With a quick nod, she stood and laid her hand over his dirty coat sleeve. Leaning forward, she placed a quick kiss on his cheek. His short stubble tickled her lips. Biting back a smile when his face flamed red again, she whispered, “Be safe yourself—and thank you.”
He mumbled something unintelligible under his breath as he ducked his head and hurried away.
Propped up on one elbow, Clay watched the beautiful woman lean forward and kiss the soldier on the cheek. He recognized the girl from the few times he’d awakened to find her caring for him. With her attention on the soldier, he took a few moments to study her. She was truly beautiful. Her long dark brown hair was pulled back in a messy braid that hung down the middle of her back. Like the Indians surrounding them, she was too thin. An
