Steps Right nodded.
Again, sadness touched his eyes. “I’m looking for my brother. Will Sheldon.” He added on the last part like an afterthought, maybe to see if Steps Right had heard of him. That didn’t seem likely, though.
But she straightened. “Will?” Her voice held pleasure.
“You know him?” Grant leaned forward.
Steps Right nodded. “I find sick. In snow.”
Faith’s heart had picked up so much speed, she strained to make sure she didn’t miss anything over the pounding.
Grant seemed ready to push to his feet and start searching for his brother. But he voiced his questions instead. “When? Is he all right? Where is he?”
The older woman nodded. “I stay in cabin. Give the healing plants. He good man. Ask me to stay there.” She shookher head. “I come to cave. Safe here.” A twinkle slipped into her eye. “He bring food. Sit and talk.”
Energy emanated from Grant’s body through the air between them. “What did he say?”
Her gaze took on a distant expression as she looked toward the fire. “He tell when boy. Play in river.” She motioned toward the cave opening and the water beyond. “With brother.”
Grant nodded. “Yes. Near the mill. We swam and fished there all the time.”
She nodded, her expression warming. “He speak of this. Say he fear water. Brother make him brave.”
Warmth surged through Faith’s chest, so strong it made her eyes burn. Hearing this had to give Grant hope.
He didn’t answer for a few heartbeats, but when he did, his voice had gained determination. “Where is he now? I have to find him.”
Again Steps Right nodded. “Cabin near river. One day to ride and come back.”
Grant rose abruptly, pushing to his feet. “I’m going to see if White Horse needs help.” His voice sounded tight, then he turned and strode out of the cave.
Unease churned in Faith’s middle. She had to talk to Grant. He would want to go to Will. He was probably planning how to even now. She laid down the knife and meat. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Rising, she made her way through the cave passage, then washed her hands in the waterfall. After following the ledge, she jumped to the bank just in time to see Grant’s retreating back as he climbed the hill toward the horses. “Grant, wait.” She hurried after him.
He stopped and spun around, his face tight. “I have to find Will.” He held up his fingers an inch apart. “I’m this close to him. I have to go today. Now.”
A wave of panic washed through her. He couldn’t go by himself. Should she go with him? But she couldn’t, not if she and White Horse were going to leave tomorrow morning to take Steps Right back to the ranch. Would White Horse delay another day?
She sucked in a breath through the weight on her chest. “Wait.” Her voice shook a little. “We need to talk to White Horse.”
Without a pause, Grant turned and yelled up the hill. “White Horse!” His voice thundered loud enough to rise above the waterfall. Did he know for sure the man was up there?
Apparently so, for White Horse appeared at the top of the hill, his figure silhouetted against the blue sky behind him. He strode toward them, leaping over some of the rocks, his face set in a scowl. When he came close enough, he barked, “Quiet. Do not bring danger.”
Grant didn’t answer, but he waited for White Horse to reach them before speaking again. “My brother is close.” He bit the words. “Your mother said only a half-day’s ride away. I have to go find him.”
Faith ventured her question. “Could we wait here an extra day? Maybe Grant can find his brother and bring him back here. Then we can all go back to the ranch together.” Even as she spoke the words, their naiveté rang in her ears. Who was she to Grant’s brother to stop his life and come to the ranch just because she wanted him to? She, a person Will had never met or ever heard of?
White Horse stood silent for a long moment, his gaze shifting between Grant and Faith. His dark eyes were even harder to read now than usual. Then he met Faith’s eyes. “I must get my mother to safety.” His voice carried the weight of a thousand unspoken words. “She is hurt. Flies Ahead will come again.” Then his focus moved to Grant. “We will give you the direction of the ranch. You can come when you are ready.”
Grant nodded. “I will.” Then he turned toward the slope where the horses grazed at the top. “I have to go. There’s no time to waste.”
SEVENTEEN
Faith stood with White Horse at the river’s edge as the final flash of Grant’s horse disappeared through the trees lining the bank.
Her heart ached to go with him. Not to let him leave by himself. She and White Horse had drawn a map for him to the ranch, and she’d encouraged him to bring Will too. He said he would try. But what if Will wouldn’t come and Grant decided to stay with his brother? The loss of Grant Allen in her life felt too hard to face.
