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d57e95f
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In my world, you wouldn't be smart, either." "That is good. The way is " "How so?" He nodded toward a scrawny mesquite tree that had sprung up in a cluster of rock. "He plants dead trees in the earth, and the trees fall over. That tree does not." Loretta's stallion did a restless sidestep. She shifted her weight and reined him back into line, stroking his neck as she squinted to see through the dust the other horses were stirring up arou..
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Catherine Anderson |
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1da491f
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Make a story for me, yes? About my Loh-rhett-ah when she was small like Blackbird." She stared at him, clearly unable to believe he meant it. He forced a yawn, and from the look that crossed her small face, he knew he hadn't been very convincing. "You're not sleepy," she accused. " , no," he admitted."
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Catherine Anderson |
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3026e30
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Make a story for me, yes? About my Loh-rhett-ah when she was small like Blackbird." She stared at him, clearly unable to believe he meant it. He forced a yawn, and from the look that crossed her small face, he knew he hadn't been very convincing. "You're not sleepy," she accused. " , no," he admitted. "I make a lie, yes? To make you easy? My heart is laid upon the ground when you are afraid. Let us be glad, eh? Make me a story." "Hunter, I ..
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Catherine Anderson |
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100f27d
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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?"
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Catherine Anderson |
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e70d4de
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A Comanche don't wear a wolf sign unless he's somebody important. The wolf is sacred to 'em, their brother. No woman would have a medallion like that unless her man marked her with it.
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Catherine Anderson |
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d664b84
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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 after the virgin pain--and no shame. It is a promise I make for you, for always." Her breath came out in a rush. "Hunter, I'm afraid." "There is nothing to fear. You will tr..
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Catherine Anderson |
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c39578e
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The way things were going, if he was to become his woman's friend before he became her lover, they might never move on to the second stage of their relationship.
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Catherine Anderson |
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f0b6e39
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You will wear it? For always? And remember Hunter of the Wolf? It is a promise you make?" "I will wear it." Her fingers curled around the medallion. "I have nothing to give you." His eyes clouded with warmth. "Your ruffles." She pursed her lips. "I'm them. If you want them, you'll have to come back and steal them." His gaze ran the length of her. "Maybe so. You will make them nice like flowers, yes?"
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Catherine Anderson |
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ed696cb
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Warrior, she's going under!" Warrior snatched a handful of the child's dripping hair and pulled her up for air. Giving his head a shake, he moved toward shore. "I don't know. Maybe she's too young. Maiden insists she isn't, but I don't recall the other two being this hard to teach." "I taught Turtle, and Maiden taught Blackbird," Hunter reminded him."
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Catherine Anderson |
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9e100f0
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I'm leaving on a journey." "Ah, yes, a journey. Where are you going?" Hunter ignored the question. It was one thing to surrender to his woman, but quite another to admit it to his brother."
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Catherine Anderson |
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f517d88
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I think it's plumb loco, that's what!" The paddle thunked rhythmically against the sides of the tub, making such a din that it nearly drowned Amy out. "If you marry up with that old man, you'll be suppin' sorrow with a long spoon, mark my words." "Tom's not so bad," Loretta murmured. "Not so bad? He reeks! I guess maybe he's nice enough. But, Loretta, he's old enough to be your gramps! Even if his heart's in the right place, how could he ra..
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Catherine Anderson |
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53fb615
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Warrior beckoned to her. "Loh-rhett-ah, you come, eh?" Loretta glanced uneasily at Red Buffalo. To her surprise, he moved closer to Maiden of the Tall Grass to make room for her. Blackbird dashed across the room and seized Loretta's hand. " " she cried. Loretta rose and let the child lead her to the circle. She shot a glance at Red Buffalo. He caught the look and smiled. She had the uneasy feeling he did so only for the benefit of Warrior a..
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Catherine Anderson |
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6d0837d
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I'm frightened," she said shakily. "I am frightened beside you," he murmured. "You? But why are you--" "Because you are sunshine. Because you make a glad song inside me. I have great fear that you will go away from me."
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Catherine Anderson |
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9c80e4c
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I'm frightened," she said shakily. "I am frightened beside you," he murmured. "You? But why are you--" "Because you are sunshine. Because you make a glad song inside me. I have great fear that you will go away from me." He drew the blouse over her head and tossed it aside. Smiling, he smoothed her hair, then lifted its heavy length to resettle it around her white shoulders so it covered her breasts. Skimming his palms down her slender arms,..
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Catherine Anderson |
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27235e9
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When she finally grew still, a taut silence settled over them. From the corner of his eye he could see her worrying her lip, her small white teeth sinking into the soft pink flesh. Remembering how those lips felt beneath his, another surge of longing knotted his guts, making him recall the plans he had made for the evening--plans that were now drifting away on the wind. He wanted her, yes, but not if it meant forcing her. "I suppose that.....
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Catherine Anderson |
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685b10d
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Where is the high place the Great Ones spoke of? Where is the canyon filled with blood? And how will I ever reach across so great a distance to take Loh-rhett-ah's hand?" "You must have faith. The high place will be there, as will the great canyon." Leaning forward, Warrior clasped his brother's shoulder. "Courage, Have courage."
