“Remember, this is a wilderness area. We pack it in, we pack it out. Any questions?” Gage asked.

“What about the two men who just checked in? How do we know they won’t follow us?” Abby asked.

“They may try. We won’t make it easy. I talked to Walt, made a slight last-minute adjustment. We’re going to trailer the stock and go in from the site of an old homestead a few miles farther down the road from our original point of departure. Walt and Kyle are the only ones who know where that is. I’m paying a bonus for their silence, half now, half when we safely return. All we can do is hope we can trust them.

“Anything else?” When no one spoke, Gage rose from the table. “All right, then. We’d all better get some sleep. We’ll be leaving before breakfast, so it’s coffee in your cabins and power bars on the trail until we stop for lunch.”

Gage pulled Abby aside as she stood up, and Mateo slipped quietly out the door.

“From now on, we need to stay focused,” Gage said. “You’ll have to be vigilant, constantly aware of your surroundings. I want you to stay close. No wandering off on your own. There are all sorts of hazards out there, everything from snakes and wild animals to crumbling soil, cliffs, and deep ravines. You understand?”

She nodded. “I’ll be careful.”

He damned well hoped so. He was responsible for her safety, whether she liked it or not. He walked her to her cabin, stood next to her on the porch. “Get some sleep.” He smiled. “Before I change my mind and take up where we left off last night.”

Abby flicked him a don’t-be-so-sure-of-yourself glance, and Gage pulled her into his arms.

“One last thing.” Tipping her chin up, he kissed her. Abby stiffened, but then her plump lips softened under his, her arms went around his neck, and she kissed him back. Firm full breasts pressed into his chest. Her nipples hardened into stiff little buds, and Gage groaned.

The kiss turned deeper, hotter, fiercer. His hand strayed down over the curve of her bottom, cupping and pulling her more firmly against him, letting her feel his erection. He was hard as a stone, aching to be inside her, and rapidly losing control. Forcing his brain to function, he clamped down on the hunger raging through him, kissed her softly one last time, and eased away.

He caught her chin, turning her face up to look at him. “That’s so you’ll remember what’s going to happen when this is over.”

Abby ran a finger over her kiss-dampened lips. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes glazed with passion. He went harder just looking at her. Damn, he wanted this woman.