by Bobbi Smith
Silver Wolf was certain that she'd changed. The Little Snow he'd known had begged him to write to her; the woman she'd become had never bothered to answer his letters. He tried to conjure up a mental image of her as a woman full grown, but he could only see her childish face with her sparkling eyes and bright smile.
In spite of himself, Silver Wolf smiled into the night. He had missed his Little Snow, and he knew he would have to see her, if for no other reason than to find out why she'd never written. Gazing up at the heavens, he wondered where she was and what she was like now.
James came awake slowly. The bedroom was still dark, but the chorus of birds told him it would soon be light. He sighed. For the first time in years, he was content. The night he'd just passed in his wife's loving embrace had been ecstasy for him, and he knew the future held the same promise of love.
Cautiously, he shifted positions and raised up on an elbow so he could gaze down at Elizabeth. A tender smile curved his mouth as he watched her sleep. She really was there, at his side. It hadn't been just another dream. She had come home to him. He needed nothing more to be happy.
James let his gaze trace the delicate outline of her features and then drift lower to the soft curve of her throat, and then on to her breasts. They'd spent the better part of the night making love. It was wonderful to be so intimate with her again.
As if sensing his attentions, Elizabeth stirred and came awake. When she opened her eyes and saw James already awake and watching her, she smiled.
"Good morning, my love," she purred, stretching in a sensual motion.
"Is it?" he asked in a husky voice as his desire for her flared to life again.
"You tell me," she countered, drawing him down to her and moving against him in an unspoken offering.
She lifted her hands to frame his face, and he turned to press a devoted kiss to her palm. The rasp of his beard against her hands was arousing, and she sought his lips with her own as she nestled her hips against the hardness of his. She wanted to show him just how much she loved him, not tell him.
James's passions soared anew. "You'll never know how many mornings I woke up and wished you were here with me like this."
"Yes, I can. I felt the same way." Elizabeth's eyes were glowing as she kissed him again.
Filled with a sudden urgent need to be one with her, James moved, bringing her beneath him. They melded perfectly, his strength filling her softness. They blended together in shared rapture.
This morning their need for each other was so fresh and new that they felt like newlyweds. They celebrated their love. The memory of all the months apart fueling the power of their desire. It had been so long . . .
James slowed his pace, forcing himself to take his time, wanting to enjoy every moment of their mating. As dawn proclaimed the new day, ecstasy claimed them. They exulted in their shared pleasure and lay in each other's arms, sated.
"You will be back by tonight, won't you?" she asked softly.
For just those few blissful moments he'd forgotten all about his need to see Tall Shadow, and now regret filled him as he thought of having to leave her so soon after their loving. He grinned wryly to himself.
"You're smiling. . . . Why?"
"What I really want to do today is lock the door and spend every waking minute right here with you. I don't want to leave this room until we're so weak from hunger we have to, and the way I'm feeling now, that might take a week or so." His hand caressed the fullness of her breast as he seriously considered the possibility.
"What would Cari and Elliot think?" she asked, a hint of humor in her tone.
"That we love each other?" He raised an eyebrow as he smiled wickedly down at her.
"I hope they already know that."
"I'm sure they do."
The sun's rays brightened the room, and James knew he could put off getting up no longer.
"I'll be back tonight," he promised.
"I'll be waiting," she breathed softly.
Riding sidesaddle and wearing a fashionable riding habit and matching hat, Cari looked quite the woman of the world as she accompanied her father and Elliot to the Cheyenne village. For all that her outward appearance bespoke of sophistication, though, she felt more like an excited child. The possibility that she might get to see Silver Wolf today filled her with anticipation.
