Savage Summer

by Constance O'Banyon

  Skyler was unaccustomed to receiving compliments, and felt embarrassed. Lowering her eyes, she allowed her lashes to cover her shyness.

  Tag kissed her on the cheek and walked her to the front door. “Have a nice time.”

  She gave him a half smile and allowed Morgan to escort her outside. He helped her into the buggy and arranged her gown so it wouldn’t get wrinkled. His eyes sparkled when he climbed in beside her and picked up the reins, urging the horses forward at an easy gait.

  A brilliant sunset lit the western sky as they rode along the cobblestone streets of Philadelphia. There were warm glows coming from the windows of the homes they passed. Skyler tried to think what was taking place in those houses. Perhaps the people were just sitting down to dinner and the children had already been tucked into their snug little beds. She cast a sidelong glance at Morgan, who smiled at her warmly.

  “What were you thinking just now?” he inquired. “You had the most thoughtful look on your face.”

  She smiled stiffly and glanced down at her folded hands. “I was just wondering what the people in those houses were doing.”

  He chuckled. “I will tell you. Let’s see…take that white house on the corner there.”

  “The one with the yellow trim?”

  “Um huh. Let us pretend that the Pinwinkles live there. Mr. Pinwinkle works at the bank all day counting someone else’s money. Mrs. Pinwinkle tends the house, and tries to keep up with her sixteen children, ranging in ages from one to sixteen.”

  Skyler smiled at his wild fabrication. “Surely not sixteen children. The house seems very small to me.”

  “Yes, poor souls. They hardly have room to draw breath. Today Mr. Pinwinkle received a shock.”

  Skyler was so caught up in his game that unknown to her she had begun to relax and lose some of her apprehension. “What caused his shock?”

  “Mrs. Pinwinkle informed him just before dinner that they would soon have another addition to the family.”

  Skyler covered her mouth in mock horror. “Surely not another baby?”

  “I’m afraid so. Six, in fact.”

  “How can that be?” she said laughingly.

  “Easy. Sport, the dog, just delivered six rollicking puppies on the kitchen floor.”

  Skyler laughed delightedly. “You have just relieved my mind. I feared the Pinwinkles would have to move to a larger house.”

  Morgan felt his heart tighten at the sound of her laughter. She was weaving an invisible web about him. She was lovely and exciting and he wanted to know everything about her.

  For a time neither spoke. Skyler was watching the sunset, and when she glanced up, she found Morgan’s eyes on her. He smiled and she felt her heart turn over.

  “I feel very frustrated, Miss Dancing. You have me totally confused.”

  “Not by intention,” she said softly, wishing he wouldn’t look at her so closely. “What have I done?”

  “I cannot seem to find words to describe your beauty,” he answered, half serious, half teasing.

  She looked quickly away, feeling her shyness cut deeply. “I do not like a man to say pretty things to me. It makes me feel uncomfortable.”

  He maneuvered the buggy toward the riverfront and chuckled. “I have never met a woman who didn’t enjoy compliments. Your cousin Danielle thrives on them.”

  “I am not my cousin.”

  “No, you are not. If you were, you wouldn’t be sitting beside me at this moment.”

  She turned back to him in wonder. “Why? I thought you liked Danielle.”

  “Oh, I liked her right enough. But…I have never felt anything more than brotherly toward her. With you it’s a different story.”

  Skyler would like to have asked him what he meant, but they had reached their destination and Morgan stopped the buggy. The waterfront was thriving with activity. Many buggies lined the riverbank. Many gentlemen and their ladies were making their way up the gangplank of the riverboat where the party was being held.

  Morgan jumped from the buggy and helped Skyler down. A young lad rushed forward, offering to watch the horses for a price. Morgan tossed a coin at the boy before taking Skyler’s arm and leading her up the gangplank.

  Music was filtering through the air, and Skyler felt a stirring of excitement. Suddenly she was very aware of the man who was beside her. Something rare and beautiful was happening to her, and she didn’t yet know what it was. She was excited and confused at the same time. She had a feeling that something very unusual had taken hold of her.

