Never Surrender (20 page)

Hearing the small promise in Taima’s voice, Kate
silently rejoiced. She would take what he offered, though she didn’t want him
to know it. Love would eventually grow between them; she’d see to it.
She
had won Kelee’s love; she would win Taima’s.

As she lay within the circle of Taima’s arms, the
warmth of his body sent away the slight chill that had crept into the lean-to.
Kate tugged on the fur covering and snuggled closer to Taima, placing her arm
on his waist. His chin rested atop her head, and security surrounded her. She
pressed a kiss to his chest, tasting the saltiness of his skin, then allowed
sleep to overtake her.

* * * * *

Warmth surrounded Kate. She stretched the muscles of
her neck and shoulders then opened her eyes. Light filtered in through the
small opening around the dark hide entrance.

Vivid memories of last night’s ecstasy formed in her
mind. Taima’s scorching touch had branded every inch of her body. She exhaled a
cleansing breath, smiling to herself. The more he desired her, the more he
would want her. Soon, his love would follow.

“I hope your smile is because of last night.”

She glanced at Taima. His deep, velvety voice stoked
the smoldering embers that still remained from last night’s passion. The warmth
of his hand cupped her breast, hardening the tip as he caressed it with his
thumb.

“Would that please you?”

“To know I could please you would make me happy.”

She stroked the area beneath his chin with her finger.
“Is that so important to you?”

“If you are to be my wife, yes. I would like to think
my caresses no longer repulse you.”

“Look at me. Do I look like I hate what happened?”

“Then you accept being my wife?”

“If we can start fresh. I won’t be a replacement, as
Aiyana once stated I would be.” Kate rolled onto her side, closer to him, as
his hand moved lower to cover her hip. “Whether you want to admit it or not,
one day you will love me.”

Taima touched his lips to hers. “Kelee is probably
waiting for us. Shall we go find him?”

Kate searched the heated sensuality of his blue eyes;
eyes that melted the wall surrounding her heart with his seductive glances.
Although he avoided discussing what he might one day feel for her, she was
determined to exorcise Witashnah from his mind forever.

“Yes, let’s spend the day with Kelee. Is there
somewhere special we could go?”

He thought for a moment. “A lake north of here,
surrounded by rocks as tall as the mountains. He loves to fish there.”

“Then we should go.”

“Before we do . . .” Taima threw back the fur covering
their bodies. “. . . I want to see you in the light, so I can envision you
whenever I’m away.”

A husky groan sounded deep in his throat. His gaze
seared her flesh as it moved lower from her breasts to her toes, touching her
more thoroughly than his hands had. Before she realized it, Taima had pressed
her onto her back and rolled on top of her, his hands scooping beneath her
shoulders to cradle her head.

She thought to object, but one look into those eyes
melted her resolve. His sensual gaze needed no interpretation. Taima had
maneuvered himself between her thighs, his arousal hard against her woman’s
center, igniting the embers that lay smoldering while she’d slept.

“Last night did not quench my desire for you,” Taima
said, then his mouth claimed hers in an urgent kiss. His tongue slipped past
her lips. With a gentle thrust of his hips, he entered her. “I’ve held back
since the day I took you from the Blackfoot. You will remain mine from now on.”

She kissed him with all her heart, meeting his thrusts
with equal fervor. His tongue moved against hers and their hips melded. His
statement only reinforced what Kate had told herself. In time, he would also be
hers.

For the next hour, she experienced the joys of
lovemaking, never realizing his mouth could make her world explode into pure
pleasure.

* * * * *

Kate helped Aiyana serve breakfast, meat and broth
over what they considered bread, to Taima, Ahanu, and the children. Kate
thought of the breakfasts she’d had in the future, a place, which now seemed so
far away. French toast made of thick, homemade bread, lathered with butter and
syrup would taste so good right now. Her mouth watered. She wondered if she
would ever be able to eat like that again.

