Sam dug her heels into the dust. It rose in wisps, undeterred by the oppressive heat. She could feel her own wisps of hair clinging to her face and neck as a reminder it was only morning and the day was due for worse heat. The weather channel predicted a blistering one-hundred degrees by noon, though she was sure he had never worked on a ranch in such weather. If he had, he would know to keep his mouth shut and to not relay the horrifying predictions. Wyatt believed in early mornings and late nights with a pregnant pause at midday in hot temperatures. Early mornings, she was reminded, started at four.
An hour had gone by and still Sam felt as if she had just crawled out of her sweat-soaked sheets. The ranch hands seemed to crawl just as slow as she, shirts tossed over wooden railings to dry. They mirrored her disgust, expressions set unhappily under smears of dust and dirt. Despite their grim expressions, she could tell they were impressed she was out at such an early hour. It showed in the respectful nods they gave as their eyes were hidden under the brim of Stetson hats and mouths were sealed into firm lines. She didn't need looks or words to see their concealed astonishment; a rancher's daughter, lived with a man raised in the Nevada dust, and she knew these men spoke louder with actions than with a microphone.
"Sam, you gonna help me or stand there stargazing?"
She sighed. Turning, she saw Jake and his familiar horse, standing with arms crossed against the hitching post. He was tall and lean, but the hat atop his crown of black hair made him seem monstrous before the white farmhouse. Witch was a small mare, built thickly and powerfully, with a strong shoulder and hindquarters. Somehow, physical differences notwithstanding, they were made for each other. They shared the same devilish attitude, though Jake was caring and compassionate – when he wanted to be. Sam had discovered Witch did not have an ounce of heart in her that wasn't reserved for Jake, and had given up befriending the mare years ago. Her friendship with the cowboy had, on the contrary, blossomed.
"Help you with what?" she wanted to know. Crossing the yard, Sam stopped a safe distance from Witch's teeth.
He jerked his head towards River Bend's acreage beyond the immediate buildings. "Fence duty."
A part of her groaned in dismay, and the other rejoiced at the chance to ride. The latter won and she held up a finger. "One minute."
A bay mustang was waiting for her at the gate. He tossed his head in delight as she speedily threw tack on him, not evening having the heart to fight her with the cinch. The weather had been constricting, too hot and dangerous to take the horses any farther than the La Charla River in case of heatstroke or dehydration. Even the dark morning was boiling, though it did not boast the sweltering sun, and hinted at the smallest shift of a breeze. It was far more appealing to ride now than wait for the oncoming storm to break the humid tension.
Ace stood steadily as she swung into the saddle. Her jeans stuck to her already, and just the feel of warm leather made sweat drip down her back. Sam pretended not to notice how filthy she had become in such a short time, taking care to remind herself that Jake was in nothing more than a tee and looked similarly distressed. Witch was lathered by the time they crossed the river and headed for the grazing pasture. She let Ace have his head and kept an eye on how warm he was, not wanting to seek medical attention this far from River Bend.
The fence found them in the darkness. It was tedious work to trail fencing and watch for weak posts or boards, especially in such a black hour when the barbed wire was invisible. Sam found herself straying, staring at the black cows within the safe barrier or to the land beyond. As comfortable as she was in the saddle, her mind was restless. With the heat, the famous white stallion had not shown his face anywhere and she missed him intensely. The sensible side of her reminded her that he had a herd to care for, many fillies and colts that needed his protection. The Phantom couldn't be everywhere at once. He had his responsibilities, just as she did. The difference was that he didn't neglect his.