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Where these people I love abide will always be home to me.
~ Seth
This day had been unlike anything Seth expected. So much better. So much fuller.
He stood by the fence in the dim light of the moonless sky, taking a minute to enjoy his gelding’s company before going inside for the night. In truth, he needed a moment to clear his head.
It still seemed almost too wonderful that Rachel had accepted his proposal. After spending more time than they should have on their walk, she’d slipped her hand in his as they meandered back to Noelle’s cabin.
The request she made of him on that return trek was what now had his mind churning. She wanted to find her brother before they wed. Wanted him to be there for the ceremony.
Of course she did. She needed her own family here, especially the one relation she still seemed to hold affection for. He couldn’t deny her—wouldn’t deny her.
But he also couldn’t deny the fact that finding one man in the midst of this vast wilderness could be nearly impossible. Lead me to him, Lord. Please.
Maybe Henry would still be at Fort Hamilton as he’d been the last time he wrote to Rachel. About a year ago, she'd said.
At least she agreed to let Seth ride on to find him alone, leaving her and Andy at Noelle’s home. With both his brothers and his brother-in-law here to protect them, he didn’t worry about their safety. And time with Noelle might be good for Rachel. A chance to play with all the youngsters would surely be fun for Andy. Like having cousins he’d never known about.
And these would truly become his cousins.
A grin tugged his face. You’ve given so much more than I deserve, Lord. Thank you.
With the prayer on his lips, he gave the horse a final pat and turned toward the cabin. Light filtered through the window, drawing him toward the warmth of family—both those who’d been connected to him since birth and those who would soon be his to claim in truth.
When he pushed the door open, little Eli sprung toward him. “Guess what, Uncle Seth. Ma says we can go swimming tomorrow with Andy if you’ll take us. Will you? Please?”
He raised his gaze to the adults in the room, mainly his sister, whose mouth pursed in that look she always wore when things were playing out just as she planned.
“Where do you swim? Is there a lake I haven’t seen yet?” He turned the question to Eli, shooting a glance up at Samuel, who would hopefully be his partner in this excursion. Three exuberant bodies might be more than he could take on alone.
Samuel didn’t wear the grin he expected. Instead, he had had a serious look that struck a chord of dread in Seth’s chest.
Eli was already answering, though, so he forced himself to listen. “...it’s a creek but there’s a spot perfect for swimming. We take our lines an’ try to catch Mama fish to cook after we swim.”
The words called up memories of his own childhood, so clear they could have been memories of the week before. Again, he lifted his gaze to Samuel as he answered the boy. “That sounds like the perfect thing. Maybe your Uncle Samuel will come along. He’s always been the better fisherman.”
“Yeah.” Eli turned his blond head and pleading eyes to his other uncle. “You’ll come, too, won’t you? I’m not too good at the fishing part.”
Samuel reached out and tousled the boy’s head. “’Fraid I can’t this time, but I’ll take you fishing sometime soon.” He raised his gaze to Seth, all hint of mirth slipping from his eyes. “Rachel said you’re going on to Fort Hamilton to look for her brother. I’d like to go instead.”
The words struck Seth like a blow, though he couldn’t say exactly why. “What do you mean? You want to go with me?”
Samuel shook his head. “Your place is here. I want to see the fort, so I’ll go without you.”
The idea made sense, but something about the proposition didn’t sit right. “Are you sure? Maybe it is best we go together.”
Samuel shook his head, determination locking his jaw. “Your place is here.”
Seth shot a look at Rachel, who sat beside Noelle. She raised her brows and gave a slight shrug, a message that clearly said, Do what you think is best. I support your decision. A trust that should warm him to the core.
Except this didn’t feel right.
He turned back to Samuel. “Why don’t we sleep on it and decide tomorrow.”
“I was planning to head out tomorrow. I’ll leave after I break my fast.”
“Tomorrow?” He wanted to grunt in frustration. “Why the rush?”
Samuel raised a brow, a grin tickling his mouth for the first time. “You want her brother here for the wedding, right?”
In other words, the sooner he went, the sooner they could be married. He couldn’t disagree with that line of thinking. And it gave him a bit of relief to see that Samuel didn’t seem reticent about him being the first to marry.
