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You must also remember the yellow-hair may give you many more children than a Comanche woman. Take care or you could father more children than you can feed. I've never seen a white woman yet who wasn't a good breeder." A slow grin spread across Hunter's mouth. "You will tell her this, yes? So far she isn't showing the proper enthusiasm." "She'll come around. Give her time. Be patient. The rewards will be worth the wait." Hunter tossed aside..
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Catherine Anderson |
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77463a1
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It is time I watched my grandson learn to shoot. I and my friends are placing bets. I have two horses that say he will shoot Warrior in the thigh. Old Man thinks it will be in the rump. Want to wager?" Hunter's smile turned wry. "I don't think so. If I recall, I told Warrior that would teach Turtle how to shoot."
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Catherine Anderson |
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7417788
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Loretta's gaze shifted to the child he held. Running forward with upraised arms, she cried, "Amy! Oh, Amy! He found you! Thanks be to God!" Hunter wasn't sure exactly what he had been expecting from Loretta when he delivered the child to her. Gratitude, surely. He had ridden nonstop for twelve days. And now she ignored him as if he weren't there? Her had not fought the bloody battle with Santos; Hunter had. Hunter knew it was bad of him, ..
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Catherine Anderson |
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8c50dc1
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Hunter!" She tried to shove the leather down. "Someone might come!" "No one comes." Fascinated, he touched the rosy tip of her nipple with his dark fingers, watching it harden and thrust upward, begging for attention--attention he was more than willing to give it. Dipping his head, he flicked the tip of his tongue across the peak, then seized it with his teeth. She gasped and made fists in his hair. "Hunter?" "Hm?" He moved to the unkissed..
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Catherine Anderson |
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8c7d7e9
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Loretta opened her eyes and gazed up at her Comanche husband through a haze of longing. By degrees her pulse slowed, and her senses cleared. A tender smile curved his mouth. "My heart is heavy to say these words, Blue Eyes, but someone may come. My woman who is without shame must wait, eh?" She groped to jerk her blouse down. Hunter reared back to let her sit up, his eyes twinkling with mischief. She straightened her clothes, keeping her pi..
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Catherine Anderson |
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7c6e8e2
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Do you deny that your song says your yellow-hair must come to you? You took me home and taught me how to walk back to you in your footsteps!" Her voice rose, turning shrill. "You gave me a fine horse to ride! Do you deny that?" Confusion welled inside him. "You are angry because I teach you and give you gifts?" At last she wrenched her head around, her tear-filled eyes sparkling with contempt. "Like your medallion? 'Wear it for always,' you..
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Catherine Anderson |
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fa001d1
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Blue Eyes, if you do not know the way, we must do it the Comanche way." "Well...yes, I suppose. It's just that I--Hunter?" He bent his dark head and trailed his lips to her other breast, nibbling and nudging her rigidly cupped fingers. "H-Hunter?" "Be easy," he whispered. "It is well." He dipped his tongue between her knuckles, searching for the sensitive, throbbing nubbin that she guarded so protectively. When his plunging tongue grazed ..
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Catherine Anderson |
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c16a1d1
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Claiming her lips with his to muffle her protests, he reveled in the sweet taste of her breath, in the way she parted her thighs for him even though she was frightened. He trailed his mouth to her ear, whispering to keep her calm. A pounding began in his temples. He lost track of what he said, whether he spoke in English or Comanche. She seemed to be soothed by either, responding, not to the words, but to his tone. An aching tenderness well..
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Catherine Anderson |
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1f0e1e7
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Knowing what he wanted, he went after it with single-minded intensity, until a hoarse moan ripped from her and she arched toward him, her body jerking with every pass of his tongue. His, at last.
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Catherine Anderson |
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0070619
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His, at last.
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Catherine Anderson |
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1620fdf
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Blue Eyes, you will say yes to me?" "Tonight? Now?" "Yes, tonight. Before this time between us passes." When she sat, silent, watching, Hunter lifted her of his lap and rose, drawing her up beside him. She studied his every move, poised as if for flight. Hunter's hands shook as he unfastened her braids and ran his fingers through the intertwined strands of gold, combing them into a shimmering cloud about her shoulders. Then he framed her fa..
