She watched her brother nervously. She’d go with Gil, but first, she had to try and do what she could for Matt. With her back to her brother, she pretended to be going through the food pouch. Leaning over Matt, she yanked a tiny medicine pouch from beneath her blouse and pressed it into Matt’s hand and closed his fingers over it.
“May the spirits watch over you,” she whispered. “Let them guide someone to you.” The Missouri River was so close. She hoped that someone would find Matthew before it was too late. She left her own water pouch, and some food, hidden beneath her shawl. She also left behind her pouch of healing herbs and medicines.
Standing, she followed her brother out of the lean-to, praying that she’d made the right choice. As she mounted her horse, she kept up her mantra of prayer. For herself, she asked for nothing.
Chapter Nine
The horse spirit, Silver Star, stood over Renny as she slept beneath the stars. The woman had a long journey ahead of her and not a lot of time. Silver sighed, her breath stirring the air near Renny’s face.
Renny shifted slightly as though she felt Silver Star’s presence in her sleep.
Silver lowered her muzzle and rubbed her nose against Renny’s cheek.
Remember your friends.
We will help you.
Look for us.
See us!
“See you,” came the murmured response. Renny stirred in her sleep and frowned, her lips moving silently.
Yes, see us. Listen to us. Believe. Remember.
Renny lifted a hand in sleep. Her fingers brushed over Silver’s soft muzzle. “Believe. Soft.”
Silver folded her legs beneath her and lay beside Renny. There was a long journey ahead of them all. Tonight, Renny gave her hope.
* * *
Renny stood alone. They’d traveled hard for four days, following the James River to a smaller stream that headed west. Tomorrow, they’d cross a stretch of prairie land and come to the next stream, one that would take them to the Missouri River.
So far, they had not found any sign of Matthew or Brenna. Renny had climbed a small rise, hoping against hope to find some sign, while the others rested and the horses were watered. Once again she glanced upward.
Every time they saw buzzards circling, her heart started pounding for what they might discover. Thankfully, it was always an animal that lay dying or dead.
At the moment, a pair of golden eagles soared across the clear, blue sky, circling lazily in the warmth of the afternoon. One bird glided down toward the earth on powerful, silent wings.
Without any warning, it seemed to stop, and suddenly swooped down with such speed and force that Renny heard the killing strike before the eagle rose triumphantly with a small rabbit dangling in its talons.
Renny held her breath and stared up as the majestic bird flew overhead. Her heart raced with excitement. The bird had struck so close to where she stood, she’d easily seen its bright eyes and sharp beak, the mantle of feathers on its head and neck.
A small, dark feather drifted down in the bird’s wake. Renny followed it with her eyes, reaching up to grab it. Staring at the golden feather, she held it up to the sun and watched the colors shimmer.
For just a moment she forgot all her worries and allowed herself to remember her first summer living on the plains. Each day had been filled with the beauty and wonders of Mother Earth.
With all that had happened in the last year, she’d forgotten what it was like to travel across the earth and become one with this world.
Running her finger along the soft edge of the feather, she instinctively called forth the qualities of Wambli, Eagle.
Though her Sioux mother had continually taught all her children the ways of the Sioux, in the last few years Renny had been too busy helping her father with the land to really pay much attention to the stories and teachings she’d heard for more than half her life.
Closing her eyes, she called to mind the image of the graceful birds. Their ability to hunt and soar great heights still amazed and thrilled her. They spent most of their time in the sky, in the realm of the spirit world, yet were a part of her world. The sacred birds maintained a balance between both worlds.
Leave the shadows of pain and despair and find within you the power to heal.
Renny stared at the dark speck as the eagle flew away. Eagles were sacred birds. Many thought they possessed the power to heal. What did the eagle mean to her? She wasn’t hurt, it was Matt who suffered.
Tucking the feather in her pocket, Renny turned to join her family. Movement near a stand of trees caught her eye. She held her breath at the sight of a beautiful horse.
Pale yellow, the horse stood out among the green grass. For a moment, two creatures of the earth stared at one another. Then the horse reared up, pawed the air, turned back and disappeared.
Renny started to follow. She had to see the magnificent animal again. Up close. Even just another glimpse would do. But Tyler’s voice stopped her.
“Renny, where are you going? No one is to leave camp alone.”
Whipping around, Renny scowled at him. “Correction, the children cannot leave camp without an adult. I am an adult and do not need you to play nanny.”
Angry that he’d shattered the surreal spectacle that nature had put on for her, she stalked past him, purposely stomping her feet. When he quickly moved out of her way she couldn’t help but grin. He was learning.
“I saw that,” he grumbled. “We have a truce, remember?”
Renny wrinkled her nose. “An unspoken one,” she said. One borne out of a kiss that haunted her dreams. She slid a glance at Tyler.
He wore his black, leather vest over a plain, white shirt. Dark pants and his dark hat made him look intimidating. The star pinned to his chest sparkled in the late-afternoon sunlight.
For once, the reminder of his authority didn’t irritate her. She accepted, at least to herself, that on this trip she needed him. Matthew needed him. They all did.
He stopped and held out a large hand. “Shall we make it official?” The humor in his eyes was gone. “Truce.”