  As Morgan led her into the big salon, her heart seemed to be keeping time with the music. Without a word, he took her in his arms and led her into a waltz. It seemed that she was floating. It was as if there was no one in the room but the two of them. Morgan’s eyes locked with Skyler’s and she held her breath.

  “I like the way you fit in my arms,” he told her in a deep voice. “It’s almost as if we were created for one another, don’t you think?”

  Skyler was startled by his words, but not half so startled as Morgan himself was. He hadn’t been aware that he was going to make such a statement. He watched the blush tint her cheeks and drew in his breath. Just before she lowered her eyes, he saw confusion reflected there.

  Nothing was said as they both tried to cope with the new emotions they were feeling. Whatever the feelings were, they were as old as time and as new as bright spring flowers. It was a fragile thing—too fragile to examine very closely at the moment.

  The evening passed in a daze of music and gaiety for Skyler. Morgan was fun to be with; he made her laugh and feel happy. He didn’t say anything personal again, but was light and teasing. Skyler was dancing around the fringes of a whole new world. She felt lighthearted and frivolous. It was as if she stepped outside herself and was a completely different person. There was no sign of the Blackfoot princess; only a lovely young lady, enjoying the company of a charming gentleman.

  There was excitement in the air. She felt herself being caught up in the warm glow of Morgan’s silver-gray eyes. There was electricity flowing between the two of them, and she was at a loss as to how to handle herself.

  “Are you glad you came?” he asked, as he waltzed her across the room.”

  “Yes, very,” she answered him breathlessly.

  When they stopped dancing to take a breather, Morgan introduced Skyler to many of his friends. Most of the young gentlemen were in uniform. Skyler learned that Morgan had met most of the gentlemen while the war had been going on.

  When the soldiers began talking about their war experiences, Morgan took Skyler back on the dance floor.

  As the evening progressed everyone else seemed to fade into the background. Nothing existed but the feelings that ran feverishly between Skyler and Morgan.

  Later Morgan led her out onto the deck, and they both stood silently gazing across the river. Hundreds of stars were twinkling in the ebony heavens. She slowly turned to face him and found him staring at her.

  “What would you say if I told you I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you, Miss Dancing?” he asked softly, again startling not only her but himself as well. Morgan had no warning that his feelings were so deep for this lovely, mysterious girl. He drew back a moment as if to gather his thoughts.

  Skyler could feel her whole world crumbling around her. This man was trying to pull her into his world. If he knew who she really was, would he turn away in disgust?

  “I do not think you should be saying such things to me, Colonel Prescott,” she said softly, trying to hide the sadness in her heart. She knew she was not the woman for this dashing, young gentleman.

  His good humor returned almost immediately. “You are right, of course. I believe I just jumped off the deep end, so to speak. I should have waited until you got to know me better. If you are confused by what I just said, what do you think I am feeling? I have never said those words to a woman before. Are you some kind of goddess that has the power to bewitch a man, Miss Dancing?”

  “
I have no power to bewitch anyone, Colonel. I am no more than a woman.”

  When his eyes searched Skyler’s face, she felt a weakness wash over her body. Suddenly she became afraid. Again this man was pulling at her heart and making her feel things she couldn’t understand.

  “The hour is late—I would like to go home now,” she said, turning away.

  “Are you sure?” he asked in a deep voice. “Actually the evening is still young.” Morgan somehow dreaded to let her go, fearing she would disappear in a puff of smoke.

  “Please take me home.”

  “If that is your wish.” Taking her arm, he led her across the deck of the ship and down the gangplank.

  On the ride home, the stars didn’t seem to shine as brightly for Skyler. She could feel Morgan’s eyes on her, but she refused to look at him.

  When they reached the driveway that led to the Jameses’ estate, Morgan halted the team and turned to look at Skyler. His hand was resting on the back of her seat, and he moved forward, picking up her locket. When his fingers brushed her skin, Skyler gasped.

