As Skyler topped a small grassy hill, she saw a rider coming down the tree-lined road. Her heart soared as she saw the man was riding an Indian pony and was dressed in buckskin. She recognized the dear old trapper, Farley!
Urging her mount down the hill, she rode toward him, waving and calling his name. When she drew even with Farley, she bounded out of the saddle just as he did, and he lifted her off the ground to give her a tight hug.
“Farley, I am so happy to see you. Have you come to take me home?”
He didn’t answer right away, and she glanced up to see the troubled expression on his face. “Has something happened to Mother or Father?” she asked hurriedly, feeling fear in the depth of her heart.
“I left your ma and pa in good health, but I have grave news. Come on up to the house, so I’ll only have to tell it once.”
Skyler nodded, and he picked her up and placed her on her horse. As they rode back to the house, she watched his face. “How is my grandmother?”
By now they had reached the front yard, and Farley stopped his horse and met her inquiring glance. “I ain’t happy about being the one to tell you, but your grandmother walks in the spirit world.”
A sob escaped Skyler’s lips, and she reached out her hand to the old trapper. “I should have been with her at the end,” she cried. “I cannot believe my sweet, gentle grandmother is gone. I will never forgive myself for not being beside her.”
Farley dismounted and lifted Skyler from her horse. He held her closely as she cried out her misery. She was so deep in misery, she wasn’t even aware when the groom led the horses away.
“You gotta get hold of yourself, Sky Dancer. Sun Woman wouldn’t want you to cry for her.”
“I cannot help myself, Farley. I loved her so much. It will never be the same without her.”
“You best be strong, ’cause I got more bad news. Your aunt and uncle are going to need you to be strong for them.”
“Farley, no! Has something happened to Danielle?”
“Is Tag and Alex at home?”
“Yes, they are in the morning room.”
“Come on in the house, and I’ll tell you all at the same time,” he said, leading her up the steps.
Tag knew the moment he saw Farley that something was amiss. Alexandria placed her sewing aside and clasped her husband’s hand. They could both see that Skyler had been crying, and they waited for the old man to speak.
Farley ambled over and sat down in a chair. He was thoughtful for a moment before he spoke. He decided it would be best to blurt it out and get it over with. “Windhawk sent me to fetch you. Danielle is missing.”
“What do you mean Danielle is missing?’ Tag’s voice boomed out and he rose to his feet quickly. The color drained out of his face, and his eyes were probing Farley’s, trying to read the truth.
“She was sitting with Sun Woman while the women were berry picking. When they got back to the village, it was as if she just disappeared.”
Tag started pacing the floor, and Skyler went to Alexandria and gathered her into her arms to comfort her. She knew her aunt loved Danielle as she would her own daughter, and Skyler feared the news of her cousin’s disappearance might cause Alexandria to lose the baby.
“How in the hell can someone just disappear?” Tag demanded. “What has been done to find my daughter? Has there been an extensive search?”
“You know Windhawk has left no stone unturned. As we talk, warriors are out looking for Danielle.”
“I have to go to the village immediately,” Tag said, looking like a wild man. “I should never have made her spend the summer with her mother’s people. I forced her to go when she didn’t want to. It’s all my fault.”
“I don’t rightly seed that it’s anyone’s fault. No one could have knowed this was gonna happen.”
“I will leave first thing in the morning. You and Skyler must stay with Alexandria, Farley. I don’t want her left alone right now.”
“I’ll stay, but Joanna wants Sky Dancer home. You will have to take her with you.”
Tag turned to Alexandria, who was crying softly. Taking her in his arms, he gathered her close to his heart. “It will be all right. I’ll find her, I promise you—I will find our daughter.”
“Go quickly, Tag. I don’t want you to lose any time getting to the Blackfoot village,” Alexandria cried, laying her head against his shoulder.
“Come, I want you to go bed right away. The doctor said you weren’t to get upset.”
“I am fine. I don’t want to lie down.”
He helped her to her feet. “Nonetheless, Alexandria, you will do as I say,” he said firmly. “I shall sit beside you while you rest.”
Skyler watched them leave the room, sharing their fear for Danielle. When they were out of sight, she leaned her head back against the settee and allowed the tears to flow freely. “This is a dark day, Farley. I hope we all have the strength to get through it.”
For the first time in his life, the old trapper had no ready remark. He just nodded his head in agreement. He had been with this family through happiness and sadness. He supposed he must be getting old, because this trouble had taken a lot out of him. “A black day indeed, Sky Dancer. This has just ’bout done your ma in, and your pa ain’t had much rest either. I think he blames himself for what happened.”
“I had better go and pack my belongings. I know Uncle Tag will want to leave first thing in the morning,” Skyler said. She stopped in front of Farley and bent to kiss his cheek. “I am glad to see you, even if you are the bearer of ill tidings. I wish you were going home with us.”
The old man watched her move out of the room, thinking she had changed, and it had nothing to do with the news he had dropped in her lap. It wasn’t even the way she was dressed, all fancy like. He wondered what had happened to turn a happy carefree girl into a sad-eyed woman.
