“It’s a little late now,” Harris grumbles but does as ordered. Glaring at his back, she squeezes the water from her hair and stands, wrapping the towel around her body. Before she can step from the tub, he turns and lifts her in his arms and carries her to the bed.
“God, we need to feed you more,” Harris teases. “You’re as light as a feather.”
Exhaustion beats at her, and she doesn’t fight him. She lays her head against his chest and listens to his heartbeat. “Ahote liked my body just the way it is,” she yawns.
Harris stiffens, “What?”
“We were married on the banks of the Snake river, it was beautiful.” Her lips curve, “Ahbe’ was not happy, he met us with a war party.” Harris sits on the edge of the bed with her, and when the trembling starts again in her body, he grabs a blanket and wraps it around her.
“What happened?”
“Both tribes came to the River.” She stares at the wall lost in thought, “Ahbe’ was angry that Ahote took me without his permission.” Her eyes flick to his when she feels his body stiffen, “He asked me first. I shouldn’t have said yes.” A tear slips free, and she breaks eye contact.
“It wouldn’t have changed the outcome, Kimani.”
“Vanessa,” she reminds him.
“This is not your fault,” Harris says and snaps at her when she tries to break free. “No, you’ll hurt your leg.” She stops immediately.
“You don’t understand, Harris. They were all standing at the river to meet us. Two war parties, I couldn’t have planned it better for them.”
“Now, if I remember correctly, they also did that for morning prayers,” he interrupts.
“Yes, but this morning, was because of our kweethu.” At Harris’s look of confusion, she translates, “Our Marriage. Ahbe’ gave his approval to Ahote, right before the bullet hit him. Ahbe’ threw his body on me to protect me,” she sobs and presses her face into his neck. Harris cradles her neck and kisses her head while she grieves.
“Oh, babe, he did what any father would do, he loved you.”
“I know,” she weeps softly and falls asleep in his arms.
“God, show me how to help her,” he prays softly and rocks her in his arms. The bits of information she’s giving him is painting a horrifying picture, and he will need more answers soon.
He lays her gently on the bed and stares down at her. Emotions batter him as he thinks about her marrying another man. She said no to him before the spring tribal. Now is not the time to allow offense into his heart, but it is still a blow to his ego that she would agree to another man. Harris frowns and runs a hand through his long hair. Guilt drives him from the cabin. If he had convinced her to marry him, he could’ve saved her this heartache.
Trent is in the barn mucking the stalls. “Is it possible to buy a horse from you for Vanessa? We will need to leave soon. I don’t want to place your family in any danger.”
“Of course.” Trent closes the last stall and walks over to a stall and points to a mare. “She’s gentle and strong.”
“Perfect. I hate to ask, but it would be better if you didn’t tell anyone about Vanessa.”
“I understand. My wife told me she was a witness to a massacre. She’s lucky to be alive.”
“Yes, she is, and I mean to keep her that way.”
“Where will you go?” Sutton asks walking up behind them.
“I’m still working on that. I won’t risk taking her back to my family ranch.”
Trent pulls out a map and spreads it on the bench. “You thinking what I’m thinking?” Sutton asks.
“Yep.” He slides a finger over the map, pointing to a star inked on the map. “Here, Fort Conner.” At Harris’s look of confusion, he explains.
“A few years ago, a miner claimed to have struck gold near the Southpass. Thousands rushed here only to discover he’d lied.”
“It was a mess,” Sutton grumbled. “Lucky for you, it’s abandoned. There are cabins still standing, but the Fort is empty. With enough supplies you could rest a few days and ride to Fort Steel, it’s a one-day ride, at the most and they have a major railhead.”
“That could work. We could go anywhere from there.”
Sutton glances at him and frowns. “With one tracker looking for her, and the possibility of Indians you may not make it to the Fort. If this plan fails, there is a small trapper’s cabin, in the mountains.” He points to the spot on the map.
“It’s not easy to find, we built it that way on purpose,” Trent explains the route to the cabin. “The grass-covered roof helps to shield it. You will find a wood stove and supplies to get you through about two weeks.” Harris nods and thanks them both. They plan for another hour before heading back to the main cabin.
“Forgive me for sleeping so long,” Vanessa asks as Molly gently brushes the tangles from her hair, leaving it loose. Her scalp can’t handle being pulled tight. The women have supplied her with dresses, nightgown, shoes, and underclothing.
“Nonsense, you need to heal. That takes time and rest,” Molly insists.
“This is beautiful,” Vanessa says softly, looking in the mirror. The woman staring back at her shows no resemblance to the Indian she’s left behind. Though big on her the navy-blue dress with its trim waist is warm and comfortable. She refused the corset; her ribs are not ready for that. Her eyes look huge in
