Chapter Twenty-Six

"I'm fine to travel." Frankie argued as she stood in the sitting room, her crutches that Silas had fashioned for her braced under her arms. "Charlotte herself said that we're probably only a day or so from their Aunt's plantation so it won't be too long of a trip."

"I'm not positive though. It could be further." Charlotte spoke up.

Silas shook his head and Colt sighed. Why couldn't everyone just agree on something for once? Three days it had been since Frankie had been injured and Ox and Evangeline had come to be with their group.

Evangeline. Temptation. Beauty. Spoiled, rotten, rich girl who had had everything in her life handed to her on a silver platter and paraded herself around this damn house as if she was the queen of Sheba and everybody oughta just move out of her way, bow at her feet and do as she says.

Okay so she truly wasn't that bad but Colt chose to believe that she was. It made resisting her easier. She stirred something in him that he had never felt before. When he had walked into the house for supper that evening three days ago, his stomach finally calmed and his head no longer throbbing, and had seen that dark haired beauty sitting at the table, his cock had tightened instantly and his heart had started beating so damn fast he'd worried for his health.

Obviously Colt had felt desire before in his life but this feeling was different. He wanted her. All of her. He liked hearing her voice. He liked watching her move. He liked that dusting of freckles on her tiny nose and the single dimple she had in her left cheek. He even liked how small she was. Barely over five feet with curves exactly where a woman was meant to have them. He felt like a giant horse's ass every single time his eyes landed on her and that lust roared to life within him. He had made a vow to his wife, a vow he had honored throughout their short marriage, despite the fact that there hadn't been any real love between them for a long while during the beginning.

It was his fault Sarah was dead and Loralie was....worse... and the least he could do was honor his vows.

"Frankie, you need a few more days for your side." Silas insisted and Frankie snorted.

"I've been shot worse than this before!" she exclaimed. "And I didn't stay laid up in the bed for days those times. Now dammit, we should just load up what supplies are left and get to their damn aunts house!"

"As much as Ox and I are grateful for this place and the kindness you've all shown us..." Evangeline paused, her emerald eyes locking with Colt's momentarily and he could see the anger in them. She didn't like him. He didn't blame her. He'd been an ass to her since she'd arrived but dammit he had good reason. At least in his own mind. ".... We are very worried about our Aunt and desperate to know if she is okay."

"I have faith that she is." Comanche stated comfortingly and Evangeline graced him with a smile that showed that dimple in her full left cheek and lit up the damn sitting room like fireworks on Independence Day.

Colt felt his fist twitch with the urge to knock that comforting smile from Comanche's face and he saw that Frankie didn't seem happy about it either as she growled and stepped forward.

"More than damn likely she's rabid bait but they deserve to find out the truth sooner rather than later." She stated.

"You shouldn't say things like that." Ox argued quietly and Colt nodded.

"That's right. You shouldn't. There's been enough loss handed out to each of us without creating loss that ain't happened yet."

Frankie looked put in her place and unhappy about it, as she took a step back and Colt sighed. It seemed it was impossible to please everyone at once and he was fixing to just quit trying altogether.

"Alright well it's damn near noon so how about we spend the rest of the day gathering up supplies, that'll give Frankie just a bit more healing time which should make the good doctor happy," Colt tipped his head toward Silas and the man nodded in agreement. "And we'll head out at first light and hopefully make it there by nightfall."

Colt glanced around at everyone to see I there were going to be any more arguments but everyone seemed to be on the same page, even if they were grumbling a bit about it.

"Charlotte, why don't you and Ox's sister go get supper started while the rest of us start gathering up supplies and loading the cart." Colt stated, preparing to walk away.

"I have a name." Evangeline snapped, stopping him in his tracks. He was learning that the spoiled rich girl had one hell of a temper and sharp tongue when she chose to.

