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Because of his lessons, she didn’t need any escort today, or ever.
Yet she knew just how stubborn George Whaley was when he made his mind up about something; she knew she had no choice but to go along with what he demanded today.
If she refused to agree with him, she would be stuck at the fort.
And there was so much about this Major Klein that reminded her of that younger boy . . . of that sweet Paul Breningmeyer.
She forced a smile, and made certain it was as sweet as possible as she gazed at George. “All right,” she said. “I know that you are doing this because you feel it is right. I understand. Now can we go? I’m anxious to be on my way.”
Colonel James Hawkins, the colonel in charge of the fort, sauntered into the room at that moment. He was in full uniform, with shiny gold epaulets, and several medals pinned on his chest, his brown hair resting on his shoulders.
He had a lean, pockmarked face and a thin mustache. “Are you two ready to leave?” he asked, stopping and smiling from Shoshana to Major Klein.
“Yes, sir,” Major Klein said, stiffening and saluting the colonel.
“Yes, they’re ready, and I’ve given them both a lecture,” George said as he stepped around the desk, his wooden leg and cane thumping against the oak floor, his hand reaching out for the other colonel’s.
They shook hands, then Colonel Hawkins turned to Shoshana. “Young lady, I want to assure you that you are in good hands and will be absolutely safe with Major Klein,” he said, clasping his hands behind him. “The scalp hunter has been laying low, anyway.”
He slid a slow smile over to George. “I’m sure Mountain Jack has got wind of a certain Colonel George Whaley being in the area, and why,” he said. “George, the sandy-whiskered varmint’ll probably stay hidden as long as you’re here, not realizing that he’ll be sniffed out real soon by you.”
George gave the colonel an uneasy glance, for in a matter of moments Hawkins would not be feeling as chipper as he did now. After George told him that he was returning to Missouri as soon as possible, that confident smirk would be wiped off the colonel’s face.
“Shoshana, I’ve got something to give you,” George said, going behind his desk and opening a drawer. He took a red bandanna from it, then handed it over the desk to her. “Honey, it’s a hot day. Use the bandanna to tie your long hair back from your face.”
“Thank you,” Shoshana said, taking the bandanna and doing as he suggested. She knew that the bandanna was meant to serve a dual purpose. It would keep her hair from her face, and it might also distract attention from her long black hair just in case Mountain Jack was in the area.
She turned to Major Klein. “I’m ready,” she said, and together they left the room.
George watched from a window as Shoshana mounted her assigned steed, while the young major mounted his own. George followed them with his gaze until they rode out of sight.
Then he turned to the colonel. “I have something to tell you that is sure to rankle,” he said, his voice tight.
“And that is?” Colonel Hawkins asked, lifting a thick brown eyebrow.
“I have no choice but to step away from this opportunity to track down the scalp hunter,” George blurted out. “My Shoshana comes first, and by damn, I plan to take her back home to Missouri where she will be absolutely safe.”
“You are going to do what?” Colonel Hawkins demanded. “You can’t do this, George. I personally chose you for this assignment. If you fail, it won’t look good for me in Washington.”
“I’m sorry about that,” George said. He sighed heavily. “Truly, I’m damn sorry about that.”
“I’ve gone to a lot of trouble and expense to bring you to Arizona!” Colonel Hawkins shouted. “And now you’re telling me that you’re walking out on me? George, I won’t have it. Do you hear? I won’t have it!”
“You won’t have it?” George said, his eyes narrowing angrily. “Must I remind you that I retired long ago from the military and am under nobody’s thumb anymore? You can’t dictate to me. No one can. I came to help. But now I see the mistake in doing so. No ranting and raving you do will make me change my mind. Do you hear? Nothing will change my mind. I’m Missouri-bound with my daughter tomorrow.” He lifted his wooden leg from the floor and banged it down hard. “Do you hear? Tomorrow!”
Colonel Hawkins’s face was red with anger. His eyes flared.
Without a word he turned and left the room in a hurry.
George wiped his brow free of sweat with the back of a hand. “Now that’s that,” he whispered to himself. “I guess I told him a thing or two, didn’t I?”
Frowning, he went to the window and gazed into the distance.
He knew that he had just won a victory over the famous colonel.
But he didn’t feel all victorious. He was too aware that many things could happen between now and tomorrow!
He knew that no one was safe in this area. Especially a woman as beautiful and alluring as his Shoshana.
