Before Sarah could reply another person came into view. After a few moments, Sarah recognized him to be Wild-Flower’s older brother. “This warrior is very happy to see both his sisters alive and well. Running Wolf welcomes White Wind as his sister.”
Sarah nodded in return, perplexed. But before she could question his odd statement, an older man came forward, tears in his eyes. But unlike Wild-Flower and Running Wolf, he came right to the side of her bed and reached for her hand.
Golden Eagle leaned forward. “White Wind, this is Chief White Cloud, father to Running Wolf, Wild-Flower and…to you. This, White Wind, is your father.”
Sarah stared speechlessly. “How…?”
White Cloud spoke. “It is a story that I will tell you when you are stronger. For now, know that we are your family and welcome you, firstborn child to Chief White Cloud.” He motioned Running Wolf and Wild-Flower to join him.
Tears welled and spilled down Sarah’s cheeks. She lifted a corner of her blanket to wipe her eyes as she stared from one face to another, always returning to her father’s as the talk turned to general news. Sarah did find out that she had one more sister and two more brothers. A family! She now belonged to a large family.
White Cloud rose as Sarah struggled to keep her eyes open, and her mind focused on the talk around her. He motioned his two children out. “There has been enough excitement this day. White Wind must rest now.” He held his hand up to still Sarah’s protest. “Do not fight your need to rest And do not argue with your father. Your eyes keep dropping,” his voice chided gently.
“You’ll be here tomorrow?” Sarah asked, half afraid he would be gone in the morning.
“Yes, daughter. When Wi shows her face, I will return to your side,” White Cloud promised as he turned and left.
Sarah sighed and leaned back, her strength gone. “Oh, I’m so tired, but I don’t want to sleep. I’m afraid I’ll wake up and find out it was just a dream.”
Golden Eagle got up and stretched out beside Sarah, tucking her close beside him, mindful of her injury. “It’s no dream. Your father is here. Hush now. Let us rest.”
Nodding her blond head, Sarah relaxed next to her golden warrior, and before she knew it she had fallen asleep, her heart lightened by the prospect of seeing her new family on the new day.
Six weeks later, Sarah paced restlessly across the wooden porch, her boots thumping in agitation as she stopped to scan the countryside. But seeing nothing of interest in the watery-blue horizon, she gave a sigh of impatience and resumed her pacing.
Standing just inside the doorway, Mary shook her head in exasperation. Stepping outside, clucking her tongue, she gently scolded, “It will do you no good to get so worked up, young lady. Your husband will be here any day for you, and your pacing and pathetic sighs will not bring him here any faster. Now sit and eat. What will he say if he finds you in ill health from all this needless worry?”
“But Mary, it’s been such a long time already. What if something happens to him? What if he doesn’t return for me?” Sarah worried aloud, chewing her lower lip. Her fingers tangled in her necklace as she worried the beads, eagle, locket and the newest addition—a small wooden carving of feet with outstretched wings.
Mary pulled forth a rocker with a thick padded seat and waited for Sarah to seat herself. From her first day out of bed, Sarah had taken to spending most of her convalescing hours sitting on the porch, claiming she felt closer to Golden Eagle as she imagined him staring at the same blue sky.
“That’s enough, Sarah. Golden Eagle will be here before you know it. Why, it took all of us to convince him to leave you here for your own good, so you could recover and get back your strength when the time came to return with his people. He’ll be here any day, you mark my words. Now sit and eat. I have my chores to do yet and cannot stand here holding your lunch all day.”
Sarah flung herself into the chair, took the proffered tray of bread, meat and fruit and watched Mary retreat into the house. She would miss Mary when the time came for her to leave. Tears gathered, and her eyelids drooped with sadness. With a determined shake of her head, she put her depressing thoughts aside. Tears, it seemed, came easily to her these days.
Sarah forgot her sad thoughts as her stomach growled, reminding her of her hunger. She quickly ate every morsel of the meal Mary had prepared for her.
Fully recovered from the gunshot wound, she now only experienced a bit of stiffness and tenderness. As each day of her recovery passed, her appetite grew, as did her belly. The baby was growing rapidly and becoming stronger each day.
