In the darkness Ethan’s mare picked her way through the stony banks of the creek, and Ethan cursed his foolish heart for not thinking to bring along a lantern. But he was so eager to see Jesse again that he hadn’t thought of anything beyond grabbing together a handful of blankets and a few pillows that he had rolled into a makeshift bedroll and tacked behind his saddlebags before climbing onto his mare. He doubled back on his trail a few times like he read about in the penny dreadfuls from home but no one followed him. He almost wished someone had, because then he wouldn’t have to deal with the dark and the bubbling creek underfoot, and the dampness that splashed against his pants whenever his mare stumbled into the water…
Strong hands took the reins from him. “Jesse?” he whispered
The
