Free The Legacy of Copper Creek by R.C. Ryan

there’s enough snowmelt that the trails are no longer deadly. I figure it’s time we headed down to my place.”
    “You’re inviting me to your ranch?”
    “Unless you’d rather stay up here all by yourself.”
    She ducked her head to hide her relief. “If you’re inviting me, I’m accepting. Just until I figure out where I’ll go next.”
    He helped himself to ham and eggs and toast. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.”
    “I would think your family will have something to say about that. I’ll bet another body in that already overcrowded mob might be as welcome as a skunk at a picnic.”
    He fixed her with a look. “Once you meet my family, you’ll understand. They like crowds. The more the merrier. After just a day or two, you’ll feel like one of us.”
    Feel like one of us.
    Impossible, of course, but the way he said it had her feeling suddenly hungry.
    She heaped her plate and dug in. “What time are we leaving?”
    “As soon as we pack up.”
    She managed a smile. “That will take me all of a minute. In case you’ve forgotten, I came here with just the clothes on my back.”
    He bit back a grin. “Remember all the garbage and litter that’s been produced? We leave nothing behind for the critters.”
    “Of course.” She sat back and sipped her coffee. “How could I forget?” She glanced at the overflowing garbage bag. “How does all that fit in your saddlebags?”
    “Easy. There’s a pit behind the lean-to. I’ll burn all I can and carry home what can’t be burned.”
    “Now you tell me. I was feeling guilty for creating so much litter.”
    He winked. “That was the idea, Goldilocks.”
    Her heart gave a little flutter at that wink. What was it about this cowboy that he could make her so happy with something so simple?
      
    Whit made a final check of the cabin before climbing into the saddle. He leaned down and eased Cara up behind him.
    She marveled at the strength in his grip.
    “Warm enough?”
    Her voice was muffled against his shoulder. “Yeah. Thanks for the use of the parka.”
    “I’m glad you found one that fit you.”
    “Well, it’s big enough to fit around two of me,” she said with a laugh. “But at least it’s warm.”
    “You’ll need it. At least until we reach a lower level.” He glanced skyward. “But there’s no snow in those clouds.”
    Old Red moved easily through the melting snow.
    Cara wrapped her arms around Whit’s waist, feeling again that odd little tingle at the mere touch of him. She was grateful for the width of his shoulders shielding her from the wind.
    As they moved leisurely down the snow-covered hills, Cara took the time to study the glorious landscape.
    “Oh, Whit. This scenery is so pretty. Do you ever take the time to appreciate what you have?”
    “Yeah. It’s great, isn’t it? I know this part of the country is off the beaten track, and it took the genius of Mad and Pop to see all that it could become, but I never take it for granted. This is the only place I’d ever want to be.”
    “I don’t blame you. If I had all this land, I’d never want to leave.”
    Her words, muffled against his shoulder, had him studying the land with sharper interest. “I do love it. But sometimes I forget to appreciate just how much it cost my father and grandfather to carve out this ranch in the middle of wilderness.”
    Halfway down the hills, they moved past the snow line. The trail ahead of them was bright with spring grass.
    Whit brought their mount to a halt. He slid from the saddle before helping Cara down.
    “Why are we stopping?”
    “I don’t know about you, but I’m too warm.” He removed his parka and stuffed it into the already filled saddlebag. Cara removed hers and tied the sleeves around her waist.
    From the opposite saddlebag, Whit removed a bottle of water and uncapped it before handing it to Cara. She drank, then offered it to him. He drained the bottle and returned the empty to his bag.
    Cara grinned. “The