“And you will not sway in this decision?” Adam said, knowing that he wouldn’t, and also knowing that it made no difference what Sage demanded of his daughter. Adam knew that nothing would keep them apart, even if it meant meeting in secret.
“Never,” Sage said, firmly lifting his chin.
“Then I see no choice but to agree to your terms,” Adam said. “We can now shake on a renewal of our friendship?” He extended his hand, smiled at Runner as he shook it, his eyes gleaming as Sage shook it in turn. “Runner, will you go with me to Gallup in a couple of days, to travel as friends, to seal the bond again by joining activities now of men, instead of boys?” Adam added.
“Why Gallup?” Runner asked.
“I’d rather not say now,” Adam said, clasping a hand on Runner’s shoulder. “Please trust that what I have planned will be a great time for old friends.”
Runner looked over at his father, who stood unmoving, neither approving nor disapproving.
“Gallup it is,” Runner said, deciding suddenly.
Adam’s eyes looked into Runner’s, behind them a hidden hunger for vengeance. More than once he had been humiliated at the hands of the Navaho.
He would have his own turn to be the one to do the humiliating—in Gallup.
Sage had decided that enough time had passed, and the Navaho had readied themselves for the midnight jaunt to Damon Stout’s ranch. Runner had not been able to get Adam off his mind since their meeting the week before. He did not trust this instant friendship that his old friend was offering. There had to be a hidden motive.
Runner had decided to play along, to see what the motive might be. But now, while riding on his stallion, Runner tried to center his attention on the task at hand. Thunder Hawk rode on his left side, Sage on his right, their eyes eagerly searching through the night for anyone who might discover them in the act of horse stealing.
Sage had told Thunder Hawk that horse stealing was not something that was to be done often. It was done only at times to teach those who stole from the People that a Navaho was not so easily tricked.
They finally arrived at Damon’s corral, the moon blessedly covered by a dark shroud of clouds to hide their activities.
Runner roped a fence post and rode away on his horse, the post ripping free from the ground. Sage rode into the corral, Thunder Hawk beside him.
Sage looked at his youngest son in wonder. Thunder Hawk knew too easily where to go and pick out the horses that were theirs, and how to chase them down and rope them.
Runner also watched the ease with which his younger brother helped his father take the horses from the corral, as though practiced. He recalled the times when he had found his brother riding alone at night, tasting freedom, and wondered if Thunder Hawk might have also been practicing the art of stealing horses.
Thunder Hawk had no horses of his own. He couldn’t accuse his brother of something that he could not prove.
Runner continued watching Thunder Hawk, no longer seeing him as just a young man who was being forced to attend school. He saw that his brother had turned into a man.
Chapter 16
Say thou lovest me, while thou live,
I to thee my love will give,
Never dreaming to deceive
While that life endures.
—ANONYMOUS
As Stephanie stared down at her rumpled bed, she buttoned her blouse. No matter how hard she had tried, she couldn’t go to sleep tonight. Although Adam had apologized to Sage and Runner, she worried about his sincerity. She could not imagine Adam giving in that easily, not even for her. If he was playing games, she could be the loser—she could lose Runner.
“I need a breath of air,” she said, smoothing her hands down the front of her skirt. Perhaps a ride on her horse would provide an escape from her thoughts. And if that didn’t wear her out, nothing would.
Grabbing up her holstered derringer, she fastened it around her waist. As she put on a lightweight leather coat, she looked through the window and could see a light on in Adam’s private car.
“He’s awake,” she whispered to herself.
She had to make sure he didn’t hear her and stop her. She had to have this time alone, away from the train, away from him. Away from everyone.
Stepping lightly, she left her private car. She glanced over at Adam’s door, watching to see if he had heard the door close.