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tribe’s resident healer. How can I help you?”
    She appraised him openly. He was good-looking—his face was handsome in a rugged sort of way; he was lean and hard, like someone who spent little time behind a desk. His strength was palpable, but she didn’t feel threatened by him. Still her instincts told her he was someone who walked with danger. “You look pretty healthy to me.”
    Peter laughed. “So far, anyway. Actually, I’d like to ask you a few questions, if you don’t mind.”
    “About what?”
    “I’m interested in a woman you may have seen. She was in a very bad car accident last week not far from here.”
    “That’s awful.”
    He looked at her, gauging her reaction. Either she didn’t know anything about Jay or she was a great poker player. “Yes, it is. I was wondering if you’d seen her—perhaps treated her.”
    “It’s been a very slow week here. Nothing more than a stubbed toe and a rattlesnake bite, and both of those were boys I’ve known since they were born.”
    “Are you sure?” He waited to see if her body language would signal discomfort. She stood completely at ease.

    The Value of Valor

    Her voice registered amusement. “I’m pretty sure I’d know the difference between a boy with a stubbed toe and a woman with injuries from a bad car accident.”
    “I’m sure you would.” Peter, still focused on finding Jay, was nevertheless taken by this woman. “Your clinic is in a traditional hogan, yet I see many signs of Western influence in here, as well. How is that?”
    “Ah, you are a perceptive man. I am one hundred percent Navajo, born and raised on this reservation.”
    “But?”
    Terri shrugged. “But as a young woman interested in medicine and trained by the tribe’s healers, I felt there was so much more to learn. So I left for a time and went to college and medical school at Cornell University.”
    Peter looked around, intrigued. “Your wall is missing a diploma or two.”
    Terri let out a heartfelt laugh. “Here there is no need for that sort of pretentiousness.”
    “Do you call Western medical techniques pretentious then?”
    She looked Peter directly in the eye. “No. I wouldn’t have spent so many hard years in school if I thought that. I believe in mixing the best of the West with the power of the Navajo healing traditions.”
    “How does that work?”
    “Well, depending on the illness, I might treat it with antibiotics and fluids while at the same time supervising a ceremonial song or the creation of a sand painting to speed the healing process.”
    “I see. So your patients get all their bases covered.”
    “Something like that.”
    “Okay, well, I’ll leave you alone then. You’ve been very kind to answer my questions. I’m sorry to have bothered you.”
    “No bother at all.”
    He nodded and pushed open the door, walking out into the twilight.
    Terri watched him go, waiting until he was long out of sight, then called her house.
    “Yes?”
    “Trystan? How is Alexa?”
    She’s beautiful, and her hair feels like silk as it runs through my fingers. “She’s still asleep.”
    “Good.”
    “Are you all right, Amá?”
    “Yes, fine. He’s gone now, but I don’t want to take any chances.
    Let’s keep Alexa right where she is in case he gets the urge to come back. I’ll just gather some supplies and be over in a little while. Will you be okay until then?”

    Lynn Ames

    “Of course.”

    Peter picked up the phone, something he’d been avoiding for the past hour.
    “Kate?”
    “Peter?”
    He winced. Her voice sounded so hopeful. “Yeah, it’s me.”
    “Did you find anything? Did you find Jay?”
    “I wish I could say that I did, my friend.”
    “Oh.”
    He closed his eyes against her pain. “Kate? Do you remember what Jay was wearing when she left that morning?”
    She swallowed audibly. “Sh-she was wearing jeans and a maroon button-down shirt.”
    “Did she have on a jacket?”
    “Yes, why?”
    “Describe it.”
    “Why is that