|
d05eb07
|
When the wind blows, the sapling bends, the flowers lie low against the earth, the grass is flattened." He thumped his chest with his fist. "I am your wind, Blue Eyes. Bend or break." In all her life, she had never felt quite so helpless. Her attention moved to the knife on his hip. If only he would drop his guard--just for a moment. As if he sensed what she was thinking, he smiled another humorless smile and lowered his gaze to her chest ..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
6bb8dea
|
He gazed into the darkness at the flickering shadows. Above the tops of the trees on the opposite side of the river, he could see endless stretches of starlit sky. He longed for home where the plains stretched forever, where the wind sighed through the river canyons, sweet with the smell of grass and mesquite. If only his friends hadn't come across a mute yellow-hair and ridden to tell him.
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
5c7aaff
|
I'll do anything." Hunter was about to tell her he would find Amy, that she need not beg, but her last words stopped him. He was not a stupid man. He searched her pale face. "I'll be your woman. That's what you want, isn't it? I'll stay with you. Freely. If you'll find Amy and bring her back to me. I promise, Hunter." Her desperation made him feel ashamed. She had come to him for help; he couldn't turn her away. He needed no reward for find..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
9f507ce
|
Hunter bent his head and pressed his face against her hair. The next instant she felt his lips on her neck. She also felt his hand on her posterior. Frustrated by her high neckline and her full skirts, he made a fist in the calico. "So much Where are you, Blue Eyes?"
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
83f5dbd
|
Frustrated by her high neckline and her full skirts, he made a fist in the calico. "So much Where are you, Blue Eyes?" He started to lift her dress. Loretta reached behind her and caught his hand. "Wha--what're you doin'?" He lifted his head, eyes alight with teasing mischief. "I search for my woman. You are in there."
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
6431f30
|
She saw Hunter reaching toward her out of the corner of her eye. She looked at him as he lowered his medallion necklace over her head. The flat stone was still warm from where it had rested against his chest. She pressed her palm over it. "You will wear it? For always? And remember Hunter of the Wolf? It is a promise you make?"
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
781ecc7
|
Thank you for bringing me home. My heart will sing a song of friendship when I think of you, Hunter--for always into the horizon." He gestured toward the stallion. "You will take him. He is strong and swift. He will carry you back to Comanche land, eh?" "Oh, no! I couldn't. He's yours!" "He walks a new way now. You are his good friend." Tears sprang to her eyes. "I will never return to Comancheria, Hunter. Please, keep your horse." "You kee..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
9743970
|
Loretta awoke shortly after dawn, alone in a cocoon of fur. She had only the haziest memory of Hunter carrying her to bed after making love to her last night. She sat up, clutching the buffalo robe to her naked breasts. Her clothing lay neatly folded on the foot of the bed, the rawhide wrappings for her braids resting on top. Her blond hair fascinated Hunter, and he had never yet made love to her without first unfastening her braids. A sad ..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
d8ebbcb
|
She stared at the crude stone medallion that rose and fell against her bosom. And then it struck her. El Lobo, the wolf. Hunter of the Wolf. Her friend had protected her with something more than just lances in the yard. He had left his mark on her person. A hysterical laugh welled in her throat. And then relief swept through her.
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
8bba746
|
Suddenly it struck her as hysterically funny. She had been captured by savages and dragged halfway across Texas. Never once, not even when he had just cause, had Hunter hit her with enough force to hurt her, and never in the face. She'd had to come home to receive that kind of abuse. She sank onto the planked bench and started to laugh, a high-pitched, half-mad laughter. Aunt Rachel crossed herself, and that only made her laugh harder.
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
46f3dd5
|
Loretta awoke shortly after dawn, alone in a cocoon of fur. She had only the haziest memory of Hunter carrying her to bed after making love to her last night. She sat up, clutching the buffalo robe to her naked breasts. Her clothing lay neatly folded on the foot of the bed, the rawhide wrappings for her braids resting on top. Her blond hair fascinated Hunter, and he had never yet made love to her without first unfastening her braids. A sad ..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
d56b448
|
Hunter, if you leave signs for other Comanche bands, why do white men have so much trouble finding you?" "They are not smart."
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
1c52e24
|
Do you bleed from within?" Her face flamed, and she bit her lip. Hunter would have traded every horse he owned at that moment to have a woman there."
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
fd88bec
|
His knife cleared its sheath before he realized he had drawn it. He held the razor-sharp blade to her throat, his body atremble with the effort it took not to kill her. She had her eyes squeezed closed, awaiting death. Her fear clung to the air he breathed, so intense he could smell it, taste it. Yet she was biting his arm? Another tremor shook him. He wasn't sure whose body convulsed, his with rage or hers with terror. And then realization..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
fef96e7
|
His people or Loretta? His mother's and father's faces flashed in his mind. Then others crowded in, Blackbird, Pony Girl, Turtle, Warrior, Maiden of the Tall Grass, and Red Buffalo. As much as he loved them, he had come to love Loretta more. When had it happened? He had once told Loretta that he would be as nothing without his people, and that was true. He would be giving up all that he was to be with her. Yet how could he live without her?..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
30ecbc8
|
His people or Loretta? His mother's and father's faces flashed in his mind. Then others crowded in, Blackbird, Pony Girl, Turtle, Warrior, Maiden of the Tall Grass, and Red Buffalo. As much as he loved them, he had come to love Loretta more. When had it happened?
