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Gasping for breath, Angelina came to full consciousness. She couldn't seem to find her breath, due to the intense pain ripping through her body. Her back arched off the grass as she bit her lip, trying to quell the panic. Remembering that her beloved slept nearby, she fell silent and slowly found her breath as the pain faded away. Her internal injuries were knitted back together and her skin grew flawless once more, for the forty-seventh time. The cares of the world came flooding back and she remembered everything that had happened, including Adam's words as she had faded away. He had been so distraught...could he really love her? She struggled to push herself up on her elbows and looked over to her left. Her hand was still held loosely in his grasp. She smiled, turning onto her side towards him. Only one thing mattered to her in this moment, that being the love that was held in her heart which overcame any other doubts.
She smoothed the errant strands of hair away from his forehead and whispered, "Adam? Darling, wake up, it's me...I'm here, my sweet. Everything will be alright."
At first he didn't respond but when she spoke softly again and kissed his forehead, he stirred. His fingers tightened upon hers and his eyes slowly blinked open. With his free hand, he rubbed his forehead and she watched with a smile, waiting until he would see her there. A quiet moan issued from his chest and his eyes closed again, his face set into a mask of denial. He did not want to wake up and was going to be stubborn. Her smile grew wider as one of his most endearing qualities came to light.
"My love, look at me. We need to talk. I am right here, have no worry," she murmured, pressing a hand to his shoulder.
As if having been burned, Adam scrambled away so fast as to startle her. His chest heaved with gasps, his face showed pure unbelief and tremors passed through his body. He pushed himself away, scooting on his rump and shaking his head. Terror remained in his wide eyes as she became motionless, sitting up with a hand outstretched toward him. When he stopped scrambling, they stared at one another for the longest time. His gaze traveled over her healed body and she could read his thoughts upon his stunned features. She knew that her next move would be crucial; he needed to be handled with the utmost care. She rose as slowly as possible, her hands reaching out to him.
"How...how are you alive?" he asked, cringing away as she knelt by his side. "Am I dreaming all of this? I must be still be out of it..."
She smiled, reaching out a hand to place over his heart. He jumped at the contact, his breath coming in short draws. His frightened gaze was raised to meet her calm one. She leaned down, her lips hovering over his. "My darling, this is real. All of it is absurd, I know, but you are okay and I am okay," she tried to calm him. "It is alright, Adam. It is more than alright."
His shaking gradually subsided and when he relaxed, she placed her cheek upon his, whispering her love into his ear. She caressed him with all the love in her heart, slipping her hand to the back of his neck. Awed unbelief still could be found in his hazel eyes and she wanted sorely to kiss him. Thinking that he was ready, she tilted her head closer. But before their lips touched, she felt him tense considerably and he grabbed her arms tightly, halting her approach.
Again feeling guilt, Angelina knew him to still be in shock. Backing off, she sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees. He stared at her for a time then struggled to his feet and began to pace upon the stream's edge. Patient to let him process what was happening, she watched his husky figure and took a deep breath to calm herself. A fear began to rise and she wondered if the right choice had been made. Her last intention was to cause him more pain and her own selfishness was causing his confusion now. But she couldn't see any other path to follow. Her life was on the line.
I* * * * *I
Sitting on a large rock by the stream, Adam stared blankly into the running water and tried to make sense of what was before him. His heart raced, the front of his shirt fluttering as he looked over to the beautiful creature watching him from several yards away. He began to doubt his own sanity for perhaps she hadn't really died. Perhaps she had only fallen into unconsciousness and then had woken up but all of her injuries were gone. What of that bizarre fact?
He was a man who took comfort in hard logic and was adept at distinguishing between fact or fiction. For the first time in his life, those skills were failing him and he had nowhere to turn. Then there was the entire issue of the wrecked cabin, the cause of her injuries and what had really happened hours earlier. He regretted not having the presence of mind to look around but he had been too caught up with her trauma.