When Kate handed Taima his plate, his fingers touched
her hand, sending a tingling shiver up her arm. She met his gaze and her cheeks
heated. All she could think of was his lean, naked body upon the furs. Her gaze
moved to his mouth, and her knees nearly buckled as she remembered their early
morning together.

She turned to get her own breakfast, only to glance at
Ahanu, which was a mistake. From the humor she saw in his querying eyes, she
knew he likely suspected what had taken place between her and Taima last night.
The warm flush from her cheeks seeped down to cover her neck.

Taking up her plate, Kate sat next to Taima. She
avoided looking at Aiyana, who busied herself with the clean-up, staring at the
food on her stone plate instead. The bread soaked up the broth. If it were only
French toast soaking up syrup. She tasted the bland food, wishing for a salt
shaker.

Looking at Kelee, she asked, “I understand you have a
favorite place to fish, Kelee?”

Kelee scooped up another bite of meat and bread with
his fingers.

“I can’t wait for you to see it. Do you want to go?”
Kelee asked, his face beaming.

After their meal, Kate rode her horse alongside Kelee
as he held tight to his father’s waist atop their horse. The smile Kelee gave
her expressed his happiness that she’d been returned to his family. She
couldn’t put into words how glad she was to be back among Taima’s people...and
to be his wife. Being a mother to Kelee would be a challenge, since she had no
experience. She only wished she could be as good as Witashnah had been for him.

After traveling north for about an hour, she followed
Taima along another path leading east. With her mouth agape, Kate stared at the
sight before her, and wondered if she were dreaming.

The morning mist still curled atop the trees,
shrouding her view of the mountains. Though they might be a mile or so away,
the thick forest at their base provided protection around the lake nestled
there. Lush green grass rose to meet the line of trees at the entrance to the
woods.

Kate splayed her fingers over her chest; her breath
caught in her throat as her recurring dream immediately formed before her.
Vivid memories of a man sitting atop a horse, within the slow, swirling mist,
invaded her mind. It couldn’t possibly be, she thought.

Eagerly, Kate slid from her horse, the reins trailing
in her hand. “Kelee, it’s beautiful here.”

He ran past her, through the sagebrush, to the water’s
edge. “Come watch the fish, Kate,” he called over his shoulder.

Breathless, she turned to Taima, still atop his horse.

His eyebrows drew together. “What is it? I can tell
something is wrong.”

She looked back toward the pines and the mountains,
then again at Taima. Her heart raced with excitement. “Nothing is wrong. It’s
just that this is the place I’ve been searching for. It’s all so clear now.”

He slid from the horse. “Did you have another vision?”

More memories came back to Kate as to how she’d
arrived in the Rockies. She pressed her fingers to her temples and closed her
eyes, searching her thoughts.

Taima’s hands tenderly grasped her shoulders.
“Kate...what is it?”

She looked at his handsome face, his dark complexion
enhancing his eyes. The shine of his hair reminded her of its silkiness when it
brushed against her bare skin. “My dream. This lake. The mountains.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I don’t understand either. Look.” Kate turned,
pointing to the area of lake and mountains direct from her dream. She covered
her mouth. “I just don’t believe it. For years, I’ve had a dream of a man
sitting on a horse with mist and mountains behind him. I came out west to find
this exact setting and...here it is.”

“You have dreamed of this area without ever seeing
it?”

“Yes.” She looked around her at the lake, the sage,
the mountains, traces of snow still clinging to the sides. “But why me? How did
I know it existed? And you?” she said, as though she had just seen him for the
first time.

Like a hot poker, pain shot through her temples. She
quickly covered the soft area near her eyes. Kate wavered on her feet, but
Taima steadied her.

“Kate, are you seeing something else? Sakima doesn’t
get like this when he has a vision. What is wrong?”

Kate swayed as Taima seemed to move around her. The
dizziness was worse this time. She closed her eyes again. Then Taima cradled
her in his arms. He strode toward the water and sat her atop a huge log.

He knelt in front of her, their eyes now level. She
blinked away the wave of dizziness. “Taima, it was you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I know now. It was you all the time, in my
dream. Sakima’s visions weren’t so far off.”

