Through the Fire (The Native American Warrior Series) by Trissel Beth

Author:Trissel, Beth [Trissel, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Beth Trissel
Published: 2013-02-20T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Shoka watched Renault gaze at Kate, fond and solemn in one. “Sleep, ma chérie,” the Frenchman whispered, brushing his lips against her downy cheek.

Normally Capitaine Renault was carefree where women were concerned, but he truly seemed smitten with the charms of this innocent girl. Shoka couldn’t blame him, though. Hadn’t he lost his heart and very nearly his life as a result of his burning fascination with Rebecca? And didn’t he, even now, want nothing more than to be alone with her?

Renault straightened his back. “Let’s leave Kate for a bit. I grow stiff hovering over her like a mother hen.”

“It’s difficult to picture you as a hen,” Rebecca said.

Renault smiled and stood. “More of a vulture?” he quipped, with that wry humor Shoka had come to appreciate.

“The thought had crossed my mind.”

Shoka shook his head at her. She would fly at the capitaine yet, if he didn’t keep a close watch out.

He rose and bent down, gripping her hand. She let him help her up, but her anxious eyes lingered on Kate. The long shadows cast by the campfire accentuated her paleness.

“She scarcely roused during our conversation. How weakened is she, Capitaine?” Rebecca asked.

“Not as much as you might expect. This Gabe she speaks of kept her safe and supplied with fish until his sudden disappearance. It seems there were hot coals in the cave when she first arrived for her to start a fire, as if he knew to bring her here. Most peculiar.”

Shoka thought the same. “Did you see the creature?”

“None have, except Kate. He is like a ghost.”

“Perhaps he is,” Shoka said.

“You don’t really believe in ghost dogs, do you?”

Shoka shrugged. “Many do. Settlers and Indians alike.”

“Couldn’t Gabe be flesh and blood and still possess amazing qualities?” Rebecca asked.

Shoka considered the strange tales he’d heard. “Animals sometimes aid people in ways we do not understand.”

“I find that far more likely,” Renault agreed.

Rebecca clutched Shoka’s arm, swaying with fatigue. He caught her to him. “So weary you are.”

Renault laid a sympathetic hand on her back. “Forgive my negligence, Madame. I forget you are a lady and not accustomed to this harsh land.”

“And why is that, I wonder?” she tossed at him.

“There is much strength about you,” he said steadily, making no reference to her shocking behavior at their last encounter. He beckoned them to the fire. “Dine with us.”

Shoka sniffed the savory steam rising from the pot balanced on a small black tripod over the fire. He’d paid little attention to the stew when they’d first arrived, but now he realized his stomach had been rumbling for some time. Rebecca must be nearly faint with hunger. He steered her after the capitaine’s tall, straight figure.

Lieutenant Remy rose from his place near the blaze and waved the amiable warriors seated on either side of him farther apart. He swept his hands to gesture Rebecca into the empty space he’d created. “Sit, Madame. S’il vous plait.”

Glaring at the eager Frenchman, Shoka planted himself in the choice spot, tucking the coveted woman closely beside him.

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