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"Oh, what did he do?"
"I'll tell you someday."
"Now that's interesting, why did you marry him then?" Aiden chuckled.
"Many reasons. He was the best trapper of the tribe. The kindest of all the warriors. He was lonely, and I guess I was too. But the real reason, I guess I should tell you." she glanced at him now. "One of the warriors wanted to marry me, but I didn't like him much, he had a very mean heart. I knew this well. I think that's why Claw Hand married me. To keep me safe from him. So, we married. Not all marriages are the same, Aiden. We were companions, friends. Maybe if we'd been married longer, I would have learned to. But he felt the same. It was good, at least as long as it lasted."
"I'm sorry he was killed." Aiden told her, looking up at the night sky with a huge sigh. "He must have been a pretty nice fella."
"Me too, and he was." She whispered and went to sleep. "We had a good life together it just wasn't like most people would think."
The next day they traveled through heavy snows and it was all they could do to keep from freezing. Even the horses moved slower. No one talked much. Everyone was bundled up. When they camped Aiden did everything to make them comfortable and showed the Winters how to keep warm through the night, He built a shelter for them and Lucy helped him. Angus and Pumpkin joined them in making the camp as warm as they could. Funny, Lucy was by his side constantly now, but Aiden didn't mind. Lucy knew exactly how to build a shelter and things that would keep them more comfortable. Aiden was glad she was along. She certainly did her share of the work, which was more than he could say for the Winters. Mr. Winters seemed totally incapable of knowing what to do. In fact, from his facial expression, this trip was not his idea.
Aiden wondered if Gloria wore the pants in the family. It certainly looked like it.
Angus and Pumpkin rolled up together, even Gloria and Frank were snuggled under the covers. Lucy was about to lay down when Aiden patted a place on his blanket for her. Lucy didn't hesitate to snuggle up to Aiden. Gloria gasped when they huddled together.
"I won't let her freeze," Aiden smirked at the woman.
Gloria stared at them for the longest. Finally, she closed her eyes.
Lucy wasn't shy about cuddling eithe
r. She wrapped her arms around Aiden and smothered her head just under his chin. When her hands stole inside his shirt though he came awake with a start, as her lips grazed against his chest. Cold lips. Awareness shot through Aiden like a spear.
"I'm so cold," she whispered as he felt her body shiver.
His arms went around her, "Well you sure know how to warm a blanket."
When he looked at her through the moonlight, he saw how dark her lips were, she was cold. Suddenly, without thought, he kissed her.
He only meant to melt the cold from her, but it did much more than that. It went on forever and she responded in kind. It was the sweetest kiss, and Aiden wanted to explore it a little longer, but good sense prevailed. When they pulled apart, he looked at her, "Are you warmer now?" he asked huskily with a slightly teasing smile.
She snuggled against him, her hands going back to his chest as she kissed him there, "Much warmer, thanks Aiden… I needed that."
"I know, your lips were turning blue. Go to sleep, Little One before I take that kiss a bit farther." he tried to control his own wayward reactions.
"I'm not a Little One, Aiden, I've grown up… " she whispered for his ears alone.
"I know," he answered quite seriously, "that's the problem, sweetheart. Now get some sleep." He whispered back.
"Sleeping with you could get to be a habit," she chuckled softly and laid her head against his chest once more. Her warm breath sent another signal through him. But strangely, he smiled and went back to sleep his arms wrapped tightly around her.
The next morning Lucy and Aiden were up before anyone. Aiden built the fire up, and Lucy made the coffee. Pumpkin stirred and after kissing Angus quite thoroughly she joined Lucy at the fire. They talked endlessly, and Aiden found it amusing how easily Lucy adapted to people. Of course, Pumpkin was Indian.
The Winters finally stirred as Lucy had some fatback cooking.
"I guess we overslept," Gloria ran her hand through her thick dark hair.
Lucy stared at her, she was a fine figure of a woman and her hair was so lovely.
Lucy marveled at how beautiful the woman was, even in the early dawn of morning. She never looked dishelved, or like a hair was out of place. Lucy marveled at that. She looked down at herself and frowned, she could never be such a grand lady.
"We'll be there in a couple of days now," Lucy told her. "I'd like to talk to you about when we get there. As I'm sure you aren't too familiar with Indian customs. For the sake of your child, you must be silent, speak only when spoken to. The chief will expect either I or Aiden to speak for you. Let us speak for you. It will be received better. Do you understand."
"You're afraid I might rush in there and demand they give my daughter to me, is that what you mean?"
"Exactly, and it won't happen right away, and you wouldn’t be the first. We will have to talk to the chief, and to the parents. Since this is a mourning capture, it will have to be approached with calm and much thought. I promise you, if you do as I and Aiden ask, I will get your child for you. It will not be an easy task, for she is already loved. There is one thing…"
