“Explain yourself.” Daniel was quickly losing patience with his brother.
“I asked if the woman was his wife, and he answered no, but he wished it were true. I offered him my lodge.” He shrugged his shoulders.
“What?” Aimee asked dumbfounded. She released Daniel’s arm, and took a step toward Elk Runner, her eyes shooting daggers at him.
“He seemed quite happy at my suggestion.” The grin on Elk Runner’s face broadened even as he backed up to maintain his distance from her.
“Jana would never agree to something like that,” Aimee said, as if to herself. “Unless . . .” She turned to face Daniel again. “You have to go bring them here, Daniel. Go now, and you can be back by nightfall. The baby will wait.” She put her hand on his arm. “Please. I’ll be all right. Morning Sun and Little Bird are here if anything should happen.”
“What is this danger you speak of?” he asked suddenly.
Elk Runner shook his head. “I do not know. He would not tell me. Perhaps he didn’t have the right words. But he said you and Dosa Haiwi are in danger.”
Daniel looked into his wife’s deep blue eyes. A man and woman from the future, who’d come to warn him of a danger to his wife. He had no choice but to find out more. He would do as Aimee asked. He always did. If she said the child would wait to be born, he believed her. With a reluctant nod of his head, he leaned toward her, and kissed her cheek. “I will go. If Jana Evans truly traveled through time, there must be a very good reason.”
Aimee nodded, and smiled. He placed his arm around her waist, and walked slowly back in the direction of his cabin with her.
He stopped to glare at Elk Runner, who hadn’t made a move to follow them to the cabin. “I will go with you. If you’ve spoken words that aren’t true simply to get me away from my wife, you will have breathed your last breath.”
Chapter 25
Dogs barked and children laughed. Other voices mingled with these sounds, and Jana wondered vaguely why there was so much noise around her. For weeks, she’d awakened to only the sounds of birdsong, or the gurgling of a creek. She opened her eyes to the semi-darkness, and instead of looking up at the sky or the canopies of lodgepole pines, she stared at narrow wooden poles, tightly bunched together. Golden light streamed through some of the cracks between the poles and from the ground.
Jana’s hand moved across soft fur, the feel shocking her fully awake. She bolted to a sitting position, the warm covering falling away. She gasped at the chill in the air, and groped with her hand for the cover, pulling it up and over her shoulders. Awareness that she had no clothes on sent a jolt of adrenaline through her.
Jana groaned. “Oh dear God,” she whispered. She glanced around, her eyes adjusting to the dim light in the hut. She was alone. Relief swept over her like a wave of warm water. She couldn’t possibly face Dan at the moment. Memories of the night before came rushing back to her. He’d held her, and kissed her, and the next thing she knew, she was wrapped in his arms, skin to skin.
A sudden aftershock of desire rippled through her, and she rubbed her hand at the goose bumps on her arms. She couldn’t have stopped herself from what had happened even if she had wanted to. She hadn’t wanted those delicious feelings he stirred in her to end. Her face heated at the memory of Dan’s lovemaking. She had told him it was what she wanted, and it was the truth. Just a few weeks ago, she had asked him to go slow in their relationship. She laughed softly. So much for taking it slow. She loved Dan with all her heart, and she’d known all along she couldn’t stay true to her childhood vow of saving herself for her wedding night.
A twinge of guilt and shame hit her. She shook it off. She had been teetering on the edge for days, her need and desire for Dan growing stronger each time he held her in his arms and kissed her. She had been able to control those feelings, up until last night.
Jana felt around under the furs for her clothes. What would happen now? Her pulse increased, wondering what Dan would say to her. Had he found her lacking? He’d realized right away that this had been her first time, and he’d acted rather surprised. Jana buried her face in her hands. She’d boldly told him she wanted him. Oh, God! I can’t even face him now. What am I going to say to him?
The thought had barely crossed her mind, when the flap to the hut’s door opened, and Dan ducked inside. With a pounding heart, Jana clutched the fur covering to her chest. He stopped, bent over, and their eyes met. A wide smile lit up his face.
