Danielle was drawn into her Uncle Windhawk’s arms. “I feel in you a deep sadness, little one,” he said so no one but Danielle could hear. “I wish that I could give you what you most desire.”
She looked up into his eyes. “Do you know what that is, my uncle?”
“Yes, I know what you desire. Sometimes you have to find your own way, Danielle. There is no guarantee in this life that we will always be happy—not in the white world, not in the Indian world.”
“Yes, I have come to believe that. I have also come to love my mother’s people.”
He smiled. “I knew that you would.”
Joanna hugged her niece tightly in her arms. “Come back to us soon, Danielle.”
“I think I shall never come back, Aunt Joanna.”
Her aunt only smiled. “Do not be too sure. One cannot always see what the future holds.”
Lastly, Tag pulled his sister into his arms and hugged her tightly to him. “I will miss you, Joanna, but then I always do.”
“You will come next spring and bring Alexandria and the baby with you.”
“We shall see,” he said. “It will depend on how Alexandria is feeling.”
“Tell her for me that I miss her,” Joanna said.
The time for good-byes was over. As Sky Dancer stepped out of her father’s lodge she allowed her eyes to roam over the dear faces of the people she loved. She felt a sadness at leaving them. She was leaving her way of life behind and going into a world that she didn’t fully comprehend. There would be many times when Sky Dancer would long for the peace and tranquility of her Blackfoot home, but she would go to her new home with a happy heart.
Danielle saw that everyone in the village had turned out to say their last farewells—everyone except Wolfrunner. She knew he was healed from his wounds, but he had not tried to see her. Even if he didn’t love her, they had been through a great deal together. The least he could have done would have been to come to see her off.
Danielle felt someone tugging at her gown. Looking down, she saw a dark-eyed little girl. The child extended her cupped hands out to her and Danielle’s heart stopped beating. There, nestling in the palm of the little girl’s hand, was a baby cottontail.
Tears wet Danielle’s lashes as she lifted the soft animal to her face, breathing in its soft scent. Glancing down, she saw the child had disappeared. Frantically Danielle looked about, trying to locate Wolfrunner, but she couldn’t find him. Wolfrunner had given her this gift, and she wondered what it meant. Could it mean that he loved her? No, if he loved her, would he not have come himself?
Danielle wished she had the courage to walk into his tipi and demand that he talk to her. Shaking her head, she gently placed the tiny ball of fur in her pocket and mounted her horse.
Turning her mount, Danielle fell in beside her father. She would like to think that this gift represented Wolfrunner’s love for her, but she was afraid to allow herself to hope. If only he had come to see her off. She had too much pride to beg Wolfrunner for anything.
As they rode across the Milk River, Danielle turned and looked back, hoping against hope that she would see Wolfrunner. Even if he’d been there, she wouldn’t have been able to recognize him in the sea of faces that were slowly fading in the distance.
Danielle would not cry. If Wolfrunner didn’t want her, she would just put him out of her mind. Oh, but the deep ache inside her hurt so badly. She felt as if she were leaving the very essence of her being behind.
Wolfrunner stood in the shadows of a pine tree and watched Danielle ride out of his life forever. Closing his eyes, it felt as if the sensation of her was still with him. As he watched her disappear across the river, he was suddenly jolted by reality. He would never see her again!
He felt a burning urgency deep within. The woman he loved would soon ride out of sight and out of his life forever.
Running swiftly to where he had tied his horse, he bounded onto its back. Kicking his mount in the flanks, he knew he would have to race the wind to catch up with Danielle. He would not approach her, but watch her from the nearby hills. He would allow his eyes to behold her until she was lost from sight.
When Wolfrunner topped the hill, he saw the dust cloud and knew they were just ahead of him. Putting the whip to his horse’s flanks, he raced across the hill and down into the valley. A strong need in him was pushing him onward. If he could just have one more glance at Danielle’s face, it would stay with him for the rest of his life.