Renny hesitated only a second before putting her hand in his. “Okay. Truce.”
Then they each smiled. Renny averted her eyes and told herself not to get goofy about a stupid truce. Once they were back in Pheasant Gully, she had no doubt they’d resume their verbal sparring. He’d turn back into a mother hen, and she’d have to rebel.
She just hoped that somewhere along the way, they’d be able to share another one of those toe-tingling kisses. To cover any hint of awkwardness and embarrassment at the direction of her thoughts, she lengthened her stride.
At the edge of camp, Renny stopped to watch her family. They’d ridden as long and as hard as humanly possible, considering the size of their party and the wide range of ages.
She spotted Kealan lying down by the water’s edge with a wooden pole dangling in the water. Given enough time, he’d probably fall asleep while trying to hook himself a fish or two for dinner.
Renny smiled proudly at the owl feather he wore in his hair. He’d also donned the clothing of their people. Kealan, her little warrior.
Across the river, birds soared, dipped, rose and dived through the air to catch a last meal of the day. Insects hummed, chirped and buzzed, and small creatures scurried through grass still wet from afternoon thundershowers. She turned to survey their small camp.
Sitting next to the fire, Daire sharpened his knife. He was quiet. Too quiet. She worried about him. He hadn’t merely lost the innocence of childhood. It had been viciously taken from him.
Sighing, she spotted Mattie and Reed beneath a tree. Caitie lay asleep in Mattie’s lap.
Maze was the only one moving about. The woman was a stranger to them yet seemed so familiar, almost as though they’d been friends all
their lives. She had a kind smile, and always a kind word for all of them.
Maze had taken on the role of cook. It had only taken one sampling of her cooking for all of them to agree.
At first glance, Maze looked like an older woman with her silvery hair, her manner of dress and her gentle nature. But she moved like a much younger woman, and had more energy than the rest of them put together.
She glanced up from the fire and smiled at Renny. Renny smiled back, held in place by those wise, blue eyes. Whenever she was around the woman, her fears seemed to ease. She wasn’t sure why. Turning away, Renny thought it might be the woman’s eyes.
They seemed to reflect the day itself, going from a light, pale blue in the mornings to a deep, dark blue each night with the twinkle of stars and so much more.
Restless, Renny glanced at the horizon and frowned. There was still daylight left, and they had far yet to go.
She, Mattie, Reed and Tyler had made a map, using the route Renny knew Matt would take. They estimated the number of miles and days Matthew had been gone. Using the day Mattie had her vision, they’d tried to estimate his location.
Of course, he could have veered off course for any number of reasons. Still, they had to start somewhere, had to have a goal in mind or they’d just wander aimlessly without ever finding Matthew.
She put her hands on her hips. They were so many days behind Matthew and Brenna. Renny pushed them all hard, needing to cover many miles each day. Once more she glanced at the sun, judged the amount of light left.
Tyler touched her gently on the shoulder. “They need rest. We all do.”
Renny sighed. Tyler was right, though she’d never admit it to him. “We’ll stop for the night.”
“We’ll find him, Renny.” Tyler’s voice was soft. Tender.
Renny shook it off. She needed her edge. Anger always drove her. But with their truce, she didn’t have a ready target to keep that anger flowing. Still, she didn’t have to sit back and do nothing.
“I’m going to go talk to Mattie. See if she’s had any more visions.” She started forward but Tyler stopped her with a hand to her arm.
“Let her rest, Renny. Hounding her won’t help. She’ll tell you. You know she will.”
Above their heads, large, black-as-night crows squawked and fluttered from branch to branch of a tall cottonwood. Several flew off, their cries echoing around them.
“I know, but Matt—”
“We’ll find him, Renny. Pushing yourself or the others won’t speed it up. He’s days ahead of us still.”
Renny felt torn. She was very afraid that they wouldn’t find Matthew in time. Often, Mattie’s visions were of the future. Like her mother’s and grandmother’s visions, fast action often stopped a vision from becoming real.
But this time she was pretty sure that it was too late to stop Matthew from being shot. That meant he was out here somewhere, hurt. Maybe dying. She could only hope that Brenna was still alive, and was caring for Matthew.
She glanced back over at Mattie. As frustrated and impatient as Renny was, she knew Mattie had it worse. Every moment was spent waiting for the next vision, knowing it would come and fearing what it would bring.
Tyler took her arm. “Take a walk with me,” he suggested.
To his surprise, Renny fell in step with him. They walked, following a twisting, burbling stream. The land was flat and open. Still, Tyler kept an eye on their surroundings.
When minutes passed without any snide remarks, Tyler turned his head to study Renny. She seemed to have taken the truce between them to heart.
For the first time he could remember, she seemed relaxed. Her face wasn’t tight with irritation or anger. Her mouth was soft-looking, not a firm, hard line. Even her eyes seemed softer, rounder.
As though she felt his eyes on her, she snapped her head around. “What?” Her eyes narrowed slightly.
“Nothing.” He shrugged. “Just like looking at you, that’s all.” The words left his mouth. He winced to himself and waited.
