Wild Thunder

He had not denied the rumor face-to-face with them, for to do so would be to go against his mother while speaking with them!

And now his mother did want Hawk to kill them. Men that he had for so long admired and wished to be friends with again?

He had decided today to observe Proud Heart and Strong Wolf for several days, then decide what he must do, the promise to his mother lying heavily on his heart and mind.

For now, he wished to see where Strong Wolf was going with the lady. He would hurry from the butte, and then stay his distance so that he would not be noticed.

It was strange to be there now, with Strong Wolf so close, and not be able to greet him as a friend greets a friend. He was playing the role of an ardent enemy, and Strong Wolf wasn’t even aware of it.

It didn’t seem fair.

Hawk was remembering back to the time when everyone thought that Strong Wolf and Doe Eyes would be married once they grew up to be of marrying age.

Only they had seemed to know why that had never happened. It had never been explained to anyone.

He did know, though, that there had been a strain between Strong Wolf and Doe Eyes since both were around ten winters of age. Something had happened then to change their feelings for one another. After the unknown incident, Strong Wolf and Doe Eyes had avoided each other like they were worst enemies.

Hawk’s loins ached over missing Doe Eyes, feeling that he had thrown away his future only to please his mother!

As each day passed, he saw the foolishness of the promise he had made to his mother, a mother who most saw as wicked!

Chapter 17

When we have run our passion’s heat,

Love hither makes his best retreat.

—ANDREW MARVELL

Hannah breathed in the morning air as she rode toward Strong Wolf’s village. To prove her devotion to her brother, she had stayed home for several days, and assisted him in every way possible.

Her brother had even begun instructing her about the ledgers, which she found boring.

Hannah had also stayed home these past few days to get her thoughts straight on how she felt about Strong Wolf. Yes, she loved him. She adored him.

But to have made love? To have given herself to him so easily?

She knew that she should feel ashamed, but no matter how long or hard she had thought about it, no shame had entered her heart.

Her love for Strong Wolf was pure. It was right. Loving and making love with him was a part of her newfound freedom that she had fought so hard to achieve. And she would not deprive herself of it!

She ran a hand over the rough material of the denim breeches that she had chosen to wear today for her outing. They were Chuck’s pants that he had worn years ago when he was much thinner. Luckily he had not thrown them out. The pants well defined the curve of her hips and thighs. In fact, they fit her a mite too snug. But the length had been perfect, for she and her brother were of the same height.

She had also chosen a red plaid flannel shirt from her brother’s closet, and a wide-brimmed Stetson hat. When she had walked into the dining room for breakfast, and had leaned over to kiss her brother, he was able to see just enough with his failing eyesight, that she was all spruced up like a man.

Chuck had surprised her by agreeing with her outfit. He said that dressing like a man might make things less dangerous for her while she took her daily ride on her horse. She would be less a target for men who might have been without a woman for too long. Settlers were moving into the area daily. Some were men whose wives had died while on the long journey. Others were bachelors.

He had gone as far as to encourage her to wear a gun and holster.

Smiling, she patted the pistol at her right hip, then slid her hand down to rest on the butt end of the rifle where it lay snuggled within its walls of leather, sheathed at the pinto’s right side.

Flicking the reins, she rode onward. She held her face up to the warm sun. The breeze was refreshingly cool. The sky was a turquoise blue.

And then Hannah became aware of the sound of a horse coming up from behind. She looked over her shoulder and tensed when she quickly recognized Colonel Deshong, flanked on each side by soldiers. She had to believe that he was also headed for Strong Wolf’s village, for she was almost there.

Begrudgingly, not wanting to be bothered with the colonel again, Hannah wheeled her pinto around and stopped. When the colonel and his two soldiers reined in beside her, she smiled smugly. She said nothing as the colonel’s gaze swept over her, then gave her a wondering stare.

Hannah removed her hat and ran her fingers through her long golden hair. “I can tell you aren’t used to seeing a woman wearing breeches,” she said, laughing softly.