She barely kept from cringing. Why had she revealed that? He probably thought she was a fellow trying to meet up with a sweetheart from one of the tribes. “She’s an old grandmother from the Peigan tribe. A healer. She asked me to bring her something.”
She couldn’t breathe as she waited to see if that would satisfy his questions. The way he was eyeing her, he must be trying to decide if he believed her.
She didn’t let herself shift under his scrutiny. She didn’texactly meet his gaze full on, but she waited. Keeping herself quiet.
His expression gave no sign of his thoughts, but at last he spoke. “You can join on with me if you like. We’re headed there in the mornin’, me an’ six others.” He nodded to the younger man beside him. “Skeet here is one of ’em. We’ll be trappin’ all along those rivers where the falls are. I can show you a few that aren’t on any map I’ve seen. If you have a mind to learn trappin’, you can trade fer a few kits afore we leave. If not, you can come along as camp keeper. I expect every man to earn his share, but I don’t nose into yer business neither.”
She tried to keep the surprise from her expression. She hadn’t expected an offer to join the group. Trap with them? She’d always wanted to try her hand at it. But she didn’t have time to learn the trade now. Maybe later ... but not with a group of strange men.
She gave a nod of thanks. “I appreciate that offer. Any other time, I’d say yes an’ thank ye.” That was an expression she’d heard the trappers use. “But I need to move faster this time. My friend needs what I’m bringing to her. Could you maybe draw me a map, or point me to a trail that will take me to the area?” If he would include more falls than she’d seen on Mr. Allen’s map, all the better. Coming here had certainly been the right choice. Maybe even direction from God.
But he shook his head. “There’s not a trail. And there’s too much ground to cover to draw it out.” He eyed her. “Besides, it’s not a route a fellow should go on his own. ’Specially not one who’s green to the area.”
At least she’d been successful in her disguise. But the disappointment pressing in her chest didn’t feel like success.
He pressed his hands to his knees and stood, releasing a little groan with the effort. “If you wanna see the falls, ride along with us. You can tend the fire and cook meals. Help with the horses. I’ve got enough supplies to feed you. Be here at sunrise.”
He turned and ducked into the lodge, a clear signal he was done with the conversation.
The other fellow still sat by the fire, but as she met his gaze, he raised his brows. “You in?”
That was the question, wasn’t it? She pinched her lips. “Maybe. Need to do some thinkin’, I suppose.”
Then she turned and headed back to Two Bit before he could ask anything more.
FIVE
Grant eyed the rest of the group as he fastened the tether strap securing the pack mule to his horse. Parson seemed like a decent fellow to ride with. From his words, at least, he appeared to know the land well but not be too overbearing. Since Grant had never trapped before, he would be one of the camp keepers, but would also be able to set a few traps and learn the trade from the others. All six of the men here had spent at least one winter trapping, including Riggs, the kid who’d told him about Parson’s group to begin with.
Grant had brought his own mount and gear, as well as all the meat from a bull elk he’d found yesterday. The animal had just been killed, as the warmth in its body and the blood still running from the gunshot attested to, but the hunter had abandoned it for some reason. He’d waited nearly an hour to see if the person who shot it would come looking for their kill, but no one came. The animal hadn’t been mangled by other prey, so Grant cut out all the good meat he could to use as his contribution to this trapping party’sfood supply. Far better the meat be used than the animal’s life and so much food be wasted.
Parson seemed to be looking around a lot as he loaded his own pack mule. The men were all here and accounted for, as far as Grant could tell. Even now, though, their leader was staring out at the hill that lined one side of the rendezvous camp.
Grant looked that direction too, and for a moment he saw nothing. Then a shift near the top of the hill caught his eye. A person cresting the ridge and riding down the slope. He didn’t recognize the horse, but whoever it was rode by himself.
He glanced back at Parson. The man was still fastening straps but seemed to be studying the rider from the corner of his gaze.
By the time the newcomer reached them, several of the other men, including Riggs, had mounted and sat waiting. Grant checked his cinch once more, then placed his boot in the stirrup. His horse tried to lurch forward as he swung aboard, but he tightened the reins and settled in the saddle, then reached down to stroke the animal’s shoulder as he watched Parson talk to the new fellow.
They seemed to know each other, and Parson motioned toward the group once. The boy—for he wasn’t much older than a youth, likely not even as old as Riggs—nodded. Then moved his horse past Parson and reined to a stop.
Their leader turned to the rest of them. “This here is Frank. He’ll be ridin’ with us as camp keeper.” The man glanced toward Grant. “Consider him your helper.”
Grant nodded. He’d just been promoted. No longer the newcomer to this land. Frank looked his way, and the lad’s eyes widened a little.
Grant studied the man—er, boy. Scrawny and dirty, but something about him seemed familiar. Had he come to trade while Grant was working at the supply wagons?
He couldn’t pull up a memory near the wagons that included this fellow. In fact, he seemed younger than any man Grant had seen out here. He couldn’t have come to this land by himself. Was he the son or little brother of one of the trappers?
He took in the face once more, studying the nuances. Small features. Those blue eyes were familiar.
Then realization settled over him. Those eyes looked like the woman he’d met at the waterfall, the one who’d nearly cracked her neck on the rocks. This must be the brother she spoke of.
Parson started his mount forward, calling for them to fall into line behind him. Grant guided his horse in with the others, moving closer to Frank. Maybe he would have a chance to ask more about him and his sister.
Not that he meant to poke his nose into their business. He had no desire to tangle himself in anyone else’s affairs. He simply wanted to find Will, as he’d promised to do when they were separated all those years ago.
But in the meantime, he could ask a few questions. Find out the story with these two. Frank must be here because of Grant mentioning Parson’s group to the boy’s sister. What was she doing while her brother joined on with these trappers?
