White Wolf

by Susan Edwards

  As soon as she delivered Alison back to her mother, she’d go find Wolf. He’d know what to do. Jessie stopped to survey the landscape. Perhaps she should go straight to him now. James could take the little girl back to her mother. “Okay, Ali, you need to walk for a little while.”

  “Aw, Jessie, I’m tired,” Alison whined.

  Jessie knelt down, setting the girl on her feet. “Let’s go see James and the cattle. He’s closer to us than the wagons, and I’ll bet he’ll give you a ride back. But we have to hurry or we’ll miss him.”

  Alison squealed in delight and skipped ahead, her fatigue gone at the prospect of new excitement. Jessie quickened her pace, her gaze on the cattle in the distance. A sharp bark drew her attention. Sadie ran up to her, the rope lead trailing behind her. “Sadie, you bad girl,” she scolded. She was so intent on untying the rope attached to the dog’s collar, she didn’t hear the approaching horses until Sadie growled and tried to break away.

  “Going somewhere, Jessica?” It was Rosalyn—or Daisy, as she was truly named. The woman was leaning over her saddle horn.

  Jessie backed up a step and schooled her features into a mask of disinterest as she eyed the threesome. Why were they here? Did they know what she’d discovered? If so, how? Tipping her hat back, she lifted a brow and sent the woman a look of disdain.

  “Just taking Alison out to see the cows. James promised he’d let her ride herd with him this afternoon.” She prayed they would believe James was expecting them. Swinging her head around, she noted with dismay how far ahead Alison was.

  “Well, I’d better go catch up with her.” Daisy kicked her horse and blocked Jessie’s escape. Gulping back her fear, Jessie decided to make a run for it. If she ran in the opposite direction Alison had taken, it would leave the little girl free to go to James. There was little chance of her getting lost; the large herd was clearly visible in the distance. Sprinting forward, she didn’t get more than a few feet before Dan brought his horse around and Sammy angled his to the side. Daisy blocked the rear. Sadie growled and barked.

  “Don’t think so, Jessica.” Daisy aimed her revolver at her. “Drop the whip and your knife and hold on to that mutt real good or I’ll shoot it.”

  Jessie did as she was told.

  “Now, don’t be so quick to run off. Looks like we’ve got some unfinished business to see to. And don’t worry none about the little brat. We’ll fetch her for you, won’t we, Sammy? After all, wouldn’t want her to get lost or fall and hurt herself.” Daisy nodded to Sammy, who took off after Alison. She then turned her attention back to Jessie, her eyes filled with malicious glee. “When he gets back, we’re all going for a nice little ride.”

  Jessie swallowed her fear and tried to brazen her way out. “What do you mean, your brother? I thought he’s—”

  Daisy slid down from her horse and advanced but Sadie lunged and grabbed a mouthful of skirt in her teeth before Daisy jumped back. “That dog bites me, she’s dead—and you, don’t try my patience,” she warned. “Dan saw you at the fort. You know the truth, and that means I can’t let you go blabbing. You and the girl are coming with us. A little insurance, if you will.”

  Jessie pulled Sadie close. Sammy rode up with Alison struggling in his arms. His filthy hand was clamped over her mouth to keep her from screaming. Jessie glared first at Sammy, then at Daisy. “Give her to me. If you hurt her, you’ll answer to me.”

  “Shut up, girl. You aren’t in any position to make threats. What I say goes, and don’t you forget it, unless you want to see the brat hurt.”

  Jessie’s shoulders slumped. “Let her go and I’ll go with you.”

  Daisy sneered and remounted. “Do you really take me for a such a fool? Without the brat, there’s nothing to stop you from raising hell and attracting the attention of the soldiers. She goes, and you’re gonna tell her we’re playing a nice little game and that she’d better be good. Now tell her to keep quiet!”

  Jessie stared into Alison’s fearful eyes. Tears streamed down the child’s cheeks. It made her furious, but she kept her anger under tight control and silently vowed to make them pay for frightening an innocent little girl. She went to Alison and squeezed her knee. “It’s okay, sweetheart. We’ll play their game and do what they say, and pretty soon you’ll be back with your mama. Okay?” When Alison nodded, Sammy carefully removed his hand.

  Daisy interrupted. “Let’s get the hell outta here. Too many people lookin’ this way.”

