“There’s still a chance that Jeffrey will come back,” she said, a question in her voice. “Maybe he’s already here, and looking for me.”
Cam held back a laugh. If that coward had returned, he wouldn’t last a day. He kept those thoughts to himself.
“Maybe,” he said instead. He glanced off into the distance.
"So, what's the plan now?" Riley cleared her throat, and stood. She placed a hand on his arm. "Are you going to take me back to where you found me so that we can look for Jeffrey?"
Cam’s spine tensed. He shook his head. “I can take you back to the Tukudeka village if you’d like, or – ” He broke off his thought. It was better if she returned to the village.
“Or, what?” Her brows rose.
Cam frowned, and inhaled deeply. He should have kept his mouth shut. “Or you can come with me to my home. I have to deliver a message to Mat. From there, I plan to search for Mukua.”
“Your home?” Riley’s face lit up. “Where do you live, when you’re not out roaming through the woods?”
“Matunaaga and I built a cabin along the river that will someday be called the Yellowstone. We live with a man who was also brought here from the future.”
Riley’s eyes narrowed. “You never told me that. How many more people are here from the future?”
Cam chuckled. “I don’t know. To the best of my knowledge, it’s just the four of us.”
“Well, it’ll be like a reunion from the future, then,” she retorted sarcastically. “How far is it to your place?”
Cam narrowed his eyes, and pretended to think. He deliberately allowed his gaze to roam over her. “Three or four days,” he said, unable to suppress a grin.
Riley glared at him, but her lips twitched. She jutted her chin out at him. “Okay, how long would it take you to get there?”
Cam laughed. She was too smart for her own good. “A day, perhaps two.”
“I see. You still think I slow you down that much?”
His face sobered. “Yes, after your fall yesterday, I won’t push you any faster.”
Riley made a noise in her throat, then shook her head. “Fine, four days, and then what?”
“I find Mukua. Once I convince him to send you home, he can also send Pikowan back to his time.”
“Pikowan?” Riley echoed. “Does he have another name, other than ‘old man’?”
Cam shook his head. “If he does, he’s never told us. It’s what he called himself when Mat and I met him.”
Riley’s face suddenly clouded over with apprehension. “He’s been here for a long time? And hasn’t been able to get home?”
Cam grabbed her upper arms. She winced when his hand made contact with her injury, and he let go, staring into her eyes. He leaned forward. "I will find Mukua and his vessel so that you can go home."
"Naatosi told me a lot about the Sky People and their mission for guarding the lands that will someday encompass Yellowstone. He mentioned Mukua, that he's dangerous, and might want to harm me," she murmured. She smiled up at him. "He told me that you'd be my protector."
“I will keep you safe. He won’t harm you.”
Cam hesitated. Riley gave no indication that she was aware of the reason she was here, that she’d been sent for him. It sounded as if Naatosi had simply given her a lesson about the Sky People, but left out the important details. How much should he tell her, without alarming her about Mukua? Naatoyita had hinted that Riley’s life might be in danger if Mukua found out about her presence.
“Mukua once sent me to the past when I was a boy, with the intent to kill me,” he confessed. “I believe it’s the reason he brought Pikowan to this time, too, but no one came to rescue him.”
Riley’s eyes widened. Apprehension clouded her features, but her gaze didn’t waver. “I don’t know what threat I could possibly be to an elder of the Sky People, but if he’s got it in for me, maybe I’d be the perfect bait to draw him out.”
Cam glared at her. “Out of the question.”
Riley grabbed for his arm. “It’s my choice, Cameron. If I can help in any way to get that time travel vessel away from him, then it’s the perfect plan.”
Cam scoffed. She was right that it was her decision, dammit, but he wasn’t about to risk her safety. He also wanted her to make a choice about him, but how could he possibly ask her to stay and give up her life in the future? He would die first before he forced Riley to stay in this time.
