"Does Warrior mind my staying here? What will his wife say?" "She welcomes you. It is good. Be easy, Blue Eyes. My mother is close. She will come with her spoon." He steered Loretta through the doorway. "Warrior? She has come." From out of the shadows Warrior emerged, so dark of skin and hair that for a moment Loretta couldn't discern his features. He was eating something, and before he spoke he pocketed the food in his cheek. She was relieved to see that he wore breeches and wondered if he had donned them in honor of her arrival. "My heart rides with you, " Hunter moved his hands in a light caress down Loretta's arms, then released her. "And mine remains here. , I am going." Loretta felt him move away from her. At the last second she turned. "Hunter--" He paused in the doorway to look back at her. "It is well, Blue Eyes." She heard leather rustle behind her and knew Warrior had drawn near. So tense her neck ached, she glanced over her shoulder to find he was standing close enough to touch her. He didn't. Instead he smiled, a gentle, reassuring smile. Outside, Loretta heard Hunter's horse run past the lodge."