“Maybe,” Mateo said, but a look passed between them. They would have to keep an eye out just in case.

“People come here hunting gold,” Mateo said. “From what I have learned, there are many who search for the famous lost mine.”

Gage nodded. “The Lost Dutchman. It’s a pastime for locals, and finding it is every treasure hunter’s dream.”

“But you believe the old man found it, this King Farrell.” He tipped his head toward Abby. “Your woman’s abuelo.”

“I told you she isn’t my woman.” At least not yet.

“We both know it will happen soon.”

“I can’t let it happen. Not out here.”

Mateo looked at him with a touch of amusement but made no reply.

“I think the old man may have found something,” Gage said. “Not sure exactly what. King Farrell was the best at what he did, and there are plenty of mines in the area. Abby has enough faith in him to stake everything she owns on this trip.”

“If the gold is here, you will find it for her.”

Gage smiled. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

The horses and mules finished drinking, and the group prepared to continue up the trail. Gage wanted to reach the spot Kyle had chosen to camp well before nightfall. He wanted Mateo to scout the area, look for any sign of trouble, change locations if necessary.

Gage led the big bay up next to Abby’s paint. “You doing okay?”

“I’m not used to riding.” She tilted her head to look up at him from beneath the brim of her straw hat. “I’m stiff and sore, but I’ll be okay in a day or two.”

“We’ve got a ways to go before we stop for the night.”

She nodded. “I’ll be fine.” She smiled. “I saw my first roadrunner today. I couldn’t believe how fast he was.”

She glanced around, her gaze lingering on the walls of rock they were traveling through. “At first, this place . . . it just looks forbidding, but after a while you start to see things, like how amazingly blue the sky is, how the rocks give you a glimpse into the distant past.

“I read somewhere the Superstitions are the remains of an ancient super volcano. What we’re heading into is a giant caldera.”

Her gaze returned to the big granite boulders ahead. “Imagine how this place would have looked back then.”

“Yeah,” he said, but he was having trouble taking his eyes off Abby. Instead of being frightened and repelled by the harsh desert terrain, she was enthralled by its magnificence. They were feelings Gage understood, the reason he traveled all over the world. It didn’t matter where you went—there was always something new to see and learn.

Dragging his gaze away from her, he glanced around, saw Kyle, Mateo, and Smiley all waiting for them.