~Chapter Two: Part III~

                                    

                                          


                          


                          
As I prepared to leave, a pang of sympathy struck me as I looked down at his sweat-coated brow, and I impulsively bent down to kiss him on his cold, smooth, forehead. His eyes had closed, but a smile flickered across his lips. 
                          
Blushing hotly, I got to my feet, gathered my basket, and lifting my skirts up from my ankles —started racing back towards home. Shep had lain down at Red Thunder's side and apparently had chosen to remain with our friend until I got back. I was grateful Red Thunder would have protection and company for the while it would take me to return to him.
                          
My slightly heeled leather boots were not made for running I soon found out when I tripped in yet another prairie dog hole. Through heavy breaths, I let out one of my father's favored curse words that I was not supposed to know, but kept moving. My heart pounded as wildly as my thoughts, hoping and praying I could save my Indian before it was too late.
                          
Finally, I was near enough to sneak around the back of our homestead to the barn. I slid open the big door carefully, as not to alert anyone of my presence, and squeezed through sideways. Jet and Jasper were back in their stalls, happily munching hay, their ebon coats shining in the sunset light. The only way you could tell them apart was by the small white diamond on Jasper's forehead and his back white sock. Jet was solid black.
                          
I chose Jasper, as I tended to favor him more for riding, and slipping his bridle on, I led him out of the barn and into the trees. My father really frowned upon my riding. He said it was unladylike and improper, and besides — simply dangerous. But I didn't give a fig for Papa's thoughts at the moment! An emergency was an emergency.
                          
Iapproached a large, old tree stump that I used as a boost to swing my leg up over Jasper's high back, and pulled myself up. It took a little effort since he was bareback, but I managed to settle myself successfully. I hadn't bothered to saddle him for risk of my patient bleeding on the leather and revealing his presence to my father. Besides, that would only take up more precious time.
                          
We started out at a trot, going far around the house, but as soon as we were out of view and earshot, I urged him into a canter. I clung to his wide barreled body with my legs, skirt flapping out behind me. What an interesting sight we must have made!
                          
After a short while, we approached the area I had left Red Thunder in, weaving between the trees and shrubbery. When I caught sight of Shep's large shaggy form, I slowed Jasper to a walk and halted him a few feet from my Indian. Red Thunder I noticed was looking up at me dazedly, still clinging to consciousness. I couldn't begin to imagine how much pain he was in! Yet he didn't utter a peep.
                          
My cheeks flushed with color as I dismounted, aware that my skirts had hiked up to expose my drawers, but I assured myself that was not important right now. And anyways, Red Thunder may very well not remember it later on.
                          
Kneeling beside the wounded man, I reached a hand out and gently touched his muscled shoulder, my fingers trembling from the tingles that ran up my arm from the contact. "How are you?"
                          
He grunted and replied a little sluggishly, "Fine."
                          
I nodded solemnly and looked up at Jasper, who was happily munching away at a nearby bush. He was so tall! How was I ever going to get Red Thunder up there?
                          
Seeming to sense my dilemma, Red Thunder placed a hand on my thigh to get my attention — which he more than did as a powerful jolt shot through my body at the contact. "I can climb up, with your help."
                          
I blushed bright crimson as he reached an arm out towards me so I could help pull him to his feet. I grabbed him and pulled, groaning from the effort. He was built athletically and not overly tall, but this man certainly had some heft to him! 
                          
Red Thunder leaned against me heavily and I wrapped my arm around his broad chest. I was careful to avoid his bandaged wound as I helped him stumble towards Jasper, who watched us curiously. I am sure Jasper had never seen such a handsome and enigmatic man before either! It must sorely be sin to be as beautiful as Red Thunder was.
                          
Shaking my head to clear it of such distracting thoughts, I helped him struggle onto Jasper as he dragged himself up with his arms and I pushed from behind. Literally from behind. I was mortified to find that the only area I could possible push against was his taut, muscular rump, which was barely concealed by the breechclout.
                          
I scrunched my eyes in embarrassment as I placed my small trembling hands on him, feeling the soft leather, and a bit of warm bare skin as well. I swallowed as I shoved against his behind, my hands kneading into him firmly. He moaned suddenly, and I stopped, worried that I had hurt him.
                          
"Hiyá. I am fine. Keep going," he grunted out, one bronzed leg having finally slung across Jasper's wide back.
                          
Iflushed again (in fact I think my face was in a constant rosy state around him) and did as he said, managing to help him push his body up to center on Jasper's back.
                          
Red Thunder slumped forward onto Jasper's shoulder, breathing heavily, and I bit my lip in concern. There was fresh blood seeping from the bandage, and he would surely faint from blood loss any time.
                          
"Just hold on Red Thunder! I am going to take care of you. You're going to be just fine, you'll see," I reassured both him and myself.
                          
When I saw that my Indian had woven his long fingers into Jasper's mane, anchoring himself, I started to slowly lead the way. I walked beside Jasper, the reins in my hands as I tried to pick the most even path I could find, silently begging my friend to hang on until we reached the barn!