“You’ve had the same dream since you were little?”

“Yes. Obviously, somehow I’ve traveled back in time.
But I don’t understand what you have to do with my dream. Or why you have
haunted me for so long. And what is the significance of this area that I should
return here?”

He looked at her wide-eyed. “Am I to have your
answers?”

Kate stared at Taima in disbelief. Her chest ached
while her heart seemed to be playing a tug-of-war with itself. Her dream was
becoming reality, yet she knew not why, nor what part this beautiful man before
her played in it.

She cupped Taima’s face, his hair falling across the
backs of her hands, feeling like satin. “Yes, somehow, you have the answers as
to why I am here. We don’t know what they are yet, but in time, perhaps we will
discover them together.”

His warm hands covered hers. The sudden sadness in his
eyes tore at her heart.

“And when you receive the answers you seek, you will
be gone as quickly as you arrived.” Taima placed her hand on his beaded,
leather shirt, over his heart. “I feel it here. In time, you will be gone.”

“We will make the most of the time we have. Neither of
us knows how long it will take to obtain my answers.”

Taima embraced her, as though holding her tightly
would secure her to him forever. Kate sank into the security his arms offered.

He smoothed down the back of her hair with the palm of
his hand. “I will be with you always, whether it is in this life or in your
future. Our souls will always find each other. Never doubt that.”

Kate hugged him, her fingers threading through his
long hair. She knew he felt more for her than he spoke. For now, just knowing
he cared made being in this far away place easier for her to accept.

“Kate! Kate, come fish with me,” Kelee called.

She turned to see him running toward them, excitement
lighting his small warrior’s face, happiness dancing in the depth of his blue
eyes. His hair trailed in the wind as he ran, carrying a long stick, half of it
wet where he’d poked it into the water.

Taima rose, allowing her to do the same. Kelee reached
them, grasped her hand and pulled her toward the lake.

“Have you been trying to spear a fish again, Nechan?”
Taima asked, walking beside her and Kelee.

“I need to wade further into the water, then I can.
We’ll have many fish for the evening meal,” Kelee quipped as he sat down. After
tugging off his moccasins, he stood and removed his leggings and shirt, leaving
only his breechcloth.

Kate smiled at his excitement. If only Witashnah could
see her son now. Kelee picked up his stick and quickly strode into the water
until it reached his thighs. Searching for fish, he began stabbing the depths
of the lake around him.

“He will be a great warrior one day,” Kate stated,
then added, “and grow to be as handsome as his father. Those blue eyes of his
will likely entice several beautiful young maidens to his side.”

Taima’s chuckle sounded light and easy. “One of those
maidens will become his wife, to pass on our legend to his children and great
grandchildren, and eventually get to someone in your future to retell our story
of how my spirit will follow you through time.”

Surprised by Taima’s comment, Kate met the certainty
in his eyes. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

He slowly nodded. “I must do what is necessary to
fulfill my dreams. My spirit will travel through eternity to find you. Don’t
ever doubt that.”

Kate looked out across the water to stare at the stony
cliffs. A memory flashed through her mind of a man with long hair, dressed in a
dark brown duster, walking away from her. The shiver running down her spine did
more than send a tingle of excitement over her flesh. Something familiar about
the man in the duster had caught her attention, yet she couldn’t place her
finger on what it was. She closed her eyes, wanting desperately to know all the
answers and her true reason for being here.

“Kate, look,” Kelee called to her, holding up his
catch.

“I’ll start a fire so we can eat soon,” she called
back, dismissing the memories.

As she turned, Taima’s fingers gently caught her
beneath the chin, raising her face to his. “You are special to both of us, my
wife. Remember that.”

Taima’s head descended until his warm lips touched
hers and lingered there. His arm encircled her waist and drew her close, his
tongue slipping past her lips to sweep her mouth. Security cloaked her as surely
as his embrace.