Sky Dancer was the first to see Wolfrunner. Her keen sense of hearing picked up the sound of his unshod horse’s hooves before anyone else detected them. Turning her head, she recognized Wolfrunner’s horse and her heart soared with happiness. Apparently he was trying to stay out of sight. He wasn’t trying to pull even with them, but just to keep them in view. Surely he must love Danielle—why else would he be following them?
Dropping back to ride beside her cousin Danielle, Sky Dancer caught her eye. “If Wolfrunner were to come after you, would you go with him?” she asked point-blank.
“Your jest is in poor taste, Sky Dancer. Why do you torture me with things that can never be?”
“Answer me,” Sky Dancer demanded, knowing her cousin must make up her mind quickly.
“You know I would go anywhere with Wolfrunner. I love him.”
“Then turn your eyes to the hills on the right,” Sky Dancer said. “I think he comes for you although he hasn’t the courage to approach too near.”
Danielle turned in her saddle and allowed her eyes to scan the hills. At first she didn’t see him since he was hidden behind the cover of a thicket. Her heart was pounding against her chest as she watched him ride into view. He wore only a breechcloth, his dark hair was flying in the wind. He rode with such precision that from this distance it appeared that horse and man were one and the same.
Was it possible that he had come for her, she wondered wildly? If he wanted her, why did he not come closer?
They were now approaching a wide stream and slowed their pace. Danielle glanced back to find that Wolfrunner was nowhere in sight. She felt her heart sink, feeling as if her stomach held a heavy stone. He was gone!
Frantically she halted her mount and allowed her eyes to scan the horizon. Tears of grief stung her eyes, and she felt as if her heart had been ripped open. Why had he come if he didn’t intend to take her back with him? How cruel he was to hurt her so deeply. Was he not satisfied with hurting words he had spoken to her? Had he not gotten his satisfaction from rejecting her as unworthy?
At that moment, Wolfrunner reappeared on the top of a hill about twenty horse leagues away. He was closer now, and Danielle could see the sad expression on his face. His eyes seemed to be pleading with her. It was as if they were a magnet, drawing her to him.
Wolfrunner’s horse reared up on its hind legs, and he quickly brought the animal under control with the force of his strong legs. He felt his heart racing across the distance that divided him from Danielle, and he willed her to come to him. He needed her as surely as he needed the air that filled his lungs. He had no pride where she was concerned. She was his whole world, and if she should go, there would forever be a deep, dark void.
Tag caught Danielle’s reins, fearing she might try to go to Wolfrunner. Everyone had halted their horses and were watching the silent struggle that was taking place between father and daughter.
Danielle glanced up at the man she loved and then back to her father. She knew in an instant that if she went back to Philadelphia she would never know one day of happiness. There was no question in her mind now that Wolfrunner loved her. Everyone could see what he was feeling by looking into his expressive face.
A pain ripped through Danielle’s heart as Wolfrunner slowly reached his arms to her. It was as if silently pleading with her to come to him.
“No!” Tag cried, realizing he could lose his daughter. “You can’t do this, Danielle. I forbid it!”
Sky Dancer placed her hand on her uncle’s, drawing his atten
tion. “It’s time to let go. Would you keep her with you at the expense of her happiness? My mother and father made the supreme sacrifice; will you not do the same?”
Tag slowly released his hold on his daughter’s hand. He said nothing as Danielle leaned forward and hurriedly kissed his cheek. She turned to Sky Dancer and looked toward the heavens in a gesture of pure happiness.
Without a word, Danielle turned her mount and raced up the hill toward the man she loved. There was no regret in her heart for what she was leaving behind. All she could think about was that she would soon be in Wolfrunner’s arms and he loved her!
Wolfrunner couldn’t believe his eyes as Danielle rode swiftly toward him. He had reached out to her, thinking she would probably turn away from his love. He watched her approach with tears sliding down his cheeks.
