AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Now they don't." He moved to the table and grabbed a piece of bread and a tankard of water. He ate in silence.
"Do you miss them?"
"No, although I learned much from them, I do not consider them my people. I am Shawnee."
"And white…"
"And…white." Then he looked up at them. "You will gather only what you can carry. We will leave this place, tomorrow."
"I...I..."
"We will leave," He insisted firmly.
Chapter Eleven
It was mid afternoon when Chase saw the dust flying in a straight line for the station. He knew the dangers. It might be soldiers, for Indians wouldn't be that obvious. Besides, he had pacified the Comanche with the horses. They wouldn't be back as long as the soldiers didn't stay here. They had to get rid of the soldiers.
He sheathed his big knife and stood tall. His shirt was in the house and the sun bore down hard on his back. He was healing and that was good.
He shielded his eyes and then slowly walked into the cabin. Katherine was heating food for the evening meal over the open pit. He looked at her and the unfamiliar feeling of knowing her ran through him again. She drew him and he didn't understand why. Burning Tree again…he said she would come to him.
"The bluecoats are coming," he said lowly, his brows drawing, his jaw tensing, his lethal calmness disturbing her. But his words comforted her in some ways. Ways she didn't understand.
Katherine whipped about to stare into his somber eyes.
"What do we do?" She asked breathlessly, in an almost whisper. Already she trusted him and he didn't understand that either.
"You go about your work as though nothing happened." He came closer, staring into her worried eyes.
"But you...you must hide." She nearly reached to touch his chest, hesitated, and met his glance shyly, but the unease in her voice warned him of her growing fears.
"Wrap the blood soaked bandage back around me. I will lie on the bed. When they ask, you tell them I was scouting for Fort Davis and ran into the Comanche. They wounded me, and stole the horses here."
Katherine nodded and then ran to get the bandages. She quickly wrapped his wound as he lay on the bed. She jumped at every sound from outside. His hand suddenly covered hers, "Do not be afraid, little one. I will not let them harm you."
She drip
ped water on his forehead and sat at his side as she fumbled with her apron.
Her nearness distracted him.
Chase listened for the soldiers. They drove their horse's right up to the hitching post and dismounted as though all hell were after them. They pushed open the station door without bothering to knock and then walked boldly through the room, the first one with a sword drawn. Had he been alone, he would have rushed to oppose their actions, but thinking of Katherine and Josh, he tempered himself.
"Well, lookie here." The soldier shouted. "Looks like them Comanche didn't kill 'em after all." The southern accent of a Corporal whirred as a Sergeant strode past him.
In seconds another soldier entered the room, brushing aside the Sergeant. This man had rank and an unreadable stern face. He was fairly young and handsome, but totally unapproachable.
"What's happened here?" he demanded.
Out of the slits of his deep blue eyes, Chase watched their every move, waiting.
***
Katherine stood and turned to stare into the cold gray eyes of the officer who demanded answers. The Captain had immaculate blonde hair, a piercing glance, and a stubborn chin tilted to the air. Katherine thought he might be very handsome, if he would only smile.
"The Comanches, they stole my horses, and nearly killed this man." Katherine managed in a breathless whisper.
"Who is he?" The officer demanded, his nose curling at the edge with distaste. An icy chill hung on his words.