“Morning,” he said, and quickly closed the flap behind him. He set a clay bowl on the ground and kneeled down beside her. His hand came up to cup her face, and he kissed her. Slowly. Tenderly. Jana leaned forward and into his hand while his thumb stroked her cheek. She cast her eyes downward when he pulled his head back, unable to meet his gaze. He sat down fully beside her.
“Come here. Let me hold you.” He wrapped his arms around her and gathered her close to him. “I never want to let go of you,” he whispered against her ear.
Jana’s eyes filled with tears. His tender words, spoken in a tone that left no doubt he meant them, overwhelmed her. She quivered, and sobbed quietly.
“Jana. Are you sorry because of what happened last night?” Dan leaned back, and lifted her chin with his fingers. “I never meant to take advantage of you. I thought you—”
Jana sniffed, and gave a short laugh. “You didn’t take advantage of me.”
Dan caressed her cheek. “Why didn’t you tell me . . . you know, that you’ve never . . .”
“Is that really a good topic of conversation?” she asked.
“And now you have regrets,” Dan said stiffly. His jaw muscles clenched and unclenched.
Jana gripped his arm. She shook her head. “Not for the reasons you think,” she said quickly.
“I love you, Jana. I think I’ve made that pretty clear. I don’t plan to walk away from you. I hope you don’t think this was a one-night fling for me.”
Jana sighed. “You’re the first man I ever wanted to be with . . . like that. It’s crazy how much I love you, how you make me feel. I’ve been in long-term relationships with one or two guys, and I never had the desire to go to bed with any of them. And now you come along, and in a few short weeks, I’m a goner.” She glanced at the furs covering her, absently running her fingers along the soft hairs.
Dan chuckled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Aimee and I made a pact a long time ago. We must have been in grade school, two little girls full of romantic notions with ideas of happily ever after in our heads. We vowed we would save ourselves for our wedding night.” Jana smiled tentatively. “She broke that vow first. Fairy tales are great for little girls, I suppose. But she did get her happily ever after.”
“And you don’t think you’ll get yours?”
She looked up and stared at him. Oh yes, she wanted her happily ever after. With him. She couldn’t bring herself to say that to him, though. She’d made her choice to be with him without the benefit of marriage, and she’d bear the consequences if he decided to walk away. She inhaled deeply before speaking. “Dan, I’m not asking for a commitment just because of what happened last night. No worries, okay?”
Dan released her, staring at her dumbfounded. He ran a hand through his hair. “You don’t want a commitment,” he repeated slowly. “What about me? Maybe I do.”
Jana looked up at him. The truth was right there in his eyes. Why did she have a hard time believing him? Dan reached for her hand.
“Jana,” he said slowly, pausing as if gathering his thoughts. “These Indians, the Sheepeaters, they have a peculiar marriage custom. It’s very uncomplicated.”
Marriage. Jana swallowed back the lump in her throat. What was he saying?
“A couple that intends to join in marriage only needs to be seen together in public a few times, and once they share a lodge, it’s a done deal.” He looked at her expectantly.
“Are you saying we’re married in the eyes of these people?”
Dan grin
ned sheepishly. “One of my ancestors had a Shoshone mother, so I guess that makes me part Indian as well. I’ll go with the tradition.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this last night?”
“Why didn’t you tell me you’ve never been with a man?” He ran his hand through his hair, and inhaled deeply. “Jana, I wasn’t exactly in the mood for conversation at the time, and you didn’t exactly act as though it would make a difference.” The tone of his voice had changed. He sounded angry all of a sudden. He released her hand, and stood. Turning his back to her, he spoke to the wall, his voice full of scorn. “Congratulations, Osborne. You’ve managed to deceive the girl you’re in love with again. Way to go.”
He’d misunderstood the reason for her question. The weight lifted from her chest. There was something exhilarating about the thought of him claiming her as his wife in such a way. It wasn’t a binding marriage in modern times, but at least while they were here in this nineteenth century wilderness, it felt legitimate enough.
