Savage Dawn

She had been born to love him.

Eagle Wolf leaned over and slid his arms around Nicole’s waist, drawing her close to him.

His lips were only an inch from hers when a voice spoke from behind the closed entrance flap.

“My brother, I have brought Dancing Snow Feather with me so that she can know Nicole,” Spirit Wolf said.

“I have brought food,” Dancing Snow Feather added, her voice wafting through the entrance flap, sounding to Nicole like a soft, sweet song.

Nicole had not yet seen the woman, but from the sound of her voice, she expected Dancing Snow Feather to be beautiful and sweet.

Nicole and Eagle Wolf quickly parted and rose to their feet.

Nicole stood back from the fire as Eagle Wolf went to draw open the entrance flap, stepping aside so that Spirit Wolf and his wife could enter the tepee.

He was happy that his brother had come to him with his wife, for it proved that Spirit Wolf was again his brother in every way.

Spirit Wolf had always been a kind and caring man. It just seemed that for a while he had lost his way.

He was back again, the brother whom Eagle Wolf had always loved and protected.

Nicole was instantly taken by the pretty young woman who entered the tepee ahead of Spirit Wolf. In her hands was a wooden tray with many delicious-looking offerings of food spread across it.

In one glance, Nicole saw meat, corn on the cob, and other vegetables. She also saw a freshly sliced apple. Apparently, not only vegetables were grown at this stronghold; there must also be apple trees somewhere close by.

Spirit Wolf stepped quickly to Dancing Snow Feather’s side and took the tray from her. He set it down on the floor beside the fire.

All the while, Nicole was still gazing at the lovely, tinywoman, whose snow-white dress, surely of doeskin, contrasted with her copper skin.

Dancing Snow Feather’s black hair hung in one long braid down her back, with beads woven into the strands.

Nicole then noticed that a soft red color had been painted in the part of Dancing Snow Feather’s hair. There was also a touch of red on her cheeks.

All in all, she was breathtakingly beautiful. Nicole was glad that she was someone else’s wife, or she would be afraid of losing the man she loved to this woman.

“Nicole, I am Dancing Snow Feather,” the young woman said in a voice as lovely as herself. “I have brought you food. It is my way to welcome you among us.”

“Thank you,” Nicole murmured. “I truly appreciate it.”

She eyed the food on the tray again. She had not realized that she was so hungry. But now the sight of the food made her stomach growl, drawing a giggle from Dancing Snow Feather.

“My brother, you and your woman are welcome in my lodge,” Eagle Wolf said, embracing Spirit Wolf with a manly hug.

He gently embraced Dancing Snow Feather. “Ukehe. Thank you for the food,” he said. “It is good of you to share with your chief and the woman who now joins our people.”

“My chief, you were gone for so long, I was sure you would be hungry,” Dancing Snow Feather said softly, returning Eagle Wolf’s embrace. “The gift of food is for you both from both of us.”

Eagle Wolf stepped away from her and went to the back of the tepee, where he grabbed up a blanket.

He took it back to where everyone still stood and shook the blanket out, then spread it beside the fire.

With a hand he gestured toward it. “Sit with us and share the food,” he invited, looking from Dancing Snow Feather to his brother.

When Dancing Snow Feather gave Nicole a questioning look,

as if to ask her permission, Nicole smiled at her. “Please stay,” she murmured. “And thank you so much for thinking of us. It has been a while since we ate.”

It seemed so strange to Nicole, yet wonderful, to say “we” when referring to herself and Eagle Wolf. It felt as though they were already married and accepting company into their lodge.