Tykota's Woman (Historical Romance) (25 page)

"Not anymore. And if you are feeling uneasy,
know this-no Apache or any other tribe would
attack this large a force of Perdenelas."

"Why is that?"

"They fear us."

"Oh. It is hard for me to think of the
Perdenelas as dangerous, since I have
experienced so much kindness from your
people."

"Do not be fooled by the reception you
received. The Perdenelas are known to be the
fiercest warriors in this land." He smiled. "But I
pray you will always think of us as kind."

Tykota's shadow fell across Makinna's face,
but his eyes were on his brother, and he spoke in
their language. "Do you stand talking to the
woman, or do you take your turn at guard?"

Coloradous laughed and gripped his rifle. "I
stand guard, my chief."

Makinna refused to look at Tykota. She told
herself she would be only too happy to get to her
destination and see the last of him. He had
become so different-hard, unreachable, and
cruel. She turned to leave, but his voice stopped
her.

"Now we will speak of what happened with
my sister."

"I have nothing to say to you, Tykota. You
were blind and heartless if you could not see that the man you called friend was hurting your
own sister."

"Perhaps I was," he said regretfully. "I should
have taken better care of my sister."

"You should have asked her what she wanted
out of life. Did it not seem strange to you that
she had never married though all her friends had
done so and begun their families?"

He closed his eyes. "I should have known."

"Yes, you should have."

He gazed out on the apricot-colored sky and
drew in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

Suddenly, sympathy welled up in her, because
she felt his spirit was tormented. After all, he
had been betrayed by a friend. "I am sorry about
Santo, but he has not proven himself worthy of
your friendship."

He turned and stared at her, and her heart
stopped beating. He was so handsome, his body
so beautiful in his breechcloth. She tore her mind
away from his physical appearance and tried to
concentrate on their conversation. "You may as
well know it, Tykota. I'm not sorry for helping
Inea. She is a special person, and she needed a
friend. I make no apology for being that friend
and for helping her trick Santo into showing his
true nature."

He surprised her when he started laughing. "I
did not suppose you would be sorry, Makinna. I
have learned enough of your character to know you will always champion those who need it-like the night you brought me food
at Adobe Springs."

She attempted a haughty gaze, "I am glad that
I amuse you."

His dark gaze swept her face. "It is good to have
someone who can make us laugh in a world in
turmoil."

"Is the world in turmoil, Tykota?"

"Perhaps only the place where I dwell." He
breathed deeply and turned away. "You should
place your bedroll away from the fire"-he
pointed to his left-"beneath that rock wall. I
will lay my bedroll between you and my
warriors, so you will not feel uneasy."

Makinna could have told him that he was the
one she felt uneasy around. She wanted so
desperately to touch him, to have him kiss her, to
go back to the way they had so briefly been.

She could have told him that, but she didn't.

Makinna's blanket was soft, and a cool breeze
touched her cheeks. She folded her arms behind
her head and stared at the endless sky, where a
million stars were strewn like so many candles.
She was aware when Tykota placed his bedroll,
as he'd said he would, between her and his
warriors. As she stared at the heavens, she
wondered if he, too, was remembering the night
they swam with the stars reflected in the river.

It was still painful for her to think about. She turned her back to him and closed her eyes. He
was so near, and yet she could not touch him. In a
few days, she would be on her way to California,
and she would never see his face again.

That thought was so agonizing, she could
hardly bear it. To never see him again would be
a living death for her. He had touched her heart,
and their souls had joined. Didn't he know that?

"Makinna?"

She did not turn to face Tykota. "Yes?"

"Thank you for helping my sister."

Now she did turn to face him. His tall frame
was stretched out on his bedroll, and she saw
his rifle near his hand so he could grab it if he
should need it during the night. "I do not want
your thanks, Tykota. As it is, I could never
repay all you have done for me. You saved my
life many times, and often at the peril of your
own."

"Do not mention that. I just wanted you to
know that I have been considering what you said
about my sister. I want you to know that from
now on I will look more carefully to her
happiness."

"I am glad." She shifted her weight and
glanced back at the sky. "When will we reach
Biquera?"

"Are you in such a hurry?"

"I... I am eager to see my sister."

"We will be there in two days' time."

"Good night, then," she said, closing her eyes
and willing herself to sleep.

"Good night, Makinna. Fear nothing, and
sleep in peace. You are in no danger tonight."

She did not answer. She turned away and
clamped a hand over her mouth to keep Tykota
from hearing her cry. She had nothing to fearexcept living the rest of her life without the man
she loved.

They broke camp and mounted before daybreak.
Makinna watched the sunrise as they rode across
a wide expanse of desert. This time she did not
have to put mud on her face to keep from being
burned from the sun. Huara had given her a salve
to protect her skin.

Tykota rode beside her, and she could imagine
them riding the wonderful pintos forever and
never looking back.

The beauty of this land, with its wide canyons,
red buttes, and giant cacti, now touched her
deeply. Lofty mountains loomed in the distance,
calling to her like some promised adventure.

"What are you thinking about?" Tykota asked.
"From your expression, they seem to be pleasant
thoughts."

"I was just thinking that I feel I was born to
this land." She met his gaze. "I know it doesn't
sound conceivable, but it's the way I now feel."

Tykota slowed his horse to a canter. "I am glad you like this land. Perhaps you will forget
the misadventures and hardships and dangers
you found here."

She arched a delicate eyebrow at him. "You
are the most dangerous animal I met in this
desert."

He had been smiling slightly, but now his
expression hardened. "I have never been a
danger to you."

