They weren’t, though, and she’d do better not to let her mind wander down that vein until she knew Isaac’s thoughts on the matter.
He stopped at a stall with a solid wall around it and hung the lantern on a nail, then turned to Samuel. “I’ll pick you up so you can see inside.”
Joanna peered in first, and the sight took her breath. A little donkey stood against one wall, as she’d expected to find. But tucked up against it was a miniature version of the already-small adult burro. The tiny one couldn’t be even as tall as her arm was long. Maybe just the distance from her fingers to her elbow.
“How precious.” She breathed the words as Isaac hoisted Samuel up beside her.
“Look.” Her son’s voice held a wonder that matched her own. “It’s a big baby and a little baby.”
A thrill slipped through her. He was speaking.
Isaac chuckled, the rumble rolling over her like a warm cloak. “Actually, that’s a mama and her baby. Mr. Tillis said the young’un is about a month old. He also said we can go in if we move really slow.”
“I want to.” Samuel squirmed to get down, and Isaac lowered him to the ground. As he led the boy to the stall door, he slid a look toward Joanna with raised eyebrows. If she wasn’t mistaken, he was asking whether the boy had already started talking again before now.
She shook her head, unable to keep the smile from her face. Clearly, Isaac was good for them both.
As she watched from outside the stall, man and boy approached the animals, first petting the mother, who soaked up the attention. Then Isaac held the foal while Samuel stroked its fuzzy neck and shoulder.
After a moment, Isaac stepped back, leaving the boy to move back and forth between jenny and foal, stroking their backs and smiling when either of them nuzzled his hand or arm.
Isaac slipped from the stall and joined her beside the wall.
She leaned closer so her voice wouldn’t disturb Samuel and the animals. “Thank you. This is the first time he’s spoken without being prompted all day.”
“I’m glad we found a distraction for him.” Isaac’s voice was near enough to her ear that his breath brushed her skin.
She could lean a tiny bit more and her shoulder would touch his, absorbing his warmth. His strength. Everything in her wanted to.
But she gripped the stall wall. Maybe changing to a less tender subject would distract her. “So . . . what happens next?”
She could tell by the way he stiffened that he understood exactly what she meant. He let out a long breath. “Well, there’s no lawman here in River Crossing, and no telegraph to wire for one, so we need to get the men back to Settler’s Fort. Lanton will know what needs to be done with them, and Aaron needs the doctor there pretty quick.”
Her stomach tightened at the thought of moving the men, transporting them for over a week. How many chances would Bill have for escape? At least the one who seemed to be the worst of the lot was no longer alive for her to worry about.
Guilt pricked her chest. That wasn’t the right attitude. A man’s life had been taken. But what was the difference in being shot during capture or hung at the command of a judge? There was no doubt he was guilty of kidnapping, but probably a great many more crimes, also.
Isaac spoke again, so she forced her focus back to him. “A few of the men here have offered to take them, heading out tomorrow morning so they can get Aaron to the doctor as soon as possible.”
She turned her face up to his. “That’s good.”
He was so close that she could see every nuance of his expression. The way the flickering lantern illuminated the dark green of his eyes. The faint lines feathering out from his eyes and mouth. A mouth she could still remember kissing, like a memory she could pull out on lonely nights.
He must have read her mind—or maybe her eyes betrayed her—for his gaze grew even more intense, as though he wanted to kiss her as much as she longed for him to.
But then a little-boy voice broke through her daze. Samuel was chattering to the donkey and her foal, as though they’d been his best friends all his life.
She sucked in a steadying breath and pulled back enough for the cool night air to clear her senses. What had they been discussing? Isaac’s words came back in a flood, including the worry they’d summoned. Her gaze found his face again. “Are you riding with the wagon taking the men?” She could barely breathe as she waited for his reply.
He searched her eyes. “I plan to go with you, whenever you, Samuel, and Miss Hannon are ready. Do you want to ride along with the wagon?”
Laura’s pale face flashed through her mind. “I don’t think Laura could handle being around them again. Samuel, either.” And if Bill found a way to free himself, she didn’t want her son and friend to be anywhere near.
Isaac nodded. “I bought supplies today, so we can travel on our own and set whatever pace we need to.” He paused, and something about the way he was looking at her made her think he was debating whether he should say what was on his mind. Thankfully, he spoke before she had to press him. “I need to ride up to the cabin with Tillis and help bring back everything the men had stored there. If we find any stolen goods, maybe we can return them to the proper owners.” He eased out a breath. “Once everything is squared away, I’ll come back for you. That’ll give the three of you time to recover a little more before we start the journey home.”
Something tugged in her chest. A mixture of emotion that was hard to sort out. “How long will you be gone?”
“A day, maybe two if this broken leg slows me down. We’ll take packhorses with us, so hopefully we can carry everything.”
Fear washed through her. A completely unreasonable emotion, but still the anxious thoughts churned. What if he ran into Indians? Dangerous animals? Other criminals? This land was filled with possible perils.
Isaac must have read her thoughts, for he stepped closer and cupped his hands around her upper arms. “I’ll come back for you. With God as my protection, I’ll return as soon as I can.”
