“Let’s go into the sitting room,” Luella said as she ushered everyone into a big room on the right. The fireplace was massive and took up most of one wall. The furniture was covered with fabric, and a great circle above their heads held candles that lit the farthest corners of the room.
“You have a very nice house.”
The door exploded inward, and Rhetta ran into the room bringing in a fresh burst of icy wind with her. “I didn’t miss anything, did I?”
“No, we were just getting seated,” Luella told her, offering an indulgent smile.
* * *
Rhetta tried to slow down her breathing. She had run fast to tell the others of Swift Eagle’s visit and then get back again. This was the most exciting thing to happen in a very long time. He was very handsome, with his thick black hair that hung just past his shoulders. Indians typically wore their hair much longer. Why had he cut it? She studied his face, intrigued. His brown eyes were filled with light instead of the dark she remembered from her captivity. She should have been afraid, but somehow, something within him beckoned to her, even though she would have stuck a knife in him when she saw him earlier had she been given the chance.
She took off her coat and hung it on a peg near the front door. Hopefully the seat next to their visitor was free. Luella wouldn’t sit next to him, would she? After all, she had Declan. She stopped. Was she really going to do this? Seek the attention of an Indian? Swift Eagle was much older and seemed kinder than her captors had been. And she already knew she wasn’t marriageable. The people of the town had let her know it outside of the church of all places. They didn’t want her in their church either.
When Big Red and Tara had inquired about her family, the whole town found out she was a captive. She had only been ten when she was taken, but that didn’t matter in the town’s eyes. As far as they were concerned, she still had lived like a savage, and that made her undesirable for “polite society.” Well, it was done and it couldn’t be undone. She couldn’t have fanciful thoughts of any man being handsome and wanting her as a wife.
She strolled with her head held high and sat in a chair across the room from Swift Eagle. He was being climbed on by the boys, and there wasn’t room for her anyway. A tiny part of her wished she wasn’t wearing her buckskins.
Cora and Harrison came in next with their three children Essie, Jordon, and Chad. Swift Eagle cradled Essie’s face and smiled. “You are so hopa… beautiful. I thought you a beautiful baby but you are growing into an even more o iyokipi… lovely young lady.” He turned to Jordon and Chad. “It is an honor to meet you both.”
As Rhetta watched the exchanges, a sigh slipped out. What would it be like to be called beautiful by someone who wasn’t your family? A restlessness she didn’t recognize came over her. What was wrong with her? She should be happy that Big Red had taken her in and was keeping her safe. She certainly didn’t miss being a captive of the Indians. Why was her heart beating so fast when she looked at Swift Eagle? Why did it feel as though her next breath was trapped in her lungs?
The door opened again, and Tara and her husband Zander entered, seeming just as happy as the rest to see Swift Eagle. They had two children; Patrick who looked like Zander with his dark hair and blue eyes and their daughter Hannah who had strawberry blond hair and eyes the color of the sky.
Rhetta’s glance darted around at those gathered in the room. Most of the families and their children had gathered. She loved them all, but she wished there was someone her age.
Once more, the door opened, this time admitting Heath Leary, carrying a young girl child, and his wife Dawn. With a happy cry, she threw off her wrap and ran to Swift Eagle. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. “I can’t believe you’re here. I never thought I’d see you again. I want to thank you—”
“Your smile and happy family are thanks enough.” He then shook Heath’s hand and smiled at their daughter.
“This is Maura,” Dawn said with pride.
“She favors the Learys with her red hair.” Smiling, Swift Eagle reached out to touch one of her fiery locks with a gentle finger.
“We named her after their sister who died during the Irish Famine.”
Swift Eagle nodded. “It’s the highest of honors to be named after another.”
Rhetta was surprised by Maura’s big smile. She was usually a serious type of girl.
It seemed as though all the grown-ups talked at once and they began reliving the old days. Well, it was only nine years ago, but she’d heard their stories a time too many. When Big Red came in, she offered him her chair. With the unsettling feelings roaring through her, this gathering was becoming too much. She wanted to help Amy, their housekeeper.
* * *
Swift Eagle looked at all the happy faces. It had been a while since he seen anything similar. It was a balm to his soul. He’d grown tired of rallying for peace when his people didn’t want it, especially Kills Many, who was still bitter about Dawn and her big magic.
He’d caught Kills Many staring at him more than once with hate in his eyes. When he’d set out to follow the wagon trains west, it had been time to move on. He didn’t long for the fine houses or the things most washicu—white people had. He longed to be part of a family again. It had been a long time since he could speak without having to watch what he said. Perhaps it was time to find a wife while he was still young.
