Cassie leaned sideways and looked up at Bordeaux.
"Where are we going?"
"They have a camp not far away. We'll be safe there."
"Are they friends of yours?"
He chuckled softly. "I suppose you could call it that."
She raised a quizzical eyebrow, but he didn't explain.
As exhausted as she was, riding on the horse with him was exciting. There was no need to hold on to her, but his arm around her waist was welcome all the same.
The ride turned out to be short. It was hard to believe a village could be this close and they didn't know it was there.
As they entered the Indian encampment, hostile black eyes turned to follow them. Dark skinned women in braids and brightly colored clothes gazed expressionlessly from their work as the horses passed them. The camp smelled of rancid grease and wood smoke.
Cassie cringed against Bordeaux and clutched the arm that encircled her waist. Bordeaux whispered in her ear.
"Don't act afraid."
"Who's acting?" She whispered.
They halted in front of a dome shaped dwelling with a grass cover. Bordeaux slid off to greet a withered old man. The old Indian gripped Bordeaux's arm and nodded, his mouth working into a snaggletoothed grin.
Cassie waited while they talked. They took their time, squatting on the dusty ground, letting minutes pass between bits of conversation. Gradually, the women and children drifted over to examine her. A gray haired woman with long braids and no teeth jerked on Cassie's pants leg. The old woman spoke to one of the younger women. The two women laughed and pointed at her shirt.
Cassie shifted her attention from the women. They were curious and she must be quite a spectacle. Her body was sticky with perspiration and her clothes were caked with dust. Under the hat, her hair was filthy and matted. At the moment, she'd rather be out there in the desert - alone.
After what seemed like hours, but probably wasn't more than thirty minutes in the hot sun, Bordeaux stood. Dismissing himself from the group, he strode to his horse and helped her down.
"We're going to stay here for the night. The chief tells me there was a battle west of here. Apparently the cavalry caught up with the renegades. We can rest tonight and head for Ashley in the morning."
"That's wonderful!" she gasped. "I can hardly wait to take a bath."
He smiled down at her wryly, his gaze taking in her torn and dirty clothes.
"We can take care of the bath right here."
"Here?" She glanced around at the arid camp.
"Come on." He took her hand and led her across the camp, heading for a jumble of rocks. As they approached, the sound of running water welcomed them. She was instantly thirsty.