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Seth had recognized a few of them—Per-Cum-Ske’s father-in-law, Ter-Ak-A-Nee-Cut Pah-Po-Ter-A-Pet, his uncle, and the leader of the band, Pe-Ah-Ter-Who-Noovy But the scout had recognized the face of almost every fallen body he’d came upon Friends and relatives, coainst the white man just a few years prior, before he’d cut off his braids and joined the army

To this day, Seth wondered how Per-Cum-Ske had accepted the deaths of sono eround stained by blood Spine straight, with his square chin thrust forward, he’d said, “We cannot help it I did my duty”

Seth knew duty—had lived it his entire life—yet in that instance he hadn’t understood it He’d signed Per-Cue papers a short tinature line And he’d known then that he’d face the ain It couldn’t be helped

That time was now The man had become leader of the Coht All the Time—as other tribes referred to them A man who knew the life of the Indians, but also the ways of the ar a precarious balance that had nerves on end fro Seth’s Another reason his mind had to be alert and his instincts intact, and why he couldn’t allow issues in his private life to overshadow his duties

The sound of deep and even breaths had hi as he saw her sleeping He ran a hand over Millie’s hair, pulled the long braid over her shoulder and across his chest

Once his reed upon, he could focus on cleaning up the situation between him and Millie He tilted his head to kiss the top of hers So this precious, this beautiful and wonderful, had to be handled gently

She let out a tiny h well-sated a short tio, sparked low in his belly like the strike of a flintlock It wasn’t unusual; it happened every tilanced her way Insatiable, that’s what he hen it came to her Fact was, he didn’t even have to look at her; a siht caused that reaction inside hi next to her, he’d practically counted the minutes until sunset

Running a hand down her arm, he paused when his pal the covers, he found the reason: the wind sneaking under the tent He bunched up the blankets beneath the the space as best he could

“What’s wrong?” she murmured

“Nothing, sweetheart, just the wind sneaking in below the tent”

“Yes,” she said groggily, while shifting to burrow against him “It’s cold”