“Ho.” Samuel’s hand flew up to halt them.
Rachel reined in her gelding and strained to see what brought on the command. They were riding on a well-worn game trail with thick brush on their left and a mountain on their right.
“Indian ahead.” Samuel’s tone was tight and just loud enough for them all to hear.
The two words sent her pulse hammering in her throat. Indians like the ones they’d met with Elias? Had he said they would encounter any other camps? She didn’t remember any comment about them.
“Let me by.” Seth pushed his gelding up alongside hers, and she steered her horse toward the brush, as did Andy.
It was then she saw the lone rider, not a dozen strides ahead and coming toward them. The man wore long braids as had the members of other tribe they’d met, and a thick bone necklace that fit his neck tightly. He had a slightly different look than the other Indians, though. Face a little more rounded maybe, cheek bones not as sharp. But still, very much Indian.
And the rifle he pointed at them bespoke a far different reception than they’d received before.
“Keep your hands away from your guns.” Seth murmured. Then raising his volume, he spoke to the man. “We come in peace.”
The man gave no sign he understood the words. His horse halted a couple lengths in front of them, but with both hands on the gun, there seemed to be no way he could have reined in.
Seth raised his hands away from his sides. “We’re only passing through. We mean no harm.”
The stranger’s horse shifted sideways off the trail—once again without an obvious signal from the rider—and he motioned with his rifle along the path. “Follow me.”
“I think he wants us to go with him,” Seth murmured.
Fear clawed in Rachel’s chest. “What do you think he wants with us?” She’d heard of things Indians did to their captives. Tortures, ravishments. That was why she’d been so careful to avoid Indian camps as they'd traveled along the Missouri River.
They’d never come face-to-face with an Indian on the trail, though.
“Maybe he’ll accept me alone and let you three go.” Seth glanced at his brother, a long look passing between them.
As though she had no say in the matter. As though she would allow Seth to trade his life for theirs. “You’re not going by yourself, Seth.” They would all come through this alive.
Except... She sent a glance to Andy. She would endure what she had to, but she couldn’t let her son be captured.
“Let’s just see what he wants for now.” Samuel’s low tone seemed to still the tension in the air.
The Indian barked a command. He motioned again along the path, accompanying the gesture with a string of sounds.
Seth turned his gaze back to her, his eyes forming the question his mouth didn't need to.
She didn't want to go. But she would. For now, they’d stick together. Once they had a better idea of what this Indian planned, they could form a strategy.
She nodded, and Seth turned back toward the Indian, nudging his gelding forward. Samuel reined in behind him, probably to give as much of a barrier as possible between the Indian and her son. Maybe to protect her, too.
When Seth reached the Indian, the man spun his horse to face the same direction, then motioned for Seth to continue. The brave kept his horse still as all four of them passed, even though the trail was barely wide enough for two horses.
Rachel met the man’s gaze with a hard look as she rode by him. Perhaps she shouldn’t have, judging from the way his grim mouth took on a hint of amusement. She no longer backed down to men who meant her or Andy harm, yet would that kind of behavior make things harder with Indians?
The Indian’s horse fell in behind Andy, a position that didn’t make Rachel comfortable at all. She’d just about decided to have the boy move his horse up in front of hers when three more Indians swept in around them—two came alongside, and the other rode in front of Seth, blocking them on three sides with the mountain on the fourth.
These men had appeared as if by magic. One moment they weren’t there, the next they rode with backs straight, faces stern, and rifles in hand.
Her anxiety crept up several notches, and with a brave riding at her heel, there was no way she could exchange places with Andy now. Nor would it help buffer him from these men.
She wanted to call up to Samuel or Seth. To ask what was happening. In truth, what she really wanted was Seth beside her. Yet that wasn’t possible, and it was better for them all to remain silent. Their captors—for surely that’s what they were now—might understand English.
Soon, the mountain on their right curved away from the trail, and trees filled the space on either side of them. With the Indians still flanking them front, left, and rear, did they dare try to escape to the right?
The trees would make for slow progress, and they’d surely be shot down within a moment of trying.
A short way ahead, the lead Indian veered off the path into the woods, and the guards beside them motioned for them to follow. It was hard to tell so far back in the group, but it didn’t look as if they were traveling a regular path now. Where were they being taken?
She slipped a glance at the tawny man riding beside her. Would it hurt to ask? It might anger him, but there was always the chance he’d offer a clue. “Where are you taking us?” She hadn’t meant for the words to come out like an accusation, so she softened her shoulders and expression.
But the Indian ignored her, just kept his expression impassive as he navigated his horse around a tree.
If talking wouldn’t have an effect on their captors, she’d have to wait for a chance to break loose.
THEY’D BEEN RIDING through these trees forever, and Seth’s muscles were balled tight as he gripped the butt of his rifle resting in the scabbard by his leg. One gun against four, already primed and trained on them, were not good odds.
But he’d take the chance if he could find an opportunity for Rachel and Andy to escape. Samuel, too, although he had a feeling his brother wouldn’t leave him to fend for himself.