Chapter Twenty
Riley’s stomach lurched, and the ground tilted precariously when she glanced downward, even though she was on fairly even terrain. Putting one foot in front of the other had become almost mechanical over the last few hours. The soreness in her hip that had caused her to limp the night before was mostly gone, and she ignored what little discomfort was left.
Naatosi’s tea had worked wonders on her stiff and bruised body, but it had also left her with a hangover-like feeling all day. He’d given her a pouch full of the herbs to brew more if she needed it, but she’d suffer through a few aches and pains in favor of staying alert.
Cameron had stayed by her side during the entire descent down the steepest parts of the mountain. Going down had gone much faster than when they’d hiked up.
Tumbling down would be even quicker.
Nope. She shook her head. That was one experience she'd gladly never repeat. Now that the terrain had flattened out, and they were once again in the lower foothills, and walking through a shaded forest, Cameron led the way to find the easiest path through the trees' thick undergrowth. Deadfall was everywhere, which they either climbed over or had to go around.
The chirping of birds, the creaking of the tall lodgepoles as they swayed in the afternoon breeze, and the gurgling of a stream through the grasses had lulled her into a serene sense of calm. She should be much more upset over what had happened yesterday, and especially disturbed about what she’d found out, but she wasn’t. It was either the lingering effects of the tea, or she really did enjoy being here.
Riley stared up at the tall trees. The sun’s rays spilled through the gaps in the canopies, and thin, golden ribbons of light streamed to the forest floor. Her eyes drifted to Cameron’s broad back. Even facing away from her, there was no question that he was ever-alert to everything around him. He looked at ease, but nothing would jump out at them that he hadn’t already seen or was aware of. He held his bow in his left hand, and his right rested on top of the ax that hung from his belt.
An unexpected shiver passed through her, followed by a tingling in her extremities. Cameron's kiss and her response to him was in her thoughts as much, if not more, than all the things she'd learned from Naatosi yesterday. She'd never been kissed before the way Cameron had kissed her. It had been raw and intense, but communicated so much to her, and she'd responded like she'd never responded to anyone. Not that she'd been kissed a whole lot in her life. At times, while fighting off the sedative effects of the tea, she'd almost convinced herself that it hadn't even happened – that it had all been in her mind.
“I’ve found my purpose, but I also know that I have to let you go.”
Those tender words had stayed with her, hearing them over and over again during the night. Had he been telling her that he cared for her, perhaps even loved her? He’d given her the courage to let go of her fears and embrace who she was. She’d had no problem calling herself an intellectual badass, or throwing away her glasses. It had been surprisingly easy to let go, with him standing next to her.
The last remnants of any reservations she might have had that Cameron had feelings for her had been removed with the way he’d looked at her this morning, held her when she nearly fell from dizziness, and talked to her. She blinked rapidly at the sudden sting behind her eyes. What was she going to do about him? About her own feelings?
For the time being, she was stuck in the eighteenth-century wilderness. That thought alone should leave her terrified, but again, she wasn't. Cameron was with her, and there wasn't a shred of doubt
in her mind that he would protect her, as Naatosi had said. He'd already put her life before his on several occasions.
He’d also been very adamant this morning about finding a way to get her back to the future.
Riley laughed softly. She shook her head. Naatosi had been full of questions about her thoughts regarding being in this time. It had almost felt as if he was quizzing her like she was standing in front of one of her professors, reciting things she'd been researching. The old man had smiled and nodded in satisfaction most of the time. Apparently her answers had been to his liking.
Her heart had nearly dropped to her stomach when the elder informed her that she wasn’t going to be returning to her time, not unless the second time travel vessel could be recovered, or Jeffrey came back. After the initial shock had worn off, a sense of calm had spread through her. She’d actually been relieved that she wouldn’t be leaving right away. The thought still gave her pause.
You like it here, Riley. Regardless of everything that’s happened to you.
For the first time ever, as inconceivable as it seemed, she was comfortable with her setting outside of academics, and the people around her accepted her. She was still accident prone, but not nearly as much as before, and each day gave her new confidence.
