Love on the Border by Ciara Knight

Author:Ciara Knight [Knight, Ciara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781953396044
Publisher: Defy the Dark Publishing LLC

Chapter Fourteen

Eli finished his morning chores, cleaned up, and headed to the barn. His body ached from lack of sleep and shame. How would his mother have felt about his behavior? On occasion, he’d think of his family, but they were only a blur except his final moments with them.

He shook off his melancholy and found Roger, Hector, Ahmik, and Manuel saddling their horses. “Manuel, you can’t go. I need you here since we’ll be gone for a minimum of two nights. If the water dries up completely, take everyone to the outskirts of the mountains to the Rio Grande. Wait there until I return. If I don’t after four days, then you’ll know I’m not coming back and you’ll need to head farther west.”

Manuel shook his head. “You stay. People need you. Besides, I like riding through rough terrain and keeping watch for trouble.”

Eli would laugh at the man, but he was too tired. “I can’t. Hannah McKinnie’s my responsibility. I’m the one who sent for a wife. I need to see her safe.”

Hector adjusted his gun belt. “But she won’t let you near her. How you going to go with us?”

“I’ll hang back and keep watch over you. It could be dangerous taking the route we’re planning, but it’s the easiest and quickest way to get there.”

Roger kept his head down but nodded for Manuel to do as instructed.

Ahmik cleared his throat and puffed out his chest. “I’ll be man here. I keep our people safe.”

“Out of the question,” Eli blurted.

“Why? My people say I’m man now. You say I should honor both peoples.”

Eli’s words thrown back at him made it difficult to argue. Besides, no one knew these lands better than Ahmik and Patwin.

“He has a point. He’s kept our people fed and safe while we’ve gone on our missions before,” Roger said.

“Besides, if he’s a man now, that means less work for me,” Manuel teased.

Eli looked at the tall boy who hadn’t yet filled into a man but who could outshoot, trap, and scavenge better than anyone else in camp. “You think you’re ready for this? What if we don’t return?”

“Then I become man of our families.” Ahmik jutted his chin out with pride. “I take our peoples to Rio Grande if water gone. I hunt and feed them. You trust me.”

“I do.” Eli put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “You’ll be chief of our community while I’m gone.”

Ahmik nodded and strutted from the barn, obviously to go tell everyone of his new position in their community.

Eli returned his attention to his men. “No one touches Hannah. Remember that.” Eli glowered at Roger.

“Meli told me she won’t tell. Cares too much for your littl’uns. Says she’ll never share anything with anyone, so no need for harm to come to her,” Roger said but wouldn’t look up.

Good. He knew his place after the stunt he’d pulled. The man enjoyed danger and drama too much. If he wasn’t careful, he’d be the reason they all swung someday.

Eli spotted Rosa waiting outside near his house.

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