  “I think you know we need to talk, Skyler.”

  She said nothing about his use of her first name. As he walked around the buggy and lifted her to the ground, she wished he would pull her into his arms and tell her that the two of them could breach the gap that separated them.

  His hand slowly drifted up her arm and with gentle pressure he pulled her into his arms, as if reading her thoughts. “I remember the taste of your lips and have wondered if they would be as sweet a second time.” His voice was deep and shook with emotion.

  Skyler knew she should pull away, but it was as if she belonged in the circle of his arms. This man whom she hadn’t even known until a few short weeks ago had crept into her heart, destroying her peace of mind and turning her whole world upsidedown.

  Morgan’s head descended, and she knew he was going to kiss her. His mouth was warm as it covered her lips and she felt herself being drawn tightly against him. Her whole body seemed to be filled with new and exciting feelings. It was as if she were being reborn—he was filling her heart with a warmth and tenderness that she couldn’t fully understand.

  Skyler’s arms moved about his neck, and she could feel her head spinning dizzily. She clung to him as if he were her lifeline—indeed, her very life. So many different emotions tripped through her mind. Emotions that were new and unexplored. Soft feelings that warmed her heart—deep emotions that awakened her body as well as her mind.

  When Morgan raised his head, he stared down at her in amazement. The moonlight fell softly on Skyler’s face, and he thought he had never seen anyone so lovely. Her eyes were shining and he could see the confusion in the violet depths.

  There were so many things he wanted to say to her, so many feelings he wanted to share, but the intensity of his feelings overwhelmed him.

  He pulled her head to rest against his shoulder and ran his hand down her back. “What have you done to me, Skyler Dancing?” he whispered. “You have shaken my world to its foundations.”

  She felt his warmth reach out to her. She had no thought of how improper it was to be in the arms of a man she hardly knew. It felt so right to have him hold her.

  Raising her face to him, she shook her head. “I do not know what has happened. I need time to think.”

  He stared at her for a long time and then nodded. “You are right. This has happened so quickly we both need time to think it through. I have to go to Washington for two weeks. When I return we will talk then.”

  Morgan led her back to the buggy and lifted her up and placed her inside. When he pulled up to the house, Skyler had a heavy feeling around her heart. It would be terrible not to see him for two whole weeks.

  When he walked her to the door he didn’t attempt to touch her. “I will see you in two weeks,” he said, before turning away.

  She watched the buggy pull away in complete confusion. Her whole world had come crashing down on her. Skyler wished with all her heart that she had her wise mother or grandmother to talk to.

  A feeling of loneliness surrounded her heart, but this time it wasn’t for her home in Blackfoot country that she yearned. She missed Morgan and knew the two weeks he would be away would crawl by.

  As she ascended the stairs to her room, tears flooded her eyes. What was she going to do? She couldn’t tell Morgan about her background. What did the future hold for her and the man she now knew she loved?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Wolfrunner raised his head into the wind and caught the scent of meat cooking in the distance. Scanning the horizon, he saw the smoke from a campfire rising into the sky in the valley just below. He dismounted and examined the ground with an expert eye. There was evidence that two unshod ponies had passed this way. With his tracking ability, Wolfrunner could easily tell that one of the horses was carrying double. He had picked up a faint trail three days back, and each day the trail had become easier to follow. As of yet, he didn’t know if he was following a false lead, or even who he was after. He only knew he must find Danielle.

  Wolfrunner had begun to feel pity in his heart for the young maiden who must be frightened at this moment. Many times he almost turned back to the village. But the thoughts of Danielle kept pushing him onward at a punishing pace. Each night he would fall on his blanket in an exhausted sleep. He remembered Danielle’s gentle beauty. She was neither as strong as Sky Dancer nor would she be able to endure the cruel ways of the wilderness country for very long.

  Mounting his horse, Wolfrunner decided to watch the camp from a distance until nightfall. Then he would venture closer to find out who he was following. Perhaps it would prove not to be Danielle. If it wasn’t her then he had wasted valuable time chasing a false trail.

