The moment her tawny eyes opened, Miranda sensed he was gone, and pangs of loneliness and loss filled her along with a twinge of anger. She did not have to turn over to look around the cabin. She felt an emotional chill in the air. Blazing Star's warmth and vitality had been taken away, and his special scent had vanished. His spiritual aura was missing. She suddenly felt very alone and sad. Why was he determined to prevent their love?
She could not go after him; she could not even visit the camp under the guise of seeing her grandfather. She had promised to part after one night with him. How rashly that vow had been spoken! But she prayed he would miss her, miss her enough to send for her or to sneak back to see her. If not, perhaps she would be compelled to find him once more.
It thrilled her heart when she discovered her locket gone and found the wanapin on her pillow. She smiled, then danced around the table. Her heart surged with life and joy, for they had touched in many ways. How could he deny or ignore what had passed between them?
She recalled his warnings: "Once you have known me and our union, the fires would burn brighter and higher ... You do not know the powers of passion ... I have wanted no female since my eyes touched upon you." Were those warnings as painful for him as for her, and as truthful?
In the throes of ecstasy, he had said, "Ni-ye mitawa, Tamaha," which meant "you are mine, Tamaha." Had he forgotten she could speak Sioux and had understood those words?
She bathed and dressed, then prepared a small meal for herself. Around three, there was a knock at her door. Her heart did not lurch with excitement; she knew her love would not return in the daylight. She opened the door and gaped at the two grinning people standing there: Amanda and Reis. Miranda squealed with surprise and hugged both as she bubbled with delight, spilling forth countless questions.
"Slow down, Randy," Reis teased her. "It's been a long trip and Mandy is tired. Let's catch our breath, and we'll tell you everything. Where's Luke?" he inquired, having much to tell his friend.
When Miranda answered, Amanda could not believe their cousin had been so careless with her sister. "He left you here alone?" she blurted incredulously. "Just wait until I get my hands on Lucas Reardon! He promised he would take care of you and protect you, yet he ran off and left you at the mercy and lust of these crude soldiers!"
Miranda giggled, then replied mirthfully, "I've been perfectly safe, Mandy. Surely you know I can take care of myself. Remember how many times I had you or Luke pinned helpless to the floor or ground? Remember how many suitors I sent scurrying in fear? I'm so glad you're here; I've so much to tell you," she murmured, mystery and joy shining brightly in her dark eyes. "I'll prepare some coffee and shortbread, then we'll talk for hours."
Reis noticed the same mysterious lights which Amanda observed, sensually dreamy lights which matched the softened tone of her voice, all of which hinted at a change in Miranda's life, a masculine change. Reis grinned and winked at his adoring wife. He excused himself under the guise of looking around the fort, leaving the two sisters to talk privately. Evidently both females had plenty to relate.
Miranda insisted her sister give her news first. She was stunned to learn of the danger they had faced in Alexandria but was relieved it was over. She could not grieve for Weber Richardson, for he had brought about his own fate. She smiled at Amanda, thrilled by her sister's happiness. Clearly her sister loved Reis Harrison deeply.
Miranda did think it slightly odd that her sister knew so little of her husband's current mission. Then again, men could be such mysterious, complex, and mercurial creatures) But Amanda would be safe with him and surely more happy at his side. Miranda was glad to discover this was Reis's last duty and they would be establishing a home afterward. It was easy to picture them with children, herself as a loving aunt. Her heart warmed at such pleasing thoughts. Amanda had found her destiny and followed it.
When Miranda heard they would be traveling around the territory while Reis did whatever it was he had come to do, she warned her sister about the continual hostilities and perils in this rugged area. She revealed all she had learned about the whites and Indians nearby. She told about her episodes with Lieutenant Brody Sheen and Lucas's subsequent journey with him and Custer's regiment. It was evident to Amanda that her sister disliked Brody; she had even compared him to Weberl Miranda talked about Calamity Jane and Tom Two-feathers Fletcher and related how Lucas had found and rented this cabin. When she halted briefly, Miranda had told about everything except her visit to the Sioux camp and her love for an Oglala warrior.
