And then they rode into the ranch yard, and there was no more time to talk.

“No one’s gonna believe Wyatt rode off, mad at everyone, and took a job being a cowpoke at another ranch.” Cheyenne dragged her gloves off her hands and slapped her leg with them. She glared at Kevin, wondering who came up with this stupid plan.

Kevin had ridden to the cabin Cheyenne and Falcon had moved to. They had come outside, hearing a rider approach. Then Kevin had told her of Wyatt and Molly. “It’s too late to stop him. Wyatt is gone. He’s hoping Hawkins is too badly in need of help to ask many questions. And he says you oughta come on home until he gets back. You’re who should be running the ranch. I sure enough can’t do it.”

Win sat on her horse beside Kevin. Cheyenne was struck by the way these two were always together. Of course, she was most always with Falcon, too. But that was different.

She turned to look at Falcon. “We’ve got the cabin ready to be lived in. I like it here.”

He smiled that rugged smile. His hazel eyes sparked humor and more. “Let’s go keep your brother’s ranch running until he comes home, then we’ll get back over here. I like it here, too.” Falcon turned to face Kevin. “And Hobart is staying at the house now?”

“Yep. And Win and I were told to move into the big house, but if you’re coming back, we’ll stay where we are.” He turned to his wife and smiled.

She smiled back. “We’ve gotten settled in there.”

Cheyenne was bothered by that private smile. Win and Kevin had gotten the better of the deal, having the ramrod’s house to themselves.

It didn’t matter if it bothered her or not. She had no choice but to go back. Someone had to run the ranch.

“While we’re there”—Cheyenne slapped her gloves into the palm of her hand—“we can talk to Hobart about what’s involved in hiring a Pinkerton to find out the details about your ma’s date of death. Or how she thinks we need to proceed. We don’t dare talk to anyone local, not while Wyatt and Molly are at Hawkins’s place. He might get wind of it and be suspicious of Wyatt’s reasons for leaving.” She frowned. “I’m sorry I act like I’m overly interested in the date. Losing your ma had to be a terrible thing. I was an adult when my ma died, and it was so sad, so shocking.”

Falcon shrugged. “Maybe Hobart could slip out in the night like she slipped in. Ride off a piece, to Casper or farther if we think that’s needed, and send a letter or a wire from there to get things started.”