Smith smiled. “I didn’t need to cheat. But that didn’t matter. I soon learned I was safest among well-armed men. So, I joined the military and ended up in the cavalry.”
“I’m guessing that means Smith isn’t your real name.”
He shuddered. “Certainly not. But it serves its purpose. So, you see, Lieutenant, I know how it feels to run from your past.”
“You should also know that I’ve told Mrs. Tremaine about mine.”
Smith pressed his fingertips together. “Oh, happy day. That only leaves the rest of the detachment.”
Will shook his head. “Tell, then, if it suits you. I will work the rest of my life to atone for that day. If Lercher, Waxworth, and the others want to be reassigned, I’ll understand.”
Smith clucked his tongue. “How noble. And shortsighted. I just gave you everything you need to blackmail me in return, Lieutenant. Consider it my wedding gift.”
Will stared at him. “Why would you do that?”
Smith leaned closer. “Because you actually are the better man, whether you want to believe it or not.” He straightened. “And here comes the lovely Mrs. Tremaine, apparently still concerned.”
Will turned. Kate hurried toward them, face tight and pale. He felt as if someone had struck his spine with a hammer, her fear ricocheting up him.
“Will,” she said breathlessly as she reached his side, “Elijah said Danny went for lemonade, but he wasn’t in the kitchen, and he didn’t answer my call. Something terrible has happened. I know it.”
27
Kate’s heart raced with her thoughts. Where could Danny be that he didn’t answer her? He knew not to stray far from the inn. Could those riders have returned, kidnapped him?
Will took her in his arms. For once, his strength brought little comfort.
“It’s all right, Kate,” he said against her hair. “We’ll find him. Go get Alberta and Mr. Jones.” He pulled back and nodded to his man. “Smith, fetch Elijah.”
The private dashed for the barn. It dawned on Kate that it was the first time she’d ever seen him run.
She managed a breath, then made herself return to the hotel. Once again, the place felt empty, and she knew it was because of the lack of a little boy. Fear tiptoed closer, reached for her. She shoved through the door to the kitchen and Alberta’s warmth.
Moments later, only five of them regrouped on the porch.
“I rapped on Mr. Jones’s door,” Kate told Will. “And peeked inside. He wasn’t there.”
“He left a while ago,” Alberta supplied, shifting on her feet so that her skirts swept the porch. “Asked me to pack him a big lunch. Should I have told you?”
“No,” Kate said. “It doesn’t matter now. The important thing is to find Danny.”
Alberta nodded, face pinched and hands wrapped in her apron.
Will stepped forward. “Elijah, Alberta, search the inn, the barn, and the outbuildings, especially any place Danny might hole up. He could have fallen asleep somewhere and just isn’t hearing our calls.”
Elijah nodded. Alberta pulled her hands free to give one of Kate’s a squeeze. “We’ll find him,” she promised. She and Elijah went back inside.
Another time, Kate might have taken umbrage that Will thought he must lead them all, but right now she was grateful for his command. The fear had reached her side, was wrapping steel-cold arms around her, and she felt no more useful than the night Toby had been killed.
Don’t let me panic, heavenly Father. Help me be strong for my son.
Will turned to his private. “Smith, go to the station and bring back the rest of the men.”
Smith didn’t argue. He went for his horse.
Kate touched Will’s arm. “What about us? If you ask me to sit here on the veranda, I’ll go mad with worry.”
“I would never ask you to sit and wait,” he said, covering her hand with his. “There’s one place Danny might prefer. We should check our special spot.”
Their special spot. Relief was swift, but fear immediately regrouped, dug its fingers into her heart. To go so far, alone? What if Danny met a cougar, a bear? And the bison! Her son knew how to behave around the great beasts, but would Big Bertha take exception to his presence? Kate broke away from Will, lifted her skirts, and ran down the steps. Will was right beside her.
They sped past the edge of the geyser field, steam parting before them, and thudded across the footbridge so quickly the planks shook under her feet. Will took her elbow to help her over the rougher parts of the trail, but their rush still felt agonizingly slow. Every moment counted.
As they approached the first meadow, she wanted to shout Danny’s name, but she pressed her lips against her teeth to keep them closed. If he was out among the bison, she could cause a stampede by any sudden movement or sound. She slowed her steps, trying not to think about those heavy hooves, sharp horns, and massive bodies colliding with her son.
Will caught her arm as they reached the meadow, keeping her in the shade of the pines. She stared out across the rippling grass and slumped.
“They aren’t here.”
Will nodded. “And neither is Danny. Quickly. We’ll check the upper meadow.”
But it was the same there. Even the bison had disappeared, as if fleeing an unknown enemy.
Her breath hitched. “Oh, Will, where can he be?”
Will cupped his hands around his mouth. “Danny Tremaine!” he bellowed, sound no longer important. “General Tremaine! Report for duty! Now!”
The words echoed against the hillsides, but no voice piped up to answer, and no little boy came running out of the trees.
But something moved on the far edge of the meadow, with a back as humped as a bison’s. The grizzly stopped, head swinging in their direction. A low, guttural growl rumbled out.
Kate couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. She hung on to one thing.
Please, Lord, not my son. Protect him as only you can. Keep him safe.
Will stepped between the bear and her. “Don’t run, Kate.”
“Not this time,” she said. “That thing is not going to stop
