Tykota's Woman (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  Makinna felt miserable. Her eyes were filled with sorrow as she said, "It seems Tykota could not wait to leave once I joined you at breakfast. He doesn't want to be in the same room with me."

  She felt her sisters hand on hers. "I am not so sure." She smiled. "I wonder how long he can hold out."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Oh, nothing, really." She picked up the silver coffeepot and poured Makinna a cup. "Just thinking aloud."

  Makinna resisted the urge to go to the front door and watch Tykota leave. How long would be the hours of each day when she could not see him, and how empty her heart would be without him.

  Over the days that passed, Makinna and Adelaide became better reacquainted, and the always cheerful Hannah Silverhorn was a pleasant hostess. The sisters laughed, rode the ranch, and talked incessantly in the evenings with Mrs. Silverhorn.

  Sometimes at night, in their quiet time, Adelaide and Hannah would find Makinna staring into space, and their eyes would meet, knowing she was thinking of Tykota. There was an unspoken alliance forming between them, because they had both come to realize that Tykota and Makinna were in love.

  The night of the party was clear and hot, and the usual wind had died down, making it seem even hotter.

  Makinna stood in the front room beside her sister and Hannah Silverhorn, being introduced to people as they arrived. She wore a winecolored gown that revealed her shoulders, and its lace bustle dusted the floor in back. The dining room had been cleared of furniture for those who cared to dance, and many young couples were doing just that.

  Makinna smiled when she saw a blue army uniform and recognized Matthew Halloway. "Good evening, Major Halloway. It's a pleasure to see you again," she said, offering him her gloved hand.

  "Miss Hillyard, you are about the prettiest thing I've ever seen around here," he said, clasping her hand and smiling.

  "Before you turn this poor country girl's head, Major, let me introduce you to the real beauty of our family, my sister, Adelaide."

  "Miss Hillyard," he acknowledged, smiling and dimpling.

  Adelaide laughed, having a wonderful time. "She forgot to mention, Major, that I am Mrs. Adelaide Johnson."

  The major gave a dimpled pout. "Well, Mr. Johnson's gain is our loss, madame."

  "And you, Major, are more charming than you should be," Adelaide replied, smiling.

  Major Halloway turned to Makinna, held out his arm, and asked, "Miss Hillyard, may I claim you for this dance?"

  Makinna excused herself and went with the major to the dining room. The music was jaunty, and they joined the other couples, weaving in and out and circling in a country dance.

  Makinna had never had a chance to be young and attend parties like other girls her age in New Orleans, and she was having fun!

  After the dance ended, the major asked, "Would you like to go out on the veranda for a breath of air, Miss Hillyard?"

  She arched an eyebrow at him. "I am not sure that would be proper."

  He held up his hands. "I can assure you we do not stand on such ceremony out here in the country, Miss Hillyard. But, if it will make you feel better, I will tell you about the woman I am engaged to marry."

  She nodded. "If that is your intention, then I will very definitely accompany you to the veranda. I would like to hear about this fortunate woman."

  But as she leaned against the porch railing, Makinna remembered another night when she had stood in this exact spot with Tykota. She did not want to think about him and spoil her evening. She turned to her companion and asked, "Now, Major, tell me about your fiancee."

  He gazed up at the stars. "You remind me of her a little. You are both about the same height and have the same color hair. You speak with the same soft Southern accent as Saber."

  "Saber?"

  "Saber Vincente. Her brother owns a ranch on the Brazos River. I haven't met him yet, and I don't know if he thinks I'm good enough for his sister. You see, they come from a very old Spanish line on their father's side."

  Makinna liked the major, and she immediately guessed he was lonesome for the woman he loved. "You miss her a great deal, don't you?"

  He smiled at her. "I shouldn't tell a beautiful young woman about another beautiful young woman. My mother did teach me better manners. It's just that you're so easy to talk to."

  "Will you soon marry your Saber?"

  "I hope to." He turned to brace his back against the post and folded his arms across his chest. "I'm being transferred to Ft. Worth at the end of the month, and I hope we can be married after that."

