Dream of Me/Believe in Me

been this way all right but the scent isn't fresh. Still, something got this fellow going.” He patted the dog's head reassuringly and made to return to his horse. At once the animal stiffened, looking toward the river. He raised a front paw, stretching out both nose and tail.
    “He was trained for hunting,” Hawk said. All his senses were suddenly, keenly alert. He too looked toward where the glint of fast-running water shone through the trees. “Could Udell have doubled back for some reason?”
    Scarcely had he uttered the question than hope rippled through him. Krysta was a woman of uncommon strength and courage. If she could have found any way to escape, she would have seized it. Quickly, Hawk urged his mount off the road and through the brush toward theriver. His men followed, as did Thorgold and the dog. Barely had they reached the edge of the water than the animal began to bark again. He ran back and forth between the bank and the watching men. Finally, he sat down on his haunches, tongue lolling, and stared directly at Hawk.
    “Damn if he isn't trying to tell me something.”
    Hawk dismounted and walked down the bank until the water lapped at his boots. He stared up and down the river. In the quiet of late afternoon, the only sounds were the creak of saddles, the faint rustle of birds in the trees overhead, the hum of insects, and the low snorts of the horses. The silver gleam of a trout flashed by in the water.
    A few miles south the river would smash into rapids but here it ran wide and deep. There was only a scattering of rocks to be seen and a handful of dead tree limbs being moved along by the current. One of the limbs seemed to be dragging something—
    Hawk looked a moment longer but already he knew, for the dog was barking again and his own heart was soaring even as it tripped with dread. He went into the water in an instant and was swimming swiftly toward what he had seen before his men knew what he was about. Against the current, all his strength was needed to bring him quickly to the log. Before he was there, he knew he was right. Krysta was clinging to the wood, soaked and bedraggled, her face very pale, but when she saw him an exhausted smile lifted the corners of her mouth. Hawk redoubled his efforts, his mighty chest and arms straining. He reached her within moments and got an arm around her.
    “Are you all right?” he demanded gruffly, all the fear and dread of the past hours stark in his voice.
    She nodded but did not try to speak, saving what was left of her strength. For so long she had fought the current as it threatened to smash her into rocks or drag her underagain that it was all she could do to cling to consciousness. Her body was weak but her spirit soared at the sight of Hawk.
    With rough tenderness, he said, “You have to let go now. Hold on to me.”
    She nodded again to show she understood but her cramped hands could scarcely move. Gently, he eased her off the log and into his arms. She clung to him as he battled his way against the current and back to the bank of the river. Before they reached it, his men were in the water, surrounding them and helping bring them ashore.
    Hawk carried Krysta out of the river and laid her carefully on the bank. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was ragged. Thorgold hurried over with a cloak. Hawk wrapped her in it and began briskly rubbing her arms and back. For long moments she did not move, but finally she lifted her head, met his frantic gaze, and touched a gentle hand to his roughened cheek.
    “You need to shave.”
    He stared at her, momentarily unable to make sense of her words. When he did, he laughed in relief, in thanks, and in sheer, unbridled joy. “Woman, if you can notice that, you must be all right.”
    “I'm fine,” Krysta assured him, then ruined it by wincing as she tried to sit up. Instantly, Hawk urged her back down. “Don't move. You're bruised from head to toe. That you're even alive is a miracle. You do realize that after this I'll be hard-pressed not to keep you locked up?”
    Krysta muttered something he couldn't quite catch. When he bent nearer, she repeated it. His eyes widened slightly before he grinned. “I'd consider it. Being locked up with you isn't the worst fate I can imagine.”
    Before she could remark on that, he lifted her again and carried her to his horse. As he placed her gently on the mount and swung into the saddle behind her, Krysta warned, “Udell may be after me.”
    Hawk took hold