"Well, that wasn't so bad. You really thought fast, didn't you?" Eve looked at Hawk.
"Yes, and we will use that story as often as we can." He smiled at her. She tiptoed to kiss his cheek. "I missed doing that." she smiled shyly.
Matthew and Jane Ann laughed.
Chapter Fourteen
At the Red, Hawk directed them toward an old gentleman's place where he stopped. It was a large cabin hidden in a small covey. It overlooked the Red and a ferry was anchored at the shore.
"Jinx?" Hawk called to the cabin.
An old man with a scruffy beard came out. "Who's out there?"
"It's me, Jinx, Hawk."
Well I'll be. Who you got there with you Hawk?" the old man asked as he opened his door to them.
"This is Eve Dawson and her children, Matthew and Jane Ann." Hawk introduced them.
"Well now, I'm pleased as puddin' to make your acquaintance." Jinx smiled a toothless smile at them.
The cabin had a huge kitchen with a long table and another room that was big. There was little furniture about except in the kitchen.
"What a big table?" Eve admired it.
"Yeah, I get people wantin' to go up river and I gotta feed 'em before they go. The other room is for pallets and such so they can rest before they leave. It's kinda like a stagecoach station, ain't it?" He glanced at her.
"Yes, it is. It's so nice and clean."
"Gotta keep it clean for the guests." He smiled. He saw the look Eve gave Hawk and he suspicioned something between them but he didn't say a word in front of her.
"Land sakes, I ain't seen you in a coon's age, boy. What have you been up to?"
"Staying alive, mostly." Hawk smiled.
"Come on in here and sit yourselves down. I got beans and taters with a little cornbread. Help yourself folks." He offered.
Eve helped him heat the food and she dished out small servings to the kids, then Hawk, and the old man, then herself. He had a pot coffee on so they all had a little. Matthew had just started drinking coffee; it kept him a alert.
"I got some buttermilk in that jug over there, if she likes it."
"Oh that's wonderful, thank you." Eve cried and reached for the jug.
"I'm so glad you came by. It's been a while." Jinx said, something in his voice clued Eve to the fact that this old man held Hawk in high regard.
"I'm sorry, Jinx. We just came from Ft. Concho, headed up to Indian Territory."
Jinx looked at all of them but he didn't say a word, just a small little worry wrinkle in his forehead spoke for him.
He was a happy old fella and the kids enjoyed some of his tall tales.
When Eve and the kids walked outside the old man eyed Hawk, his gaze piercing with intensity. "Now what are you up to Hawk?"
"We're going to live with my people, Jinx. We love each other…" Hawk admitted staring at the old man.
"Love each other? Are you crazy Hawk? She's white and you ain't. How's that gonna work?" There was a grisly edge to his voice, as though warning Hawk.
"It will work there. But that's about the only place it will."