Never Surrender (11 page)

His urgency pulled Kate along. “Kelee, why so fast?”

“You have to meet Washaki. He’s a great warrior to our
people. He's even helped the white man cross through our lands. Noshi doesn’t
like that Washaki helps them, though.”

* * * * *

Back at camp, after much trekking again, Kate stared
at the afternoon sun as it dipped toward the horizon while Taima smoked a long
pipe with Washaki, Ahanu, and several others, passing the pipe around their
circle. She sat nearby with Aiyana and Kelee as he whispered to her tales of
the great warrior.

When the men had finished about an hour later, several
of them left and upon Taima’s invitation, Kate and Aiyana joined him, Ahanu,
and Washaki around the fire. Washaki’s complexion was darker than Taima’s, and
his narrowed eyes were set deep into his round face, which appeared even more
round because neither his chin, nor his jaw line appeared sculptured like
Taima’s.

Once settled around the evening fire, Kelee asked,
“Washaki, tell Kate the story of how you got the scar under your eye.”

The warrior touched his cheek and met Kate’s gaze. “It
was a raiding party of Blackfoot warriors. An arrow that nearly took my sight
hit me. Not yet ready to join the Great Spirit, I fought for revenge. I drew my
knife and we fought hand to hand, but I was stronger. My blade marked him for
life with a raging scar down one side of his face from his forehead to his
cheek, barely missing his eye.” Washaki drew an imaginary line down his own
face. “He escaped death that day, but I know he still roams the mountains.”

Though Kelee continued with several questions, Kate
thought back with horror of the Indian who had abducted her after the raid on
the wagon train. Could that warrior be the same man? Washaki had correctly
described the horrendous scar on his face. A shiver ran down Kate’s spine as
she remembered the desperate, unforgettable hatred in his dark eyes that day.

“You are cold?” Taima asked.

“No, but Washaki’s story reminds me of the warrior who
had first abducted me that day in the raid.”

Washaki leaned forward with interest. “How long ago
was this?”

Kate felt the blood drain from her face. Washaki’s
gaze met her own. “Just a few weeks ago,” she answered, not understanding the
venomous look he then shared with Taima.

“That warrior chief does not easily give up what he
considers his. He will return for her. Beware, and watch your back, my friend.
Should you need help, you only need to send word. My braves and I would love to
finish what we started years ago.”

Taima looked at Kate, but she couldn’t read his
thoughts. His lips pursed with suppressed fury. Perhaps now he wished he hadn’t
captured her, only to bring possible danger to his people.

Kate glanced beyond the glow of their fire, toward the
edge of the forest. Would the warrior be foolish enough to attempt something
here with so many of Taima’s people in the vicinity? She scanned the dark
timber line, listening for anything unfamiliar that might mingle with the chirping
crickets and distant howl of the wolves, then realized he knew how to blend
with the wilderness.

The scent of burning wood wafted on the cool breeze.
The crackling fire drew Kate’s attention. Like the leaping flames that licked
at the wood, casting its heat in her direction, the evil Blackfoot would span
out in search of her, coming ever closer. Orange embers drifted into the night
air. Her gaze followed their ascent, watching them disappear before the pattern
of twinkling stars overhead.

Perhaps he would forget what she looked like.

Kate fought with the warring emotions of hate toward
the Blackfoot and the friendship she’d begun to feel toward Ahanu and his wife,
toward Kelee and the other children...and toward Taima.

She bit her lower lip and swallowed the lump in her
throat. It shocked her to think her hatred could have faded so quickly into
feelings of attraction. The thought frightened her. She had vowed to never
surrender to his gaze, to his words, and most of all...to his savage touch.

From deep within the dark corners of her mind came a
sense of loss. Sometime in her life, she’d been in love, and abandoned; she’d
learned to protect her heart. She’d cared for someone in the past, of this she
knew.

Then the loud pounding of her heart thundered in her ears
as the pain began, radiating through her head.

Another vision drifted into focus. Closing her eyes,
she massaged her temples, only to see a car crash, to hear horrible screams.

A moan escaped her lips. Why was she seeing these
confusing images?

Her heart raced; she shook her head, trying to ward
off the vision, but to no avail. A pale, bloodied face of a dead man came into
view.

Steve!

Her breath caught in her throat. He’d died just before
they were to be married! My God, she could remember.

