Never Surrender

by Deanna Jewel

  “Then she’ll help by slowing them down so we can catch them easily.”

  Taima looked at his friend. “Kate thinks I’m dead.” He winced in pain at a failed attempt to sit up. “Damn,” he winced again. “I had to pretend to be dead so they wouldn’t kill me. One of the warriors wanted to put an arrow through my chest.”

  “How many were there?” Ahanu asked.

  “Three. Two held Kate while I fought the scarred warrior. I tried to watch him and her at the same time; stupid on my part.”

  “She has distracted you since you first found her.”

  Taima raised a brow and curled his lip at Ahanu’s comment, then looked away. Ahanu was right; he always seemed to be right. Kate had been a distraction to him ever since he’d first laid eyes on her. Ahanu had proved that the day at the stream. Taima hadn’t even heard him approach.

  He thought of how she looked that day at the healing pond. The sun’s reflection upon her dark hair reminded him of the moon’s reflection upon the water. Her eyes spoke words her tongue wouldn’t.

  “You rest a while longer. It’s still early. Then we’ll see if you can travel.”

  He tipped the bottle to his lips again. He’d find her. First thing tomorrow, they’d leave.

  Chapter Twelve

  Taima wiped away the perspiration on his forehead with the back of his hand. The intense pain from the wound in his side forced him to obey Ahanu’s order to rest, though he hated giving in to the pain. He winced as he narrowed his eyes at Ahanu. “If you allow me to rest for more than a few hours, you will regret it.”

  “Rest. If Kate walks, their trail will be easy to follow. And we’ll be moving faster than they are.”

  Later, Taima opened his eyes when Ahanu touched his shoulder, and he blinked at the bright noon sun. Though the burning pain in his side still raged, he did feel stronger. He smelled the fresh medicinal dressing Ahanu had laid at his side as Ahanu removed the leather bandages around his ribs.

  “You would make a good wife,” Taima teased.

  His friend only glared back at him. “I had to cut your shirt to make these wraps, but your leggings are on that rock,” Ahanu said, nodding his head toward the rock. “We need to pack fresh medicine around the wound before we leave. I used the crusty smoke balls and water to make these dressings. Now lie still.”

  When he finished, Ahanu strode toward the horses, returning with them. Taima wrapped an arm around his friend’s neck and slowly stood. Nearly exhausted already, he sat on the rock and began putting on his leggings, wincing in pain as he did so.

  “If you can’t sit there without being in pain, you can’t ride,” Ahanu scolded. “I can go after her for you.”

  Taima snapped his head up and met Ahanu’s gaze. “I will go...if it kills me!”

  “It just might! Your side still bleeds.”

  “Get me on the horse. I’ll be fine,” Taima stated, holding out his hand for the reins. Ahanu brought his horse to the rock and Taima mounted as he had yesterday. At least now he had enough strength to sit up. The muscles in his stomach pulled on the wound near his ribs, so Taima tried not to tighten his left side if he could help it.

  Ahanu handed him the bottle of fire water. “You may need this.”

  Taima drew a long swallow of the potent liquid, accepting the burn in his throat, then nudged his horse ahead with Ahanu’s. He glanced at his friend, pursing his lips in doubt.

  “We’ll find her,” Ahanu said.

  Taima could only nod. His people had been bitter enemies with the Blackfoot for as long as he could remember, and Kate’s captors would seek revenge against her. She had to be safe, he told himself as he rode along with Ahanu.

  * * * * *

  One day seemed to blend into another for Kate as she rode with the warriors through the mountains. The scarred warrior ordered her to sit still as they swiftly moved south. She no longer cared what happened to her; she didn’t belong here anyway! Perhaps today something would happen to send her back through time where she’d come from, but then again, she had thought the same thing yesterday...and the day before.

  Weariness was taking its toll on her body; just sitting on the horse took all her strength. She’d even lost track of how long they’d traveled. Although they had stopped dragging her, the savages treated her like one of their dogs, tossing her meat at mealtime and keeping her tied at night.

