His throat worked, then he gave a single faint nod, almost as though he dreaded saying yes. Did he think this was a bad idea? Should she press for his true opinion or accept this agreement and run with it?
He stepped back, allowing her to take the calf into the stall like she usually did, but also ending the conversation, it seemed.
She let out a breath. At least he’d agreed.
After they settled the calf and left the barn, all of them headed toward the house. Once inside, Riley and White Horse both took up positions where they could peer through openings between logs and see anyone approaching.
The steady murmur of voices, intermingled with horse nickers and the calls of children, drifted easily into the cabin, overpowering the low crackle of the fire.
Juniper sank onto the mattress they kept laid out for her, and Faith plopped down beside her. Rosie planted herself near White Horse, where she too would be able to sneak glances through his opening in the wall.
Lorelei glanced around for something to do. No one occupied the chairs by the table, but she wasn’t quite ready to sit. She moved to the fireplace and added another log, shifting the charred stubs so they would burn more fully.
She needed to be the first to speak, to give out her idea. Straightening, she turned to face the group. “Did Calling Bird and the others give you an idea if they came to this valley because of Curly? Or did they simply find this place and think it looked like a good camp?” She was pretty sure she knew the answer, and it would be a good segue into her proposal.
Riley looked at White Horse. “They knew about the calf. They asked about him when we first greeted them. They didn’t say they came here because of him, but that was the feeling I got. What do you think, White Horse?”
He nodded. “Is same feeling.”
She let out a breath. “Then we need to move him. Do you think if he’s not here on the ranch anymore, then all those people might move on?”
Riley’s expression turned uncertain, and once more helooked at White Horse. “I don’t know. That’s an awful lot of families, animals, and belongings to pack up and travel with. White Horse might have a better sense.”
They turned to the brave, but he didn’t answer at first. In truth, he looked conflicted. Finally, he shook his head. “I do not think they stay. They come for good favor of white buffalo calf.”
Riley studied him. “You think they’d leave even after they set up homes?”
White Horse gave something like a shrug. “We do not know until we see. That is what I think.”
Her chest tightened. “Then we need to move fast. Right now. Tanner said we could take the calf to his post. It’s best for the Indians to see us move him, right? That way they know to pack things up and travel on.”
“Lorelei. What are you planning?” Rosemary gave her an intense stare. This would have to be handled carefully.
She gentled her tone, the way she would speak to a wary colt. “Curly needs to leave. His presence is putting us in danger.” She slid a deliberate look toward Juniper. “We can’t risk anything happening. But Curly still needs special care. His leg will have to be soaked for at least another week, and he’s still so young. If this mass of people picks up and moves to the nearest flat spot they can find beside his post, he’ll need someone to watch over the calf while he handles the store.”
“Get on with it, Lor. Say what you mean.” Rosie nearly growled the words.
She took in a breath for courage. “White Horse should go with Curly as a sort of guard. And I’ll go to take care of the calf.”
Juniper had lifted a cup of water to her mouth but now sprayed droplets in a half circle around herself. “You what?”
“Lorelei.” Rosie had that tone she used when she was trying to be patient with silliness. “You’re not going to the trading post. Not to stay there.”
Lorelei smoothed her skirt to give herself a moment before replying. What could she do to help them understand? This was the right course, she could feel it deep inside. “It’s the best way. No matter where Curly goes, he’ll bring visitors from every direction. We have to shift that attention away from our ranch. But he’s just a calf—a very special calf that’s important to so many people. More people than I ever imagined possible. He must be cared for properly. Protected and nurtured.” A new thought slipped in. “If something bad were to happen to him, the tribes in the area might even grow angry, mightn’t they?” She looked to White Horse for support.
He wore an expression that said he’d rather not get drawn into this discussion. Just like a man.
“What do you think about this idea?” Rosie turned the question on him too.
White Horse’s mouth pinched. But he said, “I will go.”
Rosie studied him a long moment, and he met her look. It seemed almost like something passed between them, though Lorelei couldn’t tell what. They’d all come to trust White Horse so completely over the winter they’d spent with him building this ranch. He certainly wasn’t how she would picture an older brother in their family, but he filled the role perfectly. His age was even right, just a year or two older than Rosemary. In the prime of his strength. He would protect her and Curly from any threat at Tanner’s trading post.
Rosie turned back to Lorelei. “But what about Mr. Mason? It’s not seemly for you to stay on the premises with an unmarried man. I’m assuming you plan to sleep in a different building than him, but it’s still not done.”
Lorelei motioned to White Horse. “I’ll have a chaperone. That’s what makes it perfect.” The argument could certainly be made that she would be at the trading post withtwounmarried men, but not if they really chose to think of White Horse as a brother.
Rosemary rolled her eyes, but Riley spoke before she could respond. “I, um, suppose Juniper and I could go with her.”
