He reined to a stop and pointed to a large farmhouse below, overlooking a sweeping bend of the Rio Verde in the distance. “That’s their house,” he said. Built of whitewashed adobe, the house had wooden shutters and painted beams. Pots of geraniums soaking up the sun on a second-floor balcony added a bright Mexican touch. Two barns and several corrals lay beyond. Jake waved to a dark-haired man running from the house. When the man came closer, Jake and Fred both jumped off their horses and rushed forward to greet him. The three of them laughed and hugged and thumped each other’s backs. Elizabeth watched. This was more than casual friends meeting. Since Fred and Jake were both Rangers, Ricardo must be, too. For some reason, that did not make her feel any better. “Jake! Jake!” A woman carrying a little girl hurried down the hill toward them. Behind her, two young boys slammed out of the house and ran to catch up. The toddler in her arms squealed and waved at Jake. Smiling, Jake strode to meet them, kissed the woman on both cheeks and took the girl from her.
