by Rita Karnopp
Grasping his hair, she pulled him into her, wanting more and more. She pressed into him with equal urgency. Her body freely responded to his touching, his caressing, his exciting exploring. She felt a growing need to have him probed her flesh with an intensified devilish zeal.
He lifted her firm, round bottom above him, slowly lowering her onto his throbbing manhood. He fought to go slow, he burned with a need for release.
As he entered, a shock of searing sensations rippled through her. She lifted her hips, inviting him deeper and deeper into her warmth.
Their lips ignited the fire. A million stars watched as they gave and took love. Their love, pure and unrestrained.
"You're mine, Whispering Sun," he breathed.
"I love you, Two Shadows," she whispered in return. Together they reached a peak of ultimate joy, their bodies bolting simultaneously, shaking them as his seed spilled within her.
Holding her against him, Two Shadows rolled back, taking his weight off her. They remained together, extending their union as long as it would last. He liked how she nestled her face into his shoulder and welcomed the warmth of her breath against his neck.
"We were made for each other, Whispering Sun. We fit together and reach the highest peaks together. The Great Spirit has given you to me. I will never let you go."
"I feel it too. I've never known happiness until you. Even when I got my hearing back, something felt empty. Then you came."
"Have I been the only man you've felt love for, Whispering Sun?"
A silence hung between them. Sarah didn't want to break this wonderful feeling they'd just shared. She didn't want to hurt him by revealing she had felt love for a stranger. A man who walked into and out of her life in a short span of time. Was it worth mentioning? She'd once thought Two Shadows was that other man, but he never answered her when she'd asked him. He hadn't understood, therefore, he couldn't have been the stranger.
"You haven't answered me, Sarah. Surely the answer can't be that difficult."
"You are the only man I have made love to. I must be honest and tell you another man once made me feel special inside. There are times when I think of him when I'm with you. I don't know if it's because you remind me of him, or if you are like him. This man helped me when I fell off my horse. I felt secure in his arms and in a way-loved. I felt his gentleness and warmth. I can't explain it, but he made me feel the love within his heart. I have no doubts that he is a good man. He smelled of earthy cinnamon and a bit of pine, just like you. That's what I liked about you from the start. You smelled like the man who had shown me kindness when I felt alone and unloved."
"Was he a white man, Whispering Sun?"
Sarah thought for a moment, then looked up at Two Shadows. "I don't know. I took for granted he was. I never thought about it. I know that women all over wish to have him for their own."
"Do you, Whispering Sun? Do you wish he were yours?"
Sarah reached over and placed the palm of her hand on his cheek. "No, my love. I do not wish this hero to be my man. If he were...then you wouldn't be," she reasoned. "My heart would die if I lost you."
Two Shadows held her tight in the security of his arms. His heart soared with the eagles, happiness engulfed him. He offered up a silent prayer, thank you, Napi. I will protect and love her. Thank you for your gift.
He held her until sleep conquered. He slipped from her side, then wrapped the blanket around her, tucking in the edges. She curled into the warmth. He added more wood to the fire, then quietly walked into the night.
This night's moon cast a light equivalent to that of a lantern held high above his head. Two Shadows walked fast, generating heat for his body. Within minutes he stood at the entrance of the skinner's camp.
He moved, one foot in front of the other, stopping at the smoking campfire. A charred, shriveled body was all that remained of the heartless killer.
Two Shadow's hatred had smoldered away in the night. His mother and sister would be at peace now. This man's evil would stop. Now he could go on with his life—his life with Sarah.
Although he longed to return to Whispering Sun's warm side, he gathered all the horses, buffalo hides, wolf, beaver, and even mountain lion pelts. He searched for every last rifle, pistol and knife. All would be worth much at the upcoming fur rendezvous.
He retrieved his bow and arrows, then mounted a buckskin. Leading a saddled pony for Sarah and eight loaded animals, he headed back to Whispering Sun. Looking back at the vast wealth, he smiled. He'd become a wealthy man. He and Sarah would have a great tipi and raise many children. The hatred in his heart had finally been replaced with love. He felt like a new man.
