Victoria expected full time attention, as usual, and she wasn't getting it. One afternoon she took extra care how she dressed and then stepped out onto a large veranda. Being bored didn't sit well with her. So she went to the corrals clad in her fancy riding suit and highly polished leather boots in search of some form of entertainment. 

She wrinkled her nose when one of the cowboys passed by her. He was sweaty and caked in mud and manure. Just then she spotted Austin, who was leaning on a corral fence and observing one of his men breaking in a horse. With the unnecessary sway of her hips, she hurried towards him.

"Austin, can you take me riding? I don't want to get splashed with this muck can you get someone to saddle my horse!" She demanded, and pouted her lips. 

This time he was put on the spot and not having an excuse he called to a young guy that worked in the stalls, "Luke, saddle a white mare for the lady."

"Sure thing, boss," the young guy replied with respect. 

Austin lit his cigar and set his Stetson on top of his head. Wes gave him a thumbs up, and in return he got a look promising payback later on. 

They rode through the pastures and Austin tried to explain the new type of grass they were experimenting with. She smiled, but obviously was bored with the topic. Shortly after, she got her mare into a gallop.

He didn't expect more from her as he wasn't intended to be entertaining, in fact he hoped that talking about cattle and grass would turn her off from following him around. Soon after, he was forced to follow her across the river that ran through the valley. No matter how he felt she was a house guest and he felt responsible for her. 

Down the banks of the river towards the town they spotted a slender figure of a girl in a grey dress bent down collecting something in a willow basket.

Austin's heart skipped a bit, he was only just thinking about her honey coloured hair. Olivia had her braided hair coiled around her head. She was wearing the same patched dress, but this time she was barefooted. She obviously didn't hear them approaching.

The river toned down the sound of horse's hooves as Olivia was busy picking wild spinach and onions. It was too late to leave when she spotted a white mare's shadow. Olivia looked up, and recognized the rider; it was the same girl from the church. Looking in the direction the girl came from she saw Austin coming towards them.

"Austin, you allow baggers on your land?" Victoria had a nasty way about her, she never thought twice about hurting someone's feelings. Austin at the moment had just managed to catch up to Victoria.

"Actually, Victoria, this side of a river is where the Jade's land ends. Olivia is the daughter of one of our hired hands," he explained, like that would make a difference to her. He couldn't stand the snobbish behaviour Victoria was displaying.

Olivia's cheeks went deep red. She usually didn't care what people thought of her, but for some reason it bothered her how the young girl looked down at her. 

The young woman in front of her sitting on a horse was even more beautiful up close. It was obvious that her clothes were tailored and the leather boots she wore were handmade and polished to shine. Olivia was even more aware of her shabby appearance. 

Her hands were dirty from digging up edible roots, however, she couldn't avoid the task. It was the best time of the year to gather them. The roots together with leafy greens, were important for keeping the household kitchen supplied with little extras they couldn't afford otherwise. 

Roasted Dandelion roots made excellent coffee substitute. She also picked various leaves and camomile flowers for brewing tea.

Her dad worked hard, but cowboy wages weren't much, so she applied all the knowledge she learned from her dear friend back south to help. 

Whatever she gathered out in nature became essential. Her little flock of chickens benefits from her outings too. Unfortunately the grounds for picking were limited to her. She could only walk so far to find rich soil that supported their growth. 

Olivia also knew she couldn't venture too far from town; there has been always danger lurking. Kenth was relatively small and peaceful, but once in awhile there would be a shady character passing through and she had to keep that in mind. They usually try to make the trouble in a local salon, but she could never be too careful, beside the wildlife was present in those parts of the country as well.

Right now she found herself in front of the very nasty young woman. She tried to step away, but 

Victoria reigned her mare little too hard and the mare sprang to her feet knocking Olivia down. Austin saw red; he grabbed the reins and settled the mare down immediately.

"This is quite enough Victoria, for a young lady of your rank, you should display better manners. You better turn around and go and wait for me. I'll be with you shortly, and don't go too far," he chastened, and his tone of voice didn't allow disobedience. He quickly dismounted his horse and approached Olivia, "Are you okay Olivia?"

The fear stricken Olivia found her tongue after he helped her up to her feet.

"I'm fine, thank you," she replied, politely.