  Last night’s dream vividly occupied her mind today. She’d dreamed of the warrior in the misty valley, but still didn’t know who he was. Her dreams hadn’t been anything memorable since she’d landed here in the past, yet last night’s dream made her remember who she searched for.

  Could the warrior be Taima? But since he’d died, he could no longer play a role in the dream. The lake and mountains didn’t look familiar either. Confused, Kate glanced toward the setting sun beyond the jagged Tetons. They weren’t the same as those in her dream.

  A headache began to pound at her temples and she brought her tied hands up and pressed her fingers to her forehead. The throbbing kept rhythm with the horse’s slow gait as they traveled along the river that snaked around the base of the mountains. If they would only stop this incessant pace! It had to be time to rest for the night.

  Closing her eyes, she concentrated on what little time she and Taima had spent in the healing water and how gently he’d massaged her temples that morning. His image formed easily in her mind’s eye, as if she’d seen him today. Kate touched her lips, remembering how Taima had provoked her response. The slow caress of his hand along her naked flesh had made her want more. Yet, now she would never experience what he could teach her...or make her feel emotionally.

  A heavy sadness filled her heart for what could never be, and a familiar sorrow welled up within her. Taima had too easily destroyed the wall around her heart, and she’d allowed it to happen. But she needed him to love her.

  Wanting what she could never have, warm tears slipped from her closed eyes. Rough fingers beneath her chin moved her face up and she stared at the ugly white scar, then the dark eyes of Taima’s murderer. She couldn’t help it. The tears flowed harder. Jerking her chin from the warrior’s grasp, she looked away.

  “The trappers will soon make you forget your Indian lover,” he said, and laughed.

  As much as Kate wanted to ignore his comment, she’d been dreading her arrival at Green River. Her dreams included tormenting hands that reached for her from the darkness and of laughter coming from all directions. Surely she wouldn’t survive beyond her first day. Death had to be better than what this warrior had in store for her.

  She bit her lower lip. If she could only talk with her friend, Monica; at least talking with her would help. Or even Aiyana, who had seemed aware of her attraction to Taima even before Kate had admitted it to herself. She wished she and Taima hadn’t argued so often; their relationship could have blossomed into something beautiful if she wouldn’t have been so stubborn.

  This time a sob broke loose that she could no longer hold back, and the tears continued to flow down her cheeks. She wiped her chin on her shoulder.

  “By mid-morning tomorrow, we will trade you. Then you will cry no more, white eyes,” he tormented.

  * * * * *

  The next morning, Kate realized Taima’s killer had told her the truth. She now stood atop a hill. An encampment spread over the valley before her as she carefully scanned the groups of traders and Indians. Men milled about exchanging furs for guns or liquor, cooking utensils or blankets. Teepees dotted the land as well as a small lodge or two.

  Kate’s stomach knotted to think what lay ahead. With her hands still tied to the long, leather rope, she was tugged behind her captor’s horse down into the encampment of men. The beat of her heart raced faster than the rhythm of her reluctant steps. She pulled the rope taut, hoping to slow their progress, but the savage yanked her forward.

  As they entered the area, men crowded around her, Indian braves and trappers alike. Some men stayed near the lodge with their f
emale Indian companions, paying no heed to her entrance into their vicinity. The stench of unwashed bodies sickened her.

  She glanced from one unshaven face to the next. Brown, rotted teeth were revealed as the trappers smiled and leered at her. Bile rose in her throat to think she would be given to one of these filthy men in exchange for a few guns and whiskey.

  When a bearded trapper reached out to touch her face, the scarred warrior dismounted and pulled his knife to stop the man, pointing the knife at the trapper’s throat. “We trade first. Show me guns,” he said.

  Kate couldn’t believe this Blackfoot would actually trade her like a piece of equipment. He wrapped her rope around his hand and pulled her along, following the bearded man as the crowd cleared an exit for him.

  Humiliation heated Kate’s face as the Indian women whispered behind their hands. She wondered how those women could allow such filthy men to touch them, but they seemed to enjoy the attention.

