“Her?” Maire wrinkled her brow. Gus and John Eagle hadn’t been back since bringing the venison. The blizzard had been brutal, but in the last few days, the snow had receded and she’d rather thought they would come to check on her. She’d looked forward to it with more excitement than she should.
She couldn't get the men off her mind. During the day she wished for nothing more than to see them, be with them. And at night her dreams were filled with them. And the way they made her feel in her dreams! This had to be love.
“I’ll just finish this one sentence and be right along.”
Hannah looked worried with her furrowed brow and set mouth. “She says it’s important. I’ll go and stay with her.” She hurried off, leaving Maire with nothing but questions.
Could someone be looking for her regarding her family? When her father passed away, she’d sent word to all of her sisters letting them know she had turned the estate over to a manager but that she would be amenable to disposing of whatever they all agreed to.
Wasting no time, she finished her work and put away the typing machine. With her coat wrapped snuggly around her shoulders, she rushed to her tent. A figure sat on her bunk staring at her hands clenched in her lap. Hannah sat on her own bunk. She looked up with a gaze full of curiosity.
Maire didn't have time for Hannah's questions now. “Clear Water!”
Clear Water jumped to her feet as soon as Maire entered. “Maire, I had to come to you. They’re going to kill Masichuvio!”
“What? Who?”
“I’ll go and see if I can find some tea,” Hannah said, and left them alone.
Maire took Clear Water’s hands and forced her to sit. “Start from the beginning and tell me what’s happened.”
“The army men came yesterday. They said that Masichuvio killed one of their men. They found his medicine bag in the dead man’s hands, like he’d taken it from Masichuvio.”
“Isn’t Gray Deer home? Surely the hunt is over?”
“No, they haven’t come back.”
“What does John think? And Gus. Does he want me to come back with you?”
“Eagle and Gus don’t know I’m here. Eagle would be furious.”
“I see.”
Hannah entered holding two cups. “Here,” she said, handing one to Clear Water. “Tea makes everything better.” Giving Maire the second cup, she took her leave once more.
“What do you want me to do, Clear Water?”
The girl clutched the cup with a death grip. “I overheard the Army men, Maire. They’re sure Masichuvio is guilty. They plan to hang him when they find him. Eagle and Gus have been ordered to track him down and hold him to be killed. He didn’t do this thing, I know it!”
“But what can I do?”
Clear Water grasped Maire’s hand. The younger woman’s fingers were icy cold, and fear showed clearly in her eyes. “Go with them. Make sure Masichuvio is not killed. Provide a fair chance for him to convince the Army that he killed no one.” She dropped her gaze. “Eagle is furious with Masichuvio for ruining my life, as he suspected he would. Gus does not trust him.” She met Maire’s gaze again. “They are both good men but they might not protect Masichuvio. You would make sure he gets the rights due him.”
Humbled by Clear Water’s trust, Maire was at a loss as to how to accomplish what she wanted.
“I don’t know…”
“Please, Maire. Eagle and Gus leave this afternoon to search for my beloved. They do not believe in his innocence. They won’t kill him, but they will not protect him. He is a man, Maire. The man I love.”
Chapter Eight
“What the hell are you doing here?” John Eagle glared at Maire and then at Clear Water. Clear Water held her head high and met her brother’s gaze. Maire felt a bit more intimidated. She couldn’t tell if John Eagle was more furious with his sister or with her.
“I asked her to come and help,” Clear Water said.
“There is nothing for her to do. Or you, either. Masichuvio has proven all my fears true, and he has to pay for it.”
“That’s why I’m here,” Maire asserted. From atop her horse, she felt more in control than if she’d been on the ground, the shortest member of the party. “The man will need someone on his side.”
Gus looked up. “Maire, you don’t know anything about what’s happened. And don’t you think we will be on his side? He’s part of John’s Clan.”
