bakery that opened at dawn. Travis held Duck close. He fought the wind, trying to keep up with Sage, but she was several steps in front of him when she turned the corner.
A moment later when he looked up, his sister was bundled into the arms of a man. They were both circling in the wind almost as if they were figures whirling atop a music box.
Before he could reach her, Sage laughed. 'I'm sorry, sir. I wasn't watching where I was going.'
The man still held her at the waist. 'That's all right, miss. You can run into me anytime.'
Travis was about to step in and end this conversation when the man removed his hat.
Travis frowned. 'Saddler.'
Mike had the nerve to smile. 'Sorry, sir, I hope I didn't keep you waiting.'
Travis took one step closer. 'If you'll let go of her'-he frowned at Mike-'I'd like to introduce you to my little sister.'
Mike kept smiling.
An hour later Travis decided that he and Duck might as well be fence posts for all they added to the conversation. Sage and the young Ranger were identical idiots. They never stopped smiling or talking. Sage asked Mike questions she already knew the answer to. Mike complimented her on just about everything she had on including her gloves, which, Travis noticed, were just plain old gloves, nothing special.
While Travis paid and bought Duck an extra cookie, he heard Sage explain to Mike that she'd love to go riding, but her brother said she had to find someone who could keep up with her.
'I'm a fair horseman,' Mike offered. 'I'd be honored to give it a try.'
They made plans while Travis choked down his comments. He had promised Sage, and Mike was not only fair, but one of the best men on horseback he'd ever seen. The boy must have been riding by the time he walked, and he'd need all his skill if he planned to keep up with Sage.
He followed the couple out. Mike took Sage's hand in both his and asked if she'd be too cold riding in this weather.
Travis wondered what other weather there was, but didn't say anything.
His sister said she'd be ready in an hour.
Mike finally gave her hand back and saluted. 'I'll have two horses outside ready and waiting in one hour, Miss McMurray.'
Sage suddenly looked shy, something Travis had never seen in his sister before. She took Duck's hand and turned toward home.
Travis stopped Mike from leaving with a stare. 'Aren't you tired?'
'No,' the young Ranger answered. 'Not at all. Thanks for the breakfast.'
'You're welcome and-'
Mike raised a hand. 'I know. You'll kill me if I hurt her.'
'You got that right,' Travis answered, smiling for the first time since he'd suggested the idea of breakfast. 'And I should also warn you that I've got two brothers who aren't as friendly as I am. After I kill you, they'll ride down from Whispering Mountain, dig you up, and kill you again.'
Mike laughed. 'Maybe I should think about going riding with girls who don't have any brothers.'
'It wouldn't be a bad idea,' Travis suggested.
Mike waved. 'See you in an hour.'
Travis walked in the opposite direction. When he turned the corner, Sage was waiting.
'Did you threaten him?' she asked as they walked.
'Yes.' Travis saw no need to lie.
'Is he still coming to pick me up?'
'Yes.'
'Good.'
She didn't say another word. An hour later she kissed Travis on the cheek and wished him good luck with the questions he'd be answering in front of a panel of lawyers. 'I'll be back in two hours and wait for you here. When you return, we can go pick up my new dress. I can hardly wait to see what Mike thinks of it.'
'I don't know how long the questions will take.'
'Not long, I hope.'
Travis mumbled. 'I'll be back as soon as I can.' As he left with Duck, he noticed Mike riding up to the house. Somewhere he'd found a sidesaddle. Travis laughed. Sage had never ridden sidesaddle in her life. It would almost be worth being late for his testing to watch her face when she saw the saddle.
He walked across the street to the courthouse and slowly climbed to the second floor. A secretary told him that Judge Gates was finishing up with a case and would be with him as soon as possible. She pointed down the hallway. 'You can wait down by the courtrooms, but make sure that boy doesn't make any noise.'
He thanked her, then wondered why. If Duck would say something, Travis wouldn't care if he yelled it to the roof of this fine building.
As he walked down the hall, Travis figured it might be Dottie Davis's claim on the wine that held the judge up, but decided that would have been over at least an hour ago. To his surprise, Rainey was sitting on the bench outside the judge's chambers when he got there.
'Mind if I sit down?' Travis wasn't sure where he stood with Rainey. But then, why should today be any different than others? He never knew where he stood with her.
She looked up, but didn't smile. 'No. I don't mind.' She moved halfway down the bench, giving him more room than he and Duck would need.
The boy sat between them and to Travis's surprise patted her hand.
'Problem with the court, or just unhappy to see me?' Travis asked as he removed his and Duck's coats.
He dug in his pocket for the top string and two other balls of yarn Duck insisted on bringing along. One of the strings was caught on a half a cookie Duck must have crammed in his pocket along with a leaf he'd picked up somewhere along the way. 'I swear,' Travis mumbled as he tried to straighten the mess out. 'I need a pack mule to take the kid anywhere.'
Rainey smiled as she watched but made no effort to help.
Travis unloaded his other pocket on the bench next to Duck. 'He collects everything. Not just food and string, but leaves and nails. I gave him one of the boxes Sage brought home to keep all he collects. He sleeps next to it like he's guarding his treasures every night.'
Rainey laughed. 'I know how he feels. When you don't have anything, one box seems like a lot. And, in answer to your question, my problem is with the court, not you. The judge is talking to Dottie now. It seems the partner may have a right to the wine. If so, we may be charged. He asked me to wait out here.'
'If I get a license to practice, you may be my first client.' Travis frowned. He wanted to see her again, but not as a criminal he defended.
'I thought you were being tested to be a lawyer this morning,' Rainey said. 'I may be running out of time. I may be sentenced and in jail before you finish the testing.'
He shrugged. 'Maybe. There's been a delay.'
They sat in silence for a few minutes. No one passing would ever guess that they had shared several passionate kisses the night before. In truth they looked like two strangers waiting.
Finally Rainey broke the silence. 'Good luck with the panel.'
'Thanks,' he answered. 'Would you mind if I talked to you about something?'
She looked like she might bolt.
'I could use some advice. It's about my sister,' he quickly added.
Rainey met his eyes for the first time. 'All right. If you think I can help.'
While Duck played with his string, Travis explained everything that had happened that morning at the bakery. Rainey relaxed at his side, asking questions, offering comments. By the time he'd finished his account, she was laughing at his threats.
'She's just eighteen,' Travis ended. 'I don't think she knows what she's doing.'
'I'm twenty-three,' Rainey said. 'And I'm not sure I know what I'm doing most of the time.'
Travis almost forgot about his sister's problem. Rainey had just told him something personal about herself.
'What do you think I should do?' he asked.
