Gypsy in Black: The Romance of Gypsy Travelers by Sarah Price Read Free Book Online Page B

cers.  The girl was dancing for the boy.  The boy watched her, not responding to the seductive flashing of her skirt as any man should.  Suddenly, Nicolae realized they were too young to unders tand what their dancing meant.  Disgusted with his own reckless emotions, Nicolae turned away from the dance , his face dark from the memory of his past .  “ Perhaps I did. ”
    Sahara reached over and touched his arm.  When he looked at her, there was a sense of sadness clouding over her face.  “ And where is she? ”
    Nicolae put his hand over hers.  He stroked her skin and stared back into her face.  She was beautiful, the way she looked up at him.  He sighed and gave her a soft smile.   “ Perhaps I did not. ”
    Sahara blushed, an innocent giggle escaping her intoxicated throat.  Had she sounded disappoin ted?  Had he noticed?  She took a quick gulp from the bottle, toss ing her head back .  She couldn’t look at him anymore.  He was too handsome with those high cheekbones and piercing black eyes.  Tonight, h is hair hung over his shoulders in gentle wave s .  It was so long and soft, that black color so similar to her own.  “ That must've been many years ago that she died. ”
    “ Ten . ”
    “ That long? ”
    “ Enough! ”   His voice lacked the teasing undertone.  Several people turned to see who had anger ed him so quickly.  Even Sahara seemed taken aback.  Nicolae star ed at her, speaking in a low voice . “ I speak of myself no more! ”   He knew where the questions were headed and he couldn’t face the past.  Not tonight.  H e softened his tone as he said, “ You tell me of you, yes? ”
    At fi rst, she wanted to refuse h im.   Her feelings were hurt by the sudden turn of his manner toward her .  Nicolae was her only friend in this strange place with strange people.  No one else had attempted to befriend her or even speak to her since her arrival.  It would be wise to keep Nicolae 's friend ship, she reminded herself as she fingered the necklace around her neck.  “ What do you wish to learn of me? ”
    “ You are a woman, yes?  Why did you not marry? ”
    “ My people... ”
    “ Gadje? ”   He laughed at her.
    “ Yes, gadje don't marry so young.  Sometimes, yes.   Usually the girl is younger than the m an.  Ever since I was little, I helped my father with the tav ern.  I never had time to court anyone.  Nor did anyone ever appea l to me. ”   Sahara looked away.  Was that the truth?  Or was it the fact that no one wante d her?  H er father had never given her the chance to meet any young m en.  Instead, he had worked her day and night, cleaning, cooking, serving, slaving.  The only men she had ever seen were drunk, pawing at the local sa loon girls.  “ No one wants a girl who lived and worked in a saloon all her life. ”  
    “ What did you say, S'hara? ”
    She looked up, surprised th at she had unconsciously spoken her thoughts aloud.  “ Did I say something? ”
    Nicolae nodded.  “ You said something about living and working in a saloon. ”
    Embarrassed, she fel t her cheeks flare up. Had she spoken the words aloud?  She took another swall ow of rakiya and set the bottle down.  “ I'm hungry, Nicolae . ”   At her announcement, Nicolae stood up, his knees cracking as he stretched.  He he lped Sahara to her feet, his han d firmly grasping hers as he le d her toward the cooking fires.   The aroma of chicken and pork attacked Sahara's nose.  Feeling weak, she leaned on Nicolae for support.  She hadn't eaten since the previous morning.  Feeling dru nk from the rakiya, she looked up at him, a distant smi le on her lips.  “ My goodness!  Look at all that food!  Gypsies ce rtainly do not starve. ”   As her eyes took in all the different po ts of food, she heard Nicolae laugh softly.  Looking up into his amused ey es, Sahara smiled back.  “ I think I want some of every thing! ”  
    “ Before you eat everything, s hey - bari,