Looking at her bulging abdomen, Sarah smiled, and laughed aloud when the tray resting against it moved ever so slightly, threatening to tip over. Removing the tray, Sarah patted her belly. “Won’t your father be surprised to see how you have grown?” She leaned her head back, closed her eyes and took a few moments to rest.
The movements of the baby had become much more noticeable in the past few weeks. Last week a definite kick had startled her, causing her to drop and break a bowl she’d been washing.
A short time later, Sarah rose, unable to sit any longer in the weak warmth of the sun. What to do now? As Golden Eagle was due any day, she had already packed her things.
Leaning against one of the supporting pillars, Sarah frowned as she remembered the day he’d left to return to his home without her. It had been decided, not by her, that she would stay and remain under Mary’s care to heal and recover her strength before making the long trip back to the Black Hills.
Golden Eagle had been reluctant to leave her, but Mary bad pointed out that she was safe in her own home now, and she and Ben would nurse Sarah back to health so she could make the journey without endangering their baby.
The two chiefs had also agreed. They each needed to get back to their tribes and prepare for the moves down to the prairie for the summer celebrations. The summer celebrations would also include a combined wedding feast between the two tribes.
Sarah and Wild-Flower had decided they wanted to be married in a double ceremonial, but as Sarah was to remain behind to heal, Golden Eagle and Red Fox had convinced the two chiefs to perform a simple ceremony at the house, allowing Mary and Ben to take part in Sarah’s wedding. A more elaborate ceremony and the celebrating and feasting would follow upon Sarah’s return to her tribe.
So here she sat waiting impatiently for her husband to fetch her. It was mid-September, more than a month since Golden Eagle had left.
Already nature had changed her seasons. The leaves were turning color and the air was much cooler in the mornings. Soon the rains would turn to snow.
“This is ridiculous! I can’t sit here any longer,” Sarah exclaimed as she pushed open the door and went inside. In the small kitchen area she helped Mary in an attempt to keep busy, but as her mind was not on the chores, she was more in the way.
When Sarah’s absent-minded fumbling caused her to drop a heavy cast-iron pan onto the floor, startling Mary, who nearly cut herself peeling potatoes, Mary’s nerves snapped.
“Out! You’re nearly as bad as Ben in the kitchen today, child. Out with you till you can keep your mind on what you’re doing,” she ordered the sheepishly grinning girl.
“Oh, Mary. I’m sorry. What can I do? I’m going crazy just sitting and waiting. I’m not used to this. At Golden Eagle’s village there is so much to do that this waiting is killing me,” Sarah wailed as she apologized.
Mary shook her head. Oh, to be young and in love again. She had an idea and snapped her fingers. “Why don’t you go for a short ride before dinner? Ben is somewhere out in the yard working today. Ask him to go with you,” she suggested.
Sarah’s eyes brightened. “What a wonderful idea, Mary. What would I do without you?” Sarah sobered as her words hit home. “What will I do without you, Mary?”
Mary blinked her tears away and replied gruffly, wondering what she’d do without Sarah around, “You’ll do just fine, young lady. I didn’t raise you to be attached to my ap
ron strings, now did I? Now, away with you, you scamp. I’ve got dinner to see to. Don’t be late now,” she instructed as she shooed Sarah out.
A few minutes later Sarah rode leisurely toward the meadow, leaving Ben to follow behind at his own pace. Slowly, she guided her horse to the center of the field and looked around.
Dismounting, she led the horse to the tree where she and her pa had had their last picnic together, and tethered the animal loosely so he could nibble at the grassy shoots.
Ben, she noticed, had remained at the edge of the woods, still seated on his horse, whittling on a piece of wood, chips flying in all directions. Sarah thought of all the intricate wood carving Ben had done for her to give to her new families.
She smiled as she pulled out her necklace, the number of dangling objects increasing. Just before leaving the barn, Ben had presented her with a new charm. The miniature of Great Star left no doubt in her mind that Ben was competing with Golden Eagle and her father. Ben’s eyes never left Sarah’s wandering form for long. He knew Mary would skin him alive if anything further happened to Sarah. A movement in the woods behind Sarah caused him to reach for his rifle.