Kate screamed aloud and covered her mouth.

Someone gripped her shoulders. She would be saved.
Then they shook her, but Kate resisted.

She wanted to forget!

Her eyes flew open to see Taima’s face etched with
desperation. Leaning into his embrace, she wrapped her arms about his neck. His
warm comfort surrounded her, and she felt safe once again, secure. He gently
rocked her as he stroked her hair.

* * * * *

Though Taima couldn’t believe Kate’s sudden change of
attitude, of allowing him to embrace her, his heart felt as if it were about to
explode. She needed him, but he didn’t know how to help. Her headaches seemed
to be getting worse; he saw how she tried to massage them away. Had it hurt so
badly that she screamed from unbearable pain?

He vowed first thing in the morning, he would take her
to the healing waters near the falls. A cave there held the warmest waters,
which would help the most. It had to. He didn’t want to watch her suffer...if
she were even alive in the morning.

“What has happened? I heard a scream. Is Kate all
right?”

Taima recognized his father’s voice behind him and
glanced up, meeting the same concern he felt. “It’s another headache.”

“You know what needs to be done tomorrow. Do not
hesitate, Nechan.”

“We will leave as soon as she feels up to it,” Taima
said. “I think she needs to rest now.”

Taima awoke before Kate and Kelee. Against his better
judgment, he’d allowed Kelee to talk him into putting Kate between them last
night to keep her safe. Beneath his hand at her waist, her warm body lay
motionless beside him. She had survived the night; the spirits hadn’t taken
her. Now he would have to deal with his people’s superstitions. They would
surely fear her, assuming she possessed enough power to thwart the spirit gods.

Before Taima rose to leave, he noticed a ring on
Kate’s finger. He remembered the stones sparkled a brilliant green in the
sunlight, reminding him of Kate’s eyes.

Later, he would take a closer look at the ring.

Slowly, Taima crawled from beneath the hide and left
the lean-to. His people milled about, preparing their morning meals, glancing
in his direction--likely waiting to see if Kate had lived through the night. He
avoided their stares by walking down to the shoreline of the lake.

There, Taima squatted. Across the water, snow still
clung to the mountain peaks though the days had become quite warm. Grizzly
bears roamed freely this time of year in the higher mountains, and Taima said a
silent prayer to thank the spirits gods that none had invaded his camp so far.

“She has distracted you again, hasn’t she?”

Taima lowered his head, his chin nearly touching his
chest. After taking an exasperated breath, he glanced up, throwing pebbles into
the water. Before Kate, he never allowed himself to drop his guard, yet now,
Ahanu had approached him on several occasions without his notice.

“Be glad I am not that Blackfoot, or you would likely
be dead.”

Ahanu squatted next to him, but Taima looked across
the lake rather than at his friend. He knew Ahanu was right. How could he
protect Kate from the other warrior if he lost his sense of perception by
worrying whether her feelings would ever change toward him?

“How is Kate this morning?”

Taima met Ahanu’s inquisitive eyes. “You mean does she
yet live? She does, but still sleeps.”

“The others are already fearful of her. It’s as if
they knew she would live throughout the night. She’s different, Taima. She’s
not like anyone else.”

“I know...and I think it has something to do with her
headaches. Sakima knows. He’s been close to her since she arrived among us.”

“Yet you refuse to listen when he speaks to you.”
Ahanu picked up pebbles and tossed them in the air across the water.

“I’m beginning to think he may be right,” Taima
conceded.

“Your feelings toward her are changing. I can see it
in the way you look at her.”

Taima looked from Ahanu’s triumphant smile. “It’s of
no use. Her feelings will never change. She’s told me time and again. My savage
touch disgusts her. Perhaps if I were white and not a half-breed . . .”

He stood and turned from the lake, glancing toward his
lean-to. There Kate stood, looking at those who quickly turned away from her.
Some covered their mouths in disbelief, others pointed, their eyes wide.

When Ahanu fell into step beside him, Taima said, “I’m
taking Kate to the healing waters to see if it will help her headaches. Sakima
seems to think it will. Can Kelee stay with you while we’re gone?”

“You know you don’t need to ask.” Ahanu’s secretive
grin appeared on his face again, and Taima raised a brow, knowing Ahanu wasn’t
finished. “Perhaps it will heal more than her headaches. She may feel
differently toward you when you return.”

