Clay sat down beside Maleaha and held her hand in his. It seemed to Kane that he was declaring his ownership of her.
"Tell me about your trip to Texas, Clay. I was disappointed when I returned from Boston and you were not here."
Clay crossed his long legs and smiled at her. "I can sum the trip up in one sentence: The wind never let up, the dirt blew, and it was hot as hell! What else would you like to know?"
"Oh, you enjoyed yourself, did you?" she mocked.
Clay glanced at her sideways. "One day that sassy mouth will get you in trouble," he teased.
"Kane, have you ever been to Texas?" Jonas asked.
"No, I have not had that pleasure."
Clay snorted. "Believe me, it's no pleasure. We have a saying here in New Mexico; 'You can tell if a man is coming from, or going to, Texas' "
"How is that, Mr. Madason?"
"Well, if a man is going to Texas he is eating beans and jerky, and if he is returning from there he is eating jackrabbit. Now, if you never had a jackrabbit, you couldn't possibly know how skinny and stringy it is."
"I suppose a man could eat worse things," Jonas said. "I have."
"What's that, Jonas?" Kane asked, rising to the bait.
Jonas leaned his head back and looked at the ceiling, his expression thoughtful, as though he were remembering.
"One winter I took my wife, Cimeron, to visit her people, the Jojobas. It had been a bad winter. It started snowing in late September and did not let up through March. Cattle had frozen to death by the hundreds, and game was scarce. If the white man was having a hard time, the Indians were starving. Cimeron and myself were snowed in at the Jojoba village and could not return home until the weather let up. One night I was surprised when my wife's mother served meat at the evening meal, since our diet had consisted of nothing but corncakes for the last few weeks. Well, being hungry, I did not ask any questions, and the meat was quite tasty. I did not think too much about it, until my wife came to me later, and whispered in my ear, 'Jonas, do not ask where Sam is, you ate him for dinner.' "
Jonas waited for Kane to speak, and he did not have long to wait.
"Who was Sam, Jonas?"
Maleaha looked at her father expectantly; she had never heard him tell this story before.
"Sam was the best damn hunting dog I ever had."
Maleaha gasped and Kane leaned forward with a serious look on his face.
"There are worse things to eat than dog meat, Jonas."
"What would that be, Kane?"
Kane crossed his long legs and rested his hand on his shiny black boot.
"Once during the war, after a battle outside Gettysburg, my men and I were also snowed in. We were starving, but unlike you, we didn't even have corncakes to eat. Our horses had run away, and I was becoming desperate, not knowing how I would feed my men and keep them alive. Well, as you can imagine, I was pondering how I was going to feed thirty-six hungry cavalrymen. I knew if I did not come up with something fast we would all perish."
Kane waited, letting Jonas ponder his words.
"What did you come up with, Kane?" Jonas asked.
"I decided the only meat we had to eat was human flesh, Jonas."
Kane looked at Maleaha, who was absorbed in his tale and waiting eagerly for him to continue. Clay leaned forward, listening intently.
"I found the idea very distasteful, as you can imagine, but I had no choice. We would have to resort to cannibalism."
Maleaha gasped and covered her mouth with her hand, thinking she would be sick.
"Imagine if you will, my dilemma," he continued. "I did not want to force any of my men to give up their lives so the rest of us could live, so I devised a plan. Each man would write his name on a piece of paper and drop it into a hat, along with what he was willing to sacrifice. Some chose to part with an arm, while others favored giving up a leg, or an ear."
Kane could see the shock on Maleaha's lovely face, and Clay was looking at him with doubt and disbelief. Jonas was grim-faced as he exchanged looks with Kane.
"W . . . what happened?" Maleaha said in a soft voice, her eyes wide and apprehensive.
"Well," he continued," I, being the commanding officer, could do no less than put my limbs on the line the same as my men, but as you can see, all my limbs are intact, so you know I did not lose in the draw."
Jonas leaned forward, "Who lost, Kane?"
Kane took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I called the doctor to perform the amputation and later on the cook limped around on his one good leg preparing the meal. And as he tasted his own leg, he declared it was quite tasty, but a little tough. He turned to me and in a loud voice declared: 'Never let it be said that I am not tough!' "
Maleaha looked astounded as Jonas and Clay laughed so hard there were tears running down their faces.
"All right, Kane," Jonas said, when he could catch his breath, "You have proved you are a bigger liar than I am."
Clay shook his head. "You both had me believing you. You are the best damn liars I have ever listened to."
Jonas laughed. "I think he means that as a compliment, Kane."
"How about you, Miss Deveraux, did you also believe your father and me?"
"I . . .1 thought, yes, at first."
"Well, it has been a long day for me," Clay said as he stood up. "I will see you next week, Maleaha," he told her as he moved across the room in giant strides. "Nice meeting you, major," Clay said just as he disappeared out the front door with the same suddenness with which he had entered it earlier.
Kane stood up with the intention of taking his leave since the hour was late, but Jonas stalled him.
"Kane, why don't you stay the night? It is late, and there is no reason for you to return to the fort tonight, is there?"
"No, if it will not be an imposition," Kane replied, looking at Maleaha, who now stood by her father.