Recognition dawned in his craggy old face when he caught sight of the warrior still hidden in the woods. His face broke out into a welcoming grin. Silently, he gave a wave of acknowledgment, and quietly took up his reins to head back the way he’d come.
Chapter Forty-Three
Unaware of Golden Eagle’s arrival, Sarah continued to wander, remembering many of the good memories she’d forgotten. Her hand rested on her swelling abdomen, caressing the growing life there. Would Golden Eagle be pleased or would he view her swelling body with horror and not want anything to do with her? So lost in her worries and thoughts was she, that when words were spoken, Sarah thought at first she was hearing voices of the past.
“So, we met again, my pale-haired love,” Golden Eagle called out, grinning and dismounting. Sarah squealed, her face lighting with joy. All worries were forgotten as she raced across the grassy meadow and flung herself into his outstretched welcoming arms. “You came back. You’re finally here,” she cried out, tears of happiness running down her healthy pink cheeks.
Tipping her chin with one finger, Golden Eagle gently wiped her tears as he tenderly inquired, “Did you doubt that I would return for you, wife of mine? We belong to each other, and nothing could have prevented me from coming for you.” His head lowered as his lips claimed hers.
Sarah locked her arms around his powerful shoulders, sliding them around his neck, and stood on her toes to eagerly meet his lips with hers. With a deep welcoming sigh, she opened her lips to his probing tongue.
Golden Eagle’s hands lovingly traced her curves down to her rounded bottom, where he tucked her into the cradle of his hips. His tongue delved deeper into her receptive cavern, tasting and exploring. At Sarah’s insistence, he allowed her the same freedom, groaning as her small thrusting tongue dueled with his.
With reluctance, Sarah pulled away, fully aware of where this would lead. “How I wish we could make love here in this special place,” she sighed.
Golden Eagle reached out to cup one swollen breast and asked, “What is there to stop us, my love?”
Sarah reached up to caress his bronzed face. “We can’t. We must stop. Ben awaits me in the woods,” she explained.
Golden Eagle grinned. Teasingly be inquired, “And if Ben were not waiting in the woods, what would be your wish, my sweet White Wind?”
Blushing, Sarah lowered her eyes to his gleaming chest and shyly stated, “If we were truly alone, I would wish for my golden husband to love me here and now.” She looked directly into his eyes as she finished seriously, “I have missed you so much, Golden Eagle. It seems forever since we last shared our love for each other. I ache for you in a way that I’ve never known before. My love grows stronger each day.”
“My heart has longed to hear those words these many days of separation,” Golden Eagle whispered. “It has been long since I have touched you as a man touches his wife. I too suffer a great ache. I need you, White Wind. Feel how much this warrior needs you.” Golden Eagle placed Sarah’s hand over his throbbing loins.
Sarah glanced between them and grinned. “Your breechclout does not hide your need from eyes, Golden Eagle. Let us hope Ben does not notice!”
Golden Eagle leaned down to nuzzle her throat. “We are alone, little one.”
Sarah sighed. Her breathing grew shallow and rapid with desire. “No,” she said, “Ben is here.” Sarah twisted in Golden Eagle’s arms, looked back to where Ben had been and saw nothing. “Where is…?” Turning back to Golden Eagle, she caught his teasing grin, watched his eyes dance with laughter.
“He’s gone, isn’t he? He knew you were here and left,” Sarah said, then laughed with joy. “That’s a rotten trick, Golden Eagle.” Her eyes lit up with impishness.
Sarah slid her hand down his chest and stopped at the leather ties. Quickly the knot was undone and her fingers were threading through springy black curls. Golden Eagle sucked in his breath. Mesmerized by Sarah’s playful behavior, he’d not stopped her from removing his breechclout, nor had he stopped her fingers as they threaded through his thick mat of curls. But when her hand closed around his turgid manhood and stroked his soft velvety flesh, a groan escaped his lips.
“So, my golden warrior likes to tease, does he?” Sarah stepped away, her soft chuckle filling the air.
Golden Eagle opened his eyes as her hand stilled and fell from his pulsing flesh. He glanced into eyes of blue that sparkled with mischief.
