Chapter 15

“Hey,” she whispered while softly stroking his face.

He opened his eyes and looked at her, the strong planes of his face softening to a satisfied smile. “Hey, yourself.”

“Don’t you think we better be gettin’ back to the ranch?” She looked up toward the sky. “Looks likethe sun’s goin’ down. It’s done past suppertime, you know. The others might be gettin’ a little hungry by now.”

“Supper? Now that you mention it I could go for a big plate of red beans and cornbread. Got anything like that in that kitchen of yours?”

“Would Southern Fried Chicken do as well?”

“Sure would,” he said as he pulled her up with him, and then held her close as they walked arm-in-arm back to the ranch. As the sun sank below the horizon, an impression of four beautiful bodies embellished the bank.

* * * *

Supper that night was a strained silence until suddenly they heard something outside. Reno quickly leapt up and looked out. “It’s an Indian!”