Tykota's Woman(21)

She closed her eyes and could almost feel his fingers on her face.

"No," she cried, burying her face in her hands. Oh, if only she had remained in New Orleans. If only she had never started out on this ill-fated journey.





Makinna jerked awake, disoriented, her eyes wide with fear, her heart pounding. As she got her bearings, she crawled from beneath the shelter Tykota had cunningly erected to protect her from the punishing sun, then stood, stretching her cramped muscles. It was almost sundown, and there was no sign of Tykota.

Again, she feared he'd left her there to die. She turned in every direction, searching for any sign of him. But he had not left even a footprint for her to follow.

"It is time for us to leave."

At the sound of his voice Makinna whirled around to find him standing right behind her. Her stomach tightened in a knot of fear.

Beneath the dying sun, Tykota gazed into Makinna's eyes and saw more than he wanted to see. He saw pain, uncertainty, and fear. She didn't trust him. It was him she feared.

She stepped quickly away from him, hiding her trembling hands behind her back. "I thought you had left me."

He glowered at her, then turned away to gaze at the sky. "Why would I bring you this far, only to leave you?"

She had no answer. "I'm thirsty."

"I am sorry, Makinna, but you drank the last of the water this morning. There is a water hole nearby, but it is unfit for drinking. You will have to wait until we reach the springs." He gauged the position of the sun and then turned his gaze to the distant hills. "We should reach the springs by full sunrise."

Makinna's footsteps lagged as she rounded a huge sandstone rock and glanced out over the endless dry desert plains. She could not go on. The sun was barely up, but already the heat was as punishing as the inside of an oven. She stumbled and fell and simply didn't have enough strength to regain her footing. She stayed there, with a sob building in her parched throat.

"What kind of a man are you?" she cried out. "You aren't even human. Don't you ever falter or suffer any kind of weakness? Don't you ever get tired, hungry, or thirsty?"

She raised her head and watched him disappear. Would he leave her here to die? She was just too exhausted to go any farther.

She lay her head on the sand, her body and spirits drained. She would never leave this spot. She would die here, and someone, years from now, would find her bleached bones. She closed her eyes, waiting, almost welcoming death to take her.

But that was not to be. A shadow fell across her face, and she glanced up to see Tykota standing over her. Why didn't he just go away and allow her to die in peace?

Instead of rebuking her, as she expected he bent down and gathered her into his strong arms. Limply, she laid her head against his shoulder, too tired to protest or even care.

The sun was so hot, she could hardly breathe. She felt she was being consumed by flames. And she was so weak.

"Do not go to sleep on me, Makinna. There is water just over that next hill. Look, you can see it in the distance. You have to stay awake until we get there."

If she had the strength, she'd defy him and throw his demands back in his face, she thought wearily. He could not order her to stay awake no matter how many times he demanded it of her. She was only vaguely aware that he was walking very fast, and she wondered where he found the energy.

Tykota could barely feel Makinna's breath against his neck. If he didn't get her to water soon, she would die. His strength must not fail him now; he could not lose her. She had trudged along, uncomplaining; even when she was weary unto death. He had sensed by her defense of him at Adobe Springs that she was an extraordinary woman. Now he knew it to be true. What was more, she had feared him then, and she feared him now. But that night at Adobe Springs, her kindness had been stronger than her fear. And her courage had carried her farther than most women could have managed.

No, he could not let her die.

Makinna thought she must be dreaming when she felt cool water wash over her. Opening her eyes, she met Tykota's gaze. The water was real! Tykota had waded into a spring with her in his arms.

He gently set her on her feet, supporting her with one hand while he cupped the other, filled it with water, then held it up to her mouth. She dipped her head and drank thirstily.

"Not too much at first. Take small sips," he instructed. He dipped his hand into the water once more and offered her another drink.

In no time Makinna felt revived enough to duck down and allow the water to wash over her head. Laughing weakly, she came up for air. "I wish this was deep enough to swim in."

Tykota watched her in fascination as she shook water from her hair and pushed wet strands out of her face. "Do you swim?"