Comanche Moon by Virginia Brown Page A

think I have a plan.” For the first time, Judith’s voice was eager and full of hope. “Tell me!” Deborah glanced around. The other women were busy with washing and chattering, and Sunflower sat on a flat rock with reeds she was soaking to make more pliable. The girl seemed entirely engrossed in what she was doing.
    “The horses are kept in a meadow just beyond camp. I’ve gone through there to gather berries. Do you know where I mean?” Judith nodded. Her head was bent so that her hair hung down in golden streamers, hiding her face. “Yes. I’ve seen them when I’ve been out looking for firewood.” She splashed some water over her bare, scratched arms. “I’ve also noticed that many of the men keep their horses tethered close to their tents.”
    “Only the favorite ones, I think.” Deborah paused. It was true. Even Hawk had his favorite horse, a huge gray stallion with black mane and tail, and a thickly muscled chest. She’d seen him brushing it, talking to it, feeding it as if it were a pet. “But that’s only at night. The others are left free to roam.”
    “Yes, I saw a lot of them grazing in the high grass.”
    “Then maybe you noticed that they run free except for a rope halter. If we could manage to catch two of them, we’d be able to ride out of here.” Judith was silent for a moment. “How would we do that? We’re both watched too closely. Your handsome admirer never takes his eyes off you, and when he’s away, that girl is your keeper.”
    “There will come an opportunity. We just have to be ready when it presents itself.” Deborah glanced up and saw that Sunflower had waded nearer, bending in the stream to soak the green reeds she used to weave baskets.
    She edged away from her cousin and tried to appear as if she was engrossed in washing bowls. After a moment, she whispered loudly enough for Judith to hear, “Gather as many things as you can for a long journey. Hide them. Be ready. I will do what I can, also. Perhaps the time will come soon.” Judith flung her long hair back from her eyes and cast Deborah a quick look. “I will. We’d better move apart now.” They did so as unobtrusively as possible.

    The women began to straggle back to camp slowly, bearing washed garments in woven baskets. Deborah saw Judith not far ahead of her, her back bent under a heavy load. It was frustrating, not being able to help her cousin. She wished she knew enough Comanche to plead with Hawk to purchase her cousin. Life couldn’t be kind to her, not with the bruises she’d seen on Judith’s fair skin.
    A loud cry caught Deborah’s attention, and she glanced up to see her cousin being yanked along by a tall brave she didn’t recognize. Judith was trying to resist, but her blond hair was caught in a brown fist. The man laughed cruelly and made a crude gesture that provoked laughter from others watching. Deborah started forward, but Sunflower grabbed her arm and shook her head.
    “I have to help her!” Deborah snapped, and pushed the girl’s hand away.
    She’d gone no more than three steps before a stout woman barred her way, dark eyes glittering with a threat Deborah didn’t like. She paused and said calmly, “Get out of my way,” but the woman didn’t budge.
    Sunflower began chattering, obviously pleading for her, and by the time Deborah managed to look for Judith again, her cousin had disappeared.
    There was no sign of the man who had been tormenting her, and she stood helplessly.
    After a moment, the surly Comanche woman walked away, and Sunflower plucked anxiously at Deborah’s sleeve. She made signs to reassure her, but her obvious wish to ease Deborah’s mind helped only slightly. She felt helpless to assist her cousin, helpless to assist herself. What could she do but make things worse for both of them?
    She could only pray for Judith, pray that she was not being used roughly.
    When they returned to the camp, Sunflower ducked into the tipi and brought out a large bolt of cotton.