by Janet Cooper
The lack of rain made crossing the wide river easy. Wolf arrived at the outskirts of the camp before the moon had risen. Only three tents stood in the small clearing. Two guards had been posted, but he saw no one else. He decided to sneak in and surprise the Colonials. After safely and easily passing the first outpost, he relaxed his guard and headed for the largest tent, near the far side of the encampment. An instant later, arms grabbed his lower thighs tackling him.
"Got ya!" Jeremiah crowed, quietly.
Before he could secure his hold, Wolf pulled his knife from his leggings and reversed their positions. Straddling Jeremiah, Wolf stretched the colonist's neck and placed the tip of the blade just below his former friend's ear. "Oh?"
By this time, the two guards and three other soldiers had come to see what was happening. "Damn it, Luke. I was sure I had you."
Wolf bounced to his feet and slid the knife into the sheath. "You almost did."
Even in the starlight, Jeremiah's smile showed. He dusted himself off.
"Sarah brought us additional information about the ambush sight." Crouching, Wolf picked up a stick and sketched.
The soldiers crowded around then hunkered down, careful not to block the limited light provided by the stars that shone directly overhead.
"There must be an underground spring, because Doe Run's dry, but the surrounding land for about one hundred paces on either side is a swamp." He added to his drawing. "As long as we let the patrol come to us and don't rush the attack, the conditions can only help us.
"Any questions?" Wolf asked.
"Yeah," a guard replied. "How did you get by me?"
"When you turned, you glanced to make sure your companion was there. I made my move then."
"Okay, back to your position," Jeremiah said, "and don't let anyone else get by." As the men moved off, he added, "Will you stay the night?"
"No." Wolf stood. "I must return to Little Turtle and Sarah." As he spoke her name, her face appeared in his mind, and simultaneously his loins tightened.
"Sarah is a beautiful woman," Jeremiah said as he, too, rose.
Wolf stared at him and realized Jeremiah was fishing for information about the relationship between himself and Sarah. "She is a woman who needs protection until we catch the raiders." That is all she must be to me.
"She cares for you."
"She and her father follow the Quakers' beliefs, and they care for everyone. Members of the Society have even adopted some Lenape children." This last fact caused mixed emotions within Wolf. Although the action protected the young from abuse by other whites, the little ones lost their people’s heritage.
"It grows late." He erased the drawing with the sole of his moccasin. "Since our plans are settled, I will meet you an hour before the sun rises." Without further comment, Wolf jogged off.
When he reached his own camp, he saw Sarah sitting by the lean-to. The moonlight also revealed Little Turtle's head resting in her lap. She rubbed the child's forehead with the tips of her fingers, smiling as she did so. The picture filled Wolf with pleasure and pain. How content she looked. In the subdued lighting, one would almost believe she was the mother. Again, Wolf reminded himself that Sarah was not for him, and the thought stabbed his heart. He broke the spell by making enough noise for her to hear him, but not enough to disturb his son.
She raised her head, puckered her lips and said, "Hush."
Wolf knelt beside her.
"Little Turtle was determined to guard me until thee returned. Twice, I tried to carry him, but each time he awakened and repeated that he would protect me until thee returned."
Gently, Wolf lifted his boy. Little Turtle stirred, but Wolf said, "I am here now…sleep." After crawling in through the open door, he gently placed the child on the blanket. Slowly, he backed out then placed several large pine branches over the entrance.
While he settled the lad, Sarah vividly remembered the moments before Wolf left. Her mouth dried, and her body tingled from the memory. Unsure of what would happen now that he had returned, she sought to do something…anything.
"Would thee like a drink?" she asked him, but did not look in his direction. Without waiting for his response, she walked into the shadows of the trees and lifted the water bag off a branch. She sensed him behind her.
"You first," he said, coming to her side.
