Chapter 13

Millie woke early, smiled at the sunlight coming through her window, and then lost her joy as she remembered last night's disappointment. Oh, she had danced with nice, eligible men but not with Preston. The man never showed up. She sighed. At least that was better than if he had shown up and danced with other women. Candace had asked about him, not even trying to hide her interest.

So where was he? Yes, it had snowed, and there was still a foot of snow on the ground. But that was no excuse. She knew his family had sleighs, as hers did. Throwing her pillow at the wall, she got up and went down for breakfast.

Father was sitting at the table and raised an eyebrow at her. She could tell he wanted to ask her questions, but he must have sensed her mood and kept his nose in the newspaper.

Not one to enjoy being at odds with her father, Millie piled some pancakes onto her plate. "I saw you dancing the night away with Ann Green." She bit her tongue. That had sounded so harsh. Though she'd meant it to be. Still, Father had every right to enjoy his life.

"I enjoy the woman's company." He put down the paper. "I hope you don't mind."

"No, not at all. You deserve happiness." She sighed again. Why was she against him enjoying the company of a woman his age and one who clearly enjoyed his company? "I'm going to take Bob out today. It should be nice with the sun out and fresh snow."

"Just be careful. I've heard the wolves close to town. Not to mention, the old cougar has been roaming the area. Baker lost a cow to him the other day."

"I always take my rifle. Old Yellow doesn't scare me. He's got to be over a dozen years old." She stared at her father and questioned if she should tell him or not, and then she admitted her disappointment. "Preston never showed up."

He glanced at her. "Can't say I am sorry about that. I told you. His family is not welcome here. I don't want you to see him."

"What if I said that about Ann?"

Lowering the newspaper, her father frowned. "That is not for you to say or question. I would hope you could be civil to her."

"As I hope you'll be civil to Preston." She matched her father's stern gaze.

"Hmmph." Father picked up the paper and held it up between them.

She shook her head. "The man didn't even show up last night. You don't need to worry." As she said the words, the hollow place in her heart widened. Had she been placing her hopes on Preston's return? They'd never made plans for the future. They were just friends.

Millie finished her breakfast, thanked Sadie for the always tasty meal, and went to her room to dress. As she put on her warm-weather clothes, she had to laugh. What a contrast with the lovely young woman she'd been last night. It reminded her of the Cinderella story. The only thing missing was a Prince Charming.

She didn't even have a pauper interested in her. Looking down at her clothes, she shook her head. This was not the attire to catch a husband. Well, she wanted to work with Bob today. The weather was perfect for pointing out pheasants with bright sunshine, snowy fields, and brisk fresh air. It just didn't get better than that.

Millie rushed outside to the barn. She could walk the dog around the fields, but she wanted to take him to the foothills below the mountain trails. She called to the stableman to saddle her favorite horse, Sunny. The gelding was used to working with the dogs and was a sturdy animal.

She put the rifle in the scabbard, the canteen on the saddle horn, and then tied a blanket to the back of the horse. It was always good to be prepared. Millie went to the kennels and greeted Bob. The dog barked and could barely contain himself as he wagged his tail so hard.

"You ready to work, buddy?"

A couple of barks answered her. She put his collar on and let him run with her to the horse. Soon, they were riding out of Denver to the foothills beneath the mountains. She delighted in the snow-white blanket covering the land.

She called out commands to Bob, and he ran on alert. She watched the dog and enjoyed seeing him work. Millie hadn't planned on shooting any pheasant today, so left the rifle in the scabbard.

She dismounted and waited for Bob to signal a find. It wasn't long before he pointed his quarry. After tying the horse to a stout tree, she walked to where the dog stood. "Good boy. Go."

The dog ran and flushed out the pheasant he'd spotted. "Perfect, Bob. Come." Millie grinned as the dog trotted obediently to her and sat. She'd just finished petting the dog when she saw a rider coming down the trail from the mountains. Not sure who it was, she went to her horse and put her hand on the rifle.

Galloping toward her, she heard the man call out. "Millie!"

"Preston?" She advanced toward him. Her joy at seeing him was quickly replaced with anger. How dare he come so happily toward her after putting her off the night before. Millie gripped Sunny's reins and held onto Bob's collar as the dog had been known to chase horses.

Preston stopped in front of her and dismounted. "Sorry, I couldn't get to the ball last night. I had to go to the mine office. Father had an errand for me to do, and I didn't think it wise to push Midnight Song to get back in the snow."

Millie stared at him. So, he rated her below his horse. "I'm glad to see your horse is fine." She tightened her grip on Bob, wondering if she should turn him loose so he could bite Preston.

Preston kneeled and whistled. Bob broke from her grip and ran to him, wagging his tail as if they were old friends.

Angry that her dog liked Preston, Millie stepped back. "Bob, heel."

The dog ignored her.

"Animals like me." Preston smiled up at her as he continued to rub the dog's ears.

"Apparently." Millie was beyond irritated. Sunny knickered and edged toward Preston, making things more unbearable.

"I would like to take you to dinner at the French Slice. Tomorrow, if you have the time."

"You don't owe me anything." She glanced at him but soon turned her gaze to Bob, the traitor dog. Millie wanted to call the animal back, but she didn't want to give Preston the satisfaction of having stolen her dog's attention. Plus, there was the fact the dog might not come to her.

Preston tied his horse to a tree next to Sunny and then walked closer to her. "I apologize for not taking you to the dance. It was all I thought about yesterday."

The nearness of him made her heart race. Angry as her own feelings betrayed her, Millie huffed. If what he said was true, why wasn't he there? "I went with my father and had a wonderful time." She tried to sound like she meant it. The truth was she spent more time eating cake and drinking punch than dancing. Yes, she'd had several men take her around the ballroom, and Fritz turned out to be a wonderful dancer.

With a glint in his eye that said he might not believe her, Preston nodded. "I am sorry." He took her hand in his. "Let's dance now." He pulled her to him and waltzed a few steps.

She almost fell for it. For him. Then her anger returned, and Millie pulled away. "Really! Now is not the time or place. You missed it." She turned away from him and went to her horse.

"Don't go," Preston pleaded with hurt in his voice.

If she had any sense, she'd get on Sunny and ride away. Instead, she turned to face him. Her palms were sweaty, and her heart was beating hard. She hoped he cared. "What time tomorrow?"

He grinned and looked at her with the same handsome face she remembered. "Four o'clock."

"I'll be ready." She looked down and pointed at her clothes. "And dressed properly."

Laughing, Preston nodded. "I know you will. Thank you for giving me another chance."

"Don't forget, Preston. There are only so many chances to be had." She leveled a glare, hoping he understood as a warning. Yes, she'd dreamed about him. But she had her limits. There were other men. The dance last night had shown her that.

"I'll be there." Preston smiled. Not exactly looking as if he'd realized her warning.

"Come, Bob." She mounted Sunny and rode toward home. Bob lingered with Preston for a minute and then followed, wagging his tail and barking. Traitor dog, she thought and then glanced back at the happy pup. "So, you like him, too. Well, as long as he shows up tomorrow, I will, too."