His friends had many fine children to keep their legacies alive. A man should have such a thing.
“Have you ever scalped anyone?” Luella’s son Levi asked.
“Levi!” Heath admonished. “I’m sorry, Swift Eagle. Boys live for stories like, that but he shouldn’t have asked.”
Levi looked puzzled about the whole thing.
“Once in my youth,” Swift Eagle responded carefully. “But it made me sick to my stomach. Don’t tell anyone, though. I don’t want to be laughed at by the other Indians.”
Levi smiled.
Dawn left the room and came back with paper and string. “We are going to need things to decorate Christmas trees with. Let’s all go sit on the floor in the corner and I’ll show you how.”
She’d been a worry to Swift Eagle. He wasn’t sure she’d ever get past what had been done to her. But she didn’t show any signs of her experience that he could detect. The children huddled around her and hung on her every word.
“What are you thinking about?” Luella asked.
“I was thinking how happy I am for Dawn. I really didn’t think she’d ever marry but look at her. She’s very happy.”
“She has Heath and Maura. The doctor was worried she could not have a child because of all the beatings. He thought there might be damage inside.” A smile lifted her lips as she gazed at the small group. “We all help to teach the children and we have Amy. She rotates from house to house helping to clean, and she is the best cook.”
“Why thank you!” A dark-eyed dark-haired woman said as she put a tray down on the table. “There’s coffee and milk plus a few treats. I’ll get busy with supper; I expect you’ll all be here?”
“Of course, we will,” Cora answered. “Do you need any help?”
“I’ve got one of my best girls helping me.” She walked across the room and extended her hand to Swift Eagle. “How do you do? I’m Amy. If you need anything just ask. It’s a genuine pleasure to meet you.”
Swift Eagle stood and took her hand. “I’m delighted to meet you, Amy.”
She blushed and quickly glanced in Big Red’s direction. “I have things to do.” She hurried away.
Swift Eagle glanced at Big Red and shrugged. Big Red wasn’t wearing his usual smile.
“You never married,” Swift Eagle observed.
“Well, no but—”
“Don’t worry about me. I can see how the wind blows.”
Big Red nodded.
Rhetta came back out and served the coffee to the adults. She made sure all the children had milk and one cookie each.
“You must be
proud,” Swift Eagle told Big Red. “She has a big heart.”
He watched as she bent and whispered in Tara’s ear. Tara appeared surprised and somewhat pleased. Then Rhetta put on her coat and left.
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About the Author
Sexy Cowboys and the Women Who Love Them...
Finalist in the 2012 and 2015 RONE Awards.
Top Pick, Five Star Series from the Romance Review.
Kathleen Ball writes contemporary and historical western romance with great emotion and
memorable characters. Her books are award winners and have appeared on best sellers lists including: Amazon's Best Seller's List, All Romance Ebooks, Bookstrand, Desert Breeze Publishing and Secret Cravings Publishing Best Sellers list. She is the recipient of eight Editor's Choice Awards, and The Readers' Choice Award for Ryelee's Cowboy.
Winner of the Lear diamond award Best Historical Novel- Cinders' Bride
There's something about a cowboy
Other Books by Kathleen
Lasso Spring Series
Callie’s Heart
Lone Star Joy
Stetson’s Storm
Dawson Ranch Series
Texas Haven
Ryelee’s Cowboy
Cowboy Season Series
Summer’s Desire
Autumn’s Hope
Winter’s Embrace
Spring’s Delight
Mail Order Brides of Texas
Cinder’s Bride
Keegan’s Bride
Shane’s Bride
Tramp’s Bride
Poor Boy’s Christmas
Oregon Trail Dreamin’
We’ve Only Just Begun
A Lifetime to Share
A Love Worth Searching For
So Many Roads to Choose
The Settlers
Greg
Juan
Scarlett
Mail Order Brides of Spring Water
Tattered Hearts
Shattered Trust
Glory’s Groom
Battered Soul
Romance on the Oregon Trail
Cora’s Courage
Luella’s Longing
Dawn’s Destiny
Terra’s Trial
Candle Glow and Mistletoe
The Kabvanagh Brothers
Teagan: Cowboy Strong
Quinn: Cowboy Risk
Brogan: Cowboy Pride
Sullivan: Cowboy Protector
Donnell: Cowboy Scrutiny
The Greatest Gift
Love So Deep
Luke’s Fate
Whispered Love
Love Before Midnight
I’m Forever Yours
Finn’s Fortune
Glory’s Groom
Sullivan: Cowboy Protector: The Kavanagh Brothers Book 4 Page 17