Chapter 25

As the last rays of the sun shone through the open cabin door that evening, Grant sat with his brother at the table in the cabin. Faith and Rosemary had cooked another hearty meal, and now they'd gone with Dragoon and Ol' Henry to the river to wash dishes and enjoy the sunset. Probably they'd stayed gone so long to give him and Will time alone.

It still didn't quite seem real that he was sitting here across from Will. Across from a man who looked enough like him to strike a chord but was his own man. His little brother, now grown enough to live by himself in this cabin so far away from the rest of the world. Will no longer needed a big brother to protect him.

Grant let out a sigh. He'd missed so much of Will's life. But he was here now, and he would make up for lost time.

He followed his brother's glance out the door, where he had a perfect view of the flowing water. "This river reminds me of the one near the old house." He looked over at his brother, recalling the story Will told Steps Right. "Do you remember that mill? We used to go there every day in the summer, swimming and fishing till the sun went down."

Lines creased the edges of Will's eyes. "I remember being scared of that river."

Grant studied him, squinting as he tried to recall that. "Really? Maybe. I remember pushing you in. Mayhap that's what it took to get you over your fear."

Will chuckled, but then his expression turned sober. "So ... what are your plans now? You said you came west to find me. It seems like you might have found more than you'd been looking for." He nodded toward the open doorway, likely meaning Faith and the others beyond it.

A knot formed in Grant's throat. "You're right." He'd not wanted to face this so soon, but they did need to make some decisions. "Faith and her sister need to get back to their ranch. We left Steps Right and her son, White Horse, at the waterfall, but they'll ride with us to the ranch." He fought to keep from fidgeting as he asked his question. "Would you want to go too? I hate to part with you so soon. It'd likely be about a week's travel, then I hear the ranch is in a pretty valley. I think you'd be welcome to stay as long as you like. Or just a few days if you felt you needed to get back right away."

His brother's eyes had taken on an expression Grant couldn't decipher. Longing? Memory? Indecision? Should he offer to stay here with Will and let the others ensure Faith returned home safely?

Everything in him revolted at the thought. White Horse, Ol' Henry, and Dragoon could likely ensure Faith reached the ranch with little problem, along with Rosemary and Steps Right.

And God. God was the only one who could keep any of them truly safe.

But Grant wanted to be with her. To do everything he could to help and protect her, and to experience the journey at her side.

Was it more responsible to stay here with Will, though, now that he'd finally found him? He had no doubt Faith would understand if he promised to come a week or so later. He didn't even know where the ranch was, but she could give him the directions.

His chest ached at the thought of going that long without seeing her smile. Hearing her bubbling laugh. Kissing her.

Will nodded decisively, drawing him back to the present. Could his brother see where his thoughts had wandered?

"I can ride along too. I promised Steps Right I'd come check on her before the trees started to turn, and I can't let her leave the area without saying g'bye." His eyes twinkled. "It'll be good to make sure she's settled in and has all she needs. And see the ranch where you'll be setting up house."

Heat flared up Grant's neck, and he shook his head. His brother wasn't far off with that assessment, but he couldn't let him get ahead of things. "Faith and I don't have an understanding." Yet.

Will raised his brows. "But you're planning to ask her, right?"

Grant nodded. "When we get to the ranch and things settle down."

Will nodded, as though he'd assumed as much. "Sounds like I need to be there, then." He pressed his hands against the table's edge and stood. "Guess I better get packed up. I'll be ready to ride out in the morning."

Relief eased through Grant like a cool breeze on a sweltering day. "Thank you, Will. You coming means more than you know."

This was the moment Faith had been waiting for for more than three years now.

One of the moments, anyway.

She rode next to Grant, his brother on his opposite side, though Will had dropped behind a little as the trail narrowed through this pass. Rosie, White Horse, and his mother clustered behind them. All of them were eager to see the ranch buildings spread out in the valley below. Dragoon and Ol' Henry had headed toward the trading post to let Lorelei and Tanner know they were home.

