Jack pulled up his horse and looked at the smoke coming out of his chimney and the woman dressed in a man"s winter trench coat carrying wood into the house. Was that Andy"s wife? He knew he had been gone longer than he intended. He set his teeth. It was his place, but he could understand Andy becoming lonesome out here.
She looked at him and almost dropped the wood. Then stood watching with wide eyes as he rode closer. She wet her lips and asked, “Who are you?”
“I"m Jack Donald, the owner of this spread and you?”
He saw the relief wash over her face and she swallowed. “I"m Susan Trenton, Andy"s wife. He"s out looking for a stray cow and plans to be back before tonight. Somehow one of the boards of the fence was dislodged. He fixed that before going after the cow.”
Jack swung down. “Is
