Savage Winter

by Constance O'Banyon

  Sun Woman nodded. “I would like to see the day you bloom from carrying my grandchild within your body. You and my son have been together for many moons now. I see no reason why you have not conceived.”

  Joanna looked into her mother-in-law’s dark eyes. “What if I am barren and cannot have a child?” she asked, expressing her secret fears. It had been nagging at her that she had not yet conceived. Joanna knew Windhawk wanted a child very badly, and she was troubled that she hadn’t, thus far, been able to give him a baby.

  Sun Woman very rarely laughed, but she did now because of Joanna’s remark. “My son is a very virile man—he keeps you on his mat much of the time. I think it will not be long until I hold my first grandson in my arms.”

  Joanna blushed at Sun Woman’s remark and lowered her head, which only caused Windhawk’s mother’s laughter to deepen.

  Joanna and Windhawk had tried so hard to have a child. What if she did prove to be barren? Would Windhawk turn to another woman to give him the son he wanted so much? It was not unusual for a Blackfoot warrior to take more than one wife. Joanna knew she would never stand idly by while Windhawk brought another woman into their lodge. No, she told herself, Windhawk had told her he would never take another wife, and she believed him.

  The dust from the lead horses caused Joanna to cough, and her eyes stung from the particles of dirt that sifted into them. As the morning progressed, the summer heat seemed to intensify. By midday it was almost unbearable.

  Joanna was fully aware that She Who Heals kept a watchful eye on her. She knew the old medicine woman was remembering the time when Joanna had lost her sight from snow blindness. How dear these people of the Blackfoot tribe were to her! They had opened their hearts to her, letting her know she was one of them.

  Occasionally, Joanna would have to check Fosset’s pace, or he would outdistance the other horses with his powerful gait. She could feel rivulets of perspiration running down between her shoulder blades and knew she must look a sight, since her face was streaked with dust. She would be glad when they finally reached the new village site.

  Joanna’s hair was blowing free, and she lifted the heavy tresses off her neck, hoping she would feel cooler. She was glad she had exchanged her knee-length moccasins for ankle-length ones and was wearing a sleeveless gown. Glancing about her, Joanna noted the women and children who were riding beside her. She knew them all very well—most of them were like family to her. There was She Who Heals, to whom Joanna owed her life and her sight; Gray Fox’s two wives, who were both her good friends; and, of course, Windhawk’s lovely sister, Morning Song, whom Joanna adored. The young Indian maiden was sweet-tempered and loving. Joanna had rarely heard her raise her voice in anger.

  There were many women and children traveling on foot, since some of the poor didn’t have horses. The families with horses slowed their progress to match the pace of those who had to walk. The sick and ailing were allowed to ride on a travois horse. The travois were made of wood and rawhide and were pulled by horses, which allowed the Blackfoot to easily transport their belongings from one place to another.

  Joanna scanned the distant valley, looking for signs of the other Blackfoot tribes that would be joining the Bloods in their summer camp. Most of the warriors had ridden on ahead, but several had remained with the main body to protect the women and children should they encounter any unforeseen danger. Sun Woman had told Joanna the summer would not only be a season of hard work, but also a time for visiting relatives and friends whom they hadn’t seen since the summer before.

  Joanna looked forward to the summer camp because she would be reunited with her friend Amanda, who had been captured by the Piegan Blackfoot at the same time as Tag. Windhawk had rescued her along with Tag, but Amanda was now married to Tall Bear, a member of the Blood Blackfoot tribe, and was very happy. Joanna had heard that Amanda was expecting a baby any day, and while she was happy for her, she was also a bit envious.

  Joanna shifted her weight, trying to find a comfortable position. Finally, in desperation, she decided to walk beside Fosset for a while to exercise her cramped legs. When she dismounted, Sun Woman followed suit. As they walked along beside the horses, they were soon joined by several of the other women.

  “How far is it until we camp for the night, my mother?” Joanna asked.

  “I am told that we reach the summer camp just before nightfall.”

  “I will be glad when we get there. It is hot, and I am weary of riding.”

