Chapter 5 - The Man She Was Supposed to Marry
Keme entered the ranch yard without lowering his gaze from Elias.
He was tall, controlled, and carried himself with the confidence of someone accustomed to being obeyed.
Naya spoke rapidly in Apache.
Keme answered.
Their exchange grew sharper.
Elias looked at Mateo.
“Translation?”
Mateo hesitated.
“You may not enjoy it.”
“Try me.”
“Keme says she belongs with her people.”
Elias's jaw tightened.
“She doesn't belong to anybody.”
Mateo translated.
Keme looked directly at Elias.
Then spoke.
“He says you misunderstand.”
“What did I misunderstand?”
Mateo listened.
“He says Naya was promised to him before her father's death.”
Elias looked toward her.
Naya met his eyes.
“True?”
She nodded.
Something unexpectedly unpleasant tightened inside his chest.
He ignored it.
“Then why did you call me your husband?”
Naya struggled for the words.
“Promise ended.”
“Why?”
“Keme left.”
Keme snapped something angrily.
Naya answered just as fiercely.
Mateo sighed.
“Keme says he left to find help. Naya believed he abandoned her when Calder attacked.”
Elias stepped backward.
“This is between you two.”
Naya caught his arm.
“No.”
Elias looked down at her hand.
“No?”
She shook her head.
“Keme good man.”
Keme seemed surprised.
“But not husband.”
Then she pointed toward Elias.
“You.”
Elias rubbed his forehead.
“Naya, rescuing you doesn't make me your husband.”
She stared at him.
“Why?”
“Because marriage isn't a debt.”
That silenced everyone.
Elias continued.
“You don't owe me yourself because I helped you.”
Naya's expression slowly changed.
He touched his chest.
“If you ever choose somebody, choose because you want him. Not because he saved you.”
Naya looked at him for a long moment.
Then she said softly, “I choose.”
Elias stopped breathing.
Before she could say more, a shot echoed from the ridge.
One of Keme's horses fell.
Chaos erupted.
Calder's men.
Keme and Elias reacted together.
Both pulled weapons.
Both moved to protect Naya.
The attack lasted minutes.
Calder's riders withdrew after realizing the ranch was defended.
But they left something behind.
A burning arrow had landed in the barn.
Flames climbed rapidly.
Everyone rushed to save the horses.
Naya ran inside after hearing a trapped animal.
“Naya!” Elias shouted.
He followed.
Smoke filled the barn.
He found her struggling with a frightened mare.
Together they freed it.
A beam crashed behind them.
Their exit vanished.
“Naya!”
She coughed.
Elias spotted a side window.
He lifted her through first.
Then climbed out.
They collapsed in the dirt.
Keme arrived.
He helped Naya up.
Then looked at Elias.
For the first time, hostility disappeared.
Keme extended his hand.
Elias took it.
No words were necessary.
Later, as the barn smoldered, Keme spoke privately with Naya.
When they finished, he mounted his horse.
Before leaving, he approached Elias.
His English was better than Elias expected.
“She chose.”
Elias looked at him.
“Keme—”
“Do not make her regret.”
Then he rode away.
Elias found Naya watching him leave.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
A pause.
Then she added, “Sad.”
“You cared about him.”
“Yes.”
Elias respected that answer.
Naya looked at him.
“But caring not choosing.”
“No.”
She stepped closer.
“Now understand?”
“Understand what?”
Her eyes softened.
“I say husband because old teaching. Now…”
She touched his chest.
“I say because choice.”
Elias's defenses cracked.
For one dangerous second, he wanted to kiss her.
Then Thomas shouted from the house.
They turned.
He held the ledger.
“Calder's changed plans.”
“How do you know?”
Thomas pointed toward a message tied to the arrow that had burned the barn.
Elias read it.
COME TO RED CREEK WITH THE PAPERS.
OR THE CHILDREN DIE.
Mateo's grandchildren lived in Red Creek.
Calder had taken them.
May you like
And by sunrise, he wanted Naya.
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