Page 14 of Cade’s Quest (The McIntyres #1)

Chapter Eleven

“ R ain, I won’t hurt you or the child.” Cade put his Colt away.

“I’m supposed to trust you? I’m a savage, you know.” She flung the words at him like they were venom-laced arrows.

“I don’t see any savages here.” He held his hands out. “Where did you come from?”

Rain said nothing, keeping the child who must be around four years behind her.

“You speak excellent English. I am a friend. What are you doing here?”

Again, only silence filled the space.

“I’ve been living out of this dugout for a week. We can share it. I killed some quail and will cook them for supper.” He kept his voice gentle and low. Thus far, she hadn’t moved a muscle. “What is the little one’s name?”

“Ten Bears.” She returned her knife to the sheath attached to her belt and pulled the boy from behind her. Ten Bears shyly buried his face in the woman’s skirt. “He was my sister’s boy, but she and her husband died of the fever a week ago.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Where will you go?”

The shrug said she hadn’t a clue.

“Well, I can help you figure that out if you’ll let me. A word of warning. There’s a dangerous man nosing around so be careful. He might hurt you. We’re safe enough here I think, but try to keep the boy quiet.”

“I will help you prepare a meal.” Rain stated that as though he had doubts she would cut his throat in his sleep.

Cade nodded and added a smile. “Your help is welcome. How old is Ten Bears?”

“Three years.”

“Ah, the age of curiosity. Are you and the boy hungry?”

“It has been a while since we ate.” She tenderly caressed the boy’s hair. Ten Bears smiled up at her with so much love Cade had to look away.

He knelt to add a piece of wood to the fire. “You speak English well, Rain. Where were you taught?”

“An English school for us poor, heathen Indians.” Bitterness laced her statement. “They tried to civilize us. Mine didn’t take.”

It must’ve been similar to the Carlisle School.

He’d heard how they stole the children from their tepees and tried to kill the Indian inside by forbidding the children to speak their native tongue or practice the traditions they’d grown up with.

Rain must’ve had to endure all of this, and it seemed to have left her scarred and bitter.

At least he and his siblings hadn’t faced such as this.

Cade stood. “I’m sorry, Rain. I think it’s wrong to change people, any people, and wipe out language, homes, and customs. You have my sympathy.”

He wanted to touch her, to offer some comfort, but her clear defiance put up a wall between them.

Leaning back on an elbow, he studied her.

The firelight softened the set of her jaw and the mulishness of her chin.

The flames danced in her dark hair like scampering children at playtime.

Cade wished he could take the pain that had created this bitterness yet knew it was impossible.

His belly grumbled as he got up and went out to clean the quail.

After a minute, Rain and the boy joined him. “Two can work twice as fast,” she mumbled.

He moved over to allow her room. “That’s true. Look, I apologize for prying. I was only trying to figure out how far you’ve traveled. And to make conversation.”

“The apology isn’t yours to make,” she said expertly skinning a bird. “I was rude and I’m sorry. You’ve been nothing but kind.”

“My Irish mother taught me some manners. She tanned my hide if I was anything short of kind.” He released a soft chuckle. “My father stepped in on occasion, but it was my mother who ruled the roost.”

“Mine too. It almost killed her when they took me away to school by force. The next time I saw her, which was only a month ago, she lay on her deathbed. I barely got to say goodbye.” Rain’s voice broke and she bent farther over the quail she was cleaning. “I never saw my father again.”

“That’s rough.”

“The sickness swept through the reservation, taking a good many. Just days ago, it took my sister and her husband as well, which I already told you.” She brushed her cheek with the sleeve of her blouse, stifling a sob.

Maybe being accused of bank robbery wasn’t the worst thing. He wiped his hand and patted her shoulder. She stiffened at his touch before letting herself relax.

“My parents were killed by a group of raiders, white men who came through here, murdering and stealing everything in sight. Us kids were at school and came home to the carnage. The people in town split us all up, sending us to live with strangers. I’m on a mission to get us back together.

” He flashed a brief smile. “I recently found my oldest sister, so the darkness is beginning to lift some.”

“How wonderful.”

Ten Bears clutched Rain’s skirt, murmuring something in Comanche.

“If you want to see to the boy, I can finish up here,” Cade said quietly. “We’re about finished anyway.”

“He is probably thirsty. I’ll get a cup and take him to the stream.”

Cade couldn’t help but follow her with his gaze.

She walked softly, swaying as though to a babbling brook before it rushed downstream.

His heart went out to her and the sorrow she’d borne.

Life hadn’t treated her kindly either. Just when a man thought he had a terrible story, someone came along with a sadder one.

After cleaning the game, he skewered the small quail on sticks and put them into the flames.

Rain and the boy sat with him as he turned the meat.

They didn’t take their hungry eyes from the succulent pieces of browning fowl.

He wished he’d killed more. The quail being as small as they were, wouldn’t fill their bellies.

He decided to give them most of what he cooked. They appeared to need it worse than he.

“Where are you headed, Rain? If it’s close by, I can take you.”

“I have nowhere to go. We have nothing to return to and no one expecting us. I’m free to go where I want, free to live how I desire. My intention is to keep Ten Bears’s parents alive in his mind and teach him the ways of the Comanche.”

“Here’s the thing: you need a roof over your head and food. Rest up here until you decide what comes next. I can promise you freedom to do as you want. When it’s safe, you can help me fix up the home where I grew up. I want it to be ready for my siblings when I bring them.”

“I will help.” She finally smiled and the result stole his breath. What a beauty.