  “We are about to have company,” Sun Woman said, watching the dust cloud that rose ahead of them. The intruders were still too far away from them to be able to tell whether they were friend or foe.

  Joanna noticed that the warriors who rode with them had become alert. Gray Fox, who rode beside his wives, deftly strung his bow and called out for Joanna and Sun Woman to mount their horses. When Windhawk was away, Gray Fox, as war chief, was in charge. As Joanna mounted Fosset, she became aware that all the warriors were now armed and had formed a protective barrier around the women and children.

  Tense moments passed as everyone waited to see who the riders were.

  Joanna looked at her mother-in-law apprehensively and watched as Sun Woman’s worried frown relaxed into a smile. “There is no cause for alarm—it is Windhawk and several of his warriors.”

  Joanna could now clearly see Windhawk’s giant horse, Puh Pom, bearing down on them, and her heart lightened. She hadn’t seen him in three days, and she was glad that he would be rejoining her.

  When Windhawk drew even with them, instead of coming straight to Joanna, he rode up to Gray Fox. Joanna watched as the two men talked for a moment before Windhawk’s gaze rested on her. His face was solemn as he moved to her side.

  At first, he said nothing, only scanned her face. Her heart seemed to swell inside her when his dark eyes sent her a silent message of love. How magnificent he looked! Because of the heat, he wore nothing but a breechcloth. The muscles in his body were taut and firm. His hair glistened blue-black in the sunlight.

  “I have missed you,” she told him.

  She noticed his eyes softened before he turned away to speak to Sun Woman. Joanna couldn’t hear what he said to his mother, but whatever it was, Sun Woman nodded her head in agreement. Without a word to Joanna, Windhawk reached over and lifted her from her horse and placed her in front of him on his giant horse.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, as several of the women giggled at their chief’s daring display, while the men cheered loudly.

  Puh Pom reared up on his hind legs, protesting at the extra weight, but Windhawk easily controlled the steed with his powerful leg muscles.

  “I am taking you somewhere special so we can be alone,” he whispered in her ear. It had been over two weeks since Windhawk and Joanna had been alone together, and she could hear the impatience in his voice.

  Joanna leaned her head back against Windhawk’s chest and closed her eyes. The powerful horse raced across the prairie and the ground thundered beneath his flying hooves. Soon, the others were left far behind, to be lost from sight.

  Joanna looked up into Windhawk’s face and saw he was watching her through veiled lashes. “Everyone will know what you have on your mind, Windhawk. Could you not have chosen a less dramatic way of carrying me off?” she asked, feeling embarrassed that the whole tribe had witnessed their chief’s antics.

  Windhawk smiled at the reproach he heard in her voice. “The women all know what I have in mind for you. They probably wish their husbands would carry them away as I have my wife. As for my warriors, they will think I am a very fortunate man.”

  Joanna’s mouth eased into a smile. “I would like to see Gray Fox perform that deed with his two wives.”

  Windhawk’s lips brushed her forehead. “Let Gray Fox worry about his wives, while I take care of mine.” He shifted Joanna’s weight so she was sitting across his lap.

  “Where are you taking me?” she asked.

  “That is a surprise, inquisitive on
e.” His hand drifted down to rest against Joanna’s thigh and she felt a deep longing to be with him. His head dipped down and tasted the sweetness of her lips, but Joanna turned her head away and laughed aloud, teasing him. “What you have in mind cannot be performed while riding a horse, Windhawk.”

  He raised a dark eyebrow inquiringly. “So, woman, you issue me a challenge? I find it hard not to prove to you that the deed could easily be accomplished if we both put our minds to it.”

  Joanna laughed so hard she felt tears in her eyes. “I think that would be even beyond our skills,” she replied between peals of laughter. “Still,” she said, smiling mischievously, “the idea does have its merits.”

  Windhawk’s eyes sparkled with amusement. Without ever breaking his mount’s stride, he turned Joanna around so she was straddling the horse.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, struggling against the firm hand that gripped her waist, pulling her tightly against him.

