by Deanna Jewel
Kate glanced beyond the glow of their fire, toward the edge of the forest. Would the warrior be foolish enough to attempt something here with so many of Taima’s people in the vicinity? She scanned the dark timber line, listening for anything unfamiliar that might mingle with the chirping crickets and distant howl of the wolves, then realized he knew how to blend with the wilderness.
The scent of burning wood wafted on the cool breeze. The crackling fire drew Kate’s attention. Like the leaping flames that licked at the wood, casting its heat in her direction, the evil Blackfoot would span out in search of her, coming ever closer. Orange embers drifted into the night air. Her gaze followed their ascent, watching them disappear before the pattern of twinkling stars overhead.
Perhaps he would forget what she looked like.
Kate fought with the warring emotions of hate toward the Blackfoot and the friendship she’d begun to feel toward Ahanu and his wife, toward Kelee and the other children...and toward Taima.
She bit her lower lip and swallowed the lump in her throat. It shocked her to think her hatred could have faded so quickly into feelings of attraction. The thought frightened her. She had vowed to never surrender to his gaze, to his words, and most of all...to his savage touch.
From deep within the dark corners of her mind came a sense of loss. Sometime in her life, she’d been in love, and abandoned; she’d learned to protect her heart. She’d cared for someone in the past, of this she knew.
Then the loud pounding of her heart thundered in her ears as the pain began, radiating through her head.
Another vision drifted into focus. Closing her eyes, she massaged her temples, only to see a car crash, to hear horrible screams.
A moan escaped her lips. Why was she seeing these confusing images?
Her heart raced; she shook her head, trying to ward off the vision, but to no avail. A pale, bloodied face of a dead man came into view.
Steve!
Her breath caught in her throat. He’d died just before they were to be married! My God, she could remember.
Kate screamed aloud and covered her mouth.
Someone gripped her shoulders. She would be saved. Then they shook her, but Kate resisted.
She wanted to forget!
Her eyes flew open to see Taima’s face etched with desperation. Leaning into his embrace, she wrapped her arms about his neck. His warm comfort surrounded her, and she felt safe once again, secure. He gently rocked her as he stroked her hair.
* * * * *
Though Taima couldn’t believe Kate’s sudden change of attitude, of allowing him to embrace her, his heart felt as if it were about to explode. She needed him, but he didn’t know how to help. Her headaches seemed to be getting worse; he saw how she tried to massage them away. Had it hurt so badly that she screamed from unbearable pain?
He vowed first thing in the morning, he would take her to the healing waters near the falls. A cave there held the warmest waters, which would help the most. It had to. He didn’t want to watch her suffer...if she were even alive in the morning.
“What has happened? I heard a scream. Is Kate all right?”
Taima recognized his father’s voice behind him and glanced up, meeting the same concern he felt. “It’s another headache.”
“You know what needs to be done tomorrow. Do not hesitate, Nechan.”
“We will leave as soon as she feels up to it,” Taima said. “I think she needs to rest now.”
Taima awoke before Kate and Kelee. Against his better judgment, he’d allowed Kelee to talk him into putting Kate between them last night to keep her safe. Beneath his hand at her waist, her warm body lay motionless beside him. She had survived the night; the spirits hadn’t taken her. Now he would have to deal with his people’s superstitions. They would surely fear her, assuming she possessed enough power to thwart the spirit gods.
Before Taima rose to leave, he noticed a ring on Kate’s finger. He remembered the stones sparkled a brilliant green in the sunlight, reminding him of Kate’s eyes.
Later, he would take a closer look at the ring.
Slowly, Taima crawled from beneath the hide and left the lean-to. His people milled about, preparing their morning meals, glancing in his direction--likely waiting to see if Kate had lived through the night. He avoided their stares by walking down to the shoreline of the lake.
There, Taima squatted. Across the water, snow still clung to the mountain peaks though the days had become quite warm. Grizzly bears roamed freely this time of year in the higher mountains, and Taima said a silent prayer to thank the spirits gods that none had invaded his camp so far.
