked to Farley.”
    “Yeah. He’s bringing the rig over here tonight.”
    “Tell him to plan on leaving at five A.M. It’ll give us a good jump on the day.”
    “Done. God, Tansy, you’re bringing home a jag. Now I’m going into town to swell our coffers before I deplete them.”
     
     
     
    SHE HAD a number of errands to run in Deadwood. The bank, the store, the contractor, the post office. Since it would save time later, she loaded up at the feed-and-grain.
    She saved Coop for last, since she saw his truck outside the stables they kept on the edge of town.
    She took the folder with the information and specs she’d gotten off the Internet and went into the smell of horses and leather and hay.
    She found him in the third stall, sitting on a stool as he wrapped the right foreleg of a chestnut gelding.
    “Is he all right?”
    Coop nodded, his hands steady and competent. “Just a little strain.”
    “I had some business in town, and thought I’d drop this off when I saw your truck. I got information on a couple of security systems I think would work for us. I’ll leave it on the bench out here.”
    “Go ahead. I made a call earlier. Contact I have in the business. I like their system, and he’d shave a little off the cost for me.” He named the system.
    “That’s one of the two I have in the folder.”
    “It’s a good one. If you go with that, he’ll give us the contact for the closest rep out here. They’ll come out, help you design and install.”
    “All right. Let’s just go with them.”
    “I’ll give him a call when I’m done here, have him contact you.”
    “I appreciate it. I’ve also got an official letter of thanks from the refuge acknowledging your generous donation. Your accountant may want that on file. And Farley will be staying overnight in the compound.”
    He looked over then. “Okay.”
    “I’ll let you get back to work.”
    “Lil. We have more to talk about.”
    “I guess we do. Sooner or later.”
     
     
     
    SHE WAS UP to see Tansy and Farley off in the cold dark. Farley’s easy cheer started her day with a smile, despite the occasional dirty look from Tansy.
    “Try to avoid speeding tickets, especially coming back.”
    “Don’t worry.”
    “And call me when you get there, or if you run into any problems, or—”
    “Maybe you should remind me not to leave the keys in the rig and to chew my food thoroughly before swallowing.”
    She poked a finger in his belly. “Don’t speed—too much—and stay in contact. That’s all I have to say.”
    “Then let’s roll. You all set, Tansy?”
    “Yes.” She sent him a brisk, businesslike nod.
    And he sent Lil a grin and a wink.
    Knowing both of them, Lil would’ve laid odds the wink would cut through the businesslike before the first sixty miles.
    Waving, she