His lips tightened just a fraction, as if he didn’t like the intrusion into his personal life. “It was time. I lived there most of my life.”

She sensed there was more to his story, but that no amount of prying would get it out of him. Luke Gates was a private man with a past he preferred to keep to himself. A secretive man. The kind to avoid.

They walked to the front of the house, past the overgrown rose garden and a sagging clothesline. Luke frowned as he eyed the grounds. “It’s gonna take a lot of work.”

“But it will be worth it, don’t you think?” Katie asked, some of her enthusiasm returning.

“I hope so.”

“Oh, sure. The area is primed for this kind of thing. Are you going to let your guests brand and rope and whatever else it is a cowboy does?”

“That’s just the routine stuff. I’m planning to have trail rides that last from eight hours to four days. Some will be the real thing—roughing it up in the mountains complete with pack horses and a mess wagon. But I’ll have the more deluxe groups as well, where caterers will be set up along the trail. Food, drink, and entertainment provided. The only thing the guests will have to do is ride. Their tents, cots and sleeping bags will be set up for them while they’re out riding. When they return, they can relax around a gourmet meal and I’ll even include portable showers to wash the dust off.”

She was impressed. This had obviously been his dream for a large part of his life.

“For the people who want to stay down here on the ranch, we’ll not only do the regular work, but we’ll have horse races during the day and hayrides at night. They can swim in the river, or raft or canoe if they want to and in the winter—well, not this year, but hopefully next winter—I’ll organize ski trips to Mount Ashland or hunting expeditions up in the hills.”

“So you’ll be open year-round.”

“Mmm.” He nodded and eyed her speculatively. “This isn’t an ‘official’ visit is it?”

“‘Official’?”

“You’re not up here scoutin’ up a story for your paper?”

“Not today.” She offered him a smile. “Believe me, when I interview you for the Review you’ll know it.”

“Good.”