Teton Splendor

by Peggy L Henderson

  More than one warrior had cast admiring looks her way, and Sophia had remained close to Summer Rain during their stay with the Lakota. The women had looked at her in astonishment when she had trouble communicating with them. Even without knowing their language, Summer Rain had at least been able to converse via hand signals and gestures, leaving Sophia feeling awkward and out of place.

  It was during that night at the village that she’d caught Joseph casting a look of longing and desire at her that sent hot waves of some unknown need through her. For the first time, he hadn’t looked away when she caught him staring. He’d hovered nearby that day, raising her hopes that he’d finally come to his senses and would acknowledge that he had feelings for her. When he came into the tent she had been given to share with Caleb for the night, her heart pounded in her chest with anticipation. Was this the moment she’d been wishing for? Sophia sat up straighter on her palette, and quickly ran her fingers through her hair.

  “These people assume that you’re my wife,” he told her when he ducked through the tent’s opening. “It wouldn’t look right if I slept outside. They might think you threw me out.” The grin on his face vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a fleeting look of anger.

  “Oh,” she managed to produce, her throat dry. It was the last thing she had expected him to say. “Why would they think that we’re married?”

  “I told them.” His eyes locked onto hers for what seemed like an eternity. Sophia scarcely dared to breathe.

  “Why would you tell them something like that?” she managed to choke out. There wasn’t another man on this earth she could see herself married to. If only he didn’t need to lie about it. At times like this, when he looked at her with such undeniable admiration, she was certain that he had feelings for her, but why was he holding back? She desperately wanted to go to him, and tell him that she loved him. She fisted her hands in her lap. He was only a few feet away. It would be so easy to reach out to him. Glancing at Caleb sitting on his palette, whittling on a stick with his knife, this was not the right time. Just as it was never the right time during their hours on the trail, surrounded by his friends.

  “Because you might get offers from several warriors by the time we leave here if they don’t think you’ve already got a husband. Unless, of course, you fancy yourself marrying a Lakota.” Joseph’s lips twitched at the corners, a sparkle of humor in his eyes. Her heart skipped a beat in her chest.

  “Good night, Sophie,” he said abruptly without waiting for a response, and stretched out on the palette on the opposite side of the fire, and turned his back to her.

  “Good night, Joseph,” she whispered, fighting the urge to crawl to him and kiss him like she did that day at the river. Disappointment washed over her. She pulled the fur covers from her palette over her head instead, and allowed the tears to run silently down her cheeks.

  ****

  After watching Joseph disappear behind a stand of tall lodgepole pine trees, Sophia pulled her right leg over the back of the saddle, eased her left foot out of the stirrup, and jumped lightly to the ground. Riding astride had taken some getting used to, but so had wearing britches and moccasins. Every day, she was thankful to Kara Russell for the clothing. Men definitely had the right idea. The thought of wearing a dress seemed almost laughable now. She rubbed absently at her backside while the feeling slowly tingled back to life in her thighs. At least her muscles no longer screamed in agony after endless hours in the saddle.

  The bit jingled when her gelding shook his head and his body like a wet dog. His tail swished loudly at the swarm of evening bugs in the air. It was the horse’s customary routine every evening after someone called a halt for the day, and Sophia had learned fast that she needed to get off his back as quickly as possible if she didn’t want her body jarred by his shaking. She patted him lightly on the neck and led him to the creek that gurgled through the grass in front of her.

  Crickets chirped loudly, the raspy sounds mingling with the croaking of frogs and the whirring of endless bugs that thickened the air. The noise had become as familiar to her over the weeks as the nonstop clopping of horses’ hooves on the cobblestone streets had been in Boston. Sophia knelt beside her mount, and cupped her hand in the clear water. The evening sunlight reflected off the surface, shimmering and dancing like millions of diamonds. She squinted against the dazzling brightness, and lifted her hand to her mouth. The refreshing liquid eased the soreness of her parched throat. After drinking her fill, she splashed some water on her face, then stood and pressed her hands into her lower back.

