Her hands fell. “There’s a lot to be done running a hotel.”
“Then why not sell? Take the money and go somewhere safer for you and Danny.”
She waved her hand after the disappearing businessman and his guide. “Because they offered me a pittance. They know how hard it is to overwinter. They thought I’d give in now.”
“You could probably find someone to make you a better offer,” Will said, though everything in him urged him to stop arguing and let her stay. “Lots of companies want a part of Yellowstone.”
“Too many companies,” she said primly. “I had three letters this season from the Virginia City Outfitters. The first offered a decent price. The second increased it. The third warned me I’d regret not agreeing to their terms.”
Will shook his head. “They must never have met you, or they would have known not to threaten an independent woman.”
“Very true. But I know what would happen if I sold the Geyser Gateway to opportunists like that. Cattle and sheep grazing in the meadows instead of elk. Trinkets tucked into geysers to be sold to tourists once the things crust up enough.” She shuddered. “No, it’s best for Danny and best for Yellowstone if I stay.”
“And what’s best for Kate Tremaine?” Will asked.
She stepped out into the sunlight, gazed up into the sky. “Being here. This is home.”
Once more, he wanted to reach for her, hold her, soak up some of the warmth that glowed about her. But this time, the comfort would be all his. Her presence, that sky, the whoosh of a geyser as it shot up, even the whiff of sulfur on the breeze—all tugged at him, pulled him closer than he’d ever been pulled before.
“Home.” The word left his mouth before he could stop it.
She dropped her gaze to his. He couldn’t speak. She didn’t speak. It would take nothing to swing down from the saddle, climb those steps, gather her in his arms, and press his lips to hers.
“I completed the circuit, Lieutenant,” Smith said as he reined in beside Will.
She blinked, as if suddenly finding the sun too bright, and lowered her gaze. “Hello, Private. Caleb and Danny picked apples yesterday. Alberta’s been canning, but she has pies on to bake. You might be in time for a slice. Both of you,” she added without looking at Will.
Smith didn’t look to Will either, not even for permission. “I’d be delighted to sample the wares, ma’am.” He started for the back of the inn.
Will ought to reprimand his private, but he was more concerned about Kate. It seemed he’d made her uncomfortable again.
“I should finish the sweep south,” he said. “Maybe this evening.”
She nodded, but her smile looked brittle.
From the east came the most awful sound Will had ever heard. It started as a grunt and ended in a high-pitched scream. Bess shifted under him. He leaped from the saddle, vaulted the stairs, and put himself between Kate and the danger.
She laid a hand on his shoulder. “Will . . .”
“Get inside,” he said. “Bar the door.”
Her hand pressed against his shoulder, forcing him to turn and look at her. Something silvery danced in her eyes. “Will . . .”
The scream came again, urgent, demanding. He pulled away from her. “Tell Smith to follow me.”
“No.” She darted in front of him before he could jump off the steps. “Will, it’s a bull elk. It’s rutting season.”
He stared at her. “That’s an elk?”
She nodded, but a giggle escaped. “Really. It’s nothing dangerous, unless you happen to be the other elk he’s challenging.”
He stared to the east, remembering the animals they’d startled the other day. “I’ve never heard them make that sound.”
“They only make it this time of year,” she told him, “and only for about a month. We’re halfway through now. I’m surprised we haven’t heard it before.”
He never wanted to hear it again. “You’re sure no one’s being murdered on the other side of those trees?”
Her laughter washed the last of his tension away. “Fairly sure. None of my guests are out in that direction, and I doubt anyone from the Fire Hole Hotel came this far just to murder each other. But I thank you for wanting to protect us.”
He did. All too much. That’s why he excused himself and left.
He’d never considered himself a coward. His commendations in the past proved he knew how to react to challenges. Why was it the thought of more time with Kate both thrilled and terrified him?
He went a little way beyond the Geyser Gateway, far enough to spot the elk herd browsing calmly.
“Let’s hope they stay that way,” he told Bess, who seemed to nod in agreement as they turned and headed north.
He collected Smith and returned to camp, then spent the next few hours helping Franklin with the cabin. By the time they’d finished, it had four walls, though they reached only six feet high and most of the lumber had been used. If he had to live six months in that, he’d be a hunchback by spring.
As Franklin went to saddle the horses for the afternoon sweep, Will looked around for Smith. The bushy-faced private was supposed to be inventorying supplies and making a plan for the next few meals, but he was nowhere in sight.
“Smith!” he shouted. “Report!”
“Coming!” The voice was faint, as if traveling a great distance.
Where was he? Will followed Franklin and saddled Bess. His man finally jogged out of the woods to the west of camp. His trousers below the knee were dark and damp, the proud yellow stripe sagging.
“You were supposed to be working on provisioning,” Will reminded him.
“Sir,” Smith acknowledged with his slow drawl as he came apace with Will. “I was working on provisioning, fishing to be exact.”
Will eyed him. “And your trousers were bait?”
Smith shrugged. “I tumbled in.”
Will wanted to believe him, but something felt off. “My condolences. Do you have a spare uniform?”
“I regret the Army didn’t see fit to provide one