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Catherine Anderson |
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c47c231
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My song says I will one day leave my people. I am Comanche. Without them, I will be as nothing, Blue Eyes." Loretta stared sightlessly into the shifting shadows, watching the play of firelight. "It's only a legend, Hunter. A silly legend. Hatred going away on the wind? High places and great canyons of blood! New tomorrows and new nations?" She turned her face toward him. "Look into my eyes. Do you see a new morning with new beginnings?" He ..
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Catherine Anderson |
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6f702d5
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In one liquid movement he rose on an elbow above her, his broad chest a canopy of bronze, his shoulders eclipsing the light so only her face was illuminated. "You have stolen my heart."
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Catherine Anderson |
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f91bce8
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You will be my wife, little one. My way or yours, in the end, it will be so." Hunter drew to a stop before the priest. Loretta focused on the poor man, who was trembling so badly that he was about to drop his Bible. At the moment she was too preoccupied with her own plight to concern herself with his. "Father," she cried in the most reasonable, calm tone she could muster, "would you please explain to this heathen that a marriage cannot take..
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Catherine Anderson |
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01e9653
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Hunter knew he should go directly to the central fire. It was the custom for warriors to give a public recounting after making a trip. His friends would be waiting, anxious to tell of their exploits and brag of their courage in front of their women. Tonight they would reap the rewards for their bravery in loving arms. The more exciting their feats, the better the loving. Yes, they would be anxious to get the talking done, to give their wome..
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Catherine Anderson |
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a4fff9e
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Staring down at Hunter, she noticed things about him that she hadn't before. Or perhaps it was that she now saw him in a new light. The broad span of his shoulders, knotted with muscle, hunched protectively around Amy, no longer seemed threatening. His large hands, capable of brutal strength, touched Amy with incredible gentleness. Even his voice seemed altered, low and silken, his whispers transcending the language barrier, a blend of Engl..
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Catherine Anderson |
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fca5745
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Loretta Jane, if you'd like to come back in, Henry said you could. All you gotta do is apologize." Loretta glanced toward the rise again. Hunter would come. "Thank you, Aunt Rachel, but no. I've made my choice. Besides, he'd only say more things about Hunter, and I'd be out here again before I knew it." --
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Catherine Anderson |
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8b83b98
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You think this Hunter of yours'll like me?" Loretta set her trencher aside and gave her aunt a hard hug. "Oh, Aunt Rachel, I love you. It makes me so glad to have your blessing." Suddenly Rachel stiffened. "Speak of the devil, there he comes." Joy surged through Loretta. She leaped to her feet and ran toward the gate. Up on the rise she could see horses and riders outlined against the darkening sky. The Comanches reined in, forming a sparse..
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Catherine Anderson |
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9124b94
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Hunter rolled onto his back, taking her with him. He loved the feel of her slender length pressed against him. Running his hands into her hair, he held her face inches above his own so he could search her eyes. It pleased him to see compassion and pity shining there. She was as golden within as she was without.
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Catherine Anderson |
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f46be6c
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You're plumb addled, stealin' off like this from a Comanche husband. Don't you got an inklin' of what he'll do when he catches you?" "Beat me senseless, I reckon, which is why I'm not planning to get caught." "He'll beat you all right, in front of the whole village. Your leavin' is a dishonor to him. Why, he's liable to be so mad he'll hack your nose off! It ain't like he's white folk, Loretta Jane. You don't go leavin' a Comanche! Hunter'l..
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Catherine Anderson |
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faa3a7e
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Hunter rolled onto his back, taking her with him. He loved the feel of her slender length pressed against him. Running his hands into her hair, he held her face inches above his own so he could search her eyes. It pleased him to see compassion and pity shining there. She was as golden within as she was without. After all Red Buffalo had done to her, Hunter was surprised she could still feel sorry for him. "I am Red Buffalo's good friend fro..
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Catherine Anderson |
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4b5143b
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Loretta Jane, we ain't fixin' to steal their horses, are we?" "You wanna walk?" "Hunter's gonna flay us alive."
