She dismounted and watched the men walk up to the ruins. They were an odd assortment. Gerald was tall and lean, his gait casual. Aaron took quick steps, the way Alex did, and Rob had a tireless power walk. He'd be a force to recon with if he ever got miffed. He seemed a genial sort though, if not a bit of a show-off. Of the three, he was the clown. Aaron was the serious one, probably the most dependable. And Gerald … what was Gerald? Maybe he was simply so average that he didn't stand out - except for his height.
While the men took pictures, she waited and drank from her canteen. If it hadn't been for tilting her head back that way, she might not have seen the movement. She caught her breath and called to the men.
"Look," she said in a voice intended for them only, and pointed at the ledge.
Perched on a ledge, its gray-brown coat camouflaged against the bluff, stood a bighorn sheep. He was watching them, probably knowing they couldn't reach him. He posed for their cameras and finally leaped from one ledge to another along the face of the cliff until he disappeared over the lip and into the forest above them.
Gerald was the first to her side, his expression clearly awed.
"How many are there?"
"Six. There are two ewes and three lambs somewhere up there."
He shook his head slowly in wonder. "It must be nice to be able to come out here and see them anytime you want."
She nodded. "It would be if I could, but I can't - not alone, anyway, and Alex is at work most of the time."
He frowned. "Surely you have friends that would enjoy this."
She smiled up at him. "Alex would be doubly concerned if two women were out here alone."
Rob spoke as he passed them on the way to his horse. "I don't know why he'd be less concerned if you were out here with three men."
Gerald lifted his brows and looked away. Without another word, he turned to his horse. This time he was able to mount on the first attempt, as did the other two.
Carmen led them toward the trail to the high ground. It hadn't occurred to her before, but she didn't much like the idea of traveling this trail alone with Rob. What did Gerald know about him? For that matter, what did Aaron know? They were co-workers, not friends. Why did Rob come here? Gerald was here because Alex was his friend. He obviously had an interest in the safari as well. Other than a healthy concern for his safety, Aaron fit her idea of a typical client. Rob didn't. But then, what did she know about it? These were her first customers. This was one time she would have to work it out for herself and not involve Alex. He would be watching to see if she stumbled. Maybe she would, but not without trying to do it on her own.