"I am aware." Colt grumbled without looking at her. She had green eyes that were so damn deep and vivid that he found it hard to look away from them once they met with his. Without another word Colt walked away and strode out the door, eager to be away from that damned woman.

***

Katherine walked over to the arm chair and plopped down with a sigh as the sitting room began to clear out. Charlotte and perfect little Evangeline had gone to the kitchen and everyone else was making their way outside.

Katherine cursed her luck. She truly did feel something special for Colt, something she was sure could be the beginnings of love, but she had a sinking suspicion that she would never have him. While he was friendly with her and always polite, (just as he was with nearly everyone else), he was the opposite with Evangeline.

He would hardly meet the woman's eyes though Katherine had caught him watching the little princess several times over the last few days. Colt liked her.

Katherine wondered if she would ever find her own man. Someone who would love her and treat her the way Colt said she deserved to be treated.

"Are you alright there, Miss Katherine?" Katherine swung her head around to see Ox standing there with his hat clutched in his hands.

She hadn't paid much mind to him in the last few days, her attention had been diverted by the obvious attraction between Colt and Evangeline, but now she took the time to give him a proper once over.

He was handsome... and huge! Seven feet, or taller, and solid muscle. He was built much like an oak tree but his green eyes were friendly and his posture seemed almost nervous as he stood behind her. He had a strong jaw and it was clear from the small bump on his nose that it had been broken at least once.

"I'm just fine..... Ox?" she replied, unsure if that's what she should call him. It seemed an odd name.

"My mama named me Joshua but I always hated that name. Once folks realized I was gonna get so darn big, they started calling me Ox."

"So what should I call you? Joshua or Ox?" Katherine asked, enjoying having a nice conversation with someone. Colt was friendly enough but kept a wall between him and everyone else. Charlotte didn't seem to like her, though the woman hadn't said as much and Frankie was damn near hostile, of course the woman had been hostile with everyone since she'd come back so Katherine hadn't taken that too personally. Comanche, when he wasn't glaring at Frankie, was chasing Evangeline skirt tails and Silas was too busy with Charlotte and Grace to pay much attention to anything else.

Ox was the first person to actually act as if he wanted to speak to her in days.

"Ox, Miss Katherine. There was only one person to ever call me Joshua and that was my mama and she usually was angry when she did." Then he shifted his feet uncomfortably and rubbed at the back of his neck. "I don't mean to stick my big nose where it don't belong, ma'am, but you seem awful sad."

"I'm okay." Katherine replied, still unsure of how to communicate with a man in a way that wasn't sexual. For so long every man that came to her wanted her to bed them and she always had in return for either money or supplies. But Katherine wanted to turn over a new leaf and not be that person any longer—she simply wasn't sure what person she wanted to be. Who was Katherine? She just didn't know.

"I ain't never had the chance to speak to you before........ Okay that's not true.... I could have...." A blush colored Ox's cheeks and he twisted his hat so tightly, Katherine feared he might rip it. What was wrong with him?

"Ox, are you okay?" Katherine asked quietly as she got to her feet and stepped toward him. She gasped with shock when the man nearly tripped over his boots as he backed away from her.

"Uh.. Yeah... I better go help get the cart ready, Miss Katherine. Sorry I bothered you." With that the giant of a man sped off and disappeared out the door.

Katherine watched the now empty doorway for several moments before plopping back down in the arm chair and slumping as low as she could go. She was now all alone and left to wonder why she was running with a group of people who didn't seem to care if she was around.

What she needed to do was make her own place in this group and be herself but.... who was she?

***

"Ox!" Comanche called loudly when he saw the man staring off into space as a flesh eater limped toward him from behind, its jaws gnashing together, eager to bite into the large man's flesh.

Ox's head whipped around and he cried out when he saw the flesh eater already less than four feet from him and closing in fast.

Comanche was sure the man was going to be bitten, and he probably would have, if a large bowie knife had not come hurtling through the air and sunk itself deep into the flesh eater's temple, dropping it instantly.

