Chelsea reigned in at the Stuart ranch and waited for a minute for Hank to catch up before she dismounted. The big black dog trotted up, panting and wagging his tail as she led Fancy to the corral and tied her to the fence.

“It’s about time, old guy,” she said, scratching his ears. Hank flopped down in the dust with a grunt. He was getting stronger every day, but he wasn’t young anymore and long rides out across the ranch lands wore him out. Chelsea smiled affectionately at the dog that had saved her life. She wouldn’t trade him for anything.

She unbuckled the cinch on Fancy’s saddle and lifted it off the horse. She dropped it over the fence, then removed the saddle blanket and bridle, and then turned her horse lose in the corral. She climbed up to sit on the...

Please subscribe to keep reading.