She had to answer him. Maybe he knew who these horses belonged to. “Hello.” She cleared her throat to remove theshakiness from her voice. “Do you know who owns this herd?”
As far as she could tell, his focus didn’t shift from her to the animals.
He didn’t speak right away, so she asked a different version of the question. “Do they belong to an Indian village near here?”
Her words seemed to nudge him into action. He glanced at the horses, then back to her. “Yep. To the tribe camped just over that rise.” He motioned toward the hill to the right of the herd. He tipped his head in curiosity. “Why? You lookin’ for them?”
His manner seemed more normal now. Perhaps he’d been surprised to see her at first and simply showed it differently than most men would. After all, if a man spent long enough alone in this land, he might develop a few oddities.
She nodded. “Yes. We’ve been searching for them.”
His bushy brows rose. “We?”
He couldn’t think she was alone out here, could he? But best she make it clear she had the protection of a group.
“My companions and me.” She motioned toward the slope behind him. “They’re camped just over that rise, waiting for me.”
He glanced over his shoulder where she pointed. Of course, no one could be seen. Would they wonder why she was gone so long and come after her?
She addressed Mr. Slim again. “Will you come to our camp with me? We have a few questions about that village. If you know the people, perhaps you can provide answers.”
A wariness entered his expression. Was he a friend of the tribe and thought they meant harm? If Steps Right reallywas there, he might be trying to protect whatever secret the others had guarded.
She spoke quickly. “We came to pass along a greeting from a friend of theirs. Our questions are about whether that friend is still at the village or not.”
The tightness in his face eased. Good.
He turned toward the village. “I’m going there now. You can come along and I’ll introduce you.”
A rush of hope spread through her. “That would be wonderful. Let me just call my sisters and the men traveling with us.”
He shook his head. “I promised to be at the village at first light. Already late. Come now if you want.”
She hesitated. “Our camp is just right up there. I can run up and tell them, then be back in five minutes.” That timing might be a little optimistic, but she wouldn’t take much longer than that.
He started walking. “Can’t wait. Come with me if you like. Otherwise I’ll tell the folks there that you’re interested in their horses and are searching for one of their people. They’re not a very trusting group, but I’ll try to put in a good word for you.”
Not trusting. If the natives in that village knew people were looking for Steps Right, would they hide the woman? She couldn’t let this man speak of them before they arrived.
“No.” She shook her head. “Don’t tell them we’re coming. We’ll be there in an hour or so, and we’ll introduce ourselves.”
He paused and turned back to her, suspicion marking his brow. “You have something to hide?”
She frowned at him, doing her best not to show nervousness. “Of course not.”
“Then come with me. I’ll interpret for you, then bring you back here.”
Did she dare? She eyed the man. He seemed normal enough now. And if he would introduce her and interpret ... This was the only way they could have the element of surprise upon entering the village. And maybe there would be less suspicion if it was only her coming to ask about Steps Right. Perhaps having their large group had raised caution among the camps they’d visited so far.
But no. She wasn’t thinking clearly. Under no condition could she walk away with this man alone.
She took a step away from him. “I think it best I get the rest of my group. We’ll be along shortly.”
He frowned. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
She glanced up the slope toward their camp. She could make a run for it. Would Slim chase her? If he did, she could scream and the others would come running.
But when she turned back to the man, her heart stopped.
