I wasn’t watching her but I could see her. Her tall, slender body in that delicious black dress with her blonde hair tied back so it fell like a rop... behind her. The dress was long and touched the grass where she stood talking to another girl, woman. Her hands occasionally touched the other girl but it didn’t matter because I wasn’t watching. They separated and I looked up at the first stars that broke through the flame that was the sky. Now the colours were deep and had such warmth that I felt. .manly.Leslie took a step closer. "Arnold, why are you...?"After a moment, Arnold attempted his excuse. "Kindaaaa...cold out theretoday. Might...might have rained."Leslie blinked in disbelief. "It's 70 degrees out there."Arnold shrugged. "Didn't wanna...didn't wanna, um, take chances." Uh-huh," Leslie skeptically replied. "Turn around and take that jacketoff, Arn."After a long moment, Arnold began hurrying up the steps. Leslie followedright behind him."Arn?? ARN!" She barked as she closed the. Her family's honor requires that she serve you. Our family's honor requires that you care for her and act as Yellow Grass' guardian." Let me think about it," I answered. I began unloading the horses.I heard Naomi tell Bright Morning, "Don't worry, James will do the right thing. He always does."This raiding party had obviously done well. They had eight horses, many hides, about 75 pounds of dried meat, and an equal amount of dried fruit and vegetables. They also had seven knives, six bows,. We removed our boots before entering. Mud would not be our friend.Depending on your viewpoint - our little cave was cramped or cozy. My ladies made it cozy.Rachel took over. "You two get all the way to the end and shine a light while I make sure the ground tarp reaches up the bales to keep out any water. Then help me open and spread our sleeping bags - two on the bottom, one on the top. Two layers under us should help insulate us some."Once that was accomplished, she directed us in laying out.