He was right. She had to trust God to keep him safe. If the Father had a future for them together, not even a mountain wilderness full of dangers could stop Him from accomplishing that plan.
TWENTY-EIGHT
Joanna, enough of that.”
Joanna ignored Laura’s words as she dipped the cloth in the wash water and wrung it out again, then set to work wiping the molding around the base of the main room. She only allowed herself one glance out the window. But the street was empty, just like almost every other time she’d looked out. Today was the second day since Isaac left to purge the outlaws’ cabin. Should she be worried yet? Whether she should or not, she couldn’t seem to suppress the angst swelling in her chest.
“There’s nothing left to clean. Come and sit with us. My voice is tired, so you can take over reading.” Laura sat in the rocker with Samuel tucked in her lap, entranced in one of the McGuffey Readers that Mrs. Holder had found for them.
The words struck a chord of guilt. Yes, she should definitely be focusing her attention on Samuel. Even though she suspected the distraction was good for Laura, too. All this restful quiet in Mrs. Holder’s home seemed to be more disturbing to her friend than helpful.
The sooner they were on the trail to Settler’s Fort, the better.
She rinsed out her rag and hung it to dry, then wiped her hands on her borrowed apron as she moved toward her son. A dog barked in the distance, stilling her as she strained to listen.
It was probably the hound that usually sat outside the dry goods store, basking in any sunlight it could find. Sometimes the animal even stretched out in the middle of the street to soak in the last rays.
Its baying bark sounded again. Someone must have come into town.
She shifted direction toward the door and pulled it open. On the stoop, she raised a hand to shield her eyes.
A figure on horseback rode down the center of the street, two packhorses trailing him. She’d recognize those geldings anywhere, but it was the man
’s confident bearing and the unique way he sat atop his horse that made her heart sing.
She barely remembered to close the door behind her before vaulting from the step and striding down the road. She needed to maintain a shred of self-control, which was the only thing that kept her from sprinting toward him.
Isaac had returned. Finally. Thank you, Lord.
They met in the middle of the street, and he slid from his horse, balancing against the animal’s side. When he opened his arms to her, she threw her self-control to the wind, stepping into his embrace as tears slipped past her defenses.
His arms were home, pulling her from the fears and worries that had cloaked her these past days and leaving only a joy that made her want to laugh and cry and never let him go.
After long moments, he loosened his hold, pulling back enough so he could see her face. Her tear-streaked, runny-nosed face.
She ran her fingers under both eyes and let her smile shine through them. “I’m sorry. I was just . . . worried.”
His own face pulled into a smile, and his gaze dipped to her lips.
Just as her middle did that flip she was becoming so familiar with, a little-boy voice called from behind them. “Isaac! You’re back.”
She pushed down the spurt of disappointment as she turned. The sight of her son running as fast as his little legs could carry him cleared away any lingering disappointment from the missed kiss. Her heart soaked in the picture Samuel made, with his red locks and freckles bursting in the sunlight.
“Hey there, fella.” Isaac gripped his saddle with one hand and bent low to swoop up the boy, pulling him into a hug that looked every bit as strong as the embrace she’d just experienced.
Samuel leaned back within seconds, though, resting one hand on Isaac’s shoulder and the other on his beard. “Did you find anything? Where’s Mr. Tillis? Those bad men didn’t hurt him, did they?”
Her heart clutched at the fear that slipped back in her son’s tone.
Isaac met the boy’s gaze with a firm expression. “Those bad men aren’t going to hurt anyone again. Mr. Tillis stopped to check on a friend at the edge of town, then he’ll be along to eat with us at Mrs. Holder’s. And, yes, I think we found everything they had.”
Samuel wrinkled his nose. “Can I go with you to give the stuff back? I’m sure people will be awful happy.”
Samuel looked to her, and she was already shaking her head. Not under any condition would her boy be leaving her side for a long time.
Before she could answer, Samuel turned his attention to something much more interesting—the horses. “Can I sit in your saddle?” He was already leaning toward the leather seat with his arms outstretched, so much like the Samuel she knew and loved.
“I reckon so.” Isaac placed the boy on the seat, then extracted his walking sticks and tucked them under his arms.
As soon as Samuel was in the saddle, he bounced up and down. “Are we gonna go home soon? Mama said when you got here, we’d start back.”
Isaac looked to her, the warmth in his smoky green eyes stirring her middle again. “Whenever your mama says it’s time.”
She met his gaze. “We’re ready. We want to go home.” And she could hope he understood she meant more than the little house she’d rented in Settler’s Fort.
The corners of his eyes crinkled. “Tomorrow morning, then. Home.”
Seven days on the trail.
Though they traveled familiar terrain, nothing about this stretch of the journey felt like the first fretful time they’d maneuvered this trail. For one thing, Joanna’s person was much more accustomed to long days in the saddle. Maybe the lessening of her aches was due to them not pushing so hard.
But it seemed more likely to be from the lightening in her soul.
