She sat down on the edge of the porch, eye-level with the boy. "Travis, I know you'll do your best no matter what happens." She glanced at the sky, as thunder rumbled, this time closer than before.
"I know," she faltered, trying to pick her way across the words that she needed, "I know some things are beyond our control. And if we get the rain before Doc Morris comes—" She broke off, unwilling to voice her dark thoughts. Even now, Ben, Brandon, and Sam could all be lying dead.
As if he sensed her worst fears, Travis put a hand over hers in comfort. It touched her more than any words he could have spoken, and she prayed he wouldn't speak, for fear her emotions would get the best of her.
For a moment, he was silent, and she regained her composure. Then, he said, "It'll be all right, ma'am. I think the rain'll hold off a spell – long enough for Doc Morris to get here. I'm ready to go when he does. Just need a lamp to light our way in the dark."
"I don't have a gun – nothing but the old rifle and the shotgun—"
He shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. "Don't need a weapon, ma'am. My job's trackin' – that's all. Can't carry a rifle and a lantern, look for sign an' be worried about gettin' shot. That's why I need Doc Morris with me. He'll have a pistol – that's all that matters. An' besides, you might need them long arms yourself, ma'am." Surprising her, he nodded toward Tiger. "He's a good one with a gun. He's older'n he looks. Damn good shot – pardon the language, ma'am." His features hardened as he spoke, giving Allie a glimpse of what he would look like in the years to come.
His bottle green eyes were determined, but she'd seen in them an expressive quality that spoke of deep emotions he tried to cover. His hair was long, and Allie felt a sudden shame that she hadn't thought about haircuts for any of the boys, but instinctively she knew Travis would see that everyone else was taken care of before him. Had he ever been first, she wondered; ever been special?
She'd meant to comfort him, and he'd turned the tables on her, with a simple touch of his hand. But as aloof as he usually seemed, that quick grasp of his hand meant everything.
"You don't mean to come along, do you?" His question was direct. She couldn't lie to him, not with that aged look emanating from his young face, pinning her to the truth.
She shook her head and looked down. "No. Someone'll have to stay here and make sure no one else leaves." She gave him a wry grin.
He nodded, satisfied, no answering smile on his lips. "We'll handle it, ma'am. It'll be all right."
They both turned at the sound of horses. Not the two they'd expected, but to Allie's amazement, a group of men and horses she couldn't count fast enough, with Jay and James in the lead.
Owen dismounted and quickly strode to where she stood, having risen from the porch and started toward them. She'd given Travis the lantern and he stood beside her now, the other boys quick to gather around.
"Owen – what—"
"Just listen, Allie. The boys came for me like you told him to. I was eating a late dinner at the hotel restaurant, and – as you can see, some of the men from Spring Branch wanted to help."
"That's right, Allie!" Luther Thompson called. "We'll get him!"
The other men muttered in agreement.
Joe Williams' voice rose above the noise. "Jay said you have a tracker."
Allie's heart swelled, ready to burst. They had come to help. Maybe she hadn't picked wrong, as she'd told Jay, after all.
"I do," she said confidently. Unthinking, she put her arm around Travis' bony shoulders. He stiffened, but didn't pull away from her.
She looked down at him, and he gave her the first smile she'd seen since he'd come. "I've got the best. Travis Morgan."
Chapter 31
Sam and Isaac stopped just inside the woods, past the clearing. Brandon and Ben almost stumbled over them in the blackness, Brandon stopping barely in time. Another small copse of trees formed a natural canopy, breaking the strengthening wind above, and providing some shelter from the coming rain. There was only a faint flickering through the thickness of the leaves that could have been moonlight or lightning. It provided him a glimpse of Sam, lying on the ground where he'd stumbled and fallen, or where Isaac had shoved him down, Brandon thought. The anger surged through him again.
Sam glared up at his captor, murder in his eyes. Thunder rumbled above them.
"Stay here," Brandon whispered to Ben. "I'm going to try to get on the other side."
Ben wet his lips, bobbing his head. Brandon moved away, fading into the darkness, thankful for the swelling rush of the wind that muffled his footsteps at this close range.
Isaac knelt on the ground by Sam. "Got your little gun with you?" The question mocked, but was wary.
Sam didn't answer.