Daniel paced before the hearth in his sitting room. He figured this was the very reason hearths were invented: a spot for a man to pace. Heaven knows he didn’t need the thing for warmth. Bill and Winnie had tried to convince him that burning dung would keep mosquitoes away, but he’d not agreed to the practice. They assured him he’d change his mind in a few weeks when the insects were out in full force, but he didn’t imagine he would ever wish for his home to smell like cooking manure. He turned and paced in the other direction, the dung-in-the-hearth train of thought terminated, and he cast about, trying to think of something else to occupy his mind. Pacing was one thing, but he was very close to brooding.
He glanced at Molly, who sat primly on his new sofa. The maid had arrived nearly an hour earlier, and Daniel made small talk for a little while, but there are only so many topics a man and his neighbor’s lady’s maid can converse comfortably about. They’d exhausted the list rather quickly.
Daniel leaned his forearms on the mantle. He’d expected by now to be free, unburdened of the secret he’d harbored from Sarah. But instead, it remained, pressing down on his shoulders like a sack of stone. He rubbed his forehead. And what was keeping her?
A rumble of thunder drew his eyes to the window. Molly had said Sarah rode toward the mountains, worried that some of her flock had gone missing. Should it take this long? He pulled out his pocket watch. More than an hour? Or had something gone amiss?
What should he do? He thought of Captain Thackeray’s words. If he rode out searching for her, Sarah would be indignant, assuming that he didn’t think her capable of tending to her own affairs. But how long should he wait? When was it acceptable to offer assistance? What if . . .
Pounding sounded on the door.
Daniel’s shoulders relaxed as his worries melted away. She was here.
He turned, smiling, expecting Winnie to enter the room and announce his guest. But instead, he heard raised voices coming from the entryway. Is that Charrah?
Daniel and Molly shared a curious look, then he followed the sound. She trailed right behind.
The housekeeper stood in the doorway with one hand on the knob, the other, she held, palm out, toward the aboriginal man. “Mr. Burton has company right now.”
Charrah looked past her. “Dan-yah!” His eyes were frantic.
“It’s all right, Mrs. Hawkins.”
The woman moved out of the doorway, and Charrah ran toward him. “Guwiyang!”
“Charrah, what is it?” He laid a hand on the man’s shoulder, hoping to calm him.
“Guwiyang!” He spoke urgently. Seeing Daniel’s blank look, Charrah grabbed his arm, pulling him outside. He pointed over the trees toward Sarah Hills. “Guwiyang!”
Daniel’s heart rose into his throat. In the distance he saw a trail of black smoke. Fire! Guwiyang. And it appeared to be in the trees at the base of the mountains. Exactly where Sarah had gone.
Charrah turned Daniel toward him. His breathing was rapid and his brow furrowed. The man looked as if he were having a difficult time keeping his wits about him. “Dan-yah, guwiyang. Kiturra.” He spoke the last word with fear in his voice.
Daniel gave a quick nod, understanding immediately what his friend was trying to tell him. Kiturra was in the mountain. “We will go after her—them.” He spun, calling to his workers to saddle two horses and to bring Molly’s mount for her.
“Mrs. Hawkins, fetch a pair of trousers for Charrah.”
When Molly’s horse arrived, Daniel helped her into the saddle, handing her the reins. “Go to Sarah Hills. If Miss Whitaker has not returned, send as many men as you can.”
“I will, sir.”
He knew it was possible that Sarah was safely back at the house, but his gut told him otherwise. She would have either come here as she’d promised or gone to investigate the fire. He swallowed against his rising worry. And if that was the case, who knew what had befallen her.
Daniel gave Charrah the trousers. He didn’t think his friend would be comfortable riding on a leather saddle with just a bit of ’roo skin around his waist. The man raised a brow but didn’t object. He pulled them on, struggling for a moment to figure out the buttons at the waist.