  Sophia lifted her head and gazed off into the distance. The snow-capped peaks of a jagged mountain range to the south had become more visible throughout the day with each mile they covered. With a gleam of excitement in his eyes, Joseph had told her that those mountains were their destination. They were finally close to the Teewinots. Another two days and they would reach his family’s homestead. Somehow she had already known. It was as if the majestic peaks were calling out, drawing her to them.

  It’s where I was born. Of course there’s a connection.

  Sophia’s heart sped up at the thought. What kind of welcome would she receive? What was Joseph’s family like? Would they judge her for being Boston raised? Then there was the meeting with her Bannock grandfather. She would finally come face to face with someone who was truly a blood relative. Would he look at her and see a white woman? Sophia shook her head. She couldn’t dwell on these thoughts. She wasn’t even sure herself what she was – white or Bannock. She might have shed her Boston clothes, but there was so much she didn’t know about her heritage. Even though she dressed like an Indian, in her heart, who was she?

  Sophia unpacked the horses while Caleb started a fire. At the sound of another horse snorting, she turned her head toward the stand of thick pines that outlined the small meadow where she stood. Joseph had returned, a pleased look on his face as he surveyed their camp. He pulled his leg over the back of his saddle, and landed lightly on his feet.

  This is where I want to belong. With him.

  Their eyes met and held for a moment. Sophia swallowed. He turned his back to her, then led his mount to the creek to drink. After rummaging in his saddlebags, he handed his horse’s reins to Caleb.

  “You think you can gut and skin these rabbits by yourself?” he asked, handing Caleb several dead rabbits strung together by their hind legs.

  “Yessir,” Caleb nodded, his face beaming. Sophia couldn’t help but smile. The boy’s adoration of Joseph was as strong as her own. At least the boy didn’t have any qualms about showing it.

  She stepped away from the fire. “I’ll cook them once you’re done with the skinning,” she offered. She wasn’t going to sit idly by again like she had done before they reached St. Louis.

  “No, you won’t.” Joseph’s words startled her. Her eyes widened, and she glared at him.

  “I’m perfectly capable of cooking meat over a campfire, Joseph Walker. I’ve done it quite a few times in the last month or so, but I suppose you’ve been too busy to notice. If you think I’m just going to sit by and not do my share of the work, you’re sorely mistaken.” Her hands shot to her hips, and her anger grew with each word.

  A wide grin spread across Joseph’s face, irking her even more. He strode up to her and reached for her hand, prying it away from her hip. Sophia stiffened, even as the touch sent a current of heat through her.

  “I want you to come with me. There’s something I want to show you,” he said quietly, his eyes locked on hers.

  Sophia’s eyes darted nervously from his stare to Caleb sitting on the ground near their fire. The boy’s attention volleyed between her and Joseph, his mouth open. This was the first time she’d lost her temper on this journey, and embarrassment flooded her that it had occurred right in front of the child.

  “All right,” she said, lowering her voice.

  “Keep the fire going, Caleb. Any sign of trouble, shoot the rifle in the air like I showed you
. We won’t be far.” Joseph held tight to her hand and started to lead her away from camp. Sophia’s pulse quickened. She couldn’t imagine where he might take her or what he wanted her to see.

  “But, Joseph.” Caleb’s anxious words behind them stopped Joseph in his tracks. The boy ran up to them. “You told me I was Miss Sophie’s chaperone, and to never let her out of my sight. I done that, even with everyone else around. Shouldn’t I be even more watchful now that it’s just us again?” The serious, concerned look on his face touched Sophia’s heart.

  Joseph laughed. “You’ve been doing a great job, Caleb. Just this one time, I’m relieving you of your duties. I’ll make sure nothing happens to her, I promise.” His gaze shifted to her, and the warm smile on his face melted her from the inside out. Sophia scarcely dared to breathe. Where had the complete change in him come from all of a sudden? He almost acted as if . . .

  “Are you all right with being without your chaperone for a few minutes?” His sultry voice drew her to him like bees to a flower and her legs felt as if they wouldn’t hold her up.