When Danielle reached Wolfrunner’s side, he saw the tears glistening in her eyes. With his heart soaring to the skies, a strangled cry issued from his throat. Reaching out, he lifted her from her horse and held her tightly against him. Danielle must love him—why else would she turn away from the white world?
Danielle was crying so hard she had to hide her face against Wolfrunner’s broad chest. She was ashamed of the weakness within her.
Wolfrunner raised her face and gave her a soft look that said so much more than words could ever reveal. She could read love and adoration in his dark gaze. Reaching across her, he gathered up the reins of her mount and spun his horse around. Not once did either of them look back at the riders who watched beside the river—not until they topped a hill. Then Wolfrunner halted his mount and raised his hand in a silent salute to Danielle’s family.
Sky Dancer caught the eye of her uncle and saw the misery there. “She will be happy, my uncle. My mother and father will be there to counsel her wisely.”
Tag took a deep breath and nudged his horse forward. Somehow a peace descended on him. It seemed only right that Danielle should return to her mother’s people. He felt as if Morning Song’s spirit would always look after her. It was as if he had only borrowed Danielle for a short period of her life. She was a Blackfoot princess and belonged to the earth and its people.
Morgan rode up beside his wife and gave her a warm smile. Sky Dancer couldn’t help but ponder what a strange world it was. She would walk in the world of her cousin, and Danielle would walk in her world. Their lives had crossed but briefly, but she knew in her heart there would always be a special bond that tied them together.
Each girl had found her love in the most unexpected place. Now each would walk in happiness.
No words had been spoken as Wolfrunner carried Danielle upon his mount. She lay against his shoulder and he rested his chin against her sweet-smelling hair, lost in the wonder of her loving him. How was it possible that she wanted to be his woman?
Seeing a secluded place beside the stream, he rode in that direction. There was a burning need in him to possess her, thus binding her to him with love’s bonds.
Danielle looked up shyly and met his dark eyes. A small tremor shook her at the naked love she saw reflected there. His mask had been stripped away and all that he was feeling was reflected in those magnificent eyes.
By now they had reached the stream, and he dismounted with her in his arms. He didn’t place her on the ground, but stood holding her against his heart.
Danielle wriggled out of his arms, laughing. “Would you crush the little pet that you gave to me this morning?”
Reaching into her pocket, she withdrew the baby rabbit and placed it gently onto the ground. Turning back to Wolfrunner, she allowed him to lift her into his arms.
Danielle could feel the naked strength of his back and shoulders beneath her fingers, and a weakness washed over her.
“Have you no regrets?” he asked in a voice of uncertainty.
“Yes,” she told him, lacing her hands in his midnight-colored hair. “I regret that it took you so long to know you loved me.”
He could hardly speak through the catch in his throat. “I knew from the first that I was to love you. I fought against it, but it did little good. I realized today that I would never live without you beside me.”
“You love me,” she said, pondering the sound of those words as if they were more precious than gold.
“You fill my heart and leave no room for any other thought. I will live to make you happy,” he said, placing her on her feet and holding her tightly against his body.
“I will work to make you a home, but you will have to be patient with me. I realize I have much to learn.”
Raising his face to the sky, Wolfrunner felt as if he had been reborn. How does a man react when he has just been handed the most precious possessions a woman could give him? He felt almost humble, and certainly unworthy of this lovely Blackfoot princess.
“Will you then be my woman? Will you walk beside me in the summer rain, and lay with me in the winter snow?”
“Yes, my love. I will stay with you as long as God will allow it,” she cried, offering him her lips.
They sealed their love with a burning kiss. Later they would go home to the Blackfoot village, but for now they wanted only to be alone in their newfound happiness.
As the warm breeze kissed the leaves on the tree and the lazy stream cut its way across the valley, they made love, thus binding themselves tightly one to the other.