She chose her words carefully, not wanting to anger either man and not wanting to expose Clear Water’s suspicions. “Mr. Eagle—”
“John, for Christ’s sake. We’ve been through enough to warrant it. Or Eagle. But please drop the ‘mister’ stuff.” He tightened the cinch on his horse and then turned around to stare at her.
Meeting his eyes, she shivered. Was it a sudden gust of wind? No. Not the wind.
She took another breath. “John, the Army thinks Gray Deer is guilty. You’ve just indicated that you believe he’s done this horrible thing. Suppose you find him and take him to the fort? What if they want to hang him? He will need someone there to advocate for him, someone who believes in him. Clear Water can’t go, so I’m going in her stead.”
“We will notify you when we arrive at the fort,” Gus said. “You can’t possibly think to come with us now.”
“I do. I can sit a horse.” She gestured to the animal beneath her. “Clear Water says she’s already prepared a pack for me.”
“Yes, I have.” Clear Water trotted her horse to her future mother-in-law’s home. She slid off and ran inside.
Gus persisted. “Maire, you might ride well, I don’t know. But we will be gone for days, perhaps, and riding hard. You won’t be able to keep up.”
“We’ll see.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” John said. Then he took a different tack. “We won’t slow down for you, you know. We’ll leave you behind. It can’t be helped. You’ll be alone out there and I won’t have that on my conscience. You understand why your coming is impossible, right?”
Maire turned at a noise from behind her. Clear Water ran toward them carrying a bundle. How could she let her friend down, even as doubts about her ability to perform the task assailed her? Everything Gus and John said was true. If they pushed for hours and hours in the saddle, she wouldn’t be able to keep up. Oh, maybe on the first day, but not the second, or third.
And yet, Clear Water had so much faith in her that she had ridden for miles alone to find Maire and bring her back.
“I am not asking for help from you or Gus,” she answered. “I release you both from any responsibility for my well-being. I will make it or not, all on my own. But I am going.”
“Why?” Gus asked. “You don’t know Masichuvio or how much aggravation he’s caused over the years.”
“It doesn’t matter. The two of you and the U. S. Army are against him. He deserves one person to advocate for him. Or at least listen to him.”
“She’s going for Clear Water’s sake,” Gus said, shaking his head.
“Crazy women,” John muttered.
Clear Water made it to them, breathing hard. “Here, Maire. There are supplies for a few days.” She glanced at her brother. “Eagle is the best tracker, so I am sure he will find Masichuvio in little time.” The younger woman tied the bundle onto Maire’s horse, behind the saddle.
Gus dug into his saddlebag and pulled something out.
“Don’t encourage her,” John said.
“It’s my job to see to her warmth. Or hasn’t your eagle let you in on that yet?”
“What in hell are you talking about?”
Gus grinned and walked back with his bundle.
“Here,” he said. He handed her the bundle and then lifted her off the horse. “They're wool trousers. Put them on under your dress. If you’re going to be so stubborn, I don’t want you to freeze.” He faced Clear Water. “I left an old sheepskin coat in the house. Make sure she puts it on.”
“Yes, Gus. Thank you.” Clear Water kissed him lightly on t
he cheek.
“Thank you, Gus,” Maire said quietly. Impulsively, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him lightly on the lips. Their eyes met, and a surging heat told her body things it had never known.
John swung into the saddle. “You do realize you’re going on the trail with two men, right? This might damage your reputation.”
“Strangely enough, the people whose opinion means the most to me are right here. Are you saying you will think less of me if I come?”
John’s shoulders slumped with resignation. “You know that neither Gus nor I could think badly of you.” Then he straightened. “If you’re coming, damn it, hurry up. We need to get moving.”
“Yes, John.” Clear Water hustled Maire into her mother’s adobe. “Thank you so much, Maire. There’s no one else I trust to help Masichuvio.”
“You’re sure he didn’t do this, Clear Water?”
“I am sure. Masichuvio is innocent.”
