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also one of his best mares and her foal to the deadly wind. Word of the disaster had gotten around fast, and everyone had pitched in to organize this barn raising. Neighbors helped neighbors if they wanted to survive for long on the frontier. Then too, gatherings like this were chances to socialize, something the womenfolk appreciated.
    Not that Lil counted herself among them. Most of the women looked down their noses at her and her mother because of their Indian blood. Lil didn’t give a hoot. She didn’t like them anymore than they liked her, with one exception: Thea Knudson, who came rushing toward her now.
    “Lil! I’m so glad to see you!” the blonde woman gushed, throwing her arms around Lil and hugging her tight. “I was afraid you wouldn’t make it, and we haven’t seen each other in a coon’s age.”
    Lil had known Thea – short for Althea – since they were both in pigtails, when Thea’s folks, the Hewitts, had owned a small spread near the Double C. Even after the family gave up ranching and moved into Clifton, Thea had remained Lil’s friend, her only female friend.
    “I’m glad to see you, too,” Lil replied, smiling as they drew apart. “Looks like married life is still agreeing with you.” Thea was married to a big Norwegian named Arni Knudson, who owned a farm over near Cranfills Gap. The pair had three children at last count.
    “I couldn’t be happier, Lil.” Thea’s round, freckled face took on a sympathetic expression. “I only wish you’d find the same happiness.”
    Lil stiffened. “I am happy,” she said more sharply than she intended. At that moment, her mother walked over, stopping her from saying something she’d regret. Thea meant well and Lil didn’t want to lose her friendship, but she couldn’t stomach her unwanted sympathy.
    “Hello, Althea. You are well?” Ma asked with a hint of a smile.
    “Yessum. I was just telling Lil how glad I am to see you folks.”
    “Seeing you is also good.” Turning to Lil, Ma said, “There is work to do. Come.” With that, she stepped away, expecting to be obeyed.
    Lil and Thea shared understanding grins and joined the other women, who were setting up long plank tables to accommodate the throng of people when noontime rolled around. As she worked, Lil listened with only half an ear to the gossipy women’s chatter. She wasn’t interested in who was courting who or what the newest bonnet style was. She’d rather work with the men as she was used to doing.
    Although it galled her to admit, she was also preoccupied, watching for the River T crowd to show up. The thought of seeing David and Jessie set her on edge. She hadn’t seen them in several months but had heard Jessie was in a family way again, and although she hated herself for it, she still resented their happiness. Beyond that, she wondered if Jessie’s brother would be with them or if he had already lit out. Not that she cared. She was curious, that’s all.
    When the Taylors rode in a short while later, she noted Jessie’s rounded stomach and the tender way David handed her down from their buckboard. Lil looked away. She might not want anyone’s pity, but it did hurt to know she would never be treated that way by a man, much less have a child of her own.
    Her gaze shifted to the River T riders, unwillingly searching for Devlin. It took her a moment to spot him because he looked so different from the first time she’d laid eyes on him. Gone were the silly duds he’d worn that day by the creek. Now he was dressed sensibly in sturdy corded trousers, a tan work shirt, boots and Stetson. Mounted on a decent horse this time, he sat relaxed in the saddle, and when he dismounted, he stepped down smoothly, as if he’d been doing it all his life.
    Lil noticed all these things in a matter of seconds. She also saw that while Devlin wasn’t quite as tall as David, he still topped most of the other men by several inches. Unable to stop herself, she took in his broad shoulders,