  Kate lowered her lashes to stare at her hands. Dirt caked to the blood on her wrists around the rawhide. Her fingernails were broken and dirty. The body odor of traveling for six days without a bath almost choked her, and she knew her hair hung in a knotted mess. She just wanted to die, it would be easier.

  Unwillingly, Kate followed the men to one of the trapper’s huge tents, but she waited outside with Taima’s killer and the other men. The trapper tied open the entrance flap to reveal his trade goods, then bent and threw back a blanket. Kate couldn’t believe her eyes. Nearly thirty rifles lay spread over the ground beside three cases of whiskey.

  Realizing she was actually being given to this trapper, her stomach flipped, then tightened as she stared at the scruffy man. His gaze devoured her where she stood. Kate covered her mouth, but doubted that would stop the bile forcing its way up her throat. Quickly stepping away from the entrance, she got sick at the side of the tent, then turned away and collapsed to her knees. A cold sweat covered her face.

  She couldn’t believe she would be given to that awful man inside. He was three times her size. God, why couldn’t she just die right here? She was so tired. How could she possibly continue?

  Suddenly, someone grabbed her by the hair, leaving her no choice but to stand. Again, the scarred face loomed before her. “Good-bye, white eyes. Your new owner has paid plenty for you. Please him well.” The Blackfoot twisted his hand in her long hair. “It’s been so long since he’s had a white woman, he’ll quickly rid your mind of your Indian lover.”

  She glanced at the trapper as he scratched through his beard, his gaze roving the length of her body. The livid lust in his eyes made her take a step back.

  “Cut her hands free,” he said.

  Kate widened her eyes. Had she heard him correctly?

  “You’re making a mistake, white man.”

  “Cut her loose,” the trapper repeated.

  Kate glanced at Taima’s killer. The hatred that stared back at her could easily have severed the rawhide, but he slipped his blade between her wrists and cut her free.

  She looked at the trapper. “Thank you,” Kate murmured as she flexed her fingers. She examined the dried blood and dirt on her wrists, then glared at the Blackfoot.

  The Indian chief sheathed his blade. “My braves and I will collect the guns and fire water and be on our way at first light.”

  Kate wished him gone, but before he strode away, Taima’s killer spoke again, a wicked smile twisting his thin lips. “The memories of your lover will be a thing of the past...soon.”

  As he walked past the bearded trapper, she heard him say, “By nightfall, you’d be wise to restrain her. She is like a wild mountain cat.”

  “She won’t leave my sight,” the trapper answered.

  Kate looked around at the faces in the crowd. None of them smiled, but curiosity sparked a gleam in all their eyes. The few Indian women present clung to the trappers, attempting to entice them away to their teepees. Kate wondered if they’d been traded or if they were here by choice.

  “Do you have a name?” the trapper demanded.

  “Kate.”

  “By the looks of you, not only did he not allow you to bathe, he didn’t feed you either. Hungry?”

  Kate nodded. She didn’t want to be cooperative, but she’d been hungry for too many days to refuse food.

  He pointed toward a young Indian woman. “Go with her. She’ll feed you and show you a place to rest.”

  As Kate stepped past him, his fingers wrapped around her arm like a vise, and he yanked her close. Her eyes widened as she met his brown gaze, and the small hairs on the back of her neck rose.

  “Try anything at all, and I’ll see each one of these men get a turn with you...white man and warrior alike.”

  Kate raised her chin and pulled her arm from his grasp. She refused to let him see how he frightened her. The crowd stared at her, and Kate bravely met their gazes as she followed the other woman. She wouldn’t jeopardize what freedom she’d just gained, but neither would she put up with being abused any longer.

  At the trapper’s tent, Kate rested on a thick tree stump set before the fire. The woman withdrew two pieces of meat from a black kettle hanging over the orange coals. She stepped inside the tent and returned to hand Kate the plate of food that now included two soft biscuits and something to drink.

  She had been deprived of water most of the journey and couldn’t wait to get the cup to her lips. When Kate took a sip, she nearly choked. The woman had filled her small tin cup with whiskey! But she wouldn’t complain; it would help numb her against the situation she now found herself in.

