A shadow of annoyance flitted across Mariel’s face.
“Oh, let that go until you’ve shown it to your father and Margaret,” she protested. “Don’t you think they’re entitled to be the first ones to know the good news?”
“It will be a surprise to them both,” Otis grinned. “I know Dad never suspected for a moment.”
“I suspected,” Mariel volunteered.
“Why?” demanded Otis in surprise. “You’ve only been here a week. What foundation did you have for your suspicions?”
“I admit they were only of the vaguest kind,” Mariel smiled. “They had no basis, except intuition. Do you remember what I told you my intuition was based upon?”
Otis colored slightly. “I think I’d better go on to Jackson,” he remarked without answering. “I’ll come back to the ranch later on.”
“I am going straight to the ranch,” Mariel announced positively. “Are you going to let me ride alone?”
“Oh, all right,” Otis laughed. “I guess the Sheriff can wait.”