"Godammit, Ox!" Colt stormed angrily to the dead flesh eater and yanked his knife from its head. "You gotta pay attention out here! I damn near had to fire a shot to save your ass and that would have put us all in danger. I won't risk this whole group just because you're staring into the woods like an idiot and not paying attention!"

Comanche frowned as he watched Colt storm off toward the woodshed. Ox was standing there staring down at the dead flesh eater at his feet and the man looked rattled. Comanche did not want to involve himself in whatever was wrong with the big man. It wasn't in his nature to butt into someone else's business but he knew that Ox was Evangeline's brother and Comanche had a soft spot for that tiny woman.

It was nothing romantic, Comanche loved only one woman even though he hadn't spoken to that particular woman since he awoken in her bedroom covered in fireplace ash. No what he felt for Evangeline was something much more innocent and sweet. She reminded him of his sister. Dove had been older than him by four years and she had always been so gentle. She had cared deeply for everyone in their family and she had been soft spoken most of the time, unless those she loved were being harassed or anyone treated her in a way she felt she didn't deserve. Evangeline was roughly the same size as his tiny sister had been and had the same dark hair and spirit.

But since Comanche felt this tenderness toward Evangeline he knew she would want someone to speak with her brother. Ox looked confused and a little sad as he walked with slumped shoulders back toward the cart they'd been loading with oats and hay for the horses.

"Ox, is something troubling you?" Comanche asked the other man. Ox sighed and rubbed his neck as he kicked at the dirt.

"Naw, I'm alright."

Comanche studied him closely. He was not fine. Ox was a simple man and a man who normally wore a smile and had a lightness in his step that made his good nature plain for anyone to see. Those things were missing from him now.

"We are a tribe, Ox. A family. In this time of uncertainty we should lean on one another. Your sister would not do well if something were to happen to you because you were distracted or upset."

"I said I'm alright. It ain't nothing you can help me with." Ox assured him, a forced smile spreading across his face.

Comanche shrugged, not caring enough to push any further. "If you will not speak to me then perhaps to Evangeline."

"What's going on between you and Evie?" Ox asked suddenly and Comanche was caught off guard.

"Going on?"

"Yeah. I've seen the way you look at her and she talks about you all the time." Ox squared his shoulders and placed his hat back on his head. "I think you should know that I look out for her and any man that plans on getting to her is gonna have to pass through me first."

"This is the last time I attempt to help someone." Comanche snapped and he too stormed off, heading to the barn to check the hooves on each of the horses and ensure they were all ready for traveling tomorrow.

***

Charlotte bit her lip as she looked out the kitchen window and watched Comanche storm into the barn. Katherine was still in the sitting room staring off at nothing. Evangeline was washing clothes on the back porch. Charlotte had seen Colt storm off from Ox after killing a rabid that had been close to biting the man while Ox had seemed to be in some sort of sad haze. And Frankie? Frankie was upstairs slamming things around, or packing, as she called it.

Charlotte let out a sad sigh and then she felt Silas's strong arms circle around her waist and his chin rested on her shoulder.

"What's wrong, Miss Charlotte?" he asked quietly.

"Something bad is happening to our group." Charlotte replied. "Everyone is either very sad or very angry."

"Emotions are funny things, Miss Charlotte. There is really nothing we can do other than be here if someone wants to speak to us."

"I just hate this." Charlotte replied honestly. "It makes me feel guilty."

"Why?"

"Because we have found so much happiness."

Silas turned her around and put his hands on her cheeks. "Never feel guilty for your happiness, Miss Charlotte. You have earned it."

"Yes but while we smile and laugh and are so in love; Frankie and Comanche are not speaking. Katherine wants nothing more than Colt's affection and he will not give it, and Colt..... Colt has some bad demons and hurts that are eating him alive."

