"How do you know this?" the chief asked looking at Hawk with disdain and suspicion.
"I just came from the fort. He's got men all along this area. They will massacre you if you don't move. They take women and children captives. At least hide them. The fort is full of Indian women and children."
"Why do you warn us? Are you not one of their scout soldiers?"
"I was, I'm not now."
"You think we cannot defend ourselves?" The old chief Little Horse asked his tone bitter as he stared him down.
"I am only warning you…"
"Then you have said your peace…go…now." The chief frowned at him.
Hawk frowned. He'd done all he could. If they stayed they'd be killed.
It was useless; they did not want to hear his words. He should have known by now, he could no longer help his own people. He was a stranger among his own. The whites didn't respect him, the Indians didn't believe him. Where was his place now?
That first night he camped and worried about Eve all night. His dreams were restless and he knew he would have to return to the fort soon. For he too, had heard how the women scorned other white women who slept with Indians.
However, there were other dreams that made his heart lighter, his burdens less. If Eve were pregnant, he would never let her go again. He would make a home for them and they would be his family. Deep down, he wanted that all along, and he knew it. The admission bothered him, for he prided himself for so long for not letting his emotions rule him. When he had first saw Eve, everything changed. He could no longer hold himself away.
He should never have taken them to the fort. If anyone found out what happened, she'd be in a world of trouble.
The thought of her having his child, made him smile. It would be a strong child, and he would claim it, if she would let him. He would claim her and her children, if she would let him! He wanted her, despite how dangerous it would be. Whether she could admit it yet or not, she wasn't immune to him either.
Somehow, he would make a home for her and the children.
That night as he tried to sleep though he heard the screams from the Indian camp and knew that Mackenzie had found them. The fire and smoke that billowed told him Mackenzie had probably killed all of the Cheyenne and Arapaho in that village.
He hung his head. He had failed them. He had failed Eve too.
~*~
Eve adjusted to the life at the fort fairly well, but deep down inside, she missed Hawk. She had little in common with the women here at the fort and the men all acted as though she were a raving beauty the way they tried to pay court to her. Women were scarce in the west and that was probably why they made such a fuss over her.
Matthew watched her closely one day.
"Are you gonna marry one of those soldiers, Ma?"
"No darling…Whatever gave you that idea?"
"Why not?" He looked puzzled. "They sure enough like you."
"I don't love them. I will never marry again unless I am in love." Eve told him.
"Are you in love with Hawk?" He asked quietly.
"Matthew! That isn't a nice question to ask a lady."
"Why not? You're not a lady, you're my Ma."
"If anyone heard you ask that here, I'd have a lot to answer to. Don't ever ask such a thing in front of these people, they wouldn’t understand. The things that have happened to us since we were captured have changed our lives to some extent. Nothing will ever be quite the same again."
"I wouldn't say anything. But…are you?"
"I-I don't know…"
"Do you miss him?"