Dream Warrior: His Savage Kiss

by Bobbi Smith

  Mark and some of the other men swore in frustration.

  "Let's go get them!" Sam ground out as he put his heels to his mount. His horse sprung forward, and the others followed as they raced toward them.

  Silver Wolf watched the intruders crossing his people's land heading toward them and knew they were the true predators. He reined in with Ben and Cari and waited.

  Ben had already drawn his rifle and held it easily before him on the saddle as he watched and waited. Cari sidled her horse closer to Silver Wolf's as she prepared to face them by his side.

  "Morgan . . . Collins . . ." Ben nodded toward the deputies when they stopped before them, then he turned to look straight at Larson. "Sam."

  "So you knew where he was all the time," Morgan accused as he glared with open hatred at Silver Wolf.

  "No, he's turning himself in. I'm just along for the ride into town to make sure there are no problems."

  "There's no need for you to bother. Just hand him over to us. We'll make sure he gets to the sheriff," Collins said, moving forward in the gang of riders.

  Ben gave them a knowing smile and chuckled almost evilly as he shifted his rifle to bear on Sam. "I don't think so, boys. You're not the law."

  "We're deputies!" Morgan and Collins countered.

  "I know what kind of deputies you are. If I turn him over to you, he won't make it to town alive, let alone live long enough to see a trial."

  "Listen, Douglas, I thought McCord was your friend. You got a lot of nerve siding with the filthy breed who killed him!" Sam charged, wanting to get the men angry about Marshall again.

  Initially, Cari had been frightened, but at this first mention of her father, all her fears were replaced by fury. "He is not the man who killed my father."

  A rustling of discomfort shifted through the gang as they faced the fact that McCord's only daughter was defending the man they thought had murdered him. If she thought he wasn't guilty, it occurred to them that there might be something to it . . .

  "Now, Cari," Sam began in a patronizing tone, having heard the men mumbling behind him and wanting to discredit her in their eyes so he would have their full support again, "I'm sure losing your father was a terrible tragedy for you, and I know you've been through a lot being kidnapped and all. But we're on your side. You can trust us. We want to help you."

  "You listen to me, Sam Larson!" Cari countered, turning her full fury on him. "I have been through a lot. But what I've been through is nothing compared to what you've done to Silver Wolf since he was accused of my father's murder and what you and these other men are planning to do in the name of revenge! Is there justice in the murder of innocent people, Mr. Larson?"

  "Innocent people?" Sam spat the words.

  "Only a coward would take pleasure in killing women and children," Silver Wolf told him.

  At his statement, some of the followers muttered even more uncomfortably.

  "They're Indians. They're not human! They're little better than animals!" he seethed.

  "Perhaps sometimes it is better to be an animal . . ." Silver Wolf paused giving him a condemning look. When he spoke again it was in a steely voice that reflected the rigid control he had upon himself. "Animals never maim or kill for pleasure."

  "Why, you . . ." Sam's temper exploded.

  "I'm the one you're after, Larson," Silver Wolf said. "There's no reason for you to ride on the village. I'm turning myself in to Sheriff Dixon."

  Sam didn't care about him turning himself in, he was furious and he wanted him dead. He started to go for his sidearm.

  Cari gasped in horror as she saw him make his move, but Ben had been ready all along. He lifted the rifle in one smooth move and aimed it straight at the center of the rancher's chest.

  "Don't do it, Sam," Ben warned in a deadly tone. "Marshall's going in of his own accord. There's no reason for any bloodshed unless you force me to it."

  Mark, Morgan, and Collins started to go for their guns, too, but Ben knew what he had to do.

  "Don't even think about it," he repeated in the same lethal tone. "I may only get one of you, but the one I'm going to shoot will be Sam."

  Nervous mutterings went through the gang of whites.

  "What do you think, Sam?" Ben challenged. "Has this gone on long enough? Are you ready to ride back to town and let the law handle it?"

  Sam had gone red in the face and then turned ashen when he heard Ben's threat. By the look in the lawyer's eyes and the steadiness of his hands, Sam knew he wasn't bluffing.

