Free Carol Finch by The Ranger

see.” Hawk teased as he scooped her into his arms and then reversed direction.
    “Sorry. The cold and dampness is settling in every sore muscle and is burning every scraped inch of skin,” she admitted. “A decent night’s sleep should do wonders for my disposition.”
    Hawk carried her inside then watched his brother’s stubbled jaw drop to his chest when he got his first look at Shiloh. She gaped in astonishment when she saw Fletch propped against the rock wall.
    “Shiloh, this is my brother, Fletcher Hawk.” He set her carefully on her feet. “As you might have guessed, this is where the Hawks come to roost when they’re in trouble.”
    Shiloh nodded a silent greeting to the brawny man who looked to be suffering from his injury. He was about as pale as a bronze-skinned man could get and the stubble on his jaws was as thick as Hawk’s. Although the family resemblance was obvious, Fletch’seyes were blue. His shoulders were as broad as Hawk’s and his legs as long and muscular. He also wore a dark shirt and breeches like his brother.
    “What happened to you?” she asked as she limped forward.
    “I ran into a nest of outlaws.” Fletch absently rubbed his injured leg. “I took two of them down and kept them there. I winged another one, but the two survivors got away. Not before plugging me in the leg.” He frowned in annoyance as he stared at his wound. “I must be losing my touch, Hawk. Four to one odds were never a problem before.”
    “You’re getting older,” Hawk taunted playfully as he dumped the saddlebags in the corner. “You have to take that into account.”
    “Old? Hell…er…heck. Pardon, ma’am,” he said as he darted Shiloh a quick glance then stared at his brother. “I’m two years younger than you.”
    “Yes, but you were born old,” Hawk teased.
    Fletcher’s ashen face puckered in a mock scowl. “Don’t know why I’m so glad to see you. You always were a nuisance.”
    “Don’t know why I’m glad to see you, either, pest. ”
    Shiloh smiled at the teasing exchange followed by affectionate smiles. It granted her insight into the man that had held himself at an emotional distance most of the day. Rough and tough though Hawk was, he was still capable of affection—for his brother, at least.
    The interaction reminded her of the camaraderie that existed between her and her big brothers. They had delighted in tormenting her, too… Until their parents died and her brothers convinced themselves they were responsible for protecting her. It was then that they focused on teaching her dignified manners and frowned on her hoydenish ways.
    Then they sent her off to New Orleans with instructions to snag herself a sophisticated husband among the Southern gentry. If they hadn’t had her best interest at heart, she’d have clubbed them over the head for trying to make her a proper lady. It would never happen. She’d discovered women in proper society were denied the freedom she thrived on.
    “I’ll bring in the rest of our belongings,” Hawk volunteered. “Shiloh, will you build a fire?”
    She shivered from the chill. “With pleasure.”
    Hawk grabbed the matchbox and an armload of logs then dropped them near the entrance. When he disappeared from sight, Shiloh stacked the logs as her brothers had taught her.
    “That’s not the Apache way,” Fletch commented. “Palefaces don’t know beans about smokeless fires that don’t attract unwanted attention. Spread out the logs a bit, Shiloh, and arrange them in a circular fashion.”
    “And naturally the Apache way is the right way,” she countered, tossing him an impish grin.
    He returned her smile. “It is, if you don’t want the cavern to fill up with smoke and force us out into the rain.”
    Shiloh took his suggestion and rearranged the logs. To her amazement the fire burned clean, giving off little smoke.
    “Where are you from, Shiloh?” Fletch asked as he massaged his injured leg.
    “She won’t say,” Hawk answered