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Page 313
Mariah remained alert to every sound: the summer breeze restling the leaves of the oaks and hickories; the distinctive calls of robins, blue jays and crows; a squirrel's scolding; the rushing sounds as they neared the stream.
Thorn followed her along the water till she reached the noisy falls, "Here," she said. He nodded.
She hesitated, her heart beginning to hammer in her chest. What if the Indians returned? What if
"I will keep watch, Mariah," Thorn said, as though reading her mind. He reddened, apparently realizing that what he'd said could have more than one meaning. "Not upon you, of course. You shall have your privacy. But I will permit nothing to intrude on your bathing. Nothing."
His vehemence reassured her. She watched as he walked to the rim of the sheltering trees and kept his back turned. She still found a bush behind which to remove her clothing, her eyes never leaving the comforting steadiness of his set shoulders, the long rifle barrel gripped in his sturdy fingers.
She left on her plain white chemise, just in case of trouble. She still felt nervous out here, half expecting, after her terrifying experiences, that Indians or marauders lurked behind every tree. If she had to run, she wanted to have on some piece of apparel.
She didn't doubt for an instant, though, that Thorn would protect her. Not any longer. No matter how much he protested, she knew better now. She couldand didrely on him.
She waded into the water at the shoreline. It was cold! To get used to it, she knelt and plunged into the shallow water, gasping as the chilly wetness closed over her body.
Standing again, she picked her way carefully over the rocks and oozing mud of the bottom, and ducked beneath the waterfall to finish wetting her hair. She lathered it as best she could with the hard, fruity soap, then rinsed. When she had finished with her hair, she moved away from the flow and ran the hard, fruity soap along her arms.
She glanced at Thorn. He hadn't moved, except to lift his head, as though he was listening. She smiled, continuing to wash but keeping her eyes on him.

 
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