The three Indians led the way out of the canyon. Dan quickly pulled his boots and shirt on.
“You’d better carry the gear, Jana,” he said, gesturing with his hand at the pack on the ground.
“I can’t believe you’re going along with them,” she hissed. “What if I refuse to come?”
Dan clenched his jaw, and prayed for patience. He’d ignored her anger and sour demeanor over the last few days, knowing he deserved it, but enough was enough. Her stubbornness was not helping them at the moment. He leaned toward her, and grabbed hold of her upper arms. “Whether you want to believe this or not, I am trying to keep us safe. These people seem friendly enough, but if we offend them in any way, I can’t protect you.” He paused, glaring at her, and inhaled a deep breath. “I know you don’t want to trust me, but you simply don’t have a choice right now, Jana. We are in the nineteenth century. In a lot of Indian cultures, a woman is supposed to act subservient to her man.”
Jana huffed at his words. “Subservient? If you’re expecting me to --”
“Do what I tell you, without arguing, or I will play the role of master as convincing as I need to,” Dan interrupted her, his voice almost a growl. The look of animosity she shot him tore at his very soul.
“Fine, master. I’ll act as the dutiful slave,” she said between clenched teeth, and pulled away from his grip. She heaved the backpack onto her shoulders, and marched off, following behind the Indians. Dan stared after her, drawing in a long, deep breath. Enduring the last few days of her anger had been pure torture. Right now, he’d merely succeeded in tossing more salt on her gaping wounds. Self-loathing consumed him. With a heavy heart, Dan picked up the pace to catch up with the group.
Chapter 15
Jana walked silently behind the four men. She was tired, hungry, and her muscles ached all over. If these Indians hadn’t shown up, she might already be asleep. The sun was sinking in a fiery red ball into the western horizon, bathing the sky in a palette ranging from reds to orange, and even soft purple hues. She wondered how much further they would be walking to reach their destination, wherever that was.
She’d never been such a moody person, the way she’d been acting the last few days. Her constant anger at Dan, and at herself for harboring feelings for him, left her behaving out of sorts and disagreeable. The fact that he didn’t react negatively to her foul mood only served to irritate her more. Dan had come to her rescue without a second’s hesitation after she screamed his name. And it was his name you screamed, Jana.
He didn’t think she trusted him. She didn’t want to trust him. He’d already proven himself untrustworthy. But, darn it all, she did trust him. She also knew he was right about how she needed to act more appropriate for a female in this time in the company of other people. That he wouldn’t normally ask her to carry the pack, or make a decision without her input and approval was clear to her. He is trying to keep us both safe. The least you can do is cooperate. Jana repositioned the pack on her shoulders. It was adjusted for Dan’s much larger frame, and rode far too low on her back. Gritting her teeth, she kept moving, determined to suffer in silence.
The unaccustomed weight of the backpack on her shoulders seemed to get heavier with each step she took, and her legs felt like anchors, trying to root her to the spot. Setting one foot in front of the other became more difficult by the minute. The fatigue in her upper thighs as she trudged on turned to agony. She wasn’t sure how much further she could go before succumbing to the urge to drop everything, including herself, and refuse to take one more step. This thought had barely entered her mind, when the sudden unmistakable smell of burning wood filled her nostrils. A wide clearing came into view shortly after, and several campfires glowed in the dim twilight. To her dismay, she counted four more Indians to the three who had found them in the canyon. She hoped and prayed that Dan’s assessment was correct, and these people meant them no harm. They were severely outnumbered.
The three men greeted their companions by raising their bows in the air, and speaking in their guttural language. Curious eyes darted to her and Dan. He was the center of attention, and laughed and gestured with the rest of them. Jana was left to stand by herself at the periphery of the circle the men had created.
