Daniel glanced at Noelle. He wouldn’t tell how the man fared. He’d been more dead than alive when Pa killed the bear, and it’d taken months for him to hold down solid food.
She seemed to be waiting for him to say something else. Finally, she asked, “Did Marcus survive?”
He nodded. “He wore an eye patch after that. Said the bear knocked his eyeball out, but I sometimes thought he wore it just so he could tell the story again.”
Noelle smiled that soft grin that made him want to know more about her. Everyone had a story. How had she become this determined, fiercely brave yet beguilingly innocent woman?
He leaned forward. “What about you? Tell me a story from your life.”
She sat straighter. “Like what? I haven’t known so many interesting people as you have.”
The idea caught hold in his chest, feeding an urgency, but he tried not to let the feeling enter his voice. “It doesn’t have to be interesting. Tell me about your family. You have one brother?”
Her nose wrinkled in the cutest expression. “Five brothers. And three sisters.”
He sat back. “Nine of you all together?”
“Yes.”
So many questions scrambled through his mind. He couldn’t even fathom what it would be like to live in a family that large. He’d been the only child of his parents’ union, although after Ma died when he was five, he and Pa had moved back to the tribe where his father had been raised as a half-white and half-Blackfoot. For the next half-dozen years, Daniel had felt like one of the village brats. Maybe that would be what it felt like to be raised in a family of nine.
He eyed her. “Where did you fall in the order?”
“Sixth in line. Simeon was the oldest—he’s the one I’m going to visit. After him there were two sisters, a brother, another sister, then me. The three youngest are boys, and they started coming a few years after I was born.”
“With that big a family, you must be close.”
She half-laughed. “You could say that. We girls had a larger bed chamber than the boys, which was nice. But it was still hard to turn around without bumping into two or three others. I guess that’s why I usually sneaked outside to read a book when I could.”
He studied her, trying to reshape the woman he knew with these new details. The image in his mind of Noelle Grant had been so flat before, although he hadn’t realized it. Now, she had a depth and history his mind leapt to imagine. A blond girl in braids, running through a meadow with book in hand. Freckles dotting her cheeks in the sunlight. Even on this trip, she sat with her book when she had a spare moment after the work was finished. Except she usually seemed to be writing instead of reading. Could she be writing her own book?
He leaned forward again, bracing his arms on his knees. “What is it you write in that leather journal all the time?”
She dipped her chin a little. “I, um, actually have two of them. One is what you said, a journal. The other holds loose paper I use for my articles.”
“Articles?” Something tightened in his chest. “For what?”
That tapered chin lifted again, her shoulders squaring. “For newspapers. I’m a correspondent for the New-York Daily Tribune.”
“You’re a reporter?” What was she doing up here then? Finding stories to sensationalize for all those high-class Easterners? He straightened, that tightness spreading from his chest down to his gut. Had she planned to send his stories? The things that happened to him and his family?
He leveled her with a stare. “What kind of articles do you write?”
“Stories mostly, things I think people will be interested in.” The stiffness left her shoulders as she dropped her gaze to the fire. “I haven’t actually been published yet, but Mr. Greeley said if I hear or see anything sensational on this trip, he might be interested.”
Apparently, she wasn’t as trustworthy as she’d appeared. Daniel forced his jaw to loosen enough to speak. “Miss Grant, just so we’re clear. Do not include myself or my stories in your articles. Understand?”
Griz sensed the tension between them and rose to his haunches, looking back and forth as though he wasn’t sure who to protect.
Noelle’s eyes went wide. “I...I wouldn’t. I mean, not without asking you.” Looking at her now, it seemed impossible she could be so devious as to take his personal life and sensationalize it for all the world to gawk and jeer. She seemed so innocent.
But now, he knew to be on his guard. The last thing he wanted was to be the laughing stock of the eastern seaboard.
THE SECOND DAY, DANIEL seemed to be pushing them even harder than the first, but Noelle bit back every complaint. She did her best not to ask for stops until she couldn’t wait a moment longer.
As they rode through the afternoon, cutting sideways across mountains, skirting around and climbing over hills, the sky darkened more with each quarter hour. By late afternoon, lightning shot across the far horizon.
She glanced at Daniel. He eyed the sky but didn’t say anything. Of course, he’d not spoken much all day. His silence hadn’t seemed rude, more like he was just going about his business, speaking only when he had something to say. That made sense for a man accustomed to traveling on his own.
Yet, it felt like something was different. Maybe there’d been a shift in the easy camaraderie they’d come to enjoy the day before.
Perhaps it was only the ominous storm that looked to strike any moment.
In another half hour, Daniel finally motioned down the cedar-pocked hill they rode. “When we get to the stream at the bottom, we’ll find cover and set-up camp.”
Finally. She nodded and strained to see the stream through the patches of trees and ground cover.
It took another quarter hour in the dusky light and gusts of wind before they found the water and dismounted. Big drops had already begun splattering, so they worked quickly to get the animals unloaded.
“Gather as much firewood as you can before it gets wet,” Daniel called over the wind. “I’ll put up the cover.”
