by Bobbi Smith
He took her by the shoulders and held her away from him as his gaze met hers. It was time for them to face the truth, to talk about the future. "You know it won't be easy. Even after your father's murderer has been found, there will be those who hate me for my Indian blood and hate you for marrying me."
Her expression turned serious as she raised up on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his. "There's not another man alive who is as strong and brave as you are. I love you, Silver Wolf. That's all that matters."
"But is love enough?" he countered, worrying that some day she might regret loving him.
She answered him with her kiss, deepening it. "Your love is all I need . . . all I want. You are my life. Without you, I have nothing."
He groaned as she said all that he was feeling, and he kissed her wildly, his tongue delving into the honeyed sweetness of her mouth to meet and twine with hers.
"Tell me of the Cheyenne way of marriage," she encouraged as they stood beneath the silvery moon and stars.
"The brave sends one of his female relatives to take gifts to the girl's family. When she goes to talk to them, she tells them of the brave's love for the maiden. The woman's family then discusses the merits of the match, and the relative is told whether or not his proposal is favorably received or not."
Cari looked sad. "I wish it was that simple for us, but there is no gift that would convince my mother that our love is true and that we should marry."
"I know, but in my heart you are already my bride," he said with fierce devotion. "All my days, I will never want another woman."
She turned and lifted her face to look up at him. "If we can pledge ourselves to each other before God, then I am your bride, Silver Wolf, in my heart and in all ways."
Entranced, Silver Wolf gazed down at her. In the moonlight, her hair shone as spun silver. He touched the sleek beauty of it, then took her by the shoulders and gently pulled her to him. They stood locked in each other's arms in the moonlight, surrounded by the peace of the night and the power of their love. For now, at least, they were safe.
After a moment, Silver Wolf took her hand and led her back into the cave. They shed their clothing once again, and gilded by the firelight, they came together once more.
To Cari, this was her wedding night. She gave herself over to her husband's ardent lovemaking without reserve, and she returned his caresses with equal fervor. Her hands explored him with a hungry touch that left him breathless and panting for more. She grew daring and, straddling him, took him deep within her.
"Little Snow . . ." He was surprised, yet thrilled by her sensual move.
"Shh . . ." she whispered, a soft smile curving her mouth. "I only want to please you."
"You always please me, my love."
Leaning down to him, she kissed him as she began to move her hips in love's age-old motion. His hands caressed her breasts, then skimmed over her silken flesh to her hips. He held her as she rode him, each hungry thrust of her hips taking him higher and higher until finally the sensual torment was too much for him to bear. Bringing her beneath him, he took control, and together they reached pleasure's peak.
The exquisite glory of their joining sealed their lives as one. They lay together spent, their bodies still melded, their limbs still entwined.
Sleep claimed Cari first, and she drifted off in the arms of her dream warrior, her lover, her husband. Silver Wolf lay awake long into the night, worshiping the beauty of her and praying fervently for a lifetime with her and not just these few desperate hours.
When Cari awoke it was daylight, and she was surprised to find that she'd slept so well and so long. She smiled to herself as she thought of the night before, and she stretched sensually, remembering the excitement of loving Silver Wolf. She expected to find her warrior nearby, but there was no sign of him. Wanting to see him again, she quickly rose and went in search of him. She found him, sitting at the vantage point looking out over the valley below.
She greeted him as she went to him.
He returned her smile, thinking she looked even more beautiful this morning—if that was possible. He kissed her in welcome. "I've gathered some berries for breakfast, and there's a creek not far from here if you want to freshen up."
"I'd like that."
He escorted her to the stream, then discreetly disappeared while she tended to her feminine needs. Cari was grateful for the time alone. A short time later when he returned, she'd washed and felt refreshed. Silver Wolf enjoyed watching her as she finished up, and he remembered the first time they'd made love and he had bathed her in their stream.
When she was done, they returned to the cave, and she feasted on the berries he'd found. They passed the hours together quietly, talking and growing closer.
"How did you find this place?" Cari asked, thinking it a beautiful retreat.
"I came here when I was young. It's very special to me."
"It's so peaceful. You can almost pretend as if the rest of the world doesn't exist." As she said it, she wished it were true.
Silver Wolf knew exactly what she meant. They were safe here in their haven. He wished it could stay that way.
"Let's walk outside for a while." He knew it was time to keep watch again.
She went with him willingly, and as they reached the vantage point and he glanced out across the valley, he froze. There in the distance was a lone rider heading their way.
"Someone's coming . . ." He tensed.
"Who could it be?" Cari asked nervously. She grew pale at the thought that they'd been discovered, for she knew the sheriff and his men would probably shoot first and ask questions later.
"I don't know," he answered tightly. "Stay in the cave and don't come out until I call you." He was already reaching for the gun he was wearing in his waistband.
"What are you going to do?" Her expression clearly reflected her fear for his safety.
"Nothing, right now. I need to get a better look and see who it is."
"And if it's the sheriff?"
He heard the terror in her voice and tried to reassure her.
Cari wanted to blurt out, "Be careful!", but she didn't get the chance as he brusquely ordered her to go into the cave again.