Amanda watched her sister closely, knowing something vital was about to spill forth from those parted lips. Amanda sat rigid and silent as Miranda divulged her exciting trek to see their grandfather, describing him and the camp and her adventures. Amanda was so staggered by this unimaginable and frightening tale that she could not speak. Having heard horrifying tales about certain warriors and events, she could not believe her sister would calmly ride into an enemy camp! Yet, she also could not deny that her sister had returned safe and happy.
Again, Miranda hesitated noticeably, for there was only one drama left to unfold. She realized Amanda was shocked by her conduct, and she could not envision Amanda's reaction to her imminent con• fession. She waited for her sister to regain her clear head and tongue.
"How could you do such a reckless and dangerous thing, Randy? You could have been killed! Or taken prisoner! Or worse! I should never have allowed you to come here with Luke. Whatever were you two thinking? You just told me both sides are preparing for war."
"I was never in any danger, Mandy. What white would harm a woman with a letter of protection from President Grant? And what Indian would harm the granddaughter of Chief Sun Cloud?" she asserted.
Amanda threw her hands into the air and shrieked in exasperation, "I don't believe what I'm hearing! After all we've been through lately, you think you're safe from all evil? There are Webers everywhere, Randy! If you were captured and slain out in the wilderness, who would know who did it or why? Don't you realize how few females live out here? Haven't you noticed how crude and rough these men are?" she rebutted.
"No one has tried to attack me, Mandy. I carry a gun, and I can fight like Ling taught me. You worry too much," she teased.
"It seems I didn't worry enough. If we leave before Luke returns, you're coming with us. But if he does show his roguish face, he'll have to promise not to leave you alone again. I doubt he will after I finish with him," Amanda determined aloud.
"I'm not leaving here just yet," Miranda announced defiantly.
"If Luke isn't back when Reis and I depart, you're going with us, young lady," Amanda argued just as stubbornly and firmly. "I mean it, Randy; we're not leaving you in this hellish place alone."
. Miranda stared her straight in the eye and stated, "I'm in love with someone who lives nearby. I'm not leaving until I learn if he feels the same. Now that you have Reis, can't you understand my feelings? I love him. I need him and I want him," she vowed earnestly. .
"Who?" Amanda probed. "You haven't mentioned anyone to me."
"Yes, I have. He's the Indian warrior I wrote you about, the one I met on the way here by steamer," Miranda informed her softly.
"The Indian warrior? He lives around here? Have you seen him again?" she pressed, a curious qualm chewing at her racing heart.
Slowly and carefully, Miranda related much of what she knew about the warrior, except their intimate night together here in this cabin. She told her sister about their meetings and how she felt. "I can't help it, Mandy; I'm in love with Blazing Star."
Amanda went white and trembled. "Who... did you say?" she stammered, that name terrifyingly familiar to her.
"I see you've heard of him," Miranda scoffed as she witnessed her sister's alarm. "He isn't like that, Mandy," she protested, then revealed more facts about him and this racial conflict.
"How could you fall in love with a barbarian, an enemy? Oh, Randy, what's gotten into you? What have you done?" Amanda fretted i
n a near whisper, recognizing a vast change in her gentle sister.
"During the war, Yankees were considered bloody barbarians, our fiercest enemies. Have you forgotten the horrible atrocities they committed against the South? Even so, you fell in love with one and married him," she retorted cleverly.
"That's different!" Amanda shouted at her.
"How so?" Miranda debated. "If we make peace with the Sioux, our differences will be the same as yours and your Yankee husband's."
"From the way things appear, there will never be peace," Amanda remarked, her opinions colored by false information. -
"I believe that same statement was made about the North and South only a few years ago," Miranda reminded her astonished sister.
