by Bobbi Smith
Ben stared at the rabid bunch and knew he was helpless against their numbers. Desperate, he raced to the sheriff's office.
"Douglas, what do you want?" Dixon asked, not at all pleased to see the lawyer. It had been a long five days, and he needed some rest.
"Sam Larson's got the men riled up again, and they plan to ride on Tall Shadow's village in the morning! You've got to stop them. Innocent people are going to die!"
Dixon heaved a sigh as he stood up and grabbed his hat and rifle. "I'll talk to them, but it might be better to just let them sleep their rage off. Things can change by sunup."
The sheriff went to the saloon with Ben to find the men roaring with eagerness to kill Indians. As they walked in, Ben heard Morgan bragging about how he was going to take great pleasure in finding the two squaws they'd seen by the creek and maybe tasting of them before they killed them. When the deputy looked up and saw the sheriff and Ben, his expression hardened.
"What are you doing here with that Indian-lover?" Morgan sneered.
"You men aren't riding on the Cheyenne. I want you to let the law handle this."
"The law was handling this when the bastard escaped!" Howard yelled in drunken bravery.
"Justice is going to be done," the sheriff insisted.
"Where was the justice when our stock was rustled?" Sam shouted. "We're tired of waiting for the law to do something!"
"Yeah!" the other ranchers who'd lost cattle joined in the furor.
"You're either with us or against us, Sheriff. There ain't no in between!" Collins told him.
"You men listen to me! I don't want anymore talk about killing. I'll be the one who finds Marshall, and when I do, he's going to stand trial for McCord's murder."
"Not if we find him first!" someone shouted, and a roar of approval greeted his words.
Dixon stared about him at the faces filled with hate and knew he was helpless to stop them. He backed out of the bar, Ben following him.
"What are you going to do?" Ben demanded.
"You heard them. There's nothing I can do. I can't arrest them all. I'm just one man!"
"We're two men," Ben corrected.
"You have to do something!"
"Well, two men against thirty. We get ourselves killed, we're no better off."
"So you're just going to sit here and do nothing while they kill Tall Shadow's people?" Ben stared at him incredulously.
"Maybe it won't come to that. Maybe your friend," the sheriff countered, "will turn himself in before any killing starts."
Ben's expression mirrored the loathing he felt for the spineless lawman as he turned away. There was only one thing he could do, and he didn't intend to let anyone know what it was. He would not, could not, stand by and let the whites attack an unsuspecting Cheyenne village.
Ben rode from the town. Larson had said they wouldn't leave for the village until dawn, so Ben knew he had time to warn Tall Shadow that they were coming.
Darkness slowed Ben's travel, and he didn't reach the village until early morning.
Ben practically threw himself from his horse's back as he reined in before Chief Tall Shadow's tipi. He expected the chief to come out of the tipi, and he was gravely disappointed when Little Cloud emerged.
Little Cloud started to greet him cordially, but he gave her no time to speak.
"Is Tall Shadow here, Little Cloud? I have to talk to him!"
"No, my husband has just ridden from the village a short time ago, and he will not return for several days."
"Damn!" Ben swore, his mind racing to find a solution. "Little Cloud, I must find Daniel right away. If you know where he is, you have to tell me now!"
"I do not know where my grandson is." Her answer was firm and her face betrayed no knowledge.
"This is a matter of life and death," Ben went on. "There was trouble in town last night. Some white men are planning to raid your village today unless Daniel turns himself in. I've got to find him!"
"The white men are coming here?" She looked horrified.
"Yes," he answered seriously, "and they're coming to kill. I have to find Daniel. There isn't much time!"
"I know where he is . . ."
Ben knew that voice as well as he knew his own. He whirled around to find Star Blossom standing behind them.
She'd watched Ben ride in and had seen how urgent his manner was as he spoke to Little Cloud. Sensing something was terribly wrong, she'd come immediately to see if she could help.