Maire slipped into Gus’s trousers, tying the waist tight with a rope Clear Water handed her, and rolling up the legs to form thick cuffs around her ankles.
“Here’s the coat Gus mentioned.” Clear Water helped her into it. It was cavernous, but warm with the wool blanket Clear Water stuffed inside.
“I’ll do my best,” she told Clear Water.
Clear Water threw her arms around Maire’s neck and hugged her hard. “Thank you. Thank you so much, my sister.”
The younger woman’s words struck a chord in Maire’s heart. She made a silent vow that she would do everything possible to bring Gray Deer back to his love. But mostly, she hoped she didn’t make the situation worse. If she delayed John and Gus and the Army found Gray Deer first, she wouldn’t be available to help.
* * * *
John looked behind once more. Snow flurried around them. Throughout the day, the temperature had fallen dramatically. Maire hadn’t complained once, and he had to admit that he was impressed with her persistence and stamina.
“Do you want to set up at Cave Rock?” Gus asked.
“Yes. It offers the best protection. We should have found the hunting party out here by now. That has me worried.”
“Once they see us and know who we’re after they won’t be any help, anyway. But even if they’re hiding Masichuvio, we’ll find him.”
John nodded in agreement.
“The murder took place a few miles along the creek bed. Would they have gone that far? That’s into Navajo land.”
John huffed. “Masichuvio hates the Navajo almost as much as the Whites. If he felt the urge to hunt on their land, he might have gone. I’ve heard rumors that the Army is helping the Navajo in a land dispute with the Clans. Maybe Masichuvio was on a hunting expedition for something other than rabbit and antelope all along.”
“Starting a war with the Navajo and angering the Army? A lot to do in a week.”
“Not if you’re motivated,” John said.
“True.” Gus gave John a grin. “I think I’ll go back and check on our shadow.”
“For Christ’s sake, Gus, this makes the fourth time you’ve ridden back there with her.”
“No more often than you’ve turned around to check and make sure she’s all right.”
That was a fair enough statement. “She’s my responsibility.”
“Our responsibility. And I’m taking her well-being just as seriously. Especially since—” He bit off the end of his sentence as though unwilling to continue.
John looked at Gus. In a leather coat and pants, and hat pulled low, he appeared to be a stereotypical, carefree cowboy. The kind depicted in novels people seemed to love back in the East. But John knew that Gus had a deep nature and felt things strongly. “Since what?”
His friend looked decidedly unhappy. “Since I think I’m in love with her.” With that, he dropped back. John swallowed his quick retort that Gus couldn’t be in love with Maire. He knew nothing of her, and she knew nothing of their lives.
He didn’t say that because he knew it wasn’t true. Maire wasn’t a flibbertigibbet or a shrew. She was young—maybe twenty-seven or twenty-eight—but she had a way about her. A way he admired himself.
John had expected her to drop back farther and farther until she had no choice but to follow their horses’ tracks back to the mesa. Instead, she’d stayed a hundred feet or so behind them, asking for nothing. She’d chewed a strip of jerky Clear Water must have packed, and taken advantage of a stand of cactus once to relieve herself. She hadn’t plagued them with chitchat or a thousand questions. But not for one moment in the course of the day had he forgotten she was there. He felt her presence as though they were connected.
He’d sensed that connection, in fact, since they’d taken her from the rock. While she stayed in Bacavi, he’d known every minute where she was, how she’d felt, when she slept peacefully, and when she tossed in her fevered state. Never had he experienced anything like it. His soul was bound to hers, and he hungered to explore what that bond meant.
A man without a place in the world couldn’t marry, and John truly was without a place. He was no longer Indian, and certainly—especially to the Whites—not a white man. He had more education than most of the Whites he met, yet he earned a menial living guiding Army parties throughout the Southwest and up into Wyoming and Montana. And performed heinous duties like this—hunting down his own kind. All he wanted was a bit of land, books to read at the fire on cold winter nights, and someone to love, someone who justified his existence and gave him safe harbor when he needed a place to rest. He’d given up the hope for such a thing until the eagle led him to Maire.