  “I think I’ll be in good hands, Caleb,” she assured the boy, hoping her voice didn’t betray her nervousness. She hadn’t had a moment alone with Joseph since the day he pulled her from the river. Heat crept up her neck at the memory of what happened then. She wouldn’t make the same mistake again and act like a wanton.

  Seemingly satisfied, Caleb ambled back to the fire, and plopped onto the ground. When he resumed his task of skinning one of the rabbits, Joseph pulled her along the banks of the wide creek. Sophia trotted next to him, her mind filled with curiosity. She dared not ask where he was leading her. Besides, she enjoyed the feel of his warm hand enveloping hers, and simply savored the moment.

  The forest seemed to close in around them as the creek narrowed and gurgled through the trees. The grasses in some spots along the banks grew to almost the height of her hips. A short distance from their camp, Joseph veered slightly away from the creek. The dense pine trees parted the way to a small, secluded pool of water. Steam rose from the surface as it met the cool air of the late afternoon.

  Tall reeds grew in and around the far edge of the pool. The water appeared crystal clear, even if the bottom looked brown. A peculiar smell that she couldn’t identify carried on the breeze.

  Joseph stopped in the marshy grass, and faced her. His fingers tightened around her hand, his thumb stroking lightly across her palm. A shiver of anticipation raced up Sophia’s spine.

  “I have something for you,” he said quietly. His eyes roamed her face. Sophia gazed up at him, scarcely believing what was written in his dark stare. She hardly noticed when he held a small parcel up to her, until the scent of lavender drifted to her nose.

  “What’s this?” she asked in surprise, her voice barely above a whisper.

  “Something I picked up in St. Louis,” he answered. His eyes hadn’t left hers. “I think you deserve a little luxury. The water here is warm. I thought you might enjoy a bath.” His lips curved in a slight smile.

  Sophia blinked, unsure she had understood correctly.

  “Joseph, I . . . don’t know what to say,” she stammered. She accepted the cake of soap wrapped in brown paper, holding it up to her nose and inhaling the strong scent of her favorite fragrance. For weeks, she’d washed with only water or sometimes the soaproot that Summer Rain had given her. A full bath, even warm water, had become a thing of the past.

  “You’ve been amazing on this journey,” Joseph said in a low tone, a serious, honest look in his eyes. “I’ll admit I’ve had my doubts that you could hold up.”

  A flash of defiance passed through her at his words, and she glared at him. “Well I hope I’ve shown that I’m not as fragile as you seem to think.” She tried to pull her hand from his grip, but he refused to relinquish his hold.

  “You’ve proven me wrong at every turn,” he said. The smile reappeared on his face, and Sophia’s anger dissolved instantly. “You’re a remarkable woman, Sophie.” He stepped closer, the heat from his body sending ripples of desire through her. He stood so near, his masculine scent overtook the fragrance of the soap.

  Joseph’s free hand reached up slowly. Starting at her jawline, his calloused palm slid up her cheek, and his thumb stroked along her skin like a soft feather. Sophia held her breath, her wide eyes fixed on his. She’d been hoping, aching for this moment. Her heart galloped in her chest like a horse racing out of control. He stepped closer, the front of his thighs brushing against hers.

  “Sophie, I want to kiss you,” he rasped. He released her hand, and cupped her other cheek. He tilted her head to meet his gaze, and paused. “I’ve wanted to kiss you for weeks. I haven’t thought about anything else since we’ve left St. Louis.”

  The raw longing in his eyes and his unexpected confession took her breath away. She swallowed repeatedly to ease the lump in her throat. The loud sounds of crickets and evening bugs ceased around her, and she became aware of only him.

  Unable to produce a word, her arms snaked around his middle, and she leaned into him. He lowered his head to her face. He’d clearly understood her message of consent. His lips brushed hers gently. He drew back slightly, and she gripped at his back, unwilling to end at such a chaste kiss.