Would they even be able to start a fire in this gale? He’d chosen a spot with trees on two sides, so the brush would help block the draughts, but the danger of sparks spreading would be extreme—if they could even keep the fire going.
She did as he asked though. If there was one thing she could trust in this wilderness—other than the fact that God was in control—it was that Daniel knew how to survive out here. He seemed never to stop and think about what might be needed. Every action was ingrained in him, as simple as breathing.
By the time she returned with an armful of logs, he’d tied the larger oil cloth over their little camp, then used the second as a wind-break against some of the trees. “Pile the logs to the side here, in two rows.” He motioned toward the lower cloth. “The wood will keep us dry against the driving rain.”
She dumped her load and followed his instructions. “Should I attempt a fire?” She had to almost yell to be heard as the wind took up a howl.
“No. We’ll eat jerky for now. I’m going to settle the horses.”
She couldn’t help but watch him as he stepped out of camp. The wind swept off his hood, but he didn’t try to fight with the force, just hunkered down and trudged toward the horses. The animals jerked their heads up as a boom of thunder shook the ground.
Would the horses be all right in the storm? Daniel probably had a place in mind where they would be safest.
Although she forced herself to turn back to her work, she couldn’t keep the worry at bay.
After stacking the wood and securing their packs where they were less likely to get wet, she pulled out the jerky and some leftover corncakes she’d cooked that morning. This would have to do for now.
As another bolt of lightning and thunder struck almost synonymously, Griz whined from his spot by the packs. She paused in laying things out to turn and stroke him. “I know it, boy. Those sounds scare me, too.” He snuggled in closer, pressing his thick fur against her side.
Daniel sti
ll wasn’t back when she had the food ready, so she pulled out the furs they used as bedrolls. It wouldn’t do to unroll them just yet, as they’d probably get wet. But at least they could use the rolls for seats while they ate. If Daniel ever returned.
Another slash of lightning lit the sky, then faded into inky darkness. Thunder rang close on its heels, sending a shiver down her spine. She sat on her bedroll, and Griz crept next to her, resting his head on her lap.
“What do you think he’s doing, boy?” She stroked the white underside of his neck, and the dog whined a response. “Daniel is the last person I should worry about, but maybe he’s run into trouble. Maybe one of the horses pulled loose and he needs help.”
Griz didn’t answer. Just stared up at her with those big, glassy eyes.
More time passed. More thunder, although the lightning didn’t seem to light up the sky as much as it had.
At last, she pushed to her feet. This couldn’t be right. Daniel had never taken so long to settle the horses for the night, even when he chose to hobble them.
Griz jumped to the ready beside her.
She patted her skirt. “Come on, boy. Daniel needs our help.”
But as she stepped out into the darkness, she realized she had no idea where to begin looking.
Chapter Ten
My body is treacherous.
~ Daniel
“Daniel!” Noelle gripped the scruff at Griz’s neck as she stumbled over a log.
Where could he have gone? She’d started off the direction he’d taken the horses, but with the darkness and steady rain, she couldn’t find their tracks. When she did finally find the stream, she was afraid to leave it. What if she couldn’t find her way back?
But trees lined the water on both sides, so he wouldn’t have left the horses here. There’d be no place for them to graze. And he’d said several times how important it was for the horses to spend time grazing at night and in the mornings.
“Daniel!” She paused, holding her breath as she strained for any human sound. No noises rose above the rushing of the water beside her, the wind in her ears, and the drumming of rain.
She had to leave the creek or she’d never be able to hear him.
Weaving through the trees and scrambling over rocks, she moved at an angle away from the water. Surely she’d run into open land soon.
Finally the trees broke as the land climbed steeply up the side of a mountain. She gripped the trunk of a lingering pine, willing her heart to stop pounding so loudly in her ears. “Daniel!”
No answering call. Where could he be? Seeing anything through the rain and thick darkness was a challenge, but it looked as if the tree line skirted the base of the mountain in the same track as the creek ran. At least, it felt like the same track. She’d always been pretty good with directions, but out here, the landscape didn’t run in straight lines.
Lord, don’t let me get lost in these mountains.
Griz whined at her feet, and she bent to stroke the dog. “Where is he, boy? Can you find him?”
He whined again and stared up at her with those soul-deep eyes.
“Let’s go. We have to find him.”
She trekked along the base of the mountain for at least another half hour until it opened into a narrow pass between that same peak and another. Where had the creek gone? She’d assumed the water ran only a hundred paces or so on her left. But now a mountain stood in its place.
She worked to keep her pulse from bolting as a knot twisted tighter in her middle. The creek must have turned farther to the left. Or maybe the water flowed out of a spring.
And where was Daniel?
She must have missed him somewhere along the way. Surely he’d secured the horses and was back at camp by now. He’d be worried when he didn’t find her there.
A new fear clutched her chest. Would he go out and search for her?
Spinning, she charged back the way she’d come, clambering over the rocky terrain. She’d followed the tree line for quite a ways, and these were probably the same stretch of trees their camp was tucked into. Instead of weaving back to the creek to follow her backtrail exactly, she could hike along the edge of the woods. Especially since her previous tracks would have washed away in this steady downpour.