"Miss Charlotte, none of that is your fault. Now I happen to love your caretaking spirit but this is one time when you have to try to let it go. Let them figure things out for themselves. If they come to you for advice or an ear, then give that to them, and then come on to me and Little Grace and be happy. Life has always been fragile and time fleeting; this new world we live in only serves to make it even more so."

Charlotte smiled up at him, resting her hands against his chest and enjoying the feeling of his heart beating beneath her palms. "I just want everyone to be as happy as you have made me."

"And I just want to continue to make you happy, Miss Charlotte. Don't worry yourself about everyone else. They will all find happiness in their own time."

Charlotte nodded and Silas kissed her brow lightly. Grace cried out from the upstairs bedroom and Charlotte pulled out of Silas's arms.

"I had better go feed her." She said. "Thank you, Silas. Thank you for loving that little girl and me."

Silas shook his head and ran his hand over his head as he smiled. "No, Miss Charlotte, thank the two of you for loving me."

***

If Frankie heard Evangeline let out one more cute little highly annoying giggle she was going to shoot that annoying twit directly in the face.

Evangeline was everything that Frankie had been expected to be. Proper, spoiled lady. Soft little woman with nothing to offer other than polite conversation and a talent in the kitchen. Not only was Evangeline everything that Frankie had been expected to be but now that pain in the ass, waste of air had Comanche; or at least she had his attention.

"I want to thank you again, Comanche, for that ointment you made for me. It worked wonderfully." Evangeline said and Frankie stood in the doorway of the dining room and watched them. Everyone else had gone to their rooms for the night except for Charlotte and Silas who were in the kitchen cleaning up and Evangeline and Comanche who were gathering up the dirty dishes from supper. Frankie had been going to head to bed until she'd heard Comanche and Evangeline talking and had found her boots carrying her to the dining room instead.

"I was glad to make it, Evangeline. I made more today so you would have some to take with you for the journey. Just don't overdo it. Ride in the cart when you need to."

"Yeah, don't be ashamed." Frankie spoke up as she limped into the room on her crutches and Comanche and Evangeline turned to look at her. Evangeline looked a little afraid, which Frankie was happy about, but Comanche simply seemed uninterested in her presence and that hurt worse than Frankie cared to admit. "It takes one hell of a woman to be able to ride with the men."

"Yes well some of us women spent our younger years learning to care for our families and homes instead of simply riding around like and outlaw and living like a mindless, uncivilized barbarian."

"Is that right?" Frankie ground out as she started toward Evangeline, hating the way the crutches slowed her down. Comanche quickly came between the two women.

His voice made it clear he would not tolerate argument as he glared down at Frankie. "You will stop now. She has done nothing. You are angry at yourself and are taking it out on everyone else around you and it's time for you to stop."

Frankie snorted and adjusted the crutches under her arms, wincing when they rubbed against the patches of raw skin that were getting worse every day she had to use them. "No, I just don't like her." She spat, tipping her head to indicated Evangeline who was mostly hidden behind Comanche's broad back.

"I have done nothing to you." Evangeline spoke up as she tried to come back around Comanche but the indian blocked her with his elbow and a look.

"You....." Frankie stopped quickly when she realized she had almost accused Evangeline of taking her man out loud. Instead of finishing her statement she growled, turned and made her way back out of the room, cursing these crutches, and the way they slowed her down, right to hell.

Frankie was nearly to the staircase when she felt a strong hand clamp around her arm and pull her to a stop. She didn't have to turn to know it was Comanche. She could feel his presence and his heat and she knew his touch.

"What do you want?" Frankie ground out as she stared at the carpeted staircase in front of them and tried hard to combat the tears gathering behind her eyes. Why was she about to cry?

"To tell you to stop being so hateful and spiteful toward Evangeline. She is a good person and does not deserve it."

Frankie winced again as she turned, the pain under her arms nearly unbearable. She glared up at Comanche, cursing when she knew he would see the tears behind her eyes.

"Go back to the kitchen with your new love and leave me be, injun. I'll play nicer from now on."