  "We're riding with you just to make sure the bastard doesn't escape again!" Sam snarled, trying to save some face before the others.

  "That's fine with us. You just turn around and lead the way," Ben directed. "We'll be right behind you."

  Temporarily thwarted, Sam, Mark, and the deputies took the lead and headed back.

  Sheriff Dixon heard a commotion outside his office and someone calling his name. He rushed out to find Daniel, Ben, and Cari tying up their horses at the rail while Morgan, Collins, Sam, Mark, and the others looked on.

  "Marshall!" He was shocked, and he drew his gun.

  "I'm unarmed, Sheriff," he told him holding his hands up. "I've come to turn myself in."

  "Miss McCord . . . are you all right?" the lawman demanded, ignoring Marshall's words and keeping his gun trained on him as he glanced in Cari's direction.

  "I'm fine, Sheriff," Cari quickly reassured him.

  Satisfied with her answer, he looked over at his deputies. He thought they were the ones who'd found Marshall, and he was pleased. "How did you do it, boys? Where did you find him?"

  "They didn't find him," Ben corrected, coming to stand at his friend's side. He gestured at the handgun that was still aimed at Daniel. "And there's no need for the gun. Daniel decided to do this on his own. I rode with him to make sure he was treated fairly."

  The sheriff eyed them both, then slowly holstered his gun. "Let's go inside," he ordered. He stood back to let them pass. "Marshall, you first."

  Silver Wolf entered with Ben and Cari right behind him. The sheriff followed and directed Silver Wolf to go back to the cells. Cari almost cried out in protest at the thought of him being taken from her and locked up again, but she managed to remain strong and said nothing. Only when Silver Wolf cast a last glance her way did she allow him to see the pain she was feeling over being separated from him. He gave her a slight nod before doing as the lawman had directed.

  Silver Wolf entered the same cell he'd been held in before, and he didn't turn around when the sheriff slammed the door shut and locked it behind him. The sound of the key turning in the lock had a certain finality to it that chilled his soul. He remained standing in the center of the cage that would be his home now until his fate was decided at trial. He thought of Cari, his love, and he wondered if he would ever get to hold her again. He thought of the look on her face when he'd glanced back at her, and he ached to hold her close and reassure her that everything would be all right. But he realized as he stood alone in the desolate cell, there was no guarantee that things were going to turn out all right.

  Sheriff Dixon returned to the outer office to speak with Cari and Ben.

  "Well, Miss McCord, you can go on and leave. I'll handle it from here. There's no need for you to worry or be afraid anymore. I'll keep Marshall locked up real tight. He won't be escaping again."

  Cari met his regard squarely as she told him coldly, "I'm not worried about him escaping, Sheriff. I'm worried that some of the townfolks might decide to take the law into their own hands again and try to lynch him while he's in your custody. Will you guarantee his safety to me?"

  "You're concerned about Marshall's safety?" He was dumbfounded. Wasn't she the girl he'd just kidnapped and held hostage? And now, here she was speaking out in his behalf. "He's the one who murdered your father!"

  "He did not kill my father," she stated firmly. "I'm not sure who did yet, but I know Daniel Marshall is innocent."

  Dixon snorted. "We have evidence .
. ."

  "Which could have been brought to the scene by somebody else and used to make him look guilty," she attacked. "Daniel Marshall is not my father's murderer, and somehow we're going to prove it." She looked over at Ben for reassurance.

  Again, Dixon stared at her. He'd expected her to be a meek and mild miss, who'd be terrified at the thought of the breed ever getting loose again. Obviously, he'd misjudged her. She was more like her father than he'd thought.

  "Well, you can figure you've got a week. We're going to trial just as quick as we can. The town's clamoring for justice, and I'm going to give it to them."

  "The town's kind of justice or real justice?" Ben joined in, in support of Cari. "It came to my attention that the reason Daniel felt driven to escape that night was because he got word that vigilantes were going to raid the jail and hang him. Now, Sheriff, as Miss McCord has asked and I repeat, can you guarantee Mr. Marshall's safety or not?"

  Sheriff Dixon felt the heat of anger rise in him. "I'll guarantee it."

