Dreamwalker's Bride - Chapter 272

Chapter 272: Where?
The next two days of travel home were awkward between Mia and Seth. Although Grandpa only showed signs of stress when the topic of Trace came up, the girl could tell she’d damaged her relationship with her father in a severe way from the constant strain between them.

It hurt to see him look so wounded, as if her flight from home was a personal indictment on his parenting.

It wasn’t, not really. In retrospect, if she’d waited a day or two to calm down, things might have gone differently. Different choices could have been made.

She’d been hurt by their silence, and so, she hadn’t minded hurting them in return. The impulse was childish, even if borne from a need to find what had been lost in her memories.

Trotting towards home, she kept her horse directed towards the pull as she turned over the recovered memories in her mind for the first time since exiting the cave.

The fear of absolute darkness, the curdling and growling of her stomach as she waited for whatever cold and tasteless food the bandits would offer them.

Her brothers complaining of hunger while her parents gave the growing children portions of their own food. Marking time in the dark with a tapping of her finger that annoyed the others. Shivering.

The faces of the kidnappers, the relief when Trace and Anaisa came to save them. Adults discussing matters that she wasn’t supposed to hear because she was too young.

These things and more, she examined from different angles and perspectives, the experiences of the rest of her life now coloring the memories.

Papa was brave at the time, but he must have been terrified. Was that part of why he was so taken aback by her desire to return? Was he afraid some cave-in or other matter would cause her to be trapped from him forever?

Or was it simpler? She’d left with Ford, and he obviously had made some assumptions about why. Was he afraid of giving up his only daughter to a stranger?

Not that it was a realistic concern. Ford was gone. The secondary pull towards him, gone. Despite him throwing himself at Denholm to protect her in the cave, he’d now abandoned her because of her father’s empty threats.

The first night they camped out, Mia had awful nightmares. Grandpa woke her more than once because she was crying out. Seth’s face had been dark, and he wondered aloud whether her nightmares were the result of something Ford had done.

She denied it, vehemently.

The second night, she slept more soundly. She could have sworn when she awoke that she felt a hand withdraw from hers, but when she opened her eyes there was nothing there. It was wishful thinking, surely.

Tears, unbidden, pooled in her eyes, and she angrily swiped them away.

She was being ridiculous, hoping that he was somehow invisible and staying by her side, wasn’t she?

If he were smart, he’d be many miles away by now, far out of her father’s reach. There was no reason for her to hope he would stick around. And yet…

He’d defended her from Denholm. Was it simply reflex of some deep-seated instinct? Probably. She should set that aside with a small smile about being right that there was good in him.

She’d managed to crack through his sarcastic exterior into friendship, but that didn’t mean he would stick around to help them. Why should he?

Her father alternately grumbled about Ford being an utter coward and being glad the scoundrel was gone. Mia thought he might share the same suspicion he did about Ford remaining close by, the way he often turned to look behind them as they traveled.

The river helpfully changed course sometime during the second night, and they were left with a clearer path home. No longer did they have to find a crossing, but they could simply head straight in the correct direction.

And so, Mia led them out of the land of canyons and onto the flat plains, kicking her horse into a canter for a while. The wind in her hair was always something she found incredibly exhilarating, and she found herself eager to be in her mother’s arms.

And dreading Aunt Anaisa and her little cousins’ reactions to Uncle Trace’s kidnapping.

The thought of their sweet faces in despair almost made her pull back on the reins and slow down. Instead, she urged Harper into a faster pace.

The sooner they got this over with, the sooner they could be on their way to rescue Uncle Trace from the wights. At least, that was her reasoning.

Her father and grandfather kept pace easily, their strong horses breathing deeply as the house came into view on the horizon.

It was nearly nightfall, but the setting sun still illuminated the scene with enough detail to make the animals keen for the good bedding and food that lay there.

Seth normally discouraged Mia from letting her horse run back to the house.

“Keep animals under control at all times,” He’d warn, “if you let them think they’re in charge, you’ll never get them back under your orders.”

He didn’t follow his own instructions now. All five horses sprinted with beautiful, loping speed towards the farmhouse.

Mia cherished the cool air pulling tendrils from her braids, whipping against her face. As they crossed the road and went through the orchard lane, her heart ached.

Home was the place she wanted to get away from before. To get space, to think about everything. Now that she was back, it made her sad that she’d ever left and hurt the people she loved so dearly.

The horses didn’t hesitate at the house, but ran straight for the barn: food, water, and bedding.

Mia let her horse indulge in the misbehavior, while Grandpa and Seth pulled up short. Everyone was standing on the porch, having heard the galloping hooves and wondering what in the world was coming.

“Mia!” Sarah nearly threw herself from the porch and caught her daughter in a hug as soon as the younger woman dismounted. “You’re back! You’re safe!”

“I’m sorry, Mama,” The girl murmured. “I’m so sorry.”

“Sorry for what? You’re back, that’s all that matters,” Sarah gripped her again and nearly squeezed the air out of her before seeing her husband’s somber face. “What’s wrong?”

There was silence for a moment, and Anaisa spoke clearly into it.

“Where is Trace?”