"Ty," John said with genuine warmth. "I'm so glad you came. I've been wanting to talk to you.
Tykota's hand slipped to Makinna's wrist, and he gripped her possessively. When he spoke to his friend, his voice was cold with anger. "We will talk at a later time. Right now, I want to see Makinna-alone."
Makinna wondered why his voice was so angry, and why he was ignoring the major. "You recall Major Halloway, Tykota," she said, hoping he would remember his manners.
Tykota heard the tone of her voice, and he knew what she was implying. "I remember him." He answered, dropping his hand to her waist.
Makinna was shocked by his rudeness.
"Come with me," Tykota said, and it was not a request-it was an order.
She hesitated for only a moment. Why was Tykota acting so strangely? She turned to the other gentlemen. "You will excuse me."
Tykota stalked away, leading Makinna down the veranda steps and across the path that led to the corrals.
The major took a chivalrous step forward. "Do you want to go with this man, Miss Hillyard?"
John reached out and restrained the major. "This is between them," he said in a low voice. "She is in no danger and needs no assistance from us."
"But that Indian-"
"I'll explain it to you later. I want to speak to his mother."
The major reluctantly followed John toward the front door, but he cast one final glance in Tykota and Makinna's direction, "Surely he forced Miss Hillyard to accompany him."
John held the door open. "As I said, Miss Hillyard is in no danger from Ty. I have reason to believe he loves her."
"But he's an Indian!"
John stared into the darkness that had already swallowed Tykota and Miss Hillyard. "Sometimes I believe he's more civilized than any of us. Put your mind at ease-Ty would never harm a woman."
Makinna was feeling somewhat as she had when Tykota had whisked her away from Adobe Springs and into the desert without so much as a by-your-leave. At first, when she'd seen him tonight, she had been overjoyed. But she would not tolerate his demanding ways. After all, he had rejected her utterly, and she no longer had to depend on him for her survival. And she certainly hadn't needed rescuing from Major Halloway or Mr. Kincaid.
What was he doing? Why was he here tonight?
He led her past the corral and toward the barn.
"Where are you taking me?" she demanded, trying to pry his fingers from her hand.
"Where I can speak to you without being interrupted." He flung the barn door open and pushed her inside.
"It's dark in here," she said when he released her hand.
He lit a lantern and replaced it on a hook. Then he turned slowly toward her, silently assessing her. He had never seen her look more beautiful. Her hair was pulled away from her face and covered by some kind of sparkling net. The gown fit snugly about her small waist, and he frowned when he saw that the tops of her breasts were visible. It angered him when he realized that the other men had seen her this way, too.
"Why were you with John and that army officer? Did it ever occur to you that you were encouraging them?"
His face was half in shadows, but she could tell he was angry, and she didn't know why. "We were only talking. What do you mean?"
"I think you know."
Where she had only been confused by his actions before, now she became angry. "How dare you imply that I behaved improperly! Major Halloway and Mr. Kincaid were complete gentlemen. Which is more than I can say for you."
He flinched as if she'd struck him. "I have never aspired to be a gentleman."
"Well, if you had, you would have failed miserably."
"I am not the one who acted in an unbecoming manner."
She put her hands on her hips, glaring at him. "And just how did I do that?"
"You were alone with two gentlemen."
"No, I was not alone with two gentlemen! There was a houseful of people within the sound of my voice. I was alone with a man when I trekked across the desert with you. Was that wrong?" She moved closer to him, staring angrily into his eyes. "Who made you the keeper of my morals?"
He looked frustrated, but his own anger had not lessened. "Did you allow them to put their hands on you?"
"I-what!"
"Did the major want to kiss you? Did he touch you?"
His outrageous questions deserved no answer, but she made one anyway. "I danced with him, but he made no improper advances toward me. He was talking to me about the woman he is going to marry, Tykota. He is in love with a woman named Saber Vincente!"
Tykota spoke harshly. "I know Noble Vincente. I do not believe he would allow his sister to marry a mere soldier, and one in a blue uniform at that."