He shook his head. “Nothing. The animals are fine. I just came to check on you.” He glanced toward the house. “And your sister.” Did that sound like an afterthought? He did hope Juniper fared better, but it was Lorelei’s absence that had twisted his insides all day.
She stared at him a moment longer, as though deciding whether he spoke the truth or not. She must believe him, for she finally seemed to relax. Maybe even wilt, as she released one of his arms and turned to walk with him toward the house. “She’s better. Mostly. When I’m here, she’ll drink the ginger tea and broth, and she’s even been eating biscuits. But every time I leave the house, she takes a turn for the worse.”
His chest tightened, but he tried not to show the tension. “You’re good medicine. We all know that.”
She slid him a look that she probably meant for a smile, but the light through the cabin doorway illuminated her worry lines. “We have to get her strength up. She’s lost a great deal of weight.”
If only he could better help them. Just now, all he coulddo was reach up and place a hand on Lorelei’s upper back. He rubbed a little to show his support, and the flash of a true smile lit her eyes.
Riley still watched them from the doorway, so Tanner gave her a gentle nudge. “Let’s get inside. White Horse went out today and found some of the root he’s seen his mother use for women in the family way. Maybe it will help.”
As he followed Lorelei into the cabin, the wash of light made him blink at first. But the glow held a warm coziness as his eyes adjusted. Miss Juniper sat on a mattress near the back wall, propped against pillows. She gave him a weary smile. “Tanner. Do come in. We’ve been enjoying the delicious food you sent.”
He nodded, his gaze sliding over to her husband, who’d moved to stand like a guard beside her mattress. “All I sent were supplies, so if anything was tasty, you’ve yourselves to thank.” Probably Lorelei, for she could make any dish remarkable.
“We love having johnnycakes again.” Miss Faith piped up from over near the hearth. “Lorelei made them tonight. Do you want a plate?”
He eyed the stack on the platter in her hand. “I can’t stay long.” He had to force the words through the hungry rumble in his belly.
She turned to plop some onto waiting plates. “Take some with you then.”
Lorelei moved toward the fire with the pouch of roots he’d brought and began chipping bits into a kettle. “June, White Horse sent a root he found that Steps Right uses for expectant women.”
From her seat in the corner, Rosemary looked up. She’dbeen working on a leather halter, but now she looked from Lorelei to him. “Has he seen his mother?” The sharpness with which she regarded him made him want to step back.
He shook his head. “He’s gone out several times searching for the root ever since he got back from your trip. He only found one plant, but he said he’ll be looking for more.” He nodded to Juniper. “Hopefully it will help you feel better.”
She gave another weak smile. “Please give him my thanks.” She hadn’t lifted her head from the pillow since he entered. Her face held some color, but he could understand why Lorelei was worried.
“Have you heard anything more that might tell us where Steps Right is?” Rosemary no longer studied him as though seeking out his innermost secrets, but she still watched with a keen eye as she waited for his response.
Tanner shook his head. “Nothing.”
She dropped her gaze back to her work, and her voice lowered, almost as though she was speaking to herself. “I’ve half a mind to go back to that mountain. We had to have missed something.”
“I know what you mean.” Lorelei frowned at her older sister as she stirred the liquid in the kettle. “But we were thorough in our search.”
Rosemary didn’t answer, but as she focused on buckling the leather, the furrow in her brow showed her thoughts probably hadn’t left the subject.
Faith carried plates to Riley and Lorelei, then to Rosemary, receiving murmurs of thanks from them all. Then she approached Tanner with a dish holding two johnnycakes.
He didn’t want to overstay his welcome, and he’d left White Horse to guard the fort alone. “I’ll just take thesewith me. Thank you.” He lifted the food from the plate. “I’d best head back now.”
Rosemary set aside her halter and rose to her feet. “Take this to White Horse.” She reached behind a stack of blankets and pulled out a small satchel, then used long strides to bring it to him. “We made cinnamon crisps the other day. They’re his favorite.” She didn’t meet his gaze as she handed the pack over, as though it mattered little.
But he didn’t miss the way Lorelei watched her sister, brows raised in curiosity.
He couldn’t deny a bit of interest in its contents himself, but Rosemary didn’t offer an explanation, so he didn’t ask for one.
Besides, Lorelei was walking toward him, stealing all his focus. She gave him a shy smile. “I’ll walk you out.”
He forced himself to glance around the room. “Good night, all.”
He nodded to accept their farewells and didn’t miss the knowing grins from Faith and Juniper. Lorelei must have spoken of him to her sisters, especially if she was bold enough to escort him outside.
She motioned for him to precede her, then she closed the cabin door behind them.
The calmness of the night settled over him as they strolled to his horse. One of the animals from the corral nickered softly, and Lorelei sighed. “I love peaceful nights like this, when the animals are content and all is calm.”
