The man who'd greeted them answered Jericho, and they carried on a brief conversation. At one point, the man looked over at the pup in her lap and grinned, his smile infectious as he glanced at Dinah.
Did he know Lillian and Sean? Maybe he'd even met the first Skipper.
At last, the group turned their horses aside, and Jericho waved farewell as he signaled the team to walk on.
When the newcomers moved down the trail, she finally asked, "What did they say?"
"They were just passing through on a hunting trip." Jericho kept his focus on the road ahead. "But they asked about the pup."
"Did you see how he smiled at her?"
He spared the dog a look. "That was Two Stones's cousin from a different village. He's the chief's son there. In line to take his place."
"I didn't know you spoke their language." She tried to sound casual.
A small smile quirked his lips. "I picked up a few things from Two Stones."
"It's a good skill to have." And how many other unexpected talents did Jericho possess? Every time she thought she understood this man, something more surprised her.
* * *
Dinah woke to a squeal somewhere in another part of the cabin.
She sat up, doing her best to force her scratchy eyes open in the early morning dimness of the chamber.
"Who is that?" Naomi raised up on her elbows in the other cot.
Dinah pushed her blanket aside and sat up, slipping her feet into her boots before standing. She could fasten them later. "Sounds like Lillian." Had she found the puppy already?
Dinah and Jericho had arrived at the ranch around midnight, and Jericho offered to keep the dog in the barn with him until morning. Dinah had peeked in to check Jonah, and thankfully his breathing and color looked good, the bandage was clean, and the traction still set correctly. Then she'd barely taken time to remove her shoes before collapsing into bed.
As she opened the door and stepped into the main room, the source of the squeal came clear. Lillian sat on the floor, the puppy bouncing on her lap. Sean knelt beside her, trying to tease the dog onto the floor to play with him, but the animal seemed intent on jumping up to lick Lillian's chin.
With every puppy kiss, Lillian giggled, which seemed to spur the dog on for more. Jericho stood back against the wall, leaning with his arms crossed and one leg propped. A small smile played at his mouth, and his eyes drank in the scene of his niece so happy.
Then Jericho's gaze lifted to hers, and something in his eyes held her. They'd done this together. A team, bringing joy to this girl who'd had so little pleasure in her hard life.
His chin dipped in a tiny nod, as if he understood her thoughts. She smiled, then turned her focus to the children.
As she approached Lillian, the pup bounded up to Dinah, wagging her tail so hard her whole body shook. "Well, good morning to you too." Dinah scratched behind the dog’s ears. "I knew you'd love the children."
"Uncle Jericho said I can name her." Lillian beamed, then glanced at the man as though to make sure she'd heard right.
He nodded. "Any ideas?"
"Aren't you going to let the poor invalid see her?" Jonah called from his chamber.
"I agree." From the other room, Naomi grumbled. "It's not fair to those of us chained to our beds."
Dinah chuckled. "I guess you'd better take her visiting."
As Lillian scooped up the puppy and Sean followed her into Jonah's room, the front door opened. Jude and Gilead carried in full armloads of firewood.
"I'd better start the morning meal." She headed toward the cookstove. Hopefully someone had banked the coals last night so she could nurse a flame back to life.
Excitement flowed around her as the brothers tromped in and out of the cabin, playing with the children and the pup. Lillian christened the dog Apple, since her coat was the rusty color of the apples that should be ripening on the fruit trees in the valley soon.
As Dinah stared at the small stack of supplies in the corner, her mind scrambled for what she could make. The boxes hadn't been unloaded from the wagon yet. Maybe the men would be content with Johnnycakes and fried meat again. She would do better once she had more to cook with. And a full night's sleep.