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
5763bab
|
He had once told Loretta that he would be as nothing without his people, and that was true. He would be giving up all that he was to be with her. Yet how could he live without her? The prophecy had come to pass. Without her, he had no tomorrows. How could a man live without them? He sighed and closed his eyes. From the moment she had stepped out from her wooden walls, the path ahead of him had been clearly marked, but he had been too blind..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
7e1813e
|
Your wooden walls are far away, Yellow Hair. If you try to slip away, this Comanche will find you." Until that moment, the thought of swimming off hadn't occurred to her. She shot a glance over her shoulder at the swift current. If only she had clothes... "You do not make like a fish so good. Save this Comanche much trouble, eh?" She thought she detected laughter in his voice, but when she looked back at him, his gaze, blue-black and pierci..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
82ffa96
|
You will eat"--unmistakable laughter played upon his face--"so you will stay strong. We cannot fight the big fight if you tremble from hunger." Loretta lowered her gaze. A rush of conflicting emotions assailed her. She detested this man. She shouldn't care if he didn't get enough to eat or feel in the least guilty for having wasted his stupid meat. Yet she did. And for the life of her, she couldn't accept part of his meager portion only to ..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
b2a3c83
|
Hunter tossed another piece of wood onto the fire, sending up a spray of live coals, a few of which fell in Tom's lap. Tom scrambled backward and tried to shake them off, no easy feat with his hands tied behind him. In the process he lost his balance and toppled sideways. Hunter squatted by the fire and draped his arms over his knees, his gaze fixed on the feeble flames while Tom struggled to sit back up. The Comanche's eyes shone with that..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
c3072d3
|
Please," Tom whispered. "There's other gals you can steal. Don't take this one. Let her go home to her family." Breaking off, he licked his lips. "She ain't done you no harm." After a long while, Hunter returned his attention to the fire. "This Comanche does not sell his women. Not even for rifles. She goes with me." "Why this girl?" Hunter tossed a sliver of wood onto the flames. "Another will not do."
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
a04c333
|
Why this girl?" Hunter tossed a sliver of wood onto the flames. "Another will not do."
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
6569a36
|
You got no choice, girl. Don't think ya do. He's not treatin' ya too bad right now, but as God is my witness, he will. Just pray you go before they start in on ya." He swallowed again. "I don't know why he's held off. Maybe he's takin' you back to his village for some kinda ceremony or somethin'--to his squaws. Or maybe he just fancies a wife with golden hair. Either way, believe me when I say dyin' of thirst will be kinder." Loretta hugged..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
7552b4a
|
If the time comes you need to talk about it, you can share anything you need to with me. I won't judge you--not for anything." Loretta stiffened. "What could you judge me for?" She pulled away. Rachel averted her face. "Oh, Aunt Rachel, not you, too? Is it a crime to live through something like this and emerge unharmed? I starve myself. I chose death, just like any self-respecting woman would. But then he promised to bring me home, and I ..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
34c1cef
|
Hunter would never have told her to come to him if he hadn't believed she could find him. Between her and Friend, they would make it. Loretta mounted up, no longer feeling so horribly alone. As crazy as it was, she felt as if Hunter rode beside her.
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
af849f9
|
Swinging to his feet, Hunter scattered the fire so the flames licked feebly at the wood and threw the lodge into gentle shadows. Then he turned to regard his wife, forcing his hands to curl loosely at his sides, his stance deliberately relaxed. "Blue Eyes, come here," he whispered softly. She threw up her head like a startled doe, her eyes huge and wary. Hunter's guts clenched, and with one stride he closed the distance between them. Catchi..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
03c09cc
|
Swinging to his feet, Hunter scattered the fire so the flames licked feebly at the wood and threw the lodge into gentle shadows. Then he turned to regard his wife, forcing his hands to curl loosely at his sides, his stance deliberately relaxed. "Blue Eyes, come here," he whispered softly. She threw up her head like a startled doe, her eyes huge and wary. Hunter's guts clenched, and with one stride he closed the distance between them. Catchi..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
43718d9
|
In the dim light he could see tears shimmering on her pale cheeks. He bent his head to catch their saltiness with the tip of his tongue. "Ah, Blue Eyes, , don't cry. Has my hand upon you ever brought pain?" "No," she whispered brokenly. Determined to finish what he had begun, Hunter swept her slender body into his arms and strode to the bed. Lowering her gently onto the fur, he stretched out beside her and gathered her close, his manhood t..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
dc9c5f3
|
In a voice that rasped with frustration as well as tender amusement, Hunter said, "You have such a great want for me that we must hurry, yes?"
