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“Let’s go home,” she said, turning Scout and heading out of the camp. They weren’t even a mile down the mountain when they passed Claude. He was doing his best to stay on the back of the orneriest horse they had at the mine. Rena had watched the beast buck off any number of experienced riders. She figured before five minutes passed, Claude would be on the ground and forced to make the rest of the trip to Holiday on foot.
She and Theo were almost to the path that led to the cabin when a rider raced toward them. She recognized Josh and tossed Theo a concerned look. It wasn’t like him to be riding up the mountain like he was being chased by a pride of blood-thirsty lions. Something had to be amiss for him to ride at a breakneck speed, especially in the middle of the afternoon.
“What’s wrong?” Theo hollered as Josh approached them.
“Gabi’s missing,” Josh blurted, sounding out of breath. “Is she at the cabin?”
“Let’s go see. We were just heading there.”
Theo and Josh rode ahead. Rena got to the cabin in time to see Theo run out the door and head toward the creek, calling Gabi’s name. Josh raced out of the barn and then seemed to stop, immobilized by fear.
Rena swung off Scout and limped over to him. “What happened? Why did you think Gabi would be here?”
“She went out to play, then I couldn’t find her. People are searching all over town. She’d scratched your name in the dirt, and I rode out here in hopes of finding my baby girl. Rena, I can’t lose her. I just can’t.”
Josh took a shuddering breath, then looked at Rena, noticing her disheveled state. The furrow across his brow deepened. “What happened to you? Are you hurt?”
Touched by his concern in the midst of his desperation to find Gabi, she stared at him, awed by this caring man.
Josh took her arms in his hands and moved a step closer. “Are you hurt, Rena? You’re bleeding.” He brushed a finger along her temple where she hadn’t even realized she’d sustained a cut.
“I’m okay. We had a problem at the mine with an explosion, but no one was injured. I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.” Josh cupped her cheek. “Why don’t you stay here in case Gabi somehow finds her way to the cabin?”
“I couldn’t sit still knowing our precious girl is lost. Give me a minute to change out of these filthy clothes, and I’ll help look for her.” Rena turned toward the cabin and made her way inside. She washed her hands and face, then pulled on a clean shirt and pair of trousers. She buckled her gun belt on, filled a tin with food and a canteen with water, grabbed her saddlebags and a jacket, then headed back outside. Josh was riding away from the cabin into the woods, while Theo strode toward her.
“I told him to wait, but he’s beyond listening to reason. I think one of us should ride back to Holiday on the road, and the other two can travel through the woods.” Theo took the saddlebags from her and settled them on the back of Scout, then steadied her as she swung up into the saddle with a groan. “You should really stay here and rest.”
“I can’t rest while Gabi is lost. Thomas is far faster than Scout. Why don’t you ride on the road? If you don’t see Gabi, you can let those searching in town know we need more help out here.”
“Are you sure you won’t get lost in the woods?” Theo asked as he mounted his horse.
“I know the creek runs right by the road just before you get to Holiday. If I get lost, I’ll follow it. Besides, it isn’t more than three miles from here to town, less through the woods.”
“True, but it might as well be a hundred for a little girl lost in the trees.”
Rena nodded, then turned Scout to follow in the direction Josh had gone.
“Be safe, Rena!” Theo called as he set out toward the road.
She guided the mule forward, trying not to follow the exact direction Josh had ridden. Every few feet she called Gabi’s name, hoping the child could hear one of them. With her ears still ringing, she feared Gabi could yell in response and she’d miss her. Maybe she should have been the one to ride into town.
Feeling helpless, Rena decided things were not hopeless. In the past few weeks, she’d moved past her anger at God and realized He’d never left her side. She’d been the one who’d strayed from Him. Now that she’d embraced her faith and renewed her hope, she never intended to let anything separate her from her loving Father again.
As Scout made his way through the trees, Rena prayed. She prayed for Gabi to stay safe, and for one of them to find her before any harm befell the child. She prayed for Josh to have strength for whatever the hours ahead might bring. She prayed for wisdom and direction, pleading with God to lead them to Gabi.
Rena stopped to let Scout drink from the creek and looked around. A splash of color on a bush caught her eye. She rode over to where a piece of pink cloth dangled from a branch. It looked like fabric from one of Gabi’s dresses.
“Gabi! Please, sweetheart? If you can hear me, answer. Gabi!” Rena stood in the stirrups, ignoring the pain searing up her leg, and looked around, straining to hear any sound. She searched for footprints but didn’t see any.
Rena drew in a calming breath and tried to think like a five-year-old lost in the woods. Gabi was smart. But what if she got turned around? Which direction would she head? If she couldn’t see the sun, and she couldn’t hear the gurgle of the creek, what would she do?
She turned Scout to the east and rode away from the water. She’d gone about a hundred yards when she found another piece of fabric caught on a thorny bush. Either Gabi was leaving a trail on purpose, or the little girl was too distraught to know she was leaving behind pieces of torn fabric.
“Gabi!” Rena yelled into the stillness around her.
She rode several yards, stopped and called for the child, looked for more fabric, then rode on again. After an hour of not finding more fabric or clues, Rena turned and headed back toward the creek. Evening was approaching. Once the sun set, they’d have to either get lanterns and torches or wait until morning.
