"Well, I think he's handsome."
"A little young, probably a little wet behind the ears too, but I suppose he might appeal to some women. Still, Margaret was steering you right. That squaw might come after you herself if you mess with him." Willis warned. "the way they get on with it, I don't think he's got the energy for two women." Willis chuckled.
"I don't like her. But I'd sure like to get to know him."
"Suit yourself." Willis rolled over and went to sleep. "What is it about her that you don't like?"
Kat glanced over at her, "All the women here defend her. I don't know if it is because she's kind of little, or pregnant or what."
"Could be that it's because she's the only one that is married here and is expecting a family. Breaking up a family isn't a good thing Kat. Besides, even if you could have him, it wouldn't do you any good. I own you."
"Yes, you keep reminding me of that." Kat snapped.
"Shore I do, you're my woman." Willis told her and rolled away from her.
"You've never minded sharing me before," She commented acidly.
Willis stared at her a long time. "I had the feeling we were closer. My mistake. Besides, this place is different, there are a few rules here, and I don't want to get kicked out because we aren't abiding by them. Look Kat, he's married. And he's younger than you too. She's pregnant. Ain't that enough reasons to leave it alone?"
"No, it isn't."
"Suit yourself, but if we get thrown out of here because of you, you'll sleep outside in the weather and that won't be a pretty picture for you." Willis warned.
"Alright, alright…. but if I get the chance, I'm taking it."
"I got a feeling it's gonna be a cold, cold winter," he grunted and covered his shoulder with the blanket.
Two weeks later Matt and Ferg were planning on making a smokehouse. They were out in the forest, cutting down trees and that's when Kat wandered over to him.
Bundled up in a winter fur, she approached him carefully so as not to startle.
Matt eyed her out of the corner of his eye, and tried to ignore her, but she didn't want to be ignored. She ambled up to him.
"Is it true…?" She asked, coming closer, her blouse slipping against one shoulder, as her coat opened.
"What's that?" He asked not looking at her.
"You and that squaw are going to have a child."
Matt thought on that a minute and nodded, "It's true."
"But she is just a squaw. Are you in love with her?"
He stopped, gazed at her with little sympathy, "Yes, I am."
"I can't imagine a white man wanting an Indian more than his own kind."
"She's my wife, my woman, and we're going to be a family soon." He declared and went back to work. "It's as simple as that. That, and I love her."
She moved closer, so close he could smell the scent of her. So, close he could almost feel her against him.
When he straightened up to gaze into her green eyes, she moved in on him and tiptoed to kiss him.
The kiss was sweet, sexy and meant to entice him. He was so startled he couldn't pull away at first, and finally, he shoved her away. He stared at her like a piece of candy one might want, but after tasting it, spits it out.
She looked puzzled, and much too proud. "You let me kiss you. You must like me a little. Don't you?" She smiled cattily at him.
He took the back of his hand and wiped her kiss away, "You better run along, I've got work to do. We don't have time for games, and I want you to understand something."