Thankfully, their travels had been less eventful than before as they wound their way eastward through the mountains toward Settler’s Fort. Of course, Samuel had never been able to go long without some kind of mishap. His pattern held true when he contracted a rash from poison weed during their first eve on the trail. Keeping him from scratching was an impossible feat, but at least the rest of them hadn’t contracted the irritating bumps.
If only she could stop the nightmares that had plagued him almost every night. She could only love him through each reliving of his terror and pray the lingering fear passed quickly.
The sweet bay mare kept up well with nothing to slow her except her healing injuries, and Mr. Tillis had sent two gentle mounts for Laura and Samuel to ride. One of them threw a shoe as they traveled a rocky section, but Isaac had purchased supplies to handle that circumstance, so he was able to reattach the shoe in half an hour. Hopefully, they’d arrive at Settler’s Fort in time to send the borrowed horses back with the men who’d escorted the gang.
Now, as a thick dusk fell upon their camp on their last night on the trail, she couldn’t help but wonder what would happen when they made it back to Settler’s Fort tomorrow evening.
As much as she craved normalcy, she couldn’t imagine going back to the mundane, exhausting life of slaving over the laundry pot all day. Would Isaac go back to his home, his books, and his life, where she would see him rarely, if ever?
He’d not done anything to show affection since they left River Crossing. Nothing like that fierce embrace when he rode back into town. His eyes seemed to take on a longing when they landed on her, but that could well be her imagination.
Did he no longer care for her? Maybe he’d chosen to part ways when they reached town and was preparing her for the farewell. Or perhaps he was simply waiting for her to show a sign that she would welcome his touch.
She’d stepped into his arms on the street in River Crossing, but before that, she’d pulled away from each tender moment ever since he told her the full story of his background. Her own reticence might well have sealed her fate—permanently.
“Why don’t you go gather water to clean the dishes after we eat? You’ve stirred those beans enough.” Laura’s voice held the tiniest hint of teasing, something Joanna hadn’t heard since they rescued her from the cabin. Her friend must be sending her down to the creek because Isaac was there watering the horses. Was her pining so obvious?
Joanna’s gaze slipped to Samuel, who was playing with a carved horse Mrs. Holder had given him. “Would you like to walk with me, Samuel?”
“He’s going to help me lay out the bedrolls.” Laura spoke before the boy had a chance to answer. “Then we’ll make up a story about his new horse.”
Samuel’s brows had lowered at the word help, but they now spread in a grin as he bobbed his head. “My horse can jump higher than an eagle.” He illustrated the claim by launching the toy from a rock and making it soar into the air.
Joanna couldn’t help but chuckle as she stood. Laura knew just how to speak her son’s language. They seemed good for each other. A bond had grown between them during the awful week they’d endured. And now they appeared to be helping each other heal from the memories. A mutual distraction, perhaps.
Joanna picked up the extra pot. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Take your time. These beans have a while to cook yet. Maybe you can find berries near the water.” Laura’s mouth held a hint of a smile as she motioned for Joanna to leave.
Her friend was definitely matchmaking, but maybe this was the chance to take that first step she’d just been thinking about.
Isaac was there by the water, sitting on a wide boulder, staring up at the mountain peaks that lined either side of the valley. The horses grazed around him, munching the grass they’d been longing for all day.
He must have heard her approach, but he didn’t look over until she came to stand beside him. His face held a pensiveness that tightened something in her chest.
He patted the rock beside him. “I was just thinking how these mountains have become a part of me. I don’t think I could ever leave this country.”
She took the seat he offered, allowing just enough space between them that their sh
oulders didn’t touch. “I know what you mean. There’s something about the wild splendor that takes root in your soul.” She breathed in the cool air, laced with the scent of pine. “I was thinking I might bring Samuel out for camping trips once things settle down.”
He glanced over at her, brow creased in a line of concern. “Just the two of you?”
She’d planned to bring plenty of protection on their trips, but he was right to worry. She couldn’t tell him of her secret wish that he would be with them, too.
So she simply turned her gaze back to the mountains rising before them. “We’ll see.”
She couldn’t observe his reaction. Couldn’t tell if he read anything into her words or not.
A silence settled over them. Not a relaxed quiet, at least not on her part. Now was her chance, but how did she bring up the topic? She’d never been good at speaking of matters of the heart, not even with Robert during their marriage.
But if she didn’t share her mind now, she may never have the chance again. Especially not once they reached Settler’s Fort and everyone slipped back into their normal lives.
Turning to face him, she drew in a steadying breath. But a glance at his strong profile centered her even more than the fresh air. This man made her better through his presence alone.
“Isaac?” The word came out shakier than she meant for it to, so she swallowed to bring moisture into her mouth.
He turned to her, concern cloaking his eyes.
She pushed on. “I’ve had a lot of time to think. About what you said. About your past.” She paused to gather her thoughts. Her words weren’t coming the way she meant for them to. “I know it was hard to tell me everything, but I’m glad you did.”
Her hand longed to reach over and take his, to slip her fingers into his reassuring grip. But she needed to get the words out first. “I see how different you are now from the young man who was looking for an easy living. You’ve had a wisdom about you as long as I’ve known you. A wisdom that maybe wouldn’t be there without the choices you made early on—and the consequences you faced.”
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