"Star Blossom," Ben said slowly as he took her by the arms in a gentle but frantic grip. "If you've ever trusted anyone in your life, you must trust me now. I have to find Daniel. There was more trouble in town. There are men riding for your village this morning. If Daniel doesn't turn himself in, they're going to attack."
"They wouldn't . . ." Her eyes widened with terror.
"Yes, they would. That's why I have to find Daniel before they get here! I have to convince him to turn himself in . . ."
Star Blossom stared up at him. Whites had caused nothing but pain in her life, and Ben was a white man . . . one of them. But as she gazed into his pleading eyes, she saw the truth. He was different. Instead of being filled with hatred, he was filled with love. Instead of seeing the differences in people, he saw the things they shared in common. He was gentle yet strong; proud yet fair. He had saved her life twice, and now he had put himself at risk to warn her and her people of danger again. There was no need to dwell on it further. She put her trust and her heart in Ben's hands.
"I will show you."
Ben's relief was tremendous. The time while he'd waited for her to speak had been the longest in his life. He couldn't stop himself from dragging her into his embrace, and he held her close as he murmured in a pained voice, "Thank you for trusting me."
She drew back to look up at him. "I do trust you, Ben."
They stared at each other for a moment as if really seeing each other for the first time.
"We will need to ride right away. I heard Strong Eagle telling the other braves that Silver Wolf had gone to the cave where he received his vision quest. It is a good distance from us, so we must hurry."
Ben turned back to Little Cloud. "Tell your people what I've told you. Are there many warriors in the village?"
The two women looked distressed. "Only a few. Most have ridden with Tall Shadow and Strong Eagle."
"Then we will ride like the wind to Daniel, and we will return as soon as we can."
Silver Wolf stood holding Little Snow to him, savoring the joy of having her close. Soon he would have to leave her to meet with Strong Eagle, and at the thought of being parted from her, his spirit grew heavy. He missed her already, and he hadn't even gone yet.
"I'll be back as soon as I can."
"I know," she murmured, her voice muffled as she buried her face against his chest, holding him tightly, for she never wanted to let him go.
The days they had been apart had passed in unending agony for her as she worried about his safety. Each minute had seemed an hour, each hour had seemed a day. When at last she'd caught sight of him in the distance returning to her, her heart had leapt in her breast. She'd run to him, meeting him at the bottom of the hill, and he had swept her up before him on the horse and kissed her. His kiss had told her everything she'd needed to know—he had missed her as desperately as she had missed him.
Cari clung to him now, wishing she could keep him with her safely there in the cave forever. It was a dream, though, and she knew it. He had to clear his name. Only then, when her father's killer had been brought to justice, could they be together as they wanted to be—as man and wife.
"How soon do you have to go?" she asked as calmly as she could in spite of the worry that consumed her.
"Soon." The regret he felt over leaving her was heavy in his voice. "Too soon."
He tilted her face up to him and kissed her softly. When the kiss ended, Cari gazed up at him. For just an instant, she could see all the torment of his uncertainty in his eyes. But he quickly hid hi
s pain from her.
"I don't want you to go," she said.
"I don't want to go. Every minute I'm away from you, I think of you and worry that you'll need me, and I won't be here to help you . . ."
She managed a tremulous smile. "I feel the same. Our souls are bound together."
They embraced again, desperation fueling their need to share their love. Their lips met. In that frantic moment, they clung together, sharing the ecstasy and the pain of their love and their parting.
Finally, Silver Wolf ended the embrace. Even spending the last twelve hours in her arms making love to her hadn't been enough. Somehow, he knew he would never have enough of her.
"I have to go now."
"I know." She sighed.
"I'll come back to you as soon as I can."
He lifted a hand to touch her cheek, and she caught and held it against her, pressing a kiss into his palm.
"I'll be waiting for you."
They started outside to where the horse was tied. It was only then that he caught sight of the two riders coming their way. Fear seared him. He drew his gun and ran to the vantage point to get a better look at the intruders.
