He grinned widely at Ruth.
"You'll not get them back today, I reckon.

If you're riding back home I'd be pleased to----" "But you have business with Gary Warden!" she reminded him.
"That can wait.

Blackburn won't have the herd here until tomorrow." Her eyes were glowing with pleasure, and the faint flush on her face betrayed her still more.

But she looked at him resolutely.
"I shall stay the day out, whether the children come back or not," she said.

"And you must not permit me to interfere with business." It cost her something to tell him that, for the lure of him had seized her long ago--during the first days of their acquaintance, in fact--and she was deliberately refusing the happiness that was offered her--because she could not confess her father's crimes to this man, and because she would not marry him unless he knew.
And not even then, perhaps.