Chapter Fourteen
Sarah reached behind her, the place felt cold. She opened her eyes and found herself surrounded in a blanket of darkness. Something had awakened her; a sense of danger? She struggled to focus in the semi-darkness. The fire blazed warm against her skin. She couldn't help wondering where Two Shadows had gone.
She walked toward the surrounding bushes, darting her gaze across every inch of area around her. She paused, listened, then continued on her way. Privacy became the only thing she did miss from her life at the fort. The wilds of nature offered no privacy to speak of.
A branch cracked, Sarah stopped. She made out a slight movement just beyond her. A shadowy figure approached. She decided a bear would be larger, and breathed a slight sigh of relief. A deep, low growl put her senses on alert. Fear set in. It sounded like a wild dog, or even a wolf. It moved in closer, she found her feet frozen to the ground.
Staring at the form, Sarah recognized her adversary…a mountain lion. He dragged his hind leg, an arrow shaft protruded through the injured limb. The hungry animal moved in closer and closer. She stepped back; step-by-step, toward the campfire. Feeling the heat against the back of her legs, Sarah stopped.
Her heart pounded, fear rippled through her. She glanced at the campfire, searching for a burning stick to grab.
A stabbing, biting sensation gripped her leg. She pulled at it, only to find the beast clenching its teeth into the soft flesh. She fell to the ground. Pain rippled through her. She uttered a piercing cry.
Crawling on the ground, Sarah stretched, then grabbed a burning stick from the fire. She turned on her attacker, jabbing at with the fiery stick to let her leg go. Pain seared through her like hot fire. The lion refused to release his grip. She pulled, kicked, and shook to get free. She beat, jabbed, swung the stick at the relentless lion. The tearing of her flesh caused hot flashes to sweep over her. Two Shadows, her mind screamed!
She heard the thud, then scraping of bone as an arrow entered the heart of the beast. Immediately the lion's mouth opened, freeing his grip on the muscles of her calf. Pain continued to burn as though the animal still tore at the limb. She glanced down to see the skin of her leg lay open, down to the bone. She shuddered. She felt Two Shadows pull her into his arms. His warmth didn't reach her.
"I'm sorry, Whispering Sun. I thought you'd be safe. Please forgive me."
She heard his words and sensed the grief behind them. "It wasn't your fault, Two Shadows. Now that you're here, I'll be just fine." She felt her body being pulled away, calm and floating. She welcomed the relief from the pain.
Two Shadows examined the mountain lion. One look at the infected injury near the broken shaft, the foaming of the animal's mouth, told him Sarah's injuries were serious. He had to get her to the medicine man, or she would die.
"I'm going to clean the wound. I'm afraid it's going to hurt, but I have to do it so it doesn't get infected." He wasn't sure she could hear him, but it made him feel better to talk to her. He rushed to his travel bag and retrieved a small leather pouch. Without wasting time, he flushed the wound with whiskey, the only bottle he'd taken from the skinner's camp.
Opening a small, leather bag, he grasped a pinch of sweet pine poultice, as he'd once done for her after her fall from her horse. So much had happened since that day. "This will help ease the pain. It'll make you
sleepy," he said, moving his finger across her tongue. He raised the water bag to her lips, she drank.
Having swallowed, Sarah found herself questioning the bitter taste of the medicine. It seemed familiar, she just couldn't place why. A warm tide rushed through her body, the pain in her leg disappeared. A heavy drowsiness washed over her and she allowed it to take control.
He covered the campfire with dirt, loaded their few belongings, then hastily climbed into the saddle, behind Sarah's limp body. He pushed himself and the entire pack animals hard the entire day. They headed west, through the pass and made their way down a dangerous trail before heading toward the valleys of the Three Forks.
Only when the pitch-darkness of night forced him to stop, did he sleep. He'd unloaded the weary animals, hoping it would be enough rest for them to regain their strength for another grueling day.
