She reined around Grant to get a better view, but still, the sight seemed too impossible to believe. “Rosie?”
Her sister was already riding toward them, with Dragoon and Ol’ Henry approaching behind her.
A glance sideways showed White Horse had nudged his mount faster, so Faith did the same. Two Bit struck into a canter, maybe as excited to see Rosie’s horse as she was to see her sister.
She and Rosie both reined in when they met and jumped to the ground. Her sister might still be angry at her for leaving the way she did, but less than a day ago, she’d thought she would never see her family again. She had to greet Rosie with a hug.
Rosemary met Faith’s embrace. She’d been hoping for a bit of warmth in return, but Rosie clutched her so tight tears stung Faith’s eyes.
“I’m so glad you’re all right,” Rosie whispered.
Faith breathed in the feel of her, letting her fear andworries from the past days fade as she reveled in the love of her sister. A love she’d not realized mattered so very much.
She inhaled the familiar scents that always surrounded Rosie—horse and grass and yes, a bit of sweat. Rosie wasn’t afraid of hard work.
When her sister finally pulled away, they both wiped at tears. Rosie shook her head. “We got here as soon as we could. We were worried sick about you.”
Rosie’s gaze flicked toward the others, catching on White Horse. Even as she couldn’t seem to tear her eyes from him, she spoke to Faith. “You have a lot of questions to answer.”
Then she moved past Faith to White Horse, who’d dismounted behind Faith’s horse. Did Rosie intentionally stop on the other side of Two Bit so the gelding would partially conceal her and White Horse from Faith’s view?
She’d sometimes wondered if a special regard might be growing between her sister and White Horse—something more than friendship. The way they stood so close now seemed awfully suspicious. They’d dropped their voices too.
She couldn’t see Rosie’s face well, but White Horse was looking down at her with as close to a moony-eyed gaze as she’d ever seen from him.
Though she’d love to scoot closer and hear what they were saying, she should allow them a little privacy. Besides, she had other friends to greet.
Ol’ Henry and Dragoon stood with their horses, standing back as they waited patiently for their turns. She strode toward them, dragging Two Bit with her. “I never thought I’d see the two of you out here.”
She pulled them each into a hug, and Ol’ Henry murmured into her hair, “We was worried about you, little sister.”
“That’s sure ’nuff true.” Dragoon wrapped an arm around her, then let her go as he stepped back. He sent a glance toward Rosie. “We stopped at the ranch and happened to mention that we saw Two Bit here at the rendezvous. I said I never thought I’d see the day you sold him. Rosie got all worried about you, an’ we went through a heap o’ trouble trackin’ you down.”
She cringed, her headache making itself known once more. “I’m sorry I put you all through that. I found a lead on where Steps Right was, and I had to follow it.” Better keep the conversation moving. She turned and motioned for them to follow her. “Let me introduce you to the others.”
As they filed past Rosemary and White Horse, the two seemed finished with their quiet conversation and turned to walk with them. Grant had stayed back with both captives and Steps Right.
With Rosie walking beside her, Faith fixed her gaze on the man who’d captured her heart so thoroughly. Grant dismounted and took a few steps forward, but he couldn’t leave his charges in order to meet them.
At last, they all halted before Grant. It would be better for her sister to meet Grant first, leaving Steps Right’s introduction for the end.
Faith moved to stand partway between her sister and Grant. “Rosie, I’d like to introduce you to Grant Allen. I met him back when I was traveling with Elise and Goes Ahead. He told me about these waterfalls, and when I made up my mind to come search them for Steps Right, he stayed by my side every step of the way. I couldn’t have made it without him.”
She swallowed, her gaze shifting to meet his. Hopefullyhe could see the thankfulness in her eyes. His gaze was warm, but then he shifted back to face Rosie. She should finish her introductions. “Grant, this is my eldest sister, Rosemary.” Then she motioned to the men standing behind her. “And our good friends Ol’ Henry and Dragoon.”
As the men exchanged greetings, Rosie gave Grant a narrow-eyed look and only nodded in response to his “I’m honored to meet you.” Then she turned her focus away from him.
Faith’s gut twisted at her sister’s rudeness. Maybe Faith shouldn’t have started the introduction by saying that Grant had been the impetus for Faith to set out on her own. She’d just wanted Rosie to know how vital Grant had been in finding Steps Right. Clearly, they’d need to have a private conversation later.
Rosie also ignored the bound braves, turning her focus to Steps Right. White Horse must have explained their presence here. Had he also told of the kidnapping? Maybe not, or Rosie would have demanded the full story already.
For now, Rosie and White Horse were approaching Steps Right, and quiet had settled over the group entirely.
This felt like White Horse’s moment, a time for him to introduce his mother. So Faith stayed back with Grant, sidling a little closer to him as a flutter of nerves eased through her. He must have felt her tension, for his hand moved to her back, imparting a solid strength that eased her churning middle.
This was a happy event. Nothing to worry about.
White Horse spoke with a voice deep and strong enough to mark the moment. “Rosemary Collins. My mother, Steps Right.Áaksíksikka’yiwa Okamo’t.”
