As the evening waned, Grant’s attention seemed to drift away from their little group. Thinking about finding his brother, most likely. She needed to talk with him. Needed to know what he was thinking. One thing she knew for certain—she wouldn’t be sending him off by himself this time.
She also still had to talk with Rosie about Grant. They hadn’t had a second alone for that conversation. But it would help to know Grant’s plans—and let him know about hers—so she could prepare her sister for this final leg of their trip.
Perhaps Grant overheard her thoughts, for he leaned close and murmured, “Would you like to walk with me?”
She nodded as she met his gaze. He still looked at her with a kind of gentle affection, though his eyes had an extra line or two beneath them. Or was that a trick of the shadows?
When she leaned close to Rosie to share their plans, her sister eyed her warily. “Should I come with you?”
Faith fought to keep from rolling her eyes and instead touched Rosie’s shoulder, meeting her sister’s focus squarely. “He’s a good man, Rosie. I’ll tell you more about him when we have time, but you needn’t worry.”
Rosemary shot a look toward Grant, then pinched her mouth as she gave a single nod. “Call if you need anything.”
Faith chuckled as she stood and turned to follow Grant outside of the ring of firelight. Likely, the others were watching them leave, though Dragoon was still bending White Horse’s ear about a group of Blackfoot he’d met at this year’s rendezvous.
As they settled into the path beside the river’s edge, the rustle of the water replaced the murmur of voices behind them.
The quiet didn’t last for long. Grant ran a hand through his hair. “I have to go find Will.”
As she’d expected. “When do you want to leave?”
They stopped walking, and he turned toward the river. She could barely see his face in the glow of the moonlight. “Now that your sister’s here and I know you’re safe, I plan to leave in the morning.”
She would have liked to have more time to catch up with Rosie, but they could do that later. She nodded. “I’m going with you this time. We’ll leave at first light?”
He spun to face her, then regarded her for a moment. Ifonly the clouds weren’t covering so much of the moon and she could see his expression.
At last he said, “I don’t imagine your sister will approve of us going off unchaperoned.”
She shrugged. “She’s welcome to come along if she likes.” Or ... would he rather have privacy when he saw his brother again for the first time after so long?
She touched Grant’s arm to stop him, then moved in front of him so she could better see his face in the moonlight. As she spoke, she studied his eyes, searching for a sign of his true thoughts. “I want to be there with you, Grant. But if you’d rather go alone, I won’t force my presence on you.”
His mouth curved in a gentle smile, but a moment passed before he answered. “If you’re willing to go, it would mean a lot to have you there. And I’d like the chance to get to know your sister better if she’ll ride with us.”
A grin filled her heart, spilling over onto her face. “Good.”
Finally, he did what she’d been hoping he’d do all day. He raised his hands to cup her shoulders, then lowered his mouth and kissed her.
TWENTY-THREE
Grant opened his eyes in the darkness, straining to make sense of where he was and what had awakened him. They were in the camp beside the river—all the men in their group. The fire had burned low, casting dim light on the faces of those sleeping around it.
He shifted to look at the two captives tied to the trees at the edge of the camp, able to lie down but not move far. From what he’d heard, that was far more comfort than Flies Ahead had allowed Faith and Steps Right.
He could see Running Bear’s form closest to him. But...
He sat upright to see Flies Ahead. The place where the brave had lain was empty. No shadowed lump. Not even the blanket.
His heart surged, and he spun to look around them, half expecting to see the brave skulking in the dark to attack.
But there was no sign of him.
“White Horse.” Grant reached for his rifle and positioned his gun so he could aim and shoot quickly.
White Horse sat up, his blanket falling aside.
Grant pointed the gun toward the empty ground. “Flies Ahead is gone.”
