The man on the near side of the saddle shook his head. “Not to me.”
Riley fought to keep his frustration from showing. “Thanks for your help.” Or lack of it.
He turned his focus to the group of men gathered around the next animal and moved that way. It seemed he had a long day ahead of him.
Seventeen
Juniper kept her gaze trained on the supply wagons she and Rosemary were approaching. A lot of the trappers must be among those lining the raceway, but enough sat around the cook fires in camp that she and Rosie had to be careful as they made their way between the lodges.
Occasionally, slurred voices rose above those around them. She’d never seen so many intoxicated men in one place, except for in a saloon. Of course, she hadn’t actually been in any saloons, but she’d glimpsed the crowds inside through the windows.
None of the men here at the rendezvous had physically accosted them, thank the Lord, but enough drunken voices called out questions and offers as they passed to keep her nerves dancing. What a difference it made to have Riley walk with them. The trappers had stopped bothering them at all when he accompanied, which was why she hadn’t expected as much this time either.
A few even mentioned him when making their offer.“Your feller finally decided to share with the rest of us?”and“How did you sneak out without your guard, sweethearts? Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”
They finally reached the row of wagons and easily spotted Mr. Provost standing at the rear of the second one. He was riffling through the contents, but as they approached, he straightened and turned to them with the smile she’d learned to trust on their journey here.
“Good morning, ladies. What a pleasant surprise. I haven’t seen much of you since we arrived.” His mouth tightened with that last bit, probably as he remembered the shocking news he’d delivered to them that first day.
“Good morning.” Rosie made a show of scanning the first few wagons. “It looks like your supplies are almost gone.”
He nodded and glanced down the row. “The trading’s progressed faster than we expected. More men here than usual. This is definitely the biggest rendezvous so far.” He turned his focus to them. “I was going to come by and tell you we’re hoping to finish up today or tomorrow at the latest. We’ll be leaving two days from now, early in the morning.” His eyes searched them. “Have you found your father’s friend?”
They hadn’t told him much about their mission, only that they’d come to find someone their father once knew. They hadn’t given Mr. Provost the details because he wasn’t from this area. He was part of the eastern branch of the partnership who organized the supplies for the rendezvous, and he also managed the wagons traveling West.
Rosie stayed quiet, and she didn’t look Juniper’s direction, so it was impossible to read her thoughts. In fact, it seemed like she wouldn’t answer at all. Was she expecting Juniper to? Rosie always did the talking for them.
Juniper moved forward so she could nudge her sister’s arm, but Rosie finally spoke. “We haven’t found her. We’d hoped to have a few more days before starting back.”
Mr. Provost’s brows raised. “It’s a her?”
Rosie still wasn’t looking at Juniper, so she couldn’t signal with her eyes. Perhaps they should at least tell him about Steps Right. Who knew whether he’d crossed paths with her in his travels?
Juniper nodded to Mr. Provost. “She’s a woman from the Peigan Blackfoot tribe. Her name is Steps Right, and our father met her when he traveled through here twenty years ago. We don’t know much more than that, except that she should also have two horses he later sent to her. They might have the same markings that are branded on our horses. Do you know of anyone that might describe?”
His lips rolled in as he thought. “That’s not much to go on. I’ve met quite a few Peigan at the various rendezvous, but not many of their women. None that stood out to me so much I’d remember their names.” His gaze turned apologetic. “Sorry I can’t be more help.”
He paused, then added, “Do you still plan to travel back with us?”
Juniper looked to Rosemary, and her sister lifted her chin. “We’ll need to discuss it. I’ll let you know our answer tomorrow.”
Mr. Provost nodded. “I understand. Sorry things haven’t worked out the way you’d hoped.”
They made their farewells, then headed back to their lodge. The men’s comments as they walked no longer made her nervous. Frustration simmered within her. Nothing was going as they’d hoped. Even with Riley’s help, they’dexhausted every lead with the natives, and now it looked like they would be losing their safe passage home. On top of that, these ill-mannered trappers couldn’t manage to hold their tongues.
Maybe Riley’s day was going better as he showed the sketch of the brand around.Thank you, Lord, for Riley.
As their lodge came into view, two people standing in front of it caught her notice. That might not have stood out normally, for men always seemed to loiter around their door flap during daylight hours. But one of them was Lorelei, her periwinkle-blue dress obvious even from a distance. It was the prettiest one she’d brought along, though still plain compared to what she usually wore back home. Who was she talking to? And why were the two standing so close?
Juniper’s chest tightened. They’d given Lorelei and Faith strict instructions not to leave the lodge. Surely she would only break that rule if Riley came. And if he was back so soon, did that mean he had news?Goodnews?
She and Rosie both increased their pace, but as they drew near, they saw the man speaking to Lorelei wasn’t Riley. Mr. Dragoon spun toward them as she and Rosie approached. Lorelei held the pup in her arms. Maybe he’d gotten away again. But he wouldn’t have if they’d kept the lodge flap secured.
“What are you doing, Lorelei?” Rosemary barked.
Was it Juniper’s imagination, or was that a blush creeping over Lorelei’s face? What was going on with those two? A knot coiled tight in Juniper’s belly.
Mr. Dragoon looked friendly as always. “Hello, ladies. I stopped by to check on you all since Riley’s at the races.See if you need any water carried or wood brought in. Miss Lorelei said the two of you went to learn what day the wagons are leaving.”