"But Reis's life isn't vastly different from mine, Randy. You and Blazing Star have nothing in common," she contended.
"Love," Miranda slyly announced, smiling dreamily.
"I doubt even powerful love is sufficient to overcome such complicated differences, Randy." Her sister softened her argument.
"Until I know beyond a single doubt that I can't have him, I'm not leaving here."
"You don't know him, Randy. You've only spenta few days with him. Love takes time; it takes working and being together. You can't love at a distance. You can't love through war."
"Tell me something, Mandy; how long did it take for you to fall in love with Reis? How long before you knew you wanted him beyond caution or wisdom? How long before you knew you couldn't live without him? How long after meeting him did you two marry?" When Amanda sighed heavily at her inability to argue those points, Miranda asked quietly, "Did you make love to him before you wed?"
Amanda went scarlet with modesty more than guilt. She gasped in shock at her sister's bold query. "Miranda Lawrence!" she panted reproachfully. "How could you ask such a question?"
Miranda had gotten her answer. She glued her gaze to Amanda's and made her confession of love and passion. "After experiencing such emotions for Reis, Mandy, can't you see how I feel? He is my destiny, my one true love. Like you did with Reis, I must pursue him, whatever the price or danger. Don't you understand that one day with him is worth any price?"
"But Reis loves me in return, Randy. Sharing passion isn't enough. What about your future, your happiness? What if you can't have him? You can't force this man to love you," she explained sadly.
Miranda considered those words, then replied, "I believe he does love me and need me. I just have to make him realize it."
"How do you plan to do that?" Amanda asked seriously.
"I don't know, Mandy. I wish I did," she admitted hoarsely. "When I think of never seeing him or touching him again, it's like fiery arrows are being shot into my body. It's such an awful feeling of loneliness and pain, worse than when Mama and Papa died," she confessed. "Do you remember how you felt when you thought you couldn't have Reis? Imagine how you would feel if you lost him this very ' , y•
Amanda stood up and went to her sister. She hugged her affectionately and comfortingly. "I wish there was something I could say or do to help, Randy. I'll just have to trust you to do the right thing, as you did with me where Weber was concerned. Will you promise me to act slowly and carefully?" she entreated.
Miranda smiled and hugged her tightly. She had never loved or needed her sister more than she did this very moment. "I promise. Just stand by me, and I know everything will work out fine."
That night, Miranda slept on the cot in the living area while Reis and Amanda used the small bedroom. She could hear them whispering far into the night. She knew Amanda was revealing their conversations to her beloved husband, but that did not matter to Miranda. Later, she ached for Blazing Star while her sister made passionate love to Reis, their muffled cries escaping beneath the closed door. Finally, all was quiet; still, Miranda found it difficult to get to sleep.
Two days passed while Miranda and Amanda shared each other's company. After announcing himself as the liaison from President Grant to the commanding officers in this area, Reis was busy asking questions, making observations, and writing reports, reports which he concealed in the same hiding place which Lucas used for his critical and secret papers.
Each time Miranda remarked on Reis's assignment and curious actions, Amanda would shrug and say it was a covert mission and they should not discuss it. But Miranda caught her sister's longing gazes over the area beneath the eating table several times. When Miranda laughingly suggested they sneak and read the reports, Amanda was horrified. She warned Miranda never to attempt such an unforgivable act. When Miranda asked if Reis's work was dangerous, Amanda grimaced and said she did not know but suspected it was from his dealings with Weber. Even more confusing and intriguing was the second set of papers which he wrote upon, then intentionally left on the table near the bed.
Reis sent a telegram to Lucas, relating their arrival at his cabin. Again, he stated he was here as a liaison for Grant. He asked Lucas to send word of the impending locations of several important officers. When an'answer came the next day, Reis informed the two women that Lucas was on his way home. Arriving with their cousin would be Brody Sheen and Custer. Apparently, Custer was piqued with curiosity about Reis and his business.
