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Peaches and insisted on hanging up the gear so she could learn where it belonged when
not in use. She gave Peaches a good rub down with help from Kate and Cody. They
seemed unusually helpful, but it was this special look they shared from time to time that
gave Sage an uneasy feeling. She was sure those two were up to something but couldn t
figure out what it could be. She had been on her guard since the night crawler incident
even though she thought they wouldn t pull anything like that again.
That night over dinner Cody broached the subject of a picnic.  Daddy, can we
take Sage down by the pond for a picnic tomorrow?
 Please? Kate chimed in.  We ll take care of her.
 She rides real good! Cody was quick to assure him.
Quinn quirked a brow looking from Sage to Parker who had already informed him
about the riding lesson and what a quick learner she had been.  I don t have time
tomorrow, Cody.
 But we can take her, daddy! It s not that far, Kate pleaded.
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He looked at Sage.  You feel up to a ride with them? It really isn t that far and
you can t get lost if you follow the trail. He would rather be going with them especially
since it was her first ride, but he had work to do that couldn t be put off. The town picnic
was the day after tomorrow and he had to get some things done in advance so he could
take the kids and Cheyenne.
 It sounds like fun. If it s not too far I shouldn t have any problem. Can we fish
at the pond or swim?
 It s getting a little late in the season for swimming there. The water is from a
fresh spring and is naturally cold. To do any good fishing you need to go further north to
the river. Wait to see how your ride to the pond goes before you plan any longer trips.
There s a back road to the river. It s pretty rough but you can make it in the jeep. As
soon as the words left his mouth, he wished he d kept quiet. The last thing he needed
was to be alone again with her. He was really busy now so he wouldn t be stretching the
truth if he told her didn t have the time to take her himself. But he didn t want her going
that far on her own either. Damn woman was going to drive him crazy!
The next morning Kate and Cody were dancing around in their excitement about
the coming picnic at the pond. Cheyenne packed them sandwiches, fresh fruit and some
cookies that Quinn packed in the saddlebag on Cody s horse. When they were all
saddled and ready to leave he was overcome with a feeling of dread. It was ridiculous,
but the feeling was there just the same. The twins had been to the pond numerous times,
always with an adult, but they still knew the way there and back without any problem.
Sage was the problem. She was a city girl, one who wasn t familiar with the country or
wide-open spaces.
 You go straight to the pond and be back here no later than three o clock, he told
the small party of riders.
 Yes, sir! Sage said giving him a saucy salute. She was wearing jeans, a long
sleeved shirt and a hat that Quinn had given her. The kids were dressed the same. Both
she and Kate wore their hair in one long braid down their backs.  Relax, Quinn. We ll
be fine.
 Why doesn t that make me feel better? he grumbled standing back.
 See you later, Daddy, the twins chorused.
 See you later, grumpy, Sage said falling in behind the twins as they led the way
out of the corral. She didn t feel all that confident a short time later when they were out
of sight of the ranch buildings. The country looked the same to her as they rode. Still
she made a special effort to study her surroundings. The twins seemed to know exactly
where they were going so Sage tried to relax. It was warm but not overly so. She was
grateful for the hat because the sun was brighter than she had realized.
They had been riding for about fifteen minutes when Cody turned off to the right.
 Cody! Sage called. Are you sure this is the way we re supposed to go? Sage
had a good sense of direction and normally didn t get lost. This didn t seem right to her.
 We know the way, Kate said when Sage brought her horse up next to the little
girl.  Daddy goes this way. Cody s sister hoped Sage didn t see her fingers crossed
when she said that. This was going to be a surprise and they didn t want it spoiled.
Sage really didn t have any choice but to follow. At this point she didn t know if
she could find her way back to the ranch. Trees and rocks all looked the same to her.
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She started to pay even closer attention to the scenery as they road on. For some reason it
seemed important that she remember the way home. Way to go, city girl, she mumbled to
herself.
Fifteen minutes later she glanced at her watch and knew that they should have
reached the pond by now. Quinn had said it was a short ride and they had been riding for
over half an hour already. The twins had not shown any signs of being lost, just the
opposite in fact. Cody seemed to know exactly where he was going. Still, Sage felt
compelled to call a short halt.  Cody, stop!
 We re almost there, Sage, he called back spurring his horse forward and around
a stand of trees.
 Come on, Sage, Kate called as she too hurried forward.  You re going to love
this.
 Come back here both of you! Sage yelled, urging Peaches forward. The twins
were out of sight about the trees and this brought on a feeling of panic. She was the adult
and felt responsible for the children even if they supposedly knew the country around
here. She heaved a sigh of relief when she spotted them a short distance up ahead. They
had dismounted and were standing by a ravine that cut the land in two for quite a distance
in either direction. There was no pond in sight for as far as Sage could see in any
direction.
 Come and see, Cody said waving.  This is better than any pond.
 If there is no pond here, you two are in big trouble, Sage said dismounting.
 But we wanted to show you our special place, Kate said in earnest.  We can [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]