Her back ached from carrying the heavy pack, and Jana slid it off her shoulders, letting it drop to the ground. She rubbed at her stiff neck, and waited apprehensively. She wasn’t as convinced as Dan that these Indians were friendly. Several men shot her curious glances, and she caught the unmistakable looks of lust from more than one pair of eyes. She shuddered, and hugged her arms around her waist. She wished Dan was at her side. Instead he had all but abandoned her and acted like a typical guy who just met up with some long-lost drinking buddies. Renewed annoyance with him seared through her at the thought.
After what seemed like an eternity, the men dispersed, and several began butchering the deer the three had brought. Jana noticed a few more hides hanging up in trees, stripped of meat. Dan finally came to her side, and took hold of her hand. His thumb caressed her palm.
“How are you holding up?” he asked, his eyes focused on her face, a deep concern in his voice.
She shrugged, unable to speak all of a sudden. Her throat constricted painfully, and she swallowed several times to dispel the sensation. Tears threatened behind her eyes. She tried to pull her hand away, but he held tight. His genuine concern was too much for her tired mind to deal with at the moment.
“After you get some food in you, you’ll feel better,” he said. He obviously saw that she was about to lose it.
“I’ll be fine,” she replied, and raised her chin up high.
“I think this is a hunting party. That’s why there aren’t any tipis and women here in camp.”
“Dah-nul,” a voice spoke from behind Dan. Jana quickly jerked her hand from his grasp.
Dan turned and nodded at the man who spoke. Jana recognized the one who’d carried the deer carcass. He was also the one whose lust-filled eyes kept seeking her out. He looked at her now, and Jana saw hunger in his dark gaze. She suddenly gained a deeper appreciation for the deer he had killed. Did the poor prey’s heart speed up with terror, just before the fatal arrow pierced its throat? She took a hasty step back, trying to conceal her body behind Dan’s.
The Indian held out several furs to Dan, along with a leather pouch, and a bow and quiver. He motioned for Dan to take them. To her utter mortification, the man pointed at her as he thrust the items at Dan. He signaled with his hands, running bent fingers down the side of his face, as if he were combing his hair. He gestured at Jana, then back to the items he held.
Dan shook his head. He swept his hand through the air in a gesture of finality, and thrust one hand in a downward motion, palm down, past his hip. He turned halfway and grabbed Jana’s arm, pulling her up against him. With his other hand, he roughly stroked her face, pushing strands of hair out of her eyes, and running his hand over her head and down the back to her neck. Jana felt like a dog, being petted by its master. She gritted her teeth, and tilted her head up slightly to flash him a look that told him she was not at all happy about this humiliating treatment. His eyes filled with a fierce possessiveness that caused her heart to flutter uncontrollably in her chest.
Abruptly, he released her, and firmly sliced his hand through the air again. The Indian shot her a final look of longing, then nodded his head in acceptance and walked off with his bundle of offerings. Dan didn’t look at her. “Ill get us some food,” he said gruffly, and followed the other man to one of the fires, leaving Jana standing in stunned silence.
She didn’t dare follow him. She stayed just within the glow of light from the three campfires, watching the men settle around the flames, pulling chunks of meat from large slabs they had hanging on spits. Conversation was lively, yet carried out in quiet tones. The aroma the meat gave off made Jana’s stomach growl loudly.
Dan was welcomed at one of the fires, and he sat with the men, who offered him meat and somethi
ng else from a carved wooden bowl they passed around. Jana’s anger boiled to the surface, watching him eat and carry on, communicating with these people using hand gestures. Apparently, she’d been all but forgotten as the minutes dragged by.
To ease the throbbing in her sore feet, she settled herself on the cold, hard ground, and rummaged through the backpack. There had to be at least another power bar left. The surrounding darkness made it difficult to see, and she burrowed her hand through the pack by feel. Near the very bottom, she found what she sought. At least it would lessen the hunger pangs a little.
Damn him! He sure slipped into the role of a nineteenth century man with ease. Jana felt sorry for all the women of this time who had to endure being treated like nothing more than a commodity. How did Aimee deal with it? She dismissed her thought. Daniel hadn’t treated Aimee like a second-class citizen from everything Jana had seen while he was in the future, or from reading her friend’s journal. There’s a difference, Jana. Daniel loves Aimee.
