The man had a severe expression. “We’re on our way to right here. This is Trace Riley’s ranch, ain’t it?”
Touching the brim of his hat, Trace said, “That’s me.”
The man, for all his toughness, heaved a sigh of relief. “We made it. Thank heavens, the snow’s getting powerful deep. This is my sister, Penny Scott, and my name’s Cameron.”
Trace’s eyes shifted to the other rider and realized it was a woman. Dressed like a man but with female eyes, which was about all he could see of her face.
“Little Ronnie is named for you,” Deb said quietly as she emerged from her room.
Trace glanced back. He’d hoped she would stay in the room longer. But if this was Cameron Scott, there was no reason to believe there was danger lurking about.
“I’m sorry about your brother and his wife,” Deb went on. “But the children are in fine health. I rode out west with your family. The children and I survived the wagon train massacre. I’ll tell you everything that happened over supper.”
“There’ll be no time for talking. We’ve got to get the children and go before the snow buries all the trails.”
“Get them and go? You mean right now?” Deb’s eyes widened in horror, though Trace also saw grief. She was as much in love with those children as he was.
“Yep, we’re going to have to rush. This is my first Nevada winter, though I rode the area with the cavalry some. Go get the youngsters.”
“You can’t take them,” Deb said.
Scott scowled at her. “Of course we can.”
To Trace he had the look of a man more used to giving orders than taking them. Some kind of officer, no doubt.
Deb turned to Trace with pleading eyes. He’d have taken her side no matter what, but his reasons were more practical. “Scott, I don’t know how far you have to go, but a couple of adults might be able to fight their way over the trails for a while, but you’ll kill those little ones.”
Scott quit glaring and turned to look straight through the wall, thinking about what he’d just ridden through. Trace held his peace because Scott looked like a sensible man, and Trace had spoken no more than the truth.
When there was no word of agreement coming from him, Trace said, “They’ll be fine here with us for the winter. Come back for them in the spring.”
Scott’s shoulders sagged. “You’re right. I might be able to make it home—Penny too, who’s as tough as they come—but not the children.”
Penny spoke up for the first time, her voice deep for a woman. “We’re not leaving them, Riley. If they can’t go, then we’ll stay. Where do we sleep until spring?”
Trace hadn’t considered that. He really didn’t want two more people in his cabin. It was already full with five people. It’d be mighty crowded for seven, and he was plumb sick and tired of building houses for all and sundry.
“I’m not leaving my daughter and nephew behind.” Scott’s expression was stubborn, like it’d take a stick of dynamite to get rid of him. “I’ve been away from them for too long already. If they can’t go, then we’ll stay. We both homesteaded. We’ll build a lean-to cabin on the property line so we can prove up. I left a small herd in a corral out of the wind where they’ll find water and food enough. What other things we have, well, there’s likely too much snow for anyone to get to it and steal our things. We don’t have to worry about being gone.”
“I’ll put your horses up,” Adam said. “You folks get warm.” He left the cabin. He’d never gotten his coat off after he came in with the firewood.
Utah, Trace noticed, stayed off to the side. He looked more relaxed now but still alert. And he had a little smirk on his face.
Utah said, “Trace, I reckon you and Scott here oughta spend the winter in the bunkhouse with us cowpokes.”
“I want to stay near my children,” Scott protested.
At the same instant, Trace said, “I want to stay with my wife.”
“Guess I’d better get a fire going in the bunkhouse.” Utah’s smirk turned into a chuckle. “Gonna be an interesting winter.” He spun on his heel and walked out.
CHAPTER
30
Deb hurried forward and took the woman’s arm. “Come to the fire. Trace and I are just in from a ride to Carson City, and I am still half frozen.”
The woman went with her, but she wasn’t shivering, nor did she seem likely to tear her shoes off and roast her toes by the fire.
“Sit in the rocker and just rest awhile.” Deb helped her shed her coat and other outer garments.
Penny gave her a confused look. “I’ll stand, thank you.”
“Cameron, come by the fire.” Penny stretched out her hands to warm them. “Mrs. Riley, would you please bring the children out so that Scott can see Maddie Sue. I lived with Abe and Delia until Cam and I headed west—that was before Ronnie was born. I doubt Maddie Sue remembers me, but I remember her and have pined to see her again and also meet little Ronnie.”
Cameron’s expression turned grim. “There’s no chance Maddie Sue’ll remember me. She knew me for only a few weeks after the war.”
Deb couldn’t help but feel bad for the poor man. She hung up Penny’s coat, scarf, hat, and gloves on a peg by the front door, then hurried to Gwen’s bedroom door and knocked. “Come on out, Gwen. Maddie Sue’s pa is here.”
A gasp from behind the door told Deb her sister hadn’t understood what they’d been talking about until now. The door remained closed.
Deb knew exactly how Gwen felt.
Finally, slowly, the door inched open. Deb waited patiently.
At last Deb could see Gwen, and see the way she clung to the children, one on each hip, looking as if opening that door was breaking her heart. Gwen slowly stepped
