“Are you worried about Sampson’s injuries?” Jess’s voice held a hesitant tone. She was quieter than the other women, but that made it almost easier to be around her. It was hard to believe their fathers had worked together. That Jess had lived only a couple hours’ ride from her all those lonely years.
Grace met the woman's perceptive blue eyes. "Yes. And about what my father will do.” Should she say the rest? Maybe she could test the idea on Jess. “I wish I could talk to my father. I might be able to stop him.” Jess seemed to be considering the idea, so Grace pressed on. “I think I need to ride after them. Maybe I can end all this before someone else gets hurt.” Hurt worse than Sampson had already suffered.
Jess’s eyes widened and she lowered her sewing. "Grace, I don't think you're the reason your father is coming.” She paused, her lips rolling in. "It's no secret my father wants the Coulters’ land, and he’s ordered your father to take it for him. Papa’s greed is driving all of this."
Grace swallowed past the lump in her throat.
Jess might be right. But she couldn't shake the conviction that she was the spark that had ignited this powder keg.
And she might be the only one who could stop the explosion.
She shook her head, her choice hardening into resolve. "I understand that, Jess. But I'm sure my presence here is making things worse. If I can intercept my father, appeal to him, maybe I can stop this before it goes any further."
Grace met Jess's concerned gaze. "Will you watch over Ruby for me? I'll ride fast and catch up to them."
Jess hesitated. After a long moment, she sighed and rose from the rocking chair. "Of course I'll care for Ruby. But Grace, please be careful. Your father...he's not a reasonable man."
"I know." Grace's voice caught. "But I have to try. For Sampson…and for all of you."
Jess took the babe from her arms. “Let’s go tell the others. I have a feeling you won’t be going alone.”
Half an hour later, Grace stood in the yard and pressed a final kiss to Ruby's soft brow. "Be good for Aunt Jess and the others. Mama will be back as soon as I can."
Sampson’s family had indeed protested her plan, but they hadn’t forced her to stay. Thankfully, Miles returned around that time with Two Stones and three other braves. Two Stones told the group that his cousin had gone to gather the rest of the braves from their village and another nearby camp. They’d be here by morning.
For now, she would ride with Two Stones and his companions to catch up with Sampson and his two oldest brothers. She would never admit how much relief she felt to be traveling with Two Stones instead of by herself, especially since they would likely ride after dark.
She couldn’t delay this parting any longer. As she eased the babe back into Jess's waiting arms, tears blurred her vision, and she turned away to hide them.
She couldn’t bring herself to meet the gazes of the Coulter family who stood with Jess. They would surely try again to talk her out of going. She’d already received farewell hugs from Dinah and Patsy and Naomi and Clara and Angela and Jess and even Lillian, Sampson’s niece. So many women who’d become her family, at least in name. She’d gone from desperately lonely to overwhelmed with kin in just a few days.
Would she have to lose them all soon? She would do her very best to keep that from happening.
She swung aboard the bay mare she’d ridden that first time when Two Stones brought her to the ranch. This mission felt so much more frightening than that other.
She managed a glance at the Coulters. “Thank you, all. For everything.” Her voice cracked, and she swallowed down the emotion. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
She turned her mare toward the four men waiting. Two Stones raised a hand in farewell to the Coulters, then nudged his horse forward.
She moved her horse in line with the others, the knot in her stomach tightening with each of the animal’s strides. What would she say to her father when she found him? Could she truly persuade him to call off this attack?
She had to. For Sampson. For Ruby. For…everyone.
* * *
Sampson's body throbbed with his horse’s every movement. Dinah had sent medicine for the pain, as well as a flask of tea he’d been sipping on, but he’d asked for smaller doses so he could stay alert.
The lesser amount definitely didn’t help as much, but he could stay awake. He still couldn't move without sharp pains shooting through his chest and shoulder. Not to mention the steady ache in his head.
They’d been plodding along for hours now, and he’d allowed Jericho to lead. They planned to go back to the place where Two Stones had set up camp after rescuing Sampson from the beating. From there they would search for Jedidiah’s camp on foot, without the horses making so much noise.
Surely, they’d reach that spot soon. Dusk had already fallen, and darkness would be on them in no time. His brothers likely would have moved faster without him, but he couldn’t manage the bounce of a trot or canter. As much as he hated to admit it even to himself, that agony might have done him in.
Ahead, Jericho's horse halted, and Jonah reined in beside him. Sampson pulled up, too, biting back a groan as the effort jarred his injuries. He focused on breathing through his nose, willing the pain to subside.
His brothers had already dismounted by the time he managed to ease himself down from the saddle.
Jericho came to his side and took his reins. “Why don’t you stay here with the horses? Let yourself rest a while.” He kept his voice low, but the tone was far gentler than his usual to-the-point manner.