Cari couldn't help but wonder at his reaction upon seeing her again. As close as they'd once been, she hoped he'd be glad, and she knew it would hurt to discover that he hadn't missed her at all. The only thing that she was certain about was that Silver Wolf was no longer the young Cheyenne warrior of her childhood dreams. He was a twenty-four-year-old man now. That he was also known as Daniel Marshall, pleased her. It indicated to her that he had come to terms with his white heritage, and she wondered, now that he'd been away to school, which name he preferred. In her heart, though, she knew it didn't matter. To her, he would always be Silver Wolf.
As they crested a hilltop the village came into view spread out across the valley floor below. They reined in to enjoy the scene.
"There is the village," James told them.
Elliot studied the setting with great interest. The tales of Indians and their warring ways and bloodthirsty viciousness bore no resemblance to the quiet scene before him. Peace seemed to reign amid the tipis that were painted with colorful designs depicting the achievements of the owner.
"They look almost civilized," Elliot remarked with some amazement.
James's smile was rueful as he glanced at the young easterner who still had a lot to learn. "Sometimes, I think they're a lot more civilized than we are."
James urged his horse forward and they rode into camp.
As always, news traveled quickly through the village, and Tall Shadow was waiting for them when they arrived. Their greeting was warm and open.
"This is Elliot Lowell. He's a friend who accompanied my wife and Cari on their trip home," James explained. "He'll be staying on with us for a while, and, of course, you remember Cari."
Tall Shadow's expression never changed, but his black-eyed gaze rested on Cari with great intensity as if he were trying to find the little girl he'd known in the woman she'd become. "Little Snow has changed in her time away from us."
"Yes, Tall Shadow, I'm grown up now," she replied with a smile, enjoying hearing Silver Wolf's pet name for her. It had been so long . . .
"Little Snow?" Elliot gave her a puzzled look.
"It's the name Silver Wolf gave me when I was small." She glanced around, hardly able to contain her excitement any longer. "Is he here today, Tall Shadow? I was hoping to see him."
"No. My grandson rode to the fort several days ago to meet with the soldiers. I do not know when he will be back."
Cari was forced to hide her disappointment. "Will you tell him I was here?"
"I will tell him."
"Tall Shadow, I need to talk with you alone for a moment," James said.
"There is trouble?" He saw the concern in his friend's expression.
"There might be."
The chief nodded. He called out to one of the Cheyenne women working nearby to bring refreshments for Cari and Elliot, while he and James went inside his tipi to talk.
"The Larsons came to see me last night. They're accusing your braves of stealing their cattle, and they're threatening to start trouble."
Tall Shadow knew of the Larsons; it wasn't the first time that the greedy rancher had tried to cause disruption for his people. "We have not stolen from him."
"I know that, but he's hell-bent on blaming you. Keep your braves far away from him and the other ranchers to the south of him. This man's crazy enough to start something for no reason . . ."
"When Silver Wolf gets back I will tell him of Larson's lies."
"Good. Maybe he can help us avoid trouble. In the meantime, I'll see if I can find out who's been doing the stealing."
While the two men talked, Cari and Elliot remained outside, eating the fresh berries the Cheyenne woma
n had given them. When they finished, Cari showed him around the village, pointing out things she remembered from long ago.
"How did you learn so much?" he finally asked her.
"From Silver Wolf," she answered, searching each brave's face in hopes that it was him and thinking how empty the village seemed without him.
They stayed long enough to share a meal with Tall Shadow, then headed home. Cari's mood was less than jovial as they rode back. She wondered if Silver Wolf would seek her out when his grandfather told him of her return. She hoped so, but judging from his lack of interest over the past seven years, she had her doubts.
"Daniel! I'm glad you're back. How did it go?" Ben asked, looking up from his work as his friend entered the office the next morning.
Silver Wolf gave him a disgusted look as he dropped into the chair before the desk. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing any good at all. Captain Greene is a reasonable man, but there are others . . ."
"Trouble?" Ben probed.
"I have a feeling that there are white men out there just looking for an excuse, any excuse, to either drive my people out of the territory or massacre us all and put a permanent end to the 'Indian problem,' as they call it. God knows, they're trying their best to starve us to death with the way they've been slaughtering the buffalo."