She pulled off the stopper, raised the deerskin to her lips, and squeezed. The cool water eased her dryness, but did nothing to stem the sensations coursing through her body. After a few moments, she lowered the bag and offered it to Wolf. A small droplet of water ran down the side of her mouth. Before she could wipe it away, he leaned over and licked the moisture off. Although the night air was cool, her body burned from this brief contact and from what her imagination said would happen next.
Taking a quick drink, he corked the container and hung it back on the tree.
Sarah had not moved, but her heart beat double time. She reached up and touched one corner of his lips with her index finger. His tongue grazed her skin like hot velvet. She sighed with pleasure, drew her hand back, and placed the end of her finger in her mouth and sucked.
A soft moan escaped from him.
The sound of his pleasure increased her desire and her longing. She untied her apron and let it fall.
Wolf watched her carefully.
Next, she removed the pins from the front of her short gown and eased her arms out before letting the top fall to the ground.
His eyes filled with wanting, but he did not touch her.
Keeping her attention focused on him, she loosened the strings of her skirt and wiggled her hips a few times. Her outer garment dropped to her ankles and she stepped out of the cloud of fabric.
His chest rose and fell rapidly, heightening her desire.
She released the bow of her shift, eased her fingers inside, and stretched the opening until only her shoulders supported the linen material.
He swallowed hard then threw off his shirt and his leggings.
Sarah lowered her gaze to his navel. She saw and heard his quick breaths. Allowing her attention to wander on, she stared at his breech-cloth. Seeing the tie on the side, she boldly reached over and released the last restraint. The deerskin fell to the ground. Even his magnificent body had not prepared her for the vision she saw. They had made love before, but the water had disguised his grandeur. Throwing all thoughts aside, she placed her hand on him and reveled in his size and splendor.
At her touch, he pushed away her shift …the last material barrier. A few moments later, he grasped her to him.
She stood on her toes and their bodies fit together. Intense longing surged through her. Placing her hands on either side of his jaw, she kissed him, allowing her tongue to explore the interior of his mouth, showing him how much she wanted to complete what she had started.
He picked her up and carried her to the bearskin. The thick, soft fur surrounded her, adding to her sensual pleasure. She lay on her back and stared but could see only the shadow of Wolf ringed by a heaven of stars. "I want thee," she whispered.
"And you shall have me." Leaning over her, his head blocked her view of the night sky, but his kiss carried her there. The tips of his fingers stroked first one nipple and then the other. Under his nurturing, they hardened.
She sought his and returned the pleasure.
Their lips parted. His hand slid across her stomach, while his mouth claimed her breasts. Arching her back, she sought to place more of herself within his grasp. When she moved, his hand slipped between her legs and captured the essence of her desire.
Aware of the child sleeping only a few feet away, she fought to control the moan rising from her throat by interlacing her fingers in his short, silky hair.
"You are so beautiful," he said, while licking and teasing her navel.
She needed to possess more of him than just his scalp lock. Her hands found the flame that would feed and quench her ache.
He moaned softly "This is the drink of life," h
e said then claimed her womanhood.
She shifted so his manhood stood directly over her. Without hesitation, she took him.
Sweet moments of ecstasy bombarded her and sent a hail of wonderful sensations careening through her, but her goal still stretched beyond her reach. Releasing him, she whispered, "Make us one."
Moments later, he buried his shaft deep within her moisture valley then covered her face and ears with kisses. She bit his shoulder to keep from crying out and lifted her buttocks to give him greater entrance. Shards of pleasure shot through her as she soared to the heavens and exploded like a falling star.
"E …e," he said softly, then shuttered and collapsed on her.
She kissed his nose. "That was wonderful."
He raised his upper torso, supporting himself with his arms, and lightly bit her chin. "You are a wild cat."
"And thee is the 'Tom' that I've longed for."
He looked bewildered, but before she could explain, a cool breeze brushed across her naked body causing her to shiver from the cold.
"I will get a blanket."
"Thee can be my covering." She tried to pull him down, but his trunk like-arms resisted all her attempts.
"If I get cold?"
