Dane runs into the water and grabs his son, followed by Steele who is quick to help. Vanessa watches as they lay him on the ground and encourage him to cough up some of the water. She covers her mouth in a quiet sob of relief when he is helped to a sitting position. Pierce stumbles to his knees beside Harris.
“Man, you owe me big time,” Pierce pants.
“Yes, I do.” Harris glances at his family and grins until his eyes meet hers. “Come here,” he orders.
She sobs and runs to him falling into his body. He wraps one good arm around her and holds her close. “Harris!” she sobs into his neck.
His family watch in surprise but are smart enough not to say anything.
“How far behind us do you think they are?” Pierce asks his Father.
“I’m not sure. We need to get to the horses and go. Can you ride?” Dane asks them.
“Do we have a choice?” Vanessa pushes back from Harris and watches him carefully.
“You hurt your arm?” she gasps.
“We are lucky that was all we hurt,” he stands, and Steele helps her to her feet, stripping his coat off and draping it around her shoulders.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
“I’ll get the horses,” Steele runs to his horse as Dane and Pierce move away to give them a moment alone.
“Vanessa,” Harris lifts her chin and kisses her softly. “We have to go.”
“I know,” she wrings the water from her hair and smiles, “I’m ready,”
He holds out a hand, “Nahma.”
“Always, together,” she says gripping his good hand.
Chapter 36
Harris pulled Vanessa from her horse a few hours into the ride and held her against his chest while they rode. Exhaustion beats at her and she is thankful for the support. His body heat feels amazing, she wraps her arms around his waist and burrows in, falling asleep instantly.
“How’s the arm?” Steele asks.
He glances down at his treasure and grins. “Never felt better.”
“You’ve got it bad,” Pierce teases and they all laugh softly.
“How much longer do you think they will track us?”
“We should have a few hour head start, unless they decide to jump,” Dane glances at his son and shakes his head.
“I’d say they will have two hours down and that gives us a four-hour head start. I doubt they’d go this far, but I’m not taking any chances with her life,” Harris says.
A few hours later and Harris hands Vanessa over to Steele who grins at him when she wraps her arms around his waist and doesn’t wake up. “Poor thing is exhausted,” Dane murmurs.
“Another two hours and we will stop,” Harris snaps.
“Why? I’m gladly hold her all the way home. She doesn’t weigh more than Violet.”
Harris glares at him, “I’m not against hurting you, brother.”
Pierce and Dane watch the exchange, smiling. “Keep moving, boys.” Dane says and rides up next to Harris. “Drink this,” Dane snaps and offers him a flask.
“Pop!” Harris laughs and gladly accepts the whiskey hoping it will help the throbbing in his body. Every bone and muscle aches and his arm is on fire. He couldn’t hold her and stay in his saddle. It killed him to hand her over but he’s glad she’s sleeping through this.
“When we get home, I’m locking the door to my cabin and not leaving for a month!” Harris grumbles as he takes another swallow and welcomes the heat burning its way down to his empty stomach.
Later they stop to make camp and Vanessa is ordered by four Rivers men to sit and not move. As soon as they leave to gather wood, she paces, stretching and struggles with the pain in her body. Dane watches her closely and walks to the woods, coming back with his flask from Harris.
“Drink this, Kimani, it will help with the pain,” Dane offers.
“Thank you,” she sips and coughs, making a horrible face. She stares at him in surprise when he encourages her to take a bigger swallow.
“It will help take the edge off. One more big swallow, don’t hold it in your mouth, just shoot it back,” he suggests.
Vanessa nods and does as he suggest before handing it back with burning and watering eyes. He grins and guides her back to the fire.
“Come sit down, and you sip on that from time, to time.”
They sit quietly while Dane pulls out his pipe.
“Will your family be okay with Harris bringing me home?” Vanessa asks as Dane packs his pipe.
His smile flashes, “Of course. You are family, Kimani, you always have been.” He puffs, and she smiles at the familiar scent of tobacco.
“Family?” She stares at him with an expression of hope in her eyes.
“Yes. You’ve been a part of our lives since your Father found you.”
Steele walks over with his bedroll and clears a place on the ground for it, listening quietly as they talk.
Vanessa drops her eyes from his, “I’m not sure how to feel about anything. I feel so guilty, Dane, for surviving. Yet the other half of my soul is happy to be with Harris, how do I reconcile the two halves?”
“You need to grieve the loss. Together, we will grieve with you, love you and support you.” Dane smiles when she nods and continues building a fire. “I’ll gather more wood.”
Steele sits down next to the fire and glances at Vanessa as she stares into the flames. “People who’ve never experienced loss don’t understand.” Her eyes flick to him in surprise.
“What do
