Diamonds and Dreams by Rebecca Paisley Read Free Book Online Page B

who sat watching
her from the sandy bank. “It really set him off when I gave you all
our food the day I found you. But what was I supposed to do, Itchie
Bon? You were lost and starvin’. ‘Course, now Big and I are lost
and starvin’ too,” she added.
    Itchie Bon barked loudly, his wagging tail
sending sand flying in all directions.
    “Well,” Goldie continued, “I thought for
sure we’d come across some town where we could get more food. It’s
not my fault these English people didn’t build villages along the
route we’re takin’.” Rolling the soap in her hands, she examined
the pretty and peaceful place they’d come to. “I wonder which route
we are takin’?”
    She shrugged and lathered up her body and
hair. Tossing the soap bar to shore, she watched as it landed
beside her claymore, then waved to Itchie Bon before submerging to
rinse. While beneath the shimmering surface, she remembered
“Mermaids,” a game she and her friend used to play. Keeping her
legs tightly together, she moved them as a mermaid would her tail
and propelled herself through the water. After coming up for a
breath, she splashed and squealed loudly before diving again, her
“tail” beating the water with powerful flapping motions.
    Opening her eyes as she swam deeper, she
watched the water plants flow. They looked like long, green fingers
conducting an underwater orchestra. The pond pebbles, smooth,
colorful, and illuminated by the strong sunlight that touched them
from above, twinkled up at her from the sandy bottom. A silver fish
swam past her. She chased it, thinking to catch it with her bare
hands, but just as she reached for it she heard a loud splash.
Before she could investigate it, something very strong and
unyielding grabbed her from behind.
    For a moment she froze, unable to understand
what was happening to her. But as whatever had her tightened its
hold about her waist and began pulling at her, she struggled to
escape. Reaching for the pond creature, she closed her fingers
around it and sucked in a mouthful of water.
    It was a man, she realized, terror spinning
through her. And it wasn’t Big. It was very large, extremely strong
man, and he was trying to drown her! She squirmed violently,
managing to get her mouth near his upper arm.
    “Blast it!” Saber shouted underwater, his
voice a loud, gurgling sound. “Don’t bite me!” Bubbles made by his
yelling rose around his face and irritated his eyes. He grabbed a
handful of her long hair and yanked her head away from his arm. Her
watery scream made him let go immediately. He hadn’t meant to hurt
her, but she was going to drown him too if she didn’t cooperate
with her own rescue! They were about a foot from the surface, and
it would only take a few seconds to reach it if she would only stop
fighting him! “Stop!” he tried to tell her.
    Goldie understood nothing of the man’s
gargled shouts, but took full advantage of his loosened hold. She
twisted suddenly, and brought her right foot up behind her as
forcefully as she could. The water slowed her kick, but she did
manage to find her mark successfully.
    Again, Saber groaned. His arm was still
smarting where she’d bitten him, and now his groin was on fire from
her well-aimed kick. The pain radiated up to his belly, and he
clenched his teeth against it. Very well, he thought angrily. He’d
tried to be gentle with her, but she wouldn’t let him. So now he
would just have to save her life with brute force.
    Goldie felt what little breath she had left
rush out of her when the man crushed her to him. Her lungs felt as
though they were going to burst. She panicked, knowing with
absolute certainty that if she didn’t get away from her would-be
killer, she was going to die. She struggled against the hard, thick
arms wrapped around her, but lightheadedness set in, weakening
her.
    The girl in his arms went limp just as Saber
broke through the surface. With strong, sure strokes, he swam to
the shore, pulling her with