"Comanche? Were those Comanche Indians that we stayed with?"
He shook his head. "No, they were Apache. We were captured by the Comanche and sold to the Apache. They don't usually do that. I'm still not sure why they did - maybe because they had recently lost a lot of their own people. Whatever their reasons, they treated us well. Eventually they even set us free.
We kept in touch with Aunt Clara. Darcie couldn't stand the gossip and rude behavior in every town, so she finally went back to the Indians. I couldn't believe it. I know how much she hated it there. She fell in love with a trapper and he took her back to what we all describe as civilization." He made a face. "He never came back and I didn't find out until recently. She was alone in Ashley with no money. She took a job in a saloon so she could eat. She said they treated her better there than anywhere else."
Cassie stared at her hands. "I'm sorry I talked about her that way. I was just mad at you. She's a nice girl - really."
He glanced at her and a wry smile twisted his mouth.
"I can't believe you thought I was going to marry her. Why did you think I sent you the flower - and that dress?"
Her face warmed. "I thought maybe you were giving me the chance to say no - giving me a chance to save my pride."
He laughed shortly. "Cassie, I've never met a woman like you in my entire life. I never would have believed a woman could be so kind hearted and so suspicious at the same time. You've got to learn to trust me."
She studied her fingernails. "I used to trust Dad. I never would have believed he would run off and leave us like that. I thought he loved us. I guess I'm not a very good judge of character."
Bordeaux pulled the team off the road, following a trail off through the pasture.
"Cassie, your father should be the one to tell you this, but since you're not likely to give him the chance, I'll tell you." He maneuvered the team around a big stump. "Your father didn't leave willingly - and he didn't leave with the saloon girl, the way everyone thought. He had a fight with your mother that night and went into town. He was drinking heavy and the girls got prettier with each drink. It wasn't a thing of love for either of them, and when your mother found out, she told him to get out of her life or she'd shoot them both." He quirked a brow at her. "I never met your mother, but if she was anything like you, I reckon he thought she'd do just that."