  "Good. That's what we wanted to know," Ben answered. "Now, can we see him before we go?"

  The sheriff looked doubtful, then gave in. "This will be the last time I'll allow him any visitors, and you'll have to stay out of the cell. As his lawyer, you'll be able to talk to him, but I'm not letting any one else in until the trial's over."

  Ben thanked the man and he escorted Cari back to see Daniel. "Daniel . . ."

  Silver Wolf had not expected to see them again, and he came to stand at the door, his gaze feasting on Little Snow. "What did the sheriff have to say?"

  "Not much. Just that he's going to go to trial within the week, so that doesn't leave us much time. I'll start checking on things again tonight."

  "Perhaps my grandfather and Strong Eagle will find the bull."

  "They will. I'm sure of it." Cari tried to sound optimistic.

  She was gripping the bars that separated them so tightly that her knuckles were white, and Silver Wolf reached up to cover her hands with his. Their eyes met as their hands touched, and they both knew a terrible ache deep in their souls.

  "It'll be all right," she whispered.

  She leaned toward him, and as best they could through the bars, they kissed. It was a soft, fleeting exchange, but it was enough to give them the strength to do what needed to be done.

  Silver Wolf glanced at Ben, whose face seemed to be set in granite and realized from his expression just how serious the situation was.

  "As soon as I have anything new to tell you, I will return," Ben told him, and with a hand at Cari's waist, he walked with her from the jail.

  Cari and Ben stood on the deserted street outside the sheriff's office.

  "I'm going to have to start at the beginning again," Ben explained, "but first we have to get you back to the Circle M so your mother knows you're safe."

  "But I don't want to leave Silver Wolf . . ."

  "You heard what Dixon said. He's not going to allow any visitors in to see him, so it won't do you any good to stay in town. Let's ride out and put your mother's mind at ease."

  "You don't have to come with me. I'll be all right. I've made the ride alone before."

  "I know, but there are a few questions I want to ask your mother, and since I'm over my investigation, I might as well start with her."

  "Thanks, Ben," Cari said with great appreciation as she put a hand on his arm. "You're a good friend."

  Ben was deeply moved by her words. "Right now, I just hope I'm a good enough lawyer."

  Elizabeth heard the call go up that horses were coming, and she ran outside with Elliot to see Ben and Cari riding up to the house. Sobbing in happiness and relief, she raced to her daughter. Tears streamed down her face as she held her arms out to her.

  "You're safe!! Thank God, you're safe!" she cried.

  As soon as Cari dismounted, she was enfolded in her mother's loving embrace. Elizabeth hugged her tight, unwilling to let her go. She'd feared for her life. She'd thought the horrible half-breed had dragged her off, murdered her, and left her where she'd never be found again. There were no words to express the joy she was feeling over being reunited with her child.

  "Oh, Mother . . ." Cari said in a love-choked voice. "I love you, and I'm so glad to be home."

  "Cari . . ." Elliot had held himself back, allowing the women time to enjoy each other, but his happiness at finding Cari was safe wouldn't allow him to stay quiet any longer.

  "Elliot . . ."

  Elizabeth let her go, and Cari went to the man whom she knew loved her dearly. Cari lifted a hand to touch his cheek as she saw the depth of caring mirrored in his dark eyes.

  "I'm glad you're safe," he told her, then embraced her. For just a moment, he closed his eyes and savored the ecstasy of holding her.

  "Thank you. Thank you for everything," Cari told him, before kissing him.

  In that kiss, a kiss of friendship, Elliot knew there would never be a future for them. He loved her, but she did not return the same passionate devotion. With a herculean effort, he managed to keep his heartbreak from showing.

  "You know you can always count on me."

  "Let's go inside," Elizabeth encouraged. "You have to tell us what happened. Did they catch Silver Wolf? Did they hang him already, or is he in jail? He didn't hurt you, did he?"

  Ben and Cari exchanged quick, troubled glances, for they knew what they were about to face. It wasn't going to be easy, but somehow they had to convince her mother and Elliot of Silver Wolf's innocence.

