“Could that happen?”
“What reason would a powerful government have to give over settled and valuable land?”
“Aye, that I understand. Hopefully it won’t cause troubles here.”
“Hopefully.”
“Maybe you ought to come with me, do the introductions.”
Ella glanced over at the herd her cousin had brought. Nathan was behind the last of the horses to go into the pasture. One of his men swung closed the gate and latched it.
“Looks like it’s too late.”
“Not if you ride with me.” Tiernan removed his left foot from the stirrup. “Get on.”
Ella hesitated but Tiernan gestured for her to mount behind him. Tossing caution to the wind, she slipped her foot into the stirrup and bounced upward, catching him around the waist to anchor herself as she threw her free leg over the horse’s back.
He took off immediately, and as her breasts pressed into his back, Ella realized her mistake. Her head went light and her pulse started to race and she felt that uncomfortable connection with him yet again. And from the way he suddenly stiffened in the saddle, she expected he felt it, too.
What did this mean? Her being light-headed and disconnected from everything but him? She felt as if she were converging with him somehow—not here, but on another plane.
Distracted by the discomfort and weird thoughts, Ella didn’t realize one of Nathan’s men was yelling about something in Lakota until Tiernan stopped near the pastures. Even though she was an expert in Lakota history, she’d spoken nothing but English since leaving the rez. Even so, she caught some of the words. Something about a curse. Then the man looked her way and his face curdled in contempt. She didn’t recognize him, but he pointed at her and said she was the one.
“What’s going on?” Tiernan asked.
“I—I don’t know.”
And then she did. Scratched into the fence posts that joined the two pastures was a raven’s track.
Chapter Four
“What is he talking about?” Tiernan asked, glancing back to see that Ella’s face had gone white.
“Superstition,” she said, but he knew there was more to it than she was willing to admit.
“Jacob, back to the rez,” Ella’s cousin ordered.
Jacob kept his eyes on Ella as he backed up and got hold of his horse. He kept staring at her even as he mounted and rode off.
Tiernan could feel Ella’s horror. Her arms were still wound around his waist. He had that feeling again, same as the day before, something he didn’t want to recognize. Still, sensing she was close to panicking, he tried to comfort her by placing his free arm over hers and clasping one of her hands. And then he called up peaceful thoughts and concentrated on that and gradually felt her calm down.
An imposing figure, Nathan Lantero walked over to them, stopping near Ella. “Don’t worry about Jacob,” he told her. “I’ll speak with him.”
“Do you think it will do any good?”
“It’s only a sign, Ella. Nothing bad happened. What will he be able to tell The People? Nothing.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Not wanting to dismount and break the fragile bond he had with Ella, Tiernan stayed fast as he addressed the other horseman.
“Looks like you and I will be working together, wrangling horses for this film. Tiernan McKenna.” He held out his hand for a shake.
Dark eyes seared him as if trying to look through him, to make him retreat, or at least look away first. Tiernan didn’t so much as shift in the saddle. There was something to this Nathan beyond what he could see, only he couldn’t put his finger on what. He trusted his instincts, though—psychic or otherwise—and they were all on alert.
Finally, the other man reached out and took his hand. “Nathan Lantero. Ella’s cousin, though she’s probably already told you who I am. What’s an Irishman doing in the wilds of South Dakota?”
“Working with horses, same as I would do back home,” Tiernan said, getting everything and yet nothing from the contact with the man, as if Nathan were blocking him. “Well, in a manner of speaking,” he qualified. “In Ireland I trained Thoroughbreds. And I’m here in this area because the Farrells are blood.”
“Good people,” Nathan said, pulling his hand free. “I used to work for Kate’s husband, Chase, on the refuge.”
“But you quit?”
“I had more pressing interests.”
Though his curiosity was piqued, Tiernan didn’t ask Nathan to explain what those interests might be. “I shall be seeing you, then.” He nodded to one of the trailers. “Right now, I need to be getting the tack shop set up.”
Nathan simply inclined his head.
Tipping his hat in return, Tiernan signaled Red Crow to go back the way they’d come. He waited a bit before saying to Ella, “So your cousin worked for the refuge.”
“I didn’t even know that. He was barely eighteen when Mother brought us back to Sioux Falls, and then Grandmother said he went to California, to go to school and to live with his father’s people.”
“But he returned here. His pressing interests in the Black Hills?”
Ella didn’t look thrilled about the fact. Tiernan supposed she feared the activists could start a war over their holy land. He hoped not. He hadn’t forgotten the troubles in Ireland. He wouldn’t wish that violence and fear on anyone.
As they approached the trailers, he asked, “Where should I drop you?”
“The parking lot would be best since I was on my way out when I saw you.”
When Ella dismounted near her SUV, Tiernan felt an inexplicable sense of loss. He couldn’t say why, but he wasn’t ready to let her go.
“I’m wondering if we could get together later,” he said. “Maybe have a drink.” When her expression shifted to one of caution, as if she was searching for reasons to decline, he wheedled, “I think we should talk more about what happened yesterday, don’t you? Besides, I wouldn’t be knowing anyone here but relatives.”
Ella’s expression cleared. “Sure. A drink. I could meet you in town this evening about eight? A place called Red Butte Saloon.”
“I will be there.”
Tiernan smiled down at Ella and he kept himself from giving her a wink. She reminded him of a deer poised to flee at the slightest hint of danger.
There was danger enough around them—he was certain of that, no matter what the deputy had claimed—reason enough for him to keep Ella close.
***
Ella centered herself before entering. The Red Butte Saloon had a purposely Old West feel and its bar was of black walnut, massive and hand-carved, a long mirror along the back wall making the place look twice as big. The walls themselves were lined with wood paneling and decorated with Western and Native American memorabilia.
Part of Ella wished that Tiernan wouldn’t be there, while another part looked forward to seeing him again. Beyond his being attractive and charming—he was definitely both—he interested her and she couldn’t quite say why.
Tiernan had gotten there before her and didn’t see her come in. He stood at the bar, beer in hand, with a group of men. She doubted he knew them—at least he’d said he only had family here—but they were talking and laughing as if they were old friends. She guessed he could charm men, too.