“Why don’t you let Reuben take them to pasture while you sleep?” She spoke the words low, a suggestion for his ears alone. At least she was protecting a little of his pride.
But he shook his head again and turned to the other man. “See anything you recognize on that arrow?”
Reuben held the weapon in his hand and raised it for another perusal. “It’s pretty plain. No decoration except for this strip of black paint. That makes it hard to pin down to any particular tribe. I’d say the shooter may be far from his people and didn’t have access to much decoration.” He raised his gaze to Nathaniel. “Which would be in line with a Hidatsa, since they’re mostly plains Indians living farther east. But it could also match a couple dozen other tribes. It’s impossible to say for sure. At least, as far as I know.”
The strength seemed to leech out of Nathaniel’s shoulders, and he didn’t have the energy to square them again. “What do you recommend I do?”
Reuben’s focus shifted up to the herd of cattle. “Do whatever you can to prove yourself a friend to them. I’m not sure how to do that while they won’t show themselves.” His gaze shifted back to Nathaniel. “Eventually, they will come out of hiding. That will be your chance.”
Desperation welled in Nathaniel’s chest. “What about my cattle? I can’t lose another.”
“What you’re doing now is wise, but don’t kill yourself in the process.” Reuben gave him a pointed look.
Nathaniel eased out a breath. The other man’s validation felt better than he should allow it to. “All right.” He turned to Hannah. “Do you mind staying with Itu while I take the cattle to pasture for a few hours?”
“Of course.” She was still watching him with that gaze of hers that saw too deeply inside him. “How is she?” The tenderness that swept over her face made him want to pull her close.
But he didn’t.
“She’s more alert. I think maybe her fever’s lower, but I’m not good at telling for sure.” Was there anything he was good at? He wasn’t so sure anymore.
A smile bloomed over her pretty face. “Fine. We’ll have a nice day together. Did she tell you she’s learning some English words?”
He raised his brows. “Really? She didn’t mention it.”
Pretty pink warmth rose into her cheeks. “Well don’t tell her I told you. I think she wants to surprise you.”
Oh, this woman was sweeter than a peppermint stick. He could look at that smile for days. Years.
She turned and started toward the barn. “I’ll saddle your horse while I put mine away. Reuben, you’re going with him to cut hay, right?” She didn’t wait for an answer, just kept marching away.
Nathaniel looked back at Reuben. “Is she always so bossy?”
A hint of a grin touched the other man’s face. “Pretty sure she is.”
HANNAH KEPT UP A STEADY monologue, sometimes shifting into song, as she worked on the chinking from inside the cabin. Itu was definitely feeling better, as she stayed awake for a couple hours straight in the morning. She was so weak still and didn’t seem to want to try to stand using the chair to help her stay upright.
Hannah had helped her up to use the chamber pot, and the brief effort exhausted the girl. But at least she was healing, and she didn’t seem too shocked at the missing left leg. In truth, Itu was such a sweet child, she didn’t protest much.
Either she really believed they were doing their best to help her, or she’d given up on her fate. Hannah could only pray it was the former.
While the girl slept that afternoon, Hannah worked on the outside chinking. She was determined to finish this wall today. The sky hung gray, and she sent up a prayer that the Lord would hold off any rain. The last thing she wanted was for her hard work to be washed away before the mud had a chance to properly cure.
As she worked, she gradually became aware of the quiet around her. Animal sounds had ceased in the woods. The silence made her skin tingle. Someone was watching again. The same person who’d killed Nathaniel’s cow? Possibly Itu’s mother or father.
She had to attempt to talk with them. Befriend them. That’s what Reuben had said to do, and he’d spent many winters with his Crow friends before he married Cathleen.
Wiping the mud from her hands as best she could, she reached for her rifle and headed toward the woods. She would appear friendlier if she wasn’t carrying the gun, but so much could happen in approaching an unknown Indian. She’d be foolish not to bring protection.