“She has distracted you again, hasn’t she?”
Taima lowered his head, his chin nearly touching his chest. After taking an exasperated breath, he glanced up, throwing pebbles into the water. Before Kate, he never allowed himself to drop his guard, yet now, Ahanu had approached him on several occasions without his notice.
“Be glad I am not that Blackfoot, or you would likely be dead.”
Ahanu squatted next to him, but Taima looked across the lake rather than at his friend. He knew Ahanu was right. How could he protect Kate from the other warrior if he lost his sense of perception by worrying whether her feelings would ever change toward him?
“How is Kate this morning?”
Taima met Ahanu’s inquisitive eyes. “You mean does she yet live? She does, but still sleeps.”
“The others are already fearful of her. It’s as if they knew she would live throughout the night. She’s different, Taima. She’s not like anyone else.”
“I know...and I think it has something to do with her headaches. Sakima knows. He’s been close to her since she arrived among us.”
“Yet you refuse to listen when he speaks to you.” Ahanu picked up pebbles and tossed them in the air across the water.
“I’m beginning to think he may be right,” Taima conceded.
“Your feelings toward her are changing. I can see it in the way you look at her.”
Taima looked from Ahanu’s triumphant smile. “It’s of no use. Her feelings will never change. She’s told me time and again. My savage touch disgusts her. Perhaps if I were white and not a half-breed . . .”
He stood and turned from the lake, glancing toward his lean-to. There Kate stood, looking at those who quickly turned away from her. Some covered their mouths in disbelief, others pointed, their eyes wide.
When Ahanu fell into step beside him, Taima said, “I’m taking Kate to the healing waters to see if it will help her headaches. Sakima seems to think it will. Can Kelee stay with you while we’re gone?”
“You know you don’t need to ask.” Ahanu’s secretive grin appeared on his face again, and Taima raised a brow, knowing Ahanu wasn’t finished. “Perhaps it will heal more than her headaches. She may feel differently toward you when you return.”
Taima raised an eyebrow. “Then our trip may serve two purposes, but I doubt it. You’ve heard for yourself the way she feels.”
He glanced beyond Ahanu’s shoulder as Kate walked toward him. Taima held out his hand to her.
“Do you feel well enough to travel to the healing pools today?”
She lowered her lashes. “If you think it will help. I’m sorry for the way I acted last night. I didn’t mean to frighten Kelee.”
“He only wants to see you get better, too. He will stay with Ahanu while we’re gone this morning and then again when we go tonight.”
“I want to talk with Aiyana for a moment before we go,” Kate said and left.
Taima watched her walk away, then met Ahanu’s gaze.
“Good luck, my friend. The two of you have many things to work out. Be careful; keep your senses alert.”
While Kate talked with Aiyana, Taima prepared his horse and gathered his bow and arrows and a rifle he’d purchased at a Green River rendezvous. He mounted and waited for Kate.
“I suppose I’m to ride up there with you?”
He couldn’t help but
smile. Her belligerent attitude amused him. “Unless you’d rather walk beside me like a proper Shoshone wife.”
Waves of irritation crossed her face and her eyes narrowed. Her hands fisted at her sides. “Ooooo...I knew it was wrong to think you’d changed!”
Taima laughed, but held out his hand toward her and stiffened his foot for her to use as a lift. Gritting her teeth, Kate hoisted herself onto his lap sideways, stiffening her back.
Chapter Ten
Taima ignored Kate’s cold attitude as he rode toward the healing waters. His arm encircled her waist while his other hand controlled the horse’s lead rope. Keeping her back stiff, she stared straight ahead. He wondered at her odd demeanor. Last night, she’d even cuddled against the warmth his body provided her, yet today, she seemed distant again.
He knew she fought the possibility that her feelings for him might be changing by some of the things she’d said. His feelings had, though he couldn’t say for sure when.