  “I want Jessie.” Alison whimpered, holding out her hands.

  “Stay away, Jessie,” Daisy warned, grabbing Alison from Sammy. She pointed at an old wagon tongue lying buried in the tall grass. “Tie the dog, and don’t try anything cute or the brat gets it.” She held her palm out so Jessie could see the small knife hidden there.

  Jessie had no choice, but there was one thing she could try to do. She tied Sadie, and with her back to Daisy, she pulled out the folded poster she’d taken from the post office to show Wolf. Carefully she tucked it beneath the dog’s collar, smoothing the long fur over it. Then she allowed Dan to pull her up in front of him on his saddle. He bound her wrists to the saddle horn, then slipped a scratchy poncho over her head to hide her bound wrists. “Sorry, kid,” he muttered. He looked somewhat apologetic.

  Daisy nodded with satisfaction, then turned to the crying girl in her arms. “Listen to me, little girl. We’re going to play a game now. You like games, don’t you?”

  Alison stuck her fingers in her mouth, her tear-filled eyes never leaving Jessie.

  “We’re going to go for a little ride. The rules are simple. You can’t cry or make any noise or Jessie loses. You want Jessie to win, don’t you?”

  Alison didn’t answer.

  Jessie saw that Daisy was losing patience. She spoke softly, but her gaze never left the other woman’s. “It’ll be okay, sweetheart. Do what she says. We’ll win this game. The good guys always win.”

  Daisy laughed. “You got grit, Jessie. You know, if the circumstances were different, I might have found myself liking you. It’s just too bad you won’t be around that long.” With that, Daisy led the group toward the Laramie Range.

  Behind them, Sadie barked, straining at the rope.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Golden Eagle and his warriors arrived at Fort Laramie in late afternoon. Preferring to keep some distance from the unpredictable whites, he stopped several miles from the wagons littering the prairie. “We wait here,” he announced to his son.

  Striking Thunder slipped on a black leather vest and tucked his long braids beneath an old hat. “I will check to see if Wolf has arrived.” As he rode around the outskirts of hundreds of wagons, noise assailed his ears, and tantalizing whiffs of meals cooked over fires teased his nostrils. Despite the curious and fearful looks sent his way, he kept moving. There were several caravans of wagons with large herds of livestock, but none were Wolf’s. He wasn’t sure if he was relieved or not. If Wolf hadn’t arrived, then that meant there was a chance that they’d be able to protect his brother and the woman from the evil his sister feared.

  He was ready to give up when he spotted another wagon circle several miles from the fort with a large herd of livestock a short distance away. He rode toward it. Nearing the herd, he spotted his brother on horseback, speaking to a bearded man with black, curly hair. With his knees, he nudged his horse forward, lifted his hands above his head and called out, “Ho, ho, brother!”

  Wolf heard the Indian greeting and twisted in his saddle to see his brother approaching. Fearing bad news from home, he raced out to meet him. The two men dismounted. Wolf clasped Striking Thunder tightly. “Why are you here, my brother? Tell me no harm has come to our family or to Ben.”

  “Our family is well, as are Able and Woodcarver-Who-Lives-in-the-Woods.”

  Wolf’s gut tightened as he studied Striking Thunder. Despite his brother’s words, he knew something was wrong; he felt it, saw it in his brother’s grave expression. “What brings you so far from o
ur home in the hills?”

  “Our sister has had many visions. Danger surrounds the woman who dresses like a boy and has eyes the color of green grass.”

  Wolf didn’t question Striking Thunder about how he knew of Jessie. He didn’t need to, not if Star had seen her. Fear snaked up his spine. “Jessica is in danger? From who? Where?”

  Just then, James, Jeremy and Jordan joined them. “What’s going on?”

  Wolf motioned them to silence. “Tell me what you know,” he commanded his brother. He listened as Striking Thunder told him of Star’s visions. Worry shadowed his eyes. “Let’s go. If my wife is in danger, I want her with us. Then we’ll go to where our parents wait. I want to speak with Star.”

  Striking Thunder’s eyes widened at the word wife, but he didn’t ask questions. Wolf was grateful. There would be time for explanations later. Right now he had to make sure Jessie was safe. The men rode for the circle of wagons. When they arrived, Wolf glanced around. There was no sign of Jessie. Sheer terror filled his heart. Dismounting, he bellowed, “Rook!”

