Wild Desire

g a photographer made her realize that nothing she had planned in the weeks ahead would come easy. She was already meeting resentment she had never expected.

Her gaze stopped on Runner. Having him resent her for any reason was going to be hard for her to accept. She was attracted to him as never before to any other man. She could not allow anything to stand in the way of their knowing one another.

She would fight for her rights, not only to take her photographs, but also to be free to become closer to Runner. She had to find away to tear down this barrier that he had just placed between them.

And she would.

She scarcely ever lost at anything she fought for.

Chapter 4

I never saw so sweet a face

As that I stood before

My heart has left its dwelling place

And can return no more.

—JOHN CLARE

Stephanie had read somewhere that Indians distrusted cameras and wouldn’t allow their pictures to be taken for fear that their images on paper might capture their soul. Realizing that photographing the Navaho might be even less accepted among their people than the new spur line, Stephanie decided it was best to put aside further talk of it.

“Adam and I have been invited to supper at Damon Stout’s ranch tonight,” she said in an effort to break the silence. “Sage, would you and your family like to join us? Perhaps we can become better acquainted. We can talk things over that . . . that . . . obviously displease you.”

Adam’s eyes lit up. He saw that he had been clever in bringing her with him. She could have more control of these Indians than he could. She was a beautiful young woman, hard to resist. It had been hard, but he had resisted loving her long ago; their feelings toward one another had always been those of brother and sister.

His eyes wavered when he saw that her suggestion had brought no change in Sage and Runner. Instead, he saw an even deeper anger in Sage’s narrowing, dark eyes.

“And how do you know Damon Stout?” Runner finally said.

“I have not made his acquaintance, personally,” Stephanie said, wishing now that she had not mentioned Damon. She could tell that both Runner and Sage did not take well to the man’s name, which had to mean they had no good feelings toward the man.

She nodded over at Adam. “He’s Adam’s friend,” she murmured. “I believe they made an acquaintance when Adam was last here, while surveying the land for his private spur. Isn’t that so, Adam?”

Adam gave a quick, steely glance upon her mention of the private spur. He had not wanted to spring that on the Navaho until later.

“Your private spur?” Sage said. “These tracks belong to you?”

“That is something I would like to discuss with you later,” Adam said nervously. “Tonight? At Damon’s ranch? I’m sure he would not mind if I’m extending this invitation to your family, Sage. Would you please bring them? I would love to see Leonida.”

“Yes, please bring Leonida,” Stephanie said. “I’ve heard so much about your family. I’m very anxious to make Leonida’s acquaintance.”

“And isn’t there a daughter?” Adam said, taking this opportunity to focus more on family than on reasons for him and Stephanie being in Arizona. He knew of this daughter and that she had been named Pure Blossom, after Sage’s late sister. It was best to show innocence now, to make room for more light conversation between himself and the Navaho.

“Yes, a daughter has been born into our family,” Sage said, nodding. “Pure Blossom. She is called Pure Blossom.” He cast his eyes on Stephanie. “She is perhaps the same winters of age as you. And there is also a son: Thunder Hawk.”

“I am most anxious to meet both your daughter and your other son,” Stephanie said, smiling over at Sage.

“You will come, then, to Damon’s ranch?” Adam asked quickly, while there was some rapport being reached, thanks to Stephanie’s sweet, vibrant personality and her way of drawing people into not only liking but loving her. “You will bring your entire family?”

“E-do-tano, no.” Sage said, his voice stern. “Never.”

“This Navaho son accepts the invitation,” Runner quickly interjected.

Runner’s spine stiffened when he felt the scalding look from his father, but ignored it. Once his father heard his reason for deciding to go to Damon’s ranch, he would understand. This was a perfect opportunity, not only for the obvious reason, but for another that he would not share with his father. Although he was fighting his feelings about Stephanie, he could not deny himself the chance to get to know her better.

He also wanted to question her further about being a photographer. This, as well as the woman, intrigued him, although, for the sake of the Navaho People, he should be hating the thought of both.