  Makinna saw a tall stranger walk toward them. He smiled and shook hands with Major Halloway. "How are you, Matthew?"

  "I'm fine. As you see, I'm with the prettiest girl here." He smiled at Makinna. "Have you met Makinna Hillyard, John?"

  "No, but I came tonight for just that purpose. Will you introduce us?"

  "Miss Hillyard, meet John Kincaid. He has the next ranch over. Of course, here in Texas, the next ranch over can be a hundred miles away."

  Makinna recognized the name. This was Tykota's boyhood friend, who'd gone to school in England with him. He was tall and lanky, he needed a haircut, and he was rugged rather than handsome, but he had the softest gray eyes she'd ever seen. "I am pleased to meet you, Mr. Kincaid. However, I must tell you I do have the advantage over you-I have heard of you through a friend of yours."

  "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hillyard. But you have no advantage. Hannah has talked of nothing but you for weeks. I had to come and meet you for myself."

  "Mrs. Silverhorn is too kind."

  "So, tell me," he said, smiling, "was Tykota as kind when he told you about me?"

  Tykota had tried to stay away, but a power stronger than himself had pulled him here tonight. He'd gone up the back stairs and dressed for the party. He walked through the house, greeting neighbors and stopping to speak to his mother and Makinna's sister.

  "Ty!" his mother cried, joyfully. "I didn't know you would be here!" She winked at Adelaide over his shoulder. "How long can you stay, Ty?"

  He looked about him, searching for Makinna. "I must return to the valley tomorrow." He frowned at his mother. "Where is she?"

  Hannah Silverhorn feigned ignorance. "There are many young woman here who look upon you wistfully. Which one were you referring to?"

  He let out an intolerant breath. "Mother, you know very well who I was asking about. Where is Makinna?"

  "Why, I don't know. Have you seen her, Adelaide?"

  Makinna's sister smiled. "I believe I saw her walk out the door with that handsome cavalry major. What was his name?"

  "Oh, yes. I believe you're referring to Major Matthew Halloway. He couldn't wait to dance with her. John Kincaid was here a while ago looking for her, too. It seems that our Makinna will have no trouble getting gentleman to pay court to her when you take her to California. That is, if one of the locals here doesn't snap her up first."

  Tykota's expression was murderous as he stalked to the door. He did not see his mother and Adelaide Johnson grin at each other.

  "Since we're practically old friends," John said, smiling and extending his arm to Makinna, "would you honor me with the next dance?"

  Neither of them had heard Tykota come out of the house and approach them. His hand fell heavily on Makinna's shoulder, and she spun around to face him. When she saw it was Tykota, her heart skipped a beat. Tykota looked so fierce, she almost recoiled. "I-I didn't expect to see you tonight." She hadn't expected to see him again ever, and her heart pounded with excitement.

  "Ty," John said with genuine warmth. "I'm so glad you came. I've been wanting to talk to you.

  Tykota's hand slipped to Makinna's wrist, and he gripped her possessively. When he spoke to his friend, his voice was cold with anger. "We will talk at a later time. Right now, I want to see Makinna-alone."

  Makinna wondered why his voice was so angry, and why he was ignoring the major. "You recall Major Halloway, Tykota," she said, hoping he would remember his
manners.

  Tykota heard the tone of her voice, and he knew what she was implying. "I remember him." He answered, dropping his hand to her waist.

  Makinna was shocked by his rudeness.

  "Come with me," Tykota said, and it was not a request-it was an order.

  She hesitated for only a moment. Why was Tykota acting so strangely? She turned to the other gentlemen. "You will excuse me."

  Tykota stalked away, leading Makinna down the veranda steps and across the path that led to the corrals.

  The major took a chivalrous step forward. "Do you want to go with this man, Miss Hillyard?"

  John reached out and restrained the major. "This is between them," he said in a low voice. "She is in no danger and needs no assistance from us."

  "But that Indian-"

  "I'll explain it to you later. I want to speak to his mother."

