Free Comanche Haven (The Loflin Legacy: Book 1) by Catherine Wolffe Page B

by now,” she said
aloud.
    “ We’ll find
them.”
    ***
    “ Get me off this damn
thing!” the husky voice yelled behind Celia. She turned in the
saddle and peered behind Seth to the sled. Broken Horse wrenched at
the rope binding him. With a frustrated oath, he loosened his bonds
and sat up wobbly.
    “ Well, it’s about time,”
Seth offered as Celia scrambled down.
    Her heart raced as she ran the short
distance. Reaching Broken Horse, she gripped him hard and hugged
him fiercely. “I’m so glad you’re awake. How do you
feel?”
    “ My head hurts like I’ve
been hit with an anvil.” With Celia’s help he stood, but stepped
away once he’d shook his head to clear the cob webs.
    “ How’s your vision?” Celia
waited only a beat before snatching up his wrist to check his pulse
and peer deep into his eyes.
    “ I see a couple of you.” He
grinned at her look of concern. “I’m fine, Celia, really.” He laid
a hand on her shoulder. “Quit mothering me.”
    “ I was worried about you,”
she proclaimed in defense of her attentions.
    Seth gave her an amused cock of his
eyebrow. “I thought he’d wake up when he woke up,” he
chided.
    Irritation flitted across her face when
she cut her eyes at Seth. “It’s just good to see you up and
around,” she told Broken Horse.
    “ Where are your clothes?
What happened?” His features creased in deep lines.
    Celia dropped her gaze to the ground
briefly and waved her hand. “They took my clothes,” she said, shame
painting her face red.
    Seth cut in. “She was attacked. I
happened upon her in the shallows of the creek near the site where
those two discovered you. They had her cornered in the creek and
were about to take her.” Seth lowered his head for a second and
then swore. “I took care of them. Both of them were my men.” He
raised his eyes to meet those of Broken Horse. “They’re
dead.”
    Broken Horse only nodded. Reaching out,
he drew Celia to him.
    She went willingly. Telling herself she
wouldn’t cry, she fought to hold back the wash of emotion rushing
over her. Wiping a stray tear, Celia looked up at her cousin. “I’m
so glad you’re all right.” Clutching his tunic, she rested her head
briefly on his chest.
    Broken Horse turned back to Seth.
“Where are you headed?”
    “ We’re looking for Lone
Eagle’s camp. It’ll be good to have another eye.” Smiling for
Broken Horse, Seth cocked his head in the direction of the horse.
“Want a ride?”
    “ For a little while, til I
get my legs back.” Broken Horse motioned for Celia and they both
saddled up. “We can follow the creek from here. It shouldn’t be
much further,” he assured them.
     

Chapter 3
    Smoke Clouds
    Smoke rose in the sky in alarmingly,
dark clouds. Seth tried to ignore the way the hairs on his neck
raised at the sight such a large cloud of smoke ahead. Crossing the
high ridge, which led down to the creek, he’d spotted it the same
time as the others. Something wasn’t right. As they topped the hill
overlooking the creek, he gauged the distance to be about a half a
mile away.
    Suddenly, Celia slid under Broken
Horse’s arm and off the horse. She landed in a heap but got up
quickly. Without anything to encumber her, Celia flew over the
ground. Down the steep bank, she ran and was at the water’s edge
before Seth had time to react.
    “ Celia, wait!” Seth cursed
as he held out a hand to Broken Horse.
    He took the offer of assistance in
sliding from Sarge’s back.
    The damn woman was going to be the
death of him yet. With Broken Horse’s help, he unhitched the sled
and took off the knapsacks full of supplies while he berated
himself for getting involved in the mother of all
follies.
    “ Easy now…woe, boy.” Seth
patted Sarge, who’d started to skitter with his master’s evident
agitation. When he got his hands on the little fool, she was going
to pay! “I’m sorry, old friend. But I have to go after her. If
you’re scattered over kingdom come when I