Like any gentleman would.
"How are things?" Jericho stepped to his gelding and mounted.
She attempted to do the same. She had to struggle more than he did, but she managed to land in the seat.
"All right, I guess." Gilead propped his wrist on the front of his saddle. "We wondered if we'd have to come after you two."
Jericho sent him a scowl as they joined him on that side of the creek. The two brothers' mounts fell in beside each other, with hers bringing up the rear as they climbed the mountainside up toward the cabin.
Gilead asked about Two Stones's village, and Jericho filled him in on the details of their stay in a few short sentences, including how Sweet Medicine arrived and worked at Dinah's side until Dinah felt she was leaving her patients in capable hands.
Gil turned and flashed her a smile. "I'll bet they were glad you came."
Again, heat flushed up her neck, though for a different reason this time. "I'm thankful I could help." And that God had saved so many.
Including Kicks the Stone. A candid conversation with his mother had helped pull her from her grief. She might need more encouragement later when the sadness tried to envelop her again, but for now, she was focused on helping her son regain his strength.
"How's Jonah?" Jericho turned the conversation in the direction she'd rather hear too.
"Seems about the same. Tired of lyin' on his backside."
If Jonah truly felt that way, he was progressing. His pain must be diminished.
She raised her voice. "How are my sister and the children?"
Gil flashed her another grin. "Miss Naomi's as good a cook as you. We sure have been thankful for ya both."
She stiffened. "She’s out of bed?"
He shrugged. "She insisted. Lillian's been helpin' her, and she only gets up to cook." He turned to Jericho. "We had more visitors."
Jericho jerked his head to study his brother. "Who?"
"Three trappers. Rode up the creek trail."
"Not miners?"
Gil shook his head. "All three had packhorses. Said they were starting out for the winter season."
She couldn’t help but ask, "Are trappers better than miners?"
Jericho's tone had made it sound so. Maybe he disliked miners because of how rough they'd turned Helena and Virginia City.
And Lucy's husband. Jericho had said he was a miner. And a gambler.
Jericho didn't respond to her question, so Gilead gave her a shrug and a smile that didn't flash quite as bright as before. "I suppose it depends on the man."
They rode in silence the rest of the way, but when they arrived in the ranch yard, Sean's voice sounded through the open barn door. "They're here!"
Apple sprinted from the building, yipping as she ran. Sean jogged after the pup.
Dinah slid down from her horse, clutching the saddle to help her stay upright on her weary legs. Apple jumped up on her skirts, and she reached down to stroke the pup's head. "Missed me, huh?"
"We all have."
She looked up to meet Sean's grin. "Well I sure missed you." She stepped toward him and intended to ruffle his hair. But at the last minute she slipped her hand around his shoulders. How often did he get a real hug?
Children needed to know they were loved, and sometimes actions spoke louder than words. He leaned into her, and she tucked him against her side as they walked toward the house. Jericho and Gil were taking the horses to the barn, so she needed to see how things were going inside.