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Catherine Anderson |
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da2f4c2
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You are my woman. You will sure enough marry no other." "Well, if you think I'm going to marry , you have another think coming! Never, do you hear me?" With that, she wrapped her arms around herself and glared at him. Hunter sighed and flopped onto his back, staring upward sightlessly. Minutes passed. When at last he felt her curl up at the foot of the bed, as far away from him as possible, a knowing smile touched his lips. No woman could ..
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Catherine Anderson |
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a2d263e
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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..
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Catherine Anderson |
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7078495
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How you!" she cried. "Of all the-- You arrogant, simple-- Oh, never mind! Just you understand ! Amongst people, a man has wife, one, and he looks at no other, thinks of no other, no other, until death do they part. I wouldn't marry you if you got on your knees and me!" Hunter sat up slowly, feeling a little dazed by her fury and wondering what had sparked it. Would he never understand her? She leaned toward him, her blue eyes f..
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Catherine Anderson |
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e8ab41c
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Did I test your patience, my father?" Many Horses seemed to ponder that question a moment. "I found myself short on patience the time you shot me in the thigh with your first bow and arrow. It wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't been standing you." Hunter laughed softly. "You weren't when I let fly with the arrow. If I remember, I turned around to ask you a question." "Which I never did answer. I always thanked the Great Ones that you w..
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Catherine Anderson |
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e20e508
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In the morning Hunter awoke to find his blue-eyes curled up against his side, only the tip of her nose and a tangle of gold hair showing above the edge of the buffalo robe. She had one hand wedged under his backside, the other insinuated between his thighs. He was tempted to wake her, just to see the look on her face when she realized how intimately she was touching him.
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Catherine Anderson |
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63c0b87
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Speaking of pits in plum pudding, do you remember your sister's first attempt? Your grandfather broke off his only remaining tooth trying to eat it." "And swallowed tooth, pit and all, so he wouldn't embarrass her in front of Gray Horse, who had come to court her."
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Catherine Anderson |
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7b3fd50
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The next instant she glimpsed a black horse cutting through the crowd, and a familiar, deep voice said, "Blue Eyes?" Hunter's breath caught when Loretta turned at the sound of his voice. For an instant he forgot about the child cradled against his chest, his entire being focused on the beautiful woman who stood, surrounded by hostile squaws, in a cloud of settling dust. Her eyes shone like the brilliant blue at the base of a flame, dark las..
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Catherine Anderson |
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8550897
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Did I test your patience, my father?" Many Horses seemed to ponder that question a moment. "I found myself short on patience the time you shot me in the thigh with your first bow and arrow. It wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't been standing you." Hunter laughed softly. "You weren't when I let fly with the arrow. If I remember, I turned around to ask you a question." "Which I never did answer. I always thanked the Great Ones that you w..
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Catherine Anderson |
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f8179cd
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Swift Antelope caught Hunter's arm before he could go inside his mother's lodge. "Hunter, about the little yellow-hair." "Yes, what about her?" Swift Antelope glanced uneasily at Bright Star, then plunged ahead. "I would like to make arrangements with you--to take her as my wife. Not right away, of course. When she grows old enough." The young warrior straightened his shoulders. "I will pay a fine bride price, fifty horses and ten blankets...
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Catherine Anderson |
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db1ae6d
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Hunter's already low spirits plummeted. It was a sad state of affairs when an untried boy had more luck with women than a grown man.
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Catherine Anderson |
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4809552
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The nights tormented Hunter the most. He wanted Loretta beside him with an intensity that made him ache, not only to slake his desires, but simply to hold her. For him it was a sweet pleasure to be close to her--a sentiment she clearly didn't share. She went to amazing lengths to avoid sleeping with him, afraid, he was sure, that sleeping wasn't what he had in mind. Each evening she puttered endlessly in the lodge, inventing needless chores..
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Catherine Anderson |
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556264d
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Amy caught his arm. "Will you make that boy go away?" Hunter pried her fingers loose and rose. "Swift Antelope is my loyal friend. It is good that he stands outside. No harm." Turning to his mother, Hunter slipped easily into his own language, plying her with questions. His mother informed him that although Amy was weak, with proper nourishment and plenty of rest, she would soon recover. The internal bleeding had completely stopped. The cut..
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Catherine Anderson |
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a1b8357
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She splayed her fingers on his chest, shoving with the heels of her hands to lever herself away from him. Hunter tensed his arm at her waist to hold her. He wondered if she was aware of his hardness. Then he felt her heartbeat accelerate and had his answer. He bit back a tender smile. If only she knew how easily he could see her thoughts, like pebbles at the bottom of a clear pool.
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Catherine Anderson |
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bbe37bd
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Before she thought it through, she rose on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his in what she intended to be a quick kiss of farewell. Hunter had heard of this strange custom called kissing. The thought of two people pressing their open mouths together had always disgusted him. Loretta was a different matter, however. Before she could pull away, he captured her face between his hands and tipped her head back to nibble lightly at her..
