“Hi, Pa.” Her words were soft, barely more than a whisper.
He gave no indication he heard her.
Praying she would say and do the right thing, she began to talk, keeping her tone gentle. “It’s a pleasant day. I like the sunshine, though I know we desperately need rain. I like the intense blue of the sky and the purple and green of the mountains. Guardians of the land.”
He jerked at those words. “That’s what my wife said.” He stared at Amelia. “You aren’t Evelyn.”
That must be his wife’s name. “I’m Amelia. Evelyn sounds like a very nice woman.”
Tears filled Pa’s eyes. “I can’t find her.”
Her heart went out to him. She wanted to hug him, but feared how he’d react. “I brought food and water. Would you like some?”
“A picnic.” He rubbed his hands. “Isn’t that fun?”
“Yes, it is.” She handed him the canteen. He drank deeply, and then she offered him the sandwich she’d brought, breaking off a quarter for herself only because she worried Pa wouldn’t eat if she didn’t.
They ate in silence as she waited for him to indicate where his thoughts had gone.
“Who did you say you are?”
“Amelia.”
“Do I know you?”
“I’m here to help.”
He finished the food and wiped his hands on a red handkerchief he pulled from his pocket. But he showed no sign of moving.
“Would you like to go home now?” She rose and held out her hand.
He drew back. “I’m waiting.”
She sat again. “What are you waiting for?”
“Evelyn. She went picking berries and said she would come right back.”
Amelia tried again. “Please let me take you home.”
But when she held her hand out to him, he turned his back to her. “I won’t leave until Evelyn returns.”
Amelia tried everything she could think of. She suggested Evelyn waited for him at home. She reminded him of Poppy, of Kat, and said supper would be ready. Said Zach would be coming home. She even took his hand and attempted to pull him to his feet. He jerked away, his eyes flashing. She didn’t want to aggravate him, so she waited.
Two hours later, nothing had worked, and she sat with her elbows on her knees and her chin in her palms.Please, God, help him come round so we can go home. Please keep Poppy safe.
Her heart thudded. It was all she could do not to picture Kat deciding to ride the mustang and Poppy wandering off. She couldn’t count on Gil.
Zach would come looking for them once he got home. Yesterday, it had been almost dark. At least they were safe here. A rustle behind her made her neck twitch. Were they alone?
Were wild animals prowling nearby? Or worse, wild men?
Chapter Four
Zach spent the day checking on the men and cows. After telling Amelia his suspicions, he’d found a couple of the hired hands at the fringes of where they should be and asked them to join Morgan near the river. He’d sent two others to take their place on the range’s eastern side. It was imperative that no one drive the cattle further from water and grazing.
Not for the first time, his gaze went to the west. The mountain areas had received rain. According to other ranchers, the herds up there were doing well.
If only Pa had chosen to start ranching further up the slopes.
