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It was only a few hours after they took him home that the woodsman regained consciousness. He reached for the woman who knelt beside him, looked deeply into the big green eyes set like jewels in a heart-shaped face, and found there hope and faith.
“Jesse,” he whispered.
She ran a hand over his hair. “How do you feel?”
“I’ve been better.” He didn’t dare to look at her as he asked. “Did they go for her?”
“Alec went.” He sensed her hesitation and opened his eyes again. He stared at her, willing her to go on. “They left their camp in the middle of the night. He went to find them. He said he’d leave a trail for you to follow.”
“If they left, they’ve taken her with them. She’s still alive.”
“That’s what Alec said, too. And he said the elder would protect her.”
“Running Wolf. If he can, he will. If he knows who she is. Jesse, help me up.”
“No, Daniel. Not yet. You’re too weak. If you get up now, it’ll do more harm than good.”
He couldn’t face the thought of doing nothing while his wife was missing. “Help me. Please.”
“Yes, acushlah, as you have helped me so many times.” Her smile was warm, generous, and he felt it reflected on his own face. “Can you eat? It will make you stronger.”
“Yes.” He would do anything she said to gain his strength back, anything that would take him one step nearer to his beloved wife. With an effort at levity, he said, “Bring everything you have. I’ll eat it all.”
“She’ll be all right, Daniel.” Jesse touched his cheek. “She told me once that Gran said she would never come to harm. Believe in it.” He nodded as she stood and left the room.
Moments later his father and Adam came in. His brother took his free hand and held it, sympathy and strength flowing from every pore in his body. Daniel drank it in, then whispered, “Thanks.”
Adam gave his place to John Patrick and sat on the floor. The old man looked at his son’s pale face and fought back misery.
“Feelin’ better?”
“Some. Any word from Alec?”
“Not yet.” They didn’t expect any word, and Daniel knew it. The longer Alec stayed on the trail, the better it would be. He felt another hand upon his cheek, saw Irene out of the corner of his eye.
“Hello, little one. Come sit where I can see you.”
She came around and took his hand from her father’s. He smiled at her, seeing the difficulty with which she held in her tears. He squeezed her fingers until she squeezed back.
“It’s all right,” he told her. Her tears began to fall. Adam stood and reached for her, but Daniel didn’t let her go. He used his good hand to pull her head down until it rested against his neck. His father and brother retreated, and he held her as closely as he could.
“It’s all right, mavourneen. I know you’re scared. I’m scared, too.” She looked up at him, a question on her face. “There’s no shame in being scared, Irene. Everyone’s scared sometimes. You just can’t let it take over everything.
“Bravery isn’t about not being afraid,” he told her. “It’s about not letting your fear take over. Nobody who hasn’t been afraid has ever been brave.”
“Really? Are you really scared?”
“More than I’ve ever been.”
“Daniel...” Her chin still quivered, but she didn’t cry. “Do you think we could maybe try to be brave together?”
“It’s a deal,” he whispered. “We’ll be partners—partners in bravery, okay?”
“Okay!” She chewed for a moment on her bottom lip. “Can I do anything for you?”
He accepted her help, and his parents’ and brothers’ and sisters-in-law. Tommy’s and Owen’s, Lowell’s and Evelyn’s. He ate everything they would give him, drank everything they told him to drink, and rested when they commanded it. On the next day he sat up, his pain somewhat relieved by the willow bark. By the end of the day he was standing on his own. And walking unaided by the next morning, flexing his arm after the doctor removed the stitches, finding enough mobility to feed himself. In the evening, he told them he was going after Alec.
Silence greeted his announcement. As they all stared at him, Jesse asked, “Are you sure?”
“Yes, mavourneen. I’ve got to go.”
“You can’t go alone.”
“I’m ready,” Jake stated. Molly gasped. “It’s all right, Mother. Nothing will happen to us. We’ll just follow Alec’s trail. We’ll find the camp and we’ll find Annie, and we’ll bring her home.
“It’s all right,” he said again, very gently. Molly closed her eyes and nodded.
“Thank you.” Daniel spoke to both his mother and his youngest brother. Jake was the one he needed. Not the biggest or the strongest, or the most experienced. But he could hunt, track, and hide himself in the forest, glide through the glades and parks, and understand the hand signals Alec had created. And since Alec had entrusted him with the call they would need to make contact, Daniel knew that Alec wanted the youth along, too.
“We’ll leave before daybreak,” Daniel said.
“Best get to sleep then.” Jake winked at him. “Mornin’ comes early these days.”