Colt by Georgina Gentry Page B

rape you again.”
    â€œThat doesn’t matter. I’ve got to protect my son.”
    â€œIf I promise to bring the troops to save him, will you go back with me?”
    â€œI don’t know if I can trust you.” She looked deep into his eyes and she seemed so defenseless and vulnerable. He fought an urge to take her in his arms and hold her close, protect her from all the horrible things that this brave Texas girl had endured.
    â€œHannah, I promise. You know when a Texan gives his word, it’s as good as gold.”
    â€œYes, it is. I trust you, Colt, and I’ve never trusted a man before. My real father was killed in the Fannin Massacre and my stepfather drank and beat me. I ran away at fifteen and married a man I thought loved me, but he didn’t.”
    â€œLuther Brownley?”
    She swallowed hard and nodded.
    â€œHe’ll be comin’ to get you,” Colt said.
    She shook her head. “Maybe not. Would you want a woman who had been used as a plaything by a savage?”
    â€œIt wouldn’t make any difference to me,” he answered.
    She gave him a rare smile, and he thought, in that moment, that she was beautiful when she smiled. Why had he thought her plain?
    â€œYou’re different than most men, Colt. All right, I have your word, so I’ll go back with you.”
    â€œAnd you’ve got to promise me you won’t try to take off again.” He stood up and reached a hand down to her.
    She took it with a strong, callused hand that had always worked and worked hard. “I promise.”
    â€œCome on then. Let’s get back to the fort before it gets daylight. I don’t want a stray Comanche scout to run across us. I left the tribe on bad terms with Spider.”
    He pulled her to her feet and they walked toward the horses. Rascal nickered and nuzzled Colt’s shirt. Colt scratched his ears. “You’re a good judge of horseflesh, Hannah.”
    â€œI knew the mustang would get me there. How did you find me?”
    â€œI lived among the Comanche, remember? I know about that spring in the Llano Estacado. There’s almost no other water out on those dry Staked Plains.” He looked over his fine thoroughbred, realized it was going lame. He bent and examined the blood bay’s leg, shook his head. “I told the major these fancy horses were no good out here. I’ll have to lead him back and we’ll ride double.”
    He offered his cupped hand. She put a moccasined foot in it, and he lifted her to Rascal’s back, then mounted up himself. He could appreciate a woman who would sacrifice everything, even her own freedom, to return for a small son. He would talk to the major about leading a raid into the Comanche camp again. He had made Hannah a promise and he intended to keep it.
    She fit so naturally against him as they started back to the fort. He felt her shiver and, without thinking, he pulled her close against him and tried to remember that he was engaged to a beautiful lady. It was difficult with Hannah leaning back against his chest as they rode.
    He could smell the sweet, clean scent of her yellow hair as he put his arms around her to guide the horse. Something about her made him want to hold and protect her. Then he reminded himself he must not have feelings for this girl. Her husband would be coming for her and besides, he was engaged to Olivia.
    They got back to the fort just before dawn. Colt returned her to the infirmary and went about his duties. Hannah said she would begin a vegetable garden and help Doc with the few patients.
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    That evening at dusk, Colt stopped her out near the infirmary. “I’ve talked to the major. He’s waitin’ for new supplies to come in, but I reckon we’ll head for the Comanche camp in a few days.”
    â€œCan’t it happen any faster?” She was concerned for her son.
    Colt shook his head. “Just be patient. You promised, remember?”
    She