Walk by Faith by Rosanne Bittner Read Free Book Online

down to pick up his hat, which had been knocked off in the skirmish. He plunked it on his head and turned. It was then he recognized Michael. He looked at the man strangely, then scanned the crowd to see Clarissa standing there with Sophie in her arms.
    Still breathing heavily, he limped toward them. Clarissa noticed his knuckles were bloody, and there was a cut on his left cheek. A bruise was quickly forming around it.
    â€œI’m sorry you had to see that,” he told Clarissa. “And you, ma’am,” he added, looking at Carolyn.
    Clarissa could still see the rage in his blue eyes, lurking there behind those dark clouds. “You did what you felt you had to do,” Carolyn told him.
    Clarissa looked away, not sure what to say or what to think of him now that she’d seen the violent side of the man.
    â€œHi, Mistoo Clement,” Sophie spoke up. She seemed not at all intimidated by Dawson’s bloody, disheveled look. “You got a owie,” she added, pointing to his cheek.
    Dawson’s whole countenance changed when he addressed the little girl. “Hello, Sophie,” he told her.
    â€œDo you still got a owie on you leg?” she asked.
    Dawson removed his hat and smoothed back his hair, which was still extremely thick and wavy even though he’d obviously had it trimmed. His face was clean shaven, and even more handsome, with a square jaw and deep-set eyes. He replaced the hat, glancing at Carolyn. “The leg is much better. It still pains me now and then, but I never got an infection, and the wound has closed. I expect I have you to thank for that, Mrs. Graham.”
    Why did this man have a way of somehow moving her deeply? “I’m glad I was able to help.”
    â€œYou nearly killed that man, you know,” Michael told him.
    â€œMaybe I should have. The boy and his mother would probably be better off.”
    â€œâ€˜Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord.’”
    Dawson rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well, maybe the Lord uses some of us to wreak that vengeance,” he answered. “I happen to have a short fuse when it comes to treating a helpless child like that.”
    â€œQuite obvious,” Michael answered with raised eyebrows.
    Dawson nodded to the women, then brushed past them to get his horse. He mounted up and rode closer, pointing to a huge oak tree on a hill in the distance. “See that tree?”
    Clarissa shaded her eyes. “Yes.”
    â€œThat’s where I’m camped,” he told them. “I have rounded up about eight families heading for Montana. I wasn’t going to take on any more than that, since it might be too much to handle, but you three and the little girls are welcome to join us if you’re still looking for a guide. We’re hoping to head out in five or six days, unless we get a lot of rain. Come on over tonight and camp with us if you like. That will give you a chance to get to know some of the others and make up your mind if you want to travel with us.”
    â€œIs there a preacher among your group?” Michael asked.
    Dawson scowled. “No. I suppose you think they need one?”
    â€œOf course they do,” Michael answered, giving Dawson a smile and a wink. “I imagine they’d appreciate having one along. They are Christian people, aren’t they?”
    â€œI suppose. I didn’t bother asking,” Dawson answered, obviously irritated by the question.
    â€œWell, then we’ll come by and get acquainted,” Michael told him.
    â€œSuit yourself. Just don’t expect me to be part of any praying or preaching.”
    â€œI wouldn’t dream of asking you,” Michael answered with a teasing note to the words.
    Dawson nodded. “Good.” He glanced at Clarissa. “See you later then.” He turned his horse and rode away, and some of those who’d watched the fight stared after him.
    â€œDid you see what he did?” someone