She laughed with Sam, eyes sparkling.  She looked over at him as he rode up on the big black.  "Mind your manners, Mr. Markham.  Or I'll make you live up to your threat right here in front of God and everyone."  Then, knowing Sam's opinion on that, she glanced at the stony ground and hoped he wouldn't think she was well and truly serious.<br/><br/>His question drew her back to the present and she smiled.  "Well, Freckles is one of those horses that got left behind by some bad card player who thought it best to leave in the night rather than settle his debts.  I've been paying his bills--Freckles' bills, that is.  So, he's partly mine.  But, mostly belongs to the men that his owner lost to.  I figure what they don't know won't hurt me," she added, grinning impishly.  She patted the horse's shoulder.  "I can ride just about anything, though, Sam."<br/><br/>She looked at her husband, winked and sent Freckles into a lope.