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John Patrick and Brian stood watch while Alec slept for the first time in three days. Tommy woke and took Brian’s place but when he would have roused his son, John Patrick stopped him.
“Let the lad sleep. He’s done more than his share.”
At sunrise they were all up, and as Annie disappeared into the forest with Irene and the clean clothes she’d brought, Alec and Tommy spread the gifts out on the grass so they could see what was there. Daniel picked a pair of intricately-designed blankets and a ritual basket, as well as a rugged white pony.
When Annie returned, he could only stare at her—she was dressed as Irene was, in blue denims, shirt and corduroy jacket. She wore heavy socks but no shoes. She flashed a smile at him and ran to his side. “How come you never told me how comfortable your clothes are?”
He didn’t answer but continued to stare at her, until his father made a sound in his throat. Daniel pulled himself together with an effort. “It’s your turn, aroon. Pick out anything you like.”
She reached for a pair of calf-high moccasins and pulled them on. Then she chose three small baskets in shades of blue and ochre, and a delicate necklace of several silver strands. For Jake, the woodsman selected a velveteen shirt and a pinto pony. He offered Alec a fine bay mare.
“And anything else you want,” he added. The silversmith chose a wide bracelet studded with turquoise nuggets. Daniel saw Brian eyeing a pair of buckskin boots and handed them to him with a knowing laugh. “The kid convinced you, hey?” His brother grunted in response.
“Anything you like, Dad? Owen? Tommy?” His father selected a pair of moccasins for himself and a bracelet for Molly as Tommy helped himself to an oak and hickory bow. But Owen refused the offer, stating that he wanted nothing whatsoever to remind him of their “adventure.”
Lastly the woodsman picked out a delicate silver ring and slipped it onto the middle finger of Irene’s right hand, murmuring thanks and pinching her cheek. “See anything else?”
“Well...”
“Go ahead, mavourneen. Whatever it is, it’s yours.”
She stepped to the blanket and touched a soft buckskin dress, beaded at the bodice, which Daniel knew had been made to sell to tourists. “Could I have this?” At his nod, she picked it up and rubbed the soft leather against her face.
“You’ll need these to go with it,” Alec said, and offered her a pair of moccasins that matched the dress.
She accepted them with a smile. “Thank you, Alec. Thank you for everything.”
Her hand was on his sleeve. He was bewitched by her smile, by her boy’s clothing. Her eyes, usually so deeply blue, were almost green. He held their gaze for a moment then he turned to watch her brother and his wife.
“De nada,” he replied. It was nothing. There was no debt, for between them, they’d saved his life. But he could see that Irene didn’t understand. He closed his hand over hers. “I had a debt to pay,” he told her, his voice deep and smooth and rich.
“You would have done it anyway. He’s your friend.”
“Yes. As is she. As are you.”
She beamed at him. “Let’s go help.”
Alec fashioned hackamores for the ponies, tied them to two long ropes so he and his father could lead them. One wagon was packed with the gifts; Brian helped Daniel up into the other and cushioned his back with blankets. Annie climbed in beside him, while Owen took the driver’s seat. Irene rode beside her father in the other wagon. They’d gone a mile when John Patrick pulled his team up and shouted at the passengers in Owen’s wagon. “Which way?”
“Sidhean Annie!” Daniel cried. He turned to his wife and wrapped his good arm around her, nuzzled into her hair. “Home,” he whispered. “I want to go home.”
She gave a long sigh. Home. A hot bath and her own bed. Her man beside her every night. Herself, her husband, and their little boy. And the small old voice that had returned to assure her, He will be with you for as long as you live.
She sighed again and whispered, as if in prayer or benediction,
“Home.”
***
The End
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