"It's Ben, and it looks like Star Blossom is the one riding with him!" he called to Little Snow as soon as he recognized them. "Wait here."
He started down the trail to meet them halfway, not revealing himself to them until they were nearly upon him.
"Ben! Star Blossom!" he hailed, moving out from where he'd been hiding, watching.
They reined in abruptly at the sight of him.
"Thank God, you're still here!" Ben said as he dismounted and rushed to his friend. They embraced and then Ben stepped away, the worry and the dread of the last days showing plainly on his handsome face.
Silver Wolf knew something was terribly wrong by the look on his face. "What is it, Ben? What's wrong?"
"It's the Larsons." He hurried to explain. "They rode with the posse trying to find you, and when they came up empty-handed, they decided any dead Indian was good enough revenge for James's death. They've got a gang of about thirty men, and they're riding on the village today."
Silver Wolf cursed. "They're probably the same ones who were planning to string me up the night I broke out."
Ben was shocked by this news.
"Someone came to the jail cell window in the alley that night and warned me that a lynch mob was forming down at the saloon."
"So that's why you ran . . ." Ben finally understood. "Who told you?"
"I'm not sure. It was dark, and they were talking in a whisper."
"Who would have known what was going on in the saloon?"
"Jenny . . ." Silver Wolf said her name in amazement, realizing she'd put herself at risk for him. "It must have been Jenny. If she hadn't brought me the knife, I'd be dead."
"You mean the girl who was with you at the Sundown the night of the dance?" At his confirming nod, Ben felt a little encouraged for the first time. The girl was still around somewhere, and she might know something that would help them. As soon as they got back to town, he'd start looking for her again.
Cari had followed Silver Wolf down to meet Ben and Star Blossom, and she'd remained quiet while they talked. When they spoke of Jenny, she felt a terrible pang of jealousy. Guilt assailed her, too. While she'd questioned Silver Wolf's innocence, this Jenny had been there for him. Cari managed to push the jealousy and guilt aside. She was at Silver Wolf's side now, right where she belonged, and she would never doubt him again. "I'll have to thank Jenny when this is all over," she said.
"We all will," Ben agreed.
"You say the Larsons are riding for the village?"
"Yes, and . . ."
"And Chief Tall Shadow and many of the braves rode out with Strong Eagle this morning," Star Blossom quickly put in.
The knowledge that his village was about to be attacked filled Silver Wolf with a terrible resolve. His gaze hardened as he looked at Ben. "Let's ride. I'll give them what they really want."
"No!" Cari panicked. Running to him, she grabbed his arm and stared up at him, her expression stricken.
Silver Wolf's features were stony and unrelenting as he looked down at her. "I have no choice. My people need me."
Cari paled at his words. She tightened her hold on him, as if trying to stop him from sacrificing himself.
"Don't you understand? They'll kill you without a thought, and once they do, they may very well ride on the village anyway!"
"Little Snow . . ." Silver Wolf said her name patiently, with great love. "I have to go."
Cari turned frantic eyes to Ben. "Ben! Tell him it's crazy! Tell him you'll get the sheriff! Tell him the sheriff will stop them! Tell him, Ben!"
"I've already talked to the sheriff, Cari . . ." Ben's pain sounded in his voice.
Silver Wolf knew what his friend was saying. He knew the fate of the village was in his hands. "Little Snow, there have been no lies between us, ever, and there will be none now. I must do this. My people are in danger."
Cari bit back a sob. As their eyes met, she saw honor and commitment and love in them. He was her Silver Wolf. He could do nothing less than save his people.
"I'm going with you," she stated firmly.
"How much time do we have, Ben?" Silver Wolf turned to him.
"We have to hurry."
Silver Wolf nodded. "Let's get our things."
He and Little Snow rushed back to the cave without speaking. They gathered their few belongings and were ready to ride.