Jana pushed herself off the ground, wrapping the fur covering around herself.
“Dan.” She touched his shoulder. His muscles tensed beneath her fingers. “You didn’t deceive me last night.”
He turned. Slowly. The pained look in his eyes tore at her heart. When would he let go of the guilt he felt?
“Everyone makes mistakes, or loses sight of what’s important. You’re doing everything possible to make it right again. Let go of your guilt.” Jana smiled up at him.
“I’m not losing sight of what’s important now,” he said huskily, and pulled her to him.
Jana ran her hand along his whiskered cheek. “You’re a good man. I love you.”
Dan kissed her, first softly, then with greater urgency. Jana wrapped her arms around his neck, not caring that the fur covering loosened from around her, and slid down her body.
“I never thought you’d even give me half a chance, after what I did . . . after I lied to you,” Dan whispered against her lips. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
He bent and hooked his arm behind her knees and lifted her off the ground. His dark eyes locked onto hers as he carried her back to the pile of furs that was their sleeping place. He laid her down as if she was a fragile piece of china, and covered her with his body. Jana lifted her arms, and welcomed him to her, letting him know once and for all that she’d forgiven his deception.
****
Dan waited for Jana at the edge of the village. He’d walked with her to the creek, then left her so she’d have some privacy.
“Don’t go too far,” she said, perhaps worried that someone would interrupt her. Contentment such as he’d never felt before flooded him. As soon as they returned to the twenty-first century, he planned to ask Jana to marry him in the modern world. Could she leave her job in California, and live in Montana with him? He didn’t have much to offer her. His school debts would take years to pay off, and he didn’t have a steady job. Heck, he probably didn’t have a job in Yellowstone at all anymore. His future in the park was pretty much over. Somehow it didn’t seem to matter. His goals and priorities had certainly changed over the last few weeks.
His confrontation with Hastings weighed heavily on his mind. How was he going to talk this deranged man out of killing an innocent child, and get the time travel device away from him? What if Hastings had already beaten them to the cabin? All of this would be moot if he had already accomplished his goal.
Dan rubbed his hand across his face, and shook his head. He couldn’t think about that possibility. He convinced himself that he and Jana had a good head start on Hastings. He had to focus on facing his ancestors, and telling them why he was here, and that because he was here, their son’s life was in danger. He certainly wasn’t looking forward to that meeting.
If not for his blind and selfish ambition, none of this would have happened. His father and grandfather were probably rolling around in their graves right now. They had achieved their success through honest hard work. Both of them had worked for the park service. His grandfather was one of the first rangers after the park service was established in 1916. His father had been a successful state senator after his years of service as a ranger. None of their success had come overnight, and Dan always knew it would take him years to achieve his own dreams.
In his teenage years, he had volunteered his summers with the conservation corps, helping to maintain trails in Yellowstone. He’d assisted college professors with their ecological research in the park, and finally applied for a seasonal ranger position four years ago. He’d never used his name as leverage to gain employment in the park. His grandfather always instilled good work ethics in him. A few months ago, he jumped at the chance to reach his ultimate dream quickly, without any forethought to what it might do to the future of Yellowstone. Jana might have forgiven him, but he couldn’t forgive himself until things were set right again.
Dan glanced at his surroundings. Standing at the edge of the village, he watched the activities of the people. Women sat working on hides, or grinding fruits and nuts, men sharpened knives or worked on arrowheads. Children ran around, chasing each other with sticks. He’d caught the curious stares of some of the younger people from the village earlier this morning, but no one had approached him. After he emerged from the wickiup with Jana several hours later, a few older men and women glanced knowingly at them, smiles on their faces.
Dan wondered where Elk Runner had gone. He hadn’t seen Daniel’s brother all morning, not even when he’d left the hut at dawn, and he couldn’t see him now, either. He’d seemed overly eager the day before to get Dan started on making right what Daniel had apparently done wrong to upset the spirits. What if he made things worse, and failed? He shook off his negative thoughts. His main priority right now was to get to the Madison Valley. Once Jana was done washing up, they’d head out. Surely no one would stop them from leaving. It was probably a good thing that Elk Runner wasn’t around to detain them any longer.
