“Your invitation is a gracious one, but Pale Squirrel cannot accept,” he said softly. “I am eager to return to my people. They are celebrating now, but it will continue for many days, for I have another announcement for Strong Heart and his woman. Four Winds’s father has given Four Winds the title of chief, himself worn and weary with an ailment that takes away his strength. Four Winds has accepted, and reigns even now as chief!”
At first, Strong Heart was stunned by the news that Four Winds was chief. Then he felt a great happiness. If Four Winds had the duties of chief, husband, and father to attend to, he would not have the opportunity to return to an outlaw’s life. Ah-hah, this news filled Strong Heart’s heart with much gladness!
“How wonderful for Four Winds and Maysie,” Elizabeth said, then lifted a hand to Pale Squirrel when he seemed anxious to leave. “Thank you for coming with the news. That was so kind of you,”
Pale Squirrel accepted her hand, then accepted Strong Heart’s hand, clasping it tightly. “Come soon and sit in council with my people,” Pale Squirrel offered. “Send a runner to announce your arrival and we will feast and sing in your honor.”
“The snows are near, but when spring arrives with its new grasses and warm winds, we will come north. The sons of Four Winds and Strong Heart will become friends, as their fathers have been for many, many moons,” Strong Heart said, squeezing Pale Squirrel’s hand.
“Kla-how-ya, good-bye, my friends,” Pale Squirrel said, then wheeled his horse around and rode away.
Strong Heart turned to Elizabeth. He brushed a red lock of hair back inside her hood. “My la-daila, my heart sings with happiness,” he said softly. “And so much is because of you. Mah-sie, thank you.”
“You are my happiness,” Elizabeth whispered, leaning into the palm of his hand as he rested it against her cheek. “You and our son, Strong Heart. Mah-sie, thank you for making it all possible. Had you not been there so often, I would not be alive. I don’t feel as if I can ever find ways to truly repay you for risking your life to save mine.”
“You have already given me all that I ever want as payment,” Strong Heart said, drawing her near to him as they walked on toward the village. “I have you—and I have a son. Who could ever want for more than that?”
She stopped and turned to face him, smiling mischievously. “Are you saying that you do not want a daughter?” she teased.
Strong Heart’s eyes lit up. “Are you saying?” he gasped out, almost speechless.
“Ah-hah, I do believe that I carry another child within my womb, my darling,” Elizabeth said, nodding up at him. “And I am almost certain it will be a girl, for I will wish upon stars every night to make it so.”
Strong Heart placed a fist over his heart. “My tum-tum, heart, is filled with the joy of the moment,” he said. Then, as Red Hawk began to cry, Strong Heart began rocking him in his arms as they went on to their longhouse.
After the baby had been fed and was soundly asleep in his crib, and they lay beneath warm furs beside the fire, Elizabeth moved easily into Strong Heart’s arms and welcomed his wild embrace as they made love more passionately than ever before.
Life was finally so tsee, sweet, for them, so very, very tsee.
Don’t miss Cassie Edwards’s next Zebra release,
Swift Horse!
Wild hearts in wild country . . .
After witnessing the brutal murder of her parents at the hands of a savage, one-eyed warrior, Marsha Eveland swore she’d never forgive his kind. But then her brother announces his plans to marry Soft Wind, the undeniably beautiful sister of the Creek chief Swift Horse. Even if Marsha can forgive what feels like her brother’s betrayal, the past isn’t so easily left behind. It may be fear that forces Marsha to seek Swift Horse’s protection, but it’s an even stronger, untamed feeling that keeps her near him. Wilder still is her growing desire to ride alongside his passionate spirit—into the unknown country of her fearless heart . . .