At least the thunder and lightning had ceased.
Griz trotted by her side as they wound around the base of the mountain. For at least an hour they walked. Or maybe it felt longer with every part of her soaked.
Every so often, she paused to call for Daniel. But he never answered. She fought the fear that tried to smother her chest when nothing but silence answered her.
He probably couldn’t hear her over the rain. As soon as she neared their camp, he’d return the call.
If he hadn’t left to find her. Lord, let him stay put.
She kept moving. Fighting the underbrush and the rocks and the sometimes steep ascent. Where was the camp?
Finally, she heard a steady rushing of water. The creek? How had it veered so close to the edge of the woods? She stumbled to the water’s edge and sank down on a boulder.
Dear Lord, help me.
NOELLE TRIED TO FORCE her eyes open even as every part of her body sent up a chorus of aches. She tried to pull the fur up to her chin where the cold seeped in to make her bones ache.
Something whined. Griz? Then the dog licked her face.
She jerked open her eyes and raised a hand to deflect the affection, sending a shooting pain through her neck.
Griz sat next to her, staring into her eyes with his dark gaze.
“Hey.” She pushed herself up, her hand pressing wet leaves. One look around brought reality back in a pressing wave.
The creek beside her, the rock she’d curled up against to shield her from rain.
Daniel missing.
She surged to her feet, ignoring the complaints in her muscles. But her legs had frozen so numb, they barely held her. She clutched the rock as her feet came to life with a hundred icy pin pricks. Her coat and skirts hung heavy, still weighted with frozen rainwater.
Thank the Lord the downfall had ceased and she hadn’t frozen to death in the night. Her breath didn’t cloud in front of her, so it must not be as cold as it had been in past days. The sky still held the murky light of dawn, but she could see as far as the landscape allowed. The view seemed so different than it had in the thick darkness.
And nothing looked familiar.
She scanned down the creek. She hadn’t crossed it during her wanderings, and the water still flowed the same direction, so as long as she hadn’t passed their camp, following the water would take her to a place she recognized.
“Please, Lord.” Somehow, saying the words out loud gave them greater import.
With a glance down into Griz’s worried face, she patted her leg. “Come, boy. Let’s find Daniel.” If he wasn’t injured, he must be worried sick about her.
Injured. She hadn’t let her mind conjure that possibility last night, but as she started forward in her damp, squeaking boots, she couldn’t seem to stop it. What if the storm had scared the horses and one of them kicked Daniel? He could be lying, even now, in agony, hungry, cold, and wet.
Just as hungry, cold, and wet as she was, but in so much pain.
Or maybe the horses had bolted, trampling him. What if Daniel was dead?
A new fear twisted her insides, wrapping its tentacles around her lungs so she could barely breathe. What if she was alone here in this mountain wilderness?
Could she find her way back to the fort? How could she, when she couldn’t even find their camp?
Pausing, she reached for a sturdy tree to brace herself. “What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee.” The Psalm she’d always turned to, even as a little girl, gave her comfort now. “Lord, help me. Please. Help me find Daniel.” And please let him be alive. She couldn’t bring herself to speak that last part aloud.
Griz whined, rising to his feet, ears perked. He seemed to be staring at something in the tree
s.
“What is it, boy?”
He looked up at her, his tail wagging slowly, as though judging whether she gave him leave to inspect his curiosity.
“Do you see Daniel? Come on.” She pushed away from the tree and started toward the spot that had captured the dog’s attention.
He surged forward, trotting several strides ahead. Then he glanced back, as though making sure she stayed with him.
“I’m coming. Where’s Daniel?” She ducked low under a branch as she hurried. Griz hadn’t been much help finding Daniel last night, but maybe the rain had been the problem. He’d not been able to smell his trail.
Could he have found the scent now?
“Daniel!” Her voice broke the stillness of the early morning. She didn’t have time to wait for a reply, because Griz was charging faster through the trees now, heedless of the branches she’d have to maneuver around.
“Wait, boy.” She hated to slow him, now that he seemed to have found something, but she’d be in a worse fix if she lost the dog too.
Griz slowed, turning to eye her with an impatient ruffle of his tail. Daniel had taught him to obey well.
As soon as she neared, the dog lunged forward, even more intent on reaching whatever he’d found.
In the distance, he stopped to sniff at something. With all the trees blocking her view, it was impossible to tell what he’d found. Something on the ground, not a man standing.
As she neared the spot, she could hear Griz’s whine. See the bundle of clothing he scratched at. Buckskins.
She struggled to draw in breath. Her chest seemed to turn to stone. It couldn’t be... Not Daniel’s body.
As she stepped around a shrubby cedar, she could see him now. Only a half dozen strides away. Definitely Daniel.
A scent brushed her nose. Something like...smoke? From a campfire, maybe?
“Daniel?” She stepped forward, studying him for any movement. It was as if he’d crumbled to the ground on his side, his face turned toward her. He looked so...haggard. His eyes closed, beard rough. Maybe that was dirt that had smeared up his temple.
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