Thank you, Lord. I’ve taken on so much on my own, but I see now you send help just when I need it.
Ahead, she heard the splash of the falls. And a voice, strident and demanding.
“Where are you, boy? Get out here, now!”
Her spirits leaped with her steps, and she shifted her rifle to grab Will’s shoulder with one hand. “He escaped!”
Will stopped and turned, finger to his lips. Then he motioned Elijah and Private O’Reilly to the right and Lercher and Smith to the left. With a nod to Kate, he crept forward, his own rifle at the ready.
She had to force her feet to slow when all she wanted was to dash down the path to Danny. Instead, she followed Will into the dip around the falls.
The man she had known as Mr. Jones was standing at the edge of the pool, rifle cradled in his arms, one foot up on a boulder as mist swirled around him. But she nearly cried out in thanks when she realized Danny was nowhere in sight.
“That’s enough, Jessup!” Will shouted over the tumble of the falls. “Drop the gun.”
The poacher turned. His face was hard, eyes narrowed. The buckskins stretched across shoulders strong enough to carry a bison’s head. How could she have ever taken him for infirm?
He leveled the rifle on them even as Will’s gun came up. “Looks like we’re at a draw, Lieutenant.”
Kate aimed her rifle as well. “Not even close.”
From the northeast, Smith and Lercher stepped out of the trees. From the northwest, Elijah and Private O’Reilly raised their guns. O’Reilly spit.
Jessup shook his head and lowered the gun.
“Set it down and raise your hands,” Will ordered.
Left with no other choice, the poacher complied.
“Where’s Danny?” Kate demanded as Elijah and Private O’Reilly moved in to take him into custody.
“I have no idea,” Jessup said, jerking as O’Reilly tied his hands behind him. “He’s a clever young man, your son. Led me up a creek and disappeared.”
28
No! Danny had to be here. Once more, Kate glanced around, searching for an ever-moving body, so precious, so dear.
“He’s hiding,” Will said beside her. “Call to him.”
“Danny!” She raised her voice as loud as she could, each word a prayer. “Daniel Tobias Tremaine! Come out! It’s safe.”
Something shifted in the shadows behind the falls, and the spray parted as Danny darted through. Kate dropped her gun and ran to meet him as he waded through the shallows.
She hugged his trembling wet body close, thanksgiving as swift as the falling water. A moment more, and two strong arms wrapped around them both. She leaned against Will, warm, safe.
“I knew you’d come,” Danny said, teeth chattering. “I knew you could find me.”
“You were very brave and very clever,” Kate assured him, refusing to let him go.
“I just had to wait,” Danny said. “I knew Lieutenant Prescott would come, because he protects people and animals, and he’s going to be my pa. Right, Lieutenant?”
Kate turned to meet Will’s gaze over Danny’s head. His surprise at the statement quickly melted into something more.
“Right, Danny,” he said, though his gaze held hers. “If your mother wants me.”
Danny squirmed to look at her. “Please, Ma? I think he’d make a real good pa.”
“So do I,” Kate said, heart full.
Will bent and kissed her softly, a promise, a pledge she held to her heart. Then he straightened. “And I know what a good pa would say now. Let’s get you warm and dry.”
While Elijah and Private O’Reilly stood guard over Jessup, Private Smith and Will took off their cavalry coats and bundled Danny in them. Kate couldn’t seem to stop hovering. Though she knew Danny could walk, she picked him up and carried him away from the waterfall, until Will took the burden from her.
Like so many of my burdens, Lord. You knew what I needed, even when I never thought to ask.
She stood for a moment, watching her son and the man she loved walk down the path. Danny’s hands were laced behind Will’s neck, and he grinned at her over Will’s shoulder. She could trust Will, with her heart and with Danny’s. She had never thought such a thing possible.
With an awe as great as any she’d felt in this wondrous park, she followed them back to the inn.
Jessup didn’t speak until they came out into the yard.
“You can escort me out of the park again, but you know I’ll be back,” he warned.
As Kate drew level with Will, Danny looked to her, eyes wide. She put her hand on his leg.
Will lifted him closer too. “Not this time, Jessup. Kidnapping a child is against the law in any state. We’ll deliver you to the authorities in Evanston.”
Private Smith smiled at the poacher. “And if they are inclined to allow you to go free, you won’t get far. We’ll have your likeness posted at every stop. Each cavalryman, hotelier, and visitor in the park will know who you are.”
Danny sagged against Will in obvious relief.
Kate took charge of her son on the hotel veranda as Alberta rushed out to hug them and Private Franklin went to join his detachment.
“He’ll be all right?” Will murmured, hand on Danny’s shoulder.
“He’ll be fine,” Kate promised.
“I need to alert Mammoth Hot Springs and see about a detail to take Jessup north. When I get back, we must talk.”
“About a great many things,” Kate agreed.
He bent closer. “About only one thing. I love you, Kate, and I want to spend the rest of my life making you and Danny happy.”
“Now that,” Kate said, “is a duty I’d be proud to share, Lieutenant.”
He kissed her, quick and sure, then headed for Bess. And Kate walked into her inn, an engaged woman.
An engaged woman!
She
