His words didn’t explain what he and their sister were discussing when they’d approached. Water and firewood certainly wouldn’t make Lorelei blush. Had she developed an attachment to him? Dragoon was older than Riley by at least five years. Maybe ten. And Lorelei was only eighteen. Certainly women her age and younger married, and sometimes to men far older. But Dragoon wasn’t the one for her. Nothing about the match felt right.
Juniper stepped forward even as Rosie answered the man with a curt “We did.” Clearly she didn’t like the thought of what they’d come upon either.
Juniper reached her younger sister and touched her arm. “We’re having a family meeting, Lorelei. Come inside.”
Rosemary moved in behind them, like a mother hen shooing her brood toward the lodge door. “Good day, Mr. Dragoon.”
Thankfully, the man didn’t try to waylay them any further. Just tipped his hat with a “Good day, ladies.”
When they stepped inside the lodge, they could see Faith lying on her pallet with a book. What did their little sister think of Lorelei stepping outside with that man?
Once she’d secured the door flap, Rosemary spun on Lorelei. “I thought I made it clear neither of you were to leave this lodge. What were you doing out there?”
Lor dipped her chin, her cheeks turning pink. “He came by to ask about water and wood, like he said. Didn’t he, Faith?”
“He did.” Faith looked somewhat amused.
Lorelei turned back to Rosemary. “I needed to let Boots do his business, so I stepped outside to answer Mr. Dragoon. I didn’t think you wished him to come in here to speak to us.” She lifted her brows with that last bit.
The situation she described sounded possible and much more innocent than the two had looked. Juniper worked to keep her voice level. “Why were you speaking so close to him?”
Lorelei’s ears turned cherry red. “We weren’t close.”
Juniper frowned. “There wasn’t more than an arm’s length between the two of you. What was he saying to you?”
Lorelei rolled her lips together, clearly hesitant about whether she should speak truthfully.
“Tell us, Lorelei, just say it.” Rosie softened her voice. “We promised not to keep secrets.” They were all one another had, and they could only accomplish their mission in this wilderness among all these men if they stuck together.
Lorelei’s expression relaxed, then her eyes grew bright. “He asked if I’d be interested in riding his horse in a race tomorrow. He said he’d seen how I am with animals and he thinks I’d have the perfect hand with her. We’d be certain to win.”
A new tightening clenched in Juniper’s middle. “What did you tell him?”
Lorelei’s eyes narrowed. “You interrupted before I could answer.”
“I’m sure he realizes the answer is no.” Rosemary turned to the area they used as a dressing table and began organizing the brushes and bottles.
“But why should it be no?” Faith set her book aside andsat up. “That sounds thrilling, and you’d be so good at it, Lor. He’s right. You could coax any animal to its best.”
“She’s not going to be a spectacle before hundreds of men.” Rosemary’s voice held her don’t-argue-with-me tone.
Lorelei crossed her arms. “But what if Iwantto ride in the race?”
Rosie spun, a comb in one hand and a ribbon in the other. “You want to parade yourself in front of all those hungry eyes? Think, Lorelei. We’re tryingnotto stir up too much notice. That would do just the opposite.”
Lorelei’s eyes widened. “But I wonder if I could use it as an opportunity to ask about the horses, or maybe even about Steps Right. If I win the race, I’ll have the attention of all those men. I can explain what we’re searching for. They’ll be eager to help, I’m sure.” She gave a little hop of excitement. “That’s it. That’s how we can find her.”
“No!” Rosemary’s nostrils flared. “Not even to find Steps Right would I make you a showpiece in front of all those trappers. It would put you in untold danger. Absolutely not.”
They needed to calm things before the girls raised their voices too loudly. Juniper took a step forward. “Anyway, we need to talk about what we learned from Mr. Provost. We’ve a decision to make.”
Lorelei’s shoulders eased. “What did he say?”
Juniper moved to her bedding and motioned toward the blankets Rosemary and Lorelei both used. “Sit. Family meeting.”
Once they’d all settled cross-legged, Rosie took the lead. “Mr. Provost plans to head out with the wagons the morning after next. We need to decide if we’re going with him or if we stay here to find Steps Right.”
“We have to find her.” Faith looked surprised they would consider the opposite. “That’s the whole reason we came here. We can’t leave without finishing. I know we’d planned to get back in time to buy a ranch and be settled by winter, but we have to see this through. The entire trip would be a waste if we don’t.”
