The next day, there was no more talk of Ellis being returned to New Orleans to join her family. Unfortunately, neither her grandfather nor Clay would discuss the possibility of her making the trip to San Antonio de Béxar.

The day after, when a rainstorm kept them inside and away from chores, Grandfather Valmont announced he was returning to Velasco tomorrow to make arrangements for Clay’s search, and his granddaughter would be joining him.

“But that was not the plan,” Ellis protested.

“The more I think of what could have happened with the Mexican soldiers, the more convinced I am that we cannot help Thomas until we help ourselves. And that means we move to a more secure location first,” he said in that offhanded way he had of making a declaration sound like something far less than final.

Ellis remained quiet, knowing that the argument she wished to have would not give her the result she wanted. The days were passing quickly and the eighteenth of November was coming soon. With that deadline looming, where would the search for Thomas fit in?

“I think that is wise,” Clay said. “With your permission I’ll ride on toward the Alamo tomorrow morning at first light.”

“If you’re still willing to do this for our family, I would be much obliged, Clay,” her grandfather said. “I will write you a letter of introduction that ought to help should anyone question why you’re looking for Thomas.” He paused. “And why a Grey isn’t with his fellow soldiers.”

“Thank you, sir,” he said. “I hadn’t thought of that. With my papers ruined by the fire, I would appreciate any help you might give me so that I can return.”

Ellis’s eyes narrowed. “So you would go alone? Even knowing how I feel about that?”

He gave her a pointed look. “Yes,” she heard him murmur as he walked out the door into the rain.

She whirled around to see her grandfather watching. “Why tomorrow?” she asked. “Why not a few days ago?”

“I have given you enough time to get used to the idea. That is my compromise. I have also given you enough time to realize New Orleans is where you should stay until the war ends. That is your compromise, and I do hope you are mature enough to accept this.”

“Mature enough?” She bit back the remainder of the reply she wished to give voice to. “Surely you see the wisdom of having someone here to keep the farm in good order until Papa can return.”

“I can and I have,” he said. “Which is why I have arranged with Jonah to have him take over the duties here. Vaughn has also agreed to look in on the place. Between the two, I’d say things should be fine until your father returns.” He paused. “Oh, and as thanks for Clay’s work he has done here, I will be sending him off with one of the horses.”

He returned to his book, a distinct warning that the conversation was over.

“I suppose you’ve thought of everything,” she said as she made her way upstairs. “Except for asking my opinion on the matter. You know if he leaves alone, he may just forget altogether that he is looking for Thomas. Have you considered that?”

“He will not, though I did consider that you’re most upset about this because you do not get to go with him. I do not believe for a moment that you want to stay here for any reason other than to get on a horse and follow that man to San Antonio de Béxar. I know you love your brother, but you must see reason.”

“Why must I if you do not?” she called.

With each step up the stairs she felt a little more foolish. Her grandfather meant well. She knew this. He was keeping a promise to Mama and doing what he thought was best for the family.

But he didn’t know …

Oh. He didn’t know.

An idea occurred, and it was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

She had information that Clay wanted. Information that she could trade for something worth more to her than anything else she might want.

Ellis retrieved her book of psalms from the bedside table and bided her time until she heard the door slam downstairs. Grandfather would be going to bed for the night, leaving her time to slip out and find Clay.

Because they had plans to make for tomorrow.

Tucking the book and a quilt under her arm, Ellis moved quietly down the stairs, bypassing the step that squeaked. Though her grandfather’s sleeping chamber was on the other side of the dogtrot with ample space in between, his hearing was such that he just might awaken.

Ellis tucked the book into the pocket of her rebozo and stepped out onto the porch, then went through the dogtrot to look out into the back of the property. Clay was not in his customary place on the porch steps, nor was he anywhere within sight.

Rather than wait for him, she ducked under the quilt, picked up her skirts, and sloshed through the rain to the barn. The soft nickering of the horses drew her inside, where she settled in a warm corner on clean straw to wait for first light.

Knowing he would never be able to say goodbye if he left at the time he said he would, Clay stepped into his trousers and put on the uniform of the New Orleans Greys. It should not have seemed odd that the uniform fit so well, and yet it had been made for a man whom Clay might never recall.

He had no other possessions, so he left the bedchamber in the same clothes he had arrived here wearing. He had tried more than once to remove the bloodstains from his boots but had not yet managed the feat. The boots that bore the mark of snake fangs that never touched his skin deserved better.

When he got where he was going and completed whatever mission he was supposed to complete, then he would see to that unfinished business. After he brought Thomas Valmont home too.

The rain had slowed to a drizzle as Clay stepped out onto the porch. Stars peered out between raindrops, brightening the sky with pinpoints of light. He followed the familiar path to the barn, where he would leave a note of thanks and apology for Ellis and her grandfather, but stopped short when he saw the door was slightly ajar.

He retrieved his pistol and then pushed the door open just enough to step inside. The horses were fidgeting, their nervous whinnying out of character for the docile creatures.

“Took you long enough,” Ellis said.

And then he heard the low, menacing growl.

“Ellis?”

“I am here in the corner,” she said softly. “But the bobcat is in the rafters above you. Trust me and shoot directly up, then move out of the way. Quickly,” came out as a whispered plea.

He moved slowly, aiming the pistol up into the black depths of the rafters.

“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust.”

The words came from a place so deep, so hidden, that Clay knew they were a truth he had long held close. “Yes, amen,” he whispered.

Another growl from overhead, and Clay moved slightly to the left to center himself under it. Then he pulled the trigger and jumped out of the way.

