Page 48 of More Than Meets the Eye

“A few hours.” Seth followed his brother toward the barn, and Logan nudged Shamgar to keep pace. “I got a little nervous when she didn’t return in time to help with supper, but when Hezzy showed up without her, we knew something was wrong.” Seth paused at the barn entrance and met Logan’s eyes. “She never lets that pig roam around unsupervised. Too afraid some hunter will turn him into ham steaks.”

“I know,” Logan muttered, recalling the first time they’d met. She’d been so spirited in defense of her pet, so vibrant, so . . . alive. If she’d been hurt because he was off playing detective . . . No. He wouldn’t think that way. He had to stay focused on finding her. On protecting her. “She’s smart,” he said, more to himself than to Seth. “And she’s got grit. She’ll be all right.”

Please, Lord, let her be all right.

Seth said nothing in response, and his silence ate at Logan’s confidence. This was taking too long. Eva was out there somewhere, and she needed him.

Logan reined Shamgar around. “I’m heading out.”

“Wait!”

He hesitated at Seth’s shout, even as instinct insisted he wait for no man. Tugging Shamgar around, he glared impatiently at Seth.

“Where’s your cabin?” Seth asked.

“Northeast of the creek that runs along the back of your property line. Eva usually cuts through on foot, but if you want horses, there’s a small path about a quarter mile up the road. I’ll tie a handkerchief to a tree limb so you don’t miss it, but I can’t wait any longer.”

“Go.” Seth waved him off. “Find my sister.”

“I will.”

Logan kicked Shamgar into a canter, his whole heart throbbing with the weight of that vow. He would find her. No other outcome was acceptable.

He raced Shamgar down the road, yanking his handkerchief from his pocket as he went. Not sparing the time to dismount, he drew his horse to a halt at the turnoff, leaned forward in the saddle, and tied two corners of the cotton square to a branch of the blackjack oak that served as his landmark. Then he resumed his pace, pushing Shamgar as fast as he dared over the uneven terrain.

As soon as the clearing came into view, Logan started shouting Eva’s name. He leapt from the saddle before Shamgar had fully stopped and ran toward the cabin.

“Eva?” He bounded across the threshold, his gaze jousting through the framed walls, desperate to take in the entire interior at once. No skirts or lovely auburn hair in sight. “Eva!”

“Here!”

Thank you, Lord!

Logan took his first full breath since he’d arrived at the Hamilton place. “Where?” he called. “Where are you?” She’d sounded far away yet near at the same time.

“In the cellar.”

The cellar? He jerked his attention downward and finally noticed the gaping hole in the floor. Good gravy. In his haste, he could have tumbled right down on top of her. Lurching forward, he dropped to his knees and peered over the edge.

“Are you hurt?”

“No.” Her beautiful face tipped back to look at him, her magnificent eyes glowing bright with gratitude and . . . guilt? That couldn’t be right. His senses must be skewed from all the blood pumping through his overwrought veins. He’d nearly missed the gaping cellar door, after all. Yet unease niggled at him, refusing to be dismissed.

He shook the unsettling feeling away and smiled in relief. Eva was unharmed. That was what mattered.

Logan motioned for her to scoot back. “I’m coming down,” he said. “Make room.”

She obeyed, and Logan grabbed the rope and lowered himself into the cellar. Halfway down, his duster caught his eye. It was folded more neatly than he usually managed, and it completely covered the saddlebags he’d stored beneath.

His gut clenched. Maybe she did have something to feel guilty about.

Masking his suspicions, he kept his expression neutral as his feet connected with the dirt floor. Then he spun to face Eva.

“Oh, Logan!” She rushed him. Her chest collided with his ribs; her arms snapped around his waist. Then her eyes squeezed closed, and she pressed her cheek to the hollow below his shoulder. “I should never have come down here. I wanted to explore, but that was a mistake.”

A mistake because she trapped herself, or because she regretted snooping?

Then she shuddered, and he no longer cared about her reason. She was here, in his arms, and upset.