“Eddie,” she yelled and tried to push past the horse, but trees prevented it.
If something happened to her son?—
Jace knewthe trees bent low over the trail at this spot, but he’d forgotten. Otherwise, he’d have instructed Eddie to bend low. Were Jace riding, he would’ve simply brushed branches aside. But there was enough force in them to sweep the little fellow out of the saddle…straight into Jace’s arms.
Eddie laughed. “That fun.”
They grinned at each other. Then Jace turned his attention to dealing with the anxious cries of Eddie’s mother. He pushed on Sam’s hindquarters to signal him to move over.
Dianne rushed forward, but when she tried to take Eddie, the child shook off her hands. “You are done riding. It’s too dangerous.”
“Mama, no. I wants to ride. I’s not hurt. See.” He held up his arms.
“You got knocked off the horse.” Her voice quivered. She chewed her bottom lip as she rubbed her hands over her son, then lifted her gaze to Jace. She blinked several times. “He will walk beside me.”
Jace set the boy on the ground, took Sam’s reins, and led him down the trail with Dianne and Eddie in his wake.
For a time, they walked in silence apart from the clomp of Sam’s hooves, the rustle of leaves, and the song of birds. Deceptively peaceful. They crested a rise, and he paused to take in his surroundings. One thing Chet had taught him thoroughly was the importance of being aware of any dangers, such as wild animals.
Dianne stood beside him, looking from him to the direction he studied. “What are you looking for?”
“Nothing in particular.”
“Why can’t I see the way station?”
Her suspicion scraped along his skin. “What do you think I’m doing? Leading you into the woods to abandon you?”
She jerked back, grabbed Eddie’s hand, and retreated several yards.
Air blasted from Jace’s mouth. “I was joshing. Something Chet wouldn’t approve of. The way station is over there. It will soon come into view.” Taking Sam’s reins, he began the descent down the long hill. She could follow or not as she wished. But he didn’t mount Sam and ride away even though he was tempted to do so. He wouldn’t leave them until they reached the way station. Then, they could wait for the next stagecoach.
“Mama!” Eddie’s frantic call jerked Jace’s attention toward them.
At what he saw, his heart slammed into his ribs hard enough to hurt. Dianne lay face down in the dirt with Eddie pounding on her back. Jace raced to them, though running uphill took longer than it should have.
He lifted Eddie to the side. “What happened?”
“Mama felled down.”
“You stand there while I help your mama.” He set Eddie behind him and squatted by Dianne. “Are you hurt?” There was no sign of her breathing. His mouth grew dry. Had her heart quit? Or—? A knot closed off his throat. He shookhis head to clear his thoughts. Of course, she didn’t die of fever as his family had. She’d been perfectly fine minutes ago.
“I’m going to roll you over.” The words were a warning in case she could hear him. He touched her arm and withdrew. It was too bold. But she couldn’t stay face down in the dirt. Sucking in air and holding it, he eased her over to her back.
She blinked.
“Thank God you’re alive.”
Her eyes widened. Something was wrong.
“Are you breathing?”
She managed to turn her head back and forth enough to indicate no.
“You’ve had your breath knocked out. I’ll help you sit up.” He slipped his arm under her shoulders and, ignoring his discomfort at how he almost had to hug her, pulled her upright. Air shuddered in, and she gasped, pressing her hand to her rib cage.
“It will hurt for a moment or two.” He held her steady as her breathing normalized.
“I’m f-fine now. Thank-ks.” She shifted away from him.