“Excellent.”

They ate and she washed the boy’s face and hands while he buried the quail bones. Ten Bears had kept away from Cade until now, but he edged closer, his small face a mask of serious thoughts.

“Hi there.” Cade stretched out a hand. “Would you like to sit with me?”

But Ten Bears inched back to the burlap bags Rain had brought and there he sat until she reached for him.

“I hope you brought some bedrolls.” Cade stood, thinking he needed to check on Buck before they went to sleep. He prayed the coyotes wouldn’t be back since he couldn’t bring the horse inside.

“Yes, I have some,” she said, removing the boy’s moccasins.

She made him a bed, and he crawled into it.

The gentle way she covered the little one brought an unexpected tug to Cade’s heart.

She was a good mother to her nephew. There was so much sadness in the world and watching her pull a blanket over Ten Bears and kissing him goodnight added a bit of sweetness.

One of Cade’s favorite memories was of his mother lovingly tucking them into bed and kissing them.

The simple act had made him feel safe with no reason to fear evil lurking beyond their door.

Cade cleared his throat and walked to the door. “I’m going to check on Buck. I’ll be back soon.”

Rain gave him a nod, and he silently went out. Buck glanced up from the tall patch of buffalo grass he’d found. Cade wished for some oats to feed him. Maybe when it was safe to go to town, whenever that might be. But for now, grass would have to do.

He studied the dark sky for a minute, remembering how his father always kept an eye on the sky—and on his land.

Late summer squalls could come up before a man could blink.

It still seemed odd that raiders had caught his father by surprise unless the horsemen had shown no sign of aggression until after they’d ridden in.

He wished he could stop thinking about that horrible day, but it was embedded in his brain as though from a hot brand.

Cade knew he’d never forget the carnage, no matter how long he lived.

This was even worse for Rain and what she’d suffered at that school.

He had no idea of her age, and the thought crossed his mind that she might’ve run away from there. Maybe they were both in the same boat.

He spared a moment to mull that over. It hadn’t set well to find her in the dugout but now, after hearing her story, he only wanted to help this beautiful woman who asked nothing of him beyond a little food.

The door opened and she emerged from the dugout. She came to Cade’s side.

“Is everything all right with the boy?” he asked.

“Yes. Thank you for caring.” She stood silently for a long moment. “I need a few things from town and our supplies are low. Since it’s too dangerous for you to go, I wonder if you’d mind letting me ride your horse. I could go get what we need.”

“Sure. I don’t mind at all. Will you take the boy?”

She met his gaze, and her dark eyes pierced him. “Again, if you don’t mind, I’d like to leave him here.”

“I’ll watch him. This will help a lot, and you can deliver a note to the sheriff for me. Just be careful returning and make sure no one follows you.”

“I am always careful. Our lives depend on it. Most people still hate the Comanche, and I fear they always will.” Heavy sorrow filled her words.

“Not me,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry for the hate you’ve suffered.”

She was achingly beautiful standing there so close they were almost touching, bathed in the silvery light of the moon.

This woman enchanted him. He wanted to hold her but knew she would never allow it.

Proudly independent, she was typical of most native women.

She had definitely awakened his protective instinct.

Buck snorted softly and looked their way from time to time.

“Rain, since you have no one to go back to you might think about staying here. Once this sheriff from Eagle Flat who thinks I’ve robbed a bank leaves, I’ll need help fixing up my childhood home.

I’ll make you and the boy a room of your own.

No strings. You won’t owe me anything. Just think about it. ”

“That’s a generous offer. Thank you. I will consider it.” She was quiet a moment before she spoke again. “Did you rob the bank?”

“No, far from it but I was there, staying with my sister Summer.” He put his hands on his waist. “The problem is my older brother Jess has a reward out for his arrest and this sheriff thinks we were working together. He refuses to listen to a word of reason.”

“I see. You are in a dangerous game with this man.” She glanced up at the stars.

“It is almost time for the harvest moon. My people called it a Comanche Moon and it holds much significance. When I was a little girl, I couldn’t wait to grow up and help the women prepare a feast.” Her voice trembled.

“But when the English men came, it changed everything.”

She shivered, hugging herself for warmth.

“You cold? This night air is a bit nippy.” Cade removed his light jacket and draped it around her slim shoulders. “It’s okay. You’re safe now. Cling fast to the good memories and release the bad ones.”

“Thank you.” Rain clutched the jacket and shuddered. “I’m so cold. I haven’t been able to get warm for years. Nor have I been able to forget. Why do people think they have to change others and take their ways?” She faced him and lifted her chin. “Am I not good enough as I am?”

A beat of silence filled the space between them. His voice turned husky. “You are good enough. Believe that.”

It was he who had the problem. He hadn’t felt confident deep inside in a long time. Maybe he never would again. Once it was taken from you, maybe it never fully came back. He was so full of doubt now and fear of being punished for something of which he was completely innocent.

If only he could talk this over with Jess. He needed his brother.

The problem was, Jess didn’t seem to need him.

Or any family for that matter and that cut a deep, wide swath in Cade’s heart.

But he was grown. What about the twins and Ashland who was yet only ten?

Ashland had only been six when she was forced to go with strangers.

What wounds she must carry, thinking her siblings didn’t want her. The twins too.

Where were they? Lord only knew.

He reached for the cameo locket he carried in his pocket that Jess must surely have left for him here. He opened it and stared at his smiling parents, thankful they weren’t alive to see the family broken apart and scattered to the four winds.