Taima raised an eyebrow. “Then our trip may serve two
purposes, but I doubt it. You’ve heard for yourself the way she feels.”

He glanced beyond Ahanu’s shoulder as Kate walked
toward him. Taima held out his hand to her.

“Do you feel well enough to travel to the healing
pools today?”

She lowered her lashes. “If you think it will help.
I’m sorry for the way I acted last night. I didn’t mean to frighten Kelee.”

“He only wants to see you get better, too. He will
stay with Ahanu while we’re gone this morning and then again when we go
tonight.”

“I want to talk with Aiyana for a moment before we
go,” Kate said and left.

Taima watched her walk away, then met Ahanu’s gaze.

“Good luck, my friend. The two of you have many things
to work out. Be careful; keep your senses alert.”

While Kate talked with Aiyana, Taima prepared his
horse and gathered his bow and arrows and a rifle he’d purchased at a Green
River rendezvous. He mounted and waited for Kate.

“I suppose I’m to ride up there with you?”

He couldn’t help but smile. Her belligerent attitude
amused him. “Unless you’d rather walk beside me like a proper Shoshone wife.”

Waves of irritation crossed her face and her eyes
narrowed. Her hands fisted at her sides. “Ooooo...I knew it was wrong to think
you’d changed!”

Taima laughed, but held out his hand toward her and
stiffened his foot for her to use as a lift. Gritting her teeth, Kate hoisted
herself onto his lap sideways, stiffening her back.

Taima ignored Kate’s cold attitude as he rode toward
the healing waters. His arm encircled her waist while his other hand controlled
the horse’s lead rope. Keeping her back stiff, she stared straight ahead. He
wondered at her odd demeanor. Last night, she’d even cuddled against the warmth
his body provided her, yet today, she seemed distant again.

He knew she fought the possibility that her feelings
for him might be changing by some of the things she’d said. His feelings had,
though he couldn’t say for sure when.

Several of Kate’s mannerisms were like Witashnah’s:
she would glare at him rather than look away, as was the custom of the Native
women when he insisted on arguing, even when she’d already lost. But he loved
the fight she carried in her soul, never backing down from anyone or anything.
His mother possessed those same qualities; memories of her drifted through his
mind and he missed her. She would have liked Kate.

Kate nodded toward a small stream that led into a
secluded area where the water enlarged into a pond before a steep hill, drawing
Taima from his thoughts. “Is that where we’re stopping?”

“Yes. The healing effects of the water should make you
feel better in a few days.” He stopped his horse and helped her down, watching
her run toward the water’s edge, then knelt there. The sun glistened on her
hair cascading down her back. Ripples atop the surface of the water circled out
around her fingers where she dipped them.

Dismounting, Taima hid his horse near the cave, behind
bushes, then strode to Kate’s side. As he did so, he thought back on yesterday
when he’d interrupted her conversation with his father. They had been
discussing her terrible headaches, then stopped when he approached them. Still,
he wondered why they felt the need to stop their discussion.

Excitement lit her face and danced in her eyes when
she turned toward him, still rubbing the water on her fingers. “It’s so warm.”

He paused and searched her face. “What is it about
your headaches that you think I won’t understand, but my father will?”

Kate immediately lowered her lashes and her hand at
the same time. “Your father has told me of his visions.”

Finally, she looked up. The green depths of her eyes
held too many questions; likely, a few he didn’t want to answer.

“Why do you refuse to believe what he’s seen in his
dreams?” she demanded. “Do they not come true?”

Annoyed, Taima slowly blinked and looked beyond the
pond, focusing on the surrounding trees rather than the sensuality of her eyes,
the nearness of her lips.

“His dreams come true more often than not. But with
the hatred you feel toward me, why would I want to know that he’s envisioned
you spending the rest of your life with us?” Now he looked directly at Kate.
“Or has your hatred for me diminished?”

She didn’t answer, but he waited, hopeful she would
admit she felt otherwise. A deep flush spread over Kate’s cheeks. She lowered
her lashes, at the same time pursing her lips. Was she angry that he might have
guessed she’d changed her mind about him? Kate stepped away and turned her face
from his view.

Taima let a moment pass, then raised his hand to
gently touch her chin, again turning her face toward him. Glistening tears
clung to her dark, lowered lashes; streaks wet her cheeks from those that had
already fallen. A stab of pain touched his heart. “Why do you ignore my
questions?” he asked tenderly.

