Tykota's Woman (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon Page B

now you are going home to your
family? But which one-your Indian or your
English family?"
    He closed his eyes and let out a long, slow
breath. "You should sleep if you can, Miss Hillyard. We will be walking most of the
night."

    She realized he did not want to say any more
about himself, so she closed her eyes and did
indeed feel tiredness enveloped her. She was hot,
hungry, and thirsty, but she had a feeling that
with Tykota as her guide, she would live through
this terrible ordeal.
    Makinna turned her head to look at him. He
appeared to be sleeping, but she knew that at the
slightest sign of danger, he would be alert. And
she knew that no matter where she went after
this, or what turn her life took, she would never
forget this tall, beautiful Indian so shrouded in
mystery.
    Makinna awoke with a start, and at first she
could not remember where she was. It was
almost dark, and she could smell meat cooking.
    She came to her feet and followed the
wonderful aroma to where Tykota was cooking
something over a campfire.
    "Have you ever eaten rabbit?" he asked,
watching her carefully.
    Makinna dropped down beside him. "No," she
replied, hungrily watching the drippings from the
meat splatter into the fire. "But it smells
wonderful, and I'm willing to eat anything at the
moment."
    Tykota removed the meat from the skewer he'd fashioned from a mesquite branch. On a
flat stone he carved the meat with expertise.

    He offered her the first piece. "Be careful. It's
very hot. Don't burn your fingers."
    Makinna handled the meat gingerly and blew
on it until it cooled. She closed her eyes with the
first bite. "Mmm, this is delicious." She opened
her eyes. "But I would have thought a rabbit
would be meatier and have bones."
    Tykota bent his head so she did not see him
smile. "Oh, that isn't rabbit. It's rattlesnake."
    She paused with a piece of meat halfway to
her mouth. She knew he was waiting for her to
reject it, but she would not give him the
satisfaction. She hoped her voice sounded
casual. "Oh, really? You said it was rabbit."
    "That is not what I said, Miss Hillyard. I
merely asked you if you had ever eaten rabbit."
    "Well, it's delicious, anyway."
    He gave her another rare look of approval.
"You are a most unusual woman, Miss
Hillyard."
    "So you've implied, though not always in the
most flattering terms."
    He handed her the canteen, knowing she was
having sudden trouble swallowing the remaining snake meat. "Here, wash it down." He
watched her take a drink before he spoke
again. "You are also a brave woman. I wonder
if there are many more like you back in New
Orleans."

    "Of course. We women of Louisiana spring
from hearty stock." She glanced out at the desert,
watching the sun splash gold across the land. "I
thought it was too dangerous to have a
campfire."
    "At this time of day, anyone who might be
tracking us would not see the fire in the sunset,
and the smoke will blend with the twilight."
    "Tykota, will you not tell me something about
your life before you went to England? I have told
you about my youth."
    "I left my people when I was very young.
Nothing happened that would be of interest to
you."
    She turned away, realizing he still refused to
talk about himself. She dropped the subject for
the time being.
    Absently running her fingers through her hair,
she came across endless tangles. Finally, in
moment of brazenness, she lifted her skirt hem,
ripped the bottom ruffle from her petticoat, and
tied her hair away from her face. "There," she
said, pleased. My hair won't get in my way
now."
    "I could cut it for you. It would be cooler.
Besides, you will never get those tangles out
now."
    She glanced down at his knife. "I don't think
so. I'll manage the way it is."
    He shrugged. "If you should change your
mind..." He flashed the knife.

    "I won't." She rose to walk away from him.
No, she would not allow him to cut her hair.
    "Miss Hillyard?"
    "I said no," she replied,