talk to the half-naked warrior in a breech256 clout at the head of the
party of a dozen or so, their escort through Comanchero territory. The
Indian turned and she gasped, startled to see that it was Nalte.
She couldn'? t ponder the chief's participation in their ride then, for
cries suddenly filled the air and they were leaving the village behind
at a quick pace. Jouncing on her pony, Tess turned back.
Little Flower was waving to her. Tess smiled warmly and waved in turn.
They she turned again and hugged her knees to her pony. She had thought
that she knew how to ride hard, but she had never ridden with the Apache
before.
She realized she was learning about a hard ride all over again, from the
very beginning.
By the time they stopped for the night, she could barely dismount, and
when she did she nearly fell.
Jamie was there to catch her. She widened her eyes and stared at him and
she wanted to straighten and show him that she could be strong. But her
knees were buckling and she merely managed to whisper, 'Oh, Jamie ...'
He caught her before she fell. The Apache warriors were preparing a
fire, and he carried her to it. One warrior stretched out a blanket for
her, and a roll was stuffed beneath her head.
She never ate a meal that night for she fell asleep instantly.
Somewhere in the middle of the night she felt a new warmth. She opened
her eyes and realized that Jamie had stretched next to her, and she was
curled up in the shelter of his arms.
She stared up at the stars and was suddenly very afraid. She had wanted
to go home, and they were going home. But Jamie was right, it would be
open war now. She didn't want to die.
She was just learning how to live.
She closed her eyes and curled her fingers around the strong male hand
that curved beneath her breast.
'Please God, please God, please God,' she whispered. The rest of her
prayer formed no words, but she knew it in her heart.
She wanted to survive. and more.
She wanted to survive with Jamie. The life that was now so precious to
her would be meaningless without him.
She dosed her eyes again, and to her amazement, she slept once more.
The Apache stayed with them all the next day and the next night.
Jamie seemed c6ncerned for them, warning Nalte that they were moving
into Comanche territory. But Nalte knew Running River, and he didn't
seem concerned.
Tess tried to talk to Nalte, reminding him that many whites had believed
yon Heusen when he said that it had been Indians who caused all the
trouble. Few of the new settlers knew there was a difference between
Comanche and Apache.
Nalte, however, was resolute. He and the Apache rode with them to the
outskirts of the town of Wiltshire. Then he lifted his spear high in the
air and a shrill, blood-chilling cry escaped him. The Apache formed
behind him.
'Goodbye, Slater, Sun-Colored Woman.'
'Thank you. No matter what comes, Nalte, I will always be your friend,'