Several of Kate’s mannerisms were like Witashnah’s: she would glare at him rather than look away, as was the custom of the Native women when he insisted on arguing, even when she’d already lost. But he loved the fight she carried in her soul, never backing down from anyone or anything. His mother possessed those same qualities; memories of her drifted through his mind and he missed her. She would have liked Kate.
Kate nodded toward a small stream that led into a secluded area where the water enlarged into a pond before a steep hill, drawing Taima from his thoughts. “Is that where we’re stopping?”
“Yes. The healing effects of the water should make you feel better in a few days.” He stopped his horse and helped her down, watching her run toward the water’s edge, then knelt there. The sun glistened on her hair cascading down her back. Ripples atop the surface of the water circled out around her fingers where she dipped them.
Dismounting, Taima hid his horse near the cave, behind bushes, then strode to Kate’s side. As he did so, he thought back on yesterday when he’d interrupted her conversation with his father. They had been discussing her terrible headaches, then stopped when he approached them. Still, he wondered why they felt the need to stop their discussion.
Excitement lit her face and danced in her eyes when she turned toward him, still rubbing the water on her fingers. “It’s so warm.”
He paused and searched her face. “What is it about your headaches that you think I won’t understand, but my father will?”
Kate immediately lowered her lashes and her hand at the same time. “Your father has told me of his visions.”
Finally, she looked up. The green depths of her eyes held too many questions; likely, a few he didn’t want to answer.
“Why do you refuse to believe what he’s seen in his dreams?” she demanded. “Do they not come true?”
Annoyed, Taima slowly blinked and looked beyond the pond, focusing on the surrounding trees rather than the sensuality of her eyes, the nearness of her lips.
“His dreams come true more often than not. But with the hatred you feel toward me, why would I want to know that he’s envisioned you spending the rest of your life with us?” Now he looked directly at Kate. “Or has your hatred for me diminished?”
She didn’t answer, but he waited, hopeful she would admit she felt otherwise. A deep flush spread over Kate’s cheeks. She lowered her lashes, at the same time pursing her lips. Was she angry that he might have guessed she’d changed her mind about him? Kate stepped away and turned her face from his view.
Taima let a moment pass, then raised his hand to gently touch her chin, again turning her face toward him. Glistening tears clung to her dark, lowered lashes; streaks wet her cheeks from those that had already fallen. A stab of pain touched his heart. “Why do you ignore my questions?” he asked tenderly.
Kate still wouldn’t look at him. Her pink tongue slowly wet the fullness of her lips, and his loins tightened even though he fought against the reaction, knowing how she hated him. “Would it be so horrible to think of me as your friend rather than your enemy?” he asked.
She shook her head in defeat. “No, it wouldn’t be so bad.”
He raised her chin higher, but she still refused to look up. Her lips whitened as she pressed them together. “Look at me. I want to see the truth.”
Slowly, her chest rose on a deep breath, and she gazed up at him. The unvoiced answer he’d wanted to hear swam in the watery green pools of her eyes, but he wondered if she’d ever admit to her true emotions. He retained her gaze but dropped his fingers from her chin before he made the mistake of bringing her lips to his as he wanted to.
Blinking away a new tear, she said, “Will we ever be friends? Your hatred is as strong as mine. And the loving memory of your wife is something I don’t want to destroy.” She concentrated on the beads of his leather shirt. “And why would you care about how I feel when you seem to be interested in another woman?”
Taima raised an eyebrow, stunned by her question. “Do you think me so shallow that I can’t care for more than one person? As for this other woman you keep referring to, I know not of whom you speak.”
“You told me the other day that you were interested in a woman, but she didn’t care about you.” Kate flipped a stone with the toe of her moccasin.
“Naturally if I care about someone, I’d like them to also care about me and I’m not sure she does. Is that so much to ask?”
She twisted her fingers in the beaded fringe of her dress. “Why doesn’t this other woman care about you?”