He let out a breath and scrubbed a hand through his hair. “All right. If that’s what you think should happen.” He sent a final look to Rachel to make sure she didn’t have thoughts to add. Her eyes showed simple agreement.
Easing out a breath, he finally met his brother’s gaze. “I appreciate it. Be careful, though.” Please. He may be adding another important piece to his family, but he couldn’t bear to lose this part of him. His brother. His twin.
~ ~ ~
“YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE it, Ma. I promise.”
Rachel couldn’t help a smile at her son, especially since this was the fourth time he’d said the words since she agreed to go swimming with them. “I hope so.”
But love might be too much to hope for. She’d settle for tolerate.
She followed her son out of the cabin and down the porch steps. Noelle’s husband and children were hitching the wagon she and Seth would take to the swimming hole.
Just then, Seth and Samuel stepped from the barn, Samuel’s horse ambling behind him.
Saddled and ready to leave.
A pang pressed her chest at the sight. She hated to make him leave again after they’d just arrived here. Maybe she should go herself instead of asking either of the brothers to attend her errand. Seth would surely hate the idea, and she wasn’t fond of it herself. Not with the reputation for drinking and carousing Fort Hamilton had gained.
Samuel shook his brother’s hand, then turned and climbed astride his big red gelding in a fluid motion. Both men turned toward her and Andy.
Samuel offered a grin as he neared. “Enjoy the swim. I’ll be back in a week or so with your brother.”
She raised a hand to shield her eyes from the sun. “You have the letter I wrote to him?”
He patted his pack. “Tucked in oilcloth so nothing can hurt it.”
She smiled her thanks. “I’m sorry to ask this of you, but you have my thanks.”
His grin tipped more on one side than the other, that same look Seth could accomplish. “I’m glad to see the country.” With a final glance around, he raised his hand in farewell. “See you soon.”
As his horse found its traveling stride, Rachel turned her gaze to Seth. The man looked almost lost standing alone in the yard, staring out after his brother. She moved to his side and slipped her hand in his. He wove their fingers together and pressed her hand against his leg, as though he needed all the contact he could get just now.
She studied his profile, the tight line of his jaw. The worry creases at the edge of his eyes. “Are you concerned?”
He let out a long breath and turned to her. “I don’t know if I am or not. He should be fine, but something doesn’t feel quite right.” Then his face eased into a smile. Not his wide grin, but a real smile, nonetheless. “Now I’m placing him in God’s hands. And we’re all going swimming, right?”
He turned to Andy. “Did you tell your ma she’s gonna love this? ’Cause we’ll make sure she does.”
“I did.” Andy nodded in full agreement.
She couldn’t help but laugh. “I hope this is half as good as you’re both building it up to be.”
A twinkle lit Seth’s gaze as he slipped an arm around her waist and turned her toward the barn where the sound of children’s voices called to them. “It’ll be better than good.”
And as she strolled to the barn nestled in Seth’s hold, her son whistling a cheery tune beside her, she couldn’t help sending a silent prayer upward. Thank you, Lord, for bringing me home.
THE END
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:
1 John 4:18 (KJV)
If you enjoyed Seth and Rachel’s story, you won’t want to miss book 6 in the Heart of the Mountains series! This Daring Journey picks up where this book finishes, and tells Samuel’s. Here’s a peek at the beginning!
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Chapter One
“What hornet’s nest have I stepped into now?”
~ Samuel
LATE AUGUST, 1869
Near Fort Hamilton, Alberta, Canada
A shot ripped through the air and Samuel Grant ducked down in his saddle. A reflexive action, because the rifle hadn’t been aimed at him.
At least, he didn’t think so.
Still the thud of his pulse accelerated. He must be nearing Henry Clark’s cabin along the Belly River. The man he’d been sent to find. Maybe Clark was hunting.
Samuel straightened and cupped a hand around his mouth to sound his presence. But another voice broke through before he could call out.
“Woman, quit yer fire and we’ll not hurt you.” A deep, tobacco-roughened tone called out somewhere in the woods ahead.