Kate still wouldn’t look at him. Her pink tongue
slowly wet the fullness of her lips, and his loins tightened even though he
fought against the reaction, knowing how she hated him. “Would it be so
horrible to think of me as your friend rather than your enemy?” he asked.

She shook her head in defeat. “No, it wouldn’t be so
bad.”

He raised her chin higher, but she still refused to
look up. Her lips whitened as she pressed them together. “Look at me. I want to
see the truth.”

Slowly, her chest rose on a deep breath, and she gazed
up at him. The unvoiced answer he’d wanted to hear swam in the watery green
pools of her eyes, but he wondered if she’d ever admit to her true emotions. He
retained her gaze but dropped his fingers from her chin before he made the
mistake of bringing her lips to his as he wanted to.

Blinking away a new tear, she said, “Will we ever be
friends? Your hatred is as strong as mine. And the loving memory of your wife
is something I don’t want to destroy.” She concentrated on the beads of his
leather shirt. “And why would you care about how I feel when you seem to be
interested in another woman?”

Taima raised an eyebrow, stunned by her question. “Do
you think me so shallow that I can’t care for more than one person? As for this
other woman you keep referring to, I know not of whom you speak.”

“You told me the other day that you were interested in
a woman, but she didn’t care about you.” Kate flipped a stone with the toe of
her moccasin.

“Naturally if I care about someone, I’d like them to
also care about me and I’m not sure she does. Is that so much to ask?”

She twisted her fingers in the beaded fringe of her
dress. “Why doesn’t this other woman care about you?”

Stunned, Taima couldn’t believe she honestly didn’t
realize that he spoke of her. “It’s hard for me to tell how she feels, but she
and Kelee get along well.”

“Like I said before, you need to make her understand
how you feel as soon as possible.”

Her look of hurt tore at his emotions. For Kate to
assume he had no feelings whatsoever for her made him realize he had to act
now. He gently pulled her into his embrace, tipped her face up, and brought his
mouth down over her soft, warm lips. They easily parted beneath his. Tenderly,
he swept the sensitive skin of her mouth with his tongue, while threading his
fingers into the soft hair at her nape. He molded her to the contours of his
body.

Kate’s palms fluttered to rest against his chest,
though she didn’t attempt to push from his embrace. Neither did she resist the
deepening kiss, but rather, allowed him to move his hands down the length of
her body. The soft doeskin hugged the curves beneath his fingers. A moan
escaped her throat.

Kate’s hands reached up to touch the sides of his
face; her tongue swept the sensitive flesh of his own mouth, creating a fire
deep in his loins. He wanted to make love to her now, but instead broke the
kiss.

Her breath came in small gasps as did his own.

Defeat loomed in her eyes. “What about the other woman
you care for?”

“I will have to try harder to convince her how much I
care. In the meantime...” Taima took her hand and led her toward the water.
“...your health is what concerns me.”

He lifted her onto a large rock near the pond, then
set about removing his leather shirt, moccasins and leggings, leaving on only
his breechcloth. Stepping before her, he slipped off her moccasins. The
delicate bones of her ankle drew his attention, so small within his large hand.

Lifting her, he cradled her in his arms and strode
into the water. Her arms wrapped around his neck. “You can’t be serious. My
dress will be ruined.”

“It will dry.”

The warm water surrounded his legs, then his waist,
finally engulfing his chest and covering Kate to her shoulders. Her long hair
trailed in the water.

“The water is so hot,” she gasped.

“Close your eyes and concentrate. Allow the warmth to
enter and heal your body.”

He walked further out, so the water covered all but
Kate’s face as she tipped her head back. “I’m going to let go of you; your body
will float. Keep your eyes closed and relax. I will keep my hands beneath you.”

Slowly, he let go of her till he barely touched her
back and legs. She floated that way for several minutes. Taima touched his
fingers to her temples, massaging in the warm water as Kate gently moved her
arms to stay afloat.

“It does soothe my headache.”

“These waters heal much. Sometimes, things we’re not
even aware of,” Taima added. He watched the tension leave her features as she
seemed to relax, watched how her dark lashes dusted her cheeks. Her pale skin
looked even whiter against the blueness of the water. His fingers continued to
work their magic on her temples, and her lips parted slightly. His good
intentions to help her nearly crumbled as thoughts of bedding her invaded his
brain like a stampede of wild buffalo.

