Chace nodded.  “I have.”

They walked across the parade ground.  Chace tied the gray and the mule up at the railing.

“Are you ready?” Charlotte said.

Chace turned to Ada, catching her by surprise.  “Are you ready?” he said.

“I think so.”  She had never dreamed this was who he’d be.  “No, I am,” she said.  “I’m ready.”

Charlotte opened the door.  The room was warm from the heat of the fire.  Grace sat in the rocking chair thinking she was reading to herself.  Brewster and Jeremy looked up from their books.  Quickly they stood up.  Jeremy’s eyes were as wide as an owl’s.  Brewster glanced at Ada hoping for answers, but she still wore a somewhat stunned expression herself.

“Ada?” Charlotte said.

“This is Chace Bridger Yellow Cloud,” Ada said.  “He was with the old men on the ridge that day.”  She turned to Chace.  “This is Brewster.  And Jeremy, and Grace.”

Chace shook Brewster’s hand, then Jeremy’s.  Jeremy appeared about as close to fainting as Ada had.

“Is this…?” Brewster said.  He didn’t even know what words to use.

“It is, yes,” Charlotte said.

It only took Brewster a moment of studying to make his decision.  Jeremy had to sit down.  Grace watched silently.

“I’m glad to meet you,” Chace said.  “I only know what I know, which isn’t much.”

Brewster and Jeremy startled at the sound of his voice.  Brewster opened his mouth to ask, but thought better of it.  Charlotte was aware that without seeming to cast one glance around, Chace had seen the entire room and everything in it.  He walked over to the sideboard, lightly ruffling Jeremy’s hair in passing.  Carefully, he reached in and picked up the eagle feather.  He ran the feather thoughtfully through his hand then returned it to its place in front of the king-with-the-ax.

Grace had kept track of his every move.  “Those are the bluest eyes I ever saw,” he said.  She reached up for the silver at his wrists.  He held out his hand to let her touch it.

Somehow what should have been awkward wasn’t awkward at all.

“I’ve got to unload the horse and mule and get them in the stables.”

Brewster didn’t hesitate.  “I’ll help.  If you want help, that is.”

“I’d be glad for the help.”

“I’m helping too,” Jeremy said.  He wasn’t about to let this person get out of his sight.

“Is that all right?” Brewster said.

“It is.”

“I brush the horses every day,” Jeremy said.

“Do you ride?”

Jeremy stopped.  This was a question too large to even contemplate.  “I don’t ride.”

“Do you ride?” Chace said to Brewster.

“I don’t.  Well, I haven’t.”

“Do you have saddles?”

“Only one that was Pa’s.”

“The mare’s still here, isn’t she?” Chace said to Charlotte.  She nodded.  “And that’s good with you?”

“Yes.”