  “I believe I am going to prove to you that I can have you anytime and anywhere I choose,” he said, laughing against her ear. He loved the way Joanna’s cheeks turned a delicate pink tinge.

  He easily raised her doeskin gown and pushed her undergarments aside.

  “Windhawk! NO!” Joanna renewed her struggling until he gripped her around the waist and lifted her up, then set her down on his pulsating manhood.

  Joanna was unable to do any more than draw a shuddering breath as he penetrated deeply inside her. She threw her head back when his lips settled on her arched neck.

  “Shall I stop, Joanna?” he whispered.

  “No,” her voice was almost a whisper as he plunged deeper into her female core. Windhawk groaned as he lifted Joanna up and pushed her against him in a slow, mind-destroying movement. The movements of the horse were smooth and even, and Windhawk matched his movements to Puh Pom’s.

  His strong hands gripped Joanna about the waist, and she groaned as he took her to a new plane of delight. With each forward plunge he made into her body, she caught her breath. She wasn’t aware of anything but the burning urgency that Windhawk had awakened in her.

  For Joanna, this was a new, exciting adventure into the pleasures of the body. Her head fell back against the hard wall of Windhawk’s chest, and he sprinkled kisses over her upturned face.

  “Joanna,” he whispered, slipping back into the way he had spoken her name when they first met. Joanna had often noticed that when he was moved by their lovemaking he would call her Joanna.

  She could feel the excitement building with the tempo of Puh Pom’s pounding hooves. Her body quaked uncontrollably. Windhawk’s body shuddered, and he clasped Joanna tightly to him until the tremors in both of them subsided. Her head fell forward as she tried to catch her breath. She felt his lips move to her ear.

  “You make me feel so alive, Joanna. When I am not with you, I feel this emptiness inside. When I am with you, I want to keep you beneath me.”

  She smiled and threw her head back, causing her red-gold hair to fan out across his shoulder. Windhawk caught his breath at the sparkle in her eyes. She reached up her hand and touched his cheek.

  “I love you so much, Windhawk. I sometimes wish that we could be alone, with no responsibilities to anyone but ourselves. Do you think that sounds selfish?”

  Windhawk noticed that Puh Pom had halted, and he dismounted with Joanna in his arms. He pushed a curl out of her face and looked deeply into her eyes.

  “It is not selfish, Joanna, but I have a great many who depend on me for guidance.”

  She sighed and rested her head against his chest. “Yes, Windhawk, I know what you say is true, but it would be nice if we could spend more time alone.”

  Windhawk laughed deeply. “Why do you think I carried you away with me today? Did I not tell you I was taking you somewhere special? There is something I want to show you.”

  “What?”

  “You will have to wait and see,” he said, placing her back on his horse and climbing on behind her.

  As they rode along, Joanna was lulled by a feeling of contentment. She wished that she and Windhawk could ride on like this for eternity—wrapped in the soft warmth of their love. Her head began to nod, and she felt herself getting drowsy. Leaning her head back against Windhawk’s shoulder, she fell into a contented sleep.

  It was late afternoon when Windhawk shook Joanna to awaken her. She opened her eyes, surprised to find that they were in the mountains.

  Windhawk helped her down from his horse before dismounting. She still felt sleep-drugged as she watched him tie the leather rope about Puh Pom’s forelegs to hobble him.

  “Are we there?” she asked, gazing around the dense pine forest. She couldn’t see what was so special about this place. It wasn’t unlike the forest where the Blackfoot usually made their winter camp.

  “It is very near,” he replied, taking her arm and leading her forward. There was no path to guide them, and sometimes Windhawk would have to hack his way through the dense undergrowth of bushes with his knife.

  They hadn’t gone very far when Joanna heard a roaring sound in the distance. Looking up at Windhawk inquiringly, she smiled brightly, knowing the sound she heard could only have come from a waterfall. She hastened her footsteps, running in the direction of the rushing water. Darting around trees and between thick bushes, she could feel her excitement mounting. Windhawk smiled to himself as he watched her face glow when she reached the waterfall.