She was so close to him; he could almost hear her heart beat. As if by itself, his hand extended and pushed away a strand of hair that had come loose. This movement caused his hand to touch her soft skin. Austin could smell her natural soft smell of herbs as gentle as she was. 

Olivia felt like a statue, she was unable to move. His proximity did strange things to her, his masculine body towering over her. She wondered how it would be to be held in those strong arms. Olivia quickly became ashamed of her own thoughts.

The strand of hair that he touched was like pure silk. Her full mouth was an unbearable temptation it took all his willpower not gather her in his arms. He abruptly turned back to his horse.

"You should be more careful. Don't venture out alone, it's too dangerous," he pointed out.

"Yes, Mr. Jade," Olivia answered, not knowing what else to say to him. This was after all her dad's employer.

He probably never had to gather food like she does; neither did nasty young woman that was waiting for him across the river. She couldn't expect understanding of those two.

"I'll be off now Mr. Jade, thank you for your kindness," Olivia said while putting the spilled items back in her basket. Austin tipped his hat, turned around his horse and started back to cross the river.

Olivia hurried towards the direction of the little cottage she shared with her father. On the way home she decided to go visit Mrs. Helms, their landlady. She was old and lonely living by herself, for she refused to move in with her children. They both chose to go and live in town of Elms. Mrs. Helms daughter had married a banker and settled there. Her son opened his own survey office in same town and ended up marrying the judge's daughter.

On the way she could only think of the soft touch of Austin's large hand against her cheek. She knew that the young lady Victoria was someone he'd likely marry. She knew the Jades were above her level, for her dad was telling her about their wealth and connections all over the country.

Of course she had heard all about his paramour down at Elms also. Kenth was a small town and gossip was a common occurrence, you just have to open your ears and you would know all you wanted to know, especially about the Jade lot. Austin could never be hers. She wished her heart would understand her logic and not speed up every time he was in her line of vision.

Mrs. Helms was glad to see her; she had become very fond of Olivia.

"Here, Olivia! I found a few of my daughter's old dresses. They are out of style, but you can use them for material, or alter them if you wish."

"Thank you, Mrs. Helms. I'll be happy to have them," she said with sadness in her voice recalling how she and her dad lost everything in the fire.

Olivia took the dresses, her treasure, back to the cottage. Altogether there were four dresses. It was true that they were old, but most the fabric was still in good shape. Olivia knew she would be able to make something usable out of it.

Austin was furious with Victoria and he let her know it. She just shrugged her shoulders, "How can you defend that bagger girl? Didn't you see how she looked?" Pure jealousy radiated off of Victoria.

When they got back to the ranch he left her at the front door. Grabbing hold of the reins of her white mare he led her horse back to the stable.

His mother summoned him to the kitchen shortly after and with a scolding look remarked, "You upset Victoria. I'm very disappointed, Austin. She is a nice young woman ready for marriage, mind you, from a good family. Your father is returning soon and it would please him to hear good news upon his arrival. Think about it, all the advantages of that marriage."

"I love you, mother. I would do just about anything for you, but you don't know what you are asking of me. She is also very spoiled young lady." 

He gave her a hug, turned and left the kitchen. Ms. Victoria was nowhere in sight, probably sulking in her room, but her parents were around, in deep conversation with the neighbour, Ewans. They didn't give any indication they knew of conflict that occurred between him and their daughter.

"Austin, come and join us," invited Mr. Timken, "We are discussing a potential new development east of Elms."

Next morning Roy had returned home from his successful trip. He was still overseeing most of the Jade investments and, because of this, felt in charge of the family affairs. All of his sons were educated in good schools. They all participated in business decisions, and each of them was capable of replacing him. Of all, Donald was the one that was most inclined to go out on a business trips; the rest of them preferred ranching to travel and bookkeeping. 

Victoria and her parents left a couple of days later. It was nice to go freely about the house without trying to avoid someone.

Austin slowly rode his horse through Kent's Main Street, just as the young Tommy was talking to Olivia. The youngsters cheeks flustered. Olivia smiled at him and Austin felt a deep stab of jealousy, again.

He wanted her for himself; he just didn't know how to go about it. He knew he would be breaking every rule if he did anything about it. Maybe if Albert didn't work for him it would be easier.

Making a plan was easy once he got the idea. He was sure their neighbour Ewans mentioned about hiring someone in his stalls, and he had just the guy for the job