Page 25 of Red Hawk's Woman

“I would like to meet with you tomorrow. Where would be a convenient place and time for us to talk? If I am to hire you, I would need to tell you the reason I am here, the project that needs doing and the journey ahead.”

He nodded. “You come here to town, I will find you.”

“No matter where I am?”

“I will find you.”

She grinned at him. “Thank you, Mister…ah…Mister…”

After a time, he said, as though educating her, “An Indian never speaks his own name unless he has to. It is impolite to do so.”

“Oh.”

“But you could call me Red Hawk.”

“Ah, thank you, Mr. Hawk. Well, that explains a thing or two.” She didn’t elaborate as to what that thing or two was. “Till tomorrow then.”

Again, he nodded.

With a quick smile at him, she turned to walk away. Having rounded the building, however, she peeked at the man from around the corner.

She could see him draw in a deep breath, and then move away from the post, which she supposed had been holding him up and keeping him standing straight. He looked as bewildered about the entire exchange as she felt.

Heaven help her, he was certainly an interesting character. Clumsy, yet handsome…and, if she were to be honest, something about him seemed achingly familiar. If she thought for a moment, maybe she could remember…

Frowning, Effie turned away.

“Are we going to abandon the project, then?”

The question came from dark-haired Carl Bell. With mugs and teacups in hand, the group was seated around a rudely cut, wood-hewn table, which sat in a far corner of a smoke-filled, dimly lit tavern. It was the only establishment in town that served food.

“No, we’re not going to abandon it.” Effie glanced at the young man. “Why would we?”

“Because of the trouble last night, as well as the matter of our guide quitting the project this morning. We can’t very well travel into Blackfeet country without a guide. Plus⁠—”

“All excavations have their problems,” interrupted Effie. “It’s part of our duty to overcome them. We all knew there might be danger connected with this project, by its very nature.”

“Yes, but somebody accosted you in your room, Effie. They shot at you. That’s never been done before,” responded Lesley.

Effie frowned in Lesley’s direction. “This isn’t the first time we’ve been threatened. Do you remember that dig in Mexico that our parents were part of? Do you recall the danger of bandits?”

“Yes,” said Lesley, “but somehow it seemed more adventurous at the time, not dangerous.”

Effie nodded and smiled slightly. “You’re right, it did seem more adventurous. In fact, if any of you wish to quit the project, please feel free to do so. You are by no means bound to continue.”

Carl shifted uneasily in his chair, as did Henry, while both women stared anywhere but at her.

To press the point, Effie said, “If you’re going to quit, I would prefer it if you did so soon. At least then I will have a better idea of what I must do to get this project going.”

Effie waited. A moment passed, then two, the seconds clicking by slowly.

When no one rose to leave or interrupt the silence, Effie continued. “Then we’re all agreed to go on?”

Each one nodded.

“Good,” said Effie. “Then I should tell you that I have this day hired another guide. And this one, I think, will do well for us. In fact, I believe he’ll even be better than the last, for he is Indian.”

“Indian? Really?” gasped Henry Smith.