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
b6f951c
|
In a voice that rasped with frustration as well as tender amusement, Hunter said, "You have such a great want for me that we must hurry, yes?" Her spine snapped taut, and she leaned her head back to look at him. He met her gaze with a lazy smile, trying not to think about how her nipples grazed his skin, how torturous it was to feel her hips pressing forward against him. Working one hand loose, he carefully brushed the tears from her cheeks..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
b578b45
|
Blue Eyes, we have many nights to lie with one another. Forever, yes? Until we die and rot." "Until death do we part," she amended."
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
f6a236e
|
Giving a low chuckle, which he punctuated with a defeated sigh, he said, "Blue Eyes, we have many nights to lie with one another. Forever, yes? Until we die and rot." "Until death do we part," she amended. "Ah, yes, until death do we part." He shrugged one shoulder. "A very long time, yes? If I strike such fear into your heart that we must be quick, it is wisdom to wait. It is enough that you will lie beside me. That I can put my hand upon ..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
64a85fc
|
It is enough that you will lie beside me. That I can put my hand upon you." Her expression went from wary distrust to incredulity. "And do nothing?" Hunter shared her sentiments. It was the most idea he had ever come up with."
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
688ff9f
|
Make me a story." "Hunter, I don't have a stitch of clothes on," she squeaked. One of his dark eyebrows flicked upward. "You must have clothes to make stories?" "No. I guess I...well, it might help me think." He sighed and rolled onto his back, carrying her along with him in the curve of his arm. Pressing her head onto his shoulder, he made a valiant attempt to ignore the feeling of her silken flesh against his and said, "This Comanche wear..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
a8ba766
|
There they came, forty Comanches, all whooping and hollering, lances raised, a frightening spectacle indeed. Forgetting for the moment that she must guard what she said, she cried, "They attacking. He promised." "Then what the hell they doin'? Get outa my way!" Henry shoved her aside and resighted his rifle. "He promised? She's touched, Rachel! They messed her up in the head, keepin' her all this time." Loretta ran for the door. "He isn..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
00581f0
|
Good-bye, my friend," she whispered. As if he had heard her, Hunter reappeared alone on the rise. Bringing his stallion to a halt, he straightened and lifted his head, forming a dark silhouette, his quiver and arrows jutting up above his shoulder, his shield braced on his thigh, his long hair drifting in the wind. Forgetting all about her family watching her, Loretta stumbled down the steps and out into the yard to be sure Hunter could see ..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
92cab2b
|
Blue Eyes, you will see into me, eh?" Because he was still holding the two pieces of meat, he didn't have a free hand and nudged her shoulder with his forearm. " , look." For the first time, she detected a note of entreaty in his voice, scarcely recognizable under his martial arrogance, but there. When she looked up, his eyes caught and held hers. After a long moment he said, "You are , the enemy. That is so, eh? , a white woman? And I am..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
2ef00cf
|
I stayed hidden, Hunter. She screamed and screamed and screamed for help! And I did nothing. Nothing!" Tears burned in Hunter's eyes. He hunched his shoulders around her. "You were a child." "A coward, I was a coward!" A horrible, tearing sob erupted from her. She slid her arms around his neck and buried her face against the side of his throat. "That's what I can't forget! Hiding down there, hearing her scream. Oh, why didn't I do something..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
260b2a8
|
You make a smile inside me, that is why I want you. The way a man wants his wife.
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
acd21ef
|
You make a smile inside me, that is why I want you. The way a man wants his wife." He ran a hand up her back, kneading her tense muscles. "You will trust this Comanche? As you did when you rode in a great circle back to me? This one last time, you will trust? No hurting"
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
b7f82f0
|
Blue Eyes, you will say yes to me?" "Tonight? Now?" "Yes, tonight. Before this time between us passes."
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
d29a408
|
You are well?" Hunter asked in English. "I'm better." She threw a worried glance at the doorway. "Is that awful boy still out there?" He had expected questions about Loretta. "Swift Antelope?" "Is that his name? I don't like him." "Ah, I see." Hunter pursed his lips. "You have reason?" "I just don't like him." She gave a delicate shudder and wrinkled her nose. "He stares at me funny." Hunter guessed that Swift Antelope had been mooning, not..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
a15fd9d
|
My chief wife will be a woman of my own blood." He felt her stiffen and, seeking to mollify her, added, "You can be second wife, eh? Or third?" To his surprise she bolted upright, shaking again, this time in anger. With an indignant lift of her small chin, she flung herself away from him. "You are angry?" Her reply was frigid silence. "Blue Eyes, what wrong words have I said?" "What have you said?" Hunter frowned. "It would not please you t..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |
|
bd33528
|
He found Loretta awake when he entered his lodge. She was sitting up in bed, raking her fingers through her tangled hair. When she saw him, she averted her face, still angry, if the glint in her eyes was any indication. At first Hunter tried ignoring Loretta's glares. After feeding her a breakfast of dried fruit and some of his mother's flat white bread, he took her to visit Amy. After that he retrieved her satchel from Maiden's lodge and e..
|
|
|
Catherine Anderson |