AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She wiggled a little and he sent her a quick glance, "Don't fall off."
"Why, what does it matter to you?"
"You're just getting my back warmed up." He chuckled.
She laughed aloud and clung to him closer. "I will always love you Aiden, always. Because despite everything you will not lie to me. It makes me love you."
Chapter Four
They camped after they made a good twenty miles in the thick snow. The farther into the mountains they went, the colder and heavier the snow was. Everyone was tired, frozen and anxious to get to the village.
Angus helped Aiden set up camp for the night, the women began preparing the food. They built a big fire to warm them, and so the women could cook. The Indian woman tried to help Gloria, but Gloria didn't welcome her help.
When Lucy saw that the white woman didn't welcome Pumpkin's help, she didn't attempt to help her either.
Angus saw how Gloria snubbed her help and came up to her boldly. "Pumpkin is a good cook, and she's right handy to have on the trail. She'll be glad to help all she can."
Gloria stared at the crusty man before her. "Fine, but she must wash her hands before she touches the food." Gloria instructed.
"Why?" Angus snorted, "the heat from the fire kills the bad. It's too cold out here to wash your hands all the time."
"It's more sanitary."
"Sani what?"
"Never mind." Gloria cried with exasperation, folding her lips together in a frown.
Aiden built a fire and instructed Gloria to use melted snow for the coffee. She nodded.
Lucy studied her for a long moment. She didn’t offer her help, but watched, nonetheless.
"You're not going to help with the cooking?" Aiden asked Lucy.
"It's your camp, not mine."
"I guess you're right." He grinned.
"She does not want Pumpkin's help, what makes you think she'd want mine. She is very beautiful."
"Yes, she is." Aiden agreed. "I'm sorry for the way she acts with you though."
"It does not surprise me. It is always the same. Is that her husband that stands and watches her so?"
"Yes."
"He is very quiet."
"I've noticed that myself."
Lucy kept watching her. She was still a young woman, and very pretty. But like so many whites, this woman could not see her as a person. It suddenly became important that she did to Lucy. As the woman finished cooking and started dishing up the food to everyone, Lucy came closer. "Your child is at the village." She finally told her.
Gloria spun around to look at her, her mouth hung open in surprise. "You've seen her?"
"I have," Lucy affirmed. "She is fine."
The relief in the woman's eyes made Lucy glad she told her. She deserved to know the truth. She was a woman of courage, and Lucy couldn't deny that.
"Why did they take her?" Gloria's voice softened a bit. "I don’t understand. I don't know much about the Indians. I'd like to understand."
