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"Do not trouble yourself, Lee. The Captain aims to see us hang, but he'll have a time getting us to any fort for that. Right now I'd say the Comanche have a better chance at that, than the army. It's just his unforgiving nature on duty right now. Perhaps in time he'll come to see."
"And I wanted to make a career out of the service," Lee muttered.
"Do not give up so easily, my friend…" Chase smiled.
"I'm sure hungry," one of the Tyler boys said, watching all of them with a nervous gaze, as hunger cut the edges of a smile from his face.
"Yeah, me too, now that you mention it," Jesse sat up and maneuvered his arm so it lay against his chest. His unhealthy pallor registered the pain he bore. He went white for a second, then sighed heavily and fell against the wall. His breathing fell to a low whimpering sound.
Everyone watched him for a few minutes to make sure he was still alive.
"We will use the water sparingly, only a sip at a time." Chase warned as he handed her the canteen to give water to Jesse.
"And what about food…?" she asked Chase, as everyone watched.
"Check in there to see if there is anything…" Chase motioned.
Katherine looked at them all, as though they all expected her to find food for them and feed them. She got up and went to see if there was anything anywhere that th
ey could eat. Strangely enough, the numbness that had nearly buried her with her folks was gone. She felt alive and eager to fight to stay that way.
A burned out fireplace looked empty, but there was a spit and the big black iron pot was sitting on the table clean but empty. The small cupboard housed a few plates and utensils but there was no food. Not one crumb.
She went back to Chase's side, "There is nothing there…"
"I will get us water and food, tonight. We will make a fire and have something late. I cannot go out till it is dark," Chase offered, his eyes seeking hers for understanding.
"But you can't go out there," she protested. "They'll kill you…"
"I can, and I will. I do not choose to starve." Chase smiled at her. "There are better ways to die."
"There's no wood for the fire," she turned to look at the dead embers in the small fireplace.
"We will bust what is left of the furniture and have enough for the night. Tomorrow is another night and we will manage."
She nodded. Chase's words gave her courage.
Before long she slipped into a deep sleep. Unaware of how she clung to Chase.
Her dreams magnified and she stirred restlessly against him. He smiled as she nestled into the crook of his arm.
***
Katherine pleaded with Chase not to go outside. But he was going and she couldn't stop him. "Please don't go, we'll think of something…"
Chase smiled and led her to the back door; no one was awake but them. Chase looked down into her face. "Do not worry, little one, I will return."
"Even if you manage to get water, how will you find food? They aren't going to just sit out there and watch you," she cried in a panic.
"I will find food, no problem. Now, stay low, don't waste ammunition, and stop worrying…"
Suddenly, Katherine looked into his eyes, eyes that held laughter, and sorrow. Eyes with knowledge. "Please don't go…"
"I will be all right," he smiled, his hand going to her cheek to caress it. She closed her eyes against the action. No one had touched her so softly since her mother died. She could not help but lean into the caress. Her heart tripped at the seconds they might have.
"Now, close the door behind me," Chase whispered, as his lips barely touched her forehead. He looked down at her and saw her expression and his head bent.
Right or wrong, she had feelings for this man and she needed him to know it. Somehow, for only a small fraction of time, he must feel her love. It seemed important.