"I shall be thy covering." Her fingertips traced a pattern from his neck to the middle of his chest.
He shuddered before smiling. "While both are enjoyable concepts, I believe a cloth covering might be helpful."
"Oh," she pouted.
He kissed her and eased away.
Mixed emotions ravaged him. Sarah was not a virgin. This he knew, but her wholehearted loving surprised, no, shocked him. Again, he wondered if she had been married. Wolf removed the branches from the lean-to, checked his son, and withdrew the other bedroll. After replacing the pine boughs, he knelt next to Sarah.
"How is he?"
"He sleeps peacefully."
"I feared we might have awakened him," Sarah said.
"Lenape children very seldom hear what adults do."
She lifted her arms and smiled at him. "Come join me. I'm lonely."
After lying on his side, he spread the light woolen blanket over them, but she kicked it aside. "I prefer thy warmth."
Desire rose in his loins as he covered her body with his. He entered her without foreplay, but once inside he teased her by pulling in and out to increase her pleasure.
Finally, she locked her legs around him. "Thee will not escape this time."
"I never wanted to." Saying this, he pierced her deeper.
He gazed upon her face, enjoying the pleasure clearly showing. Small, sweet moans of pleasure filled his ears and increased his delight. Her nipples became as hard as pebbles. "Come …with …me," she murmured.
He tightened his hold on her hips and drove again.
She gripped his forearms and shuddered just as he came within her. A sheen of moisture decorated her skin and enhanced her beauty. He rolled her on top of him and licked the salt from her shoulder. "Good!"
Sarah laughed.
"Now, you can keep me warm," he said with a contented sigh.
Bending over, she kissed him then twisted as if escaping.
Unwilling to release her, he grabbed her buttocks and held her securely. "No, no. You kicked off the blanket and said you would be my cover. I accept your offer."
"But …"
Feeling shivers racing across her arms, he said, "I shall take pity on you." He caught the edge of the blanket and eased her to her side, but remained buried within her. With a little difficulty, he spread the cover over them. "Comfortable?"
"Very," she sighed.
He fiddled with the ends of her hair. "Sarah?"
She looked at him, her eyes bright and showing the passion they had shared. "Ummm?"
"Sarah. I must ask you something."
Her fingernails touched his chest and circled his flat breast. His stomach tensed, and his manhood flickered lightly with life.
She chuckled, obviously enjoying his reaction.
He grasped her hand and rubbed her palm. "Were you married?"
Sarah leaned back, but did not break their connection. "No. Why?"
"You are not a virgin." He kept hold of her, but his manhood diminished inside her.
"Thee knew that from when we made love before. Why ask tonight?" She eased away.
"A Quaker woman …" Stopping, he plowed his fingers through his short, scalp lock, severing their last link.
Sitting up, she bent her knees, placed her arms around them, and stared into the darkness. "Let me finish thy sentence, would be a virgin until she married. For most Friends, that is true. For me, it is not." Shifting her gaze, she looked at him. "Does my lack of virginity make a difference to thee?"
He reached up and tried to pull her down.
She shook her head and looked over at him. "Not without an answer.”
His grip tightened on her arms. "Most Lenape women have several lovers before they take a husband."
"Thee has not answered me. Does my lack of virginity matter?"
Moisture filled her eyes where only moments before passion had. The sight troubled him. He loosened his hold, and he rubbed her upper arms. "Nothing matters except what we have shared." As he spoke the words, he realized their truth. Still, he sensed she had kept something from him.
"Is thee sure?"
Her tears had dried, but one trickled down the side of her face. Reaching over, he wiped all trace of moisture away with his tongue. "Very."
She smoothed his face with kisses.
Even in the semi-darkness, he saw the relief reflected in her countenance. "If you don't stop, neither of us will get any sleep tonight."
"Oh." Sarah slid away.
"Come here, woman. I want you next to me." He twisted her hair around his wrist and gently eased her toward him.
