Stronger Than Passion by Sharron Gayle Beach

Author:Sharron Gayle Beach [Sharron Gayle Beach]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781456581350
Google: cFKcuAAACAAJ
Amazon: B004KZP08I
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2011-01-24T13:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Impossible, now, to think that only a week ago she had passed her days in an apathetic, depressed haze, and her nights in self-pitying dreams.

There was so much for her to do now, and so much to think about. Where, for instance, was she to acquire the freshly-baked tortillas necessary for every meal? How was she to prepare the rangy, lean game meat that one or the other of the men would provide every other day? What might she ask after supper that would start a conversation broad enough to encompass any or all of the subjects she was interested in; including as many hints about present location that could be discerned?

They seemed to be riding in broad circles, because for all the hard days of travel, the same scenery of scrub brush, barrancas and occasional trees never much varied. They even passed through the same villages once or twice. She assumed that Torrance and his guerrillas were looking for something. But what? Mexican soldiers, or possibly even Michael Brett?

No one would tell her anything concerning the business of the troop, or even dare to speculate on how long she and Penny might remain with them. But Christina noticed a certain shifting in the men’s attitudes; a kind of cold-eyed anticipation that warned of pending action.

Then, on the seventh night after the women had joined the unit, Torrance held a quiet conference with all of his men, ladies excluded. Christina and Penny were awakened early the next morning, well before dawn; and instructed to prepare a cold breakfast, and then pack their horses. They would be leaving the main body of the troop here, and going in a different direction, with only Rene for company.

Christina felt a sickening jolt at the idea of leaving the men, realizing for the first time what an odd security their familiar numbers brought her. Penny even clutched at Christina’s arm in dismay. But neither of them voiced their fears aloud, because it was Captain Torrance who was giving them orders, and who stood staring at them sardonically. Both women would rather face death than admit any cowardly weakness to him.

Christina did ask why there were being sent off, and when they would return. But he only laughed - an incongruous thing for him to do - and said they wouldn’t have long to miss him. The troop had a job to complete, and it shouldn’t take more than a day or so. Possibly even less. In the meantime, they should obey Rene and remember he was well-armed and had orders to keep them near him on pain of his own death. He had chosen Rene to guard them for the specific reason that he was young and handsome, and surely their sympathetic feminine hearts would be unable to stand knowing he would be killed, if they ran off.

There was no moon and no campfire, and Torrance was barely visible in the chill darkness. But Christina heard the evil satisfaction in his voice when he related his quite correct reasoning.

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