When the horses were brought out, Charrah’s lips pulled into a tight line. He appeared nervous, but he followed Daniel’s lead and climbed on. They both knew the fastest way to the fire was on horseback. Another rumble of thunder followed by a flash of lightning. This one sounded close.
Using sign language, Daniel gave a quick riding lesson, then once he thought Charrah could at least stay seated, he set off, trusting the other horse to follow despite its inexperienced rider. When he reached the creek, he glanced back, relieved to see Charrah was right behind. His eyes were tight, but he held his shoulders straight. Daniel could not help but admire his determination.
They splashed through the water to Sarah Hills. Thunder rumbled again, and the temperature dropped further. Daniel could see the herd up on the hill, just as Molly had said. He urged his horse forward.
The dark clouds were drawing over the sky like a blanket. The smoke was growing thicker, haze darkening his vision, but it didn’t come from the forest in the mountains as they’d assumed. The source was closer to the road.
They rode through the meadow toward the flock. Once they reached the sheep, Daniel scanned the hills for Sarah or the tenders, but he saw neither. Was part of the flock missing? There certainly seemed to be fewer sheep, but perhaps it was because they were more spread out. He couldn’t be sure.
He halted his horse and waited for Charrah. The aboriginal man’s gaze was focused on the rocky hills beyond the screen of trees that ran along the creek. Daniel looked toward the fire, thinking that was surely where they’d find Sarah.
Charrah turned in the direction of the fire. “Miss Wita-ka?”
Daniel nodded.
His friend looked toward the mountains, his brow furrowed. Then he seemed to come to a conclusion. “Guwiyang.” He spoke in a purposeful voice, pointing toward the dark cloud of smoke. He must have thought the fire presented the greatest danger if either woman were near it. Daniel nodded, and they continued on.
Cresting a hill, they reined in. Daniel saw the source of the fire, and his stomach turned to stone. Oh no. The fleece-filled storage building was ablaze. Flames from the wooden window frames licked the stone. Thick smoke billowed from the burning roof.
Men stood a distance away watching the fire, knowing there was nothing to be done. The building and its contents were a complete loss.
Daniel scanned the gathering, looking for Sarah, but he didn’t see her.
He and Charrah rode closer.
A thunderclap sounded directly over their heads, spooking the horses. Daniel held tight to the reins, keeping his horse under control. He glanced to the side and saw Charrah imitating his actions. The man clung to the reins, concentration making his face tight.
Once his horse was calm, Charrah gave a curt nod, and they continued forward.
Daniel recognized Tom, Sarah’s foreman. He raised his hand in greeting as they approached. Tom’s face was in shadow, the fire behind casting a red glow around his form. “The mistress is going to be devastated when she finds out.” Tom jerked his thumb over his shoulder.
“Miss Whitaker doesn’t know about the fire?” Daniel asked.
Tom shook his head. “Haven’t seen her all day. Thought she was with you, sir, if you please.”
Daniel felt a sinking dread. “Miss Green came alone. She told me Miss Whitaker rode toward the creek to check on a flock. She feared some sheep were missing.”
Tom lifted his hat and furrowed his fingers through his hair. “Don’ know nothin’ about that, sir.”
“Would she have crossed into the mountains to look for the sheep?”
“Could have.” Tom glanced toward the fire, the light making his face shine. “Mountains are dangerous in a storm. She knows—” A deluge of rain swallowed his words. He yelled more that Daniel couldn’t hear then ran for cover beneath the trees.
“Dan-yah,” Charrah called over the torrent. He pointed toward the mountain.
Daniel nodded. His friend was right. If the women were on the other side of the creek, they needed to hurry.
They turned the horses, and Daniel heard hissing behind them as the rain poured onto the fire. Water dripped off the brim of his hat, running down his face and into his eyes. They rode back to the flock and crossed the creek. If Sarah was looking for sheep, this is where she’d have started.