"We would like to have you stay, wouldn't we, Maleaha?" her father said, reminding her of her duty as hostess, with a look that warned her to be polite.
"Yes, please stay, major," she said, wishing him at the other end of the earth at that moment. "I will show you to your room if you are ready to retire," she added politely.
"You go ahead and go up to bed if you are tired, honey," her father said. "I want to talk to Kane for a while. I will show him to his room later. Which room will you put him in?"
"The yellow room. I will just go and make sure it is ready. Good night, major." , "Good night, Miss Deveraux."
Maleaha walked over to her father and kissed his cheek. Seeing the doubt in her eyes, Jonas hugged her tightly. He wanted to assure her that everything would be all right, but he patted her shoulder instead and watched her walk across the room and disappear up the stairs.
After Maleaha turned down the covers and opened the window in the yellow bedroom, she summoned Margaretta to bring fresh water. When she was sure the room was in readiness she went to her own room next door. Maleaha found she was very tired. The evening had drained her. But as she dressed for bed, she doubted she would be able to sleep.
Slipping between the cool bed sheets, she tried to shut off her mind, but thoughts of Kane kept creeping into her subconscious, no matter how hard she tried to think of something else. She found herself remembering how it felt to be in his arms and to be kissed by him. Maleaha did not want to love Kanen Benedict, but she knew by now that she was hopelessly in love with him, and the tears from her eyes wet the pillow she rested her head on.
She threw the covers off and arose, slipping into her robe. She then went out onto her balcony and walked down the steps that led to the patio below.
Kane entered the bedroom and looked about him. This room, like the rest of the house, was tastefully decorated. He could smell the soft lingering perfume that Maleaha had worn tonight, giving evidence she had been in this room.
He removed his blue jacket and draped it over a chair, then he unbuttoned his white dress shirt to his waist. He looked at the bed, with its
yellow satin covering, and thought how inviting it was. It had been a long time since he had slept in a comfortable bed. He and Jonas had talked for over an hour, and although Kane was tired, he knew he would not be able to sleep. Walking out onto the balcony he observed the garden below and the stairs leading to it. Kane leaned against the railing and closed his eyes. What was it about this house that made him want to remain here?
Tonight he had found himself telling Jonas things he had never told another living soul, things about his background and his resentment of his father. Jonas had been understanding, so Kane had confided many things to him. The older man had asked him questions but had offered him no advice.
Kane had felt Maleaha's resentment toward him tonight, and he had been troubled by it, even though he knew it was well deserved. He found himself wanting her to look at him with love and respect. He, Kanen Benedict, had lost his heart to an ebony-haired seventeen-year-old, who was bright, intelligent, and overly desirable. Kane was in the depths of hell and feeling tormented. He had no illusions about himself. In the past he had been a user; he had used women, and when he became bored with them he had tossed them aside without giving any thought to their feelings. He had never allowed anyone to get close to him, and he had never been able to talk about himself as he had with Jonas tonight.
Kane remembered hearing once, "He who sows the wind shall reap the whirlwind." Was he now in love, never to have that love returned? Could a man who had lived as he had change? Had loving Maleaha made him aware of his faults? Could he grow to be a man she could respect, and could he win her love?
Kane looked down on the garden below. It was bathed in soft moonlight, and the pleasant aroma of the many flowers in bloom drifted up to him. He saw a movement as a shadow detached itself. He caught his breath, knowing it was Maleaha. She seemed to be unaware of his presence, and he found himself descending the stairs, hoping to have a word with her.
She seemed to be unaware of him as he came up behind her, or so Kane thought, until she spoke to him.
"So, you could not sleep either, major?" she said without turning to face him.
He stared at her unbound black hair and remembered how it had felt soft and silky to the touch. "No, I seem to be restless tonight."
Maleaha turned to face him. With his white shirt open to the waist she saw the curly black hair on his chest. She could feel a tightening in her throat as she felt him pulling at her, although he did not actually touch her.
"Perhaps you would like me to get you a glass of warm milk?"
He smiled. "Do people still try that old remedy?"
"Margaretta swears by it."
They were both making small talk, anything to keep from saying what they were really feeling. Maleaha's hands gripped the trellis that the roses grew on, to keep from reaching out to him. She wanted him to hold her in his arms and kiss her as he had before. How many women besides her had lost their hearts to this man with the silver eyes?
"No, I do not want milk, but you could help me if you would," he said, moving closer to her and staring down into her upturned face.
"How?" she whispered through trembling lips.
"Say you forgive me, Maleaha," he said, using her name for the first time. There was a note of pleading in his voice, but a voice in her head was saying danger, danger!
"I think it is best if we both forget all that has happened in the past. Most probably we will not see much of each other in the future."
Kane took the short step that brought him closer to her and reached out his hand to touch her face, then let it drift down to her throat where he could feel her pulse drumming wildly. His own pulse rate had accelerated.
"Last night I sought to shame you, but when I was successful I felt no pleasure in your shame," she said so softly he could hardly hear her.