Jana emerged from behind some trees that led to the creek. Her shy smile sent his heart into overdrive. She was more beautiful today than she’d ever been. Her chestnut hair fell in waves to her shoulders, bouncing lightly as she walked. There was a certain glow to her cheeks, and his body warmed with the thought that he might be the cause of it.
Dan stepped toward her, and reached for her hand. He bent forward and kissed her. “Mrs. Spirit of White Wolf, you are gorgeous,” he whispered, inhaling deeply of the fresh scent of soap in her hair.
Jana stiffened suddenly. Dogs barked, and the people from the village behind him began to talk excitedly. Dan turned. Two men emerged through the trees at the other end of the village. Dan recognized one as Elk Runner. Walking next to him was a broad-shouldered man slightly taller than the Indian.
The confident, graceful way he moved gave him a commanding presence. From a distance, he could easily be mistaken for one of the Sheepeaters. Instead of a buckskin shirt, however, he wore light tan-colored cotton homespun gathered at the waist by a large belt. A tomahawk and hunting knife hung off the belt on either side of his hips, and he carried a flintlock rifle in his left hand. Various pouches and a powderhorn hung from his shoulders, criss-crossing his chest.
Dan held his breath. He had no doubt who this man was. Not from the stories he’d heard as a child. Looking at him from across the expanse of the village, Dan felt as if he was staring at his own image. The main difference was the man’s long, shoulder-length hair, and the hard penetrating stare of his eyes that he directed first to Jana, and now locked onto him. The moment of truth had arrived.
Chapter 26
Jana gripped Dan’s arm tighter. He waited, unsure of whether to meet Daniel Osborne halfway, or simply wait for him to approach. He opted to meet him, otherwise he might come across as a coward, and swallowed the apprehension in his throat. He patted Jana’s hand, and strode toward the village. The people gathered, glancing from him to Daniel. The expressions of disbelief on their faces spoke volume
s. Dan wondered what they thought of their sky people now. Suddenly, both versions of White Wolf were present in the same place. The looks of awe on some faces actually brought a smile to his face.
“Daniel,” Dan said, holding out his hand when they stood mere feet apart. This meeting couldn’t be any more bizarre. “I’m so glad to finally meet you.”
Daniel Osborne stood before him, not a hint of what he was thinking evident on his face. His eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly for a fraction of a second. He held out his hand, and shook Dan’s in a firm grip. Dan had the distinct impression that in that brief moment, he was being sized up and assessed.
Although they were probably the same age, Daniel’s confident and proud demeanor made him seem so much older. There was no arrogance or show of superiority in his behavior, but Dan’s feeling of awe in Daniel’s presence was akin to meeting some famous movie star. This was his ancestor!
“You’re named after the first Daniel Osborne,” his grandfather had told him when he was little. “You’re the last of the Montana Osbornes, so wear your name with pride.”
“My brother spoke the truth,” Daniel finally said in English, his voice resonating deep and full of confidence. If he was at all unsettled by this encounter, he sure didn’t let on. The man must have nerves of steel. Daniel turned his head slightly to his side and glanced quickly at Elk Runner, who stood silently by. “For once he spoke the truth,” Daniel added dryly. “When he came to my cabin with a tale of a man who shares my likeness, I believed it was another ploy to get me to leave the valley. I’ll wait to hear your explanation for your presence here, and who you are.”
And I’m dying to know what the deal is about you having to leave the valley. Hopefully, this entire mystery could be solved now. Dan wondered vaguely if it had anything to do with Hastings.
Daniel’s head turned and he looked at Jana. For the first time, his features softened, and a slight smile formed on his lips. “Jana Evans, I did not believe you and I would ever meet again. You look well.”
Yellowstone Deception (Yellowstone Romance Series Book 5) Page 19