  The major reluctantly followed John toward the front door, but he cast one final glance in Tykota and Makinna's direction, "Surely he forced Miss Hillyard to accompany him."

  John held the door open. "As I said, Miss Hillyard is in no danger from Ty. I have reason to believe he loves her."

  "But he's an Indian!"

  John stared into the darkness that had already swallowed Tykota and Miss Hillyard. "Sometimes I believe he's more civilized than any of us. Put your mind at ease-Ty would never harm a woman."

  Makinna was feeling somewhat as she had when Tykota had whisked her away from Adobe Springs and into the desert without so much as a by-your-leave. At first, when she'd seen him tonight, she had been overjoyed. But she would not tolerate his demanding ways. After all, he had rejected her utterly, and she no longer had to depend on him for her survival. And she certainly hadn't needed rescuing from Major Halloway or Mr. Kincaid.

  What was he doing? Why was he here tonight?

  He led her past the corral and toward the barn.

  "Where are you taking me?" she demanded, trying to pry his fingers from her hand.

  "Where I can speak to you without being interrupted." He flung the barn door open and pushed her inside.

  "It's dark in here," she said when he released her hand.

  He lit a lantern and replaced it on a hook. Then he turned slowly toward her, silently assessing her. He had never seen her look more beautiful. Her hair was pulled away from her face and covered by some kind of sparkling net. The gown fit snugly about her small waist, and he frowned when he saw that the tops of her breasts were visible. It angered him when he realized that the other men had seen her this way, too.

  "Why were you with John and that army officer? Did it ever occur to you that you were encouraging them?"

  His face was half in shadows, but she could tell he was angry, and she didn't know why. "We were only talking. What do you mean?"

  "I think you know."

  Where she had only been confused by his actions before, now she became angry. "How dare you imply that I behaved improperly! Major Halloway and Mr. Kincaid were complete gentlemen. Which is more than I can say for you."

  He flinched as if she'd struck him. "I have never aspired to be a gentleman."

  "Well, if you had, you would have failed miserably."

  "I am not the one who acted in an unbecoming manner."

  She put her hands on her hips, glaring at him. "And just how did I do that?"

  "You were alone with two gentlemen."

  "No, I was not alone with two gentlemen! There was a houseful of people within the sound of my voice. I was alone with a man when I trekked across the desert with you. Was that wrong?" She moved closer to him, staring angrily into his eyes. "Who made you the keeper of my morals?"

  He looked frustrated, but his own anger had not lessened. "Did you allow them to put their hands on you?"

  "I-what!"

  "Did the major want to kiss you? Did he touch you?"

  His outrageous questions deserved no answer, but she made one anyway. "I danced with him, but he made no improper advances toward me. He was talking to me about the woman he is going to marry, Tykota. He is in love with a woman named Saber Vincente!"

  Tykota spoke harshly. "I know Noble Vincente. I do not believe he would allow his sister to marry a mere soldier, and one in a blue uniform at that."

  She was losing patience. "I don't know or care about that. If anyone is compromising my reputation, it's you, by bringing me here to the barn. Do you think people would not talk if they knew I was alone with you?"

  He grabbed her and drew her tightly into his arms, his eyes filled with agony. "Do you not understand? I have not slept. Food does not appeal to me. Nothing matters when I am not with you. All I could think about was you in another man's arms." He raised his head and stared at the rafters, trying to gain control of his emotions. "What am I to do?" His eyes lowered to hers like a physical touch. "Tell me, Makinna."

  Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. She placed a hand on his cheek, and he closed his eyes at her touch. "Oh, my dearest," she said, her heart filling to overflowing at his admission, and compassion for him returning a hundredfold. "I, too, miss you desperately. But I don't want to be the one who stands in the way of your duty to your people. If I did, you would one day despise me. I would rather walk away from you and never see you again than to tear you apart like this."

  He glanced down at her, and his eyes were misty. "My father calls out to me from the grave that I must not abandon my people. I know this, and I am willing to sacrifice much to that end. But, for just this one night, let me hold you."