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Catherine Anderson |
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Amy did as she was told, albeit reluctantly, describing with every step the dire fate that was in store for Loretta when Hunter caught her. "He won't cut off my nose!" "Will so!" "Will not!" Loretta leaped across the wash and turned to help her cousin. "Now stop with trying to scare me."
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Catherine Anderson |
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9463f61
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You will tell me of this anger that burns within you, eh?" "As if you don't know!" He propped his elbows on his bent knees. He'd never understand them."
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Catherine Anderson |
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9868993
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He must figger it's good riddance," Amy mused. "They can cover twice the distance we can in a day. What else could've took him so long?" Loretta had no illusions. Hunter would follow her--to the ends of the earth if he had to."
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Catherine Anderson |
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I'm not leavin' until I see my ma. It's not me Hunter's after!" "He'll snatch you back all the same! He has crazy ideas about family when he marries up with a body."
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Catherine Anderson |
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33a9b61
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As she reached to hug Amy, Loretta heard someone shout. She glanced back at the small cluster of wagons and saw a woman waving her arms and beckoning to them. "Something's up." Amy squinted into the sunlight. "Do they want their dung or not? Addlepated woman. If she thinks I'm gonna run all the way back over there, she's got another think."
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Catherine Anderson |
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3f87992
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Less than an hour later the girls were nearly ready to leave. Amy had just gone out to saddle her horse, and Loretta was about to join her, when Amy burst back inside the house, slamming the door behind her. "Jumpin' Jehoshaphat, Hunter's here!" Loretta's heart leaped. "Oh, God, drop the bar, Amy!" Loretta grabbed the bed and slid it away from the trap. Amy came running to help, her small face pinched with terror. "Did they see you?" Lorett..
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Catherine Anderson |
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it is well, little one. It is finished, eh?" She panted, tossing her head. "It h-hurts!" "It will pass," he assured her huskily. "It will pass. It is a promise I make for you." She went rigid when he began to move within her, her small face drawing tight. Tears sprang to Hunter's eyes when she reached up to hug his neck, clinging to him even though he was the one hurting her. He had asked her to trust him this one last time. And she had. Wh..
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Catherine Anderson |
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5e1fed2
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Hunter, if you leave signs for other Comanche bands, why do white men have so much trouble finding you?" "They are not smart." Loretta laughed softly. "I think I've been insulted. You think I'm stupid?" He threw her a look that made her laugh again. "A little bit smart. Because I teach you." "Ah, so I'm ignorant, not stupid? I suppose I can accept that."
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Catherine Anderson |
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4dbf470
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Let the find the lots of land, plenty for all, and plant dead trees there. This is Comanche land, and it cannot be given or bought." "And we say it can. As you're so fond of saying, it is not wise to fight when you cannot win. We are the stronger. We have better weaponry. When you're outnumbered and outflanked, you must surrender your ways and accept the new." He looked over at her. "Strong is right?" "Well, yes, I suppose you could say t..
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Catherine Anderson |
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7194e71
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Late the fourth evening, Many Horses visited Maiden's lodge. At first Loretta sensed that Hunter's father was taking measure of her, and she was suspicious of his motives for coming, but soon Many Horses' dry humor had her smiling and then laughing. To Amy's delight, Many Horses regaled them with stories of Hunter's boyhood. By the evening's end Loretta had to admit she actually him. What was even more unsettling was that he seemed to lik..
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Catherine Anderson |
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5e191f2
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No Black Robe, no marriage for your God. I am sure enough happy with a marriage my way." With a determined glint in his eyes, he turned toward the crowd, raising his arms, and shouted something. Then he shrugged. "There. , it is finished. I have said words. We are married." Seizing her by the arm, he growled, " , come, wife." Loretta dug in with her heels. "No! Wait!" He looked down at her, his vexation evident. "You will say the God wor..
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Catherine Anderson |
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4708d85
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Then it came Hunter's turn. The priest asked the usual question, adding at the end, "Forsaking all others, taking one wife and only one wife, forever with no horizon?" Hunter, eyes narrowed suspiciously, shot Loretta a knowing look. For several long seconds he made no response, and she held her breath, her gaze locked with his. Then, with solemn sincerity, he inclined his head and replied, "I have spoken it." The priest, momentarily confuse..
