Frustration thumping with every step, he reentered the house.
Amelia glanced past him. “Kat’s coming?”
“When she feels like it. She’s ridden off somewhere.” His words burned across his lips. “She’s so irresponsible.” Realizing Pa and Poppy were frightened by his vehemence, he forcedhimself to stop. Sucked in a calming breath. “She’ll be back when she’s good and ready. We might as well eat.”
Amelia studied Zach. “Is she—” She shifted her gaze to Pa and shrugged.
Zach knew what she meant. Was she safe? Did she know what she was doing? Safe enough. But no, she didn’t know what she was doing.
They ate in silence.
Gil opened his mouth several times as if he wanted to say something. Each time, he shook his head and turned back to his food.
Zach found it difficult to swallow the savory stew. When would his life get easier? And no, he didn’t want the answer to be never.
Pa cleared his throat, bringing attention to him. “‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’” He nodded his head and then resumed eating.
Did he know he’d quoted a Bible verse? Did he think it was appropriate for the situation? Had he guessed at Zach’s frustration? He patted Pa’s hand. “Thanks for that reminder.”
Poppy patted Pa’s hand, too. “Gampa good man.”
The humor of the situation hit Zach, and he chuckled.
Amelia’s soft laughter joined his. Their gazes caught across the table, and their shared amusement shortened the distance until it felt as if they touched.
He jerked his attention back to his food and his thoughts back to rational.
Gil managed to get his words out. “Ain’t you the least bit worried about Kat? It ain’t like her to miss a meal.”
“True. That’s why I’m not worried. She’ll be back when her stomach reminds her of the time.” No point in letting his sister’sirresponsible behavior ruin his meal. But by the time he’d scraped his plate clean, concern gnawed at him.
Gil gathered up the dishes and carried them to the dishpan. The window over the work area allowed him a view of the barn. “Kat’s horse is back.”
Relief sighed from Zach’s lungs.
“That’s welcome news.” Amelia crowded to Gil’s side to watch from the window.
Zach joined them as they waited for Kat to make her appearance. After several minutes, he stepped back. “I’m going to see what’s keeping her.” He strode to the barn. “Kat, come on. We’ve already eaten, and your horse is waiting to be unsaddled.”
Again, no answer. No rustling. Not even an indrawn breath.
He again went up and down the alley, looked into each pen, and the tack room.
Kat wasn’t there.
There was only one answer. She’d encountered trouble. Either the horse had run off and left her on foot. Or worse. She’d been hurt and unable to ride back.
He ran to the house. “Gil, take care of Kat’s horse. She’s not out there. I’m going looking for her.” Without waiting for Gil’s acknowledgment or answering the question in Amelia’s eyes, he raced to the barn, saddled his best horse, and rode from the yard.
His sister could have gone in any number of directions, but just as he did when searching for Pa, he worked his way from one area to another, going further afield because she was on horseback. Daylight was almost gone. If she was injured?—
He must find her before it got too dark to see. And if she wasn’t able to call out?—
He couldn’t finish the thought.
Chapter Seven
Cold, anxious shivers raced up and down Amelia’s spine. Both Kat and Zach were missing. Zach was likely safe, but Kat? Was she hurt? Was she hiding? Avoiding them? Amelia had seen enough of the girl and her emotional outbursts to think it possible.
