A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing by Joan Johnston

can handle things, Dad,” Harry said. “Don’t worry.”
    She watched her father gnaw on his lower lip, then pull at the bushy white mustache that covered his upper lip. “All right, Harriet. If you insist on playing this game out to the bitter end, I suppose we have no choice except to go along—for now. But I think I should warn you that if you aren’t showing some kind of profit by the fall, I’ll haveto insist that you forget this foolishness and come home before winter sets in.”
    Harry was mortified to think that Nathan was hearing her father’s ultimatum. She was tempted to let his words go without contesting them. That was the sort of passive resistance she’d resorted to in the past. But the Harry who’d come to Montana had turned over a new leaf. She felt compelled to say, “You’re welcome to come and visit in the fall, Dad. I expect you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how well I’m doing by then. But don’t expect me to leave if I’m not.”
    Harry allowed her mother to admonish her to take better care of herself before she finally said, “I have to be getting back to the ranch. I’ve got stock that needs tending.”
    She rose and hugged her mother, father and brother, wishing things could be different, that she hadn’t lived her life by pretending to fail. She would prove she could make it on her own if it was the last thing she did. Harry wished her family a pleasant drive from Big Timber to the airport in Billings, and a safe flight home. “I’ll be in touch,” she promised.
    They would never know the effort it took to summon the confident smile with which she left them. “Things should be less hectic for me later in the summer,” she said. “I’ll look forward to seeing you then.”
    She could tell from their anxious faces that they didn’t want to leave her in Montana alone. She reassured them the best she could with, “I’m all right, really. A little tired from all the hard work. But I love what I’m doing. It’s challenging. And rewarding.”
    Harry smiled and waved as she left the restaurant. She was out the door before she realized Nathan Hazard had been standing behind her left shoulder the whole time she’d been waving goodbye.
    â€œI’ll follow you home,” he said.
    â€œWhy on earth would you want to do that?”
    Nathan looked up at a sky that was dark with storm clouds. “Looks like rain. All those potholes in your road, you could get stuck.”
    â€œIf I do, Mr. Hazard, I’ll dig myself out.” Harry indignantly stalked away, but had to yank three or four times on the door to Cyrus’s battered pickup before she finally got inside. She spent the entire trip home glaring at Nathan Hazard’s pickup in her rearview mirror. He followed her all the way up to the tiny cabin door.
    Harry hopped out of the pickup and marched back to Nathan’s truck. He had the window down and his elbow stuck out.
    â€œRain, huh?” Harry said, looking up as the sun peered through the clouds, creating a glare on his windshield.
    â€œCould have.”
    â€œSheep dip,” Harry said succinctly. “I’ve had it with helpful neighbors. From now on I want you to stay off my property. Stay away from me, and don’t do me any more favors!”
    â€œAll right, Harry-et,” he said with a long-suffering sigh. “We’ll do it your way. For a while.”
    â€œFor good!” Harry snapped back.
    It was doubtful Nathan heard her, because he’d already turned his pickup around and headed back down the jouncy dirt road.
    Harry kicked at a stone and sent it flying across the barren yard. Yes, the work was hard, and yes, she was tired. But she’d loved every minute of the challenge she’d set for herself. Before her talk with Nathan Hazard today she’d indulged fully in the satisfaction of knowing