Swift Horse

She pressed her cheek against his chest, but her mind was on another man who had embraced her today—who had kissed her and declared such love for her.

She smiled a secret smile—for, in truth, it was not the sun or the warmth of the day at all that had brought such color to her cheeks.

It was Swift Horse.

For the first time since that terrible day of the ambush she was excited about something and had a renewel of hope that her life could be good and happy again.

“But you enjoyed the outing, didn’t you?” Edward James asked, gently taking her by the shoulders and easing her away from him so that they could look into each other’s eyes—his blue, hers violet, one color for each of their parents.

“You know that I did,” Marsha said, laughing softly when she saw her brother’s expression change from questioning to knowing. She eased from his arms and went to stand before a mirror that was on the wall above the washbasin.

“I had hoped for this day,” Edward James said, reaching and running a hand lovingly through her thick golden tresses. “When I would see that laughter in your eyes again. Tonight I see even more than that. You are in love. The same as I, your heart has been stolen by an Indian.”

She lifted the hem of her skirt with her hands and spun around, giggling.

“My Lord, big brother, I am in love,” she said, now stopping and smiling into his eyes. “I had begun to wonder if I was going to be a spinster, for until now I have never felt anything akin to love for any man. Isn’t it a wonderful feeling, Edward James, to truly be in love?”

Edward James threw his head back in a fit of laughter, for it was good to see his sister this happy, whereas even only a few days ago, he had never thought he would experience seeing her this way again. When she was happy, he was—twofold!

“Yes, it’s a wonderful feeling,” Edward James said, reaching for her hands and taking them in his. “I’m so happy for you.”

“As I am for you,” Marsha murmured. She lowered her eyes for a moment, then looked up at him again. “I’m going to marry Swift Horse, Edward James. He . . . he . . . asked me today.”

Edward James’s eyes widened. “Actually?” he asked.

“Yes, actually,” Marsha said, then led him from the kitchen to the living room. “You’d best grab up those flowers, big brother,” Marsha said, indicating the bouquet on the table. “You have a lovely maiden anxiously awaiting your arrival.”

“Will you be seeing Swift Horse tonight?” Edward James asked, stepping away from her and grabbing the flowers.

“No,” she murmured. “He spent the full day with me, so tonight he plans to meet with some of his warriors in council.”

“Do you know the reason for this council?” Edward James asked, forking an eyebrow. “He never mentioned anything about it to me.”

“It might have to do with our most ardent enemy,” Marsha said, this time somewhat solemnly.

“Who is . . . ?” Edward James said, searching her eyes.

“You know without me having to say it,” Marsha said tightly. “Lord, Edward James. Who is our enemy? The man with the one eye who is none other than One Eye, Swift Horse’s best friend.”

Edward James sighed heavily. “Please forget that notion, sis,” he said tightly. “One Eye is not the man who did that terrible deed to our parents. It is another man with one eye. Please believe this. I know One Eye well. He is a gentle, caring man who lives for peace, not for murdering innocent people.”

“How can I get anyone to believe me?” Marsha suddenly cried, throwing her hands in the air with frustration. She turned to Edward James. “One day you will all see how right I am,” she murm

ured as she stepped up to him. “If I have to go and find him myself, I shall.”

Edward James gave her a woebegone look, sighed, then gazed at the door that led out to the back of the cabin, which was not that far from the dark forest.

He turned and gave Marsha a wavering look. “Sis, double lock that door while I’m gone,” he said. “I’m going out the front way, through the store.”

“And so even you are worried about One Eye, and won’t admit it,” Marsha said, walking him to the door that led into the store. “Or else why are you concerned about locks on the door?”

“There are more evil men out there besides the man with the one eye,” Edward James said glumly. “There is Cowkeeper, or do you forget his interest in you? I imagine he has had a hard time getting you off his mind, and he just might think he does own you and will come for you.”

He gazed at the door, and then Marsha, “Just be sure not to let anyone in unless they identify themselves as someone you know,” he said, opening the door to the store. “I shan’t be long, sis. I don’t want to tire Soft Wind too much. I’m anxious for her to get her strength back so that we can exchange our vows.”

“Me too,” Marsha said, going to him and giving him a soft kiss on the cheek. “Tell Soft Wind that I’m thinking about her. I plan to take my crochet work tomorrow and show her how the stitches are done.”

“That’s good, sis,” Edward James said, smiling broadly. He went into the store as Marsha closed the door behind him.