Page 59 of Rawhide and Ransom

Like she’d done every evening he’d been away, she walked to the storage shed on the edge of the property. She hadn’t realized he’d been storing a Harley in there until after he’d ridden away on it. Hawk had told her about it.

Upon reaching the shed, she unlatched the door and stepped inside. “What a hot rod you are,” she said softly, leaving the door open. “I would’ve never guessed you’re a motorcycle man.” She smiled to herself. Running Bear was full of surprises.

Puttering around the shed helped her not to miss him so much. She hoped he didn’t mind her being there. Her intent was not to trespass or pry into things that didn’t concern her. She genuinely felt closer to him while she was inside the shed. There was a small wooden chest sitting high on a shelf that she’d been exercising extreme willpower not to open during his absence.

She eyed it again this evening, wondering for the umpteenth time what was inside of it. But again, she resisted the temptation to find out.

Hawk found her there, staring at the box. “Are you employing your powers of telepathy to figure out what’s inside it?”

“Ha!” She turned to him, smiling. “If I could figure out how to master the skill, there would be no secrets left in the lives of those I love.”

“You mean you haven’t taken a peek yet?” He sounded surprised.

“What’s the fun in that?” She drenched him with a happy smile. Stealing a few minutes alone with him was the happiest part of her day every day. “It’s more fun imagining all the things he might be keeping hidden in there. He’s such a fascinating person.”

“So are you.” Hawk’s gaze roved appreciatively over her grass-green halter top and cutoff jean shorts.

“I try.” Her bare feet were jammed into flip-flops to give her toenails, which she’d painted the same grass green, time to dry.

“Yes, you do. At the moment, you’re trying my patience.” He tempered his rebuke by hooking an arm around her middle and tugging her closer. “Why’d you run off without telling me?”

She raised and lowered her shoulders. “I never go far, and you never have trouble finding me, even when I forget to sign in and out on your clipboard.” He didn’t keep a clipboard. She was only messing with him.

“Only because you have your cell phone on, and I was able to track it.” He cuddled her closer. “I hope and pray there will come a time when you don’t need me breathing down your neck like this. Right now, though, it’s necessary.”

She tipped her face up to his. “I kind of like having you breathe down my neck.”

“Quit changing the subject,” he grumbled, dipping his head over hers to nuzzle the edge of her mouth. “I worry about you. That’s no joke.”

She smiled dreamily against his lips. “Maybe you should set up a clipboard for me, after all.”

“Don’t tempt me.” He covered her mouth with his, showing her all over again how much she meant to him.

It was several minutes before he spoke again. “Running Bear called the tribal council again.”

She frowned and leaned back in his arms to get a better look at his face. “Did he tell them where he was?”

“No. Just said he was taking care of some family business.” He looked troubled. “He said he’ll be back in a couple of days. And when he does, he’d like to hold a memorial service for Ace.”

“Here on the rez?” That surprised Annalee. She’d assumed one of the reasons Running Bear had been out of town for so long was to attend his brother’s funeral.

“Yep. Right here in the park we built. On the garden side.”

“That sounds lovely.” She glanced in the direction of the garden. “And fitting. I can’t think of a more proper send-off for Ace Dakota since he made his living as a farmer.” In his own way, he’d loved the earth as much as his brother.

“That’s pretty much what Running Bear said.” Hawk pressed his cheek to hers. “Not quite so eloquently. He’s more plain spoken. He also sounded like he had a cold.”

“Oh?” She wrinkled her forehead in puzzlement. “Does that mean you were there when he called the council?”

“I was.” He paused a beat. “I may have mentioned it before, but Running Bear often refers to me as a councilman in the making. He and the rest of the tribal council have started treating me like a probationary member. I don’t get to vote yet, but they have me attend some of their meetings and make an effort to keep me in the loop about tribal business.”

“What an honor!” Annalee couldn’t think of a Comanche who deserved it more. Hawk was constantly serving his community, even while serving as Annalee’s and Miley’s full-time bodyguard.

Just thinking about Miley made her jolt. “Um, when was the last time you saw my kiddo?”

“Few minutes ago.” He cuddled her closer. “Josh is paying her a visit at the workshop.”

“And you left them alone?” she teased.

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