She rubbed her nose against his, and he chuckled as he freed the lock of hair.
"Turn on your side."
Pressing her breasts against his chest, she asked, "Like this?"
"No. The other way."
"Oh, like this." She positioned her body so her buttocks touched his lower stomach.
"Almost there." He shifted until his penis buttressed her closed legs.
"Who's starting now?" she teased then scooted to give him access.
"No one." His arm encircled her chest, then his hand rested securely on her breast. "I'm just getting comfortable."
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Sarah snuggled into the bearskin padding, yet could not get comfortable. She rolled over, stretched out her hand, and blindly searched for Wolf, but discovered only compressed fur. Slowly, she opened her eyes and saw an empty space next to her. Her hand caressed the area where he had lain while she recalled each moment of their lovemaking.
Then she remembered his question about her being married, and a shower of uneasiness spread over her. Should she have told him the truth about herself and her previous life? Had she missed an opportunity to reveal her secret? Was she prepared to share her strange experience? Would he believe her? She’d asked this question countless times, and each time failed to find an answer. How long could she allow herself to deceive Wolf? By not telling him, she was doing exactly that. She vowed that the next time they were alone she would reveal the truth about herself. Sarah swallowed hard and added a prayer. Please let him understand. Please don't let this knowledge change the way he feels toward me.
Turning onto her back, she stared at the gray sky and wished for her watch. Wolf had told her he would be leaving early and asked her to wait at the camp for his return. When she objected, telling him of her progress with Quick Rabbit and her promise to return to the woman, Wolf reminded her that the surrounding country was not safe. He added that she and Little Turtle had been fortunate yesterday that he had found them before anyone else had.
Sarah glanced at the lean-to, but from her position, she saw only the side. Needing to relieve herself, she wrapped the blanket around her body, found her shoes where
she had kicked them off the night before, and trudged toward the woods.
After taking care of a necessary task, Sarah returned to the camp and quickly dressed. She combed her hair with her fingers. For the first time since she had arrived, she wished for a hat to hide the mess. Having finished, she looked at the lean-to. The pine branches had been pushed to one side. Curious and a little apprehensive, Sarah walked over, bent down, and peeked inside. A blanket lay bunched at one end of the shelter, but Little Turtle was not inside. Her heart missed a beat. She fought back the kernel of fear, surveyed the area before glancing toward the horses. Thunder-Arrow and Sweet Water still stood nibbling on a small patch of grass.
Had Little Turtle gone to relieve himself? Was he washing? She laughed to herself at this idea. From what she had heard from her friends, boys hated bathing or brushing their teeth. Where could the boy be? Glancing at the tree, she noticed the water bag no longer hung from the branch. Perhaps he had gone for water. The seed of uneasiness sprouted.
After walking around the camp and calling quietly from various locations, she decided to check the river. Trying to choke the growing fear, she reminded herself she needed to cleanse her mouth and wash anyway. Who knows, I might find him at the creek or on the path.
As she headed toward the river, she searched the surrounding woods, occasionally stopping to whisper his name. Wolf's comment about danger increased the apprehension growing within her. When she reached the dirt cliff overlooking the Brandywine, she glanced down, searching first one side and then the other. Where could he be? Don't panic, do what thee came to do. Surely, he's returned to the camp.
Hastily, she completed her bathing then climbed the hill. Fear flowered inside her. Although the path ran parallel to the stream, trees restricted her vision. Carefully, she examined the narrow trail that she and Little Turtle had taken the day before. Hoof prints decorated the dusty road. Her observation pleased her, but did nothing to nullify the anxious feeling in her stomach. She decided to walk south, the way they had ridden and search. Although she identified a mixture of horse and raccoon tracks, she saw no signs of moccasins. Reversing her steps, she checked the opposite direction. After having gone ten yards or so, and beginning to feel foolish playing "tracker," she chanced to see a small footprint. Bending, she examined the mark. How do I know how old this is? Should I follow the trail? Not until I recheck the camp.