Skyler packed very little. Most of the gowns, bonnets, and shoes she was leaving behind. She would have no use for them in the Blackfoot village. She had been able to pack her meager belongings in one leather satchel. At the bottom of the satchel, she placed her doeskin gown, knowing she would change into it once they left civilization behind. When she was finished packing, she placed the satchel at the foot of the stairs to be loaded onto the carriage in the morning.
The house was unusually quiet and everyone had retired to their rooms. Skyler had already dressed for bed but felt a restlessness within her as if the walls of the house were closing in on her. Feeling the need to be under the stars, she slipped on her robe and went downstairs quietly and out into the garden, hoping she wouldn’t wake anyone.
Tomorrow she would be leaving the white world behind, and Skyler knew she would also be leaving a large part of herself. Her heart was heavy for many reasons. She was worried about Danielle, she felt grief for her grandmother’s passing, and she knew she would never see Morgan again.
When Skyler reached the summerhouse, she stood with her face pressed against a white supporting post and allowed her mind to wander. What would Morgan do when he learned she had gone? Would he put her out of his mind and find someone who would willingly give him the love he deserved? He was a fine man, and he would make some fortunate woman a good husband, she thought painfully. He was kind, sensitive, and so loving. The only fault she could find with him was his attitude toward her people. For some white women that would be nothing at all, but for Skyler it was everything.
She wished with all her heart that she could see him just once more. She wanted to tell him that she loved him…that she would always love him.
All of a sudden Skyler felt as if she were reliving her dream. Her heart was thundering within her body. Now she knew what the dreams had meant. The dreams had been a warning that she would have to give up the man she loved. Hearing footsteps behind her, she knew it was Morgan. Tonight she would see him for the last time. She had lived this scene before and knew what his first words to her would be…
“Do you wish upon a star, Skyler
?” he asked.
Turning, she found Morgan standing just behind her. It seemed the most natural thing in the world that he had come to her on her last night in Philadelphia. “No, I was thinking about you,” she freely admitted. “What are you doing here, Morgan?”
“I come here almost every night on the off chance that I might see you,” he said, moving closer to her. “Tonight I was lucky.”
“I am glad you have come. I didn’t want to leave without telling you good-bye.”
He gazed up at the night sky, while she watched him, trying to fill her heart and mind with his nearness.
“When are you leaving, Skyler?” he asked at last.
“In the morning.”
“So soon. If I hadn’t come tonight, you wouldn’t have said good-bye to me, would you?”
“No.”
“Tell me what madness is this to cut me from your life? I know you have deep feelings for me. Tell me about this thing that stands between us.”
She closed her eyes. What she really wanted to do was be in his arms and pour out her heart to him, but her secret must never be told. It would only make him turn from her in contempt. If she just went away, without revealing her secret, perhaps he would remember her sometimes with love. Now she understood her dreams. They had been a warning to her. She could never reach out and take the love he offered.
“I can tell you no more, Morgan. This is the last time I will ever see you. I am going home tomorrow, and I shall never come back to Philadelphia. Tonight is good-bye for us.”
His hands gripped her shoulders and he pulled her back against him. “No, damn it, this isn’t good-bye. Don’t you know you are tearing my heart out? Don’t you give a damn that I love you?”
Her eyes were tear-bright. “I would rather tear out my own heart than to cause you pain, Morgan. I do love you, but you will have to understand I must go away.”
She could feel the shudder that shook him. “How can I let you go when I know you love me? I have never felt this strongly about a woman before. It seems to me that when two people are meant for each other, as you and I are, there should be nothing else to consider. What a proud woman you are. I think what I love about you most is your strength and courage. I do not admire that you can turn your back on love.”
Skyler rested her face against his chest, knowing this was the last time they would ever be together. “I am not strong, Morgan, and I would like to have your admiration above all others, but I have to do what is right.”
“Is there another man in your life?”
“No.”
“I can’t believe that you are going away—leaving me with nothing to hold on to.” He raised her face and rested his against it. “I want you, Skyler Dancing. I want you for my wife.”
Skyler shook her head. “That can never be.” She tried to close her eyes against the tears, but was unsuccessful. “I can never be your wife, Morgan, but I will give you what should only be for my husband on my wedding night.” She found herself saying the very words that she had spoken in her dream. For a moment she couldn’t tell if she were dreaming or awake. Where did dreams start and reality set in, she wondered.
Morgan searched her face. “Are you saying what I think you are?”
“Yes. I will be with you tonight. This is all I can ever give you, Morgan.”
Anger moved over his face. “How magnanimous of you, Skyler. You are leaving me, so you think to pacify me with a few crumbs. I don’t want what you offer…now or ever.”
She knew it was his hurt that was talking. “You do want me, Morgan. Your words may deny it, but your eyes never could. It will cost you nothing to take what I give you tonight.”
“How many other men have you offered yourself to, Skyler? Am I the next in a long line of men to whom you have offered crumbs?”
She reached up and unfastened the neck of her robe. “I have never given myself to another, Morgan. I want to give myself to you so you will know how deeply I feel about you. I don’t want you to remember me with anything but kindness and love.”
