by Sandi Rog
“But he murdered your husband.” The urgency in Anna’s voice rose.
“Any future he has to offer me has to be better than anything Denver City could offer. I’d likely be forced to work as a saloon girl just to survive. I’d rather live with Indians than be forced into that kind of a life.” She took in a long, deep breath. “We mustn’t be afraid,” she said as if not only convincing Anna, but herself. She patted Anna’s hand. “Everything’s going to be all right. God will take care of us.” Beth lay back down as if all was right with the world.
Anna couldn’t believe her ears. How could Beth act as if this dire situation didn’t exist? It was beyond Anna’s comprehension. It was foolish!
Besides, where was God when Anna was being beaten by her uncle? How did He take care of her then? The only way God would take care of them was if they did something about it.
Anna didn’t have time to argue with her friend. If she were going to get away, she had to leave now. This was her only chance to escape. She hadn’t planned on leaving Beth behind, but she couldn’t force her to go without waking everybody. If Anna stayed, there would be absolutely no hope. But if she went now, there would at least be a ray of hope, small one though it might be. Once in Denver, she would notify the marshal of their kidnapping and he could rescue Beth. Yes, that’s what she would do.
Quietly, she got to her feet, wrapped the buckskin over her shoulders, and picked up her carpetbag. She felt like a tree standing amidst the sleeping bodies. Surely someone would take notice of her, but nobody moved. Holding her breath, she lifted her skirt and stepped toward a slight opening between White Eagle and another Indian.
Fingers clamped around her ankle. She froze, fear prickling from her toes to her neck.
“Where are you going?” It was White Eagle’s voice, thick from sleep.
“Um—I have to relieve myself.” The lie came on its own, without a single thought. In fact, it came too easily. She’d have to deal with her conscience later.
“What’s the bag for?”
“It’s necessary that I, um . . . I need things . . . it’s not proper to discuss.”
He seized her arm, his fingers tangling in her hair, and pulled her down near his painted face. “What things?”
“Womanly things.” She clenched her teeth. “Feminine things that men have no business knowing about.”
He released her as though she’d bitten him.
If it hadn’t been so dark he might have seen the flame in her cheeks. Her papa had been right. After telling one lie, the ones after that just grew bigger. But desperate times required desperate measures.
“Go. But don’t take long.” He eased back down.
And go she did.
Once she put plenty of distance between the Indians and herself, she bolted between the trees. A constant view of Denver City was in her sights as she made her way across the ridge. Soon she would come upon less rugged ground and be able to work her way down the side of the mountain—she hoped.
The sounds of her breathing echoed off the trees. She gripped the buckskin tightly against her chest, even though the cool night air didn’t bother her now as she ran for her life. Her carpetbag felt heavy, and her feet carried her over fallen branches and pinecones. To her left, the small lights of Denver City, so far away, were still in view.
The moon lent just enough light to ensure she didn’t run into trees, but the rest of the woods were nothing but black shadows. She forced her mind on Denver. Home was where she was headed, and nothing would stop her. Not fear, not her uncle . . . not even a band of wild Indians.
~*~
“I’ll kill the woman,” Running Cloud said in a furious whisper so the other braves wouldn’t hear. The moon’s light illuminated his angry face. “I’ll pass her among the warriors. They’ll humble her.”
That thought sent a shock of white-hot anger through White Eagle’s system, and right then and there he knew if anyone laid a hand on her, he’d kill him. “She’s mine, and I’ll bring her back.”
“She’s not yours until marriage. Until then, she belongs to me.” Running Cloud thumbed his chest, challenging his friend. “This woman’s life is of no value. She’s defiant and not worthy of our tribe.”
“She is worthy,” White Eagle said. “She’s shown bravery by running away, though her escape will be in vain. You said yourself, Walks Alone has been touched by the Spirit of the Sun.” He used any argument he could come up with, whether he believed it or not. Anything to save her hide. “She’s strong, and a valuable gift. I want to make my gratitude known. I’ll find her, bring her back, and make her my wife.”
Running Cloud studied him, and then his frown softened. “She is brave, or foolish. If you wish to claim your gift then go after her. By sunrise, we’ll continue on to the village. If you’re not at the village after two suns, I’ll take back your gift, and she will be given to the warriors to do with as they please.” He started to turn then stopped and pointed at White Eagle. “If you don’t find her, I will. If she comes in contact with anyone, she could endanger our village with the knowledge she has of us.”
Even if White Eagle tried to take her to Denver City, Running Cloud would follow through with his word, sooner or later. Walks Alone’s defiance to his authority had ignited his anger all over again toward the white man. Thankfully, Woman Of Sorrow hadn’t tried to escape, or there would have been no hope. When his heart was ruled by anger, Running Cloud’s wrath could be as deadly as Black Bear’s.
They had been chasing Black Bear, who was still on the rampage destroying any and all newcomers to the Western Territories. They had followed him from their secret village as far as the South Platte. This last confrontation with Black Bear had been the worst yet, and White Eagle had fought well, despite the fact that he constantly resisted killing his old friend.
