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predominant feature.
    “I’ll take the train to Helena…” she said stubbornly.
    Jed let out an exasperating sigh. “Are all you women so stubborn?”
    “Yes,” Tess and Maria said at the same time.
    “Fine. But you’ll fly home from Helena,” Jed said, wagging a finger in Maria’s direction. She nodded and grinned.
    “Well, it’s all set,” Tess said sarcastically. “This will be wonderful. Maria will go home to New Mexico. Dad will be miserable until August. I’ll have to break in a new cook. Boy, she’d better be able to make biscuits like you do.”
    Maria gave her a stern look. “You just behave yourself and do not get in her way and be nice.”
    Tess grumbled. “I’m nice.”
    “I mean be a lady, not the ruffian, ill-mannered tomboy you still are,” she said severely. Jed chuckled and avoided the scathing look from Tess. “It wouldn’t hurt you to wear a dress.”
    Tess laughed out loud as did Jed. “A dress? Maria, I’m forty-nine. I haven’t worn a dress since—” She stopped and thought about it. So did Jed.
    “I think you were three,” he said, and Tess nodded in agreement.
    Maria rolled her eyes and waved her hands in defeat. She mumbled in her native Cherokee all the way out the door.

    It turned very warm, for which Tess was grateful. She sat outside the bus station in Silverhill . The new cook, Claire Redmond, was due on the ten forty from Helena. She had a good twenty minutes, so she stretched out her jean-clad legs and crossed them. Pulling the worn cowboy hat down over her eyes, she yawned and shifted in her seat; her ass was killing her when she thought of the riding she had to do with Chuck. As the morning sun warmed her, she wondered just how young this Mrs. Redmond’s son was and if he knew how to ride; she smiled at the prospect.
    “Excuse me?”
    Tess heard the soft voice and smiled. “Hmm, not now. I’m so comfortable.” Tess sighed, then heard the laughter.
    Her head shot up as she sat erect. Pushing her hat back on her head, she looked up into the sun, then took off her cowboy hat to shield her eyes.
    A woman stood there, her head cocked. “Miss Rawlins?” she asked tentatively.
    Tess immediately jumped up. “Yes. I’m sorry. I’m Tess Rawlins. Mrs. Redmond?”  
    “Yes, sorry to wake you,” she said and smiled slightly.
    Tess gave a nervous chuckle. She looked at this woman who was about three inches shorter. With her long brown hair pulled back, it gave Tess a good look at the smiling face. The woman’s skin was fair and her cheeks flushed. Her eyes were a deep dark blue. She was an attractive woman—an attractive widow, she reminded herself.
    Tess looked over to see a teenage boy standing nearby.
    “Hey,” Tess said, and the boy, who looked to be fifteen or so, smiled as Tess stuck out her hand. “I’m Tess.”
    “Jack Redmond,” he said. His deep brown eyes watched her warily.
    “Well, let’s get going. Do you have luggage?” she asked, and Mrs. Redmond nodded and pointed at three weary-looking pieces of luggage standing by the curb.
    “Great. Jack, give me a hand?” Tess looked over at the young man, who nodded and followed her.
    Once the luggage was set in the back of the old wagon, Tess slammed the door and slid in. She glanced at the woman sitting next to her. She wore a heavy coat and wool slacks. Tess couldn’t tell her age, but she looked young, but then everyone was looking young to Tess.
    “So, Mrs. Redmond, I hope you won’t mind cooking for us. There were supposed to be seven ranch hands, but we lost a few during the winter. I’m working on hiring a couple for the spring and summer.” Tess put the car in gear. She eyed Jack in the backseat.
    The woman chuckled. “I’ve been cooking for more than that for the past year or so. I won’t let you down, Miss Rawlins.”
    “I’m sure you won’t. I appreciate you moving like this on such short notice. Do you have any family that you’re leaving behind?” she asked casually,