High Country Baby

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Two days later, they reached the spot where she planned on staying for several days and truly taking in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains—the wildlife, the foliage, the majesty. She wanted to be able to take it all in without feeling as if she was on a schedule. Would she be able to find the answer for the next phase of her life hidden in the mountain peaks? She had resigned from her position at the bank, walked away from the only career she had known for over a decade. For the first time since she was a young woman, she was functioning without a net.

“I’m going for a hike.”

Taylor had awakened feeling refreshed and ready to explore the area surrounding their new campsite on foot.

Clint was checking his horse’s hoof. He let the horse’s leg go and gave the buckskin a pat on the haunches.

“You planning on goin’ off alone?”

“Yes.”

She had become accustomed to having Clint around. She had been able to embrace the good of having a man on the journey with her. But her increased comfort with the man didn’t change the fact that this journey was about rediscovering herself—self-reliance, rebuilding self-confidence. There had to be some time that the only person to rely on was the one she looked at in the mirror.

“Do you know how to use that gun or is it just for show?”

There was a decidedly chauvinistic tone in his question. The challenge had been issued.

“I’ll make you a wager that I’m a better shot than you.”

The look on Clint’s face was better than she could have predicted. He tipped the brim of his hat up so he could get a better look at her face. In his deeply set grayish-blue eyes, she saw a mixture of disbelief and admiration.

“Lady—I ain’t got nothin’ to bet but two cigarettes and my last bottle of liquor.”

“Loser—i.e., you cook dinner. I like how you cook freshly caught fish.”

Clint laughed—a deep, hearty laugh that made her smile in response. “You don’t have to give me nothin’ when you lose—I’m shootin’ for my honor.”

They set up targets.

“Ladies first.” Clint tipped his hat to her.

“Don’t mind if I do.”

Clint made a big show of backing away from her when she pulled her gun out of the holster.

“Worried?” She unlocked the safety with a small smile.

“Always, when a woman has a gun.”

Clint watched closely while Taylor took her shots. He was looking for comfort with the firearm, safety and skill. He had to admit that he saw all three. She might be a city, socialite kind of woman, but she knew her way around a revolver.

“Five out of five,” Taylor announced proudly.

“Not bad.”

“Not bad?” She reloaded her weapon, turned on the safety and holstered it. “Please.”

Clint took his turn and scored four out of five.

Taylor clapped her hands together and gave a little jump. “I won! Wait—did you lose on purpose?”

Clint holstered his gun. “I never lose on purpose.”

The cowboy took losing to her more graciously than she had expected.

“Looks like I’ll be catching that dinner I owe you while you go on your hike.”

It made her feel empowered. Underneath it all, Clint had been worried about her hiking alone and now that he’d seen her shoot, that he’d been beaten at his own game, he had confidence in her. And his confidence boosted her confidence in herself. It was a win-win.

* * *

“Wow!” Taylor put her hands on her full stomach. “You are an amazing cook! What did you cook the fish in?”