So she called softly, “I’m here.”
He stomped into view in the moonlight, a scowl shadowing his face as he paused to look at her. “Where have you been? Thought I’d find your dead body.”
She couldn’t help a smile. “Thank you for coming to find me before the wolves carried off my carcass.”
He snorted and shook his head. He didn’t appear willing to continue the banter as he surveyed the land around them, taking in the creek and the rocky slope. He nodded toward the hill behind her. “How far did you go?”
“Another ten minutes or so. I found a small waterfall and searched the area, just in case.”
His expression softened. “No sign of your friend?”
She shook her head. “No caves. No evidence of people at all.”
He gave a grim nod. “We’ll keep looking. There will be plenty more waterfalls.”
She started forward, and he fell into step beside her. They walked down the hill in quiet, but she kept her steps slow so they wouldn’t reach camp too soon. She wasn’t quite ready to face the others yet.
In truth, she’d like to know more about this man beside her. Despite his grumpiness, he seemed to be a man of character. A hard worker too, not given to complaining, no matter the lot laid on him.
How could she ask about him in a way that wouldn’t seem impertinent? Maybe if she started casual conversation, she could lead into more interesting questions.
“What’s happening back at camp?”
“A few of the men who traveled with Parson before were telling stories about the last time they camped here.”
She nodded. “I’m sure their tales are interesting. Have you ever been this way before?”
“Nope.”
That didn’t work as well as she’d hoped. Maybe he needed to loosen up a bit first. She tried a different line of conversation. “Has Parson said whether we’re keeping guard tonight?”
Grant looked toward camp before returning his focus to the shadowed path ahead. “Yeah. My watch is at midnight. You get the night off.”
She shot him a look. “Parson gave me the night off? Or you don’t want to babysit me?”
His brow gathered in a grimace that almost made her wish to take back the words. But she wanted to know the answer. And a direct question seemed to be the only way he’d offer information.
“Parson did.”
She’d have to believe him, though a part of her still suspected chivalry on his part. Or maybe annoyance.
What else could she ask that would get him talking? She glanced toward the camp for inspiration. They would reach the light of the fire soon.
Her foot slipped on a rock, shooting forward so fast, she couldn’t catch herself before crashing flat on her rear. Pain shot up her back, slowing her efforts to right herself.
NINE
Faith sucked in a breath against the pain as Grant reached out for her arm to stabilize her. She was already sitting on the rocky ground, though.
“Are you hurt?” He seemed uncertain whether he should pull her up or not.
Her bottom ached, but otherwise she wasn’t injured. “I’m well. Just clumsy.”
From the angle she’d fallen, and with pain radiating through her middle, she might need to turn on her hands and knees to rise. Not a ladylike position.
Maybe if she sat for a minute, she could recover enough not to make a fool of herself. She extracted her arm from his grip and motioned to the hillside next to her. “This is actually a nice place to sit. Won’t you join me? The stars are already coming out.”
She wasn’t certain whether he would settle beside her, especially when he eyed the sky above, as if to see whether her claim was true.
