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"We're pretty close…Hawk and me!" He laughed.
Eve smiled, it was good that her children got along well with Hawk. But while they were here, it was dangerous.
Eve barely saw him all night. At the table she was at one end, he at the other and he didn't offer to dance with her either.
She wished he had, but then he was an Indian, maybe he didn't know how to dance. On the other hand, perhaps it would have been improper. Strange that the word improper never occurred to her. Everything about her relationship with Hawk was improper.
The next morning he came up to her quarters and knocked on the door.
"Ready?"
"Yes, we are."
"Have you said your goodbyes?" He asked.
"I said them last night." She chuckled.
"To all those young men who danced with you?"
She chuckled again, "Yes, to all of them."
"Then we'll be on our way. I've spoken with the Colonel. He's sorry to see you leave, of course, like all the men." He teased gently.
Hawk and Eve walked along side each other, but Matthew and Jane Ann rode. She waved at all the women who came out to say goodbye.
"Take care, come back and visit, dear!" One of them called to her.
"Thank you Mrs. Harrington, I will." Eve smiled at them now.
Chapter Nine
"I wanted to stop here, so you could say goodbye to your children and parents." Hawk gestured as they stood before her old home place once more." Hawk said.
"Thank you."
As she fixed breakfast, everyone ate and Hawk watched them. When the kids finished she let them go play for a bit.
He came up to her. "To go north would put you in danger more. It is an unsettled area. We should head south. Is there a town you want to go to?"
"No…" She said her face withdrawn, her voice emotionless. "I have no kin, and I won't go back east."
"Are there no relatives left in your family?"
"No…" She said again flatly this time. "None I care to live with."
"Where do you want to go, then?" he asked her, coming closer.
"I want," she looked at him seriously now, knowing he wouldn't approve. "To stay here, Hawk." When he turned his head with disgust she went on to explain. "This is my home, my land." She said and saw his mouth open wordlessly. "I own it. This is where my children are buried, my parents too." She insisted. "Why can't we stay here?" The plea in her voice softened him.
He stared long and hard.
"It is what you want?" He frowned at her.
"Yes…It's the only home I've known." She pleaded with her eyes.
"Then we will stay." He sighed heavily.
She breathed easier now. "Thank you…"
