But, it was Sweet Woman who took the lead and signed, "I will come with you. My brother did not forbid me from going with you if you need my help. And, I truly do feel you could come to harm if you try to follow him. This is especially so since you have never been trained to track another. I, however, have this experience. Of course, my brother will be more than a little upset with us both when he discovers we are not doing as he has instructed. But, I cannot stay here and watch you go after him alone. So, I will come with you. Maybe your sister, the wife of Eagle Heart, has two horses she might loan you, instead of one."
"Perhaps, but I feel I should not let you come with me," signed Amelia. "Gray Falcon will be very angry with us both when he discovers us. You must think about this well before you decide to come with me."
"I have already given this enough thought, and I have made my decision. I cannot allow you to do this alone, nor can I forbid you from setting into motion what you believe you must do. Besides, there is a young man going with the war party whom I favor. Perhaps, if he becomes aware of my courage, he will fall in love with me."
Amelia laughed. "How could he not already be in love you? Is he one of the beaus who, in the weeks past, kept parading themselves before you?"
"He is, indeed," signed Sweet Woman.
"And, you think he will step forward to ask for your hand if you do this?"
"I believe he might."
"Then, if this be what could happen, you must come with me. In truth, I will welcome your wisdom, for I do not have the least knowledge of how to find a trail. But, be aware your brother will most likely be angry with us both."
"I know," said Sweet Woman in sign. "However, because my brother left me to watch over you while he is gone, and, since you are determined to follow him, I will come with you. If the man I love sees me, and, if he manages to count coup upon the Crow, he will have won the honor of approaching my father with many horses and might ask for the honor of marrying me."
Amelia smiled. "I do hope some good will come of this. And, I hope the man you love will come home to you with honors. Imagine. You, too, would have the thrill of living with the man you love." She sighed, but then, catching Sweet Woman's warm glance, both women smiled, and for a moment it was as though neither of them considered the amount of anger they might encounter from a man beloved to them both: Gray Falcon.