Instead of jumping all over him, stabbing him verbally, or causing pain to his feet or shins, she ducked her head as though embarrassed.
“You’re being foolish, Tr—er, Tyler.” She coughed as though choking on his name.
Tyler laughed, low and soft. “Don’t want to spoil things between us but it’s true.” He figured a truce between them was too good to be true and if he’d already blown it, he might as well go all the way.
“You’re beautiful, Renny.” He watched her, saw her shake her head in denial. She opened her mouth, her eyes flashing dangerously.
“What are you talking about, T—”
Tyler put a finger to her lips. “Please. Don’t say it. Don’t say anything to ruin this moment.”
To his utter astonishment, Renny didn’t say a word. Nor did she pull away from him. Once again, her face grew gentle.
“I mean it. Just gotta say it.”
Renny rolled her eyes and shook his finger off. “Come on, Sheriff. Laying it on a bit thick, aren’t you?”
Feeling her stiffen beneath his fingers, he ran his palms up and down her arm slowly, gently, as though calming a high-spirited horse.
“It’s true.” His gaze roamed over her short, slightly upturned nose, the smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose, her golden-tipped lashes.
Staring down into her eyes, he saw the clear, clean splash of her innocence and felt himself fall into the deep, deep pool of crystalline green.
She tugged at him deep inside, had from the very first time that he’d met her. His hand lifted to her thick braid and slowly wound her dark, red hair around his fist, drawing her closer.
“I shouldn’t, but I think I’m going to.” His eyes dipped to her mouth. Her tongue snaked out to wet her lips.
“Going to what?” Her voice was husky, her breath sweet and tempting.
“Kiss you.” His other hand slid around the back of her neck, his mouth inches from hers.
“Why?” Her question was low. Her lips barely moved.
“Because.” He stared into her eyes, waiting for them to harden, expecting her to shove him away, stomp on his foot.
To his surprise, she smiled, softly, the corners of her mouth tipping up in amusement. “Not much on words, are you, Sheriff?”
He grinned, felt his body jerk as a rush of heated desire slammed into him. “Tyler. Just Tyler. Say it.”
Renny’s gaze dropped to his mouth. She stared, then licked her own lips. “Tyler,” she whispered.
Her eyelids fluttered, then she looked at him with longing in her gaze. “You talk too much, Just Tyler.” Then she slid into his embrace.
Renny was ready this time. And eager. She closed her lips over his mouth and kissed the hell out of him. When he moaned, she grinned, well pleased.
Tyler’s lips moved over hers. “Think this is funny?”
“Hmmm,” she said. “It’s wonderful.” Her fingers were in his hair, threading through the golden silk.
A soft laugh rumbled from Tyler. He pulled her close and took control.
Renny hung on as she went for the ride of her life. The first kiss was gentle and tame compared to this one. Tyler held nothing back and demanded everything from Renny.
Renny gave. And gave. Then she took. And danced in a silent duel with his tongue. But in this, she found she was more than willing to share control.
Hanging on to Tyler, Renny finally broke off to drag in a desperately needed breath of air. With her head against Tyler’s chest, she heard him gulping deep breaths as well.
To think that just a few days ago she’d scorned the thought of locking lips with a man. Had anyone dared to suggest it would be Tyler, she’d have punched them out cold.
Ever since that first kiss, she’d dreamed of him,
hungered for more even as she fought to keep him at arm’s length. But today, the peace of the day, the worry in her heart, and the exhaustion of her soul, she wanted him close. She needed him close. At any time during their walk, she could have picked a fight to keep him at a distance. She was good at it—she’d had all year to hone that particular skill.
“What are you thinking, Renny?” Tyler ran a thumb over the small cleft in her chin. His cheek rested on her head.
“Thinking of all the things I could have said so you wouldn’t kiss me.” For once she answered honestly.
“Why didn’t you?”
She shrugged. “Not sure.” It was hard to think of him as the enemy when he was doing all he could to help her family.
Chuckling, Tyler wrapped his arms around her tightly. “Renny, you never fail to surprise me.”
She clung to him for a long moment. “Don’t expect it to last, Troll.” For once, the name had a soft, almost loving sound to it.
Laughing softly in her ear, Tyler pulled gently on her braid until they were staring at each other. He lowered his head, stealing a quick but just as potent kiss. Then he let her go and held out his hand.
“Come on, let’s head back before the truce is over.”
Easy with each other, they fell into step, bumping shoulders as they retraced their path.
Chapter Ten
Bruised, tired and sick to her very soul, Brenna sat on the ground, her knees pulled up to her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around them. She was wet from the storm, cold to the bone and scared to death. She whispered her prayers, needing to hear the words aloud.
“Shut up, Brenna.”
Lifting her head, she tried to see her brother but it was too dark. He was a shadow among shadows somewhere in front of her. She heard his harsh breathing, smelled the stink of too many days with no bath and the sour stench of drink. Gil never used to drink. Their mother wouldn’t let him. She knew he’d found their stepfather’s stash.
“Gil, please. Let’s go back. I promise to stay with you. We need to help Matthew. I’ll still go wherever you want me to go, but we have to go back. We can’t let him die.”
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