  The meat and biscuits were a relief after eating only dried meat most of the last six days. Seldom had she eaten fresh kill. When she picked up her cup to finish the last swallow, it had been refilled. Kate met the woman’s narrowed eyes, then she turned her back to Kate. Maybe she’d been ordered to get her drunk. Right now, she didn’t care; anything to dull her senses would help.

  Greatly enjoying the food and whiskey, Kate’s stomach finally quit growling and she relaxed to view her new surroundings. She glanced at the men gathered in different clusters, making trade deals or simple conversation. Thoughts of Taima crept into her mind as she compared him to the warriors here, but somehow, there was no comparison.

  Kate sipped from her cup until it was empty, then realized how exhausted she was. Although she didn’t want to sleep in the trapper’s tent, perhaps that would be the safest place. She closed her eyes, rested her head in her hands for a moment and relaxed on the stump. Her feet hurt so badly; they would likely throb for the next year. A soak in the river would feel wonderful and help soothe her feet if she could only get there. What she needed was a tub filled with hot water!

  A hand on Kate’s shoulder made her jump and the woman stepped back, her eyes as wide as saucers. Kate rubbed her own eyes, then tried to calm the woman. “I’m sorry, I’m just tired.”

  The woman pointed toward the oblong tent until Kate rose and walked inside. The guns and whiskey were gone. Stacked boxes nearly hid a pile of hides and blankets in the back corner. She glanced at the woman, who nodded her approval. That was all the invitation Kate needed to stretch out on the furs. Although the sun raised high in the mid-day sky, Kate knew she’d be able to sleep.

  She turned to the other woman. “I don’t know if you can understand me or not, but thank you for your kindness.”

  The Indian woman nodded, then stepped from the tent and lowered the entrance flap. Kate stretched out on her stomach, resting her head on her arms. Sleep came quicker than she realized.

  The aroma of roasted meat drifted through her dream, tormenting her senses. Her stomach wrenched with hunger and the smell grew with intensity, finally waking her up. She stared into the darkness, aware she wasn’t alone. Her heart raced. Someone sat in front of her on the boxes, his form silhouetted against the fire outside. Thinking he was here to harm her, a wave of terror welled up in her belly. Quickly, she sat up.

  “Stay calm. I’ve only brought
you food.”

  She recognized the trapper’s voice, and relieved, Kate took the plate he offered. “Thank you. I appreciate being allowed to sleep. I was forced to walk most of the way here without rest.”

  “Just eat. You look too thin. Tomorrow you’ll feel better.”

  “Is there somewhere I might bathe after I eat? Even if you have to send the Indian woman with me; I won’t mind.”

  Though the darkness in the tent hid his features, Kate knew he watched her for a moment before answering. “I’ll let you know. Here’s some water.”

  Pausing before she accepted his offering, she looked at him skeptically then took the tall bottle and tasted it.

  Water!

  Finally!

  As she drew another drink, the cool liquid seeped from her mouth and down her chin, only to wipe it away with the back of her hand.

  “The Indian woman can show you where to bathe as soon as you’re ready,” he said. “Did he beat you?”

  Kate shook her head. “No, he just kept me tied and made me walk most of the way for the past five or six days.” She picked up a piece of meat in her fingers to taste it, all the while feeling his eyes on her.

  “Did he . . .” The man stopped, but Kate comprehended the disgust in his voice.

  Slowly she raised her head and glared at the bearded man. “No...but one of his braves tried. I fought back, and he likely still hurts where I hit him.”

  The trapper chuckled and shook his head. “I’ll be damned. At least my merchandise was kept safe.”

  “I’m not merchandise, though you seemed to have paid dearly for something you’ll never use!” Kate instantly regretted her choice of words.

  His eyes widened and his lips parted. Fear slithered like a snake down her spine and recoiled in her stomach. She’d spoken before realizing what impact her words would have. Would she never learn?

  Suddenly, the trapper towered over her like a grizzly bear. His massive fingers grasped a handful of her hair and dragged Kate to her feet. The plate of food slipped from her hand and crashed against the wooden crates.