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It took ‘til dawn to get back to the camp she’d made.
Tired, she pulled the box into a hole by the trunk of the tree and covered it with her saddle then she rested.
But the sun was high in the sky and sleep was not working. Friend seemed restless to be on the way too.
Tired but determined, she saddled her horse and loaded the box then was on her way once more.
She didn’t know where she was going, but for some reason she turned back the way she came and headed for Dallas. Things were forming in her mind, a plan of sorts and she didn’t hesitate to let her mind be open to possibilities for her future.
It would be a long ride, and she’d have to be careful not to run into Harry on his way back to the ranch too.
She took short cuts along the way, and then headed for creek beds at night.
At night, as she lay under the stars, she looked up and wondered where Sam might have gone. Was he headed west at last? Or did he go home? She so wished his dog hadn’t died. She knew Sam would be lonely now.
Although, deeply buried in her heart she both wanted and needed Sam, she would not chase him. She had been honest with her feelings for him. But obviously, even though he enjoyed their kisses, he didn’t want her as badly as she had wanted him. She’d have paid any price to be with Sam.
“You taught me a lot, Sam. I’ll try to remember all of it.” She smiled sadly up at the sky.
Finally, her eyes closed and sleep overcame her. Friend licked his paws, whined for a minute, then lay his head down and slept too.
But, getting closer to Dallas, she began to look at herself and wonder just how she was going to continue being a man. Although with her hair so short she didn’t look much like a woman.
Then, as she rode again, an idea began to form. It seemed crazy, but no crazier than some of the things her and Sam cooked up.
She glanced down at the dog. “I think I’ll do it. What have I got to lose?”
Chapter Sixteen
It was a beautiful night when she got back into Dallas. But it was late and most businesses were closed, and the hotels were full up too. Riley didn’t feel much like walking all over town to find a place to stay.
She took her horse over to the livery stable and bedded him down and told Friend to stay with him. Friend didn’t seem to mind since he cuddled up in the hay and was about to go to sleep. She curried her horse and informed the blacksmith she’d tend to him daily.
An hour later, as she knocked on the familiar door, she almost shook she was so afraid of what she was about to do. Would everyone think her crazy?
Nannette answered, eyeing her up and down. “Riley?” she finally asked, her voice unbelieving.
Riley barely noticed that Nanette’s peach colored gown was completely see-through. Riley had learned quickly to look beyond the physical. It hadn’t taken her long to get used to the way they dressed and not react to it. But it did make her want to cover herself more, as though they too could see her.
“Yes…it’s me,” Riley replied.
“Well, what are you doing back here?” Nannette asked, looking about and closing her arms over herself. “And where’s Sam?”
“Sam’s gone. Can I come in?”
Nanette shrugged. “I guess so.”
Riley noted that the lack of Sam being with her sent the light right out of Nannette’s eyes.
Some of the girls recognized her that passed in the hallway. Then Miss Tilda spotted her.
“Riley Morgan, what in heaven’s name are you doing here?”
Riley fidgeted for a moment, and then she squared her shoulders and looked Miss Tilda in the eye. “I got a proposition for you, Miss Tilda.”
“Do tell, sounds mysterious. Okay, come along to the veranda and we’ll discuss it.” The older woman smiled, taking her arm. “It’s good to see you. How are you and that handsome man of yours?”
Riley bowed up. “He isn’t my man.”
