He looked exhausted, embarrassed, and completely unaware that some of the most respected unmarried warriors in the region were glaring at him.
Nayeli turned toward her father.
Then raised her hand.
"Him."
The entire village went silent.
Caleb blinked.
"Ma'am?"
Nayeli pointed at him.
"I choose him."
Caleb stared at her.
One of the rejected warriors took an angry step forward.
Chief Takoda lifted his hand.
The man stopped.
Caleb looked from Nayeli to the chief.
Then around the village.
"I think there's been a misunderstanding."
For the first time that afternoon, Nayeli smiled.
"There has not."
"I came here looking for my horse."
"I heard you."
"And you don't know me."
"No."
Caleb rubbed the back of his neck.
"Then I feel like that's important information."
A few people laughed quietly.
Chief Takoda did not.
He approached Caleb.
"My daughter has rejected men she has known since childhood."
Caleb nodded cautiously.
"That somehow makes this more confusing."
"She has chosen you."
Caleb looked at Nayeli.
"Does choosing mean what I think it means?"
"It means marriage may be offered."
Caleb nearly dropped his hat.
"Marriage?"
Several warriors laughed now.
Nayeli did not.
Caleb took a breath.
"With respect, I can't promise to marry a woman whose name I don't even know."
Nayeli's smile became slightly wider.
"That is the first correct answer I have heard today."
The laughter stopped.
Caleb frowned.
Chief Takoda turned toward his daughter.
"You expected him to refuse?"
"I expected him to answer honestly."
Nayeli looked at the rejected men.
"Every man who stood before me today told me what he could give me."
Then she looked back at Caleb.
"He is the first man who admitted what he cannot."
Caleb opened his mouth.
Before he could respond, a shout came from the northern trail.
Two young riders entered the village.
Between them walked a riderless chestnut gelding.
Caleb immediately recognized him.
"Samson!"
The horse lifted its head and whinnied.
Caleb hurried forward.
Then stopped.
Something was wrong.
Samson's saddle was still attached.
But Caleb had not saddled him that morning.
And tied beneath the saddle was a small wooden box.
Caleb stared.
"That isn't mine."
Chief Takoda approached the horse.
The box was old.
Very old.