  Rook came running as fast as his short, stubby legs allowed. “What’s all the hollerin’ fer?” He came to a stop when he saw Striking Thunder. His bushy white brows drew together, forming a straight line across his forehead. “What’s wrong?”

  “Where’s Jessie?” James demanded.

  “She went to the fort. Should be back soon.”

  Wolf paced. “Damn. How long ago did she leave?”

  Rook scratched his scraggly beard. “Soon after we made camp, I reckon.”

  Eirica joined them. “She took Alison with her. Is anything wrong?”

  Striking Thunder stepped forward. “Who is this Alison?”

  James nodded toward Eirica. “Her daughter. If they went to the fort, they’ll be safe.”

  Striking Thunder shook his head. “No. It’s too late. She won’t be there.” He stared at the gathering crowd, his dark eyes fixed on Wolf. “Star Dreamer has heard the cry of a small child in her visions.” He then looked at Eirica. “Your daughter, is she young?”

  Eirica’s face drained of color. “Oh, Lord. She’s only four.”

  Fear snaked through Wolf. Had Zeb caught up with her? He had to go to the fort. Furious growling came from one of the wagons. Wolf turned and held his hand up, signaling silence. Tied to a wagon to keep him from wandering and being hurt by some fearful traveler, Wahoska paced. His hackles were raised, and low growls came from his throat as he stared out into the prairie. Cocking his head, Wolf heard the distant sound of barking. The wolf lunged, tried to break free. Glancing around, Wolf looked for Sadie, but she wasn’t in sight. Perhaps the dog was with Jessie… He released the wolf. The animal took off like an arrow. Wolf jumped on his horse and followed. James, Jeremy and Striking Thunder followed. A mile from the cattle, Wolf stopped when he came upon Sadie, who was barking up a storm. Wahoska continued to circle the dog.

  “What the hell is she doing tied out here?” Wolf untied the dog and held tight to the rope when Sadie tried to jerk away. “What is it, girl?” He knelt and grabbed her by the collar. A folded piece of paper fell to the ground.

  He opened it and stared at the Wanted poster.

  James glanced over his shoulder. “Hey, that woman kinda looks like Rosalyn.”

  Ice coated Wolf’s heart as he studied the trio. Though the sketch was grainy, he was afraid James was right. Sadie broke free of his grasp and ran a short distance away. She sniffed the ground and returned with Jessie’s whip in her mouth. Wolf clutched the whip. Jessie would never have left the dog or her whip out here voluntarily. Striking Thunder was right. She was in trouble. “I’m going after them.”

  Striking Thunder nodded. “I will fetch our warriors.”

  Wolf and the Jones brothers returned to the wagons. Rook met them, and when he saw Sadie, he frowned. “Now what was that mutt doing out there? I tied her to the wagon for snarling at that Norton woman again.” He shook his head. “Don’t know what’s got into that doggone mutt. Likes everyone else jest fine, but that woman brings out the bad in her.”

  “Yeah, and now we know why.” Wolf shoved the poster into Rook’s hands and glanced at the wagon belonging to the Nortons. No one was there. “Where are they?”

  Scratching his chin, Rook shrugged. “They been gone a couple hours. Looked like they’s planning on being gone a couple days. They was pretty well packed.”

  Wolf felt a sinking sensation in his gut. Now he knew Rosalyn had Jessie, but finding her would be next to impossible among the mass of humanity. He eyed the western horizon, then glanced east. And which way? Would she continue onward or flee in the opposite direction? If he guessed wrong, Jessie could die. While waiting for his brother and the warriors to return, Wolf headed for the Nortons’ wagon. The others followed. He pulled the tailgate off.

  “Looks like they pulled out,” James said, staring at the sacks of provisions that lay scattered, the open boxes and the hole in the bottom of the wagon. Wolf hopped in and felt inside the secret cubby. He pulled out another wadded-up poster and a sack with a hole in it. It had obviously once held gold, for there were bank markings upon it. He glanced around. He handed Elliot the items. “Elliot, take these to the fort. Tell the commander we need help. I suspect the Nortons have taken Jessie and Eirica’s girl with them as hostages. We’re going to have to split up and check both directions of the trail.”