Once they emerged from the trees, Daniel held up a hand to shield his eyes from the torrents of water. His coat was heavy, drips pounded loudly against his hat, and when he bent his arm, rivulets of water squeezed out of the elbow like a sponge. He looked both directions along the creek but saw nothing to indicate which way he should go. He shook his head. Even if there had been an enormous arrow pointing to her location, he wouldn’t have seen it in this blasted rain.
He looked at his companion. Charrah seemed completely unbothered by the rain. He rose in the stirrups, eyes squinted as he scanned the rocky foothills.
This was ridiculous. Daniel felt overwhelmed by the enormity of the task as well as the futility. They could never find the women in these mountains, not with such limited visibility. The rain was loud in his ears. Even if they called, the women wouldn’t hear.
He blew out a breath, spraying rainwater off his lips. Sarah could very well be warm and dry in her house. And Kiturra surely knew how to find shelter.
Charrah went still then pointed. “Miss Wita-ka. Horse.”
Daniel squinted through the rain but saw nothing. He started forward anyway. The two had been hunting together often enough that he knew to trust his friend’s excellent eyesight. A moment later, he saw it. The animal was tied to a tree. And it was definitely Sarah’s horse. Daniel felt a spike of fear. She had crossed the river and was on foot in this torrent.
He dismounted and walked to the animal, looking at the saddle and the area around. At least the horse was tied up, which meant Sarah had left it purposefully. “How long have you been here, girl?” He caught the nervous animal’s bridle and lay a hand on its neck. “And where is your mistress?”
He turned back to Charrah, who was watching him with a strange look as if saying, You ninny, horses don’t talk. He ignored the look. “What do we do, Charrah?”
Charrah’s brow furrowed thoughtfully then he dismounted. He must have taken Daniel’s question as authorization to take charge of the expedition. His manner was sure and confident. Charrah untied Sarah’s horse, leading it and the other two animals beneath a clump of trees then motioning for Daniel to follow as he climbed up into the rocks.
Daniel was glad someone knew what to do. He felt utterly at a loss.
After a moment of climbing, Charrah pointed to a spot beneath an overhang. He crouched down and sat beneath, leaning back against a boulder.
Daniel removed his hat and followed. “We just take shelter? Shouldn’t we search?” They’d ridden frantically to get across the stream, but now they would just wait?
Charrah gave him a familiar look, exasperated with his inexperience. He pointed, then moved his hand downward, indicating a split in the rock, a natural path that they could see perfectly from their position above.
Daniel realized this was likely the way someone would come down the mountain. From this spot, they also had a good view of the horses. Well chosen, he thought, squinting to see through the rain. It was a good plan, he realized. The only choice, really. Sarah had no doubt taken shelter. She wouldn’t be wandering around in the rain. And now they were on the same side of the rising water. He glanced at his friend. How would he have ever managed in this colony without this wise man’s help?
Charrah’s jaw was tight as he stared out at the rain.
Daniel realized his friend was worried. Had he expected Kiturra to return earlier? “Kiturra?” he asked.
Charrah shot him a look then went back to staring.
“She is safe,” Daniel said. He knew the man couldn’t understand him but hoped his voice held concern as well as conviction.
They remained beneath the ledge for another hour. Daniel found it hard to believe a downpour could last so long. Water wound through the rocks, making small streams as they flowed downward. The sound that had been such a din when it began had dulled, and the noise was actually soothing, lulling him into a sleepy stupor. He rested his elbows on his knees, leaning his head back, and wondered where Sarah was.
Seeing her horse had been both reassuring and disconcerting to him. She had come this way, but why had she left the horse? The obvious answer was that she’d climbed into the mountains. Had she seen a sheep and gone after it? He couldn’t imagine what else would have drawn her away. His stomach tightened as he thought of the dangers she may have encountered. Were there men in the mountains? Wild dogs? He hoped she had her pistol. Sarah was not naïve to the threats, and truthfully, she was probably more capable of dealing with them than he would be. But still he worried.