  Joseph groaned, and his mouth closed over hers. She leaned into his kiss, her fingers tightening around his shoulders. Sensations such as she’d never felt flooded her mind, body, and soul. His fingers entwined in her hair, and his other arm snaked around her waist, drawing her even closer up against him. If he hadn’t been holding her up, Sophia was sure she’d melt into the grass. Her legs no longer supported her weight.

  Sophia’s lips parted slightly in response to his mouth sliding across hers. His actions were unhurried, undemanding, just as she remembered from his first kiss. And just like the first time, her response was the same. She never wanted it to end. Much too soon, Joseph pulled his head back. Her lips tingled, and she drew in several ragged breaths. A slow smile spread across his face, and his thumb slid along her cheek.

  “Sophie, I –”

  The sound of a gunshot reverberated through the trees. Sophia swore the bullet had just missed her as it whirred past. She screamed. Joseph reacted instantly. He threw her to the ground, dropped down next to her, and covered her with his own body. He muttered a string of curses, and raised his head.

  “Dammit, I left my rifle at camp with Caleb,” he growled, pulling his hunting knife from his belt. “Are you hit?” His hands gripped her arms.

  “I don’t think so,” she whispered, sucking in a breath of air. Her heart raced with fear.

  “Stay down, and don’t move.” Joseph lifted himself into a crouch.

  “Sonofabitch,” a loud voice yelled from a stand of trees behind them, followed by more curse words the likes of which Sophia had never heard.

  “What the hell,” Joseph mumbled, and raised his head in the direction of the voice.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Joseph dared a quick glance to where a man shouted obscenities near the treeline to his left. The shot had been fired from the opposite direction.

  “Get the hell out of the line of fire, Joseph. I’ll cover you,” the man yelled, his voice strained.

  Joseph wasted no time. “Come on,” he urged. He grabbed Sophie by the arm and hauled her to her feet. A shot fired from the direction where their rescuer lay in hiding, followed quickly by several more.

  “Stay low and run toward the trees.” Joseph pushed her forward, staying just behind her to shield her in case their would-be killer meant to finish what he started. There was no other choice but to make a run for cover. They were completely out in the open, sitting ducks to the bastard who fired off that first shot.

  Sophie stumbled forward. The wide-eyed look of fear in her eyes pierced straight through his heart. With his hand on her lower back, he pushed her toward the safety of the trees. Multiple shots fired to their left, but none came from behind them.

  Joseph broke thr
ough the densely nettled branches of some young lodgepoles and shoved Sophie to the ground behind the safety of a tree trunk. He rushed up behind her, catching his breath.

  “Stay here,” he whispered. “Don’t move, and don’t make a sound.” He couldn’t afford to lose any time if he wanted to catch the man who had shot at them. Sophie grabbed his arm before he had a chance to move away.

  “Where are you going?” Her eyes widened in renewed fear.

  “After the bastard who tried to kill us.” Joseph tried to lift her hand from his arm. Her grip only intensified.

  “Don’t leave me here,” she begged, her voice frantic. “That shooter could be anywhere.” Her body trembled, and she threw herself at him. Her arms snaked around his neck, and she clung to him like a scared child.

  Joseph sucked in a deep breath, and held her close. Every muscle in her body shivered with fear. She’d been so strong all these weeks, it had been easy to forget that she’d never had to face the dangers of the wilderness before. He’d been shot at plenty of times, even taken a bullet or an arrow once or twice, but she wasn’t used to the harsh realities of his life. No one would have ever taken a shot at her in Boston.

  “Sophie, you’ll be safe here. I have to find him,” he whispered against her hair, stroking the back of her head.

  “What about that other man?” she sobbed.

  “You have nothing to worry about from him. You can trust him. Wait right here and he’ll find you. I’ll be back, Sophie. I promise.”

  Joseph pried her arms from around his neck.

  “You’re a strong and brave woman. I need you to be strong right now.” He wished he could remain here and just hold her, comfort her, and take away her fear, but with every second that passed, the shooter would be further from his reach.