Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

T he noon summer sun shone high above as Patience rode beside Jonah along the winding trail that followed a creek through the woods. In the brightness of day with the pleasant murmur of water running over rocks, it was a little hard to remember the terror from the night before when Douglas attacked.

Yet he could be following them now. Jonah rode with his rifle across his lap, and she had her Derringer tucked in her sleeve where she could reach it with a twist of her wrist. But if Douglas had found another gun…

His rifle had been waterlogged last night, and he'd run off without it. So maybe they were safe. Maybe he'd decided to cut his losses and return to Missoula Mills.

Anyway, this journey was almost over. Jonah said they'd reach his family's ranch within the hour. The closer they traveled to his home, the lighter he seemed. The worry tensing his shoulders had eased, little by little, today.

He was a handsome man, with rugged features of one accustomed to working the land. His dark hair fell in waves under his wide-brimmed hat, and his features showed his strength. A set chin, steady blue eyes that seemed to see more than she liked sometimes. Those strong shoulders and the way he handled his horse with a confidence that many men didn't possess. She'd only known him a few long days, but the way he'd treated her so far made her want to trust him.

And she did not need to fall into that trap again.

This would be a good time to ask more about what had happened with her niece. And with her mother. And everything since. "Tell me," she said softly. "How did you find Anna? How long has it been?"

Jonah's blue eyes met hers, and a bit of pain shone there. Because he understood her need? Or because the story was such a hard one?

He faced forward again. "It was last winter. We saw smoke from a campfire at the cabin I was building. There wasn't a roof on it or anything, no shelter at all save the walls that might have blocked a bit of wind. When we went to check, there were signs someone had camped there, but they were gone."

His Adam's apple bobbed. "A hard snow storm came the next day. I don't know how they survived it." Again his throat worked. "If I'd known they were out in it…" He released a sigh. "A couple days later, Eric saw Anna running through the woods. Remember Eric? He's the one who married Naomi. Anyway, Anna was dressed like a boy. I went with Eric to follow her. She led us to their camp. Your mother…" This seemed hard for him. Was he reliving that day?

"Your mother was alive, but not conscious enough to talk to us. We got her and Anna back to the house as quick as we could. My sister-in-law?—"

"Dinah, right? I think you told me she's a doctor?" Imagine that, a female physician. Of course, she was a female gambler. Her gender came in handy sometimes.

He nodded, one quick dip of his head. "Dinah did everything she could for her." He sent Patience a look thick with sorrow. "She passed that evening. She didn't ever get to talk to us, so all we've had to go on was what Anna could tell us."

Patience's chest ached, her eyes blurring at the thought of what Mama had suffered those last days. Why had they traveled all this way? Jonah had said that they'd come to find her, but that couldn't be. Such a rough journey, and why hadn't Mama tried to contact her before setting out?

She ventured a safer version of the question. "You're sure Anna said they came to find me?"

"That's what she said, to visit her aunt Patsy who came here to get married."

Pain pressed in her chest. She'd forgotten that detail she'd added in the short letter she sent her mother. It felt wrong to go so far as the western territories without at least telling her mother about Michael's death. She'd not wanted Mama to worry that she'd be alone, so she'd included the part about her new husband-to-be. The man she was going west to marry.

Anger quickened her pulse. Jackson, that lying scoundrel.

Jonah was studying her, and by the look on his face, he seemed confused.

She forced her thought away from the man who'd lured her west and back to his story. "What happened next?"

"We knew we had to find you. Anna said her parents had both died, and it sounded like you were her only living relative." He shot her a look, his mouth crooked sideways. "We didn't have much to go on. Only the name Patsy and the fact that you have red hair."

For some reason, a grin found her own lips. "How long did it take you? Were your other brothers looking too?"

"At first, Eric helped. But then he and Naomi were to be married, and with all the wedding preparations..." He trailed off with a rueful chuckle. "I wasn't needed at the ranch, so it made sense for me to keep searching on my own." It seemed like he'd said all he was going to. But then he added in a quieter voice, "I guess I wanted some time away from the ranch myself."

There was something he wasn't saying, but since she didn't think it had anything to do with Anna, it wasn't her business to press. She didn't want him hounding her for more information about her past, so she'd best respect his privacy about his. Besides, they were riding up a steep slope now, so she should concentrate on her horse. And the trail.

The horses breathed heavily as they climbed.