  It was an hour later that they sat together in silence in the parlor. Elizabeth's face was ashen as she twisted her hands nervously in her lap. Battling back scalding tears, she tried to understand everything they'd been saying to her. She found it next to impossible to believe that in spite of everything that had happened, Cari was still devoted to Silver Wolf and believed that he wasn't the one who'd killed James.

  "You truly believe he didn't do it." She lifted her troubled gaze to her daughter, finding it difficult to accept her faith in the half-breed. She'd hated the man for so long that it was hard for her to think of him in kinder terms, especially with everything that had been said against him.

  "I know in my heart that Silver Wolf would never have hurt Papa," Cari affirmed, kneeling before her mother and taking her hands in hers. "Mother . . . I love Silver Wolf. Remember how you loved Papa . . . wholly, completely, and without reserve? Well, that's the way I love him. He's innocent. In my heart, I know it."

  "Elizabeth . . ." Ben spoke up as he began to gently question her. "James was a good friend to the Cheyenne. It just doesn't make sense that Silver Wolf or any other Indian would want him dead, rustling or no rustling. Did James ever say anything that might have indicated he was having trouble with anyone or that anyone hated him?"

  "Just that first day when the Larsons came out to the house. You remember that, don't you, Cari?"

  "Oh, yes. I remember."

  "James told me before he went down to talk to them that they never paid social calls, that the Larsons didn't like his being friends with Tall Shadow and his tribe. He knew they meant trouble when he saw them riding up to the house."

  Memories of those days came pouring back in a jumble—the memory of James's concern about the Larsons' hostility and of how he'd insisted on riding out that very next morning to warn Tall Shadow about their threats. Elizabeth realized reluctantly that it truly made no sense for the Cheyenne to have murdered him. He was their friend. She'd always known it, and she'd always hated it. Now, though, facing it clearly for the first time and realizing the implications it brought, she knew she finally had to accept it.

  "If Silver Wolf didn't kill James, then who did, and how will you prove it?" she asked quietly.

  "I don't know," Ben answered. "That's why I rode out here with Cari to talk to you. I'm starting all over again, hoping to find the one thing, the one missing clue that will bring it all together. There has to be something that will prove Daniel's not guilty. We've been trying to find the b
ull. No remains have ever been found, so we have to believe it's still alive . . ."

  "And if you don't find it?" Elliot asked.

  Cari, Elizabeth, and Elliot all saw the threatening edge of despair in Ben's eyes.

  "The trial will be in a week. I've got that long to save him."

  "We'll do it," Cari told Ben with all the confidence she could muster.

  Ben looked at her and saw the unbending will of a woman of strength and courage. Inspired by her devotion, he shook himself free of the anguish that threatened to hold him immobile.

  "I have to get back to town. I've got to keep looking . . ."

  "I'm coming with you," Cari stated firmly.

  Elizabeth looked at her daughter and saw the same look of resolve on her face that had often been on her father's face. She realized Cari was a woman full-grown now who knew her own mind. There was no denying she was James McCord's daughter.

  "Be careful, darling," was. all she said, not trying to stop her.

  They hugged once more, and Cari hugged Elliot, too, before going upstairs to pack a few things. She didn't know when she'd be back, but she didn't intend to come home again until Silver Wolf could come with her. It was his home, too, now. Her father had seen to that.

  Twenty-two

  It was late when Ben and Cari reached town. They were both exhausted, and he took her straight to the hotel. After she'd checked in, he escorted her to her room.

  "What are you going to do now?" Cari asked as they stopped at the door to her room to unlock it. Ben opened it for her, and they both stepped inside for a moment.

  "I'm going to retrace Daniel's steps the night of the dance one more time and see if I can find out what happened to his medicine bag. It's the only thing that can help," Ben told her as he closed the door behind them to give them a moment of privacy.

  "I know he went to a saloon that night . . ."

  "Yeah, and by the time I found him, it was obvious he'd been there for quite a while. I went there once already to talk to Jenny, the girl he was drinking with but she wasn't there. Since I'm starting over again, I guess I'll go back there, especially since Daniel thought Jenny was the one who slipped him the knife and warned him about the lynch mob. Maybe she's returned and I'll be able to talk to her and find out if she remembers anything about his medicine bag."