Climb the Highest Mountain (37 page)

“Zeke, what is it?” Abbie asked, her own heart racing.

The lone figure called out again, a piercing, frightening cry.
“Nehoeehe! Nahoe-hootse!”

Zeke sat straighter in the saddle, and Abbie recognized the words: “My father, I have come visiting.” Her heart raced excitedly. Could it be? Suddenly Zeke let out a wild war whoop that made them all jump. He put a fist in the air and called out several more yips and whoops, and the lone figure called back. Zeke laughed.

“It’s Wolf’s Blood!” he said excitedly. He kicked Kehilan’s sides and charged forward, the magnificent Appaloosa’s mane and tail flying in the wind, as was the sleek black hair of its master. The lone figure on the ridge began riding in from the other side, a wolf running hard at his horse’s heels.

“Wolf’s Blood!” Margaret cried out, starting forward.

“No, Margaret!” Abbie ordered quickly. “Don’t go yet. Let them be alone.”

They began to ride in slowly, watching father and son gallop toward each other so fast that their horses, unable to stop, carried them too far. Sod flew and both
men turned, riding past each other again, now doing crazy tricks. Abbie remembered how irritated she used to be because Zeke was teaching their son such dangerous riding, but she never worried now. Could any man and animal seem more like one than an Indian and his horse? Soon Zeke and Wolf’s Blood dismounted, hugging, and then falling into the grass on their backs, Wolf jumping on them, tail wagging. They were still far out in the field, and Abbie knew they would mount up again and ride off. They would be gone a long time. There as much for father and son to talk about.

She looked over at Margaret. “Let’s open up the cabin,” she said, a lump in her throat. “It will need airing out. And let’s get a fire going in the stone oven. I want to make some of those biscuits your brother loves so much.”

They rode up to the cabin, and the two foals pranced up to suckle from their mothers almost before Abbie and Margaret could dismount. Abbie stepped up and unlatched the door, pushing it open. She stared around the small cabin. Yes, this was much nicer than a stone castle. This was home.