  Joanna stood for a long moment, silently allowing her eyes to drink in the wondrous sight. As she stood beside the shimmering water, which cascaded down from a high cliff, she felt as though the waterfall must have been there since the beginning of time. Her eyes were bright and shining as she watched the foamy water roll and splash into the river below, before calmly kissing against the shore. Joanna had the feeling she was one of the privileged few who had ever witnessed this magnificent spectacle.

  Windhawk laughed when he saw Joanna strip her clothing off and plunge into the river. He watched as she swam toward the falls and climbed onto a rock, allowing the water to wash over her.

  The water was cool and invigorating, and Joanna laughed with delight as it seemed to wash away the weariness from her aching muscles. She sighed with pleasure when she felt Windhawk next to her, then she melted against him when he pulled her into his arms.

  I have it all, she thought, as Windhawk breathed words of eternal love in her ear.

  As their hungry lips met, their bodies fused together like two magnets. Joanna sighed as his magnificent hands moved over her hips, pressing her against him. Her eyes glazed with desire and anticipation when he pushed her backward behind the cascading water, his hand cushioning her tender skin from the rough cliff wall.

  Joanna gasped as his throbbing manhood entered her body. Throwing her head back, she felt his lips caress her long, slender neck. Her hands laced into his ebony hair as he filled her body.

  Windhawk groaned, thinking each time he took Joanna it was like the first time. When he was making love to her, he always felt there was no mountain he couldn’t climb…no feat he couldn’t accomplish. She was his life as surely as was the heart that beat within his chest.

  Delightful feelings ran like wildfire through Joanna’s veins. She tossed her head from side to side as their passion reached its zenith. Windhawk lifted her up, and she locked her arms about his neck while her whole body trembled.

  Joanna slid her arms down to his shoulders as he carried her out of the water and laid her on the sweet-smelling grass. When he lay down beside her, he pulled her into his arms.

  “When you are in my arms, Joanna, I know what it is to be happy,” he said in a passionate voice. “I am a man who has sought and found his destiny.”

  Joanna closed her eyes, loving him with all her heart. Windhawk and she might come from different worlds, but they had overcome their differences. No matter where the future led her, she knew she would always feel safe and secure as long as he stood beside her.

&nbs
p; Gazing up into his dark, handsome face, she gave him a bright smile. “Is there nothing more you want that you do not have, my husband?”

  His dark, velvet-soft eyes rested on her lips. “There is nothing I want that I do not have…except…perhaps, a child.”

  Joanna touched his face softly, and he turned his head to kiss her hand. “I want that, too, Windhawk.”

  His hair was wet from the river, and Joanna laced her hands through it, thinking how she loved its dark-midnight color. He gave her a look that melted her heart as he laid his face against her smooth, flat stomach. Moments of silence passed as his hands caressed her body. At last, he raised his head and placed his cheek against hers.

  “Soon, Joanna, we will have a child that will be born from our love—then you will never want to leave me.”

  Joanna closed her eyes. Why did he still have this fear that she would leave him? Hadn’t she proven to him by now that she loved him?

  “I do not need a child to bind me to you, my dearest love. I think I knew when we first met that we had a destiny to fulfill together.”

  Joy lit his ebony eyes once more, and it seemed as if a flame burned inside them. “When we have a son, I will teach him to walk in the ways of the Blackfoot, but you will also teach him about the white world. One day, he will be chief, and I want him to be armed with knowledge of both his mother’s and father’s world.”

  “What if your son turns out to be your daughter?” Joanna asked, giving him a mischievous grin.

  His eyes softened. “I would wish her to have hair and eyes the color of yours. Then I would have two flaming-haired princesses.”

  Soon they both lay in a soft embrace, while each of them thought of the future when a child would bless their life. Joanna hoped their first child would be a boy. She thought of how patient Windhawk was with her brother. He would be a good father, teaching their child to face life as he did—with courage and hope for the future.

  Joanna felt his hands slide lingeringly over her stomach. Closing her eyes, she said a silent prayer that she would soon bear him a child.