Emma stood on the porch, squinting into the late-morning sun, her hands worrying her apron as she watched Shaun and three of the men ride into the yard. They had ridden out yesterday morning to search for Kaylee. Her heart sank at the dejected slope of their shoulders.
Shaun swung off his horse. He tossed the reins to one of the men, watched as they moved off toward the corral. Heaving a sigh, he climbed the stairs to the porch. The look in his eyes said it all.
Emma sagged as the strength seemed to go out of her legs. Shaun's arm around her waist was all that kept her upright.
"Still nothing?" she asked.
"We found some tracks that had been made after the storm died down," Shaun said. "Two shod horses. One set of prints belonged to Dusty—I put those shoes on her myself. We found some unshod pony tracks, too. One was dragging a travois. I left the rest of the men camped on the trail. We're going to need more men and some fresh horses."
"Oh, Shaun . . ."
"No sense crying until we know if there's something to cry about," he said, not unkindly. "Go on now," he added briskly. "Tell Roscoe to pack enough grub to last a dozen men four or five days. And tell him to load it on a packhorse. A chuck wagon will only slow us down."
Emma nodded, relieved to have something to do, but she couldn't put the Indian's image out of her mind, couldn't help wondering if she had given aid to a man who had repaid her kindness by killing Kaylee and leaving her body for the wolves and coyotes.
By midday half a dozen Double R cowhands were mounted and ready to ride. Shaun had sent word to Garth Jackson, who had shown up with another half-dozen men and enough rifles and handguns to start a war.
Emma stood beside Shaun. "Please find her."
"Don't worry," Shaun said. "We'll—" He broke off as two of the Double R cowhands who had been out checking cattle on the east range rode up leading an Indian pony. "What the hell?"
Emma's eyes widened when she saw that the pony Grady was leading carried a dead brave tied to its back.
For a moment she thought, hoped, it was the Indian who had stolen her daughter. But as they came closer, she could see that the dead warrior was not nearly the size of the man she had tended.
"Caught him riding through the herd," Grady said. "There were two of 'em. The other redskin got away."
"Damned Injuns," Shaun muttered. "This part of the country won't be safe until they're all dead. Why the hell did you bring him here?"
Grady shrugged. "Thought we'd dump him in the ravine that runs behind the south pasture and then turn his horse loose. Me and Rocky didn't think it would be a good idea to leave the body lying out there on our range where his kin might find him and decide to retaliate. You know?"
Shaun grunted. "I guess you're right. You two go take care of it." His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Hang on to that pony. Those two might have been looking for the redskin who kidnapped Kaylee. Could be that pony might lead us to them."
"There's one other thing," Rocky said, looking uneasy.
"Shut up!" Grady said sharply.
Shaun's gaze cut from Grady to Rocky. "Go on, spit it out."
"Well"—Rocky shifted in his saddle—"I'm not sure, but I think—that is, I'm pretty sure—the other redskin had a white cloth tied to the tip of his lance."
"What the hell difference does that make?" Shaun asked brusquely. "They were trespassing on Double R land. Probably looking to steal some more of our cattle."
"What if it was a flag of truce?" Emma asked. She grabbed her husband's arm. "What if they were coming to tell us about Kaylee? Now we'll never know!"
"Calm down, woman!" Shaun said gruffly. "You don't know that."
"Why else would they be coming here with a white flag?"
"If they had Kaylee, they would have brought her. They probably . . ."
Emma looked up at her husband, the color draining from her face. "What?" Her fingers dug into his arm. "What, Shaun?"
"Go on into the house, Emma. Make yourself a cup of tea and let me take care of this."
She stared at him, her eyes dark pools of pain. "He wouldn't," she said, her voice a choked whisper. "We saved his life. Oh, my poor Kay . . ."
Shaun wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulders, afraid she might faint. "Grady, you and Rocky go dump that body, and then tell Noah I want a couple of the hands to stay close to the house till I get back."
"Right, boss."
"I'm right sorry about your daughter," Rocky told Emma. He glanced briefly at Shaun, then turned and rode after Grady.
"Not as sorry as those damned redskins will be when we find them," Garth said.
Shaun patted his wife's arm, then swung into the saddle. "Don't worry, Emma. We'll find her."
Emma nodded, but deep in her heart she was afraid it was already too late.