Despite his gruff rebuke, the girl held only admiration and love for her uncle, her memories of them playing earlier that day.
"What are these starmen?" I asked curiously. "You've seen people fall out of the sky before?"
"Yes, we - " the girl started.
"Stay away from my people and my land," Running Bear ordered in a voice that left me no doubt what would happen if I crossed him. He pushed the girl away, and the two of them rejoined several natives standing a few feet away.
Starman. How many people had they seen fall from the sky? I burned to ask the girl but feared her uncle after what I had seen in the empathic history. The sheriff's claim about there being more than one woman sent back to play the part of Josie returned.
I barely knew Carter. Did he purposely not tell me I wasn't the first? Or was this another of his failure-to-relate-to-other-humans issues?
Running Bear met my gaze once more, and I saw it. The strange spark that lit up his aura for a split second, a sign from whatever crazy stuff Carter put in my head. Why didn't Taylor glow like this, if he was part of whatever event was supposed to happen on the twenty fourth?
I ached to pursue and yet was afraid to after his warning.
"You, savages, keep your distance," Philip snapped, waving his cane at them. "You will not sully the daughter of my uncle."
The natives turned away.
"Your father is too kind to those wild men. Josie, you must need rest to have come this far. You are not in the right mind," Philip scolded me. He waved his hand at the wares of the merchants around us. "This … junk is not worth your time. Nell, I will report to my uncle you let her dirty her hands in such a place."
"My apologies, Mr. Philip," Nell said.
"I know what will please your father to see you buy. I have arranged it already. Return home, and I'll ensure it arrives."
I almost revolted at the condescending tone. Nell shook her head, and I relented, following my alleged cousin like a good little puppy back towards the carriage. Unhappy, the ride home seemed much longer than it had going to town. My mind never strayed from the native that wanted nothing to do with me and the sheriff who knew I didn't belong.
Only when I was in my room was I able to text Carter again.
Am I a starman? And does the person I'm looking for glow? And why did the sheriff say there were three other girls who were here before me?