Silver Wolf watched until she'd disappeared out of sight, and then, once he was sure she was safe, he left her and went to keep watch over the intruder.
Because he had made such a late start, Strong Eagle was forced to camp for the night on his way to find his friend. As first light had stained the eastern sky, though, he was up and riding again. Silver Wolf was in trouble, and Strong Eagle was going to do everything he could to help him.
It was still morning when he neared the place of Silver Wolf's vision quest. As he rode in, he slowed his pace in case his friend was there and watching. He didn't want to alarm him. He had come to help. Strong Eagle kept his gaze riveted on the area where he knew the small cave was located. He was near the clearing when he heard Silver Wolf's voice ring out from nearby.
"Strong Eagle! My friend!" Silver Wolf stepped out of his hiding place and revealed himself to the other warrior for the first time.
Strong Eagle smiled in relief, glad that he'd found him. "Silver Wolf, it is good to see you! I was hoping you were here."
Silver Wolf strode forth to welcome him.
Strong Eagle swung down from his horse and went to greet him. "The news reached the village that the whites are searching for you."
"How did you hear this?"
He quickly explained how the women had run into Ben and the posse. He also told him what Ben had said about turning himself in. "Will you do it?"
"No. Not yet. I must find the man who killed McCord. Only then can I return."
Strong Eagle nodded. He did not trust the whites, and he understood why his friend didn't want to give himself up.
"I am glad that you came," Silver Wolf told him as they tied up Strong Eagle's horse and then made their way to the cave.
"You needed help," he answered simply.
&n
bsp; "Have Tall Shadow's braves found McCord's bull?"
"We have searched in many places, but have not found it yet."
"I feared as much."
"Little Snow?" Silver Wolf called out to her so she wouldn't be frightened as they entered the cave carrying the supplies Strong Eagle had brought along.
"Little Snow?" Strong Eagle glanced at him sharply.
"She's with me."
Cari had been sitting by the fire, anxiously awaiting his return, and at the sound of his voice she jumped to her feet, ready to race to his aid. "Are you all right?"
"Strong Eagle has come to help."
Cari smiled in warm welcome as she went to them. "It has been many years since I saw you last, but it is always good to see a friend."
Strong Eagle stared at her in surprise. Not only was he shocked to find her there with Silver Wolf, but he thought she'd grown into the most beautiful white woman he had ever seen. "I did not know that you were with Silver Wolf, but it is good to see you again and to know that you are both safe."
They sat down by the fire and opened one of his bags of food. As they ate, Strong Eagle told them everything he knew about the posse's location and the search for the Hereford.
"Has anyone searched on the Larsons' ranch?"
"The Larsons?" Cari was shocked. "Why the Larsons?"
"They're the ones who accused my people of stealing the cattle in the first place. They even tried to get the soldiers to ride against us."
"Papa always said the Larsons hated him for being friends with Tall Shadow. They even came out to the Circle M one time and tried to convince him that your grandfather was involved in the rustling."
Silver Wolf gave her a knowing look. "Their hatred for my people is an ugly thing, and their greed is strong."
"What Silver Wolf says is true," Strong Eagle agreed. "They and others like them want all the land, and they won't stop until they've taken it."
Cari remembered the scene on the front porch with the Larsons the day she'd returned from Philadelphia, and she knew the truth of their words.
"What do you want me to do?" Strong Eagle asked.
"Ride for the Larsons' ranch and search for the bull there, but be careful. If they see you, they'd just as soon shoot you as speak to you," Silver Wolf cautioned.
"Will you ride with me?"
There was nothing Silver Wolf wanted more than to find the clue that would clear his name, but he feared leaving Little Snow alone. "I must stay here with Little Snow."
"No," she spoke firmly. "Go with Strong Eagle. We'll know no peace until you find the ones responsible for my father's death!"
"I can't leave you . . ." His concern for Little Snow's safety warred with his desperate need to find the murderer.
"You must. I'll be safe. Thanks to Strong Eagle, I'll have plenty to eat, so there's no reason for you to worry about me. I was raised out here, remember?" Cari managed to smile at him as she tried to convince him that she would be fine. She never wanted to be separated from him again, but she knew this was something he had to do. He had to prove his innocence.
Silver Wolf turned his determined gaze to his friend. "I'll go with you."
Within minutes, the two warriors were ready to ride. Silver Wolf came to her and kissed her, then he handed her the handgun to keep for her protection.
"I'll be back, Little Snow. We'll find the man who murdered your father." He touched her cheek softly one last time before turning away to mount his waiting horse.
Silver Wolf looked the fierce, proud warrior as he wheeled the steed around and lifted his arm toward her in salute. He and Strong Eagle rode off, the sound of their horses' hoofbeats a fading thunder.
Cari kept watch until they'd gone from sight. As she did, she remembered that very first night in the snow when Silver Wolf and Strong Eagle had brought her home and then ridden away into the night. She had loved her warrior even then. She said a silent prayer that they would be safe and would return to her soon.
Twenty
Silver Wolf and Strong Eagle rode their mounts to their limits, covering seemingly endless miles of the Larson range in their desperate attempt to find the missing Hereford. As they made camp at dusk on their second day out, they faced the frustrating truth.