Daylight shone through the trees ahead, and he strained to see the terrain. An open meadow maybe. As they broke through the edge of the trees, he had to squint against the bright sunlight.
They stepped into the narrow end of a valley, something like a bottleneck, with the woods closing off their left and a wider section open to the right. He scanned the area for anyone else, but there was no sign of other Indians, only their captors
Except...he inhaled a deep draught of air. A faint scent of smoke tickled his senses. Their camp must be nearby.
With other Indians? Most likely. These men weren’t painted like he’d heard they sometimes did when planning a battle or traveling in a war party. Yet their behavior indicated they had known strangers were coming.
Maybe they were always prepared to capture travelers who ventured too near their hallowed ground.
The Indian riding in front continued straight ahead, into the opposite tree line. Seth darted a final glance around the clearing before following the man into the dim light of the woods.
As his eyes adjusted, he scanned the trunks and saplings they wove through. No other Indians appeared. A small relief, but he was grateful. The thought made his chest pang. Why hadn’t he called on God for help the minute the Indian pointed his gun at them?
Sorry, Lord. Protect us, please. Rachel and Andy especially. And Samuel. Show me what to do to get them away safely.
A glance over his shoulder showed tension lining his brother’s face, but at least his horse was still tucked in close to Seth’s gelding. Rachel rode just behind him, her face a fierce mask. The sight would have made him chuckle if their circumstances weren’t dire. She worked so hard to present herself as one who shouldn’t be crossed. And she possessed a strength of will that was daunting, for sure. Yet she was also achingly vulnerable inside. The fact that he’d allowed her and Andy to be part of this danger made anger sluice through him.
&nb
sp; He had to protect her better than this. God, help me get her away from these men.
A sound from ahead jerked his attention frontward. The Indian leading them reined his horse to the side, then motioned as if he wanted Seth to keep riding forward.
They’d come upon a path again, like the game trail they'd been following before.
He studied the man. Surely he wasn’t letting them go. Yet there was nothing ahead except that trail that led deeper into the woods.
The other captors were backing their horses away also. The lead Indian motioned again, this time with a grunt that stung of impatience.
“I think he wants you to ride forward.” Samuel’s murmur came from just behind him.
“Should I?” He threw the question back as he kept his focus on the Indians.
“Best to do what they say until we find a way out.”
Seth inhaled a breath to clear his thinking. Nothing about this made sense.
The man who seemed to be in charge grunted louder than before as he jabbed toward the trail ahead. Seth obliged, nudging his gelding forward.
The Indians stayed where they were, letting them ride away. Every nerve in Seth’s body stood at alert, waiting for the sound of horses moving through the forest. Any signal that would give notice of what the Indians planned.
When about fifteen strides separated them, Seth spoke to his brother. “Take the lead while I slip behind Andy.” He didn’t like the boy being exposed should one of the men decide to take a shot.
Reining to the side, he kept his focus on the Indians as Samuel rode by him, then Rachel, then the boy. He wanted desperately to say something to ease Rachel’s fears, but he didn’t dare take his gaze from their former captors. Maybe the Indians had changed their minds about keeping them as prisoners. Maybe something else was happening here.
But he didn’t dare lose track of the most obvious threats.
They rode on, and after a few minutes, the trail crested a slight hill, dropping the Indians from sight.
Andy huffed out a loud breath. “Do you think they’re gone?”
“I’m not sure, but I’d like to get a bit farther before we stop or talk too loudly.” Seth kept his voice low. As easily as the Indians had appeared around them before, they could be watching even now, preparing to surround them again.
The boy rode up beside his mother, and Seth longed to do the same. But he kept his mount right behind them. Thankfully, the horses had spent enough time together they didn’t mind riding nose to tail.
It felt like an hour but might have only been a quarter hour when they came out from the woods to bright daylight again, this time with a mountain range in front of them.
Samuel pulled his map from a pocket and glanced at it. “We’re still moving the right direction. We go over that lower section there.” He pointed to the dip between two peaks.
Seth rode alongside his brother. It was easier to see that no Indians surrounded them now. “Did Elias say anything about an Indian camp around here?”
Samuel met his gaze, eyes narrowing. “Not a thing.”
He wanted to growl in frustration. “Why do you think they did that? What did they want?”
“I wonder if they were trying to keep us away from something.” Rachel’s voice broke through for the first time since they’d come upon the brave.
He turned to study her, mulling over her words. “What would they be hiding?”
She raised a shoulder. “Their camp maybe. Perhaps a sick chief. I don’t know.”
Possible. Unless they’d simply changed their mind, he couldn’t think of a better reason.
Letting out a long breath, he rubbed at the tight muscles in his neck. “Does anyone need a break before we ride for the mountains?”
Rachel looked to her son before shaking her head. “Let’s put distance between us and them.”
His thoughts exactly.
Chapter Nineteen
Understanding comes more each day. If only I didn’t have to wait.
~ Seth
The last few hours of daylight passed before they reached the base of the mountain they would need to cross. Seth scanned the area as his brother called a halt for the group.
