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Theo returned a short time later with a smile on his face.
“That was a big ol’ boy, wasn’t it?” he commented as he gave Rena a hand up to the wagon.
“He was quite large. I’m glad he lived to see another day.”
Theo nodded in understanding. “Me too, although a thick elk steak sounds pretty good right now.”
She glared at her cousin. “You just had to mention food, didn’t you? Isn’t there a town coming up soon?”
“A few more hours, I think. We’ll stop there and get something to eat and let the horses rest.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Theo set the team in motion and gave her a long, studying glance. “Are you doing okay, Rena? I’m sure riding like this bothers your leg. I noticed you’re limping more today.”
It was the first time since she’d come to Holiday that he’d mentioned her leg and the limp that plagued her. Instead of taking offense, as she might have done a week ago, she appreciated his concern.
“It’s bothering me a little, but not bad. I think racing from that old hound dog caused most of the ache I can’t seem to shake.”
Theo grinned. “When you were running for your life, you didn’t know it was from being slobbered to death.”
She giggled. “No, I did not.”
It was nearly midnight when Theo drove the wagon up to the dynamite shack at the mine and parked. Thanks to the light of the moon, they’d been able to travel after dark. Because they’d kept the pace steady and slow, the horses didn’t seem worn out in the least, but Rena was nearly dead on her feet. They’d stopped on the way up the mountain just long enough to leave their belongings at the cabin and saddle Thomas and Scout. Rena rode Scout and led Thomas the rest of the way to the Gilded Pine Mine.
The night watchman had recognized Theo and waved him in when they approached the mine. Theo had barely stepped out of the wagon when Cade appeared in the doorway of his cabin, his hair standing up on one side, rubbing sleep from his eyes.
“Marshall? That you?” he asked in a loud whisper as he shuffled toward them, slipping his suspender straps over his shoulders.
“We made it back, sir,” Theo said, unlocking the door to the dynamite shack.
“You two made good time. Any trouble along the way?” Cade asked, picking up a crate of dynamite and carrying it inside.
“Nope. Not unless you want to count an old hound out for blood.” Theo smirked at Rena, and she stuck her tongue out at him.
Cade gave them both odd looks, then returned to unloading the crates in silence.
When they finished, Cade went to the office, while Theo backed the wagon beneath the wagon shed, then he and Rena saw to the team. They were just about ready to head out when Cade emerged from the office and handed each of them an envelope.
“There’s your pay for this week and the bonus I promised. As a thank you for getting back so quickly without pushing the team, I’m giving you tomorrow off with pay. Be back here Monday morning ready to blast some rock.”
“Yes, sir!” Rena gratefully accepted her envelope. Theo took his, then enthusiastically shook Cade’s hand.
“Get out of here and get some rest.” Cade waved a dismissive hand, then headed back toward his cabin.
“How about that,” Theo mused, once they’d mounted and were riding toward home. “A whole day off with pay. What will you do tomorrow?”
“Sleep in. Don’t you dare wake me up before six.”
“I won’t be able to do that, since I plan to sleep in a while myself.” Theo grinned at her in the moonlight. “Maybe you could ask Josh to take you on a picnic or something.”
“That is not going to happen, cousin, so get that thought right out of your head.”
“You never know what can happen now that you’ve ridden Hope.”
Rena would have thumped Theo, but she lacked the energy required to lift her arm and swing it at him. “A silly train engine doesn’t mean anything has changed, Theo. I don’t know why everyone is determined to better my life. Maybe I like it just the way it is.”
“Sure, you do.”
