Free Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming by Miralee Ferrell

brows rose, and a curious light sparked in his eyes.
    Angel winced. Most of her work had been done in Wyoming, at least over the past two years. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to know of her history in Texas.
    “Sounds like you’ve done a lot of traveling. You track varmints down Texas way?”
    She shook her head. “No. Wyoming and Colorado. That’s all.”
    His mouth opened, then snapped shut. Good. She didn’t intend to answer any more questions.
    Angel turned toward the spring. “I’m surprised you didn’t locate your house here.”
    He leaned his arm against his saddle. “I thought about it, but it’s too far from town to bring in supplies. We have a good, year-round creek not far from the house, but this would’ve been nice. It’s excellent grazing for the cattle, though.”
    “I can see that. You ever climb the bluff?”
    “Yes. On the back side the slope is more gradual. Great view of the ranch from up there, and with a looking glass, you can see other locations where the cattle hole up.”
    “I’ll try it. Might be a good place to spot predators.”
    “We haven’t had much trouble with wolves over this way. At least not yet.” He frowned. “But it couldn’t hurt to keep watch.” He gathered up his reins. “Let’s head out. I want to reach the next grazing area before we eat.”
    They mounted and headed north. Angel looked back at the pool one more time. This was a place she’d return to—there was something about running water that soothed her soul—and right now, she could certainly use it. She chanced a look at Travis. Did he feel the same way, or was the man so focused on his ranch that he failed to notice the peace? She shrugged and pushed down the thought, irritated that she cared. He was her boss, not her friend, and his feelings weren’t her concern.

    Travis glanced back, wondering at the longing that flashed across Angel’s face. What drove her to live this kind of life? Did she want a family, or did she have normal desires? He still had trouble using her given name, even in his mind. What was he thinking, giving this woman a man’s job and asking her to spend long days alone roaming the range? Part of him longed to treat her like the lady she should be, not the man she pretended to be.
    Disgust niggled at his heart. Not at this young woman riding beside him, but at himself for not having the strength to stick with his decision when he’d wanted to send her away. But something about the determined—no— desperate expression she’d worn when she thought he might turn her aside had gotten under his skin.
    Another half hour of riding brought them within sight of a second herd. Distant bawling floated on the still air and small dust clouds rose. The grassy plain extended for as far as he could see, and he surveyed the area with satisfaction. More cattle grazed here than anywhere on the ranch. He leaned back in his saddle and relaxed. “Tell me about some of the places you’ve worked.”
    Angel didn’t reply, and he stiffened. Surely she couldn’t object to a casual question. A swift movement jerked him around—Angel had withdrawn her rifle.
    “What do you see?” He rose in his stirrups but only saw calves butting heads and playing.
    Angel leaned forward. Her rifle gripped in one hand and holding the reins with her other, she raked her horse with her spurs. The big mare nearly leapt from beneath her and sprang into a hard gallop. “Wolves!” Her voice carried back over the rapidly widening distance.
    “Wolves?” Travis strained to see. He urged his gelding into a canter.
    Angel leaned low over her horse’s neck, seemingly part of the moving animal. Bella was running flat out now. Her long black mane streamed back as her extended stride covered the ground. The mare jumped over brush, kicking up clumps of sod in her wake. The young woman clinging to her back held her rifle balanced against her thigh, riding effortlessly. She lifted the gun to her shoulder but