But Grant wanted to be with her. To do everything he could to help and protect her, and to experience the journey at her side.
Was it more responsible to stay here with Will, though, now that he’d finally found him? He had no doubt Faith would understand if he promised to come a week or so later. He didn’t even know where the ranch was, but she could give him the directions.
His chest ached at the thought of going that long without seeing her smile. Hearing her bubbling laugh. Kissing her.
Will nodded decisively, drawing him back to the present. Could his brother see where his thoughts had wandered?
“I can ride along too. I promised Steps Right I’d come check on her before the trees started to turn, and I can’t let her leave the area without saying g’bye.” His eyes twinkled. “It’ll be good to make sure she’s settled in and has all she needs. And see the ranch where you’ll be setting up house.”
Heat flared up Grant’s neck, and he shook his head. His brother wasn’t far off with that assessment, but he couldn’t let him get ahead of things. “Faith and I don’t have an understanding.”Yet.
Will raised his brows. “But you’re planning to ask her, right?”
Grant nodded. “When we get to the ranch and things settle down.”
Will nodded, as though he’d assumed as much. “Sounds like I need to be there, then.” He pressed his hands against the table’s edge and stood. “Guess I better get packed up. I’ll be ready to ride out in the morning.”
Relief eased through Grant like a cool breeze on a sweltering day. “Thank you, Will. You coming means more than you know.”
This was the moment Faith had been waiting for for more than three years now.
One of the moments, anyway.
She rode next to Grant, his brother on his opposite side, though Will had dropped behind a little as the trail narrowed through this pass. Rosie, White Horse, and his mother clustered behind them. All of them were eager to see the ranch buildings spread out in the valley below. Dragoon and Ol’ Henry had headed toward the trading post to let Lorelei and Tanner know they were home.
Juniper and Lorelei would finally get to meet Steps Right. All four sisters would finally be together with this woman who had made such a difference in their father’s life—and in their own, for she’d been the reason they came west. They could give her the beads, finally returning them to the family where they belonged. God had used that necklace for so much, even more than she could fathom right now.
If they hadn’t come west, Juniper would have never met Riley, and sweet little Bertie wouldn’t be alive today. They wouldn’t have these good friends, Ol’ Henry and Dragoon. Lorelei would never have met Tanner.
And White Horse ... she couldn’t imagine not having this honorary brother as part of their family. Would Rosie make him an even closer member one day soon? She fought a grin at the thought. Did Lor and June know? Surely Faithhadn’t been the only one unaware of what their elder sister was hiding.
She slid her gaze to the man sitting tall beside her, and a rush of love stung her eyes. If she’d never come west, if she’d never set out with their missionary friends to find Steps Right on her own, she would never have met Grant. Her life was so much fuller with him in it.
He must have felt her gaze, for he looked over at her. That warmth lit his eyes, the expression he saved only for her. Again, tears burned. Happy tears.Thank you, Lord. Thank you for Grant. And for so much more.
They were cresting the ridge now, and the ranch would spread out in the valley below them. With the sun in the midafternoon position, Riley would likely be out with the horses, as long as Juniper hadn’t developed the same sickness with this babe that she had when she was carrying Bertie.
As the ranch spread out before them, she inhaled a deep breath of the familiar air. The animals started down the slope, and part of her wanted to kick Two Bit into a run, as she had so many times.
But she didn’t want to leave Grant behind. She wanted to experience this reunion with him.
The main cabin and barn sat nearest them, with corrals fanning out. Then White Horse’s lodge, and Riley and Juniper’s cabin. A figure was just stepping from that door—a small person who toddled out, then plopped onto the ground.
Faith grinned and pointed. “There’s little Bertie.”
Grant followed the line of her finger. “She’s cute.”
He wouldn’t be able to truly see how adorable thosepudgy cheeks were, for they were still too far away to see her as more than an outline.
He looked at her with raised brows. “This looks like a good area to let the horses stretch their legs. Wanna run?”
Her own smile came quick and free. This man could either hear her thoughts or God had made him a more perfect match for her than she’d thought possible. She loosened Two Bit’s reins and nudged his sides. The gelding lunged forward, covering the ground like he was as eager to get home as she was.
When they neared the main house, she slowed him to a walk. Juniper walked out of her cabin and paused to shade her eyes and study them.
Faith waved. “June!”
Her sister’s demeanor changed as she dropped her hand, and her teeth flashed in a broad grin. She grabbed up her skirts and started to run toward them. Her belly must already be growing awkward, for she slowed to a walk quickly, then continued with one hand under her middle and a long stride.