The men at the fort had said Clark built a cabin out here by the river for his wife. Was she being accosted by intruders? Where was Clark?
Reaching for his Hawken rifle, Samuel slid from his gelding as soundlessly as he could. If Henry Clark or his family were in trouble, surely they’d appreciate help. Another blast echoed as he fastened his horse to a tree. This shot sounded nearer, maybe from where the man’s voice had originated.
He gave the animal a pat, then turned his focus to the danger.
Another boom. This one’s reverberation more like the first, both from the location and the model of gun. “I said leave.” The woman’s voice was muffled by trees and distance, but he noticed something of an accent. Slight.
“You do not hear English?” Her tone held a mocking quality now. “How about French.” She let loose a melodic string of words he couldn’t comprehend. That must be her native tongue, as easily as it flowed.
The man who was crouched in the woods started to speak again, but the woman’s voice rang out, growing in pitch. Covering whatever he meant to say.
“Or perhaps you don’t understand French either. Must I speak the language of the dirty redskin for you to hear me?” The way she spat the label made it clear she disliked the ugly moniker.
Then she spoke in a high-low cadence that caught Samuel’s breath. He couldn’t understand a word—if they were meant to be words—but each syllable rang with such a fluid motion. Only a native speaker could be so comfortable piecing those sounds together. Was she Indian then?
He crept closer, moving toward her instead of to the right where the men had to be standing. The sound of another rifle shot brought him up short.
“Did that help you understand, dirty white man? None of my people would act as you have. And now I say again, leave this place.”
This woman had more spunk than a starving dog fighting for fresh meat. Could she be Clark’s wife? How far had the man gone to hunt? Surely, he’d come to his woman’s defense.
“You can spout your fancy language all day. It won’t change what we came to do.” The gravelly voice again. It held just enough leer to make Samuel’s gut churn. We meant there was more than one man trying to advance on her. “We’ve got enough fellas to quiet you down for a long time, but things’ll go better if you put your gun on the ground.”
Samuel shifted his direction toward the men again, tuning his senses to pick-up on any sound they made. As he crept forward, both warring parties fell silent.
He kept his steps as noiseless as possible, walking on the balls of his feet and straining for any sign of movement through the trees. When he caught sight of a flash of brown, approximately the color of the buckskins most of the men at the fort had worn, he ducked behind a sturdy tree. He needed to get closer so he’d have a good shot, but he’d have to wait until the men were thoroughly distracted.
A faint rustle sounded from the direction of the attackers, then half a second later, another shot exploded. A man screamed, filling the air with curses and names no woman should hear, much less be called.
“There’s more where that came from.” Her clipped words overpowered the man’s mutterings.
Samuel peeked around the tree. The men were shifting, maybe bringing back the injured man. This was his chance.
He darted forward to another tree. Closer, with not so many branches encumbering his view. There were four that he could see. Rangy mountain men, just like all the others he’d seen at the fort. Crimson smeared the shoulder of one man whom the others gathered around.
They were talking in low murmurs so he couldn’t make out what they said. But they must have reached a consensus, for the three uninjured men straightened and raised their rifles. They looked to be planning an attack. If he didn’t act now, things would be much harder soon.
Positioning his gun, he aimed down the sight at the tree just above one man’s head. Lord, let this do the trick.
He squeezed the trigger, and the bullet surged toward its target in a deafening blast and a cloud of gunpowder.
Another shout. More cursing as the men turned to find this new source of danger.
“Get down.” The one with the most gray in his full beard motioned the others toward a fallen log. The wounded man limped slower than the others, clutching his shoulder.
“That won’t help you any.” Samuel filled his voice with as much confidence as he could muster. “I have half a dozen men hiding with rifles aimed at you. And five more circling around to your rear.”
As he motioned toward the trees behind the attackers, he could see the tops of their heads spinning to locate the men he mentioned.
He pushed his advantage. “You’ll obey the lady’s orders and leave here, or I’ll tell my men to pick you off one by one. It won’t take more than four shots, you can be sure.”
The older fellow spoke. “We’ve got no trouble with you. That woman’s husband sold us this place. We’ve come to collect.”
