White Horse once more broke through her thoughts, but this time it was a relief. He signaled for Grant to lead them down the pass and into the valley, and she guided Two Bit behind his horse so White Horse could bring up the rear as he had most of the day.
As they maneuvered down the rocky incline, Grant’s strong profile drew her focus far too often. In truth, he was a welcome distraction. His broad shoulders held an air of quiet confidence, his hands guiding his mount with a gentleness that seemed one with the horse. His kindness showed in the way he stroked the gelding’s neck when it stumbled over a rock.
Grant had extended that same quiet thoughtfulness to her more times than she could count along this journey. His growling was merely a front for the noble man beneath.
God, why must you place such temptation before me?She could do nothing to make him show interest in her, not unless he truly felt such attraction.
There were moments it seemed he felt this same pull between them. Like the night he’d shown her the stars. But so many other times he kept himself aloof. Last night, for example, when they were making camp in the rain. He’d barely spoken, as though they were little more than acquaintances. Was she wishing for something that simply wasn’t there? Misinterpreting his acts of kindness?
“Faith?” Grant called out, turning to look at her with worry in his expression, as if sensing her internal struggle. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes.” She nudged Two Bit faster down the last of the slope, heat rushing to her cheeks. She’d slowed him too much, creating distance between her and Grant. A subconscious way of protecting her heart?
“Good.” He waited for her and White Horse to catch up with him, and his eyes softened for a brief moment before returning to the path ahead.
After allowing the horses to drink in the stream, they followed its route for about an hour. At the end of that valley, the once-gentle creek grew more turbulent as it fed into a wide river. A high cliff bank rose up along the water’s edge on both sides, creating a canyon the current flowed swiftly through.
They all reined in near the edge, and White Horse dismounted. Faith glanced at Grant, who met her gaze with a shrug. They did what White Horse, their dauntless leader, did.
The horses dropped their heads to graze, and she moved to stand beside her old friend, with Grant coming up on her other side.
“Is this the Shaheela?” Grant’s voice rose above the rushing water.
White Horse nodded, then pointed downstream. “We ride until sun sleep, then reach first falls when sun two fingers high.”
In the morning, then. A thrill slipped through her. They might find Steps Right before noon tomorrow.
But ... she might not be at the first waterfall they came to.Faith had to prepare herself for a long search. She glanced at White Horse. “Are there other falls close to that one?”
The edges of her friend’s eyes crinkled just enough to know he was laughing at her impatience. “I do not remember the distance. We know when see.”
She nudged his arm and grinned. “You remember everything. You expect me to believe you don’t remember how far apart the falls are?”
Before he could answer, a shout came from her other side.
She spun, just as Grant jumped over the edge of the cliff. His arms flailed as he sailed through the air.
“Grant!” Faith screamed, her heart surging to her throat. Panic coursed through her veins as he struck the water, then his body disappeared into the churning current below.
What should she do? She turned to White Horse, but he was already climbing over the edge.
“No!” She dropped to her knees to grab him, but White Horse lowered himself before she could grab him.
He swung from one handhold down to the next, within seconds reaching the thin path that ran along the water’s edge. He turned to scan the water, and she shifted her focus there too. Had Grant been carried downriver? Had he hit a rock and drowned?
God, no!
As she searched the water, a head finally bobbed in the current.
Grant.
He was a little downstream from them, but not as much as she’d feared. Was he conscious? She couldn’t tell for certain.
White Horse had already run down the narrow path beside the water, and now he leaped into the flow. Hisbody disappeared beneath the surface for a moment before emerging, arms churning through the current in quick strokes.
God, protect them both.She could do nothing to help. Nothing except watch and pray.
White Horse swam toward Grant, using the current to his advantage. He finally reached him, and the two floated in the water for a moment. Talking, maybe? Grant shifted to fully look at the other man—the first sign to confirm he was alert.