“Hello.” She kept moving as she called toward the trees, making her voice as pleasant as she could.
No answering voice sounded, but she hadn’t expected a response. It would be nice if the Indians would step from the trees before she reached them, but no buckskin-clad figure appeared.
“Do you want to see Itu?” Even if the person didn’t understand English, maybe they would recognize the girl’s name. “I can take you to her.”
She’d reached the first trees bordering the clearing’s edge, and she slowed her step to better see around each trunk. “I come in peace.” What other words might an Indian know?
Her visibility into the shadowed woods was a little better now that she was moving into them, but the skin along her neck tingled the farther she went. Because someone was watching her? Or was it merely because of her own awareness of the danger she was venturing into?
As the trees thickened, a patch of pressed ground caught her notice. The area was behind a tree with a wide trunk, perfect to hide a person. Stepping toward the spot, she glanced back toward the cabin, which was in perfect view. The dried leaves in the patch were crushed into tiny fragments, and a spot of barren dirt held imprints—possibly like that made from leather moccasins. She couldn’t find any defined marks like what would be made by a boot heel or two.
Straightening, she scanned the trees deeper in the forest. Whoever had been here was probably still nearby. Watching her.
“Please show yourself. I only want to speak with you.” Her voice held more pleading than she’d meant for it to contain, but this was getting ridiculous. She only wanted to invite the person in. Why all the secrecy? Even though she held a gun, she could hardly be a threat to an Indian brave.
“Please.” She tried a final time. “I mean no harm. I can take you to the girl, Itu. She would be pleased to see you.”
Her heartbeat thumped in her ears as she waited, holding her breath so she didn’t miss a sound.
Nothing.
Letting out her pent-up air, she turned back toward the cabin. She’d tried. There was nothing more she could do until the stranger chose to show himself.
But as she stepped from the woods, she couldn’t help walking a little faster, and even peeking once over her shoulder.
Someone was back there. Watching. Whether they meant harm or not was yet to be seen.
Chapter Sixteen
This...is what I’ve longed for. Even better than my dreams.
~ Hannah
Nathaniel couldn’t get Hannah’s story out of his mind. Whatever had possessed her to go into the woods to find the Indian who’d been watching the cabin? A woman alone facing one or more Indian braves would have little defense, even if she was carrying a rifle. Thank the Lord she’d not found them.
Now that dark had fallen, he might have a chance of sneaking up on the person, assuming they continued watching into the night. He could go to the barn to look in on Raven as he always did, then slip into the trees and move along the edge of the woods to the place she’d pointed out.
Standing in the corner of the cabin so Itu couldn’t see him, he checked the bullets in his Colt pistol, then tucked the gun into the waistband of his trousers where he’d have easy access. His hunting knife hung in its normal spot at his side.
He moved to the girl and knelt by her side. “You’re looking bright-eyed tonight. Did you enjoy your day with Hannah?”
The girl stared up at him with those huge, dark eyes, a hint of a curious smile touching her face. He’d not seen any sign sh
e understood his words, despite the fact that Hannah had said she was learning English, but Itu didn’t seem afraid of him. Even though he must look frightening, a big white man hovering over her.
Her acceptance of him was just one more thing that made his chest swell whenever he was near her.
He reached forward and tousled her hair with a light touch. A smile lit her face for real now, displaying something he’d never noticed before. Amongst the flash of her white teeth, a dark gap hid in the center of the top row.
“Aye, I see something different about you.” He kept his tone light and playful, then tapped his own tooth that would mirror hers. “You’re getting to be a big girl.”
She snapped her mouth shut, but when he chucked her chin and grinned at her, a sheepish smile spread her lips wide again.
“You’re cute as a new kitten.” He ruffled her hair again, then pushed to his feet. “I’m going to the barn for a minute. I’ll be back soon.” And maybe he’d have a guest with him if he was able to catch the person watching the cabin.
