Twenty-TwoIsabella relaxed back on her elbow on her good side, the one that was the least bruised from her fall, plucked a peach from the picnic rug under her, bit into it gingerly and then sucked like mad to stop the burst of fresh, sweet juice running down her chin. The sun-warmed fruit was perfect, the red-blushed yellow skin and yellow flesh giving away with satisfying fuzzy firmness and a honey aroma as she bit into it. She smiled up at Rosie and sighed contentedly. “What a glorious day!”
Nearby, Sebastian was watering the horses they’d hired to ride the ruins at the old Sutter Fort, an open space close to town where they could enjoy exercise without attracting any attention. Horses settled, he returned and collapsed on the rug alongside them.
Isabella shifted position to catch his