Frankie forced her eyes to look into Comanche's and she felt her heart skip several long beats when she saw the tenderness in his dark eyes. It was like old times, the times she hadn't realized would mean so much to her and the times that she wanted back, as Comanche raised a hand to her cheek and caressed it tenderly.

"I do not love her, paleface." he assured her. Frankie wanted to speak. Wanted to tell him that she thought she might just feel something more for him than she had ever let on; but before she could he pulled his hand away and took a step back.

"Comanche..." Frankie began but then stopped, unsure what to say. What if she opened up to him and he walked away from her? What if he did to her what she had done to him? Frankie was tough but if these tears gathering in her eyes were any indication she wasn't that tough.

"Will you be leaving again once you are healed?" He asked, that tenderness in his eyes now gone. Frankie hadn't given any thought to leaving again, having taken it as a sign when she'd been injured so quickly the last time that she was supposed to be here with this group.

"I hadn't thought about it a whole lot either way." Frankie replied, trying to sound just as indifferent and cold as Comanche sounded, yet failing miserably with the tears clogging her throat.

"You should get up to bed, Frankie. It will be a long day tomorrow."

Frankie nodded quickly and then turned as fast as her crutches, throbbing ankle and burning side would allow. That was another thing! How could Comanche be such pals with the woman who had shot her? Even if the woman hadn't meant to shoot her; or at least hadn't known she was shooting a living person.

Frankie winced at the pain under her arms and as she started up the steps her side tightened, causing her to let out a hiss and fall sideways into the banister, crying out some as her stitches collided with the unforgiving wood.

Instantly Comanche's hands were on her. He yanked away her crutches with one hand and lifted her into his arms, cradling her against his broad chest, though that chest was covered with a thin cotton shirt. That didn't matter to Frankie who knew what every inch of his powerful, warriors body looked like beneath those clothes. She knew every angle, every sharp edge, every powerful curve and every scar of that body.

"I can get myself up to the room just fine, injun." She stated, though it wasn't as forceful as she had hoped the statement would be. Instead she was a little breathless and caught up in the feel of his heart beating against her. She spared a glance toward his face and saw his lips twitch with amusement, though his eyes looked straight ahead instead of at her.

"You are a strong woman, paleface. But this pride and stubbornness is going to be your downfall."

Frankie didn't reply. She didn't want to tell him that it had already been her downfall. It had cost her her injun.

"I noticed you seem to be in pain from the crutches. Are you?"

At first Frankie thought about lying but deep down she knew she couldn't. She wanted Comanche back. She wanted what they had had before and yet she wanted more as well. She wanted to be able to be weaker with him, more open. Honest about what her heart felt for his bossy backside.

"Yes. They are constantly rubbing and it hurts."

"I will give you something that will help with that." Comanche said as he carried her into the bedroom that they had shared the first night here but that she now slept in alone.

Carefully he sat her on the edge of the bed and then walked out leaving Frankie to wonder if that was it and he was gone now. Just as she was preparing to accept that he was gone and get up to shut the door, Comanche came back with a small jar.

"This cream will help you, though staying off your crutches will help you the most."

"Thank you." Frankie said softly.

She saw the confusion in his eyes as he studied her. He laid the cream on the bedside table and headed for the door.

"Comanche, where have you been sleeping?"

"There is a study downstairs with a large sofa." He replied without looking at her.

"You could stay here with me."

For a split second Frankie thought he was going to say yes and then he let out a sigh and shook his head.

"No, paleface. I don't think that would be a wise choice." With that he was gone and the door closed behind him.

Frankie cried then. Those tears she had been trying so hard to hold back suddenly proving too strong. She had only ever cried one other time that she could remember and that had been the day her uncle had died. Losing Comanche hurt in a different way but the pain was just as intense. Frankie hated herself for the decisions she had made that had cost her his affection.

What in the hell was wrong with her?