Page 29 of Finding Her


Font Size:  

"No, it's no concern of yours." She replied. "I can only say that I am not sure giving the child back to her is a good idea."

Aiden almost twisted around to look at her, "What do you mean?"

"Nothing," she responded too quickly, then amended, "only, be careful of her, she is like a mountain lion. She has long claws that you do not see until it is too late." Lucy laid her head against him again and sighed.

"I'll remember that." He smiled and patted her hand.

"I never stopped to ask, but I guess this will cause you trouble with the tribe, getting the child back?" Aiden asked his concern lacing his words.

"It could. But I am not Sioux I am Cheyenne. However, the Sioux believe me to be a spirit woman so they will respect what I say. They are afraid not to. Do not be shocked by what happens Aiden, as I will keep my promise, but I will not make a promise so easily next time." She informed him. "I was blinded by her efforts to get her child. She does love the child, but I am also almost certain that is all she loves."

"You don't want to talk about it?" He asked her.

"No."

"I heard enough to know what it was about, Lucy," he called her name softly. "I heard what she was suggesting we migh

t have done."

"She speaks without thinking." Lucy shrugged. "Like many white women."

"Lucy, I won't let others hurt you, not even a woman."

She squeezed him tightly and sighed against him.

"I know, that is why I love you so much, Aiden." She sighed.

Aiden rubbed her hand against his and smiled

"Remember something."

"What?" she asked moving her head against his back.

"I'm on your side." He smiled. "People naturally assume a lot of ugly things. Sometimes I think it's human nature that they think the worse of others."

"It doesn't matter, we know the truth."

"You're quite a woman Lucy, better than I've ever known."

He felt the smile from her lips on his back, "Thanks."

They rode quietly for a while. It had snowed most of the night and the horses had a time sloshing through it. At noon they were tired, and Aiden insisted on them resting for at least a couple of hours.

"We're so close, can't we go on?" Gloria insisted moving her scarf away from her face so she could talk.

"I take it you and your husband know nothing about horses?" Aiden asked with a frown.

Gloria flushed. "Well I…" She glanced around, "what do you mean? I ride rather well, I think."

"I mean you don't. You haven't walked through the five feet of snow for miles like your horses have, have you, Mrs. Winters? Look at the sweat on them. One thing everyone learns in the west is to take care of your horse. It's an unspoken rule out here. Where you folks from, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Philadelphia, I suppose you are right. I rode a lot there, but I had a groomsmen that took care of the horses."

"Out here, there are no such things as groomsmen," Lucy chided.

"I suppose there is some logic to what you say," she admitted. "I'm sorry, I don't know the first thing about taking care of a horse. It wasn't part of my education."

"That's understandable, I suppose. But, unlike you, I'm aware of how tired they are, and if you want them to reach our destination, you have to give them proper rest. Not doing so could put you afoot. And that would be dangerous in this weather."

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
Articles you may like