Blood On The Feather

He eased the vehicle to the shoulder, shoved it into park, and turned toward Melina. They looked at each other for several seconds, then Hawke pulled her close.
“I can no longer hide my feelings, Melina. You know everything is considered sacred, sent to us by the Great Mystery, including our feelings, and I feel our love is meant to be. We've been drawn together again and our hearts feel the same pain. Are we to deny our love once more? My kokipa, fear, is we will choose our work over love. I want you to become my mitawin, wife. Let’s walk the same path together.”
She kept her eyes locked on his as if seeing deep into his soul to see if what dwelled there matched his words. He trailed a fingertip down her soft cheek. She leaned into him placing a kiss on his cheek.
“I love you, T.J. Hawke. Am I mistaken or did you just ask me to marry you? My heart wants that more than anything. Are you sure this is what your heart tells you to do? Can our relationship work?”
Hawke gently touched his lips to hers, sipping her sweet taste. Then he kissed her forehead and eyes, and whispered, “You are my life. Without you, there is a void. Yes, we can make this work as long as our hearts are one.”
He had never been more sure himself than at that moment. Nothing had ever felt so right and never had he truly believed in forever until that moment.
“My heart’s full of joy.” Tears streamed down her face. “Hawke, my heart is one with yours. It has always been but when my parents were killed, I didn't know what to do. I shut out everyone who cared for me, including you. Can you forgive me?”
“Melina, there is nothing to forgive. You are here now and we will become one. It was clear you needed time to sort things out. Now is our time. The Creator has brought us back together and we will make our life as it should be.”
They held each other for a while longer, gazing out the window under the watchful, piercing eye of the red-tailed hawk, the white wolf, and the giant buffalo. From time to time, they shared a kiss and whispered gentle words of love.
“My love, we have a job to do. I’d rather keep you in my arms but we have a duty to our people.”
Melina nodded her agreement.
Hawke pulled his seat belt on, turned the ignition, and continued the drive to Cactus Springs to speak with Ian Guidara.
Hawke kept his thoughts about the investigation to himself. Melina was very strong but soft hearted. He didn’t want her to concern herself overmuch with this case. If Ian Guidara was guilty of Abby's murder, he prayed they could prove it.
Hawke knew Melina took her job seriously. From what he'd heard, she worked endlessly to solve cases assigned to her with the FBI. Hawke took a vow from that point on he would solve this murder and there would be justice.