As if she sensed his thoughts, Kate opened her eyes
and looked into his.

Suddenly, she splashed water against his face. Her
beautiful laugh echoed around him. Laughing, Taima wiped his cheeks, cupped his
hands, and splashed her back. Like a fish, she disappeared beneath the surface
and swam away.

He watched, waiting for her to make a move.

Moments later, she appeared across the pond, and he
dove beneath the water toward her.

* * * * *

Kate couldn’t remember the last time she’d had this
much fun. The bright reflection of the morning sun prevented her from seeing
Taima beneath the water. Scanning the surface, she wondered where he would
appear. Suddenly his arms wrapped around her waist from behind and she screamed
playfully, attempting to get away.

Holding her back against his chest, he bent his head
close to her ear. “Our women usually swim without their dresses. You should try
it. It would allow more water to enter through your skin for healing,” Taima
said as she rested the back of her head in the crook of his neck and shoulder.

His hands moved to the hem of her dress, but she
grasped his wrists before he raised it to her waist. “Don’t you dare. Our
people swim with their clothes on.”

A laugh sounded deep in his chest. “A habit that
constricts the body from natural movement.”

His deep, velvety voice caressed her ear as he held
her back against his chest in a protective embrace. Her heart soared, happiness
making her giddy. Perhaps she and Taima could be friends.

It felt peaceful to be here with him, standing within
his embrace. Relaxing, she closed her eyes, and enjoyed the warmth of Taima’s
arms, the warmth of the water that nearly covered her shoulders. Her muscles
began to lose the stiffness gained from the long ride here.

Taima pulled her hair to the side, and his warm lips
nestled against her neck. She arched her back as a shiver traveled down her
spine. His swirling tongue slowly, sensuously seared a path toward her jaw,
weakening her knees...and her resolve.

A deep breath did little to calm the new excitement
inching along her muscles, tingling her flesh, and tightening her loins. She
hadn’t experienced such beautiful feelings for what seemed an eternity.

Slowly, Taima turned her, and she leaned her forehead
into the hollow between his shoulder and his neck rather than meet his intense
blue gaze. The warmth of his arms was so male, so bracing. His thighs pressed
against hers, awakening the yearning need to be loved. She didn’t want to back
out of his arms.

Taima’s tender lips nuzzled her neck again, his tongue
caressing her skin, sending shivers of desire through her. Her stomach
fluttered as though it were filled with butterflies. She tilted her face
upward, and his lips pressed against hers, then covered her mouth, demanding a
response. Her knees weakened. Wrapping her arms about his neck, she succumbed
to the kiss as his tongue thrust past her lips to touch her soul.

Unable to resist him any longer, she worked her
fingers through his long, silky hair. Taima’s fingers lifted the hem of her
dress upward, his hands branded her flesh. Beneath the doeskin, he cupped the
weight of her breast with one hand while his other hand cupped her behind. Her
heart hammered against her ribs.

She allowed herself the sensuality of the moment.
She’d missed being loved and now, reveled in the warmth of Taima’s touch, the
deep tenderness of his kiss as their tongues danced and their bodies pressed
against one another.

Her feelings for him had nothing to do with reason;
her heart ached for things that would never be. Breaking the kiss, Kate rested
her cheek against Taima’s wet chest as she fought back the tears. The thought
of him holding another woman in his arms, kissing her passionately, tore at
Kate’s heart. She didn’t want to care, and didn’t understand how her feelings
could have changed so much without her realizing it...but she did care.

Taima’s hands brushed her hips as he lowered the hem
of her dress beneath the water. She opened her eyes and watched a lone pine
needle float past atop the surface, now rippling out around their bodies.

Possibly, it symbolized the way she felt, floating
through time, alone.

She hugged Taima closer, as if that would keep her
heart safe. How could she allow him to betray the memory of his wife? She
closed her eyes, releasing a hot tear to slip down her cheek.

Taima suddenly lifted her, cradling her in his arms,
and she clung to his neck. The unmistakable hunger she read in his eyes made
her blood turn to molten lava. Whether he wanted her or used her as a
replacement for the woman he really craved, she was unsure, but didn’t care.