Grady’s heart broke in the face of her resentment, but he accepted that he’d have to earn her trust and love. And he wasn’t above a bit of bribery to do it. He couldn’t lose her. Not now. Not ever again. “I’ll buy you a whole stableful of horses if that is what you want, sweetheart.”
Still looking uncertain, Renny shook her head then turned and ran to Morning Moon, who sat with her.
Emma placed her hand on his shoulder. “It will take her a while. She can be stubborn.”
Grady stood and blinked back his tears. “Stubbornness is an O’Brien trait. I’ve got time.” He took in the way Emma and Striking Thunder stood close to each other. He didn’t want to think of what that meant for his elder. “I’m going to resign, immediately. We’ll go home and maybe we’ll move. I’ve always dreamed of buying land and settling down. Horses, cattle, it doesn’t matter.
“What about you, Emma? Can you forgive me?”
Staring up at Striking Thunder, Emma smiled. “Yes. I can forgive you.”
Grady frowned. The love was unmistakable. “You love him?”
Without hesitation, Emma nodded. “With all my heart.”
“And he loves you. That much is obvious.” Sighing, Grady put his hands on her shoulders, drew her to him for a long hug, then gave her hand to Striking Thunder. “True love, once found, should be treasured above all else.”
“Thank you, Papa.”
Grady left Emma and Striking Thunder. After only a moment’s restraint, they reached for each other and held on as if afraid to let go. She drew back and searched his eyes. “You didn’t kill him.”
Striking Thunder slid his hands up the sides of her neck. “I couldn’t—even before I knew that he was innocent, that it had been Sanders who paid Yellow Dog.”
“But your duty—”
“Is to you, now. You and any children we have. You are my heart, my soul. You are my white woman. My white flame. Will you stay with this foolish warrior? Be my soul mate. Love me forever.”
“Yes. Yes. Yes,” Emma cried, throwing herself into his arms.
Striking Thunder picked her up, uncaring of who saw. “We shall marry as soon as we get back.” His voice turned stern. “And you must never run off again.”
An impish grin curled Emma’s lips. “Are you telling or asking?”
Striking Thunder smiled down at her. “I’m begging.”
“Then I promise never to leave you again. But there is something you must promise in return.”
“Anything.”
“I will wish to travel to see my father wherever he settles with Renny. He deserves a chance to get to know his grandchild—and Renny will make a wonderful aunt, don’t you think?”
It took a moment for the words to sink in. “A baby. We are going to have a baby.” He turned to the others and shouted, “I will be a father soon!” He spun her around in his arms.
Laughing, Emma made him put her down when the others crowded close. Golden Eagle hugged her then turned to Star. “What is it to be?”
Emma noted that the strain of the vicious visions had left Star. Her eyes clouded over but her features remained serene. Then she smiled. “The child will be strong and healthy.” She turned and walked away, her father following, trying to find out if he had another grandson or granddaughter on the way.
Striking Thunder and Emma both chuckled. Alone again, Striking Thunder kissed her, long, slow and thoroughly until the flutter of wings and the appearance of Black Cloud settling on Emma’s shoulder disrupted him. The bird plucked at her braid.
Striking Thunder shooed the bird away then picked up Emma and carried her to his horse.
Realizing his intent, Emma waved to the group of warriors, soldiers and treasured family members. Off to one side, several soldiers were digging two graves.
Striking Thunder mounted and pulled her up in front of him. His warmth and scent surrounded her. She leaned her head into the cradle of his shoulder and when he wrapped one arm securely around her waist, she held him to her. Neither spoke as they rode away.
Hours later, as the sun began its descent, Emma sighed and nuzzled her cheek against his chest. “It’s over.”
Striking Thunder stopped and tipped her chin. “No, it’s just beginning. I love you, White Flame.”
Emma wrapped her arms around his neck. “As I love you, warrior of my heart.” Reaching up, Emma drew his mouth to hers and kissed him, long and thoroughly, showing him exactly what she wanted. He lifted his head, his eyes heated with the spark of passion she’d ignited. She trailed her fingers down his jaw and slid them around his neck. “I want you, Striking Thunder.”
He stared at her mouth. “We will go away, far away, where it will only be the two of us and this warrior will show you what’s in his heart.”
Emma glanced around. They were alone in the middle of nowhere. Not another soul in sight and no black raven circling her head. She smiled, finding new appreciation for the wide-open plains that had once frightened her. With carefree abandon, she slid off the horse and twirled in a slow circle with her arms outstretched. Striking Thunder dismounted and with a laugh of pure joy, joined her, giving chase.
As one, they fell onto the carpet of spring grass. Emma reached between them and unknotted the thong around his waist, remembering a moonlit night when he’d taken her out into the prairie. “Here will do,” she whispered, wickedly, “here will do just fine.”
Love being held hostage by a great read? Check out these additional titles from Susan Edwards’ bestselling White Series, available now. Books 9 to 12 coming soon!
White Wolf (Book 5 of 12)
White Nights (Book 6 of 12)
White Dreams (Book 8 of 12)
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Author’s Note
The U.S. Army purchased Fort Pierre in 1855 and kept it only a year. For the purpose of this story, I left a small contingent of soldiers at the fort through the spring of 1857.
I hope you enjoyed Striking Thunder and Emma’s story.
For updated information, check out my website at www.susanedwards.com.
About the Author
Native American/Western romance writer Susan Edwards is the author of the popular White Series. She was nominated for the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Western Historical and the Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. She is very pleased to be able to offer her series in digital format. Susan is working on an idea for a new White book, a reunion of characters. She is also working on developing a new series, one that she is very excited about. Check her website, www.susanedwards.com, for current news.
Susan lives in Central California with her husband and a houseful of cats, including two rescue kittens who stole her heart. Her other passion is gardening. Through her love of all things Native American, she has designed a twenty-six-foot medicine wheel garden and has "broken ground." It is a big project but one that she loves. You can follow her progress on her website. Susan also loves to knit and join her husband for hikes in the hills when it isn’t too hot outside.
You can follow Susan at her various social media outlets:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/susanedwardsauthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/susan_edwards
Blog: http://www.susanedwardsauthor.blogspot.com
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ISBN: 978-1-4268-9327-8
Copyright © 2012 by Susan Edwards
Previously published by Leisure Books
Copyright © 1999 by Susan Edwards
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All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
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