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  Wade glanced upward and his green eyes, so close to Fawn's, made her want to touch her lips to his. He held her gaze and then looked back down. When he lifted his eyes once more, the fire in them threatened to consume her.

  Zoe said, "Doc Jones is on his way."

  Wade grabbed another towel and covered Fawn's lap.

  Fawn looked toward Zoe who was glancing back and forth between her father and her.

  Wade issued a command. "Zoe, pull the covers down on Fawn's bed. Then get the ice pack out of the freezer."

  "Okay, Daddy."

  Fawn attempted to stand.

  "Whoa, what are you doing?" Wade reached and gently scooped her into his arms.

  If Fawn felt pain, she wasn't aware of it. All of her awareness had shifted to Wade's muscular arms holding her against his chest. She wanted to melt into him. She resisted the urge to encircle his neck and tuck her head under his chin. He carried her to the bed.

  CHAPTER 21:

  SWEETHEART SHINES

  By the next morning Fawn's injury had almost completely healed. She'd wanted to rip off the wrapping Doc Jones had applied and toss away the crutches Wade had retrieved from the barn, but the doctor's orders had her using crutches for a week and taking it easy for another one. Of course, that meant she would be play acting for two weeks. It was very frustrating.

  Fawn pushed the button on the coffee pot. Leaning the crutches against the drop-leaf table she pulled out a chair to sit and watch rosy light filter through the lacey curtains she and Zoe had chosen to brighten the kitchen. Yet another beautiful dawn kissed Dream Catcher Ranch. She sighed and waited for the coffee to brew.

  Wade pushed through the swinging kitchen door and his unbuttoned shirt hung open to reveal a dark swirl of chest hair that tapered to a "V." Like a magnet, Fawn's gaze riveted on the "V" and instead of looking up to meet his eyes, she followed the trail down to where it disappeared beneath his Levis.

  "What the hell are you doing up? Doc said you're supposed to rest for two weeks." Wade started hastily buttoning his shirt.

  Fawn snapped her blue gaze to his green one. Her face burned with embarrassment, but her body burned with desire. "I…I…I…couldn't sleep. I started the coffee." Lamely, she pointed to the pot.

  Scowling, he walked to the counter and watched the coffee drip into the carafe for a moment before turning around and tucking his shirt into his jeans. Fawn heard him suck a deep breath and saw him flex his back. Slowly, he turned to face her.

  "Hey, I'm sorry about coming on so strong. It's just that I don't want you to overdo things." The coffee finished brewing and he said, "Can I pour you a cup of coffee?"

  "I'd like that." She couldn't quite bring herself to meet his eyes.

  Wade filled her favorite cup and went to the fridge to retrieve the flavored creamer he knew she liked. Setting the carton and her coffee in front of her, he pulled out a chair across from her, turned it around, straddled it, and placed his forearms on the wooden back.

  Fawn couldn't think of anything to say to break their awkward silence.

  Wade asked, "How's the ankle feeling this morning?"

  "It feels okay." She poured creamer into her coffee and then trained her eyes on a splat of dried ketchup on the table.

  "Look at me, Fawn," Wade said softly.

  I don't want to. I'm too aware of you.

  He repeated, "Fawn, please look at me."

  She lifted her eyes to his.

  "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable around me. Last night in the bathroom, I only did what had to be done by removing your clothes."

  Please stop talking about it.

  "Nothing's changed in our relationship. You don't have to feel embarrassed around me. Okay?"

  She nodded.

  "Good." Wade stood and returned to the coffeepot, poured himself a large mug of it, and walked to the back door. He grabbed his duster and plucked his cowboy hat off the hook. Planting the Stetson on his head he tipped the brow with his index finger and smiled. "I'll check on you later." He left the kitchen.

  Fawn wanted to melt. Never had her emotions been in such turmoil. Don't let me fall for a human, she begged her heart.

  Picking up the crutches but not bothering to use them, she walked back to her room. She needed to lie down, but not because of physical exhaustion. No, it wasn't that simple. Emotional exhaustion was never simple.

  Shortly after returning to her room she heard a timid knock on her door and Zoe's tiny voice, "Fawn, are you awake yet?"