Sarah saw the exact moment Golden Eagle realized she’d repaid him by teasing him in a most unfair manner. She took a step back. He advanced. Sarah laughed, and ran when a low growl erupted from his throat. Laughing and chasing each other, Golden Eagle and Sarah played as children in the shadows of the quiet meadow.
Not even winded, Golden Eagle caught Sarah, who sat gasping for breath, and lifted her high into the air. Under the sheltering trees, Golden Eagle lowered them both to the tall grass as they gazed into each other’s eyes, all laughter and teasing gone.
Golden Eagle slowly undid her plain blue dress, allowing it to pool at her feet. Piece by piece, each of her under garments fell until she was revealed to him in the dusk of the evening.
Sarah watched Golden Eagle stare at her bulging belly and swollen breasts, and blushed uncomfortably. “I’m afraid our baby is already making his mother fat and unsightly,” she whispered, embarrassed.
Golden Eagle ran his palm over Sarah’s belly and reassured her. “Do not worry, my love. To me, you grow more beautiful each day. You are the mother of my child and I look forward to seeing him or her grow big within you.”
Golden Eagle ran his finger gently over the puckered, scarred flesh of her shoulder. “Do you still have pain from your wound?”
Sarah shook her head. “Not much. It is nearly healed.” Sarah leaned into Golden Eagle, her expression reveling in the wonderful feeling of flesh meeting flesh. “Please, Golden Eagle, love me.”
They sank to the ground as one, and their lips met and hands roamed freely as each sought to quench the fires of desire.
Sarah moaned as Golden Eagle teased one swollen bud, then the other, the flesh especially sensitive to each caress. Her hips lifted and his lowered, moving in small circles to an age-old rhythm as Golden Eagle brushed his pulsing shaft against her.
Unable to wait any longer, Golden Eagle positioned himself over her and thrust deep. Their hips rose and fell, meeting and parting, as all movement became frenzied and all breathing labored.
“Golden Eagle,” Sarah cried as deep shudders went through her. Golden Eagle heard her cry and answered with his own. “White Wind, my love.” And with his final thrust, his cries joined hers and their bodies throbbed as one.
The next day dawned bright and clear. Sarah and Mary hugged each other tightly, tears streaming down their faces as they bid each other goodbye.
Golden Eagle
stood with Ben, making sure that their horses were ready and the supplies on the two packhorses were tied securely. Ben and Mary had insisted they take various staples such as flour, sugar, coffee and dried meats as well as cloth, sewing threads and Sarah’s favorite, a Dutch oven. Most would be given as gifts. Sarah had also packed her childhood toys. Some for her children and some for Winona, Spotted Deer and Two Feathers.
Ben and Golden Eagle shook hands and walked over to the tearful women. “Come, White Wind. We must leave now. We have far to go this day,” Golden Eagle reminded her, anxious to get under way and to be alone with her for a few days.
Embarrassed, Golden Eagle allowed Mary to hug him tightly. “Rest assured, Healing-Woman, that I will keep my promise and send for you before the babe is born.”
Sitting on her horse, Sarah allowed herself to be led away as she waved her goodbyes until the trees swallowed Ben and Mary from sight. “Come now, wife, dry your tears. We will see them again soon.”
“I know, husband. You made them very happy with your gifts. I saw Ben practicing with his bow and arrows this morning, and Mary loved the parfleche your mother made her, as well as the warm moccasins and buffalo robes they sent.”
“Your family is ours. Come, let us ride now,” Golden Eagle stated, proudly patting the English-made dagger sheathed at his waist.
For the next few days, Golden Eagle kept the pace slow. He stopped often, making sure White Wind rested and ate. When they came to streams, they would stop and bathe, frolicking in the water till they were tired. Their few days turned into two weeks.
Every moment was spent talking, touching and learning from each other. The pace of village life had not allowed this luxury. After their long separation, each had much to say.
Sarah listened to Golden Eagle’s ideas to keep his tribe from the rising numbers of white men, and his hopes for his people and for them and their family.
Golden Eagle learned about her life with her stepfather, her dreams and her idea to teach the children of his tribe English as the trapper had done before her.
White Wind Page 34