The rustle of cloth drew near and he rose quickly, spinning to find her there, a concerned look on her face. His heart softened and he couldn't help smiling for there was this perfect creature before him. Perhaps she didn't die after all and it had all been but a nightmare while he slept. That explanation made his headache ease somewhat so he gave himself over to that logic. A lightness returned to his soul and he stepped closer to her. He placed his hands at her waist, felt the firmness of her body and flicked his eyes over her exquisite beauty. A desire swept over him and he dipped his head to claim a kiss. Teasing her soft lips apart gently, he eased her into a passionate embrace that pressed their two bodies together. He sensed her willingness, the abandonment with which she returned his love. Reluctantly breaking the kiss, he saw her to be stunned as those blue eyes stared, wide with wonder. A smile spread over his face as he raised a hand to play with a stray curl by her ear.
"My dearest Reda, I have never meant a woman like you before in all of my thirty-five years," he whispered, watching her expression closely as he ventured into unknown territory. He sensed that there was a chance she may accept his forthcoming offer. On a whim, he took hold of her two small hands between his own larger ones. "I know that we haven't known each other very long but I want to take care of you. Could I take you down the mountain and show you all of the beauty and richness that can be found in this world? Would you do me the honor of allowing me to take care of you?"
She didn't respond at first, only stared at him. Then her eyes filled with tears. He found himself caught up in a gentle hug and choked by his own dismay. At length, she parted from him and lowered her head. She rubbed her thumbs over his knuckles, staring at his fingers. He grew uncomfortable, a pit settling in his stomach. She looked up and he saw her eyes were glistening with tears.
"My dearest, there is much you do not know about me. I have not been honest with you."
"What do you mean, Reda? If you are trying to deter me again, I won't oblige you. You intrigue me too much to leave now," he smiled but she shook her head solemnly and stood, taking his hand. With confident strides, she led him toward the cabin and a horrible sense of foreboding filled him as he looked to the cabin for the first time. All of the events had been real and the revelation sent his mind reeling.
I* * * * *I
Angelina tried to stifle her fear as she led Adam around the side of the building. She released his hand to bend down and begin to dig through the rubble, attempting to find the dead mountain lion. Pulling up one last splintered plank, the discovery was made and she heard a gasp. Adam was at her side immediately, moving away the other debris. Then he sat on his haunches and stared down at the carcass. He looked up at her and then back at the animal.
"I don't understand...is that what attacked you? How did you kill it? Why are you showing me this?" he asked quickly, his questions cascading. Then he stopped short and stared intensely at her abdomen, where the flawless skin of her side was still on display through her torn robe. He reached out a shaking hand and touched the spot where he had tried to hold back the blood before she had...died. His eyes snapped back to her face and he stood, backing away slowly. "You DID die! You were covered in scratches, gashes and blood...your stomach was ripped open...it looked like a mauling but...what happened here?"
She stood straight, rooted to the spot while watching him come to terms with the unbelievable evidence. Her heart went out to him but knew that the shock had only just begun. She began to step out of the debris and walk toward him but he backed away again, fear crossing his rugged features. Stopping her advance, she sighed with a heavy heart. A sound a far off caught her ears and she closed her eyes, turning her head to catch the curiosity. Then she regarded her love once more and spoke quietly, gesturing toward the sound that only she could hear.
"Adam, your friend is waiting for you down the mountain. He is making camp and preparing the evening meal. If you want to join him then please go. You will never again have to see my face again. But if you stay, I will explain everything until you are satisfied. Then you can decide whether to be disgusted or not and I will have a choice for you to make.
But first, you must choose whether to stay or leave."
