Chapter 9
June 11, 1953
Pausing at the door of the aircraft as it sat at Sky Harbor airport, C.J. felt as if she was walking into a wall of fire. June in Phoenix rivaled the Sahara. The wash of wind swirling around the big plane might as well have originated in a blast furnace. Squaring her shoulders, she descended the steps and trod with care across the hot tarmac to the relative cool of the terminal.
At least I’m back in Arizona, just miles and hours away now from the biggest mistake or greatest success of my life. What’s a bit of heat compared to that?
Two hours later, C.J. headed out of the state capital behind the wheel of the new Ford pickup she’d arranged to buy before leaving New York. Sundown would find her back at La Riata Ranch. She had no idea what sort of welcome she’d rec