It was as if everything she’d studied in school had prepared her for this, even though she had no first-hand experience. The primitiveness didn’t bother her, for the most part. Perhaps she just hadn’t had enough time to miss things from home – her skirts and business suits, her high heels, and the comforts of a hot shower or a soft bed. Her books.
Learning hands-on was far more exhilarating than reading about it in a book. This wild land, with all its raw beauty, harshness, and dangers, drew her in, just like the man who’d made it his home and had conquered the wilderness. Could she choose him over her life in her own time? Give up everything she knew?
Her gaze focused on Cameron. He hadn’t turned, or spoken, in quite a while. Apparently he was stuck in his own thoughts, and intent on making his way through the forest. How did Cameron feel about her staying longer than he’d thought? He’d been rather adamant that he’d find a way to get her home.
Riley shook her head to clear away the cobwebs that still lingered from Naatosi's tea. What if the choice had been made for her if she could never get home? Maybe Jeffrey wouldn't come back. Even if he did, there was a good chance he wouldn't be able to locate her. Cameron would find him if Jeffrey returned. There was no question about that.
Riley sucked in a deep breath. This was all happening so fast. Her overpowering feelings for Cameron scared her more than being stuck in this primitive world. She was irresistibly drawn to him, more than she’d ever been drawn to any of her books or academics.
The consequences of what would happen if she gave in to her feelings swirled heavily in her mind. She was already a hopeless goner, and if Cameron kissed her again, she’d be completely lost. If she allowed herself to get closer to him, and the opportunity to return home came, then what?
Are you ready to make such a choice, Riley? What if you tell him you want to stay here?
Was she ready to leave everything she knew behind, and follow her heart? It was the craziest idea she’d ever had, and her pulse increased at the thought. She shook her head. Cameron hadn’t said he wanted her to stay. Quite the opposite.
You’re in love with him. Now you just have to find the courage to tell him.
Riley blinked, and focused her attention on the path ahead. Why was that thought so scary? Images burned in her mind of the guy who’d used her and made a laughingstock out of her to his friends. She shut the door on those memories. Cameron wasn’t like that. He hadn’t taken advantage of her, even though he’d had plenty of opportunities.
No sooner had her thoughts come back from floating in her wild fantasies, when she walked straight into a solid wall of muscle. Startled, she shrieked, and nearly lost her balance. Strong hands instantly clamped around her upper arms to steady her.
“Is the tea still affecting you this much?”
Riley stared up into Cameron’s amused face, the lump in her throat keeping her from answering. She shook her head instead.
“It’ll get dark soon,” he said, looking around the clearing where he’d led them. “This is a good place to stop and camp.”
“Okay,” she managed to squeeze between her lips, mentally kicking herself for acting like a ninny. Maybe he was right, and the tea was still keeping her mind foggy.
“I’d like to help get a fire started,” she blurted. “Guess now I really do need to learn how to do it right.”
Cameron’s immediate grin sent a current of adrenaline through her, originating where he still held onto her arm. The languid perusal of his eyes along her face left her dry-mouthed all over again.
“You can start by collecting wood,” he finally said. His grin widened. “Dry wood, the kind that’s been on the ground a while.”
Riley nodded and dropped her pouch from around her neck.
Cameron glanced at the pile of wood she brought back not fifteen minutes later. He showed her how to use a small bundle of dry grasses or leaves to make a nest, and used the sharp end of his knife against a piece of flint to create a spark. Once a thin wisp of smoke smoldered from the kindling, he blew on it until a flame erupted.
“It’s important to feed small pieces of wood at first, so you don’t choke out the fire and create smoke,” he instructed. He continued to build the fire with larger pieces of the wood she’d gathered, arranging them in a tent shape. The flames crackled as the fire consumed the wood, but there was hardly any smoke.
“Tomorrow, you’ll do it on your own,” he said.