Her tongue met Taima’s, enticing a moan from his
throat. Kate wanted him, here, now, but not with Kelee present. She knew there
would be time for them later.

“Perhaps Ahanu will show up and take Kelee back with
him,” Taima said, his voice rumbling from deep within his chest.

Kate slowly slipped her fingers down the warm column
of his neck, tracing a line to the hollow of his throat. He swallowed.

“I, too, want you, but we will have time later, my
warrior chief. Right now, your son wants us to cook his fish.”

* * * * *

Unwillingly, Taima released her and Kate left to
gather wood for their fire. The gentle sway of her hips stirred memories of
last night and how easily she kept rhythm with his body. He clenched his fists,
willing away the need that built within him like a raging flame. Tonight would
not come soon enough.

He strode over and sat atop a log to watch Kelee spear
more fish. Kelee brought over the few he had, then returned to the lake for
more.

Hoof beats sounded in the distance.

Taima listened intently.

A lone rider approached.

Taima turned to check on Kate. She squatted at the
newly built fire oblivious of the newcomer. Placing a finger to his lips, he
motioned for her to remain quiet.

“Nechan! Come.”

Kelee obeyed, and he and Taima strode to Kate’s side.
“Keep him with you. I know not who approaches.”

Kate’s eyebrows drew together. “But I don’t hear
anything.”

“Listen.”

The rider’s horse approached like a thunderstorm on a
quiet afternoon, stopping abruptly before Taima, the hooves stirring up a cloud
of dust.

An out-of-breath warrior steadied his horse. “We need
you at camp. The Ute are attacking our people. They have already taken two of
our women,” shouted one of Taima’s braves.

Knowing what he must do, Taima looked to Kate. “Keep
Kelee with you until I return. You will be safe here.”

His heart raced, hoping he wouldn’t be too late to
save his people. Taima mounted his horse and raced back to their camp.

Smoke filled the air as he approached the encampment.
The remains of one lean-to lay in smoldering ashes. Aiyana huddled nearby with
her children. At least they were safe. Through the dusty haze, Taima’s gaze
darted about. Crying women and children ran around collecting what belongings
had been scattered by the Ute. His heart sank with pity for those who had lost
all their belongings.

Battle cries on the far side of their camp drew
Taima’s attention. A Ute warrior leaned over, grabbed a woman, and pulled her
struggling body onto his horse, then raced across the meadow of tall grass
toward the pine tree-covered mountainside.

Taima gripped the mane of his horse and his mount
lunged forward, determined to rescue the frightened woman.

Minutes seemed an eternity before he rode anywhere
near the warriors. As he closed in, the Ute plunged from sight, into the dense
forest.

* * * * *

Kate wanted to be with Taima, to be sure Ahanu and
Aiyana were safe, but Kelee needed her protection. She had helped him clean the
fish and now they cooked over the open fire.

Kate reached over the hot coals to retrieve a stick of
baked trout and handed it to Kelee, then got one for herself. Her stomach
growled as the delicious aroma wafted around her.

Peeling back the skin to expose the succulent white
meat, she popped a piece into her mouth, only to burn her tongue. “Mmmm...this
tastes great, Kelee. You are an excellent fisherman. Your father is proud of
your skill, you know.”

“Thank you, but Noshi can catch many more fish than I
can,” he stated, placing another chunk of fish into his mouth. “He’s the best hunter
of all our warriors, and he’s killed more buffalo and elk than anyone.” Kelee
stiffened his spine and threw back his shoulders. “One day, I will be a great
hunter like my father.”

Feasting away on his fish, Kelee stopped. His eyes
again lit with excitement. “I will ask Noshi when we can take you to see the
ancient Indian pictures high on the rocks. You’ll like them.”

Kate laid her cooking stick aside, her fish gone.
“Where are these pictures?”

“They are all over the rocks way down by three lakes.
We’ve been there many times. That’s where my father and Ahanu hunt the big horn
sheep. We have to travel down around the two red-painted mountains. You’ll like
seeing them, too. We have so much around here to show you yet. I hope you
decide to stay.” Without another thought, Kelee plucked off another chunk of
fish from his stick and ate heartily.