  "I am sweetie, come on in."

  "How's your leg?"

  "Much better. Thank you for helping me last night."

  "Daddy said I need to help you all day and for a few days. You let me know when you want something and I'll get it for you, 'kay?"

  "I'll surely do that."

  "Do you want something right now?"

  Fawn grinned. "How about you hand me my crutches and we'll go to the kitchen to eat cereal."

  Throughout the day Fawn did her best to appear injured and every time she asked Zoe for help, the child rushed to assist her. Several times Zoe's compassion had Fawn blinking rapidly to keep back tears.

  Before noon Wade returned to check on them. Fawn and Zoe were relaxing on Fawn's bed flipping through home decor magazines to gather ideas for Zoe's ongoing bedroom redecoration.

  "What do you think about painting your bookshelves this color?"

  "Yes! I like purple. I'm tired of pink." Zoe jumped off the bed with the magazine and ran to her father when she saw him in the doorway. "We're gonna paint my bookshelves, Daddy. Look at this color!"

  Wade squatted to his daughter's level and exclaimed, "Purple is one of my favorite colors!"

  "It is?"

  "Yes, ma'am."

  Zoe giggled. "I'm not a ma'am. I'm a little girl."

  "You're right. Let's make that, yes, Punkin."

  "Daddy, you're funny."

  A crackling sound interrupted their banter and Wade reached for the walkie-talkie on his belt.

  "Yo, this is Wade."

  "Wade, its Schmitt. I'm in the barn. Bud just buzzed and said the wild herd is close to the boundary of the Crooked J. He and Tate and Macho are on the ledge overlooking the back five and watchin' Mac's guys tryin' ta round up the horses. They're ready to intervene on your orders."

  Wade jumped up and rage replaced the playful expression he'd had for his daughter.

  "I'm on my way! Tell them not to do anything until you and I get there. Over-and-out."

  He knelt beside Zoe again. "I've got to go, honey. I'll see you tonight and you can tell me all about your plans for your room." He glanced over Zoe's head at Fawn and then stood and strode out of the house.

  Zoe returned to Fawn's bedside. "I hope the horses don't get caught."

  Fawn's heart felt like it was going to burst. She had to help the feral herd. Calmly she said, "Zoe, I want you to trust me in something. Okay?"

  The child nodded.

  "I want you to visit Pierre for a while, but first hand me my crutches."

  Zoe gathered the crutches and handed them to Fawn. "What are you going to do?"

  "I can't explain right now. But you need to trust me." Fawn crutched her way to the walkie-talkie in the pantry and signaled Pierre that Zoe was coming to visit him.

  "C'est merveilleux; wonderful," he said happily.

  As soon as Zoe was out of sight of the house, Fawn carried her crutches in one hand and walked on her bandaged foot to the oak. She leaned the crutches against the tree trunk and prayed. Flying a straight path to the outer reaches of the ranch, her eagle eyes spotted the action long before reaching it. She also saw Wade and Schmitt galloping their horses toward the wild herd as she flew overhead.

  Circling above the rocky outcropping where Bud, Tate, and Macho waited for Wade and Schmitt, she assessed the situation. The herd had passed beyond the boundary of Wade's ranch and two of Mac's cowhands were attempting to push them farther onto Crooked J land. In the distance, she cou
ld see at least a half dozen more of Mac's cowboys racing to help. She needed to act fast before the other hands arrived.

  Spotting some boulders and trees she landed and shifted into Sweetheart. Moving beyond her hiding place, she reared high and then raced toward the frightened herd on Mac's land. Focusing on the black stallion, Sweetheart raced into the fray.

  ***

  Wade couldn't believe his eyes when he reached the ledge and saw Sweetheart racing toward the herd. He'd been about to order his men to waylay Mac's two men, which, no doubt, would insure a legal battle he couldn't afford.

  "Holy crap, there's that ghost horse you been tellin' us about." Tator whipped off his Stetson and slapped his leg.

  "What's it doin'? Bud exclaimed.

  "Sheeit! Look, it's got the attention of the stallion!" Schmitt yelled.

