Page 21 of Rawhide and Ransom

She gasped, staring after him in indignation. Just as quickly as her anger had sizzled, it faded. He was right, she admitted glumly to herself. Shehadbeen considering running.

She followed him at a slower pace, knowing it was in no way advisable to drag Miley back onto the road in her current condition.

Or my condition.

She swallowed a sigh as she stepped back into the living room, where she found Running Bear kneeling beside the couch. It suddenly dawned on her that he hadn’t left her daughter’s side, not even while a small fire had been raging in the front yard. His actions underscored Hawk’s claim that his cabin was the hill she should be standing on while fighting their enemies.

I don’t understand what You’re doing, God. I don’t, but I trust You.Annalee was nearly at the end of her rope. Who was she to question the Creator of the universe, if He’d decided to throw her a lifeline?

“Down the hatch,” Running Bear coaxed, tipping a white porcelain mug of liquid against her daughter’s lips.

She took a sip and made a face. “Ugh! That’s crazy sour, Hawk!”

“More,” Running Bear said firmly, not bothering to correct her about his identity.

She took another sip and made a gagging sound. “What is it? Are you trying to kill me, too?” She sounded more awake this time.

“If I was, you’d already be dead,” the seasoned councilman informed her in a reasonable voice.

She cracked her eyelids open and stared at him, eyes bugging out in alarm. Digging in her bare heels against the sofa, she scooted further away from him. “You’re not Hawk!”

“Never said I was.” He held the mug out to her again.

“He’s your great-uncle, hon.” Annalee approached the couch. “Hawk was outside putting out a fire in the yard.” She glanced toward the kitchen where he was running the smoldering cigarette butt under the faucet at the sink. When he was finished, he rummaged through a drawer and withdrew a plastic bag. He zipped the damp butt inside.

“No wonder it smells so smoky in here!” Miley’s gaze took on a half-wild light as her head spun toward the front windows. “Is the witchy imposter lady back to finish what she started?”

A dry chuckle escaped Annalee. “I’ll try not to be offended by that, since you keep saying she looks just like me.”

Miley sputtered out a laugh. “But older and witchier.”

Running Bear held the mug out to her again. “The tonic will work better if you drink it.”

Miley cupped the mug between her hands and held it beneath her nose, giving its contents a suspicious sniff. “I already took some antibiotics.”

“This will speed things up.” He gestured at her to continue drinking.

Hawk called teasingly across the room, “Assuming you were serious about learning the rawhide business and getting to work anytime soon.”

Her chin came up in determination as she lifted the mug to down the rest of its contents. She handed the empty mug back to Running Bear, gagging noisily. “If it kills me, I’m coming back to haunt both of you.”

“I believe you would.” His dark eyes glinted with warmth and humor. “You’re a chip off the old block.”

Annalee was deeply gratified by his words. Running Bear walked to the kitchen to place the empty mug in the sink. Then he returned to the living room to face Annalee.

She had so many things she wanted to say to him, but she hardly knew where to begin. “Sir, if it’s alright with you, Miley and I would like to learn more about the Comanches.” Feeling Hawk’s gaze on her, she drew a shuddery breath. “I think my late husband would’ve liked that,” she finished lamely, unsure how to put her feelings into words. She was still grieving deeply for Chayton. However, there was something about being on the rez that was comforting. There was something wrapped up in his roots here that made him feel not so far away.

“I’ll teach you.” Running Bear looked pleased. “It’s all I ever wanted for my brother and his family. To remember our story. To not forget where they came from. I know that living under the stars like I do isn’t for everyone.” His expression darkened as other memories weighed on him. “Instead, my brother turned his back on us all — his family, his tribe, and our traditions. When Chayton was older, he begged his father to change his mind. It ultimately got him disinherited, but it didn’t keep him from sending money to the rez every chance he got.”

“He did?” Annalee’s hands flew to her mouth. She hadn’t known about Chayton’s philanthropic efforts.

The creases at the corners of Running Bear’s face deepened into the hint of a smile. “He supported more tribal causes and charities than you could shake a stick at.”

She bit her lower lip, wondering why her husband had never bothered to run any of it past her while he was handling the finances for Gilbert Farm. When she’d taken over the budget after his death, they’d most certainlynotbeen able to afford such luxuries.

Running Bear didn’t seem to realize that his revelation had caught her broadside. “He was a good person. The very best. Just like the bride he picked out.” He gestured grandly at her. “Maybe your willingness to learn more about our way of life will soften the heart of my brother before it’s too late.”

She doubted her cranky father-in-law would care one way or the other, but she didn’t wish to dampen his hopes by saying so.

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