"The days grow short and cold. The weather can turn quickly, and the mountains show no mercy. It is not good to sleep without shelter."
Eric shot the man a look. "Is there a house around here I can use?" The words came out a bit more jaded than they should have.
But this place was so much more remote than he'd imagined. And he'd burned the bridge of staying with the Coulters, at least for now. Not that he’d started the fight—Jonah had struck the first blow. But Eric had returned every punch.
He’d have to work to rebuild friendly relations with them. Though whether he'd ever feel like he could stay there without imposing—and without having to watch his back—remained to be seen.
"Our village is two hours from the ranch." Two Stones’s voice turned earnest. "You are welcome to stay with us. We have warm lodges, good food, and pleasant company."
Eric's first instinct was to decline. His pride, the same stubborn pride that had him holding his middle together as if sheer will could mend bone and sinew. Yet as much as he’d like to assert his independence, another cold night without decent shelter would be torture.
Yettwo hours away. How could he get to know his daughter with such a long trail between them?
"Your offer is generous. I thank you, but I fear the distance might be too far."
Two Stones nodded. "You are welcome any time."
When they reached the cliff where the horses had to travel single file, Eric's insides knotted, and not just because of the danger of falling. They were almost to the Coulter ranch. He would see his daughter, but he’d also be faced with the results of his hot-headed actions yesterday.
Would Jonah meet him at rifle-point and tell him to leave? The man had the right, since it was his ranch. Maybe his elder brother's steady head would win out. Hopefully, they'd keep to the promise Jericho had made yesterday.
Eric glanced upward. It was hard to tell in the midst of these trees, but the sun looked close to the noon mark. He would arrive pretty much when Jericho said for him to. They'd let him see his daughter, wouldn’t they?
He'd have to face Naomi too. Not just her anger and hurt, but also her beauty and the many reminders of what they'd once had. The promises they'd once made to each other.
All of which she'd broken.
He couldn't let those thoughts in today. He had to keep a level head. If he focused on Mary Ellen alone, he wouldn't risk his temper rising. Or saying things that might anger the adults.
His only goal here was to get to know his daughter. He had to focus on that alone.
When they finally rode into the clearing, Jericho stood by the corral fence, not far from where Naomi had struggled with the horse the day before. Images of her on the ground surged in, but Eric pushed them back, keeping his attention on the man.
Two Stones rode on his left, the man's wife on his right. Their support was a gift he fully understood only as Jericho's hard expression softened.
They all reined in before him, and Two Stones dismounted immediately. "Jericho." He stepped forward and clasped hands with Coulter, then turned and motioned to Eric. "We found him sleeping in the cold and were glad to journey this last hour together."
As Two Stones moved to his wife's horse to help her dismount, Jericho focused on Eric.
Eric nodded a greeting, but his mind wouldn't summon words. The man’s gaze ran down the length of him. Searching for injuries? Had Jonah been hurt in the fight?
A new line of dread wove through him. If he'd wounded this man's brother, his reception would be far worse than he'd hoped.
But Jericho offered a nod. "Come up to the house. The women are waiting."
Eric clamped his jaw as he leaned forward to dismount. He couldn't let Jericho see his pain. Any sign of weakness could be used against him.
Thankfully, the man turned to talk with Two Stones, and Eric made it to the ground. He pressed his hand against his ribs to lessen the fire inside, then turned to riffle through his pack. He couldn’t forget the doll he’d brought for Mary Ellen.
He followed the others toward the barn, but it was all he could do to stay upright and take small breaths as he followed.
Jericho tied the horses to a rail in front of thebarn, then they started up the slope. Eric had caught his breath finally, and the pain ebbed to the steady throb he’d endured during the ride.
Near the cabin, the scent of woodsmoke filled the air. Jericho opened the door and took the single step up to the building, moving inside as a rush of warmth swept out.
As Eric entered, his eyes had to adjust to the dimmer light. Then he found her.
Naomi stood near the center of the room with their daughter cradled in her arms—a vision of strength and beauty. Her gaze was fixed on him, though hard to read. Certainly not pleased to see him. Was she trying to hold in anger for the sake of their daughter?
