Brave the Wild Wind

Chapter 3

LATE that night Rachel became anxious over Jessica’s absence. She had already asked Chase to check the outbuildings, but he had returned alone, shaking his head. Jessica kept strange hours, but she had never been so late before. Her mother began to imagine all kinds of terrible possibilities.

She went in search of Jeb, Chase following her. He was getting annoyed with this elusive daughter who had, apparently, no concern for anyone’s feelings.

They found Jeb in the stable nursing a sick colt. He gave the clear impression of not wanting to be bothered by them. Chase was certain that Rachel was only wasting her time, for he had asked the old man earlier if the girl had returned. Jeb had answered tersely that it was plain to see she wasn’t there.

“Jeb, please, if Jessica is here—” Rachel began.

“She ain’t. She came in, saw you had company, and rode off again.”

“Rode off? For how long?”

“Can’t say.”

“Well, when did she leave?”

“Couple hours ago.”

“She should be back soon, shouldn’t she?” Rachel asked hopefully.

Jeb didn’t look up once. “Don’t reckon so.”

“Why not?”

“She was pretty fired up when she took off— like she used to get when she’d fight with her pa. I don’t reckon we’ll be seein‘ the little gal for a week or two, at least.”

“What?”

Jeb finally glanced up at Rachel. She seemed so stricken that he relented. “If it were last year, she’d probably be gone only a few days, ‘cause she used to go to the Anderson homestead about ten miles from here. She’d go there to spite her pa because he refused to allow her any more schoolin’. Mr. Anderson was a teacher back East.”

Rachel was surprised. “Then she did continue her education?”

“I reckon so.” Jeb chuckled. “But as I was sayin‘, she might’ve gone there last year, but the Andersons went back East.”

“Then what’s the point in mentioning it, Mr. Hart?” Chase demanded.

Rachel put her hand on his arm to stop him, having learned that Jeb Hart went about saying things in his own way. He never volunteered information, and when he did get to talking, it was a long, drawn-out affair.

“Never mind that, Jeb,” she said quickly. “If you could just tell me where you think she might have gone.”

“She didn’t say,” he answered brusquely, returning his attention to the colt.

“Do you have any idea where she went, Jeb? I’m worried sick.”

“It won’t relieve your mind none if you know,” he warned.

“Please, Jeb!”

He hesitated, then shrugged. “She’ll likely be visitin‘ her Indian friends. And she won’t come back until she’s ready.”

“Indians? But are they... will she be safe with them?”

“I reckon she’ll be as safe with them as she would be anywhere else.”

“I didn’t know there were Indians near here,” Rachel muttered absently, thoroughly confused.

“There aren’t. They’re a good three, four days’ ride from here, dependin‘ on how much of a hurry she’s in.”

“You’re not serious!” Rachel gasped, her eyes widening. “You mean she’ll be traveling alone for three or four days, camping out alone?”

“She’s always done it.”

“Why did you let her go?” Rachel demanded, fear making her sound sharper than she meant to.

But Jeb said simply, “You can’t stop that gal from doin‘ somethin’ she’s set on doin‘. Ain’t you found that out yet?”

Rachel turned to Chase, her blue eyes pleading.

“Will you go after her? I can’t stand to think of her out there alone. She’s only been gone a few hours, Chase. You could find her tonight.”

“Rachel—”

“Please, Chase.”

Looking into those enormous blue eyes, there was no way he could refuse. He sighed. “I’m not the best tracker, but I’ll find her somehow. Now where is this Indian reservation she’s heading for?”

“That would be the Shoshone reservation, wouldn’t it, Jeb?” Rachel said. She didn’t wait for him to answer. “It’s northwest of here. You shouldn’t have to go very far, though. She wouldn’t ride all night, would she, Jeb?”

This time she waited for Jeb to answer. He was looking at them as if they were crazy. “I reckon she’ll bed down somewhere for the night.”

“There, you see,” Rachel said to Chase. “If you just follow the mountains north, you should be able to find her easily.”

“Just don’t expect us back before morning, Rachel. She’s got a couple of hours on me.”

“No matter how long it takes, I’ll feel better just knowing you’re out looking for her.”

Jeb watched the stranger saddle up and ride out. Nice piece of horseflesh, he admitted grudgingly. Too bad the poor creature would be riding days on end for no reason. Well, it wasn’t Jeb’s fault they assumed Jessie’s Indians were reservation Indians. He hadn’t felt obliged to set them straight. His loyalty was to Jessie, no one else. He knew Jessie wouldn’t like being followed. Wasn’t she in a fit because of that man? Wasn’t he why she’d left?

It was just as well Jeb hadn’t explained that Jessie was riding to the Powder River region, an area the Army had conceded to the Indians in 1868. It was the hunting grounds of the Northern Cheyenne and their fearsome Sioux allies. When Chase Summers returned, empty-handed, in a week or so, that would be the time to set him straight. He would no doubt thank Jeb for saving him from venturing into hostile Indian territory.

Why, I probably saved his life by keeping my mouth shut, Jeb reasoned. After that, he didn’t give the matter another thought.