But they had to locate Father first.
With slow, plodding steps, Wilbur led her out of the clearing and up the trail where the men had disappeared twenty minutes before. Ellie was grateful the man wasn’t a talker. She needed the silence to process everything that had happened.
Had Marvella found her note?Please, Lord, don’t let them be angry with me.Her throat tightened at the thought.Lord, I really love the Ashburys and want to continue to count them as dear friends.
Especially now that she and her father would be living in Kalispell.
That was, if her father made it through all of this alive.
At the loud screech of a hawk, Ellie jumped and glanced around. Where was Wilbur? Where wasshe? How on earth had she lost the man who was supposed to keep her safe and lead her to Carter?
The pounding of hooves drew her to the present. Her horse’s ears twitched, and Ellie prayed he wouldn’t unseat her again. She reached to pull Carter’s rifle out of the scabbard attached to the saddle bag. Her fingers met nothing but air.
Oh, Lord Jesus, please help me.Her throat tightened as the hooves got closer. She had nowhere to turn—the dense brush was difficult to maneuver in. She was vulnerable and alone.
“It’s me, Miss Briggs.”
She sighed her relief as Grant Wallace rode up.
“I’ve come back for you, miss. Carter said you’re to come with me, and I’ll take you to your pa.”
Ellie drew her hand over her heart. “Then Father’s alive?”
His broad smile sent her heart soaring. “He is and he wants to see you.”
She let go of the breath she’d been holding. “Thank you so much, Grant. Please, take me to him.”
23
Carter and the others returned to camp. He wanted to hit something. They’d found no sign of Mr. Briggs or his kidnappers. They’d fanned out in pairs, which had disappointed Carter. He’d wanted to be paired with Ellie but knew Wilbur would make sure she stayed safe. They’d returned to camp with nothing to show for the day’s search, but now their attention was focused on getting supper and turning in.
One of them looked at Carter as he pulled his saddle off his horse. “Have you seen Wilbur? Or Grant?”
Dismounting, Carter looked around at the riders filing back into camp. Not only did he not see those men, there was no sign of Ellie.
He fought the concern clawing at him. The campfire was still burning, and everything they’d unpacked was still there on the ground, but Ellie was ... gone.
Calm down, man. You know Ellie. She probablytrekked out a little farther to see if she could find her father.He clenched his jaw. That woman was going to be the death of him. She’d probably separated from Wilbur and got herself lost. Well,he should just leave her to wander around. When was she going to learn?
Of course, with all she’d gone through, it was no wonder she felt she had to do something. At least he’d left her his rifl—
Hang on.His rifle was still leaning against the tree by the small mounting stump he’d set up for Ellie that morning. She hadn’t even bothered to take it with her! What was she thinking? Her willfulness and stubborn streak were going to get her killed if she wasn’t careful.
“I ain’t seen nobody but you fellas.” Shorty, a young fella who’d proven himself a solid rider, piped up. “Where’s that gal that was here earlier?”
Good question. Carter shook his head.
“Maybe she’s with Wilbur and Grant.”
Carter seriously doubted it, but said nothing. He couldn’t just leave her out there by herself. He prepared to mount his horse again. “I’ll go look for them.”
Shorty angled him a look. “You want help?”
“No. You fellas deserve a rest. Ellie’s my problem.” He climbed into the saddle. “I’ll find her.”
Just then, Wilbur came into the camp. He was more than a little bit excited. “I lost track of you guys and ended up on the river south of here. I found a place ... a cabin. I think it’s our place. It’s not very big and right on the river. I slipped up close to the window and heard a man talking about waiting to hear from Mr. Hill. There was at least one person with him. Maybe two. I couldn’t see in so I can’t say for sure, but it seems promising.”
“Are you sure you can lead us back there?” another of the posse members asked.