Because of Running Cloud’s withdrawal from the renegade parties, Black Bear blamed White Eagle. Now he and Running Cloud were considered enemies of Black Bear, even though Black Bear and Running Cloud were brothers.
White Eagle had obviously pleased Running Cloud, and that was why he originally offered Walks Alone to him as a gift. She likely would have been killed if she’d remained with the wagon train anyway. White Eagle had little doubt that Black Bear would return and raid the travelers.
Good thing he took Walks Alone. But now he had to save her from herself.
~*~
The lights of Denver City became distant between the trees. The woods grew dense, and Anna was forced to work her way toward the opposite direction of Denver. She came to a clearing where shadows lurked in all directions. An owl hooted, and then a chilling silence hung on the air.
No longer able to be guided by the distant lights of the city, she looked up at the stars to try and get her bearings. It was important that she continue in the right direction. But she had no idea how to follow the stars, and she feared she was lost already. Still, anything was better than being held captive. At least now she was free, and eventually she’d find her way.
She started in the direction she thought was correct. When she came to the center of a clearing, a twig cracked several feet behind her. The light hairs on her neck rose. Was it just a small animal foraging for food? Or was it a bear? Slowly, she turned to look.
A large shadow loomed halfway from the edge of the clearing to where she stood.
She froze.
Nothing had been there before. She dropped her carpetbag, picked up her skirt and ran.
The animal’s movements thumped behind her and came closer. Suddenly, she was taken about the waist. Her screams carried up through the trees, and she found herself aboard a horse.
“If you ever do that again, I’ll kill you myself.” Its rider held her close, whispering harshly in her ear.
White Eagle.
“Nay!” she shouted and struggled to break free, but he held her fast. She scratched his arms and kicked.
The horse jerked its head back and sidestepped.
&nbs
p; White Eagle reined in and slid with her to the ground, causing her to land on all fours.
Anna got to her feet and bolted. She barely made it a few feet when he grabbed her arm and swung her around. Screaming, she kicked, and when her boot met his shin, he loosened his grasp just enough for her to get away. She ran, but again, he swung her around by the arm. This time her palm met his face, and he jerked back.
Growling, he seized her arms and held her in front of him. She twisted and turned, but it was useless.
Not saying a word, he waited.
She pulled and twisted her arms, but it did no good. Finally, out of breath and strength, she relented, her whole being trembling. “Let me go.” She threw him a scowl, but even that failed when her hair fell over her eyes. “Let go of me.”
“Is it your time?” he asked.
“What?”
“Answer me.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Are you bleeding?”
She gasped, mortified that he’d dare ask such a thing.
“Answer me, now!” His grip tightened on her arms, and he jerked her inches from his face.
“No!” Tears forced their way to the surface.
“Little liar,” he rasped, lightening his hold. He shook his head and released a long breath. “They would have killed you if it were true.” She wondered if she detected a hint of relief in his eyes or if it was just the moon’s reflection casting an odd light on his painted face. He gestured toward her with his chin. “What’s your name?”
She turned her face away, refusing to answer. He chuckled at her useless display of dignity.
Tingles began in her fingertips and carried up to where his hands gripped her.
“You’re hurting me,” she said. Another lie. Oh, how easily they came!
With that, he released her—palms up—and stepped back.
Anna lifted a trembling finger and pointed it at his painted chin. “I’m going to Denver, and you’re not going to stop me!”
White Eagle smiled, his teeth glowing white in the moonlight, and then gallantly swept his arm aside. “Go.”
Uncertain, Anna backed away. Surely he didn’t mean it. But what if he did? She hiked up her skirt and bolted. She ran as fast as she could, just in case the man changed his mind.
With surprising agility, White Eagle ran beside her and then jumped in front of her. She dodged to the left, but he blocked her way. She backed up, not letting him out of her sight. There had to be a way around. They circled each other like two wild animals ready to pounce.
“Stop it,” she said between clenched teeth.
White Eagle stepped closer. She drew in a sharp breath. He stepped toward her again, and she stepped back again, but something stopped her feet. She found herself trapped against a tree.
White Eagle leaned against the trunk, hand over her shoulder and amusement in his eyes. “You don’t even know the way.” He moved in closer, and Anna held her breath. “We should have named you Talks A Lot.” Grinning, his fingertips brushed against her cheek as his eyes seemed to drink in her face, her hair. “Aren’t you afraid?”
“If you were going to kill me,” Anna whispered, trying to fight off the strange way he made her feel, “you would have done so by now.” Then she added with a bite of sarcasm, “Besides, we’re supposed to get married. Or have you forgotten?” With that she ducked under his arm and bolted.
Chuckling, he caught her about the waist and swung her around.
She fought him, only with less fervor since her limbs felt as heavy as trees. She twisted and kicked. “Take me home. I don’t want to marry you!” A knot filled her throat, but she swallowed hard. She refused to cry in front of this savage.
He set her on her feet and turned her to face him, holding her wrist.
