"Then I won't consider it a definite refusal. That was one reason why I came. And then I wanted to see your country. I wanted something new. I can't explain it very well. I had to come; something made me."
She flushed, but the eyes that met his inquiring gaze were entirely steady.
"Something made me. If the Wades had not been coming I should have come alone. I'm frank with you, you see."
"Yes, I understand the feeling," Casey said. "I have had it myself. I've had to get out of old surroundings sometimes. And I've always gone. Sometimes it has turned out well; sometimes not."
"We shall see how this turns out," she said, with a nod and a little laugh. "I've a feeling that I shall bring you luck."
"I believe you will," he agreed. "We'll say so, anyway. Just now I wouldn't trade places with any man on earth."
"JUST NOW I WOULDN'T TRADE PLACES WITH ANY MAN ON EARTH"
She laughed in pure pleasure, bending toward him. "I appropriate that to myself. Don't dare to explain it. Do you come here often?"
"Not very often. That maze of coulée and butte you see is a good cattle range. I come this way looking for strays. The last time I was here Sheila McCrae was with me."