Read Online Trail of Hope (Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll) by Heidi Vanlandingham - Free Book Online Page B

left, he promised me he would find our Rain Blossom and bring her home.”
    A great, deep croak, croak, croak came from the water, drawing his gaze. Several large, majestic birds glided over the water to the river’s edge, while one stayed near the boat. The beautiful pelican floated, intently watching something just beneath the river’s surface. Suddenly, his head dropped, skimming the surface and then drawing both water and food into the flat orange bill. Where the bottom of the bill met the bird’s snowy white neck, a pouch-like orange membrane had expanded with the scooped water that now drained out again. As soon as all the water was gone, the pouch shrank back to its normal size. The bird flipped its head a couple of times, swallowed the fish, and then started the process over again. After eating his fill, the elegant pelican flapped his long wings and gracefully soared back into the bright blue sky.
    Clay glanced down as Sophia moved her head. Hope flared, and his mouth moved into a sly grin as an idea formed.
    Martin’s voice broke through his reverie. “What are you grinning at?”
    “Life.”
    He harrumphed. “That’s almost positive, coming from you.”
    “I also thought of a plan to keep our girl here safe.”
    For the first time since his wife died, Martin smiled. As Clay quickly told him the plan’s details, the elder man’s smile grew wider.
    The voice they’d both been waiting to hear sounded from his lap. “What did I miss? You both look entirely too happy.”
    Clay’s heart felt like it had burst, sending white-hot warmth through him. He held back the urge to pull her close and kiss her and instead continued to hold her as he had for the past nine hours.
    Martin’s gnarled fingers smoothed her tangled mass of ebony hair, tucking it behind one ear. “You scared me, Granddaughter.” Martin gently wiped her cheek with the back of his large hand. “You also made an old man proud.”
    Clay held out several pieces of dried jerky, chuckling as she stuffed most of one thick piece into her mouth. “And Martin didn’t think you’d like it.”
    “Zoh guhd.” She rolled her eyes in bliss.
    Clay watched a tiny hand pull on her sleeve and force her gaze down to her side. An amazing look of wonder washed over her beautiful face as she gazed at the little boy she’d risked her life to save.
    ****
    Lifting her head, Sophia caught sight of two large, dark-brown eyes staring at her from a scared little face. All the frantic emotions and adrenalin from her frozen swim rushed back. She couldn’t stop herself from pulling the child up into her shaky embrace. “Ohhhh,” she breathed and rested her chin on top of his warm head. “I did it. I actually did it.”
    Clay leaned forward and rewrapped the double layer of blankets around them as best he could. “Yes, you did, aiukli . However foolish a move it was, you saved the child.”
    A shutter came down over his face, and she wondered what had just happened. “I couldn’t let them die.” She pinched her lips together, then sighed. “She was so old. How did she float for so long? The water was freezing.” Her eyes filled, but the crystalline liquid only pooled in the bottom crescents. “Why did she give up?”
    Clay threw a worried glance at Martin, and she saw the same worry in his dark eyes as well and wondered why. A silent exchange passed between the two men before Clay’s eyes closed and he nodded once.
    “She was old and had lived a full life.” Martin’s eyes glittered, but any sadness was replaced by humor. “I have known this woman for many years. She was as playful as a sprite, and the Cherokee people will honor her sacrifice. Could she do anything less for her grandson?”
    Sophia closed her eyes tightly. “Now I feel worse.”
    “Because you tried?” he argued. “You risked your own life to save theirs. Reverend Bushyhead is a fine man and a good leader. He will honor the life of his sister for what she did. Her sacrifice was one