At first light, he reloaded the horses with the supplies and furs, forced some water and poultice down Whispering Sun, then pressed them onward. As the second day neared an end, Two Shadows noticed a worsening of Whispering Sun's condition. Continuing the punishing pace, he figured they would make it to Three Forks in two more days. His people would be camped at Ahkaitowaktai, for the annual fur trading and games rendezvous. His friend, and medicine man of the village, Many Pipes would be with them. He would help Sarah…he had to.
Another gruesome day had come and gone. Shaking his head to clear its heaviness, Two Shadows shifted Whispering Sun's body. His arms were numb from holding her. He fought to stay in the saddle as he followed the Gallatin River toward the Three Forks.
When the sun rose in the sky, they would be there. He hoped he and the animals would be able to push themselves that far. It'd worked well to use both riding horses, changing mounts every few hours. He felt bad about pushing the pack animals so hard, but he'd make sure they received a good rest and plenty of green grass once they reached their destination.
Two Shadows prayed to Napi, asking for his help and protection. Whispering Sun's limp body betrayed her dangerous condition. If she died…so would he.
Spotting smoke from many tipis, Two Shadows felt a renewed strength. He glanced down at Whispering Sun, then spurred his exhausted horse on.
Many throaty shouts of greeting reached Two Shadow's ears. Young boys ran following him, some touching the legs of their great warrior. Some ran on ahead of him, shouting news of his arrival to the camp. He pulled his horse to a halt in front of a tipi with large pipes painted on the outside.
Dismounting, Two Shadows brought Sarah into his arms just as Many Pipes came out from his home.
"Greetings, Two Shadows. It is good to have our warrior back home," he spoke in Blackfeet.
"It is good to see you, too, Many Pipes. I have come to ask for your help. I need you to save the life of the woman I love." Two Shadows held her feverish body out for the old medicine man to see.
"How does she come to be so ill?"
Two Shadows lifted her red, swollen leg toward Many Pipes. "She was attacked by an injured mountain lion."
Many Pipes felt the swollen limb, then felt her face and forehead. "She is very sick. It will take more than I can do to save her life. I will do all that I can. You better pray to Napi, we will need all the help he can give us."
"Look, Many Pipes. I have many horses loaded with furs and supplies. You pick what you need, it is yours to keep, including the horse. Please save Whispering Sun for me."
"I accept your payment for my services. Now, take girl to your father's tipi. Then go out and get me a green buffalo hide. You must do this quickly."
Two Shadows nodded, then walked the short distance to his father's tipi. Chief Deer Dancer sat in front of his home, waiting for Two Shadow's arrival.
"Father, it is good to have my eyes feast upon your face once again."
"My son, how good it is to have you back in my tipi. My heart has long worried and prayed for you."
"I have an injured woman who needs our help. I love her father. Is she welcome in your tipi?"
Two Shadows watched as Chief Deer Dancer looked down at the pale face of his woman.
"She is indeed very sick. It is not the white man's disease, is it?"
"No, my father. I would not have brought her here if that were so. Many Pipes will be coming soon to heal her."
"Bring her in, son," Chief Deer Dancer said, holding the entrance flap on the tipi open.
Two Shadows entered, holding Whispering Sun tight against his chest. Willow Basket rushed to his side. "Bring her to me. She is in need of washing. You men may talk around the fire and I will make her clean before Many Pipes arrives."
Two Shadows lowered Whispering Sun onto a soft buffalo robe. He choked back his twisted emotions, hoping his eyes spoke the thank you his voice could not. He hesitated, clinging to Whispering Sun's hand.
"Go talk with your father. His ears yearn to hear what brave deeds his son has done. I will take care of your woman."
Two Shadows nodded, then remembered the green hide. "I mean no offense, Father, but I must get a green buffalo hide for Many Pipes." Two steps toward the tipi entrance, Two Shadows found himself attacked by the body of a young warrior. He clung with pudgy arms circled around Two Shadow's neck, and gangly legs wrapped around Two Shadow's waist.
"Two Shadows! I knew you'd come. I missed you!"
Two Shadows smiled at the beautifully bronzed boy. "And I you, Little Arrow. Have you been a good son to our father while I was away?"