"We need help," Strong Eagle admitted, discouraged by their lack of success.
"It would take weeks for the two of us, and I don't have that much time," Silver Wolf told him. "At dawn, I'll ride to check on Little Snow while you ride for the village. Tell my grandfather that we need as many braves as he can give us, then meet me at noon the following day in the valley where the McCord ranch joins the Larsons'."
They bedded down for the night, but neither man slept well. As soon as dawn tinted the sky, they parted, agreeing to meet at the designated place and time.
Sheriff Dixon and the posse were tired. Five days of useless searching for the half-breed had left them frustrated and furious. Despite all the ground they'd covered, they'd turned up nothing. In defeat, they headed back to town, clinging to the hope that Collins and his men had fared better.
Elliot was silent, and his mood was anguished as he rode with the posse. During the time he'd been with them, he'd heard some of the men talk of the atrocities committed by the Indians, and he'd tried to reconcile what they were saying with what James had told him. The two sides were complete opposites, and with James now dead, supposedly killed by Silver Wolf, he could only wonder and worry.
With each passing day, his fears for Cari's safety had grown. He didn't know how he was going to return to the Circle M and tell Elizabeth that they couldn't find her daughter. Filled with despair, Elliot girded himself for the coming confrontation.
Ben rode along with the posse in silence, too, trying to ignore the angry rantings of the Larsons and some of the other men. Though Ben was glad that they hadn't found Daniel, he was concerned that Collins's posse might have. That possibility left him fearing for his friend's life. He hoped there would be word from Tall Shadow about the bull when he returned to town, but he knew it was unlikely. Whoever had stolen the bull had probably gotten rid of it as fast as they could, for the Hereford would be easy to identify.
"Do you want me to ride out to the ranch with you to talk to Elizabeth?" Ben asked Elliot when they reached town and reined in before the jail.
"No, I'll be all right. It'd be better if you stayed here to see what Collins came up with," he said as they realized the other posse had not yet returned.
"All right. If they've found anything, I'll send word to you right away."
"Thanks, Ben."
The two men shook hands, then went their separate ways, Ben returning to his office while Elliot started for the ranch. Elliot made only one stop on his way out of town, and that was at the telegraph office to send a message to his father telling him what had happened. Then he rode for the Circle M to face Elizabeth with the news that they had not found Cari.
The Larsons were angry with Dixon for not going into the Cheyenne village to hunt for the half-breed. When the posse disbanded, they went back to the Sundown Saloon with some of the other men to take up where they'd left off all those nights before. Tempers were hot as they gathered in the bar, and they grew even hotter as they drank and vented their hatred of the Indians. They managed to keep their fury in check, though, for there was still the chance that the other posse had found the breed and strung him up.
"Collins is back!" Howard shouted as he came running into the bar. He'd been watching for the other posse's return and had just seen them riding in.
"Let's go!" Sam stood up and led the way from the saloon.
The men headed for the jail, eager to hear the news that the breed was dead and the girl rescued. When they reached the jail, they found the men of Collins's posse milling around outside while the deputy met with the lawman in the office.
"What's going on? Did you get him?" Mark asked one of Collins's men.
"No. We didn't find anything," the man answered in disgust.
"You stopped at the fort, didn't you? Did Captain Greene send any help with you?"
"He sent a detachment of men along, but he ordered them to make sure we brought Marshall in alive if we found him!" the man snarled. "Not that it mattered. We never saw a trace of the red bastard anywhere!"
Sam was filled with rage, as was Mark. When Collins came out of the office looking angry, too, Sam told him, "Come with us back to the saloon. We've got some planning to do!"
Ben had come down to the jail when he'd seen the posse return, and he heard Sam. Knowing how vicious the man was, he went along to the bar.
For the next several hours, the men of the posse drank steadily, and with each round of liquor their need for bloodshed grew. Sam played upon their hatred of the Indians, and by midnight they were all ready to ride into Tall Shadow's village and destroy it as a message to Daniel. They believed he'd taken a white man's life, so they would avenge James by killing a hundred Cheyenne!
"We'll ride out first thing in the morning!" Sam directed the thirty bloodthirsty men who wanted to ride with him.
"Larson, you can't do this!" Ben argued as he faced down the rancher. "The Cheyenne are innocent in all of this!"
"Douglas, we don't need your Indian-loving kind here! Get outta here!" one of the men shouted at him.
"I believe in the truth, and what you're hearing here is not the truth!"
"Marshall killed McCord! He broke out of jail! That proves something, doesn't it? And he took the girl hostage! What more do you need to know before you join us?"
"Attacking Tall Shadow's village is not the answer!"
"It may not be the answer to you, but it is to us! If we can't catch the breed, at least we can make some of his relatives pay!"
"That's right!" Mark added. "Morgan, Collins, are you with us?"
The two deputies had been thwarted in their eagerness to make the half-breed pay, once by the sheriff and again by Captain Greene. They wanted to see the Cheyenne suffer for McCord's death and were glad to go along.
"We're with you!"
"We'll ride out in the morning!"