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Catherine Anderson |
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9c826c1
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Come to think of it, Warrior was even more dangerous with his first rifle. Remember the time he accidentally fired through my lodge and shot a hole in your mother's cooking pot? She was boiling rabbit. The water hit the fire and filled the place with so much smoke, I nearly choked to death before I got everyone outside to safety." Hunter threw back his head and roared with laughter. "I remember you pulling that rabbit out of the pot and tel..
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Catherine Anderson |
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18ded32
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Look into my eyes. Do you see a new morning with new beginnings?" He searched her gaze, and then, in a husky voice that reached way down inside her, he whispered, "Yes." He drew out the word until it seemed to echo and reecho in her mind. It was then that Loretta knew. He had fallen in love with her. She stared up at his dark face, so close to her own that they breathed the same air, and her heart broke a little, for him, and for herself. S..
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Catherine Anderson |
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bad0f15
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You have stolen my heart.
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Catherine Anderson |
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7fb8521
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Why would he think steal you away? I'm the one victimized, the one who left her family." "This saddens your heart?" "Of course!" "You must not be sad. This Comanche will bring your family to you many times." "Here? No, Hunter, they will never come here to see me." "Then I will take you to their wooden walls. I want no sadness in your heart." He felt some of the rigidity leave her and knew he had said the right words. "Oh, Hunter. I to b..
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Catherine Anderson |
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082304d
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Why would you bother lying?" Her eyes darkened. "What would you gain?" "Your ruffles?" He watched her face and knew the moment when she realized he was teasing her. "You said I could steal them, yes?" "As I recall, we decided you should take them when I wasn't them."
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Catherine Anderson |
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fce3da9
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Loretta couldn't concentrate on the game long enough to figure out its rules. She had eyes only for Red Buffalo. He had joined Warrior's family for the evening and was displaying a jovial, gentle side that Loretta could not believe. Pony Girl, Warrior's two-year-old orphaned niece, climbed all over Red Buffalo, using his braids for handholds, squeezing his neck from behind until his face turned red, tickling him when he ignored her to conce..
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Catherine Anderson |
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a137de2
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You will lie beside me." "But what about Amy?" "Your Aye-mee is with my mother, yes? The woman who is mean like a buffalo. She is safe. You will be easy about her until the sun shows its face." His voice turned husky. " , come." "I--I'd really like to check on her. She fainted, Hunter. I want to know she's okay. I won't rest until I know that." "If she were not, my mother would come. My mother has good medicine, yes? And she is very kind. Y..
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Catherine Anderson |
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15f1176
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He stretched out an arm and watched the myriad emotions that crossed her face as she contemplated the spot beside him. She had slept beside him before, many times, but tonight was different. There was nothing to stop him from taking what he wanted. She had even bargained away her right to fight him. What she didn't seem to realize was that there had never been anything to stop him.
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Catherine Anderson |
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d09496a
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When at last she scooted over to him, Hunter experienced a feeling like none he had ever felt. It went beyond satisfaction, beyond contentment. Having her fair head on his shoulder felt perfectly right, as if the Great Ones had hollowed the spot for her long ago, and he had been waiting all his life for her to fill it. He curled his arm around her, his hand on her back. "It is good, eh?" She placed a palm lightly on his chest. In a dubious ..
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Catherine Anderson |
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afb6013
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All my children would be--" Hunter rolled his eyes. "Can you see me, surrounded by White Eyes?" "Ah, that is the trouble. She is a White Eyes." Many Horses nodded and, in a teasing voice, said, "I don't blame you there. No man could be proud of a son with white blood. He'd be weak and cowardly, a shame to any who claimed him." Hunter froze and glanced up. The white blood in his own veins was an unspoken truth between him and his father. Nev..
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Catherine Anderson |
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49f3202
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On the eighth day of Hunter's absence, along toward dusk, Loretta heard a distant yodeling sound and glanced up from Maiden's cooking fire to see men riding in. It wasn't difficult to spot Hunter, several horse lengths ahead of the others, leading what looked like a mule carrying a priest. Loretta rose on her tiptoe, frowning. Surely she couldn't be seeing what she she was seeing. What priest in his right mind would visit a Comanche villa..
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Catherine Anderson |
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0917ee7
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I have brought you a Black Robe," he said tersely, and nodded toward the waiting priest. "He will pray your God words over us, yes?" With that, Hunter grasped her firmly by the arm and drew her toward the central fire, never breaking stride despite Loretta's attempts to slow him down. "I won't marry you!" she cried frantically. He threw her a look charged with martial arrogance. "You will be my wife, little one. My way or yours, in the end,..
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Catherine Anderson |
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d34ee72
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I don't understand her. I treat her kindly, yet she still shakes with fear at the thought of being one with me. I try to make her happy and make her angry instead." Many Horses lifted an eyebrow. "Fear is not like a layer of dust on a tree leaf that washes away in a gentle rain. Give her time. Be her good friend, first--then become her lover. As for making a woman happy, you succeed sometimes, you fail sometimes. That is the way of it." Hun..
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Catherine Anderson |
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5d20645
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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 |