Shea tried to be happy with the decision. Shereally did. It was very close to what she wanted. They would beleaving one way or another tomorrow.
Her eyes turned to the window.
A feeling in her gut said tomorrow would betoo late. That whatever everybody was waiting for would havearrived.
When she was finished, Shea carried her plateto the kitchen and scooped the scraps into the garbage beforeplacing the plate in the sink. Chairs scraped across the floor asthe others rose and began to clear the table.
“Guess you’re pleased that the boy is dancingon your strings,” Paul said, shouldering her aside. He looked herup and down, his eyes lingering at her breasts and hips beforecurling his lip in disgust. “You must have a cunt of gold toinfluence the ladies’ man of Birdon Leaf. And here we all thoughtyou were some type of ice princess.”
Shea blinked at the man in disbelief. Beforeshe could say anything, much less act. Witt grabbed Paul by theback of the neck and slammed him face first into the woodcountertop. There was a whine of pain as Witt leaned close andground the man’s face further into the wood.
“You must be some kind of stupid, boy, to bepulling this shit on a pathfinder. The very person responsible forgetting us through rough country. If she wanted to, she could leadus into a beast’s nest and leave us there. Nobody would ever knowwhat happened to you.” There was another groan as Witt picked himup and slammed him back down. “The amount of disrespect for bothour pathfinder and the expedition leader that I just heard come outof your mouth infuriates me. I hear something like that from anyoneelse in this party, and you won’t have to worry about what she doesbecause I’m going to rip the tongue from your head and present itto your mama so she has something to remember you by.”
Shea’s mouth hung open as Witt stepped backand shoved Paul in the direction of the stairs. It was the most shehad ever heard the man speak at one time.
And it seemed he wasn’t finished.
“I’m tired of the bullshit you lot pulled onthe journey here.” Witt pointed to where the rest, with theexception of Dane, watched with gaping bewilderment. “When apathfinder tells you how it’s going to be, you listen. You don’tquestion; you don’t argue. Same goes for when it’s coming from anexpedition leader. You got issues with an order, you shut yourmouth and take it up with the elders when we get home. The nextperson who steps out of line, I will put back in it. I guaranteeyou won’t like how I do it.”
Having said what he needed to say, Witt gaveShea a firm nod and strode out of the room. Silence fell as the menlooked from one to another as if to ask what had just happened.Shea, for her part, stared in bemusement after him.
She started when Dane appeared besideher.
“I’m sorry for what Paul said.”
She blinked up at him and then scowled. “Why?You’re not the one who said it, and I know you never insinuatedanything like it either.”
He gave her a small smile. “Still, it was outof line.”
“That seems to be happening a lot lately,”Shea muttered, massaging her neck with one hand.
“The elders don’t like you, and the rest ofthe village follows their lead.”
“I just don’t know what I did to cause thismuch hostility.”
He shrugged. “You’re a woman, and they wereexpecting a much different sort of pathfinder. It doesn’t help thatyou’re the type of person you are.”
Shea’s head lifted, and she shot him a darklook. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re quiet. You say something and expectwhat you say to be followed but don’t explain why.” He held up hishands when she opened her mouth to defend herself. “I know. To you,it’s obvious. To them, it’s anything but, and they need thatexplanation. Both the elders and the villagers fear anythingoutside Birdon Leaf’s walls. That’s not the case for you. Youunderstand what’s out there and don’t fear it. For them, it’s thisscary place where danger lurks. They don’t like that, and they hateadmitting they’re afraid. Then this little slip of a girl tellsthem how things are going to be but doesn’t explain why they’regoing to be that way. It freaks them out.” He smiled slightly. “Thewomen don’t like you because you’re pretty. They think you’ll tryto take their men.”
Shea frowned and then rolled her eyes at thatlast part. He waited patiently as she processed what he just toldher. “And you? Are you the same?”
He sighed. “Before? Yes. I was exactly likethe elders. Now, not so much. Edgecomb changed things.”
He didn’t have to explain. She understood.That place had changed all of them.
She didn’t know how she felt about Wittcoming to her defense as he did. She thought it made her seem weak.That was something she couldn’t afford while on the trail. Thesemen needed to respect her and having someone ride in to the rescuemade that difficult.
It was kind of nice, though. It had been solong since anybody defended her.
Dane clapped her on the shoulder. “Witt and Ihave your back. Now these men know it, and they’ll think twiceabout giving you lip. That’s not a bad thing.”
The corners of her lips tilted up as shedecided to be grateful rather than angry at the assistance.Changing the subject, she ventured, “Can’t say I’m happy aboutstaying another night.”
He sighed. “I know. Me neither, but it’salmost nightfall. With these laze-abouts, we wouldn’t be ready toleave until well after dark. Just made more sense to stay the nightand get a start tomorrow when there’s more hours of daylight.”
She shrugged. He was the boss while they werein town. Her eyes slid back to the window as twilight deepenedoutside. It was probably a good call. Still, she would have muchrather have been sleeping out under the stars then spending onemore night in this town. Even with the comfy bed awaiting her.