  Eirica gasped and stared from one man to the other. She grabbed Wolf by the arm. “How can you be so sure? We should check the fort first. They’re probably still there.” Her voice rose in pitch. “They have to be!”

  Wolf forced himself to remain calm. He gripped Eirica’s hands and shook his head. “My sister has the gift of sight. Most whites don’t believe, but her visions do not lie.” He slammed his fist into his palm. “Dammit, this is my fault!” He closed his eyes, deeply afraid, knowing only too well how foolishly fearless his wife could be.

  Striking Thunder had arrived. “It does your wife no good to cast blame. We are ready.”

  Wolf nodded to the line of waiting warriors. He wasn’t surprised to see his sisters or his parents. “Let’s go. James—”

  “I’m going,” James interrupted. “Jordan can take over the herd.”

  “You’re not leaving without me, either,” Jeremy stated.

  Wolf glanced at Jordan, fully expecting him to join in. But he didn’t.

  Jordan put his arm around his wife. “I’ll stay—in case she returns.”

  Wolf nodded. “We’ll split up. Half will go west and the rest will ride back along the trail.”

  Star came forward, tears streaming down her dusky cheeks. “No.” She pointed behind Wolf. “I see trees, thick forests, like the Paha Sapa at home.”

  A surge of adrenaline rushed though his veins. “Elliot, tell the commander to pick up our trail. We’re heading toward the Laramie Range.” They wouldn’t be able to get away. Not from one of the best trackers in all the land.

  A cloak of darkness shrouded the three people huddled amidst the tall grass, but Jessie could hear them fighting and see their shadows from where she sat.

  “What are we gonna do with them? We can’t keep them; they’ll give us away. ’Sides, we don’t have that much food or water.” Dan sounded nervous.

  Daisy shrugged, a malicious grin tugging at the corners of her lips. “What do you think?” she said, slanting Jessie a look of hatred. “Kill ’em?”

  Sammy spoke for the first time since they’d fled. “Nobody said nothin’ ’bout killin’.”

  “There’s no choice,” Daisy said with a snarl. “It’s them or us. You want to hang?”

  “You’re the one who done killed your husband. Not us. I ain’t never killed nobody, and I ain’t gonna start now, especially not no innocent child. Let’s leave ’em here. We’ll travel faster without ’em. All I want is my share of the money.”

  “You fool,” she spat. “The girl and the brat are our only chance. We’ll keep them until I’m sure we’re
free. Then they go. I’m not leaving them behind to point our direction to Vern. If neither of you can handle it, I’ll take care of it.”

  Dan shifted uneasily. “Look, sis, I’m with Sammy. We can’t kill ’em.”

  Daisy jumped to her feet. “Don’t forget who’s in charge. What I say goes.”

  Sammy threw her a disgusted look. “I ain’t gonna be no part of it. I’m leaving.”

  “Leaving?”

  “Yeah, I’m out. Keep the money. Ain’t worth hanging for murder.” Sammy stalked off.

  “Dammit, Daisy. You can’t do this,” Dan pleaded.

  “No one crosses me,” Daisy spat.

  While the trio argued, Jessie had been quietly struggling. The rope binding her wrists dug into her flesh, but at least her feet were unhampered. She wiggled her fingers, forcing the blood to flow to her fingertips. She grimaced. Not that she could go anywhere with her hands bound. If it weren’t for Alison, she might have risked sneaking away while they were busy arguing. With it being so dark, there was a chance she could hide in the tall grass—but she didn’t dare. While she could handle Daisy’s anger, Alison couldn’t. The little girl was frightened enough. Jessie would just have to wait for a better opportunity.

  Glancing around, she searched for shadows that moved, praying that help would arrive—and soon. Daisy was desperate, crazy. But there was nothing out there but vast blackness. She rested her chin on top of Alison’s head, her thoughts tumbling like rocks down a mountainside. Surely Eirica would have alerted Rook or James that they were missing. Had they found Sadie and the Wanted poster? If so, would Wolf know where to look? There were miles to search…

  Sorrow and regret filled her. All Jessie wanted was to feel her husband’s arms around her one last time and to be able to tell him how much she loved him. Alison shifted against her. Jessie caressed the curly red hair resting against her breast. With her bound wrists looped over the child, she held her close, seeking to reassure both of them.