"Couldn't you stay?" she whispered. "Couldn't someone else go on that cattle drive?" He shook his head, then bent to kiss her lightly on the mouth. "Be ready," he told her, when it was over, "because when I get home, I plan to take you wherever I find you." With that, he gave Emma a little pat on the bottom, put his hat on, and went whistling down the walk to the gate. Emma"