Excerpt of Delaney's Crossing by Stacey Coverstone

When Delaney glanced at her watch, she realized the
celebration had carried on for two hours. She had a
headache and felt dizzy. She placed three fingers to her
aching forehead.
Gabriel helped her to her feet. “Are you all right?” he
asked. “You’re pale.”
She wanted to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. Although
she wasn’t sure she was okay, she signaled by shaking her
head and let her eyes sweep across the ramada. The Pima
were leaving, disappearing into the dark like phantoms in
the night.
Dances With Wind and her newly christened Flying Star were
lifted and taken back to their hogan in the hide, by the
same broad shouldered men who had carried them out.
Running Deer, She Who Dreams, and One Who Cries followed
their mother and baby brother. He Who Fights Bravely
waited behind and stood in front of Delaney in all his
bare-chested beauty.

She stared into his deep brown eyes. She was mesmerized,
drunk, high, confused, and aroused all at the same time.
She grabbed Gabriel’s hand and squeezed. He squeezed back.
She wondered what was to come next. It had been a very
weird night so far. A shiver ran down her spine as He Who
Fights Bravely asked, “You like celebration?”

“Yes. Very much.” It was all she could squeak out.

He moved his head up and down—once—firmly. “Follow me.”
He led the couple to a small dwelling far down the road,
past his own home. It was located right on the banks of
the river. The bright moon’s rays lit up the splashing
water, which shone like diamonds. Delaney had a strong
desire to strip and go skinny-dipping.
“Stay here tonight,” the Indian said, making an arc with
the sweep of his hand. “You make love.” He looked back and
forth, between them.
Seemed there’d be no conversation about it. He Who Fights
Bravely spun around and sprang off like a gazelle back
down the road.
Stunned, the two of them stood frozen, speechless for a
moment. The man’s announcement had awakened Delaney from
her drug-induced reverie with a jolt, as if ice water had
been thrown on her. But it was Gabriel who found his voice
first. He quietly said, “Well, our mutual friend certainly
seems determined to get us together tonight.”
The corners of her mouth tilted. The drink had made her
reckless and over-confident. Silently, she grasped his
hand and pulled him inside. The entrance to the hogan was
much smaller than the one He Who Fights Bravely and his
family lived in. They bent down and crawled on their hands
and knees through the small arched doorway. When her eyes
adjusted to the dark surroundings, she glimpsed the
makings of a soft animal hide and fur bed on the ground.
Crawling toward the bed, she drew Gabriel with her.