excuse was a lie. Dexter often spent time at the lodge or Wes’s Texas ranch when Wes wasn’t around. His old friend had been trying to make time with Stella for quite a while—without much luck. If Stella favored anyone it was Tim Henderson, the manager-caretaker of the property. Tim was a little older than Stella, quiet-spoken and didn’t jump when she threw her weight around. Their relationship hadn’t changed much through the years and Wes really didn’t know if they had a private, intimate relationship going or not.
“I hope Dex and I won’t be in your way,” Wes added, blatantly fishing for an assurance his presence would be welcome.
“I’m not sure how extensive Stella’s plans are,” she replied evenly.
“You may have trouble putting a leash on Stella’s wild ideas,” he warned.
“That isn’t my job. I’ve been hired to follow her wishes as best I can. My commitment is to please Stella and offer suggestions, but not implement my own ideas.”
“Then heaven help us both,” he said lightly. He was impressed with the firm way she set him straight. He liked that.
“More coffee?” he asked as he filled her cup.
Danny piped up. “Where’s that girl?”
“You mean Cassie?”
Danny bobbed his head. “Yeah, her.”
“She usually has breakfast and sometimes lunch with her nanny upstairs. They have a nice little kitchen apartment all their own. Maybe you’d like to join them sometime?”
Danny’s expression clearly expressed his lack of enthusiasm for such a happening. “I don’t like girls.”
Wes chuckled at the child’s display of disgust. Danny was all boy. Watching a son like that grow up would be a joy. Wes’s heart tightened just a bit. He loved his daughter, but he couldn’t help wishing he also had his own son to raise.
“Girls are a pest sometimes,” he agreed solemnly. “It’s too bad you’re not interested though. Cassie has a playroom filled with all kinds of fun things. And then there’re the ponies.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” his mother said quickly. “Danny’s never been around horses.”
“Maybe this is a good time to give him that opportunity. One of my staff, Tim Henderson, is very good with youngsters. He rides with Cassie almost every day.” Wes could tell she wasn’t sold on the idea. “What about you? Have you done any horseback riding?”
Her laughter surprised him. “I’ve ridden bareback, saddled up my own mount and even mucked out a stable or two.” She told him that her parents had been farm people.
“Well, I guess I’d better brush up on my own performance before asking you to go riding with me.”
“We could all go,” Danny popped up in a firm little voice.
Wes was beginning to like this kid more and more. “Good idea. How about this afternoon?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Stella—” Caroline started to protest.
“Let’s say four o’clock. She should be through with you by then.”
“Please, Mama, please,” Danny begged.
Wes could tell Danny’s mother was hard put to deny his eager expression. “We ought to take advantage of the nice weather. October can be unpredictable, especially in the high country.”
“All right, if Stella doesn’t object.”
“Good,” Wes stood up and ruffled Danny’s hair. “See you then, cowboy.”
CAROLINE AND Danny were just finishing their breakfast when Trudie Benson came in from the kitchen. She wiped her hands on an apron large enough to cover her rounded middle and asked, “Everything all right?”
“Great,” Caroline assured her. “Thank you.”
“No need for thanks. Hank and I are happy just to see people enjoying the food.”
“Where is everybody?”
“The hired help eat early and the rest eat late. You’re kinda in the middle. Felicia and Cassie are having breakfast upstairs.”
“Could you tell me where their rooms are? I need to check with the nanny about looking after Danny while I work.” Caroline ignored Danny’s audible groan.
“Top of the stairs, turn to the right. Knock on the double doors at the end of the hall.”
Caroline thanked her and they left Trudie busily checking the buffet and coffeepots.
Danny hung back and grumbled all the way up the stairs.
“It’s going to be fun,” Caroline assured him. “Like daycare and preschool…only better. Just the two of you to play with all the toys.”
“Girls’ stuff,” he muttered.
“Did you notice her cowboy boots and hat? And she has her own ponies.” She smiled to herself as his frown disappeared.
“I guess she’s okay.”
“You’ll have your own special teacher, too. Felicia seems very nice. And this afternoon we’ll go horseback riding—if you behave yourself.” She wasn’t above a little bit of bribery when the situation invited it.
She found Felicia’s apartment on the second floor at the opposite end from their rooms. She knocked on the double doors. It opened slowly and Cassie peeked out. Her round eyes instantly fixed on Danny. “What do you want?”
“May we come in?” Caroline asked politely, ignoring the two children glaring at each other.
“We’ve already had breakfast,” Cassie declared with obvious satisfaction as she opened the door wider. “You can’t be sleepyheads and eat with us.”
“We already ate,” Danny declared triumphantly.
The apartment’s sitting room was quite spacious and light with the morning sun pouring through windows along one wall. Draperies, furniture throws and fringed gaudy lamps were various shades of red and purple. Artificial flowers were displayed on small tables covered with silk cloths and Caroline could smell an invading scent of potpourri coming from a cut-glass bowl.
Cassie pranced ahead of them into an adjoining room which was obviously the playroom of a very rich little girl. Even Danny’s eyes widened as he looked around at the games, toys, paints, clay and inviting electronic gadgets he’d only seen in toy stores.
Cassie knocked on one of the doors at the far side of the room and called out loudly, “That boy’s here.”
The bedroom door opened almost immediately and Felicia glided into the room wearing a long multicolored robe that swept the floor. Her salt-and-pepper hair was held back by a braided band and fell freely halfway down her back. If Felicia was embarrassed by her lessthan-formal appearance, there was no