"No, not in the way you mean. I am sorry for
what I said."

Tykota called back to one of his warriors. She
didn't know what he said, but the brave rode
forward to canter beside Makinna, while Tykota
urged his horse into a gallop and rode on ahead.

Silently the group wound their way across the
desert, taking Makinna ever closer to Biquera
Ranch-and out of Tykota's life forever.

Tykota rode up a steep butte and looked over the
land. He had a view on every direction. He
watched as the wind seemed to gather the clouds
overhead, grateful for the shade they cast.

The closer he got to Biquera, the heavier
became his heart. Soon he would have to let
Makinna go, and it wouldn't be easy. He was a
man in love, a man who had found the perfect
mate for him, and yet he must let her go.
Makinna thought she loved him, but surely by
now he had killed that love, or infatuation, which was probably what she'd felt for him. As
soon as men from her own race began to pay
homage to her, she would forget all about him.

"Why?" he whispered into the unrelenting
desert wind. "Why must this be?"

It was the last day of the journey. The Perdenelas
warriors rode tirelessly behind their chief, a
silent band rapidly making its way through the
desert. By nightfall, they would reach Biquera
Ranch.

At midday, they encountered a calvary patrol.
The handsome Indian chief kept his gaze straight
ahead, but the major who rode at the head of his
troop was clearly startled to see a white woman
in the other procession. He called for the Indians
to halt, advising his men not to draw their guns
but to stay alert. He spoke quickly to his secondin-command. "The woman is dressed like an
Indian, but, as you can see, she's white. Be ready
for anything."

The young officer rode up to Makinna, touched his hat, and spoke guardedly, eyeing the
Indian beside her, who looked like none he'd
ever seen before. "I am Major Halloway, ma'am.
Are you in any trouble? Do you need our
assistance?"

Makinna smiled at his concern. The major was
handsome, blond, and tall, with bright blue eyes
and dimples that showed themselves when he
spoke. "I'm Makinna Hillyard, Major, and I can
assure you that I am in no need of assistance."
She turned to Tykota. "These Indians are
escorting me to Biquera Ranch."

The major looked astounded, and then
relieved. "We have been searching for you, Miss
Hillyard. We heard what had happened at Adobe
Springs and feared you might be among the
dead."

"This is Tykota Silverhorn, Major. He rescued
me from the Apache raid. He saved my life."

"I saw your name on the Butterfield passenger
log, Mr. Silverhorn, and assumed you were also
dead." His eyes narrowed. "I did not know that
you were an Indian."

Makinna, aware of Tykota's temper, spoke up
quickly. "I owe my life to this man, Major. If it
wasn't for his quick thinking, I would not be
here today. He would have saved the others as
well, if he could have."

Major Halloway glanced back to Tykota, then ran his gaze over the other Indians. "I am
not familiar with your tribe, Mr. Silverhorn, but I
do know a Mrs. Silverhorn at the Biquera Ranch.
Are you connected with her in some way?"

Again Makinna spoke before Tykota could
voice his anger. "Mrs. Silverhorn is his adoptive
mother, sir. She is also a friend of mine, which is
why they are taking me to her ranch."

"Are you aware that your sister came in on the
stage a week ago and is staying at Biquera
Ranch?"

Makinna was shocked. She had not expected
her sister to come looking for her. "My sister?
Here?"

"That is why I took the patrol out to look for
you. She believes you are still alive, but I admit I
doubted the possibility." He smiled, and his
cheeks dimpled. "I am glad to be wrong."

Makinna now felt an urgency to get to the
ranch as soon as possible. "Thank you for your
concern, Major Halloway. I will be happy to be
reunited with my sister."

The major leaned closer to her and spoke in a
low voice, glancing warily at Tykota's angry
expression. "Would you like us to escort you to
Biquera, Miss Hillyard?"

"Thank you, no. I am sure Mr. Silverhorn will
want to see his mother. As I told you before, I
am in no danger."

The young major tipped his hat. "Then I will not hold you up any longer." He looked into her
eyes and smiled. "I hope you are going to be
staying at Biquera for a while. I have been
invited there by Mrs. Silverhorn. If you are
there, I shall certainly accept her invitation. I
would like to hear all about your adventures."

"Then I shall see you there, Major Halloway."

She watched the troop of uniformed soldiers
ride away. Her sister at Biquera-she had not
expected Adelaide to come to Texas. She turned
her gaze to Tykota. "I can't wait to see my
sister."

The expression on Tykota's face was fierce.
"That white man wants to see you again."

"Do you think so?"

"He admired you."

Makinna blinked her eyes in astonishment.
Tykota was jealous! She smiled inwardly as she
said, "I look forward to seeing him again. He
seemed very nice."

Tykota kicked his horse in the flanks and rode
forward. It had already started, he thought. The
first white man she encountered was touched by
Makinna's beauty. He had wanted to challenge
that bluecoat for daring to look on his love with
such open pleasure, but he did not have that
right. "Like flies to the honey pot, they will
come," he muttered in his own language.

It was almost sundown when they reached the
outer perimeter of Biquera Ranch. Tykota told his warriors to camp beside the Rio
Grande, while he and Makinna rode on to the
house.

Tykota slowed his pace, as if making their
time together last. "It is good that your sister is
here."

"Yes. I am surprised that she would come all
this way. She moved away when I was young,
and I don't know much about Adelaide's life
now."

"One does not have to be constantly with a
brother or sister to be close to them. It is
something in the blood that ties you together
with an invisible string. I have found that with
Inea and Coloradous."