Page 21

Brody nodded. “Don’t ever let anyone bleed you. And encourage your doctor to retire or take on a younger partner.” Brody clamped his mouth shut, and Josh remembered that Brody had a partnership of his own to return to in Boston.

Josh was going to miss his sister terribly. But Brody said he’d given his word he’d honor the partnership agreement he’d made. He’d borrowed money on that promise. The man could be paid back, of course. But the doctor didn’t need money; he needed help. And Brody refused to go back on his word.

Brody looked back at Ellie again. “What do you say? The search for that treasure is ... well, it’s been interesting, fun at times. Gunshots notwithstanding. I guess you could go. I’d miss you, but—”

“Brody, we’d bring everything we find back here.” Lock saw his opportunity and jumped on it. “It’ll probably take more than one trip. We’ve searched twice already. If you miss this hunt, you could go on the next one.”

Josh could almost see the frantic thinking going on in Lock’s head.

“We’re wearing down the summer,” said Josh.

“It can get chilly at the higher elevations. Bone-chilling cold in the wintertime. Remember how cold it was the time we chased after you, right after Brody got here? And the next time, we ended up not going straight for Big Windy Mountain with our half of the map, so we weren’t up as high.

But who can be sure where the next half of the map will lead?

And who can be sure we’ll find it on the next trip?

I think we’d better go now—before winter closes in on us. ”

Brody was looking at Ellie, who said, “I’m not going anywhere without you, Brody.” She leaned down and kissed his cheek. “Instead, let’s have Josh and Tilda go with Cord and the boys.”

“You should stay, Doc,” Zane interjected. He’d pretty much hung back listening until now. “Michelle’s time is close. I’d like to have a doctor near to hand.”

Brody nodded. “If you wait for me, it’ll be at least another week. Maybe two or three before I can ride a horse any distance. The ride out here from town about killed me.”

Ellie’s arms tightened around his neck, and she whispered something into his ear. He patted her arm.

“We’ll stay behind, then.” Brody turned to Josh. “You and Tilda lead this crew. Find that treasure and bring it back for all of us to see. But don’t bring Grandpa’s remains back just yet. I’d like to be there when we move him.”

Nodding, Josh said to Tilda, “I’m glad you’re up for it.

I’m dead serious about not letting you out of my sight, not even if you’re surrounded by people.

Let’s pack some things, then start saddling the horses.

” Josh looked at the man he’d just met. “Cord, did you bring your own horse or rent one from town?”

“We rented them.”

“I had one of the men take those horses back to town,” Zane said.

“And I asked him to check with the sheriff about arresting Ben the kidnapper. I wonder if he is Tilda’s brother, or if that’s even his real name.

And I wonder if your father is really alive and if that picture is of your twin sister, or if he hired someone to use that tintype of you to paint up a fancy ‘twin’ picture. ”

Josh hadn’t thought of half of that. But the portrait had Tilda’s hair and eye colors exactly right. They couldn’t have known that from a black-and-white tintype.

Mayhew Westbrook said, “We also need to look for information concerning Graham MacKenzie’s land ... or maybe it’s a mining claim. We could search at the land offices around here, find the exact location of that claim. He must’ve registered a claim on the spot where he found the treasure.”

Josh jerked his head up. “Why didn’t you say that before? We don’t need to go haring off after this map if we’ve got the exact location of his claim.”

“Josh, we have to go.” Lock looked as if Josh were trying to pry the gold right out of his hands. “We already found where Grandpa died. Who knows what else we’ll find following the map. He may have left gold at every landmark along the way.”

Zane nodded. “Lock’s right. You need to follow the map.”

Mayhew said, “Brody, after you rest up, maybe you and I and Mrs. Hart can go searching for paperwork.”

Brody quietly groaned. “We’ll see.”

“Boys,” Josh said, “come and help Tilda and me saddle up.”

“I’m not a boy anymore,” Thayne insisted again.

Which Josh had to admit was true. He’d left for the sea when he was seventeen, and Thayne was sixteen now.

“Fair enough, men ,” Josh laughed. “And you know how to pack a bedroll and saddle a horse. So let’s get moving. We’ve been waiting for that map, and now we’ve got it.”

Lock shouted with joy and went thundering down the stairs and out of the building. Thayne wasn’t far behind him.

Adults in some ways, but not in others.

Josh took Tilda’s hand. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”

“I think getting away from the ranch right now is a good idea. I can ride.”

Josh nodded and led her out of the room. Cord came along.

Brody was right. The treasure hunt so far had been fun, despite the beating they’d taken.

Zane came along. “When I sent those rented horses back to town, I asked the men to hunt up Sheriff Stockwood. By the time we’ve packed food and saddled up, they’ll be back.”