Page 36 of Red Hawk's Woman

His fingers stilled in their work, the comb dangling limply in his right hand. Though no emotion stole over his countenance, it seemed to take him a moment before he could speak. “The Lost Clan? Aa, I believe that I have heard of this clan…and this legend…in my youth. Indeed, I believe I know a little of it…”

Chapter

Nine

“How is it you have come to learn of this tribe?” Red Hawk asked Effie, once he recovered enough to speak. He wasn’t certain why her knowledge of his clan surprised him. He should have expected it—after all, his spirit protector had led him to this woman. Yet, hearing another person speak the name of his clan in the present—aloud, and in his company—was jolting.

Sitting with her legs folded in front of her, she had turned to face him. And she was glorious.

With her red hair framing her face and spilling out over her shoulders, she looked as though she were the stuff of legend. She was a small thing, at least in comparison to the women in his tribe, who were generally bigger boned and taller. But this woman was delicately framed.

Dainty brown spots, which he had once heard referred to as freckles, splattered across her nose. Her eyes, which in color resembled those of a doe, were clear, reflecting a sincerity he suspected was a part of her inner being.

At present, those light brown eyes looked anything but calm. She was on guard.

Nevertheless, she answered his question. “I know of the legend because an old anthropologist named Trent Clark once lived amongst the Indians in that area. He was told this story by a very ancient native. Before Mr. Clark’s death, he related the tale and solicited a promise from my father to search for evidence of the tribe. My father has been looking for signs and information of the tribe ever since.”

“Information?” asked Red Hawk. “Was your father looking for anything in particular?”

She sighed, and her glance fell to the ground. Absentmindedly, she ran her hand over the lush grass. But she didn’t answer.

It was then that he knew. Her father had been looking for something specific, and it was probably this that she, herself, was seeking.

He gently said, “What is it your father hoped to find that you must now pursue?”

She shrugged. Without looking at him, she answered softly, “Artifacts.”

“Artifacts? What are artifacts?”

She stared off into the distance, but went on to explain, “Artifacts may be many things—especially something that man made. Bits of pottery, arrowheads, paintings on caves or shaped bones—these are artifacts. A simple rock, made by nature, no matter how old, would not be an artifact.”

Red Hawk nodded. “And what did your father intend to do with these…artifacts? If he found any?”

“Prove that the tribe existed and learn more about them.”

“And did he?”

She started to rise. “Mr. Hawk, I really must go.”

He reached out a hand to detain her. Her eyes grew wide, as though astonished that he might touch her, and she stared straight at him.

His fingertips tingled at the contact. At once, he broke off his hold on her. “Do not leave yet. Perhaps I go too fast. ’Tis only that I think it best I know as much as possible about your circumstance. You have trouble, I think. I wish to help.”

“Help? Truly? I don’t know. It’s really a matter of trust, isn’t it?” she said. “How do I know I can trust you?”

“Is the article you hope to find so valuable that you cannot tell me anything of it?”

She set her lips into a frown. “Mr. Hawk, you didn’t answer my question. How do I know I can trust you?”

He sighed. “You do not,” he answered honestly. “You will have to decide that for yourself…or not. As the old, wise ones in my country would say, you must trust to your heart.”

She hunched over, hands on her forehead, as though her thoughts were heavy. At last, she lifted her head. “I can’t do that. Not only my heart, but my mind must be involved in any decisions I make regarding this project. But I’ll tell you what I will do. I will strike a bargain with you.”

“A bargain?”

“A trade. If you’ll tell me why you are so interested in what it is I seek, I will tell you what it is my father and I hope to find. If we are, in fact, trying to find anything.”

Silence.