  "That is one smart horse," Macho said in broken English.

  Wade had to agree. Although Mac's two guys tried to divert Sweetheart, their horses were no match for her speed and agility, and within minutes she was running alongside the stallion. He gave her the lead and she swerved north. He followed, as did the rest of the herd.

  Tater pointed. "Crap, more of Mac's men just showed up."

  Wade said, "Let's see if we can divert their attention long enough for Sweetheart…er…the mare to lead the horses back onto my land. Follow me!"

  Turning their horses onto the trail leading down the hillside, Wade and his men crossed the small valley and reached the meadow in short order. In the lead, Wade raced alongside the boundary of his land until he reached Mac's riders with pretty-boy Gabe in the forefront. After Wade and his posse garnered the attention of Mac's men, the Crooked J cowboys slowed their horses and Wade tipped his Stetson at Gabe and Mac.

  He heard Gabe yell to his men, "Idiots, it's a ploy to slow us down." Gabe whipped his horse's flank and galloped toward the feral herd and his men followed.

  Wade and his cowhands watched Mac's men thunder past, and he hoped he'd given Sweetheart enough time to perform her magic. Returning to the rocky ledge with his ranch hands he watched the outcome of their stalling tactic.

  Sweetheart and the other horses had broken free of the initial two cowboys and Mac's riders were too far behind to catch up. The herd thundered back onto Wade's land and swerved around an outcropping of boulders. The Crooked J hands reined in their horses, while their cuss words echoed and dust swirled. Wade looked at his men and laughed. Bud removed his hat and swiped his forearm across his forehead. "That's the damndest thing I ever seen."

  Wade muttered, "Well done, Sweetheart."

  ***

  Fawn led the wild herd to the safety of another meadow. The stallion bumped noses with her and blew his appreciation, as did the lead mare. She separated from the herd, shifted into a powerful eagle, and hastened back to the ranch. Becoming a smaller bird when she reached the closer pastures, she flew to the oak and landed on a branch, scanning the area. Not seeing anyone, she dropped to the ground and shifted once again. In human form she grabbed her crutches, sighed, and placed them under her arms to crutch her way to the back porch. Distracted by thoughts of the incident, she was startled when Zoe opened the door.

  Fawn paused and waited while she approached. The child said, "Where did you go? I came back to get the magazine with the purple color so I could show Pierre and I couldn't find you."

  Zoe's innocent brown eyes gazed up into Fawn's. Without a doubt, Fawn knew that she couldn't lie to the child, but neither could she tell the truth. Removing the crutches from beneath her armpits, she held both of them with one hand and knelt before Zoe.

  "Honey, you have to trust me. I had to take care of urgent business that I can't explain to you."

  Zoe looked deep into her eyes and then reached out, passing her hand in the air above Fawn's head. She smiled and said, "Your colors sometimes change, like when you're hurting or you don't want me to know something. They're never ugly, just different. Okay. I trust you."

  Fawn hugged the child and whispered, "Thank you, Zoe."

  CHAPTER 22:

  FACING FEAR

  Wade picked up a book Fawn had left on the coffee table: The Ancient Ones: Anasazi. He opened to her bookmark: Chapter Four: Chaco Canyon, and grinned. Following the aroma of coffee, he entered the kitchen to find Fawn and Zoe staring into a large mixing bowl. Zoe rushed to retrieve the cookbook from the kitchen table and bring it to Fawn. Fawn read something and reached for a container on the spice rack, sprinkling their latest creation.

  "Okay Zoe, I'm ready to put this in the oven."

  Zoe clapped her hands in excitement and glanced at her father. "We're making quichy lorie…loran…"

  Wade smiled at his daughter's efforts to pronounce the recipe.

  "Quiche Lorraine Delight," Fawn supplied happily, as she gently poured the contents of the mixing bowl into a ceramic casserole dish.

  Wade chuckled. "Uh oh, Pierre better watch out. The hands might start eating in our kitchen."

  Zoe rolled her eyes.

  Fawn winked at him. "Zoe and I have decided to expand our breakfast palette beyond boxed cereal."