“You think we should stay the night here?” There wasn’t much cover, only a small patch of cedar shrubs that would barely serve as a windbreak.
“It’s getting too dark to scale the ridge tonight.” Samuel looked up to the dip in the mountain top they would need to cross.
Seth sighed. “I guess you’re right.” They’d need to stand guard tonight. He couldn’t allow the Indians to sneak in and take Rachel or Andy. The earlier events still made no sense, but now that he knew danger was near, he’d not let the threat gain ground again.
They made camp quickly, sharing as few words as possible. Tension hung as thick in the air as it did through his shoulders. His body ached from the strain of the day, especially the leg still healing from snake bite, but he pushed the pain aside. He had to be at his best tonight.
As they finished a simple meal, Seth kept part of his attention focused on the darkness beyond the flickering light of their tiny campfire. There was little wood to be had, but it would be best to let the fire die anyway. Of course, the Indians could easily find them without aid of a campfire, but without the fire, Seth and Samuel could see into the dark better.
Seth finished his last bite, then set the plate in front of him and looked to his brother. “Can you take the first watch? I’ll spell you in a few hours.”
“I can take the first watch.” Rachel’s tone was strong. “Or the second.”
He sucked in a breath. Couldn’t she just allow them to protect her and Andy? Why did she always have to pretend to be so tough?
Even as his frustration mounted, he knew why. Rachel still had so much to overcome from her past. She wouldn’t trust him fully until she let her hurts and fears go.
Still, he could try to ease her angst for tonight.
Turning to her, he leaned in and let his passion bleed into his voice. “I know you’re capable of standing guard, Rachel, but Samuel and I want to do this. Will you let us? Please.”
She seemed hesitant to meet his gaze, but at last she did. That fierceness was there in her look, but he could see the vulnerability, too. He wouldn’t have recognized it as such if he hadn’t come to know her so well. His hands ached to reach out and take hers, to cradle them. But he didn’t, not with the others watching.
At last she nodded, then looked away. “Fine. If it’s so important to you.”
Now it took even greater strength not to pull her into his arms. He sat back and turned toward his brother, more an effort to push the impulse away than anything else. “All right. I’ll spell you in the middle of the night. Wake me if I don’t get up on my own.”
RACHEL LAY STILL IN the darkness as the whispered exchange of the brothers drifted across the camp. She couldn’t make out what they were saying, but it must be the changing of the guard. Seth should have let her take her turn at the post, for she surely hadn’t slept much these past hours.
Had his night been much better? She’d heard steady breathing at one point, but not for very long.
After a few minutes, stillness settled back over the camp, except steady breathing from Andy, and maybe Samuel. Even the night animals had settled in for a deeper sleep.
Yet her nerves would have none of it. If anything, she was more awake now than when she laid down hours before. And her body was tired of lying still.
Pushing her blanket aside, she eased herself up to sitting. Her bedroll was beside Andy’s, who was sandwiched next to whichever Grant brother was taking his turn to sleep—currently Samuel. It was good she’d stopped asking the men to build a partition for her. That had been a silly requirement from the beginning, especially out here where cover was sometimes so scarce, they had to do almost everything in plain sight of each other. Almost everything.
Seth had turned to her at her first movement, which meant he was staying ale
rt. Maybe his brother had shared news when they’d exchanged whispers.
She stood and padded toward him, then sank down to sit on the ground beside him. He had a small piece of firewood behind him for a backrest, and he reached for a second to position behind her.
“Thanks,” she whispered. The log didn’t provide much support, but the thought was nice.
He nodded with a half-smile before he turned back to scan the darkness around him.
She leaned close and kept her voice in a low whisper. “Did your brother see anything?”
He ducked his head toward hers and responded in the same whisper, but kept his gaze forward. Ever vigilant. “Saw some shadows a ways out, but before he could alert us he realized they were deer. The animals stuck around for a while, which they wouldn’t do if people were moving. Other than that, nothing.”
Their shoulders were touching, and as he spoke, his warm breath brushed her cheek. The musk of his scent washed through her. A scent she’d come to recognize as his alone—man and hard work and something rich, something that made her feel protected.
Even though he’d stopped speaking, she didn’t pull back. Kept leaning in, relishing that protection while she had the chance.
For long moments, they sat there in quiet. Him scanning the darkness, his chin roving in every direction around them. She pretended to be watching and listening for a potential enemy, but in truth, she was savoring his nearness.
That would only cause her pain later, when they had to part, but she would accept that as her due when the time came. For now, she would simply absorb Seth Grant’s strength.
“You keep watch as though you’ve done it before.” She wasn’t sure why she said that. Why she felt the need to break the silence. Maybe just to hear the deep timbre of his voice, even in a whisper.
He slid a glance at her before looking back into the darkness. “Once or twice. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t take it as seriously then as I should have. But I’ll not let you and Andy be captured again. I think I would have done most anything earlier to get you free. That’s not a feeling I want to repeat.”
This Homeward Journey Page 14