"Little Arrow, your father hates to interrupt so rudely, but your brother must get a green buffalo hide for Many Pipes. Let him go and you two may talk many hours when he returns."
"You don't have to go. I just saw He Who Listens come into camp. He has much meat and a fresh buffalo robe. He is your best friend. I am sure he will give you the robe."
Two Shadows bolted from the tipi, Little Arrow on his heels.
"Two Shadows! Two Shadows, my good friend. It is so good to see your homely face again," He Who Listens greeted him with a brotherly hug.
"I am most glad to set my eyes on your ugly face, too. It is a happy day to see my good friend. I haven't time to talk right now. I must ask two favors of you."
"Anything I have is yours. Whatever you ask, I will do."
"First, I have many horses and supplies that need tending. The animals have served me well and deserve some attention. Would you see that they are taken care of?"
"I will do as you ask, my friend."
"My second favor has to do with a woman I have brought with me. She is very ill. Many Pipes has need for a green buffalo robe..."
"Here, it is yours. Go. I will tend to your horses."
Two Shadows firmly grasped his friend's wrist, then took the robe, heading back to his tipi.
Many Pipes stood outside waiting for Two Shadow's arrival. "You have done good. Now you must spread out the hot coals of your mother's cooking fire, outside here," he said, pointing a place on the ground. Go get your woman. Leave her wrapped in a blanket as your mother has prepared. Bring her here and place her on the buffalo hide, with only her head outside the robe. Then you must roll it until the girl is tightly wrapped."
Two Shadows didn't question the medicine man's directions. He spread the coals and had Whispering Sun confined in the buffalo robe within minutes.
"Now lift bundle and place it on top of the hot rocks. She will remain there until all the hair has burned off the robe."
Swallowing hard, Two Shadows lowered the hairy roll onto the red-hot bed. He trusted Many Pipes and never would think of questioning his methods, but he'd never seen this done before. His nostrils drew in the putrid odor of burning buffalo hair. His stomach turned sour, but he remained by her side.
His back ached between his shoulder blades. His entire body became engulfed in tides of weariness and despair. Willow Basket appeared with a bowl of hot stew, he devoured it. It'd been days since his stomach had been full. He needed sleep more than anything, but he couldn't bring himself to leave Whis
pering Sun's side. Not until he knew she would live.
Forever seemed the time it took for the hair to burn from the outside of the green hide. He watched beads of perspiration drop from Whispering Sun's face. Her golden hair clung around her face.
"Kyi! Itsinitsi. Take her inside and have Willow Basket wash down girl's body and cover her with a light blanket. Have Willow Basket send Little Arrow to get me when girl is ready."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Yes, Two Shadows. Trust that I will do my best for your woman. Go inside and get some sleep."
Many Pipes knew things as they were. Staying awake wouldn't help Whispering Sun.
Willow Basket appeared with a clean blanket. After he unrolled the buffalo robe, she held it over Whispering Sun while he removed the soiled one. He carried her limp form into the tipi.
"I have a place ready for her over here, Two Shadows," Willow Basket pointed to a robe that had several older blankets spread on it. Amunis Ahki has come to help me."
"Otter Woman, it is good to see you. I thank you for coming to help." Two Shadows looked at the old woman, pleased by the warmth he saw.
"It is good to see the son of my heart. I heard you brought a woman who is very ill. Willow Basket has much to do and I have so little. It does my heart good that she will accept help from such an old woman."
Two Shadows watched the woman wipe Whispering Sun's face clean. He noticed her gentleness and had no doubt they'd treat her like a daughter.
"Son, go to your blanket and get some rest. You look ready to fall on the ground. We will wake you if something happens. You have my promise."
He looked at Willow Basket and marveled at her still beautiful face. His father had been lucky to find another wife to love him as much as she did.
Little Arrow entered the tipi. "Mother, Many Pipes says I am to wait for your word, then I must run and get him."
"Yes, my little son. But you must not wait in here. This is women's work. You go sit outside the door until I give you word."