Tears filled her eyes as she turned and entered the shed from which was coming Cole's whinnies. The stallion was distressed inside, pawing the floor of his expansive stall and craning his neck over the half-door. The horse fell silent when his straining nose caught the scent of his mistress. He stood quietly, his brown eyes large and unblinking as she leaned against the closed man-door. She listened, hoping against hope that the sound of Adam's footsteps would be coming after her but instead, they were retreating. She heard him collect his horse and both the footsteps and hoofbeats faded into nothing.
A sob caught in her throat and she stumbled over to Cole's stall and entered therein. The stallion lowered his head as she reached up and hugged his neck. Her knees buckled as grief overcame her and she slid to the hay-strewn floor. Burying her head in her hands, she cried until the tears wouldn't come. With a deep grunt and a groan, Cole lay down next to her and rested his huge head against her shoulder. She collapsed back against his side and stared at nothing...for there really was nothing to be found in a blackened world. He was gone and would never return.
I* * * * *I
As Adam walked firmly, his shoulders hunched and his right hand stuffed into his pocket, his thoughts raced. But his doubts were not about what course he should take for that decision had already been made. No, his conflicted heart was full of self-loathing. He kicked at a stone, watching it bounce down the trail. Something about this entire ordeal felt wrong, as if he had caused Reda's pain in some way. He had seen the tears in her eyes when she had turned away but he hadn't gone after her. What kind of a man was he to not comfort a woman in crisis? His pa had raised him better than that. Like a coward, he had left her, all the while with the intention of returning but never speaking of that important fact. Was he trying to give himself a way out should his mind be changed?
His thoughts turned to the dilemma in front of him and a few details surfaced, ones that left him reeling with their absurdity. His steps halted and he twisted to look back through the trees. Questions poured forth, ending in faint whispers as he tried to work out who or what this woman really was. He continued walking, the steady drum of his boot heels creating a beacon upon which his concentration could alight. He reasoned, argued, confronted and puzzled but there were no true answers to be found. He would have to return and ask the subject of his agonies.
His mind further resigned to the task ahead, he broke into a run, pulling Sport along behind. The wagon and team came into sight, along with his brother who was sitting by a small campfire. A startled look passed over Hoss' face as he grabbed his rifle and stood. Adam slowed his pace and tried to catch his breath so as to speak but it was Hoss who spoke first.
"Adam, what happened now? Are you alright? Are you hurt?" he asked, reaching out a hand to catch his brother's arm in his tight grip.
Adam found his voice at last but he knew not how to explain what had happened. "Hoss, I can't explain fully right now but Reda is alive! Something miraculous has happened but I don't understand it. I need to go back and let her explain but I can't have you waiting here for me. Please go home but say nothing to Joe or Pa about any of this. Just tell them that I will be coming along soon."
"Have you lost your mind or somethin'? You're talking in tongues, man. The little gal is WHAT?"
"Reda is alive and well, Hoss!" Adam exclaimed excitedly, not believing the truth himself. "Listen, you have to go home and let me handle this. I'll follow soon, hopefully with her by my side."
"No, you don't, I ain't leaving you out here all alone with a crazy female!"
"But, Hoss..."
"Don't you 'but, Hoss' me, older brother. Pa told me to look after you and by gum if I'm going to do jest that! You go on back if you want to but I'm going to be right here in case you need help," Hoss commanded, a hard look transforming his gentle features. He turned, plopped back down by the fire and crossed his arms over his massive chest.
Stunned, Adam stood where he was. A smile began to grow over his face and he shrugged. "Thank you, Hoss. Sometimes, I forget how stubborn you really are."
"Dang right I am and don't you forget it again," Hoss snorted with derision but couldn't stop his own smile. Concern touched his eyes as he looked up at his brother. "Take care, Adam. I'll be waiting here for as long as it takes. Then all three of us can head on back and put Pa's mind at ease."
Without another word, Adam nodded and walked to Sport who was grazing lazily nearby. Mounting up, he held the prancing gelding in check and silently raised a hand of farewell. Horse and rider moved as one, jumping into a brisk canter, up the trail and out of sight.