A quarter hour later, a clearing shone through the trees ahead. Her heart picked up speed. Was this it? His home? His family?

Her niece?

They rode out of the woods and into the ranch yard. A barn and corrals stood in front of them, and a log house perched on a hill a little farther up, smoke curling from its stone chimney.

Jonah aimed toward the structure.

She followed, inhaling a steadying breath. This was it. She was about to see Anna for the first time in too many years. Would her niece be nervous to see her?

As they drew close, the cabin door swung open, and a lovely woman with honey-blond hair emerged, followed by a small girl clutching her skirts.

Patience's breath caught.

Anna.

Even from a distance, she recognized those wide, solemn eyes that reminded her so much of her sister. The girl had grown up in the five years they'd been apart. That long brown hair that matched both of her parents'.

Jonah reined in his horse and dismounted in one smooth motion.

Tears pricked Patsy's eyes as she slid off her horse. "Anna," she breathed, taking a step forward. Her arms ached to enfold her niece.

The woman, who must be Naomi, the one Jonah had said Anna was living with, smiled and gently nudged Anna forward. "Go on, sweetheart. It's your Aunt Patsy, come all this way to see you."

But Anna hung back, her small face uncertain as she gripped Naomi.

Patience's heart sank. Of course, it had been years. Anna had been just a toddling child when Patience left. She couldn't expect her to come running as if no time had passed.

Jonah crouched midway between Anna and Patience, his voice gentle. "Anna-bug, do you remember your Aunt Patsy? She's come a long way to see you."

Anna's eyes darted to Patience, then back to Jonah. Slowly, tentatively, she released her grip on Naomi's skirts and took a step forward. Then another.

Suddenly, she was in Patience's arms, her small body warm and solid against Patience's chest. Patience wrapped her arms around the thin form, tears threatening as she breathed in the sweet, childish scent of her. Her niece. Her family.

A sob broke free, and she stroked the girl's hair. "Oh, Anna, I've missed you so much. I'm sorry it's been so long."

She reveled in the feel of her, unsure how much time had passed when she finally lifted her head to meet Jonah's gaze. His green eyes shone with emotion, and she mouthed a silent thank-you.

Beyond him, Naomi dabbed at her cheeks, her smile tremulous.

But even as gratitude swelled in Patience's chest, a twinge of disappointment pricked at her heart. Anna had not run to her, had not even seemed to recognize her. There was so much lost time between them, so much trust to rebuild.

She didn't have time to mourn the thought, for a stream of other people reached them. Welcoming with eagerness and a multitude of questions. He waved down the cacophany and motioned to her, and the group quieted almost immediately, all eyes taking her in.

"Everyone, this is Miss Patsy Whitman." Jonah sent her a smile that eased the churning that had suddenly started in her middle. "Patsy, this is my family. My brother Jericho and his wife Dinah. Eric and Naomi, who you already met. Since their daughter Mary Ellen isn't here, I imagine she's napping. My niece Lillian, and Angela, my brother Jude's wife." He looked to Jericho. "I guess the rest of the boys are out with the animals?"

Jericho nodded, and Jonah turned back to her. "You'll meet Jude, Gil, Miles, and my nephew Sean tonight."

She brightened her smile for the group. "It's a pleasure to meet you all." And overwhelming.

The woman standing beside Jonah's brother stepped forward. Dinah was her name? She reached out to clasp Patsy's hand. "We're so glad you've come. We've been praying for this day."

A burning sensation pricked her eyes, but she ignored it. "Thank you. I'm so grateful Anna's been well-cared for." These people looked so much more…wholesome and good than she'd expected. Nothing like the line of hard-nosed brothers she'd imagined.

Eric spoke up. "She's a special little girl. We've come to love her as our own."

A flicker of unease slipped through her. They wouldn't try to stop her from taking Anna, would they? She was blood kin, after all. Anna's only living relative.

She glanced down at her niece. Anna gazed back up at her, curiosity and a hint of hope shining in those wide eyes so like her mother's.

Patsy drew in a fortifying breath. She was jumping at shadows. These people had been searching for her. Jonah had been searching for her. Since last year, he'd said.

Straightening her shoulders, Patsy met Jonah' s steady gaze. He seemed to understand the emotions swirling within her, offering a small nod of encouragement.

She turned back to the Coulters, summoning a grateful smile. "I can't thank you enough for all you've done. For taking in Anna when she had no one else. I know it couldn't have been easy, but I'm in your debt."