Kane was startled by her honesty, and he felt hope fan to life inside him. ' 'I deserved what happened last night. I ask ... no, I beg you to forgive me," he said, as his hand drifted up to entangle itself in her dark hair.
"Say that I am forgiven, Maleaha," he pleaded.
"You are forgiven, if it makes any difference to you, major," she told him, loving the sound of her name on his lips.
"It matters a great deal. Do you hate me?"
"No, but I do not like you very well." She could have added that she loved him, but she did not.
"I suppose I should be grateful that you do not hate me, but I find I am sad that you do not like me, even though there is no reason why you should."
Maleaha was unprepared for his next movement. Kane pulled her into his arms, and she closed her eyes, loving the feel of the soft downy hair on his bare chest that tickled her cheek. She was so overcome with weakness that she held on to his shirtfront for support.
"Oh, God help me," he murmured against her ear.
Maleaha tried to understand his meaning, then fearing she would reveal her true feelings for him, she struggled to get out of his arms.
Kane released her quickly. He did not want to frighten her with his need for her, and he did not want her to think he was treating her other than with the greatest respect.
"I will wish you a good night, Maleaha. Most probably I will be gone when you get up in the morning. I want to thank you for a lovely evening, and for your hospitality for the night." He turned and left her, and her heart cried out to him not to go. Maleaha wanted to feel his strong arms around her once more, but she knew the danger to herself and closed her eyes.
He had seemed sincere when he asked for her forgiveness. Maleaha was mixed up inside. Why had he accepted her father's dinner invitation? She doubted she would ever know the answers, and she had so many questions. Why did she love this man? Surely there were other men she could have chosen to love who would have loved her in return. But then, she had not chosen to love Kanen Benedict, she had not even known of his existence until four short weeks ago, and yet she felt she would love him forever.
Maleaha did not sleep well that night. She tossed and turned feverishly upon her bed. The next morning she dressed before dawn, went to the stable, and saddled her horse, thinking a ride would clear her mind. Perhaps when she returned to the house, Major Benedict would be gone.
10
July was settling over the land, and the heat burned the green grasses of spring to a brown straw color. Even the occasional rain did not bring any relief from the scorching heat.
The fort was in an uproar, for the Arapaho had struck again, only this time they were not satisfied to just cause mischief. They had raided a small dirt farm, and the farmer, his wife and two children were dead—burned alive by the Indians. The surrounding territory was up in arms, demanding that the soldiers at the fort perform their duty and protect the citizens.
Kane had been called to Colonel Johnson's office, and he knew what the colonel wanted to see him about. He had been out on patrol for two weeks in a row without ever sighting the Arapaho, who were making fools out of the cavalry, as well as the United States Government.
When Kane reached the office, Colonel Johnson motioned for him to take a chair. Kane was weary, having only returned from his latest patrol late the night before.
"We have got to find these renegades, major. I'm under tremendous pressure from everyone, and who can blame them? If the cavalry can't be called on to protect the citizens, who can they turn to, I asked myself?" He leaned forward. "Do you know the answer I came up with, major?"
Kane shook his head.
"Mangas, major. Mangas is our only help."
Kane was on his feet in a flash. "But how will we find Mangas? I happen to know Jonas Deveraux has gone to Spain on a cattle-buying trip."
"I believe you already know the answer to your question, major. As before, Maleaha will be your guide."
"No," Kane said, forgetting that he was speaking to his commanding officer. "I will not allow her to be placed in danger as she was before. You cannot know what faces her at Mangas's hands should he get her in his camp."
"Ma
jor, I do not fully understand your objections, but I have already sent word to Maleaha, asking her to help us find Mangas. She sent word back to me that she would be here before dawn tomorrow morning."
Kane's mind rejected the idea of placing Maleaha in danger. He would fight the colonel on this.
"I request permission for time off to go and talk to Miss Deveraux, sir."
"Permission denied, major. Maleaha has already said she will accompany you in the morning, and I will not have you trying to convince her otherwise."
"You cannot know what you have asked of her, colonel. She will be in grave danger from Mangas if you permit her to go with me."
"What kind of danger, major?"
"I am not at liberty to say, sir. You will just have to trust my word on this."
"And you will have to see my position, major. Maleaha is the only one who can help us in this. I would like to think you will be able to protect her through whatever danger you think she might face. I need her help, and I will not permit you to try and talk her out of going. Is that clear?"
Kane stood at attention, masking his anger. How dare Maleaha agree to go to Mangas's camp, knowing the danger she was placing herself in. He wished she was within his reach right now so he could shake some sense into her.
"I cannot obey that order, sir. I will do all within my power to talk her out of going."
"That is insubordination, major. I could have you court-martialed, you know?"
"Yes sir, I know, and I want to go on record as having told you there is a danger to Miss Deveraux. Her father will not be pleased when he learns what you have done," Kane said, grasping at straws.
Colonel Johnson looked uncertain for a moment. "I would risk Jonas's displeasure if it will bring an end to these raids and drive the Arapaho from this land and restore peace once more."
Kane was silent as he wondered how he would protect Maleaha. He already knew he would be unable to keep her from going.
"Would you prefer that I confine you to the fort and send Lieutenant Maxwell in your place, major?"
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