Quicksilver Passion (200 page)

Keso looked at her along moment.
He’s gone.”

Silver blinked in surprise.
Gone? How could he be gone? What—”

He’s gone to stop Jake Dallinger from reaching the soldiers. I don’t think he’s coming back.”

A thousand questions came to her mind, but she grabbed the boy’s thin shoulder.
How can he be gone? Who led him? If he can’t see, how could—”

But he can see,” Keso said.
I wasn’t supposed to tell you, but what difference does it make now?”

Her hands flew to her scarred face. She didn’t understand any of it. Cherokee could see? She was glad for him—so glad! But that meant he would know she was ugly. She yearned for his love, but she couldn’t abide his pity. She turned away. What would she do now?

Behind her, the boy said,
You ain’t going after him?”

She shrugged.
I’m glad for him, but he won’t need me anymore if he can see. He’ll find another girl somewhere—a pretty girl.”

Then it’s just like he said! I’m glad you’re leaving!” the boy shouted.
You ain’t worth it, you know that? You don’t deserve to have him! You know why he ain’t coming back? He said you would leave him when you knew. That was why he’s been pretending to be blind the last couple of days. He didn’t want to lose you, but you ain’t worthy of him and I hope you never get him back!”

Whirling, she faced the furious child and realized suddenly how much he was suffering because Cherokee had gone. She knelt and grabbed the boy’s thin shoulders.
Tell me again where he’s gone, Keso. Tell me or I’ll shake your teeth out!”

He’s gone to stop that Dallinger fella! If that one don’t scout for the soldiers, they might not find the Cheyenne camp, or at least, not for a couple of extra days. He’s gone to stop the scout and then he’s riding on out. You know what he said?” The boy was screaming at her now.
He said you were too vain and self-pitying to know love when you saw it. He loves you, miss, and all you can think about is your face!”