Ben and Silver Wolf had been outraged when they'd discovered that the white hunters were killing buffalo for sport, sometimes hundreds at a time, and then just leaving the carcasses to rot.
"We can file complaints again, but I doubt they will do any good. According to law, the hunters' actions are legal."
"I know, but that doesn't make it any easier to accept."
"Who says we have to accept it? We'll keep trying, just like we always do." Ben tried to sound optimistic.
"One day there'll be justice."
"I hope so."
They shared a tired smile. In the years they'd been friends, they'd faced many battles together. Silver Wolf had always believed that things would improve, but now he wasn't so sure anymore. Still, they had no intention of giving up. If anything, they would try harder.
"James McCord was in town yesterday to pick up his wife and daughter."
At this, Silver Wolf quickly looked up. "So they really did come back. Did you get to meet them?"
"No. James stopped by before they arrived. Why? Are you curious to find out what your Little Snow looks like now that she's grown up?" Ben missed very little and he'd noticed how Daniel had reacted to the news that she was back in town.
Little Snow . . . Silver Wolf still remembered the day she'd ridden away with her parents and how she'd watched him from the seat of the wagon until they'd traveled out of sight. He still found it hard to believe that the young girl who'd seemed to care so much had never answered his letters.
"Seven years is a long time. How old is she now?" Ben asked.
"Eighteen," he answered.
"Why don't you ride out to the ranch and pay them a visit? I'm sure James would be glad to see you."
"I would, but I've got to go to my grandfather's village."
"Well, there's a dance coming up next Saturday night. Why don't you come with me? Maybe she'll be there."
"If I don't get the chance to see her at the Circle M, I just might do that." He rose and headed from the office to go upstairs to his rooms to pack for his trip to the village. "I'll see you when I get back."
It was late when Silver Wolf reached the village.
"Silver Wolf! I am glad you've come. There is much we have to talk about." Tall Shadow welcomed his grandson home.
They shared a meal with his mother and grandmother, and then when the women left them, Tall Shadow told Silver Wolf of McCord's visit.
"James says that Larson believes we are stealing his stock, and he fears there might be trouble. I have told our people of his warning."
"Good. That's the reason I'm here. I met the Larsons and their friends at the fort," Silver Wolf told him. "Those men are full of hate. You're wise to tell your braves to stay away from them."
"We do not want to fight with the whites. We only want to be left alone."
"That's all well and good, if Larson will leave you alone, but the man is first cousin to a snake. Watch out for him."
"We will take care," Tall Shadow assured him. "Did you know that Little Snow is back? She came to the village with James and another man named Elliot Lowell. She wanted to see you and was sorry you weren't here."
"Did she say how long she was staying?"
"It is my understanding that she and her mother have come home to live."
"And this other man. Who is he?"
"James said he was only a friend, but he looks at Little Snow with the eyes of one who cares."
"Perhaps I will go to the ranch and see her tomorrow."
"That would be good."
Feeling the need to get outside, Silver Wolf left the tipi. He strode away from the campsite to the bank of the stream that ran nearby. As he listened to the sound of the brook, it reminded him of the place where he and Little Snow always met. He turned his gaze in the direction of the McCord ranch and knew tomorrow would be the day he'd see her again. He smiled in the darkness.
Eight
It was late morning when Cari, Elliot, and James started back to the house from their visit to see Lord Anthony.
"I can see why you invested so much in him. He's one fine animal." Elliot was impressed with the huge, white-faced bull.
"With Lord Anthony's cooperation, I should have the best herd in the territory in a few years," James told him with pride. "And just as soon as he's finished servicing the females, we'll move him back closer to the house."
"Are you worried about the rustling, Papa?" Cari asked. The memory of the Larsons' visit had been hovering in her thoughts all morning.