Riley spread out her sheepskin. She suppressed a yawn, her eyelids growing heavy. Hopefully by morning, the effects of the tea would all be gone. The first stars twinkled in the evening sky when Cameron handed her a piece of jerky, and cake made from pine nuts and seeds.
The food was bland, reminding her immediately that she hadn't sunk her teeth into a juicy hamburger in quite a while. She closed her eyes and chewed on the cake. The rich scent of the forest around her, and the faint odor of the campfire, not to mention the company, made up for the lack of taste in the food. She opened her eyes again to find Cameron looking at her.
Adrenaline instantly surged through her at the searching look in his eyes. Riley reached for her water skin and fumbled to untie the opening. She took a hasty sip before she met Cameron's stare.
“Did you get your questions answered?” It was the first thing that came to mind, other than the constant memory of his kiss. They hadn’t spoken of his meeting with Naatoyita at all.
Cameron studied her for the longest time as if he was looking for something. Riley was ready to repeat her question when he nodded.
“Yes, I have my answers,” he grumbled.
Riley’s brows rose. “And? You don’t look too happy about it.” She placed her hand on his arm. Cameron tensed under her touch.
“What is it?” Apprehension grew in her the longer he just sat there, as if deciding what he wanted to say.
“Everything I knew about myself was a lie.” He tossed another log into the fire.
Riley tilted her head to look up at him. Pain, anger, and confusion gleamed in his eyes in the firelight. How well she could relate to those emotions. Her intense feelings of connection to Cameron deepened in response to that look. She waited, not wanting to push him into telling her more about his meeting with the Sky People elder. He’d been angry with them for so long, it would have been nice if something positive had happened to him during their talks.
Cameron ran a hand through his hair and laughed. "I was born here, in this time."
Riley’s eyes widened, and her forehead wrinkled, but she kept her questions to herself, waiting for him to elaborate.
“My father was a shaman of the Sky People. He and the elders sent me away to the future, along with two other children. Naatoyita brought me back he
re when I was twelve.”
Riley stared in stunned silence. Something Wo’itsa had said rang in her ears.
“The Sky People only reveal themselves to the most powerful shamans.”
“You must be very important, Cameron,” she whispered. Obviously, there was a lot more to the story, but it would be up to him to tell her.
“All my life, I’ve been abandoned,” he said bitterly. “When I was an infant, I was abandoned in the future. When I was just a boy, I was brought back here, when I thought I belonged in 2036. I was never given a choice.”
Riley offered a smile. “But you let everything that’s happened to you define you, not destroy you. Look at who you’ve become, not at what might have been. You’re happier here in this time, aren’t you? You didn’t fit in in the future, you told me that. And I’ve told you before that I am in awe of your capabilities here in this time.” Her words came fast, trying to convince him that he was right where he belonged.
Cameron’s intense stare deepened. He leaned in closer to her. Riley swallowed, the butterflies churning in her stomach. The tea made her head spin.
"And where do you belong, Riley?" he asked, his voice low. His hand reached out to cup her cheek. An intense rush of pleasure surged through her at his touch, and the breath caught in her throat. She closed her eyes for the briefest of seconds, savoring the touch of his calloused fingers brushing against her skin.
“I don’t know”, she whispered, opening her eyes to look up into his. If he asked her right now to stay with him, she’d say yes in a heartbeat. Riley mentally shook her head.
“Naatosi told me that I was a distant descendant of the Tukudeka,” she continued, to ward off her jumbled nerves. She laughed. “No wonder I was so drawn to them in my research. I never knew I had any Native American blood in me.”
“You asked me once about my name,” Cameron said, his dark gaze pulling her in. “I told you that it was James. Turns out that my real father’s name was Osborne.” His eyes were on her as if he was looking for her reaction to his comment. Riley’s heart sped up. His words sent a surge of adrenaline through her.
Yellowstone Origins: Yellowstone Romance Series, Book 6 Page 20