  Wade scuffed his daughter's head. "You don't know how happy that makes me. I was hoping Zoe's fondness for processed food was only a passing fancy." He reached for the coffee pot and poured himself a cup, but instead of leaving for the barn he sat at the kitchen table and patted his leg, "Zoe, come sit on your papa's lap."

  Zoe gave him a surprised look and hesitant smile. Shyly she approached and he lifted her onto his lap.

  "You're almost too big for this." He kissed the top of her head. Directing his attention at Fawn, he said, "I saw your book about the Anasazi. Are you enjoying it?"

  "Very much. Such a fascinating culture."

  "I opened to your bookmark about Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. How does your ankle feel?"

  Fawn looked confused at the sudden change in topic. "It's as good as new."

  "Wonderful. How would you like to go to Chaco Canyon?"

  Zoe squealed and said, "Yes! Let's go!"

  Wade kissed the top of her head again and glanced up at Fawn. "It's about three hours away and since it's Saturday, we could make a day of it. Wander the ruins, take snack food, find a café to eat lunch at." Wade held his breath waiting for her answer.

  Fawn shifted her eyes to Zoe. "I think that's a terrific idea. How soon do you want to leave?"

  Wade released his breath. "If we leave by eight, we'll arrive before noon. We can eat on the way and then wander the ruins for a few hours."

  Fawn grinned. "This is going to be fun."

  ***

  With downcast eyes, Fawn glanced sideways at Wade. He'd forgone his chambray shirt in favor of a beige T-shirt and his tanned forearms, lightly dusted with dark hair, called attention to corded muscles gained, no doubt, from wrestling cows and handling horses. Fawn's heart started pounding and although she chastised herself for her reaction, she couldn't stop her surreptitious glances or slow her heart rate. You are not falling for this guy.

  True to his word, Wade had stopped at a lovely café in Farmington, New Mexico, and the three of them had laughed and joked over a delightful meal of tacos, enchiladas, rice and beans. Their jokes had consisted mainly about the Quiche Lorraine Delight from breakfast. Instead of being plump and flaky, it had sunk like a deflated balloon. When Wade had entered the kitchen and spotted the poor thing atop the stove, his attempt at keeping a straight face had been priceless. With mock seriousness, he'd said, "I guess we're eating cereal this morning." Fawn smiled at the memory.

  "What are you smiling about?" asked Wade.

  "The Quiche Lorraine."

  He laughed and then returned his attention to an upcoming junction in the road. Turning off the highway he repeated the words on a sign, "Twenty-one miles to the park."

  After several miles the pavement ended and the road became a rough gravel one. Fawn glanced out her window at desertscrub stretching across the valley floor to sandstone mesas and gently rolling
hills in the distance.

  "Not much rain falls here," Wade stated the obvious.

  "The Anasazi certainly had to be innovative to overcome nature's challenges," she replied.

  "I've read some books on the culture, and you're right. A thousand years ago a thriving and complex culture had learned to inhabit this harsh land."

  Zoe pointed. "Look, Daddy, there's a building."

  "It's the Visitor Center. We'll go inside to get maps and brochures."

  When they reached the center, Fawn and Zoe held hands as they walked across the parking lot. The lovely complex had signs advertising a museum, gift shop, theater, and book store. In the gift shop, Wade told Fawn and Zoe to pick out any souvenir they wanted. Fawn started to decline his offer, but his determined look, along with a slight shake of his head, made her realize the futility of refusing his gift, so she graciously accepted. Zoe picked out a replica of an Anasazi beaded necklace and Fawn selected a small clay replica of a kiva, the ceremonial site housing the sipapu.

  After paying for their gifts, they stepped back outside and Wade opened the map he'd purchased. He walked to a picnic table to spread it out. "The sales clerk told me it takes at least forty-five minutes to explore each site." He pointed to a spot on the map. "And it looks like the trail for the first site starts over there." He pointed toward a corner of the parking lot.

  Zoe clapped her hands.

  Fawn read from the brochure she'd picked up at the gift shop. "It's called Una Vida and translates, One Life."

  Zoe pointed at the map. "What are pet…ro…gl…" She tried to pronounce the word.