"I want you to ride with Star Blossom," Silver Wolf told Little Snow when she would have mounted with him. "Just in case there's trouble," he clarified, but he didn't explain further. He didn't tell her that he didn't want to put her in danger . . . that they might shoot him on sight.
He held her close one last time, then walked with her to where Star Blossom waited on her horse. As they shared a last passionate kiss, Star Blossom looked shyly away, and her gaze accidentally collided with Ben's. It startled her to find that he was watching her, and she gave him a small, almost sad smile.
Cari stared up at Silver Wolf, her heart shining in her eyes. "I love you."
"I love you, too." He echoed her heartfelt emotion, allowing himself one last moment of tenderness before facing the violence and hatred he knew was coming.
"I know you're innocent, and somehow, some way, we're going to prove it," she vowed.
Little Snow believed in him and loved him. At her words, an emotion more powerful than anything he'd ever known before strengthened him. He wanted desperately to believe she was right as he helped her mount behind Star Blossom. He swung up on his horse, then led the way from the cave. He rode slightly ahead of the others, a lone and solitary man, as he prepared to confront his fate.
Twenty-one
They reached the village and were relieved to find that everything was still quiet. After borrowing a horse so Cari wouldn't have to ride double, they prepared to head out again.
Ben stood with Star Blossom a short distance away from the others to tell her good-bye. There was so much he wanted to say to her, but there was no time. They had to leave now if they were going to intercept the Larsons and save the village from attack.
"You will never know how much your help meant to me," he told her. "Thank you for trusting me."
"You are a friend to Silver Wolf . . ." she replied simply.
"I am your friend, too," he insisted, his eyes darkening with the need to tell her everything that was in his heart.
"I know . . ." Star Blossom stared up at him, and the urge within her to kiss him was real and strong. She knew he was facing great danger, and she wanted to let him know how she felt before he left her. Unmindful that there were others around, she rose up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Be careful. I will be waiting . . ."
Her kiss and words thrilled him, and before she could escape him, he took her in his arms and held her to his heart. The embrace was poignant, painfully so. He'd wanted to hold her
this way for so long, and yet now that she had come willingly into his embrace, he had to let her go. He released her and stepped away, looking to Daniel.
"We'd better ride," Ben said tightly, his control pressed to the limit as he forced himself back on his horse.
Silver Wolf helped Little Snow up on her mount before swinging up on the Indian pony. They bid farewell to those gathered around them, and then rode out quickly to search for the threatening whites.
They'd traveled less than an hour when they caught sight of the Larsons coming their way. There were at least thirty men following them. Ben reined in and glanced over at Daniel.
"Here," he said, tossing him his saddlebags. "You'd better put the gun where they won't see it. I don't want them getting any ideas and shooting you just because you're armed. I'll tell them you turned yourself in to me and that I'm taking you to the sheriff."
Silver Wolf knew he was right. The sight of him armed would be all the excuse some of those white men needed to shoot him.
"All right," he answered, slipping the gun reluctantly into the saddlebag. If it came to violence, at least he'd be able to get to the gun reasonably fast.
"Ben, what are we going to do?" Cari asked as she watched the men riding ever closer.
"We're going to ride straight at them and face them down. It's the only way."
"Let's go now," Silver Wolf ground out, wanting to stop them before they got any closer to the village.
The two men exchanged knowing looks as they spurred their horses forward.
"Morgan! Looks like riders comin' toward us!" Collins yelled to the other deputy.
"Hey, Sam! Look at that! Looks like Douglas found them!" Morgan called to Larson as he recognized Ben's horse.
Sam stared at the oncoming riders. Anger sliced through him as he realized that the deputies were right. "Damn!"
"Is it really them, Pa?" Mark asked.
"Yes. It's Douglas, and he's got both Marshall and the girl with him!" he snarled.
"What are we going to do? Are we still riding on the village?" Mark had been looking forward to some fighting today.
"I don't know. If we'd just found Marshall, it would have been all right, but now that the girl and the damned lawyer are with him, it changes everything. Douglas isn't a man to mess with."