He winced, then grabbed the pudgy digit and brought it to his mouth to land a loud kiss on the tip. "I'll take that finger. In fact, I think I'll eat it." He sounded like a hungry bear as he pretended to munch down the length of her finger, then over her handand up her arm.
Mary Ellen convulsed into a fit of giggles as she tried to pull away from Jonah's tickling mouth.
He paused for air, and his face looked a little paler, the shadows under his eyes darkening. Had he bumped his nose?
He didn't continue the antics but kept Mary Ellen in his arms as he turned to speak to Dinah.
Naomi soaked in the sight of them. Her soon-to-be-husband, strong and capable and so relaxed with her daughter in his arms.
She'd made the right decision.
Hadn’t she?
If only she could kill the longing that still pressed deep inside. Eric was her past. She had to make sure Jonah remained her future.
CHAPTER 7
Eric's body might have frozen in this hunched position, so long they'd been riding in the biting wind. This was the only posture he'd found that kept the pain in his ribs to a dull throb. Surely they were almost to Two Stones's village.
He rode beside Running Woman, Two Stones's mother. Two Stones and Heidi—Mrs. Two Stones, but she'd insisted he call her by her Christian name—led their group, and Two Stones’s elderly father, White Bear, brought up the rear.
The damp chill in the air might mean rain. Though the biting wind felt cold, the atmosphere didn't seem quite cold enough for snow.
For that he was thankful. He'd arranged with Jericho to return tomorrow for another couple of hours with his daughter. He'd been doing his best to commit the trail to memory—focusing on landmarks. Boulders that formed unusual shapes. Trees with distinctive branches reaching out like the arms of a clock at ten to two. A snowfall could change the landscape entirely. The last thing he needed was to get lost in a snow-covered mountain wilderness.
Beside him, Running Woman's horse snorted, the soundsharp in the quiet. The older woman turned her weathered face toward him, her eyes taking him in with a friendliness that reminded him of his Grandma LaGrange.
He'd never thought his allies on this journey would be a native family, but he was grateful.
As the land leveled out some, Heidi turned back to him, her expression sympathetic. "We’re almost there. You can rest soon."
He nodded. "I'm fine." Did he wear his pain so openly?
Dinah had insisted on checking him for injuries, and she’d confirmed two of his ribs were broken. Thankfully, no internal organs had been punctured. She recommended he take Two Stones up on his offer of shelter in their village, but a hint of worry had touched her eyes.Be careful as you ride back and forth,she'd said. Keep your horse to a walk and try to sit as still as you can. Your ribs won’t heal as quickly if you move around too much.
How could he not shift about as he rode up and down these mountains? He wouldn't delay time with his daughter for a couple of broken bones. If travel proved too hard, he would camp near the ranch.
The trees thinned, and what must be the village came into view. In the valley stood a collection of round structures, some wooden and some made of leather. The homes were lined in neat rows, though the sizes varied. Two Stones and Heidi led their group toward the right end of the village.
They halted at a larger wooden home near the edge of the grouping, and Two Stones slid to the ground. As he moved to Heidi's horse to help her, he glanced back at Eric. "This is the home of my mother and father. It is bigger than the one Heidi and I share. You will be comfortable here."
"Thank you." Eric kept one hand bracing his ribs as he eased from his horse. As long as he could lie down soon, he'd make do anywhere.
Running Woman had already dismounted. She left her animal and motioned for Eric to follow her. He should untie hisblankets and packs before going in so he wouldn't have to come back for them. And he would need to see to his horse.
The thought sent a fresh shot of pain through his middle. When Running Woman motioned to him again, he followed. He’d do what needed to be done after he rested.
Though the afternoon sun was bright outside, within, the hut was dim. The only light filtered in through a chimney opening in the center of the roof and through the doorway.
She motioned to the far left side of the room. "Lay."
He moved that direction, and as his eyes adjusted to the light, he could make out a stack of furs. The pile looked plenty long enough for him to stretch out. He really should see to his horse and belongings first, but Running Woman urged him forward, hands on her hips like a mother with an unruly lad.
He was not strong enough to fight her. Not that he particularly wanted to.
He dropped to his knees on the furs, then turned to lower onto his side. He was becoming adept at the specific way to move to keep his ribs from screaming out. Someday, he'd like to be able to inhale a deep breath again, but for now, he'd settle for lying flat and closing his eyes so he could just...be...still.
Crisp morning air filled the small cabin as Naomi stood by the window, her breath fogging the glass. Down at the barn, the men were all riding out in different directions. Jericho, Gil, and Sampson would work with the herd in the south pasture. Jonah and Miles planned to install windows in Jonah’s cabin today, and Jude was taking Angela for a ride around the ranch. Those two were so sweet together, both of them quiet amid the clamor of voices when the entire group sat at the dining table. Love hummed between them anytime they looked at each other....or simply stoodin the same room.
