Red Bird's Song by Beth Trissel

shame."
    "What of Outhowwa? Is he still angry with me?"
    "Not so much.” Wicomechee stripped his shirt over his head, exposing the chiseled planes of his chest.
    Apprehension undercut her sense of relief. “Are you?"
    He spread the fabric over a green bough and draped his vest. “Speak later. Clothes must dry. We can make no fire."
    "I can't undress with you here."
    "You prefer to freeze? I will share my blanket."
    "At least turn your head."
    Wicomechee looked away, watching from the corners of his eyes as Charity dropped her cloak beside his pile. She tugged at her bodice, fumbling the ties with grape-stained fingers.
    "Blast these laces.” She shook all over.
    "Let me help you,” he offered.
    "Oh, all right. I grow more chilled by the moment."
    He freed the sodden cords, peeled the bodice from her, and tossed it to the fragrant tree. He undid the drawstring at her waist and pulled the saturated petticoats to her knees. She shivered out of the bedraggled heap. Her shift clung to each rounded breast and puckered nipple. The pleasing sight nearly took his breath away.
    "You're enjoying this,” she protested through chattering teeth.
    He smiled and swept his admiring gaze over her. Despite her slender build, her breasts would spill over his hands if he cupped them, and her hips curved enticingly. He fingered the drawstring at her neck. “You would be warmer without this."
    She crossed her arms over her chest in an attempt at modesty. “You are not removing anymore. I'll be naked."
    "Yes."
    "You are not supposed to be looking at me,” she chided, and grabbed up her cloak to wrap in.
    "How can I stop my eyes from such beauty?"
    She settled, shaking, beneath the cedar. “Do you truly find me beautiful, stained from grapes, my hair a tangle?"
    He knelt beside her and ran his fingers through the damp spill covering her like a second mantle. “Truly, I do."
    "Perhaps purple becomes me,” she said with a half-smile.
    "Any color.” He sat at her side and closed the blanket around his shoulders then drew her beneath the cover. “I will warm you, feed you. Then we will speak."
    She shook against him. “I hoped you'd forget that."
    "No. Though you give me other thoughts."
    "Good ones?"
    What a guileless girl. He was acutely aware of her body pressed hip to hip against his. She kindled a fire in him that shot a scorching signal to his loins. If he weren't careful, all rational thought would flee.
    "Very good.” Taking slices of jerky from his pouch, he handed them to her.
    She bit into the meat, darting glances at him. A pink blush stained her cheeks and she looked away.
    What had triggered the flush and averted eyes? Did her feelings flow as his, like a swift stream?
    She ate in silence, seemingly doing her best to conceal her emotions.
    He took hickory nuts already separated from their shells out from under the blanket and gave them to her. She devoured her share and he crunched his, enjoying the nutty flavor. “Would you like these?” he asked, dipping his hand back into his pouch and opening his fist to reveal the tiny red berries.
    She looked wonderingly from his offering back up to him. “When did you gather them?"
    "While you warred with Chaka."
    "Oh.” She lowered her guilty gaze. Scooping up some of the berries, she poured them into her mouth and slowly chewed.
    He chewed the remaining portion.
    She seemed to come to a decision. “I'm sorry...for most of what I did, anyway."
    "Only most?"
    "Surely, you can't expect me to regret everything? Not after what Chaka did to me."
    "You risked much. Who taught you to behave this way?"
    "Craig said never to let any man get the best of me."
    Wicomechee doubted she had any real idea what he meant. “If I had not come, Chaka would have gotten more than this."
    "He taunts me. He's infuriating."
    "Can you not hold your tongue, pretend not to hear?"
    "He called me a scared rabbit."
    Wicomechee considered her in bemusement. “For this, you struck him?"
    "No. That's why I