“She went to Cochise for protection. He gave it for as long as we remain in this safe place.”
The baby had finished nursing, and his little fist clenched against his mother’s breasts. Jack touched it. The baby made a noise, and his hand tightened around Jack’s finger. Jack took Shoz gently into his arms. He smiled at him. “Little Shoz,” he said, gazing at him. He had had no idea he would feel so fatherly toward a child, any child, except maybe Candice’s. “You must learn not to cry, Shoshi.”
Datiye stood. “Do you want me to take him now?”
Jack nodded reluctantly. Datiye turned her back, and Jack placed Shoz in the cradleboard she was wearing. Shoz smiled and fell asleep.
Outside, Jack found Candice waiting impatiently. Before he could say anything, she tore into him. “Why didn’t you tell me how cruel the Apaches are? Jack! They tried to kill your son! Because he cried! No one is going to kill my child, Jack, I warn you!”
He pulled her close. “Thank you, sweetheart, for what you did. And no one will kill our child, I swear. I’m not leaving your side from now until you have the baby, I promise.”
“And I’m not going to be tied to a tree either!”
“It’s not as bad as it looks …” he began.
“No!” There was panic in her tone.
“All right,” he soothed. “You won’t be tied, I swear.”
She relaxed somewhat. “Jack, would you have let them take him away if you were here?”
He grimaced. “I—I don’t think so,” he said.
“Datiye let the old witch take him.”
“Why did you protect Shoshi, Candice?”
“Is that his name? Shoshi?”
“Shoz. His name is Shoz. Shoshi is an endearing form of Shoz.”
She smiled. “Shoshi. That’s a good name for a child, but what happens after he’s older?”
“His name will be Shoz,” Jack said firmly.
“You’re naming him after Shozkay,” Candice said.
“Yes. Candie, you didn’t answer. Why?”
“I’m a human being, Jack, it’s that simple.” She frowned. She didn’t tell him she somehow had come to love Shoshi, that she wished she could hold him. But she didn’t dare ask Datiye. After not speaking to her for five months, how did one start? Candice didn’t want to be friends with her anyway. She still hated her—well, disliked her. The woman was her rival. The woman had borne Jack a son. That would never change—although Candice had realized very recently that all this was Jack’s fault, not Datiye’s. Datiye was a woman, and what woman could resist Jack’s seduction? If Jack hadn’t been such a horny bastard, she wouldn’t have to share him with Datiye right now. But, no matter what, Shoshi was innocent.
And now Datiye owed her. Candice knew that when the time came, Datiye wouldn’t be able to refuse aiding her in her escape. The thought should have been uplifting. It wasn’t. It was disheartening.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE
Datiye was cleaning up after their dinner. Jack held Shoshi, making faces and sounds. The baby gurgled and smiled back. He flailed his little arms, catching Jack’s chin. Jack laughed. Shoshi ga-gaahed, smiling in that peculiar way young infants do.
He looked up. Candice, bigger than ever now, was watching, standing a short distance away, to the side. He felt a bit guilty, but studied her for signs of jealousy and didn’t see any. Datiye got up and left with the pot to wash and sand it. Candice approached slowly, then, awkwardly, sat down by his feet. Their eyes met.
“I guess I look sort of silly,” Jack said sheepishly.
Candice smiled, but she wasn’t watching him. Her eyes were fastened on the baby. “Can I?”
He started. “Sure.”
He handed her the baby. He watched, amazed, at the soft smile that spread over her beautiful features. She cooed to Shoshi, rocking him gently against her breast. He felt overwhelmed by the sight of her there, holding his son.
Later that night Jack climbed into the bedroll beside her. She still insisted on sleeping with him, which was fine for her. She practically passed out these days. But he was so afraid to disturb her, he could barely sleep. Now, however, he saw that she was awake. He leaned over to kiss her mouth lightly. Her arms came up, clenched him, and her lips opened, inviting him to deepen the kiss. He did. Incredibly, surges of hot desire swept him. Even with her due in a few weeks, he still wanted her as much as ever. No, more.
