In the study, the sheriff was telling Papa why he was there.
“We got a tip from Abel Sullivan. He found some footprints outside the barn this morning, and they believe they’re Ethan’s. Now, they tell me that all along that north ridge, close by, are caves that people have used in the winter months to shield themselves from the snow.”
“If you think he’s hiding there, why don’t you go and get him?” Papa asked.
“Because there are over twenty caves up there, and we have no idea which one he’s in. Do you still have those maps we used before?”
Papa said, “Mick, could you go get the maps for the sheriff?”
Mick opened the door and ran into Mama, who was bringing in coffee for the gentlemen.
“A cup of coffee?” she asked.
“Thank you, Abby,” the sheriff said.
“Abby, dear,” Papa said, “I would like you to keep everyone away from this door.”
“But why? What’s wrong?”
“We have information that Ethan is held up in one of the many caves in the area. I don’t want Travis or Sarah to get upset about it.”
“All right. We’ll keep them busy.”
Mick came back in with the maps, and with the doors closed, the three men planned the best way to capture Ethan and to bring him off the mountain.
“Well, then, it’s all set,” the sheriff said. “Ryan, you take the little brother. Mick, you take Abel, and I’ll take Jonas. We split up and check every cave. When you find him, give three shots then another three, and we’ll come to you.”
Papa looked at the sheriff in surprise. “In all fairness, we should first let Mrs. Sullivan know that her husband is alive—well, alive for the time being.”
“For the time being?”
“Abel tells me there’s no way of knowing what state of mind he’s in right now, and if he thinks his wife is truly dead and we’re looking so we can have him hanged, he might not come peaceably.”
“All right. You tell her he’s alive but nothing more.”
They left the room, and Ryan headed to the door across the hall. He knocked and heard Sarah’s voice inviting him in.
“Hi, Sarah.”
“Hello, Ryan. How are you? I hope we’re not taking up too much room with your family coming. We can always go back home.
“No, of course you don’t need to. I just wanted to tell you that there is a good chance that Ethan is still alive. Abel found footprints near the outside of the barn this morning, and it’s possible that Ethan spent last night there. There is a chance that he is holed up in one of the caves on the property. We’ve got three search parties going up and checking the caves to find him and bring him home.”
She closed her eyes as tears rolled down her cheeks, but then she quickly looked at him with a worried expression. “You know he’s not going to come home. He thinks I’m dead, and he thinks you are all going there to bring him back to hang him. You have to let him know that I’m alive!”
“Travis is coming with me, and Abel and Jonas are with the other search parties.”
“I’m going with you. He will come back if he sees me alive.”
“Sarah, you are in no condition to go anywhere,” Pa said. “I promise to bring him back.”
“I have to go!” she shouted, alerting Mama, who rushed in the room.
“What’s wrong, Ryan?” Mama asked with great concern.
“She wants to go with the posse.”
Mama sat Sarah down and tried to calm her.
“Don’t be silly, dear. You’re in no shape to climb anything. Now, just sit there.”
“He won’t believe Abel. He’s going to think it’s a trick. He doesn’t need much to bring on one of his rages and… oh, Abby, they’ll kill him! I have to go. Don’t you understand?”
Sarah never calmed down completely, but she agreed to stay home with us while the men did their search. Within the hour, Papa and Travis were on their way to the mysterious caves. I had uneasy feeling about this and felt as if something bad was going to happen.