He shifted, feeling a sharp rock beneath him. When would he learn to carry around a cushion? The seating arrangements in the colony had proven to be less than satisfactory for the comfort of his backside.
As quickly as it started, the rain stopped. Charrah stood, and Daniel followed him out of the shelter. He put on his top hat and held up a hand against the sudden brightness of the sun. Around them, he could hear the trickling of water continuing down over the rocks. The air smelled wet and fresh. He looked at the horses and saw they were comfortably eating grass beside the stream. Birds called from the trees. Rocks and trees shined. The entire mountain sparkled as if it had just been cleaned.
Charrah started toward the path. Now that Daniel had a better view of the area, he could see it was the best way up. Daniel slipped off his wet jacket and left it on a rock to dry. He stepped carefully over the wet ground, his boots sticking in the muddy patches.
They had only climbed for a few minutes when Charrah stopped.
Daniel looked to him, then followed his gaze. He blinked, breath suspended for a split-second as his mind caught up to the sight before him.
Sarah, her hat askew and her hair loose and wild, carried Kitura’s baby in a pouch bound around her chest and shoulders. She walked slowly, supporting Kiturra with an arm around her waist. The dark-skinned woman hopped, her leg wrapped in a makeshift splint. Was this the same Sarah Whitaker who had left Francis Park in tears when he’d tried to introduce his aboriginal friend?
The men glanced at one another, neither knowing what to make of the scene, then they hurried forward.
When she saw him, Sarah stopped. A smile grew on her face. “Daniel.”
Seeing her unharmed made his muscles suddenly weak. He had never felt so relieved to see anyone.
Charrah crouched down beside Kiturra, studying her foot. She put a hand on his shoulder and spoke quietly to him, her voice filled with exhaustion and pain. Charrah glanced at the baby, lifted his gaze to Sarah.
Sarah stepped toward Daniel. Her arm was wrapped around the baby sleeping against her chest. Rips and mud stains ruined what he thought must have been a beautiful gown.
“Thank goodness you’re here.” Sarah’s expression was tense, brows pinched together in worry. “We must get her to Sarah Hills and send for a doctor.” She tipped her head toward Kiturra then rubbed her eyes. “Daniel, I found the sheep. They are in a canyon not far from here. And there’s a fire. I don’t know if the property suffered any damage, and . . .” her voice trailed off. She looked suddenly drained of energy.
Daniel pulled her into his arms, careful not to smash the baby between them. Her hat fell the remainder of the way off, and he rested his chin on her head. “We have a much bigger problem, Miss Whitaker.”
She tensed, looking up at him. “What is it?”
From this angle, her lashes were so thick they looked like feathers. He tightened his embrace. “You are very late for our luncheon appointment.” He sighed dramatically. “Do you have any idea what time it is?”
Sarah gave him a flat look that softened into a smile. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but Daniel thought they’d done rather enough talking for the moment.
He touched her cheek, and she blinked. Her brows raised and pinched together uncertainly. Daniel smoothed away the furrows with his thumb, cupping her cheek, his palm tingling when she leaned against it. He held her gaze as he bent closer.
Sarah dropped her gaze to his lips then back, her breath hitching. She closed her eyes, the dark lashes fluttering to her cheeks. And he kissed her.
His pulse surged at the touch. Sarah moved her hand over his arm, resting it on his shoulder, and he thought it could have well been a hot iron. Her lips were soft, just as he’d imagined. Finally, Daniel pulled back but didn’t loosen his hold.
Hearing a cough, he glanced toward the others.
Charrah’s brow ticked upward.
Daniel smiled in spite of himself. The man could speak volumes with the smallest movement. He turned back to the woman in his arms.
Sarah rested her head against his chest. She sighed, her body relaxing into his, and the sound found its way directly to his heart.
“We’ll figure it all out, Sarah,” Daniel said. “The sheep, the fire, all of it. We’ll solve it together, all right?”
He felt her nod against his chest, her arms tightening around him, and for the moment, all was right with the world.