  Danielle tested her mouth with her finger and found it to be swollen and bleeding. She had incurred Scar Face’s anger again tonight when she had refused to eat the raw fish he offered her. In the end she had been compelled to eat the fish because she had no choice. She could still smell the fish on her breath, and it made her stomach heave. Danielle swallowed the bitter taste of bile that rose in her throat. She had to concentrate on something else or she would be sick.

  Danielle was so tired but couldn’t seem to fall asleep. The horses were hobbled nearby and she heard them acting up. Apparently Tall Bear had heard it also, because he got up, and moved off into the shadows to check on the animals. Scar Face became alert and unsheathed his knife, waiting and watching for his friend to return.

  Hope fanned to life within Danielle only to be dashed into bitter disappointment moments later. She had hoped that it might have been her uncle coming to rescue her who had disturbed the horses, but Tall Bear soon returned and lay down beside his companion.

  As her hopes died, she closed her eyes, wishing for the sleep of forgetfulness—but in that she wasn’t successful, for sleep eluded her.

  Moments later the horses began stomping the ground and pulling at their ropes nervously. This time Tall Bear mumbled to himself as he got up and left his bed for a second time. Scar Face paid little heed to his friend now, but merely grunted and rolled up in his blanket, drifting back to sleep.

  Danielle waited for what seemed hours, and when Tall Bear didn’t come back, she became puzzled. The shadow of a man fell across the dying embers of the campfire, and at first Danielle thought it was Tall Bear returning. Her eyes moved over the man, and she wondered why he was acting so strangely. He didn’t lie down beside Scar Face, but kept in the shadows, edging his way toward Danielle.

  Soon he moved out of view and moments later she felt a knife slice through the ropes that bound her hands. Turning around quickly, she saw nothing more than a fleeting shadow. If it was Tall Bear, why had he cut her loose, she wondered, scrambling to her feet.

  Danielle could feel her pulse drumming in her head. Moving back against the trunk of a tree, she forgot that the rope that was about her neck was also tied to Scar Face’s arm. The rope pulled her up short, and Scar Face r
oused up and stared into the darkness. Suddenly he became alert and jumped to his feet. Mumbling something Danielle couldn’t understand he jerked her forward and she landed at his feet.

  Danielle watched as Scar Face unsheathed his knife, while his eyes scanned the darkness. He knew he was an open target since he was standing in the light of the campfire, so he pulled Danielle to her feet, and half dragged her toward the woods. She fell several times, and he jerked her up, muttering something unintelligible.

  Danielle knew that Scar Face mustn’t reach the horses, because the man who had sliced through her bonds must have come to rescue her. Throwing her weight against Scar Face, she caught him by surprise. He fell to the ground, dragging her down with him.

  Out of nowhere, the shadow of a man appeared. Before Scar Face knew what was happening, he was hauled to his feet with a knife at his throat.

  “I am not surprised to find you, Scar Face,” Wolfrunner hissed in his ear. “I will take pleasure in ending your life and ridding the world of a plague.”

  Scar Face felt great fear as he recognized the voice of his old enemy. He knew he must act fast or Wolfrunner would do just as he threatened. He was maddened with fear. He could see his life being ended here in the wilderness. All he could think of was preserving himself. With a strength which came from that fear, he jabbed an elbow into Wolfrunner’s stomach. Acting quickly while Wolfrunner was doubled over in pain, he cut the rope that bound him and Danielle together. Moving rapidly into the shadows, he fled into the night.

  Danielle lay in a daze of pain. She couldn’t yet see who her rescuer was, nor did she know if she had been rescued, or if she had simply become another Indian’s prisoner. Rolling to her knees, she tried to clear her mind. She didn’t know whether to run or just stay where she was. Suppose this Indian was one of her uncle’s warriors? But he was alone—surely if this man was a Blood Blackfoot, her uncle would be with him. She’d heard his voice when he’d spoken to Scar Face, but since he hadn’t spoken in English, she hadn’t recognized him as anyone she knew.