She turned her back on him now. "I understand why you…why we…"
"You understand?" He asked, turning to face her now.
"Sootka told me. You were saving me from being raped…"
"That was my intention, yes." He answered.
"I appreciate that…" She said and started to lie down.
"As I said, it was my intention, at first. Nevertheless, I took you, myself. It is the same result. Isn't it? And…I enjoyed the taking. We enjoyed it. Did we not?"
"Yes," she answered breathlessly. "We did. I'm sorry…you must understand something."
"Go on…"
"I never…I mean…that never happened to me."
"Now I do not understand. You were married and have two children. How could that be?" He smiled as though she were joking.
"Never mind…" She seemed exasperated.
She glanced at him now, unable to voice her thoughts. However, his provocative glance didn't go unnoticed.
He turned away.
Something in her expression held a forgiveness he hadn't expected. He stared at her as she lay down. His eyes went down her body, and he sighed. She was his, whether she knew it or not. He would not tell her. That was for her to figure out. If she wanted to, that is.
As he lay down that night, he thought on her words. She didn't completely understand yet. But she would come to. She was not angry with him for it. She had a right to be angry, even though she wasn't. It pleased him. It also pleased him that she did not lie, for they had both made love.
She was a strong woman, and strangely, she had become his woman! And that was something only he understood.
Chapter Seven
Their journey to Fort Concho was long, hot and they were nearly worn out when they reached there. Their clothes were packed down with dust, their hair uncombed, and their faces dirty. They had made many camps. As far as
the company, they seemed to enjoy it, but they were exceedingly tired now.
The walls of the fort were Adobe, and it was rather a large fort. There were soldiers drilling, and officers walking about the property. The flag stood in the middle of the compound grandly. It was a beautiful fort.
A few women stood out on the verandas, staring as they came in. Eve glanced at them, trying to look friendly but so tired she could hardly stand now, much less smile.
Hawk took her to the officer in charge; Colonel Mackenzie himself came out of an office to address them.
"Hawk, it is good to see you."
"And you!" Hawk nodded, shaking hands with the Colonel.
"What brings you this way; want to scout for me, again?"
Hawk considered it, but he figured he needed to put some space between him and the lovely woman; he'd grown much too fond of. She was his now, but unaware of it, and he would put distance between them to keep it that way. For the two didn't mix. White and Indian, he told himself. She deserved some kind of happiness. He knew that they could never really be together. Although, sometimes the look in her beautiful blue eyes said differently.
"No, but I have brought Eve Dawson and her children to safety. The Comanche had captured her. That is why she is dressed in these clothes."
"Oh dear Lord. I am sorry for that." He apologized to her.
"Thank you Colonel."
"We'll get her squared away. Will you stay and take a meal with us, Hawk?" The Colonel asked.