He whistled as he strode to the barn, a lantern swinging from one hand. The stars were hidden behind a thick layer of clouds, and the air smelled of rain. Hannah had said she was worried a downpour would ruin the caulking she’d worked so hard on that day.
He still couldn’t fathom how he’d been so lucky as to meet Hannah. Her family, too, for they’d all been a godsend to him.
A godsend. Had the Almighty actually led him to this place with these neighbors? But Hannah wasn’t a permanent resident at Reuben’s home. She’d mentioned several times that they were only here visiting.
He had to prepare himself for her to leave him. How he’d stop thinking about her constantly, he had no idea. She’d seared a place in his heart that made his chest ache even now as he thought about not seeing her again.
How far away did she live? She’d said they’d ridden about a month to get here. No short distance, to be sure. Yet maybe he could find a way to visit her, if he hired someone to watch his farm. After he had everything established.
And when would that be? Next year? He’d need to cut hay all summer to have enough for the herd he hoped to have by that winter. And traveling through the snowy months might be nearly impossible.
He’d have to let Hannah go. Put her out of his mind. Focus on the dreams he’d spent years working toward.
Raven greeted him with a nicker when he entered the barn. “Hey, girl.” He stroked her neck, then rubbed the star on her forehead where she liked to be scratched. The mare bobbed her head, pushing into the pressure. “You like that, eh?”
With a final pat, he stepped back. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
He left the lantern on the packed dirt floor of the barn’s aisle and opened the door only wide enough to slip through. He moved as soundlessly as he could toward the trees. His trousers were black and his shirt a dark brown, so hopefully he’d blend into the night.
Moving quietly through the trees was harder than he’d expected. He seemed to step on every dead leaf and stick in his path, and he forced himself to go slower so he could find better footing.
About halfway to the place where Hannah had seen traces of a person’s presence, he paused to get his bearings. If the stranger stood there now, he might be able to see Nathaniel soon, which meant Nathaniel would need to be careful to creep soundlessly from tree to tree, hiding himself when he wasn’t moving.
He started forward again, fading into every shadow he could find. Then he spotted the tree ahead, its wide trunk perfect to hide a person. He didn’t see a figure stationed behind it, but he could be hiding on the other side.
Melting from tree to tree, he moved in a wide circle. It was impossible to keep his feet completely quiet among all the leaves and sticks, so he stayed far enough away that a person hiding behind the tree wouldn’t be able to hear him. Hopefully.
But no one was there.
He circled completely around the tree but saw no shadows, no trace of a shadowy figure shifting away from him.
As he stepped from his hiding spot and moved toward the wide trunk, he eased out a breath. Should he be relieved he hadn’t found the stranger? Probably not. He needed to deal with this lurker once and for all. Both for his own sanity and so he could put the cattle back out to pasture for good.
A sound made him freeze, and he caught his breath to listen for a repeat. There it was again.
The twitter of a bird.
Except what bird sang such a happy call during the pitch black of a cloudy night? That had to be a man. And it was probably the person he was looking for. A call meant there had to be more than one stranger.
He eased forward, shifting his gaze back and forth between his footing and the darkness ahead of him. Could he possibly sneak up on an Indian in the dead of night? He had no idea where the man was. His only guide were the twin bird calls, and he’d only clearly heard the second one.
Still, he had to try.
His heart thudded in his ears as he proceeded, shifting from tree to tree as he had before. But then a new thought slipped in. What if the Indian’s call had been intended for him to hear and recognize. What if they were trying to draw him farther from the cabin so one of them could sneak in and grab Itu?
He stilled. She was alone and helpless. How had he been so blind?
Spinning, he charged back through the woods, ducking under branches and not caring a bit about how much noise he made. Let them hear him coming. The sooner he scared them off the better.
He burst into the clearing and slowed to catch his bearings. The cabin looked quiet. Shifting his direction toward the barn, he stopped long enough to grab the lantern, then jogged to the house, light in one hand and gun in the other.