Juniper and Lorelei would finally get to meet Steps Right. All four sisters would finally be together with this woman who had made such a difference in their father's life—and in their own, for she'd been the reason they came west. They could give her the beads, finally returning them to the family where they belonged. God had used that necklace for so much, even more than she could fathom right now.

If they hadn't come west, Juniper would have never met Riley, and sweet little Bertie wouldn't be alive today. They wouldn't have these good friends, Ol' Henry and Dragoon. Lorelei would never have met Tanner.

And White Horse ... she couldn't imagine not having this honorary brother as part of their family. Would Rosie make him an even closer member one day soon? She fought a grin at the thought. Did Lor and June know? Surely Faith hadn't been the only one unaware of what their elder sister was hiding.

She slid her gaze to the man sitting tall beside her, and a rush of love stung her eyes. If she'd never come west, if she'd never set out with their missionary friends to find Steps Right on her own, she would never have met Grant. Her life was so much fuller with him in it.

He must have felt her gaze, for he looked over at her. That warmth lit his eyes, the expression he saved only for her. Again, tears burned. Happy tears. Thank you, Lord. Thank you for Grant. And for so much more.

They were cresting the ridge now, and the ranch would spread out in the valley below them. With the sun in the midafternoon position, Riley would likely be out with the horses, as long as Juniper hadn't developed the same sickness with this babe that she had when she was carrying Bertie.

As the ranch spread out before them, she inhaled a deep breath of the familiar air. The animals started down the slope, and part of her wanted to kick Two Bit into a run, as she had so many times.

But she didn't want to leave Grant behind. She wanted to experience this reunion with him.

The main cabin and barn sat nearest them, with corrals fanning out. Then White Horse's lodge, and Riley and Juniper's cabin. A figure was just stepping from that door—a small person who toddled out, then plopped onto the ground.

Faith grinned and pointed. "There's little Bertie."

Grant followed the line of her finger. "She's cute."

He wouldn't be able to truly see how adorable those pudgy cheeks were, for they were still too far away to see her as more than an outline.

He looked at her with raised brows. "This looks like a good area to let the horses stretch their legs. Wanna run?"

Her own smile came quick and free. This man could either hear her thoughts or God had made him a more perfect match for her than she'd thought possible. She loosened Two Bit's reins and nudged his sides. The gelding lunged forward, covering the ground like he was as eager to get home as she was.

When they neared the main house, she slowed him to a walk. Juniper walked out of her cabin and paused to shade her eyes and study them.

Faith waved. "June!"

Her sister's demeanor changed as she dropped her hand, and her teeth flashed in a broad grin. She grabbed up her skirts and started to run toward them. Her belly must already be growing awkward, for she slowed to a walk quickly, then continued with one hand under her middle and a long stride.

Faith pushed her gelding into a trot to cover the last of the distance. When she reached Juniper, she reined in and jumped to the ground in the same motion. Juniper enveloped her in a hug, and Faith wrapped her sister as tight as she could manage. The bulge between them kept them a little apart.

"Oh, Faithie," June murmured, still gripping her close. "We prayed and prayed you'd come home safe."

Tears burned Faith's eyes, so she squeezed them shut. "I'm here." It was all she could manage as she soaked in the love her sister offered so freely. Love she'd known would be here waiting for her.

She'd never realized how blessed she was to have this family. A family that clung together no matter what they faced. Just before she pulled back, she sniffed to clear her tears. It wouldn't do for Juniper to see her crying.

But June's smile seemed to say she knew and understood. She moved her grip to Faith's elbow and used her skirt to wipe her own eyes. "I'm a waterworks these days."

"Ah!"

A little voice behind them made Faith turn. "Bertie." She released her sister and turned to swoop up her precious niece. She squeezed her tight, breathing in the sweet little-girl scent. "Auntie Faith missed you so much."

Bertie didn't speak, but she wrapped her pudgy arms around Faith's neck. They both turned to watch as Juniper approached Grant. He'd dismounted to wait quietly while Faith greeted her sister. Rosie was bringing in the rest of the group at a more sedate pace. Probably giving Faith this moment in private.