“No! I will not take what you are so willing to give. If I can’t have all of you, then I don’t want anything at all. I could find plenty of women who are willing to give me what you offer so freely. Perhaps you were right, and I should just leave.”
His mouth was moving, and he was talking, but he wasn’t aware of what he was saying. His eyes were drawn to Skyler as she let her robe drop onto the floor of the summerhouse. He stood mesmerized as she slipped out of her gown and stood before him naked. He took a step toward her, but stopped when she raised her arms to him.
The bright moonlight seemed to turn her body a golden color. Morgan felt his breathing close off, knowing he could no longer resist the lovely vision that stood before him with her arms outstretched.
“Skyler,” he cried in a strangled voice. Suddenly she was in his arms, and his hands were running up and down her back. He sought and found her lips as his hunger for her deepened into a maddening whirlwind.
Skyler felt his hands sliding blissfully up and down her back and across her hips as he whispered her name over and over. She would give him all she had to give, for she couldn’t bear to go away and leave him with nothing. There was no doubt in her mind that he loved her, and she doubted she would ever love another man as deeply as she loved Morgan. She would one day have to marry, but if she gave herself to Morgan tonight she wouldn’t be cheating anyone but herself.
The dream was being fulfilled. Tomorrow she would go away never to see her love’s face again.
Alexandria couldn’t sleep, so she got out of bed and walked over to the window. She couldn’t get Danielle out of her mind. The horrible part in all this was in not knowing if she was dead or alive. If she were alive, she would be a captive. It was tearing her apart to think how Danielle might be mistreated.
As her gaze wandered down to the garden toward the summerhouse, she saw someone moving out of the shadows. It was a bright night, and Alexandria had no trouble recognizing Skyler and Morgan. She didn’t need to see clearly to know they were locked in an embrace. Alexandria remembered the time when she had freely given herself to Tag. She felt pity in her heart for Skyler and Morgan. Tonight was all they would ever have.
“Can’t you sleep either?” Tag asked, getting out of bed and walking toward her.
“I think I can now, if you will hold me,” she said, moving to his side so he wouldn’t discover Skyler and Morgan.
Tag helped her back to bed and lay down beside her. She closed her eyes, wishing that Skyler and Morgan would realize that love was the most important thing in life. No one could tell them that—they would have to discover the meaning of love on their own. It didn’t matter if they came from different backgrounds; all that mattered in the end was whether they loved each other enough to sacrifice some of their beliefs.
Alexandria thought of Danielle, and a sob broke her lips. Poor, sweet Danielle would never know love. Alexandria felt in her heart that she must be dead.
She felt Tag’s hands move across her face, and he pulled her forward to rest against his shoulder. “Don’t give up, Alexandria. I need you to believe that we will find our girl. If you believe it, then perhaps I can hope, too.”
“I want to believe it, Tag, but Farley would never have come for you if he thought there was any hope.”
Tag held her tightly, fearing she might lose his baby. Now when she needed him most, he was forced to leave her. “What kind of nonsense is that, my sweet love? I would be willing to bet that when I get to the village, Danielle will be there to greet me.”
He closed his eyes, knowing he was only trying to pacify Alexandria. In his heart he feared Danielle had met a terrible fate. When she was gone, he would lose the last link he had with Morning Song.
In one of the guest bedrooms Farley swore under his breath because he couldn’t get to sleep in the too soft bed. Tossing the wine-colored coverlet onto the floor, he climbed out of bed and lay down on it. Staring at the window he st
ill couldn’t sleep. There was much unhappiness within this family he loved, and there didn’t seem to be a damned thing he could do about it.
Chapter Twenty-one
The prairie grasses no longer green were scarred with a thick black dust that covered the land. Smoke still rose into the air, mixing with the night shadows only to be lost in the ebony skies.
Wolfrunner bent over Danielle’s unconscious body, examining her closely. Her face was streaked from the soot and ashes, but she didn’t seem to be burned. He could see the steady rise and fall of her breasts, so he knew she was breathing.
Cupping his hands in the river, he proceeded to wash her face clean. When that was accompanied, his eyes traveled down to her ankle, and he saw it was swollen almost twice its normal size. She must have injured it when she fell earlier in the day, but she hadn’t complained. He had pushed her mercilessly and she must have been in agony. Examining her ankle, his eyes wandered to her shoes. He saw the soles of her shoes had been worn through and the bottoms of her feet were raw and bleeding.
Gathering her into his arms, Wolfrunner held her limp body against him. Great Father, he had thought her weak and unworthy, when she had possessed great courage. When the fire had raged out of control, and it looked like they would both be burned alive, had she not urged him to leave her and save himself? Never had he met a woman with such bravery and courage. His heart seemed to shatter, knowing he would never be worthy of her. In her eyes he was nothing but a savage—had she not said so herself?
Picking up her small hand, he held it to his face, rubbing his lips across the soft palm. Now, while she was unconscious, he could touch her and hold her in his arms. He could allow his love to wash over him without her being aware of it. He had been forced to hide his feelings from Danielle and himself. It had been difficult to pretend indifference and dislike when his heart had been crying out to touch her.
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