Danielle knew there would be times when she would falter, for one doesn’t change overnight, but she knew Wolfrunner’s love would mold her and make her into the woman he wanted her to be.
Soft words of love were spoken, and hearts were pledged for eternity. There was music on the wind and laughter in their hearts. As they discovered new things about each other, they were drawn into an everlasting love.
As night began to fall they returned to the village. The people of the tribe didn’t seem at all surprised to see Wolfrunner return with the Blackfoot princess. They had known for a long time what Danielle and Wolfrunner now openly admitted.
It was with a happy heart that the Blood Blackfoot welcomed Morning Song’s daughter back home.
Joanna felt Windhawk’s arm on her shoulder, and turned to smile up at him. “I knew Wolfrunner would never allow Danielle to leave, Windhawk.”
The tall chief of the Blood Blackfoot looked down at his wife. “From the way they are looking at each other, I think they had better be joined in marriage soon.”
Joanna reached for Windhawk’s hand, and together they entered the lodge. “Make it today, my husband.”
As Windhawk enfolded Joanna in his arms, he thought of all the happy years he’d spent with this flaming-haired woman beside him. He looked forward to many more.
Epilogue
Now that the Civil War was over, the people of the United States turned their eyes westward. There were rumors that they were coming in droves to the lands that belonged to the Indian.
They wanted to till the soil and plant their crops. They sought the precious silver and gold metal that came from the sacred mountains. Soon…soon they would push the Indian back, and force him to fight for what belonged to him.
Windhawk looked down in the valley below him and watched as his people moved slowly toward the north. There was a great cloud of dust which was stirred up by the many horses. Deep in his heart there was an ache that they must forever leave this land of their birth. But had he not made his mother a promise that if the white man came, he would move his Blood Blackfoot to the Canadas?
Perhaps it was best, he thought. It would rip Joanna’s heart out if he had to war against the people of her past.
As his eyes roamed over the winding Milk River and across the Sweet Grass Hills, Windhawk knew he looked upon them for the last time. The beauty of this land would remain in his heart. He felt as if he were in tune with the past. His fathers and their fathers seemed to cry out at the injustice of it all. Could a man keep his honor when he turned his back on his ancient home? he argued. Was it not better to leave a place where his people might d
ie from the white man’s bullets? he reasoned.
He saw Joanna riding up the hill to join him. He knew she was part of the reason he was leaving. He did not want to turn his war weapons on her people.
Her red-gold hair was flying in the wind, and her cheeks were kissed by the warmth of the sun. His heart seemed to swell within his body as he caught the look in her beautiful eyes. This was his woman, he would do anything to keep her from hurt and sorrow.
Joanna said no words as she drew up beside Windhawk. Both knew what the other was feeling so there was no need for words. Each sat for a long time watching the Blood Blackfoot ride away from the land of their grandfathers.
Reaching out, Windhawk caught Joanna’s hand in a firm grip. He knew he could live anywhere with his woman beside him.
Silently they rode down the hill to join their people. The Bloods would start a new life. They would cast off the old life and embrace the new. For Joanna and Windhawk there would be no looking back with regret. They must look to the future and concentrate on the survival of their people.
They were not leaving their homes, rather they were riding toward a new beginning.
YOU ARE GONE O NOBLE BLACKFOOT
WARRIOR
TO DISAPPEAR FROM EARTH AND SKY.
BUT YOUR MEMORY LIVES IN THE HEARTS
OF MEN,
FOR LEGENDS…DO NOT DIE…
Author’s Note
With Savage Summer I conclude my four-book saga on the Blackfoot Indians. While writing these books, I became aware of a way of life that has disappeared forever. With a heavy heart I cannot help but regret that we, our children, and our children’s children will never know the peaceful world of a wise and noble people. We will only be allowed to visit them when we find them in the pages of a book.
Other Leisure books by Constance O’Banyon:
SAVAGE SPRING
Savage Summer Page 33