Samuel barely bit back a growl. “By running her out of her house? Or did you plan to make her part of the bargain? Either way, you’re not collecting today. I’ll let you get your horses and ride away, but if one of you so much as looks back, I’ll give the sign for my men to let loose. Clear?”
Gray Beard raised his head a little, scanning the area. Samuel worked hard not to flinch, not to show his hand.
Just then his gelding whinnied from the trees behind him. Other horses answered, probably belonging to these men, and the cacophony filled the woods. Surrounding them.
The ruckus must have appeared to give truth to his bluff, for Gray Beard raised his hands, then eased up from behind the log. “Don’t shoot. We’ll leave. Like I said, we’ve no fight with you and your men.”
“All four of you stand up, then drop your rifles right there.” He aimed his gun at their leader, but kept his gaze circling all four of them. He wasn’t naïve enough to think these were the only weapons the villains possessed, but he was counting on their fear of his greater numbers to keep them from circling back with other guns.
When they’d laid their rifles down, he said, “Now march toward your horses and mount up. Once you’re on, I’ll give you to the count of twenty before I give my men the nod to start shooting. I suggest you be out of range by then.”
“We’ll be gone.” The men marched toward the shifting animals he could just see through the branches. Gray Beard had a stiff set to his shoulders, as though not a bit happy with being forced to leave his prize. But the injured man stumbled forward as though he may not make it to his horse. Thankfully, one of the others helped him mount.
When they were all in the saddle, he gave them one last reminder. “I start counting now.”
Gray Beard sent an annoyed scowl back his direction, then signaled his horse forward, the others following close on his animal’s tail.
In less than a minute, the crashing of the animals’ hooves through the woods died away. Eerie silence took over the area.
Samuel eased out a breath. Now he had to figure out where Henry Clark was, and why his wife had been left alone to defend herself.
And he had to make sure he didn’t get himself shot in the process.
~ ~ ~
MORIAH CLARK ANGLED her face so she could see better through the peephole between cabin logs, straining to catch any motion in the trees at the edge of the clearing. She could hear the occasional hum of male voices, but no movement. Were they spreading out to approach her from all sides? That’s what she would have done in the beginning if she’d been planning the attack. Thankfully these men weren’t so strategic.
And thankfully, she’d sensed something was wrong before the first man stepped from the trees. Before she met Henry, she would have assumed that instinct was her ancestors’ spirits warning her. Now, she could direct her thanks to the proper source.
Thank you, Lord. And please give me wisdom to know how to fend them off.
A rustling in the cradle behind her spread tension through her shoulders. Then a soft murmur. Not now, Lord. Please.
She sent a glance back as the blanket inside the wood shifted, and a tiny hand rose up from the cloth. Another mew sounded. Cherry wouldn’t be put off much longer. Moriah’s own body proclaimed how long it had been since her daughter’s last meal.
She turned back to the peephole to scan the woods again. The crash of steps sounded in the trees, too heavy for men. Horses? Were more strangers coming? Surely these intruders weren’t leaving of their own accord. Maybe she should send another shot their way.
Her daughter let out a cry, the warning kind that always preceded a full-blown wail. If she didn’t at least pick-up the babe, the men would hear and know she was more vulnerable than she pretended. She couldn’t shoot attackers and nurse an infant at the same time. So far, she’d been able to keep Cherry a secret from the rest of the world, and she couldn’t let that change now. Both their lives would be in even greater danger.
With a final scan revealing no more motion in the trees, she turned from the lookout position and laid her gun on the table, then strode toward her baby girl. She slid her hands under the bundle of blankets swaddling the little body, then scooped Cherry up and tucked her close. “It’s all right, honey. We’re safe.”
Cherry nuzzled Moriah’s neck, seeking out her long-awaited meal. The feel of her tiny, trusting daughter was almost enough to distract her from the danger outside. Or at least make her want to hide away and pretend everything in the world was as sweet and innocent as this new life.
But she couldn’t let her guard down. Cherry depended on her mother to be strong, to protect her from evil men. Her daughter had no idea yet about the ways of the world. Especially in this territory where half-Peigan women who married white men were considered nothing more than a commodity. Worth a handful of horses, if she kept her mouth shut and filled her husband’s belly.