Jana blinked back the sting in her eyes, as a wave of tears threatened to spill forth. She was bone-tired, and still had a long journey ahead of her to reach Aimee’s cabin. Her inner strength at the moment seemed to falter completely. She just wanted this ordeal to be over. Her body ached, not only from the difficult hike through the endless wilderness, but also because she hadn’t allowed herself to relax in the three days she’d been here. If things were different with Dan, if she didn’t feel the need to keep up her angry demeanor all the time, this might all be easier.
Jana tore open the wrapper of the bar, already sick of the smell of peanuts escaping from the packaging. It was protein, however, and she needed the food. She chewed listlessly, and shot another look toward the fire. She nearly choked. Dan stood, facing the same man with whom he’d bartered earlier. With exaggerated and forceful hand gestures, the man offered Dan a pile of weaponry, including a knife, ax, a bow, and a heap of furs and other items Jana could not make out. Talking around the fires had ceased, and all eyes were on the two men.
The Indian pointed in her direction several times, and Dan continued to shake his head, and gesture with his hands that clearly communicated the word no. Jana had no doubt what the discussion was about. She’d seen the Indian’s hungry looks directed at her. What if the confrontation turned violent? Dan might be putting himself in harm’s way because of her. Her mind reeled with a jumble of mixed emotions. Dan could simply hand her over to the Indian if he chose, but he stood his ground, adamantly defending her.
When he turned down a new offer by the Indian, who pulled something from around his neck to add to the growing pile of items, the man tossed everything on the ground, and threw his hands in the air before stomping off. There was no doubt he was angry. The rest of the men returned to their conversations, as if nothing had happened. The confrontation seemed to be over and done with. Dan bent toward the ground, and picked up a small bundle at his feet. Even from a distance, she saw the seething anger in his eyes as he made his way toward her.
****
Glad to put the confrontation with that Crow behind him, Dan headed toward Jana. His muscles still tensed in anger. He’d seen the man ogle her since he’d first laid eyes on her back in the canyon. His intent had been crystal clear when he offered up those beaver pelts initially. Never in a million years did Dan ever expect to engage in barter with another man over a woman. It was almost funny. Someday, he was sure, he’d get a good laugh out of it. Right now, the situation was much too serious. He had no idea how far the Crow would push him, if he wanted Jana. One thing was clear in his mind. He’d fight to the death to keep her safe.
He hated having to act like some Neanderthal, claiming the prized female. But he would do what was necessary to make sure every one of these men knew he would not relinquish his woman. If he showed any weakness in front of her, he’d look weak in those men’s eyes as well. Jana’s look of contempt when he almost manhandled her in front of her admirer was something he couldn’t avoid. His act might not be over yet. They were in the company of these Crow for the duration of the night, and if Jana remained uncooperative, he didn’t know how far he would have to go to show that he was in charge. Dan hoped they could part ways with this group of hunters peacefully come morning.
Jana sat just within the circle of light from the fires, a half-eaten power bar in her hand when he approached. A twinge of guilt hit him. He knew she was hungry, but bringing her food before he had eaten would certainly make him appear weak. None of the men had indicated he should offer her food, or ask her to join the fire. Dan decided to play it safe and assume women ate last among this tribe’s culture. He caught the frigid stare she shot him, just before she averted her eyes when he approached.
“I brought you some meat,” he said, holding out a portion of venison he’d wrapped in a piece of leather. She made a show of taking a large bite of her power bar in response to his words. Dan clenched his jaw, and steeled his heart. He placed the bundle on his backpack, then reached for her arm, and hauled her forcefully to her feet. The momentum threw her against him, and he refused to let her pull away.
She inhaled a sharp breath, and raised her head to glower at him.
“Now I know how Aimee must have felt, when she stood by as two men bartered for her,” she said, her tone icy.