The big cat howled and then landed with a thud. A moment later, it raced out the door. A second shot fired and then silence.

Ellis scrambled out of her corner and launched herself into his arms just as the elder Valmont stepped into the barn. Clay held her upright as she began to shake. “I was so afraid,” she whispered in his ear. “That thing came in and I never heard it until it growled. Then I saw it was overhead and I didn’t know what to do.”

“You did the right thing,” he whispered against her ear as he held her tight.

Jean Paul walked over to the lamp and lit it. Firelight blazed, temporarily blinding Clay until his eyes adjusted.

In a moment of clarity, Clay realized how things might look to Ellis’s grandfather. A darkened barn, a quilt in the corner, and the last night they would be in close proximity? He was preparing his defense when Jean Paul spoke first.

“So you fired the first shot,” he said to Clay.

“And you fired the second,” was the best he could manage at the moment with Ellis still clinging to him.

“I did.” Jean Paul turned his attention from Clay to Ellis. “I suppose you have good reasons for being here in the barn at this hour.”

“Very good reasons,” Ellis said. “I am going to San Antonio de Béxar with Clay.”

Both men’s objections were swift and vocal. Finally Ellis had had enough.

“Please,” she said, holding up her hands to indicate she was done listening. “I am going because without me Clay cannot do what needs to be done.”

“Child,” her grandfather said in his most exasperated tone, “I have already written a letter of introduction. That is all he needs to find your brother. Anyone who reads that letter will understand and offer assistance to find my grandson.”

“Yes, I’m sure, Grandfather Valmont,” she told him as patiently as she could manage, “but I am the only one who can tell Clay where the treasure is.”

At this, Clay’s eyes widened. She watched his face carefully as he caught her gaze.

“Clay?” her grandfather said. “What is she talking about?”

He stood as if transfixed. Then slowly he moved his attention to her grandfather. “My grandfather’s treasure,” he said softly.

“What in the blazes?” Grandfather Valmont exclaimed. “Talk of treasure is nonsense and has nothing to do with finding Thomas. You’ll not need funds to get him. Just bravery and good timing. Go in and snatch him, Clay. That’s how it is done.”

He shook his head. “Not for that mission,” he said. “For the other one.”

“The one you can’t remember?” her grandfather snapped. “Blast it all, Ellis, what is he talking about?”

“Clay?” she said.

His expression was unreadable. Then he turned his attention to the older man. “I’ll take her with me.”

“Just like that, without any discussion on the matter and against my wishes?”

Clay appeared to be considering his response. Then he squared his shoulders. “For the good of Texas, I would do that, sir.”

“The good of Texas, is it?” Grandfather Valmont’s attention moved to Ellis. “Do me the courtesy of explaining if he will not.”

“I will, sir,” Clay offered. “If you insist. But the less you know about this, the better, should you be required to answer for it later.”

“Now I truly have no idea what either of you are talking about.”

Ellis closed the distance between them and took his hand. “Clay came to Texas on a mission that involved more than just being a Grey. He doesn’t fully recall what that mission is, but I do.”

“How could you possibly know?” her grandfather demanded. “Before he arrived at the riverbank, did you know this man?”

“I did not.”

He divided his attention between them and then looked down at Ellis. “Then I do not understand.”

“During his early time with us, he said things. A lot of things. Because they seemed so outlandish, I began to write them down. I soon realized he was telling me about his mission.”

“And?” he said. “What about it?”

“Please trust me when I say that those who sent him to Texas have our republic’s best interests at heart.”

Grandfather Valmont looked as if he might argue. Then he frowned at Clay. “If one hair on her head is harmed, just one hair, then you will have to fear for your life the remainder of your days.” He turned back to Ellis. “You need an escort. I will find someone. Jonah perhaps.”

“Jonah has a wife and baby to take care of. I will be fine,” she told him. “There will be allies to our cause everywhere we go.”

“And enemies to it as well,” he said.

“Which is why it is important that Clay be allowed to complete the work he was sent here to do.” She offered a smile. “If it is my reputation that gives you concern, remember you told me we are sometimes called to do out-of-the-ordinary things during times of war. I am only doing what I must.”

“Take care you remember this when your mother hears of it. I will write her, but it would be much better if you were the one telling her.”

Ellis shook her head. “Why tell her?”

“Child, you forget I promised I would send you to her within the week. It has been well past that. My fear is she will return and come looking for you.”

Ellis grinned. “Yes, that is something my mother might do. I believe the only remedy may be to go to New Orleans yourself.”

His laughter held no humor. “Have you forgotten I have a shipbuilding enterprise to supervise? I’m terrified what has happened in my absence, and I have only been gone a short time. Do you expect I can run that business from New Orleans?”

“No,” she said slowly, “but I expect you might recruit a few of my cousins to come back with you to help. Once you have soothed my mother’s concerns, that is.”

He thought on the suggestion a moment and then shrugged. “I will take it all under advisement. I am certainly getting too old for all of this. I do still wonder about the propriety of you riding across Texas alone with this man.”

Ellis grinned, secure in the knowledge that she had won this skirmish. “Don’t worry, Grandfather Valmont. Clay Gentry is the last man on earth I would have any romantic interest in. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to finish packing.”

She walked out of the barn with a broad smile, but she dared not let the two men she left behind see it. Instead she kept her back straight and her pace slow until she reached the stairs.

A few minutes later she returned to the barn ready to leave. Unfortunately, both Grandfather Valmont and Clay were gone.