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"Is that an order, sir?" Aiden asked, glancing at the couple once more.
The woman shot him an acid glance.
"Yes, it is."
Aiden took a chair and waited until the Major looked up from his desk.
The woman took the chair beside Aiden, as her silent husband stood just behind her. But the woman wasn't silent. It was obvious she was anxious to get the hunt for her child started. "How soon can we leave, scout?" She glanced at Aiden, her eyes going over every inch of him with interest.
He hadn't been this aware of a woman in some time, but with her husband staring over her shoulder at him, he wasn't obliged to flirt with her. Besides, he wasn't into married women. A pretty woman was just that, pretty.
The Major cleared his throat. "Excuse me ma'am but our scout has just come back from another assignment."
The Major ignored her remark for the moment.
"But of course, but we must be on our way quickly." She insisted.
"You just get back from that wagon train?" The Major eyed Aiden with a bit of aggravation.
Aiden glanced at the woman then nodded to the Major. "Yeah, got them across the Platt. There's another outbreak of Cholera further north," Aiden leaned toward his desk now so he had his full attention. "Naturally, there were some signs posted along the way. So, they are turning south now. They are trying to go around the sickness. It'll be a longer trip, but safer."
"It's always like that, isn't it?" The Major rubbed his chin. "Always something stirring the pot. The Colonel is in Washington right now, and I'm left to see to things here. So, how soon can you be ready?"
"I haven't been out of the saddle more than an hour sir." Aiden glanced at the Major with a huge frown.
The Major nodded. "I see, well, get some rest you can head out day after tomorrow, then."
"Yes sir," Aiden stood up now and prepared to leave.
"But we can't wait that long. Our daughter is only three years old and no telling what they've done with her. We must leave right away." The woman stood up now and leaned toward the major behind his desk.
"How long ago was she captured?" Aiden demanded to know, his voice like a sharp razor.
"Over a month ago."
"Then two more days won't make a difference."
"But… "
In one lithe movement Aiden was almost nose to nose with the woman. "Ma'am the Sioux don't kill babies. They don't torture them either. If they have your child, she's being cared for at that age, I can assure you. And if you want me to lead you to her, you'll not fret as I get some rest. I've been scouting three weeks with a wagon train, and I'm beat. After I get some much-needed rest, we'll be on our way, I assume you are going with us?" He stared into her clear gray eyes.
"Well," the woman huffed. "Naturally, I'm going, that's my child out there."
"Then in two days, you be ready."
Aiden turned nodded to the Major and started to leave, but the Major lifted his hand toward him, "Aiden, I've got something I need to discuss with you yet. Would you excuse us ma'am? You'll be leaving, day after tomorrow."
The woman scoffed and retreated out the door with her husband close behind. Her husband hadn't said one word.
Coming back toward the Major he made a face, "You've really got me into something this time, Major."
"Yes, I think I have." The Major smiled. "You notice her husband didn't say a word."
"Yeah, I did notice that."
Aiden moved until the leather of the chair began to relax at bit, he crossed one of his long legs over one knee put his hat on his knee and waited for whatever was on the Major's mind.
"Aiden, I got a real rough assignment for you and I guess you could turn it down, but I'm hoping you won't. Since you are headed for the Sioux camp, it will be on your way."
