Page 37 of Red Hawk's Woman

“And don’t say again that you wish only to protect me.” She raised her chin. “My father warned me long ago about people who have to proclaim their trustworthiness. Many times he said that if such people were really virtuous, why would they announce it hither and wide? A truly honest man doesn’t have to tell others about his integrity. He simply is honorable, and others recognize it.”

Red Hawk grinned at her. “That is good advice, and it was not in my mind to repeat myself.”

“Good. See that you don’t.”

What could he say? He couldn’t very well accept her challenge without cost to him, to his clan, to the Above Ones.

How could he detail his vision? For it was this that had led him to her. To tell another about it would break with tradition and render the vision worthless. Nor could he delineate the history of his life to her. Who would believe him?

After several moments passed, she at last said, “Check.”

“Check?”

“It is a phrase from a game, called chess. When one has his opponent cornered and unable to move, and yet neither one has won the game, the person says check. It is my belief, Mr. Hawk, that we both hold one another in check.”

He nodded. “I understand. You are saying that we neither one trust the other enough to open our hearts.”

“Yes.”

“Haiya, I must have time to think on your words. ’Tis not a small thing you ask of me.”

“Nor is your request of me. How much time do you require?”

“Until tomorrow night. I will give you my answer then.”

“Fair enough,” she agreed. “Tomorrow night, then. Where shall we meet?”

“I will come to your room.”

“My hotel room?”

“Aa.”

“But how? I don’t think the front desk would allow you up the stairs since you are not a guest.”

“I will be there.”

“Which means you know where my room is. How long have you known?”

“Long enough,” he answered.

“I see.” She cleared her throat. “Well, I thank you for your time.”

Again, she made to rise and leave. Again, a simple touch of his fingers on her arm detained her.

“Tell me one last thing,” he said. “That first time we met, you were with your father?”

“Yes.”

“And was your father there to try to discover clues about the Lost Clan?”

“Yes.”

“Did he find anything?”

She frowned. “Let us adjourn this conversation until tomorrow evening, shall we?”

“I am not asking you to tell me what it is you seek. I am only wondering if your father found something in that long-ago time.”