“And I know how Daniel felt, trying to keep the peace and protect his woman at the same time,” Dan replied slowly. A lazy grin formed on his lips, hoping to break through some of her cold demeanor. He chuckled softly. “‘Course, you’re not liking me much these days. Maybe . . .”
“Don’t you even think what I know you’re thinking,” she hissed. “You’re really enjoying that I’m completely at your mercy, aren’t you?”
Dan worked his jaw muscles. She continued to believe only the worst of him. He inhaled a deep breath, and quietly answered, “No, Jana. I’m not enjoying this, but I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
The uncertainty in her eyes, the hurt, the fear, came crashing down on him. “If you believe nothing else I tell you,” he whispered, his face inches from hers, “just know that I would rather die than see any harm come to you.”
Her eyes widened, and her lips parted slightly. Dan’s restraint faltered. She was too close, and three days of trying to assuage her anger finally took its toll on him. He brought his mouth down on hers, gripping her arms to pull her closer, and groaned as a flood of adrenaline shot through his veins, igniting his heart to beat wildly in his chest.
Jana stood stiffly, her arm muscles tense. He ran his tongue across her lips, tasting the peanuts from the power bar she’d eaten. He softened his assault, slowly gliding his lips across hers, trying to coax a response from her. His grip eased on her arms, and he slid his hands up to her shoulders, following the contours of her neck, until his hands cupped her face. With his thumbs, he caressed her cheeks, and felt the moisture rolling down her face.
Breaking the contact with her lips, he pulled back slightly, and rested his forehead against hers. He breathed heavily, trying to subdue the powerful jolt of emotions that ripped through his entire being.
“Jana,” he whispered. “I’m sorry . . . for everything.”
She shuddered against him, and then her body relaxed. Her knees seemed to buckle, and he quickly wrapped his arms around her waist. She fit so perfectly against him, as if she was made for him alone.
“I know,” she whispered so softly, he wasn’t sure if she even said the words. Her arms slowly rose up, and she placed her palms against his chest. Dan held his breath, waiting for her to push him away. When her hands slid slowly up and around his neck, his heart exploded in his chest.
He expelled his breath of air, and touched his lips to hers again. She sighed, and leaned into him, clinging to his neck. Her mouth moved against his, and emotions unlike anything he’d felt before threatened to swallow him up. Possessiveness, protectiveness, desire, and love. For the first time in his life, he could truly claim to be in love with a woman, an
d the feeling was more potent than anything that came before.
Reluctantly, he drew his head back. He swiped at the tears on her cheeks, and smiled down at her, not sure if she could even see him in the darkness. Shadows from the dancing flames of the campfires behind them distorted both their features.
“I should be angry with you, but . . . I can’t be anymore. There’s just something about you . . . I can’t explain it.” She sounded defeated, but not remorseful. His heart suddenly felt lighter than it had in weeks.
“I know, Jana. I feel it, too. I’ve felt it from the very first time I saw you.” He slowly ran his fingers through her hair, hoping she believed him. “I swear to you, I will never lie to you again.” Her head moved up and down in a nod.
Jana sucked in a deep breath. “You smell real good,” she whispered against his ear. Dan shivered, and heat pooled in his gut at her sensual words. With his hands at her waist, he peeled her away from him, afraid she might feel his reaction to her.
“And you smell like you’ve been out hiking for the last three days,” he said lightly. “You should have taken me up on the offer and joined me back there by that waterfall.” She could have rolled in a field of bison dung for all he cared; on her it would be the sweetest scent he’d ever smelled.
“The next one we come to, I get first dibs,” she said. Dan smiled. He couldn’t believe the complete change in her from mere moments ago. Whatever had brought it on, he hoped it wasn’t temporary. He took her hand in his, and pulled her to the ground. Reaching for the leather bundle on his pack, he offered it to her.
“You need to eat, and get some rest. Today was a long, hard day.”
“Tomorrow won’t be any easier,” she sighed, accepting the food.
“No, but I’ll be carrying the pack again,” he said.
Yellowstone Deception (Yellowstone Romance Series Book 5) Page 11
