Faith pushed her gelding into a trot to cover the last of the distance. When she reached Juniper, she reined in and jumped to the ground in the same motion. Juniper enveloped her in a hug, and Faith wrapped her sister as tight as she could manage. The bulge between them kept them a little apart.
“Oh, Faithie,” June murmured, still gripping her close. “We prayed and prayed you’d come home safe.”
Tears burned Faith’s eyes, so she squeezed them shut. “I’m here.” It was all she could manage as she soaked in the love her sister offered so freely. Love she’d known would be here waiting for her.
She’d never realized how blessed she was to have this family. A family that clung together no matter what they faced. Just before she pulled back, she sniffed to clear her tears. It wouldn’t do for Juniper to see her crying.
But June’s smile seemed to say she knew and understood. She moved her grip to Faith’s elbow and used her skirt to wipe her own eyes. “I’m a waterworks these days.”
“Ah!”
A little voice behind them made Faith turn. “Bertie.” She released her sister and turned to swoop up her precious niece. She squeezed her tight, breathing in the sweet little-girl scent. “Auntie Faith missed you so much.”
Bertie didn’t speak, but she wrapped her pudgy arms around Faith’s neck. They both turned to watch as Juniper approached Grant. He’d dismounted to wait quietly while Faith greeted her sister. Rosie was bringing in the rest of the group at a more sedate pace. Probably giving Faith this moment in private.
Faith stepped forward, Bertie still snuggled in her arms. “Juniper, you get to be the first to meet Grant Allen. He’s been...” How in the world could she sum up all he’d done and become to her? “Well, I couldn’t have managed this journey without him.”
Juniper’s gaze slid to her face. Though Faith kept a cheery smile in place, Juniper surely saw—or suspected—at least some of what Faith wasn’t saying. About Grant ... and about the journey.
Juniper extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Allen. I’m Juniper Turner.”
Grant accepted her outstretched hand and bowed over it, a formal side of him Faith hadn’t seen. It only deepenedher grin, especially when he said, “I’ve been eager to meet you, Mrs. Turner. Your sisters and friends have told me so much about you all. I hope you don’t mind my brother and I have tagged along.” He glanced over his shoulder, where Will was riding up with Rosie and the others.
Their approach drew June’s attention from answering Grant as she studied the newcomers. Could she see Steps Right riding beside White Horse? Did she know who she was? Faith could barely keep from blurting out the news, but she needed to wait for this first meeting to be done right.
Faith sent a glance toward the distant herd behind Juniper and murmured, “Is Riley with the horses?”
June nodded, still not taking her eyes from the approaching group.
When they all reined in, Rosie and White Horse helped Steps Right down from her mount, then White Horse helped his mother hobble forward. Days in the saddle had slowed her healing, but she moved around better now than when they’d first found her. White Horse looked to Faith, like he wanted her to make the introduction.
She swallowed down the lump in her throat. “Juniper, this is Steps Right, White Horse’s mother and the woman who saved our father’s life more than two decades ago.”
Juniper approached her reverently, taking Steps Right’s hands in her own. “I’m so honored to meet you. I’m Juniper. We’ve been searching...” Her voice broke, and the two simply stood together, hands clasped. After a moment, Juniper sniffed again and turned to Faith. “You brought her home. Finally.”
Faith nodded, emotion clogging her throat and burning her eyes. They all had. She met Rosie’s gaze, where she stoodon the other side of Juniper. Her oldest sister smiled at her with glistening eyes. A smile that held so much warmth and pride, it felt just like a hug.
Juniper laughed, sniffing once more as she looked over at Rosie. “Someone should go for Lor and Tanner.”
Rosie nodded. “Ol’ Henry and Dragoon already have. I expect they’ll all be here in an hour or two.”
Juniper gave a firm nod. “Good.” She grinned at Steps Right for another moment, then released the older woman’s hands and turned to White Horse. She pulled him into a hug, laughing again.
White Horse looked more than a little uncomfortable with the sudden outpouring of physical affection. Faith couldn’t help chuckling, especially when Steps Right patted her son’s shoulder, her own grin spreading wide. Though White Horse felt very much like the brother they’d always wanted, none of them had actually given him a hug, as far as she could remember. Maybe motherhood had freed June to demonstrate her fondness more openly.
When Juniper released White Horse, Faith directed her attention toward Will, who’d lingered behind them all. “This is Grant’s brother, Will. Grant came west to look for him, and we found him in a little cabin on the Shaheela River, about a half day’s ride from the cave where Steps Right was staying.”
Juniper sent her another raised-brow look. “I can’t wait to hear the entire story.” But then she reached to shake Will’s hand. “I’m glad to meet you, Mr. Allen.” She slid a confused look toward Grant. “Or should I call you Will?” She was probably trying to determine who was the eldest, for that usually determined who would be called by the surname.
Faith’s belly tightened. She’d not determined whether he went by the same name as Grant, or if he’d taken on his adopted family’s last name.
Will answered it with a grin. “Just call me Will.”
Juniper gave a gracious smile. “Welcome, Will.”
Faith turned to Two Bit. “Bertie girl, you wanna ride with me to find your daddy? He needs to come meet everyone too.”
When the child bobbed her head enthusiastically, Faith lifted her up onto the front of her saddle, then climbed up behind her. She smiled at the group. “We’ll be back.”