Turning, she held her daughter close and strode back toward the peephole. She couldn’t shoot the rifle with Cherry in her arms, but with the quiet outside, maybe the men had left. Was that too much to hope for? God could perform miracles, so maybe He’d answered this prayer. Finally.
Cherry’s nuzzling became insistent as Moriah peered through the hole to the world outside. The baby banged her little mouth against Moriah’s neck to show her frustration. “It’s all right, sweet one. Wait a minute longer.” She bounced to soothe the babe, even as she tried to focus on the trees.
Something still moved out there. A blue cloth shifted among the branches, then a man stepped from the woods.
Her entire body tensed. Should she lay Cherry down so she could shoot at him? She had to. If he advanced much closer, he could charge the cabin and barge in before she could react.
But he stopped. Only a few yards away from the trees, he halted, his gun held loosely in both hands.
“Ma’am. I ran those other good-for-nothings off, and I’m not here to hurt you.” His voice rang loud in the clearing, deep and commanding. It held a civilized edge, unlike the men who’d made three attempts now to take over her cabin. Was this another of their tactics?
He spoke again. “I’ve actually come to see your husband, Henry Clark. I assume this is his place. I’m a friend of his sister, Rachel. She sent me with a letter for Henry.”
The words seemed foreign as she tried to draw them in. Henry’s sister? Had Rachel heard of her brother’s death?
Moriah’s heart thudded hard in her chest. That wasn’t possible, since she’d been careful not to let anyone know of his passing in these last six months. She’d known the harassment would start as soon as men from the fort realized a woman lived alone in this well-built cabin.
Cherry shifted again in her arms, rooting into Moriah’s neck as she renewed her search for nourishment. She grunted her dissatisfaction at being thwarted for so long.
“Ma’am. Are you kin to Henry Clark?” The man outside shifted, his patience wearing.
If he really was a friend of Henry’s sister, she owed it to Rachel to let her know of her brother’s death. Henry had been so fond of the sister he hadn’t seen in over a dozen years, he’d read her letters for weeks after receiving each one. In fact, he’d been using those missives to teach Moriah to read English.
Before the hunting trip that changed everything. Her heart squeezed at the reminder.
“Ma’am?” The man was peering toward the cabin as though he thought maybe she’d slipped out the back door. He might come investigate if she didn’t say something soon.
Cherry let out a complaint, the kind of cry that came just before the true wails. She wouldn’t be silenced much longer.
Moriah had to get rid of this man.
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And don’t miss the other book in the
Heart of the Mountains Series
Book 1
https://www.books2read.com/u/mdNPNZ
Book 2
https://www.books2read.com/u/47807L
Book 3
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Book 4
https://books2read.com/u/3G9w18
Book 5
Book 6
https://www.books2read.com/u/bOA5n0
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If you enjoyed the Heart of the Mountains Series, you’ll love the spin-off series,
Mountain Dreams Series:
Book 1
https://www.books2read.com/u/mYp5M3
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Book 2
The Lady and the Mountain Doctor
https://www.books2read.com/u/mdNGGZ
Book 3
The Lady and the Mountain Fire
https://www.books2read.com/u/478EE7
Book 4
The Lady and the Mountain Promise
https://www.books2read.com/u/bzavoD
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Book 5
The Lady and the Mountain Call
https://www.books2read.com/u/4jw11l
And don’t miss the
Wyoming Mountain Tales
Book 1
https://www.books2read.com/u/mBeoEy
Book 2
https://www.books2read.com/u/31gB17
Book 3
https://www.books2read.com/u/b5OGO6
Book 4
https://www.books2read.com/u/31gB17
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Texas Rancher Trilogy:
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https://books2read.com/u/bPJE6R
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Book 3
https://books2read.com/u/4AwVkK
About the Author
MISTY M. BELLER writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.
She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and children now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
Connect with Misty at www.MistyMBeller.com
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Dedication
To my sweet mother-in-law, Barbara.
The way you pour out your love on our family is a legacy we’ll always treasure.
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Copyright
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are the product of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
Copyright © 2019 Misty M. Beller
All rights reserved.