Faith stepped forward, Bertie still snuggled in her arms. "Juniper, you get to be the first to meet Grant Allen. He's been..." How in the world could she sum up all he'd done and become to her? "Well, I couldn't have managed this journey without him."

Juniper's gaze slid to her face. Though Faith kept a cheery smile in place, Juniper surely saw—or suspected—at least some of what Faith wasn't saying. About Grant ... and about the journey.

Juniper extended her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Allen. I'm Juniper Turner."

Grant accepted her outstretched hand and bowed over it, a formal side of him Faith hadn't seen. It only deepened her grin, especially when he said, "I've been eager to meet you, Mrs. Turner. Your sisters and friends have told me so much about you all. I hope you don't mind my brother and I have tagged along." He glanced over his shoulder, where Will was riding up with Rosie and the others.

Their approach drew June's attention from answering Grant as she studied the newcomers. Could she see Steps Right riding beside White Horse? Did she know who she was? Faith could barely keep from blurting out the news, but she needed to wait for this first meeting to be done right.

Faith sent a glance toward the distant herd behind Juniper and murmured, "Is Riley with the horses?"

June nodded, still not taking her eyes from the approaching group.

When they all reined in, Rosie and White Horse helped Steps Right down from her mount, then White Horse helped his mother hobble forward. Days in the saddle had slowed her healing, but she moved around better now than when they'd first found her. White Horse looked to Faith, like he wanted her to make the introduction.

She swallowed down the lump in her throat. "Juniper, this is Steps Right, White Horse's mother and the woman who saved our father's life more than two decades ago."

Juniper approached her reverently, taking Steps Right's hands in her own. "I'm so honored to meet you. I'm Juniper. We've been searching..." Her voice broke, and the two simply stood together, hands clasped. After a moment, Juniper sniffed again and turned to Faith. "You brought her home. Finally."

Faith nodded, emotion clogging her throat and burning her eyes. They all had. She met Rosie's gaze, where she stood on the other side of Juniper. Her oldest sister smiled at her with glistening eyes. A smile that held so much warmth and pride, it felt just like a hug.

Juniper laughed, sniffing once more as she looked over at Rosie. "Someone should go for Lor and Tanner."

Rosie nodded. "Ol' Henry and Dragoon already have. I expect they'll all be here in an hour or two."

Juniper gave a firm nod. "Good." She grinned at Steps Right for another moment, then released the older woman's hands and turned to White Horse. She pulled him into a hug, laughing again.

White Horse looked more than a little uncomfortable with the sudden outpouring of physical affection. Faith couldn't help chuckling, especially when Steps Right patted her son's shoulder, her own grin spreading wide. Though White Horse felt very much like the brother they'd always wanted, none of them had actually given him a hug, as far as she could remember. Maybe motherhood had freed June to demonstrate her fondness more openly.

When Juniper released White Horse, Faith directed her attention toward Will, who'd lingered behind them all. "This is Grant's brother, Will. Grant came west to look for him, and we found him in a little cabin on the Shaheela River, about a half day's ride from the cave where Steps Right was staying."

Juniper sent her another raised-brow look. "I can't wait to hear the entire story." But then she reached to shake Will's hand. "I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Allen." She slid a confused look toward Grant. "Or should I call you Will?" She was probably trying to determine who was the eldest, for that usually determined who would be called by the surname.

Faith's belly tightened. She'd not determined whether he went by the same name as Grant, or if he'd taken on his adopted family's last name.

Will answered it with a grin. "Just call me Will."

Juniper gave a gracious smile. "Welcome, Will."

Faith turned to Two Bit. "Bertie girl, you wanna ride with me to find your daddy? He needs to come meet everyone too."

When the child bobbed her head enthusiastically, Faith lifted her up onto the front of her saddle, then climbed up behind her. She smiled at the group. "We'll be back."

Her gaze found Grant's, as it usually did, and he sent her a wink. He was such a different person now, ever since the day he and White Horse had rescued her and Steps Right from Flies Ahead's camp. The new life inside him was impossible to miss. They'd prayed together often since then. And the peace on his face when he communicated with the Father made her heart swell every time.