Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson Read Free Book Online

hands busy and thus stave off panic, Loretta split her wedge of bread and took a bite. It got bigger and drier as she chewed. Tom Weaver fidgeted on the bench beside her. Then she saw his hand flash under her chin. Glancing down, she spied a slice of buttered bread on the edge of her trencher. She gave him a cautious smile, and his crusty lips curved in a shy grin.
    ‘‘I think one of us ought to ride to Belknap and get Loretta an escort to the fort,’’ he said softly. ‘‘Better me than you, Henry, ’cause I got no womenfolk. It’ll take time, but the border patrol is there, and I’ve heard tell that several families have built houses with picket bastions. Loretta would probably be safe enough if we could get her there.’’
    ‘‘Question is, how many men could you get?’’ Henry’s cheek bulged. He chewed and swallowed. ‘‘Half the time, they’re out ridin’ Indian patrol, and what happens if that there Indian does come back? If he don’t find Loretta here, he’s gonna be hoppin’ mad.’’
    ‘‘My gawd, Henry!’’ Tom cried. ‘‘You ain’t seriously sayin’ you’d keep her here?’’
    A flush crept up Henry’s neck. ‘‘Of course not.’’
    Rachel glanced uneasily at her husband, then back at Tom. ‘‘How long would it take for you to round up men and get back?’’
    ‘‘I figger a day, ridin’ hard and barrin’ trouble. It’d give us a fightin’ chance, Henry.’’ Tom shrugged. ‘‘She wouldn’t have to stay there for an unbearable long time. Hunter is bound to start ruttin’ after some purty little squaw sooner or later and forget Loretta. Just a matter of waitin’ him out.’’
    ‘‘And if the Indians return before you get back?’’ Not a trace of color showed on Rachel’s lips.
    Henry shoved his trencher to the center of the table. ‘‘You just git out your beads, woman, and pray that don’t happen. Ain’t no way I can hold off a hundred Injuns alone.’’
    Tom gave Loretta a pat. ‘‘Don’t you worry. I’ll git back. You’re almost my promised. A man takes care of his gal if he’s worth his salt.’’
    ‘‘Whether or not she’s your promised is still undecided,’’ Henry inserted. ‘‘I ain’t spoke to her about it yet. If there’s Injuns out there—and I ain’t so sure there is—don’t go riskin’ your neck ’cause you think it’ll gain you favor. I’m not so averse to Loretta stayin’ on that I’ll marry her off against her will. She’s got a home here if she wants.’’
    Loretta stared at her uncle. For weeks she had been living in dread, afraid he would make her marry Tom. Now that she knew he wouldn’t, she felt off balance. She turned her attention to Tom’s gnarly profile. If he tried to get her an escort and the Indians guessed his intent, his life would be at risk. Until tonight she had seen only his filth and ugliness, but there was more to him than that. He was a good man, too good to end up dead over a woman who didn’t care for him. But she knew Tom was her only hope. She would be the world’s worst fool if she discouraged him from riding to Belknap.
    As if he sensed her thoughts, Tom swung his legs over the bench and stood up, avoiding her gaze. ‘‘Well, I should head home if I’m leavin’ out at dawn.’’
    Loretta rose with him, wiping her palms on her skirt. Tom shuffled to the door and took his hat off the peg. Placing the hat at a jaunty angle upon his head, he flashed a smile at her and reached for his rifle. ‘‘G’night, Miz Masters. Fine meal you served up there.’’ With a cursory nod, he said, ‘‘Amy, Henry.’’
    Knowing what she had to do, Loretta followed Tom out to the porch, closing the door behind her. He ignored her for a moment, tightening his horse’s saddle cinch and stowing his rifle. When he turned to look at her, the brim of his hat shaded his face, so she couldn’t read his expression even in the bright moonlight. He propped a boot on the top step, draping his arms on