"There's no sense in tempting fate, sweetheart. Lord Anthony's the Circle M's future, so we'll take all precautions to keep him safe."
When they reached the ranch at noon, they found that Elizabeth had a hot meal waiting for them. After they had finished, James rode out with Elliot again to show him more of the ranch operations, while Cari stayed behind with her mother.
Cari and Elizabeth planned the evening meal, and then Cari began helping her mother with the housework. After an hour or so, Cari grew restless. Several times she paused to look out the window, longing to be outside, longing to go down to the creek. Silver Wolf hovered in her thoughts, and she wondered if he was there waiting for her. Finally, unable to stand being cooped up in the house anymore, she sought out her mother.
"I'm going for a walk, Mother. I'll be back."
Elizabeth had noticed Cari's look of longing as she'd gazed out the window, and she'd known the direction of her daughter's thoughts. As Elizabeth watched Cari cross the yard heading for the creek, she grew angry and frustrated. She feared the reprieve she'd been given when Silver Wolf hadn't been in the village the day before was about to come to an end, and she was helpless to prevent it.
"Be careful," Elizabeth called from the doorway where she stood watching until Cari had disappeared from sight with the dog trailing faithfully behind her.
Tension filled Elizabeth as she went back inside to her work. Her thoughts were on her daughter and the half-breed, though, and her anxiety grew with each passing minute.
Cari reached the top of the incline and stared down at the sparkling stream below. The faint gurgle of the rushing waters drew her like a siren's song, and she hurried down to her favorite childhood place, hoping that maybe, just maybe, Silver Wolf would be there waiting for her.
"Come on, Barnie!" she called to her dog. "Let's go see what's changed."
Barnie gave a bark, and they started down the hillside together. Cari was wearing a simple white blouse, leather riding skirt, and boots, and she was glad for the freedom the comfortable clothing gave her as she hurried down the incline with all the eagerness of a little girl.
The stream was crystal clear and rushed by wit
h an enchanted gurgle. The trees had grown in her absence, reaching higher and filling out so that their lushness spread over the creek in a translucent, emerald cover. When she reached the bottom of the hill, Cari paused, feeling as if she were entering a fantasy world.
Cari knew Tall Shadow had said Silver Wolf was at the fort and might not be back for days, but somehow she held on to a thread of hope that he'd returned early. Her hope faded and died, though, as she reached their spot and found it deserted.
Sighing her disappointment, she sat down on the grassy bank and took off her boots and socks. The rippling brook was calling to her, and, unable to resist, she laughed in delight as she waded out into its cold current. She played there for a while, reliving all the joyous moments of her childhood. If there was a paradise on earth, she was certain this was it. Wildflowers were blooming everywhere, and Cari thought of them as a welcome-home bouquet. The idea soothed her soul. Finally wearying of her solitary fun, she returned to her place on the bank amidst the blossoms.
The low drone of the insects and the sweet songs of the birds had a quieting effect on her, and after a while, Cari relaxed and lay back upon the bed of sweet grass. She folded her arms behind her head and stared up at the sky through the arch of the leafy limbs. Barnie came to lie beside her, and Cari lazily scratched her ears. There was no reason to worry about hurrying back, for her father and Elliot wouldn't be returning for hours. She was in heaven.
Closing her eyes, she let herself drift away, and as she slipped off to sleep, she whispered softly, "Silver Wolf . . . where are you?"
Silver Wolf rose with the sun and, shedding his white man's clothes, he dressed as one of his people. He became a different man when he donned his breechcloth, leggings, and moccasins. The Cheyenne clothing freed him from the restraints of the whites and left him once more feeling at one with the land. He passed the morning in the village, visiting with his mother and with the Reverend Louis, who was still there working with the children. The minister's vision for a future with a peace among all peoples was as strong as ever, and Silver Wolf came away from their talk reaffirmed in his belief that he was doing the right thing and that harmony was truly possible between the whites and the ranchers.