Stunned, Taima couldn’t believe she honestly didn’t realize that he spoke of her. “It’s hard for me to tell how she feels, but she and Kelee get along well.”
“Like I said before, you need to make her understand how you feel as soon as possible.”
Her look of hurt tore at his emotions. For Kate to assume he had no feelings whatsoever for her made him realize he had to act now. He gently pulled her into his embrace, tipped her face up, and brought his mouth down over her soft, warm lips. They easily parted beneath his. Tenderly, he swept the sensitive skin of her mouth with his tongue, while threading his fingers into the soft hair at her nape. He molded her to the contours of his body.
Kate’s palms fluttered to rest against his chest, though she didn’t attempt to push from his embrace. Neither did she resist the deepening kiss, but rather, allowed him to move his hands down the length of her body. The soft doeskin hugged the curves beneath his fingers. A moan escaped her throat.
Kate’s hands reached up to touch the sides of his face; her tongue swept the sensitive flesh of his own mouth, creating a fire deep in his loins. He wanted to make love to her now, but instead broke the kiss.
Her breath came in small gasps as did his own.
Defeat loomed in her eyes. “What about the other woman you care for?”
“I will have to try harder to convince her how much I care. In the meantime...” Taima took her hand and led her toward the water. “...your health is what concerns me.”
He lifted her onto a large rock near the pond, then set about removing his leather shirt, moccasins and leggings, leaving on only his breechcloth. Stepping before her, he slipped off her moccasins. The delicate bones of her ankle drew his attention, so small within his large hand.
Lifting her, he cradled her in his arms and strode into the water. Her arms wrapped around his neck. “You can’t be serious. My dress will be ruined.”
“It will dry.”
The warm water surrounded his legs, then his waist, finally engulfing his chest and covering Kate to her shoulders. Her long hair trailed in the water.
“The water is so hot,” she gasped.
“Close your eyes and concentrate. Allow the warmth to enter and heal your body.”
He walked further out, so the water covered all but Kate’s face as she tipped her head back. “I’m going to let go of you; your body will float. Keep your eyes closed and relax. I will keep my hands beneath you.”
Slowly, he le
t go of her till he barely touched her back and legs. She floated that way for several minutes. Taima touched his fingers to her temples, massaging in the warm water as Kate gently moved her arms to stay afloat.
“It does soothe my headache.”
“These waters heal much. Sometimes, things we’re not even aware of,” Taima added. He watched the tension leave her features as she seemed to relax, watched how her dark lashes dusted her cheeks. Her pale skin looked even whiter against the blueness of the water. His fingers continued to work their magic on her temples, and her lips parted slightly. His good intentions to help her nearly crumbled as thoughts of bedding her invaded his brain like a stampede of wild buffalo.
As if she sensed his thoughts, Kate opened her eyes and looked into his.
Suddenly, she splashed water against his face. Her beautiful laugh echoed around him. Laughing, Taima wiped his cheeks, cupped his hands, and splashed her back. Like a fish, she disappeared beneath the surface and swam away.
He watched, waiting for her to make a move.
Moments later, she appeared across the pond, and he dove beneath the water toward her.
* * * * *
Kate couldn’t remember the last time she’d had this much fun. The bright reflection of the morning sun prevented her from seeing Taima beneath the water. Scanning the surface, she wondered where he would appear. Suddenly his arms wrapped around her waist from behind and she screamed playfully, attempting to get away.
Holding her back against his chest, he bent his head close to her ear. “Our women usually swim without their dresses. You should try it. It would allow more water to enter through your skin for healing,” Taima said as she rested the back of her head in the crook of his neck and shoulder.
His hands moved to the hem of her dress, but she grasped his wrists before he raised it to her waist. “Don’t you dare. Our people swim with their clothes on.”
A laugh sounded deep in his chest. “A habit that constricts the body from natural movement.”
His deep, velvety voice caressed her ear as he held her back against his chest in a protective embrace. Her heart soared, happiness making her giddy. Perhaps she and Taima could be friends.