Freeing her had been such an easy thing. He didn’t understand why she hadn’t been able to do it herself. He’d about accepted that Eototo, the god of all things natural, had kept her trapped so she would be there for him.
“And Gus,” he said disgustedly. Gus loved her. He’d seen them together in Bacavi. They seemed well matched. But the eagle had led him, John Eagle, to the site where she waited. “Of course,” he murmured, “there had been a trickster nearby.” The coyote was Gus’s totem. Had he also been watching over her? “Damn.”
Of all the women they’d known over the years, why had they both settled their hearts on the same one?
“It’s getting much colder,” Gus said, coming back alongside.
“Snow tonight, for sure.”
“That’s good news and bad.”
The grouping of rocks they aimed for were no more than four hundred yards away. On the other side, one rock stuck out several feet, forming an overhang and providing good shelter. Other rocks blocked the space and formed a small cave. They would be safe from the weather there.
“What’s bad about it?”
“The three of us together in there. It’ll be hell giving Maire space.” Gus swung around in the saddle to look at her. “I keep hoping her bedding is thin and she needs body heat to stay warm.”
John laughed. “Who says it would be your body?”
“Well, just think of it. How much warmth can an eagle give compared to a coyote? I’ve touched her smooth skin, and I want to touch more, John. I aim to, and soon. If marriage is the only way, that’s what I’ll do, but I mean to make her mine.” Gus galloped ahead, heading for the rocks he was bound to make long before John and Maire topped the rise.
Chapter Nine
With trepidation, Maire entered the overhang. After her dreams and the strange feelings she experienced around the two men, how could she spend the night there, in such close quarters? Holy Mother, help me keep my wits about me. When she actually entered the outcropping, it turned out to be larger than it looked from the outside.
“Maire,” John said, “we’ll spread your bedroll in the back, farthest from the entrance.”
Gus had dropped off his bedroll and left. To find material for a fire, John explained. They had kindling with them, strapped to the horses, but they needed fuel to keep the flames going.
She shivered with the cold. Snow fell steadily and hard. “Wh
at about the horses?”
“We’ll stake them near the front, out of most of the weather.” John released the pack from her horse and then dropped a rock on the reins to keep him from wandering. When he turned, they were face-to-face. His eyes softened. He reached out and cupped her neck. “You’re safe with us.”
“I know that.” The urge to kiss him was so strong it nearly overrode good sense. She smiled.
Leaning down, he brushed his lips against hers. “Do not worry.”
Their touch was light and her heart pounded with excitement. Yet she wanted so much more. Would she have more? John was being uncharacteristically attentive and physical, and she loved it.
Taking the pack from him, she said, “I never worry when I’m with you and Gus.”
Pride filled his eyes. “This was a bad idea, your coming with us. But I’m glad you’re here anyway.”
“Me, too.” Maire moved to the back and spread out the bundle of blankets on which she would sleep. She had brought the deerskin Gus left her at the village. With that, the wool britches, blanket, and sheepskin coat, she should be warm. However, inside she felt a heat that had nothing to do with sheepskin or deer hides.
After the escapades of her three older sisters, her father had gone to great lengths to protect his youngest, city-bred virgin from worldly knowledge. She had feelings she didn’t understand or know how to handle. All she knew was that whenever John or Gus came near, she wanted to touch them, to be as close as possible. She wanted her skin next to theirs, her breathing in tune with theirs, her heartbeat in rhythm. This must be desire. This must be lust.
All her life she’d been taught that the ways of the flesh were sinful until a woman married. She hadn’t worried about that before—she’d already decided to live the life she wanted, not one tied to a man. Now she wanted more. Much more. She loved them both and wanted them both, as a woman wanted a man, physically, as well as emotionally. Why should that be wrong?
Maire [The Sisters O'Ryan 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 7
