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No doubt that explained why Harkan wasn’t answering his comm.
“Their flyer needs repairs again, but they’ll try to get it working and head this way,” Kalpar added. “But Artek said it could be several hours.”
By which time it would be late afternoon. The thought of Ida alone in the dark horrified him.
“Mr. Anderson hasn’t seen her.” Naffon came back frowning. “I told him she was coming into town to pick up a few things and we had some more requests. He’s to tell her to call us if she arrives at the store.”
None of them mentioned the fact that the mare could easily have made it to town by now if their estimates of how long Ida had been gone were correct.
“I think I’ll ride up to the lake,” Naffon said suddenly. “We were talking about spring flowers and the possibility of early berries this week and I mentioned that might be a good place.”
He wasn’t surprised that the other male took refuge in action, and he nodded. At least it was a possibility.
Naffon paused by Dora’s chair long enough to drop a big hand on her fragile shoulder.
“I’ll do what I can to find her.”
She flashed a quick glance up at him and nodded, but didn’t say anything as he strode off.
Kalpar rubbed his chin.
“If she’d ridden west, I think we would have seen her. Since Wainwright is to the north and Naffon is heading south, I’ll try east.” With a careful look at Tommy, he added, “I’ll send Borgaz along the road to town.”
“Thank you.”
Kalpar stopped next to him and waited until he looked up.
“When she returns, tell her how you feel.”
He left before Temel could respond. Tell her how he felt? She would be lucky if he ever let her out of his sight again.
His body itched with the need to do something, but he knew he was better off here, coordinating the other efforts. He monitored his three males and waited for a message that didn’t come fromthe shopkeeper. Artek did send a message, but it would be close to dark before they arrived.
Tommy and Dora had joined him in the study and Tommy had fallen asleep on his lap, a dirty thumb jammed into his mouth. Dora sat quietly next to the desk, rocking her baby and wiping away an occasional tear. They were sitting in silence when the comm buzzed and he snatched up the receiver.
“Yes?” he barked.
“It’s a boy,” Harkan announced joyfully. “We have a son.”
He’d been so focused on finding Ida that he’d almost forgotten that Rosie was in labor and it took him a moment to adjust.
“Congratulations.”
He did his best to sound happy for the other male, but it was a pitiful effort. Harkan didn’t seem to notice, cheerfully listing his son’s measurements.
“And be sure and thank your mate again. She was wonderful with Rosalie,” Harkan added. “I’d better?—”
“Wait!” he ordered so sharply that Tommy jerked awake. “Ida was there?”
“Yes. I was panicking because we weren’t sure when Drakkar would arrive and Rosalie was so frightened. Ida came right over as soon as I spoke to her, and she made it all seem so simple. We’re very grateful.”
“Is she still there?”
“Why, no. She left just after Drakkar arrived. She should be home by now. Is something wrong?”
“I’m sure everything is fine,” he said, as much for Tommy’s benefit as Harkan’s. “But I’ll head over there now.”
“I would offer to help, but…”