Easing the door open, he scanned the room before he entered. Itu’s face had softened in sleep, which must mean no one else was here. He scanned the area one more time, taking special care to peer into the corners and behind the door. No one.
He stepped inside and pushed the door closed behind him, his gaze seeking out the tiny body that barely raised the blankets on the bed pallet. He let out a long breath.
Itu was safe. He wouldn’t leave her exposed to danger again.
ALL WAS QUIET AS HANNAH rode into the clearing surrounding Nathaniel’s cabin the next morning. Nevertheless, her muscles were balled in a knot.
Maybe she shouldn’t have come alone. Her parents had both been reluctant. In fact, her father had asked her not to go. He’d already promised to help Reuben with the pipes he was boring to bring water into their kitchen. The older Mrs. Scott had taken ill, keeping Cathleen extra busy, so Mama felt like she needed to stay and help.
Hannah could still see the disappointment in her father’s eyes. Was she being so defiant he regretted ever accepting her into his life? When she was born, he’d given her his name and promised to love her, even though she was the child of Mama’s first husband. The last thing she wanted to do was make him regret his choice.
Yet Nathaniel needed her. Itu needed her. The girl had staked her place in Hannah’s heart from that first day when she was scared and shivering in the barn. And Nathaniel, well...he’d become so much more important to her than she’d ever expected. She wanted to help him, to be there with him. To be the woman she saw in his eyes when he looked at her.
And it didn’t hurt that he was breathtakingly handsome.
The cattle lowed in their rope corral as she dismounted, but otherwise the yard was quiet. She should check in the cabin to make sure all was well before she unsaddled Sterling.
After tying the gelding, she stepped to the door. The hum of Nathaniel’s deep voice drifted from inside. She knocked, and his “Come in,” sent a warmth through her chest. She pulled the latch string and pushed the door open, then stepped in and blinked to adjust her eyes to the dimmer light.
“Thatta girl. You’re doing it.”
His voice drew her gaze to the open area where Nathaniel stood beside Itu. He was supporting her injured side, but
the girl was standing and had a straight stick propped under her shoulder.
Itu shifted the pole forward, then her face twisted in a grimace as she leaned her weight on the wood and hopped forward with her good leg.
Hannah couldn’t help a squeal as she clapped her hands and stepped toward the pair. “Well done.”
Itu looked up at her with such a radiant smile, Hannah’s chest tightened almost to bursting. She moved alongside the girl, wrapping an arm around her little waist in a hug.
Her hand brushed Nathaniel’s side, and she looked up to see if she’d offended him with the touch. A grin stretched across his face, and his eyes twinkled as their gazes locked. He was as proud of the child’s efforts as she was. And he’d gone through the work of crafting the walking stick.
Standing there with him, celebrating the joy of the moment and this sweet girl’s first steps, the feeling of family settled over her with a rightness that swelled a longing in her heart.
Nathaniel broke eye contact first, dipping his head to look at the girl. “Another step?”
The child seemed to understand him, for she nodded. But her eyes showed fatigue. They needed to be careful not to overtire her.
“How about if you walk back to the blankets?” Hannah kept her voice cheery, but glanced at Nathaniel to make sure he caught her meaning.
He nodded. “Let’s turn you first.”
Hannah stepped away to allow them to maneuver. She couldn’t help a smile at the way Itu’s face scrunched in concentration as she shifted the walking stick, then stepped forward with her good leg.
The effort was hard, Hannah had no doubt. But with practice each day, Itu would regain her strength and find new balance. Soon enough, she’d be hobbling all around the cabin.
When Nathaniel laid the girl down, Hannah arranged the blankets, then stroked Itu’s hair away from her tired face. “After I put my horse away, I’ll come back to change your bandage.” It wasn’t a very pleasant job, so she made sure she handled the task first thing when she arrived each day.
Itu’s eyes drifted shut, and Hannah quietly stood and turned toward the door. As she pulled it open, Nathaniel stepped up behind her.
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