Sam stood with his feet apart and his hands on his hips as he watched her survey the scene below. He anxiously awaited Irene’s observations.  It was a toss up he knew regarding his recent theory but he was hoping for an easy break. He muttered an oath as he listened to her observations which didn’t support his most recent theory.<br/><br/>“Dang it Darlin’ . . . I’m sorry.  I thought maybe I’d sorted it out but it doesn’t seem so.”<br/><br/>He took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow with his shirt sleeve and then slapped his hat against his leg in frustration.  Sam shook his head sheepishly and then wiped the inner band of his hat with his bandanna as he kicked up some dust with his boot.<br/><br/>“I hate standing out here in the sun . . . when it’s so damn hot.  Let me take a quick look before we water the horses.”<br/><br/>Sam knelt and scanned what he could see.  There wasn’t anything that raised his interest.  What activity he saw looked perfectly normal for a working ranch.  The house and out buildings looked to him to be much as Irene had described them.  Sam turned back to his wife and shrugged as he walked back toward her.<br/><br/>“I guess we’re done here.” Sam muttered in a disheartened tone as he remounted Diablo.  “Where’s that watering spot from here Irene?”<br/>