Her hair hung in disarray all around her body and in her face, blinding her. She brushed the strands aside so she could see. “Please,” she said, breathless. “I want to go home.”
“I’ll take you there after we’re married.”
“What?”
“After we’re married. I’ll take you to Denver City.” His accent was strange and thick, and yet his English wasn’t broken like that of the other Indians. What made this man so different? “When you’re there, you can live your life as you see fit. You can marry who you want. Forget this ever happened.”
Even this savage didn’t want her. “Why would you marry me then set me free?”
“I marry you out of duty to my friend. You are his captive. If you refuse to marry me, he’ll take your life.” The moonlight revealed the frown on his painted face.
She swallowed.
“Don’t defy him.” He yanked her close. “You could have lost your life tonight.”
“Would he have found me?” Well, that was a stupid question. If White Eagle found her then Running Cloud surely would have. “Are you sure an Indian marriage doesn’t mean anything to civilized people?”
“Yes.”
“And after we are . . . married,” the word made her heart sink, “you will take me home—to Denver City?”
“You have my word.”
“But why? What difference does a wedding make to my freedom?”
“If we are married, you belong to me. You become my woman and don’t belong to Running Cloud. Then I can do what I want with you.”
His last words brought frightening images to her mind. “Nay!” She turned to run, but he jerked her back to him.
“I won’t take your womanhood.”
Shocked at his boldness of speech, she reached up to slap him, but he caught it. Now, he held both her wrists in his steel-like grip.
“How dare you speak of such tings—things. You have no right.” Tears welled in her eyes, and she lost the battle of holding them back. She may have started this conversation, but he didn’t have to be so blunt about it.
He sighed. “When we’re married, I’ll take you where you want to go.”
She struggled against him.
“I give you my word.” His voice was low, almost soothing.
Still she doubted, mortified at the conversation they were having. “How do I know you’re not lying?”
Anger spread across his face and his lips curved downward. “I’ve given my word. That is enough.”
Desperate to change the subject, she asked, “Wha—what about Bet? Will she be set free too?”
“No. She belongs to Running Cloud.”
Her heart went out to her poor friend. Hadn’t she suffered enough in this world? As soon as Anna was set free, she would tell the marshal about Beth, and hopefully he would have her rescued.
“I don’t want to go wit you, but I can’t fight you anymore.” She had no choice, nor the physical stamina. She jerked her wrists out of his grasp and started toward her carpetbag but turned and pointed a trembling finger at him. “You had better be a man of your word,” and not touch me, “and take me to Denver City when this is finished.”
Chapter Six
That night, rather than return to camp, they traveled long and hard. The deeper they went into the mountains, the deeper Anna’s heart sank. Her eyes grew heavy, and she felt sleep taking over, but she opened her eyes in haste. She wouldn’t dare fall asleep this time.
Black shadows of the forest came alive. The thought of wild animals lurking in the darkness made her move instinctively closer to her captor. Branches stretched out, reaching for her as if they knew she’d try to escape, and those same wicked pines shadowed the moon and stars, the only part of the forest offering her comfort.
White Eagle hummed, his chest reverberating against her side. It made her feel less alone, and she hated the fact that it stilled her nerves. Sleep tugged on her lids, and the baritone melody lulled her against him like a soft wind swaying a leaf. She forced her eyes open. “Stop it,” she whispered, her voice muffled by the darkness, but he continued to hum.
“Bonne nuit, ma chérie.” White Eagle’s breath tickled her ear.
Her
lids grew heavy. What’d he say? Gentle shadows faded in and out, until finally she gave in to the stillness, to the low rumbling of his chest, to the murmuring of his voice.
When she opened her eyes, the early morning light and birds singing in the trees greeted her. She was still on White Eagle’s horse, and they must have traveled the entire night.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked.
She pushed away from his body. Its warmth, though still inviting, clung to her. At least now, he wore a shirt with fringes along the arms and seam. Still, she would rather suffer from a chill than be so close to the man.
“You never told me your name.”
She straightened her skirt and turned her face away. He may have been able to keep her from getting home, but he couldn’t force her to say her name, not even if he threatened her with snakes. Her taste of freedom had been short lived, and she was tired of being everyone’s prisoner.
“You’re not from New York. I could hear it last night. You had an accent. Where are you really from?”
“None of your business.” Ashamed that proper pronunciation had failed her the night before, she was determined to speak better today, no matter how nervous she became.
“Let’s rest here.” He helped her dismount near a river and then pointed to a clump of bushes. “You can go there. And don’t try to escape. If you take too long, I’ll come after you.”
Her face heated at the thought of his finding her in such a state. She hurried to take care of business as he led the painted beast to drink.
When Anna returned, all she saw were trees. Across the river was a solid rocky cliff, and just beyond that, another snow-capped mountain. How would she ever get home? Would this man keep his word, or was she headed for disaster?
The lightning streak along the horse’s flank and white handprints dotting his body rippled over the horse’s muscles as he drank. The detail intrigued her.
White Eagle appeared from the trees.