Miranda did not know what to think when Reis sat her down at the table and began probing her for answers or speculations about the Sioux Indians, especially the Oglala tribe. He seemed particularly interested in learning all he could about Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and Blazing Star. He even exhibited a keen interest in the Indian agencies which she had seen, and anything she had overheard about them. She wondered why he did not ask any questions about her grandfather or her Indian cousin, Bloody Arrow. Oddest of all was the fact that he had sent Amanda to the sutler's shop to prevent her from hearing their talkl
Miranda started asking questions of her own, wanting and needing to understand Reis's desire for facts and figures. Obviously, these questions and facts had something to do with his mission. Yet he evaded her probes and went on with his interrogation.
"No more, Reis, until you tell me why you need such information," she eventually declared, eying him intently, oddly.
"Just tell me all you know, Randy, then I'll explain. First, I need a clearer and larger picture to study. This area's like a volcano ready to explode, and Grant wants to know why and who's furnishing the molten lava," he hedged.
"No. Not until I'm assured of your intentions. I can't betray or endanger my grandfather and his people, or ..."-She-did not finish.
"Or Blazing Star," he completed the name which worried her the most. "If I'm to help your mother's people, Randy, and possibly avert more bloodshed, I need facts for President Grant. I have to be careful who supplies such information; too many people are profiting from lies and greed. What's so unique about this area? The land isn't that good for ranching or farming. The game is as good anywhere else. There has to be something else to inspire the whites to crave it at any cost. Do you think it's possible to speak with the Sioux chiefs? Would Tom Fletcher take us there without any questions?" he asked shockingly.
"You want to see Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull? Why?" she pried.
"I can't explain my mission right now, Randy. You've got to trust me and help me. Can you get me into the Oglala camp? Naturally it has to be in total secrecy," he urged her.
"You want to spy out their strengths and defenses for Custer I" she surmised coldly. "You expect me to help defeat them?" she sneered.
"I expect you to help save their lives and lands. You know the kind of men in charge out here, the ones Luke is writing about. Custer and Grant aren't friends. You've seen what's taking place at those agencies. There's corruption and fraud here, Randy, and Grant wants to know who's behind it and how to stop it. Evidently there are plenty of reasons behind the continual hostilities. That's all I can say. Will you help me?" he coaxed gravely. "You could see Blazing Star," he tempted in order to sway her. "And I don't work with the cavalry or army," he declared honestly.
"I hope I'
m understanding you correctly, Reis. If you're lying to me or misleading me. . ." she hinted ominously. She abruptly asked, "Did you know about this mission before you married my sister? Did you know we were Sun Cloud's granddaughters?"
A frown lined his handsome features. "Please don't even think such things, Randy. But to answer you, no and no. I swear to you I'm no threat to the Oglalas. My investigation isn't for military purposes. Anything I learn is for the ears of Grant alone."
"All right," she finally acquiesced after studying him intently. "Tom seems completely trustworthy. But just in case, I'll take you to my grandfather's camp; I know the way. If anyone sees us, you can say we were out riding and got lost. I can get you in and out, but don't betray us. What about Mandy? She would increase the danger of getting caught. Besides, she sounds afraid of them; she might accidentally insult one of them. Then, we'd be in big trouble."
"This mission could be very dangerous for both of us, Randy. I've already explained matters to her; she knows she can't tag along. She's going to remain here and cover for us. If it appears safe, I'll take her back to visit Sun Cloud later. She's a little miffed, but she understands why we have to leave her behind. I'm glad you agree."
Miranda guessed from her sister's gaze and voice that this idea did not suit her at all, but she would follow her husband's wishes. Just after midnight, Miranda and Reis walked their horses a safe distance from the settlement, then mounted and rode away at a swift gallop. All went as planned until dawn when they halted to water and rest their animals. Miranda had brought along her Indian dress but had not changed into it yet. To avoid being noticed as a woman, she was wearing jeans, a blue cotton shirt, and a floppy hat to conceal her chestnut locks.
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