  He lowered his head, his lips touching her eyelids, nuzzling her ear, and then sliding down her neck as he buried his head against her breast. "Beloved, I never knew there could be such a fire within me. It burns day and night."

  Warmth filled her heart at the soft tone in Tykota's voice-and at his calling her beloved. She somehow knew that he had never called another woman by that endearment.

  Makinna fought down the sob building in her throat. She must be strong for his sake. She forced her tears away, her heart gladdened because she knew, at last, that he loved her. But he was hurting inside, and only she could help him. It would take all her strength, but she would do it for him.

  Tomorrow, she would walk out of his life and set him free to do what he had been chosen to do. But tonight she would give him everything she had.

  She stepped back a pace, took off her gloves, removed the golden snood, and loosened her hair. Tykota stared at her when she began to unhook her gown. She pushed it off her shoulders to her waist, and the flickering lantern light illuminated her bare breasts. Gently placing her hands on either side of his face, she brought his head to her breast.

  A strangled moan came from deep inside him as his mouth moved across her skin, his breath fanning the nipples into sharp points. "You stoke the fire inside me until it bums out of control, beloved."

  "You once offered me a gift, Tykota. I now give one to you. Tonight, I belong to you." She blew out the lantern, the only light now was a faint glow from the moon coming in the loft door. She turned her back, saying, "I cannot reach the rest of the hooks."

  He closed his eyes, trying to gain control of his feelings. He needed to touch her, to hold her to him, to feel her silken body, to kiss her until she wanted him just as much. Tykota shook his head to clear away such thoughts. He had to walk away from her. Now. "I cannot do this to you."

  Turning, she wound her arms around his neck and brought her body closer to his. "It's what I want. I ask only this night from you. It will be our gift to each other."

  Tykota's iron control snapped. He had never had a more painful arousal. He wanted to rip off her clothing and drive his hardness into her. He took a deep breath, his hands trembling as he unfastened her gown.

  She turned to him as the gown floated to the floor, and she unfastened his coat, pushing it off his shoulders. Impatience clawed at him. All he could think of was burying himself in her body and finding ease for the fire that threatened to consume him. He quickly di
s posed of the rest of his clothing while she did the same with hers.

  Lifting her into his arms, Tykota carried her to the tack room, where there was a cot for when someone had to stay in the barn all night with an ailing horse. His lips found hers, and he kissed her reverently, his hand moving gently over her breasts.

  He lowered her to the cot and came down with her, hard, muscled, bronzed skin against white silkiness. He was on top of her, but he balanced his weight so he would not be too heavy. His mouth never left hers as his hand went between her thighs, touching, caressing, feeling the warm moistness and knowing she was ready for him.

  "Makinna," he said in a husky voice.

  "Yes," she breathed against his lips.

  A groan started deep in his throat. "I want you. I want all of you."

  "Yes," she whispered. "I am yours tonight."

  "Tomorrow-"

  She placed a finger across his lips. "Tomorrow will take care of itself. Tonight, we have each other."

  He parted her legs, gently stroking her. She tried to pull him to her. She needed no caressing; she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

  He positioned his hard arousal, knowing he must be gentle with her this, her first, time. She was moist, so he carefully entered her, going in only far enough that he would not cause her pain.

  Makinna gasped and tried to move forward, to take more of him, but he gentled her with a hand on the small of her back. The feel of him inside her was golden, magical, something that was meant to be. In that moment, she knew she belonged to him-would always belong to him.

  Tykota trembled with the intensity of his desire and love for this woman denied to him. He resisted the urge to give her all of him, knowing she had never been with a man, and he was so big.

  "Do not try to hurry it, beloved. Trust me to guide you."

  She arched her hips, and he bent forward, touching his mouth to hers. His tongue went around the shape of her lips and then darted inside, arousing her and stealing her breath.

  Makinna felt her toes curl, and she whimpered against his mouth. She was sure she would die if he didn't give her more of him.