Kate smiled. Kelee’s self-esteem glowed from his young
face. One certainly could not mistake who his father was. She would miss him
when the time came for her to return, if it ever did.

“Kate...will you go back to live with your own people
someday?” His question took her by surprise. Surely he was not privy to her
thoughts.

“I don’t think there are any of my people here.”

“You can stay with us then.”

The plea in Kelee’s eyes warmed her heart. He would
never understand should she suddenly disappear and return to her own time. “I
will stay for as long as I’m able, but I fear there are some among your people
who feel I don’t belong here.”

Kelee threw down his empty roasting stick. “And who
are these people? I will have Noshi cast them from our group.”

“You are too kind,” Kate said, easily laughing. “But
we must get along with others, even when we don’t always agree. Besides, here,
I am the intruder.”

A woman suddenly spoke up in her native tongue behind
Kate, the harsh tone immediately stiffening Kate’s spine. Before she could turn
around to see who the woman was, Kelee stood and his lip curled as he angrily
retorted in Shoshone.

Kate turned around when the woman spoke again.

Mai stood there alone.

The anger left her eyes when she met Kate’s gaze.
Unable to understand her next comment, Kate looked at Kelee. “What did she
say?”

Kelee glanced back at her, his eight-year-old body
tall and proud as he stepped between herself and Mai. Kate wondered how much of
their conversation the woman had overheard. “She means to offer her friendship
as a bond with those who don’t want you here,” he said.

“Do you speak English?” Kate asked Mai.

Mai looked at Kelee and so did Kate, her lips still
pursed in anger. “No she doesn’t.”

Mai held out a leather necklace with a small pouch
attached, motioning for Kelee to give it to Kate as she spoke a few words. Kate
wondered why Mai had waited so long to come forward knowing this woman had
watched Kate from a distance many times before. Though she appeared to be of
great beauty, Kate sensed an ulterior motive to her offer of friendship.

Kate accepted the necklace Kelee handed her. But a
shiver ran the length of her arm when the soft leather pouch touched her palm.
She wanted to toss it away, although to offend one of Taima’s people would be
thought of as unforgivable.

“She asked that you wear it under your dress so others
might not see it,” Kelee snarled. “She said it would only make things worse if
they knew she had given it to you.”

“Thank you,” Kate replied, meeting Mai’s dark gaze.
Something evil lurked within her eyes, though Kate couldn’t place her finger on
it. Mai offered friendship, but the cold, indifference in her gaze told another
story.

Kate wanted to look away from Mai’s eyes, yet some
magnetic pull kept her from doing so. While she stared into the black depths,
it seemed as though a menacing storm surrounded the three of them. Moments
passed and still Mai stared, her eyes wide and unyielding. An intruding force
filled Kate, like there wasn’t enough room inside her body.

Kate gasped and clutched her chest when a sharp pain
wrenched at her heart.

Mai pointed to her and spoke in Shoshone, then Kelee
looked at Kate. He translated, though he refused to step from between them.
“She said to put the necklace on, now, and do not take it off.”

Doing as Mai demanded, Kate slipped the leather over
her head and dropped the pouch down the front of her dress. A hot, radiating
sensation took her breath away as the pouch rested between her breasts. She
touched her chest, and closed her eyes, then took a deep breath, trying to will
away the cloud of apprehension.

When Kate opened her eyes again, the sun beat down
upon her and Kelee, but Mai was nowhere to be seen. She glanced toward the
dense pines. “You must not tell your father she gave this to me. Should he ask,
I will think of something.”

Kelee nodded.

Kate searched for signs of Mai, and wondered how she
could have slipped away so easily. The offer of friendship seemed strange when
Kate had received a different impression whenever she had caught Mai watching
her in the past. On several occasions when she and Taima were together, the
evil glare Kate had received from Mai was enough to scare any woman. Yet, now she
offered friendship?