Wake Up Call
1200 Words
Amber POV
I woke up with the scent of leather and horse in my nose. It hung it the air like a thick fog. Oddly I was relaxed, Opening my eyes, I seen a tall man defined muscle but not huge, a long black braid hanging down one shoulder. A slight tan to to his skin, high cheek bones, wide stern looking square jaw and lips that matched the rest of him. His head was thrown back asleep, a gravely snore erupting from his partially open lips. So light, it was barely heard. Following my gaze down I seen long muscular legs that stretched to touch the bed. One of his hands was almost touching mine.
The fact that I was not immensely afraid at the moment perplexed me. I gazed at how close he was, looking at everything. Was he Mato's family? They seemed slightly similar though not in build. Was this someone younger then him? Mato obviously trusted him for him to be here. Then it hit me, gasping I scooted back to the head board. Flipping the covers I seen my feet had been wrapped I had injured them when I ran. The memories came flooding back. Tears fell from my eyes, blurring his face and body. Just as, started to cry the door opened to reveal Momma Dee with a tray of breakfast. She gasped, dropping the tray, I gasped at the growl that came from the man who had been asleep. I seen his form jump up ready to fight. His head moving from the door to me and he relaxed.
Momma Dee's arms, wrapped around me. "Its ok," She cooed rubbing circles in my back as I quaked with fear. Tears streaming down my face. "This is Caco.."
His voice smooth as silk interrupted Momma Dee. "Hawk, my name is Hawk." The voice oddly sending a wave of calm like a bucket of water.
I opened my eyes, as Momma Dee stepped back to finish "Hawk was the one to bring you back after we sorted those hunters." Using her palms to wipe away my tears.
"What..what is he doing inside the room?" I heard my weak voice stammer.
"You asked him in your sleep to stay, dear. You grabbed his hand." She looked into my eyes seeing if I remembered.
I played the events I remembered in my head, him finding me, picking me up and the feel of him letting me go. I had reached out. I was pretty sure the shock was wrote over my face. I looked at him, his dark brown eyes, looking into mine. "I am sorry I scared you," I looked down at my hands. "I am not used to having someone in here like that."
I heard him chuckle, "Its ok, I am not use to waking up with anyone around me." His laughter was warm, I peeked through my lashes to see a smirk on his lips. The effect created a warmth in my chest that I did not know.
Momma Dee cleared her throat, to say "I will get this cleared up and bring you a new breakfast." Her eyes darting between Hawk and I.
"Can I eat in the hall with everyone else?" I asked.
Momma Dee's eyes snapped to me instantly. "Are you sure dear?"
"Yes, I want to make sure everyone is ok." I let her see the worry in my green eyes.
A warm smile spread across her face. "Let's get you dressed." She walked to the closet. Looking back I seen she gave a stern look to Hawk. "I am sure Mato would like to see you in the office." Then she went about getting some leggings and another shirt.
"Of course," Hawk nodded to her and then to me before he exited the room closing the door behind him.
Momma Dee gave me the clothes to get ready why she finished picking up the mess on the floor. I stood, my bandaged feet wincing in pain. I took a couple steps when Momma Dee seen my face. "Oh Dear!" she squeaked as she came up to me. Sitting me on the edge of the bed. "Is it ok if I ask someone to carry you?" She gave me a worried look.
"Thank you," my need to make sure everyone I had met was ok, then worry of someone carrying me.
"I will be right back." She picked up the tray, and walked out the door.
"Oh," I heard her say in the hall. "Mato can you carry her down to breakfast?" Momma Dee asked.
"I can do it," replied the silky voice that belonged to Hawk.
"As long as she is ok with it," I heard Momma Dee snap.
I seen the door open all the way, Mato walked in just to the side like he always did, "Do you mind if Hawk carries you down?" He jerked his head toward Hawk's direction in the doorway.
"That's fine," I looked back down at my hands in my lap. "I just want to make sure everyone is ok. "
"Ok, I will follow behind you like I always do," Mato added.
"Thank you," I smiled. I seen Hawk walk slowly toward me, he kept his eyes down until he stood at the edge of the bed.
"Are you ok, if I scoop you up?" The smooth tone, immediately let me nod, I sagged into his arms as he lifted me with no effort. "To breakfast ma cháñte," he smiled. I seen Mato's eyes widen even though no words came out.
Coming down the stairs, I could kind of see into the dinning hall. I could see that there was plenty of people milling around. At the bottom of the stairs, he made short work of the distance. At the doorway, everyone stopped what they were doing, look at me and I heard the girls who helped me squeal. I went from each face to see that no one was hurt. This made me happy. My cook friend held out my chair. Hawk set me gently into the chair stepping back.
"I have a pile of apple cinnamon pancakes waiting for you in the kitchen." He excitedly clapped as he took off to the kitchen to get them.
One of the girls who had helped me before, "We are so glad you were found," She smiled. I glanced to see smiling faces agreeing. "Will you be watching us train today?" Her eyes and the eyes of the other girls looked hopeful.
"Of course," I smiled. My eyebrows went up and looked back at Mato, "will someone help me out to the porch?" I asked sheepishly.
"I will carry wherever you need to go Ma Cháñte." I heard that same smooth voice say from behind me.
"Thank you," I looked down at the table. The blush creeping up my ears. The cook
took that exact moment to deposit a big plate of Apple cinnamon pancakes in front of me. A glass of orange placed close by.
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Greetings!
"Ma Cháñte is Lakota for "my heart." Please comment and let me know what you think!
Much Thanks and hugs!
M. Merrill
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- Writer
