you ever heard of a Judas horse?”
“Yes. But I’ve never seen that technique put to effective use.”
“There’s a box canyon in the south end of the preserve. Here.” Gavin tapped the map with his index finger. “We’ll construct a small pen at the base of the canyon and put a couple of our mares in there. Preferably ones in heat.”
“How will you construct the pen? Won’t you need to haul fencing in?”
“We’ll run a rope line. Use any natural materials in the area. We can pack in food and water for the mares, enough to last overnight. If all goes well, the next morning the mustang will be in the canyon with the mares. There’s only one way in and out.” He circled the narrow opening to the canyon.
“How many of us will there be?”
“Me, you, Ethan, Conner, he’s a local cowboy who helps us out part-time, and possibly my partner.” Gavin wished he could include his dad but the older man hadn’t ridden in years.
Sage returned to the map. “So, we could position two riders at the entrance of the canyon, preventing the mustang’s escape, and the other three could trap and rope him.”
“That’s the plan.”
“It might work,” she relented with a shrug.
“It will work.”
“You’re still counting heavily on luck.”
“He’ll come for the mares. I’m sure of it.”
Isa’s laughter reached them across the open area, once again diverting Sage’s attention.
Cassie jogged alongside Chico, urging the old horse into a slow trot that delighted his rider. It pleased Gavin to see his daughter taking her responsibility seriously.
Sage’s expression, however, immediately tensed.
She was, he decided, a worrywart where her daughter was concerned. He hoped that didn’t cause any problems for them. The risk of danger existed with any trip into the mountains. Greater when a wild and unpredictable animal was involved. The last thing they needed was for one of them to be overly preoccupied. That was how accidents happened.
“What time do we leave tomorrow?” she asked, facing him.
“Right after breakfast. I was thinking seven. It’ll be plenty light by then.”
“Do you need any help getting ready?”
There was a lot of work involved. Supplies and equipment to assemble and pack. “If you’re offering, I accept. But I have a four o’clock lesson and won’t be ready to start until after that. Maybe you and your daughter can stay for dinner.”
Gavin could use the help, it was true. But after Sage’s odd behavior today, he’d grown skeptical and really wanted a chance to observe her in action. He had too much riding on capturing the mustang to take chances with a loose cannon.
“I don’t want to impose,” she said.
“My dad always fixes enough for an army.”
Sage glanced at the girls again, her brow creasing with indecision. “I … guess so. Let me make a phone call.”
“My lesson doesn’t start for another twenty minutes.” He refolded the map and put it back in his file. “How ’bout I meet you in the stables after you make your call.”
“Fine.” Sage also collected her materials.
As they stood, a pickup truck rolled through the open area in front of the stables at a speed slightly faster than Gavin would have preferred. Rather than pull behind the stables and park in the area reserved for visitors, the driver came to a dust-billowing stop in front of the hitching rail.
If it were anyone else, Gavin would have a stern word with them. In this case, he simply ground his teeth.
Dan Rivera didn’t think rules—any rules, not just those at Powell Ranch—applied to him. It came from having a very elevated opinion of himself and his abilities. On the other hand, he was a good horse trainer and brought several new customers to the ranch. He was also an astute businessman and had helped Gavin immensely.
So, though it annoyed him, he let the speeding and parking violations slide.
Sage had taken out her cell phone and was punching in numbers. When she caught sight of Dan emerging from his truck, she stopped cold and swore under her breath.
“Do you know him?” Gavin asked.
“Unfortunately, yes.” Her hands shaking, she pocketed her cell without completing the call.
Dan headed in the direction of the parents at the fence, several of whom were his clients.
Sage’s eyes widened with fright as she tracked his every step. “I need to get my daughter.” She started out at a brisk walk.
“What’s wrong?” Gavin lengthened his strides to catch up.
“I’m sorry,” she stuttered. “We can’t stay for dinner after all.”
With that, she broke into a fast run.
SAGE’S HEART BEAT WITH such force she thought it might shatter. Her ex was on a collision course with Isa, and unless Sage sprouted wings, she wasn’t going to get there ahead of him.
Dammit! She didn’t want her daughter meeting her father for the first time in four years with no preparation.
Her fault. All her fault. She’d known Gavin had dealings with Dan. She should have at least anticipated the possibility of running into him at the ranch.
“Sage!” Gavin appeared alongside her just as Dan was approaching Isa.
Suddenly, as if a button had been pushed, everything slowed to a crawl and each detail crystalized into sharp focus. Sage watched, horrified and helpless, as Isa trotted along the corral fence within a few feet of Dan. He stared ahead at the parents watching Ethan’s class. Then all at once, Sage’s worst fears were realized. Dan turned his head and looked directly at Isa.
Oh, God! Please don’t let him say something hurtful.
Sage stumbled to a stop. She tried to breathe but her fire-filled lungs wouldn’t expand.
The moment—which seemed to last an eternity—abruptly passed.
Dan continued walking without so much as breaking a single step.
He hadn’t recognized his own daughter!
“You bastard!” Sage’s previously stalled breath came in ragged bursts.
“What the hell’s going on?”
She’d forgotten about Gavin. “Nothing.”
“That wasn’t
