Free T'on Ma by Magnolia Belle Page A

five minutes, they were both mounted and on their way. Nathan managed to convince the impatient warrior to stop by the house to let his parents know what had happened.

    * * *

    "Pa!" Nathan yelled as they rode into the yard over an hour later.
    "Yeah!" Joshua hurried outside along with the rest of the family.
    "Centas Yi and I are going after her. He says Apache got her."
    "Oh, no! Please, no." May held her apron up to her face, her worst fears realized.
    "Why don't you go find the lieutenant, Pa? Maybe he can help, too."
    "Why don't I go with Centas Yi?" Joshua countered. "It's too dangerous for you."
    "Who is the lieutenant going to listen to? Me - or Lana's father? And, as for dangerous, I don't have a wife and kids. You do."
    "All right, son." He conceded to the logic and then turned to May. "Get them some food. I'll get a canteen."
    Within ten minutes, Nathan had food, water, a blanket, and more bullets and powder for his rifle. As Two Hawks waited on his horse, May walked over to him and, laying a hand on his knee, looked up into his face.
    "You bring T'on Ma back to us. Please."
    He understood her words as well as her eyes. Nodding once, he touched his heart, letting her know he would bring her back or die in the effort. "I will find La-nah." May was so upset, she didn't even wonder at his English.
    The two young men rode out in the early afternoon, desperate to make up lost time.

Chapter 11 - A Very High Price

    Lana spent an uncomfortable first night with her captors. They tied her, sitting up, to a tree. Something in the trunk stuck in the middle of her back, making sleep almost impossible. One of the Apache took pity on her and offered her water and some of the foulest tasting 'bread' (she had no idea what else to call it) that she had ever eaten. But it would have to do. After most of them had settled down to sleep, a second Apache walked over to stand in front of her, staring contemptuously down at her. He took another step closer and leaned over. Lana wondered what he wanted, but someone called him back before she ever found out.
    Lana spent the next day in the same fashion as the previous afternoon. Only now, her family and Two Hawks knew she was in trouble. Now, Two Hawks was on the hunt. If she had only known...
    Lana trudged behind the horse, walking slightly to one side. Falling once, she was dragged several yards over grass, rocks and thorns before she managed to make it back on her feet. They would not stop for her.
    Trying to keep her spirits up, she silently talked to herself, her face and tongue still swollen from the kick she received the day before.
    You know, it could be worse. This could be August with no water and nothing but a hundred degree heat. She took a few steps. I wonder if they know I'm gone? Tripping, she caught herself and kept walking. Of course they know I'm gone! They knew last night . After a few more weary steps, she thought,
    So, that means Pa is on his way. Goodness, I'd hate to be them when he finds us.
She smiled secretly to herself at that. Pa's temper was rare, but a thing to be marveled at when it erupted.
    I am so thirsty!
She licked her dry lips wistfully.
    What I wouldn't give for some lemonade right now!
Looking at the back of one of her captors, she continued.
    I wonder if he even knows what lemonade is? Probably not.
Then, in order to keep from driving herself crazy, she began designing a new dress - a new dress for a party. No. A dance. Yes, a new dress for a dance. Picking out colors and laces and buttons kept her mind busy for a good long while.
    * * *

    Nathan expected Two Hawks to slowly track the Apache band and was surprised when, instead, he took off at a steady lope, as if he knew where the Apache were going. They traveled at this distance-eating pace for quite a while before Two Hawks stopped to rest and water the horses.
    "You seem to know where we're headed," Nathan said as he slid down from his horse. Two Hawks just nodded once, not understanding