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Catherine Anderson |
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bbd4149
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When everyone had been dispatched, he turned to Loretta, one dark eyebrow cocked, his indigo eyes twinkling with laughter. "One wife and only one wife, forever with no horizon?" Loretta's gaze chased off, and her cheeks went scarlet. Clasping her hands behind her, she rocked back on her heels, then forward onto her toes, pursing her lips. "I told you, Hunter, I refuse to play second fiddle." He smiled--a slow, dangerous smile that made her ..
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Catherine Anderson |
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7c0a803
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As Loretta drew near the door, Tom cried, "No! You miserable coward, Henry. You send that girl out there, and you'll never sleep a whole night through the rest of your life." Loretta touched the door planks and froze. Through the cracks she heard bells tinkling, a merry sound, as out of place as cheerful music at a funeral. She made the sign of the cross and squeezed her eyes closed, trying to remember how to make an act of contrition, but ..
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Catherine Anderson |
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547d4c5
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Brushing her hands clean on her skirt, Loretta stared dismally at the fire. Merciful heaven, why had she asked for a fire? He'd be able to her, which somehow made the thought of undressing in front of him all the more horrid. Her skin prickled. He was staring at her, waiting, like a man expecting his supper to be served. And what was even more awful, she like his supper. A hundred thoughts raced through her mind, running away from hi..
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Catherine Anderson |
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7a1998f
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Stay back!" she cried. "I come. Choose your mark, Blue Eyes, and drive the blade deep. You have one strike." When he was within arm's reach of her, she made a lunge, arcing the knife at his chest. Hunter deflected the blow, swallowing down cold, mind-numbing anger. She meant to kill him? No matter how frightened she was, he couldn't believe it of her, couldn't believe how much the realization hurt him. He wrested the weapon from her hands a..
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Catherine Anderson |
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07118fa
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Loretta opened her eyes and gazed up at her Comanche husband through a haze of longing. By degrees her pulse slowed, and her senses cleared. A tender smile curved his mouth. "My heart is heavy to say these words, Blue Eyes, but someone may come. My woman who is without shame must wait, eh?" She groped to jerk her blouse down. Hunter reared back to let her sit up, his eyes twinkling with mischief. She straightened her clothes, keeping her pi..
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Catherine Anderson |
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59df3c4
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When everyone had been dispatched, he turned to Loretta, one dark eyebrow cocked, his indigo eyes twinkling with laughter. "One wife and only one wife, forever with no horizon?" Loretta's gaze chased off, and her cheeks went scarlet. Clasping her hands behind her, she rocked back on her heels, then forward onto her toes, pursing her lips. "I told you, Hunter, I refuse to play second fiddle." He smiled--a slow, dangerous smile that made her ..
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Catherine Anderson |
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19627db
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My cousin, Red Buffalo, has said false words to you? If this is so, you will tell me." "As if you don't what he told me!" "You made a lie of your promise and tried to flee, is what I know! You came at me with a knife, is what I know! You made me look the fool, is what I know." "Oh, yes, you're the man whose words are drifting on the wind, whispering to him always! The man who never lies! I you out there at the fire! How stupid do ..
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Catherine Anderson |
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0c05d57
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From the first we knew it could never work between us. Somehow, for a few wonderful days, we lost sight of that. You're a Comanche. I'm a woman. We're worlds apart." "Look into me and say you have no love for me," he commanded hoarsely. "All the love in the world can never change this." "Say the words to me!" "I can't. I love you, don't you see? What I must do has nothing to do with what's between us."
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Catherine Anderson |
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f7dbb46
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You are my woman. We are one, forever with no horizon." "Oh, Hunter, it isn't that easy. I'm leaving," she whispered in a quavery voice. "You can't watch me every second." "It is forbidden for a woman to leave her husband." "So is our love." Hunter's guts knotted. He couldn't blame her for wanting to leave. Oh, yes, he understood. He even sympathized, but not so much that he was willing to let her go. She was reeling with shock right now. L..
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Catherine Anderson |
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9554281
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You are my woman. We are one, forever with no horizon.
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Catherine Anderson |