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| Link | Quote | Stars | Tags | Author |
| 2694c31 | 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." | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 9463f61 | 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." | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 9868993 | 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." | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 8c31445 | 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." | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 33a9b61 | 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." | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 3f87992 | 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.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| c131d39 | 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.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 5e1fed2 | 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." | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 4dbf470 | 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.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 7194e71 | 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.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 5e191f2 | 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.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 4708d85 | 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.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| bbd4149 | 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 .. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 7c0a803 | 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 .. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 547d4c5 | 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.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 7a1998f | 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.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 07118fa | 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.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 59df3c4 | 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 .. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 19627db | 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 .. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 0c05d57 | 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." | Catherine Anderson | ||
| f7dbb46 | 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.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 9554281 | You are my woman. We are one, forever with no horizon. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 3187909 | Hunter found Warrior down by the river, teaching Pony Girl to swim. Sitting beneath a cottonwood, Hunter pressed his back to the trunk and rested his forearm on his upraised knee. "Warrior, I must make a short trip," he began. "Will you watch my woman and her sister while I'm gone?" Distracted by the question, Warrior forgot to watch his niece and turned. "Another trip? You've only just returned." Hunter's gaze dropped to Pony Girl, and his.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 05ef4c5 | Hunter?" She grasped his shoulders for support, digging her nails into his flesh. "Hunter?" "I am here. Be easy." He slid a hand to the nape of her neck and turned her face back to him. "Be easy." Loretta's legs felt like wet clay. As his mouth again claimed hers, a hundred possibilities ran through her mind, all frightening. Then sensation wiped out everything. There was only Hunter, solid and warm and gentle, holding her in rock-hard arms.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| d2dbf2a | 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 .. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 03cf790 | Only faith can keep what hope promises. | Adrienne von Speyr | ||
| 0721df3 | Watching you and my daughter, seeing how you've survived things other women couldn't--" She licked her lips. "That steel in your backbones came from your bringin' up, from me. I've taught you to stand up and fight back. I've raised you proud. Lately, I've been staring into my looking glass, wondering where the old Rachel has got off to." "Oh, Aunt Rachel, you've only done what you felt you had to for me and Amy." Rachel nodded. "Yes. But th.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| fbf372f | My dear child," the priest inserted, "it's not often one of these"--he threw a meaningful glance at Hunter--" offers to make an honorable woman of a captive. Wouldn't it be wise to accept?" "I'm in no need of matrimony, Father. I still my honor." | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 4413f43 | Loretta didn't realize she had drifted off to sleep until she awoke to the delicious warmth of Hunter's lips on her throat. She opened her eyes slowly, registering his presence beside her. A shaft of moonlight coming through the smoke hole gilded the broad shoulders that canopied hers. His solid chest, warm and silken, pinned her against soft fur. A wonderfully hard arm encircled her, his broad wrist pressed against her spine, his long fing.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 0eace02 | Hunter grew amused, watching Loretta. When she threw him an accusing glance, he noted that her pupils had flared until her irises were almost black. Crimson rode her cheeks, and a rosy flush colored her slender throat. He wondered if her entire body was pink and wish they were alone so he could find out. Tonight he would build a fire so she couldn't hide in shadows, and he would learn every inch of her, slowly. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 3eb5a61 | Tonight he would build a fire so she couldn't hide in shadows, and he would learn every inch of her, slowly. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 9865065 | Hunter grew amused, watching Loretta. When she threw him an accusing glance, he noted that her pupils had flared until her irises were almost black. Crimson rode her cheeks, and a rosy flush colored her slender throat. He wondered if her entire body was pink and wish they were alone so he could find out. Tonight he would build a fire so she couldn't hide in shadows, and he would learn every inch of her, slowly. Her shyness tantalized him.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| e75dce8 | We should get back," she said softly. "It'll be getting dark soon. And I'm tired." Brimming with the energy of youth, Swift Antelope and Amy leaped to their feet, eager to be gone. When Loretta stood, Hunter grasped her ankle. "We will follow later," he said huskily. Swift Antelope flashed a knowing grin and took Amy's hand to hurry her along. Loretta gazed after them, her color deepening. When she looked down at Hunter, her eyes were wide .. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| eb0551c | Your woman tries to flee," Red Buffalo snarled. "She makes a lie of her promise to you, eh? It is just as I said. She can never be one with the People. Never! She is an , liar, and unworthy. She has made a fool of you, cousin!" A hush fell over the crowd. Hunter tightened his legs around his stallion and picked up the reins. "Which direction did she go?" "Toward the horses. Where else? Whose will she kill this time, eh?" Hunter kicked his .. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 32ee73a | Let's list our evidence against him, shall we?" Loretta held up a fist. "What did Hunter do when Santos took you?" "He came and got me." Loretta uncurled her thumb. "That's one piece of evidence. What did he do after he got you away from Santos?" "He took care of me," Amy replied in a thin voice, her mouth trembling. "Oh, Loretta, I all the good things about Hunter! You don't have to make me count 'em." "That's a relief, 'cause I'm not su.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| dcab1f0 | I think you know, Matthew. You have many corners in your heart. | heart | Catherine Anderson | |
| a0f127b | I don't know why you even want me!" A sad smile twisted his mouth as he recalled how she had walked out alone to face a hundred Comanches, one small woman against an army. "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 | ||
| 37866f0 | By the fifth night his perseverance was rewarded with a smile from Amy after Swift Antelope escorted her home from their daily walk. With flushed cheeks, Amy regaled Loretta with the details of her time spent with Swift Antelope, about the doe and twin fawns they had spied upon, about the flowers Swift Antelope had picked for her, about the birdcalls and sign language he was teaching her, about the silly tricks he played on her. Clearly Swi.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| d190e74 | Cookie: And I ain't trustworthy. You got no call to be insultin'! | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 17a54b7 | Maybe people truly did have differen corners in their hearts. | hearts | Catherine Anderson | |
| 1a5ee87 | 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.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 0f1eb7a | You can make war with your eyes for a moon and win no battles. I grow tired of your anger, Blue Eyes." She lifted her small nose in the air and refused to look at him. Her hair had dried in a wild tangle of ringlets that wreathed her head in gold. Frustrated, Hunter clenched his teeth. Whether she realized it yet or not, she no longer feared him as she once had. A frightened woman didn't push like this. "You will tell me of this anger that .. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| 0a3b780 | The first day out, she and Amy kept one eye on the horizon behind them, terrified that Comanches would appear. The second day, both of them relaxed a little. By the third, Amy was convinced Hunter wasn't going to follow them. "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 h.. | Catherine Anderson | ||
| fe3d299 | She touched the scar that slashed his cheek, the lifeless lips that had so frequently whispered comfort to her. If her face was carved on his heart, his was carved on her soul. | Catherine Anderson |