Shade in desert (6)
I believe the answer is:
maroon
I believe this is a double definition.
'shade' is the first definition.
(maroon is a colour)
'desert' is the second definition.
(to maroon someone is to desert them somewhere)
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for maroon that I've seen before include "castaway?" , "Abandon (eg, on island)" , "desert" , "Dark brownish red" , "Brownish-crimson - abandon ashore" .)