Free Hostage Heart by Lindsay McKenna Page A

early this year, I’ll consider it my duty to come and see the new crop of fine youngsters that red stallion of yours is siring. Good night.”
    “Good night, Lieutenant.”
    Frank slouched against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. “You know,” he began hesitantly, “running a ranch this size was hard enough on your father, Lark. It’s an awful big responsibility to heap on a young woman’s shoulders. You’re getting to a good marryin’ age and maybe you ought to think about tying the knot.”
    Lark toyed with the voucher, avoiding Frank’s penetrating gaze. “The blood of my father runs in my veins, Frank. I have his strength as well as that of my mother. I’ll manage.”
    “You have to do more than scrape by, Lark.” He began to pace slowly back and forth in front of the desk. “Cameron’s already claiming how he’s gonna take this ranch away from you. Now, I knew your father for years. He was an honest man who never cheated anyone out of a nickel. A lot of town folk respected him even though they felt it was wrong for him to marry your mother. Roarke earned their respect the hard way, after years of honest and fair dealing with them. But that’s all changed now.”
    He placed his hands flat on the desk, looking down at her. “What I’m trying to say, Lark, is that you’re a woman. Cameron doesn’t respect any woman, but especially not an Indian. You’re the one who’s going to have to ride into town and do business with that carpetbagger. Are you prepared to handle the sneers of men, women’s gossip, and children calling you names when you ride in? I’m sorry to bring this up, but I’ve been hearing this kind of nasty talk for too many years. And with the Yavapai and Tonto Apaches causing havoc all over the area, there’s no love lost right now between the citizens of Prescott and the Indians.”
    Taking a deep breath, Lark steeled herself to face the painful truth he spoke. “My father sometimes mentioned how some townspeople would hurl insults at him.”
    “There were a few, Lark, but not many. If I recall rightly, they were unmercifully cruel to you when you tried to go to that white school when you were a little girl. They spit on you, called you names, and the boys beat you up a couple of times. It wasn’t right that they tormented a defenseless twelve-year-old girl just because she was half Apache.”
    She frowned. “I’ve not forgotten it, Frank.” She clasped her hands and met his worried eyes. “But I don’t have a choice, do I? I’m my father’s daughter. If I don’t ride into Prescott and do the banking and buy new supplies, who can?”
    Frank grimaced. “I’m just trying to prepare you, Lark, that’s all. The people are nervous because of recent Apache attacks. They’re looking to take out their frustration and anger on someone. If you come into town, I don’t know what will happen.”
    “All Apaches revere the wisdom and courage of their women, and it isn’t uncommon for a woman to be a warrior beside her man or to be chosen as a leader. My mother was a woman chief for her tribe, Frank. I’ll pray for her courage.”
    With a slight frown he asked, “Would you like a small Army escort? I’d be happy to provide it.”
    Warmth flowed through Lark and she rose. “Your kindness won’t be forgotten, but no, I’ll ride in alone. You won’t be able to bring in a detachment from the fort each time I come to Prescott. That would cause problems with your Colonel Morgan.” She strove to smile for Frank’s benefit, seeing that he wasn’t convinced she would be safe without his help. “I don’t want to give him another reason to court-martial you.”
    Frank sighed. “I suppose you’re right, purty Apache maiden.” He picked up his hat from the desk. “Walk me to the door?”
    “Yes,” she responded shyly.
    He grinned, setting the hat at a rakish angle on his head and placing his hand on her elbow. “Are you about ready for that marriage proposal I