Page 38 of Red Hawk's Woman

She hesitated, and he watched as a multitude of thoughts were displayed upon her countenance. At some length, she told him, “My father did find something which made him believe the legend is true. And this is the reason I am here. I seek to learn the truth of the legend. This is why I am going back to the area where you and I first met—myself and my colleagues will look for…things in the hope we will find a clue about the existence of the Lost Clan.”

“These things your father found that you are searching for, are they prized much by the white man?”

“They could be. We are being financially supported in our quest by a museum in the East. Most of the objects we find will belong to them.”

“But not all? Aa, now I understand.” He nodded.

“Understand what?” She straightened her spine and sat forward. “Do you think I am some fortune hunter? That I am only here to add to my wealth, not to discover the truth?”

“I did not say this to you.”

“Well, let me tell you, Mr. Hawk, I am an archaeologist, like my father and my mother before me. I do not go on these expeditions to find things, only to collect them. Nor am I a fortune seeker, hoping to locate something I might sell to the highest bidder. My interest is in the truth.”

“I did not accuse you of anything.”

“No, but you inferred it.”

“I do not know this word, inferred.”

“It means to imply something—to say something is so without directly stating it.”

With eyes narrowed, he scrutinized her, from the top of her head to the very tip of her chin, as though looking could probe the secret she carried.

To her credit she said nothing, nor did she flinch under the heat of his gaze.

At last, he spoke. “And so your father’s work is continued through you?”

“Yes.” Her chin lifted into the air.

Again, he stated nothing, but he was aware that his staring at her was hardly comforting. He finally said, “Soka’pii, it is good.”

“I’m so glad you approve,” she stated, though the tone of her voice insinuated the exact opposite.

He wanted to laugh at her, for she looked so stubborn and yet so forlorn. Indeed, at this moment, he thought she resembled a rabbit, staring up into the eyes of a wolf. Unfortunately for him, he was that wolf.

“You are frightened,” he told her, “especially after what happened a few nights ago. And because you do not understand why I am here, asking you these questions, you fear for your safety, even with me. I only hope you will give me a chance to prove myself to you.”

“I hope so too.” She rose to her knees. “Now if you will excuse me, I must get back to my hotel. The others will wonder about me.”

When she made to get to her feet, he did not stop her. Instead, he gave her one quick nod.

“Thank you for combing my hair.” She smiled as if to ease the tension between them. “I could all too easily become accustomed to such things.”

That smile was his undoing. Was she some sort of enchantress that she could ensnare him with an action so simple?

He wanted to get lost in her grin, to bask in it. Moreover he longed to spend more time with her, wanted the rest of the world to go away when he was with her. He swallowed hard. “You are most beautiful when you smile.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but even she seemed at a loss for words, and her lips, now parted, looked inviting.

He cleared his throat, started to say something, but had second thoughts.

She mumbled, “I never forgot you.”

“Nor I, you. I waited for you that day.”

“And I came back to the pool day after day,” she confessed. “You never returned.”

“I was gone from that country by then.”