"We better be moving." Hawk told Eve. The kids were up and wondering how come they had company, but Eve kept their questions down until they left.
"Who are they Ma?"
"Just strangers passing through." Eve answered after they were well out of sight.
"Gosh, I never even heard them last night, I was so tired." Matthew laughed.
Jane Ann was running a little fever. Eve told Hawk.
Hawk stopped and looked at the child. "Get me some water from the creek." He told her.
He brought out some Willow Bark from his medicine bag and made a tea with it. When it cooled enough for her to drink it, he fed it to her himself.
"What is that?" Eve asked.
"Willow Bark, good for fever." He told her, as he watched her expression.
"I'll have to remember that."
When she finished she still looked sleepy. "Take my pack off. I will carry her as we go."
Eve slipped his pack off, her hands grazing him as she worked to get it off. His flesh was hot and smooth and she had to distract herself.
"Can you carry that?" Hawk asked as she stared at the pack.
"Of course."
"Good, then we're on our way." Hawk smiled.
When they stopped to eat, Matthew took a nap and Jane Ann was still asleep.
"They are worn out." She said. "Jane Ann isn't used to walking so much."
"Yes, Matthew walked and ran many miles with me to get the blankets and food to trade. He did not complain one time. But he was against stealing. I had to explain it was necessary." Hawk smiled. "Sometimes we must do things we don't want to do."
"Why have you never come to our cabin and introduced yourself?" She asked softly not wanting to wake the children.
"I was not sure how you would receive me…" He explained. "Nor your husband…" He stared into her eyes.
She nodded. "He wouldn't have received you. I meant after he died…"
"I wasn't sure how you would." He smiled sexily at her now. Now may I ask a question?" He looked straight at her.
"Depends on what it's about." She said glancing at him shyly.
"Then I will not ask. However, I must explain, that your life was in danger…"
"I know…" She said softly. "At least I do now."
"How do you know?" He asked curiously.
"Sootka told me."
He nodded, "Then you understand why it was necessary."
She drew breath, not knowing for sure how to answer him. "Most of it…" She added and lay down by her children. "Have you saved many white women?" She asked now not looking at him.
He smiled the kind of smile that curled around the heart. "No!"