by Lenore Wolfe
“Easy, old timer,” Jake soothed. “You’re wasting ammunition.”
“Hee hee hee. Shooting at McCandle’s men,” he said as he racked his Winchester, “ain’t never a waste.” He shot again and was rewarded when someone swore viciously.
The sound of several horses riding up held them all in suspense for a moment, until the new arrivals started shooting at McCandle’s men, which caused Mandy and Kat to hoot, and rendered more vicious swearing from Ashley’s men. They dodged bullets and mounted up, one catching a bullet in the leg. Another pitched off his horse on their flight out.
Hawk rode right up to Mandy and dismounted. Before she could say a word, he pulled her up into his muscular embrace. “I was afraid I wouldn’t get to you all in time,” he whispered into her hair.
“You came,” she whispered back. “And, pretty much, right when Jake thought you would.”
Hawk chuckled. “Military tactics.” He led her over and set her on his horse. She just shook her head. She was getting used to his high-handed methods. A girl could get really used to having a man like Hawk around. And she didn’t want to let that thought go too far.
Or she’d also have to think about the day he’d be gone.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jason McCandle rode in slowly, careful not to make any sudden moves. He kept his hands in plain view and prayed Hawk’s men were not the trigger-happy sort. His weathered brow was furrowed in deep concentration.
What was Hawk doing here, anyway? Why was he fighting for the Kanes?
When Jason had come home this morning, he’d been visibly shaken to learn Hawk was nearby. So much so, he’d sent Ashley into a rage.
He raised his eyebrows at the number of guards he’d seen posted the past five miles. There had been one every mile. What the hell was going on?
He rode straight up to the porch.
Hawk was coming across the yard when he spotted him. Seeing the visitor, Mandy had come out on the porch
But Jason’s eyes were riveted on Hawk.
Something on Hawk’s face made the hairs stand up on the back of Mandy’s neck. Her gut clenched. She didn’t know why, but she felt sick.
“Hello, son,” Jason said in a rough whisper.
Hawk didn’t answer, he merely stood there—casually, some would say. But Mandy sensed the underlying rage beneath the complacent façade.
And, she’d swear, she sensed pain, too. But that couldn’t be right. Hawk didn’t even know Jason. Or did he? Was this part of Hawk’s personal reasons for entering this war? Mandy didn’t know why, but she felt tingly and—afraid.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that something—was about to shatter her world.
Jason’s eyes hadn’t left Hawk’s. He seemed bone weary, as though the whole world pressed down on his shoulders. “You did it, son. You gained the ranch. I couldn’t be prouder. I was wrong, you know—wrong to reject you when you found me,” he sighed, “when you finally left them savages. But you gotta understand, son. You looked so much like ‘em. I just couldn’t stand how they’d changed you—your long hair—your buckskins. Hell, you couldn’t even speak English anymore...” his voice trailed off, his eyes seeing the past.
Mandy was no longer looking at Jason.
She was staring at Hawk.
And when Hawk finally looked at her, the pain in her eyes nearly doubled him over. For a moment she just stood there, still and pristine, like priceless china, shattered—and then, she turned and ran.
Hawk’s eyes glittered like cold steel. “I didn’t get this ranch for you, old man. I came here to keep it out of your hands!” his voice was sharp and deadly, like a razor. “Get off my land. Or—the next time I see you—I’ll kill you.” He turned and, without another word, went after Mandy.
Jason stared after his oldest son. Hawk wouldn’t dare challenge him.
But Hawk was gone before he could reply. He got down of his horse and went into the house. He crossed to the cabinet and poured himself a drink—and sat down to wait.
The hands just looked at one another, unsure of what to do. Jason had simply walked into the house, uninvited. Hawk hadn’t stuck around long enough to stop him, and not a man among them knew, for sure, what they were supposed to do. Nobody knew what to make of such blatant arrogance, and no one wanted to cross Jason McCandle without Hawk.
Seeing this, Tommy ran to get Kid—or better yet, he thought, he’d get Jake. Yeah. Jake would take care of Jason McCandle.
“Get out, Hawk!” Mandy screamed when she saw him at the door. “You get out—and get off my land.”
“I’m not leaving, Mandy,” Hawk’s reply was quiet.
Mandy bit her lip to keep it from trembling. “Then, I will.”
Hawk was jarred out of his calm. “You’re not going anywhere.” He strode toward her, and she jumped and took a step back, than another.
“You can’t stop me, you arrogant, over-grown, insufferable...”
“You’re wrong, Mandy,” he softly told her. “You are my wife. I can do anything I want.” He roughly grabbed her by her shoulder, “and you’re not leaving.”
Mandy wanted to slap him. “What are you going to do, Hawk,” she sneered his name, “lock me in?”
“Stop it, Mandy!” he roared, his hands slipping down her arms to manacle her wrists.
Mandy laughed, a laugh fraught with pain—and betrayal. It knifed through Hawk, leaving him wounded and bleeding, like Mandy.
“I didn’t marry you to get this land for my father,” Hawk growled.
“Didn’t you?” Mandy’s voice was thick with scorn. “All these years, he’s been after my father’s land. He even killed papa to get it.” She took a deep, shaky breath. “And now, he’s got it, by a single stupid move on my part. I handed it over on a silver platter—along with myself.”
Hawk grabbed her chin in one hand. “Hear me well, woman,” he bit out. “I did not get this land for my father. I’ll admit, at first, I thought it was a perfect way to get revenge...”
Mandy wrenched away and turned her back. “Get out, Hawk,” her voice was cold. “I never want to see you again. I will spend the rest of my days wiping you from my memory...” and from my heart, she silently cried.
Hawk heard the hate in her words. He stared at her back, knowing he’d lost her, feeling the pain slice through him. Then, he left the room with a deep hole in his chest where his heart had been.
It remained back in the room—in Mandy’s slender hands.
He never saw the tears that ran, unchecked, down her face.
When Hawk came back downstairs and found Jason, sitting in his comfortable chair and drinking his whiskey like he owned the place, he nearly gave in to the desire to kill his father.
For the first time, in all the years since he’d learned his warrior’s training, he almost went mad and let his emotions run him. His eyes glittered with such unsuppressed fury, it had Jason clutching the arm of the chair.
He took one menacing step towards Jason, his hands clutching the air “I could break your neck with my bare hands.”
“So,” Jason smiled. “I see both of my sons are in love with the wench.”
With a growl, Hawk lunged forward and yanked him from the chair. He didn’t stop until he had pulled him through the front door and thrown him, face-first, off the porch.
“You’re going to regret that,” Jason told him in unruffled calm.
Hawk was impressed. He was more like his father then he cared to admit. And it made him want to vomit. The thought made him want to do bodily harm. He looked up to see Kid—and Jake, coming from the barn. It was probably a good damn thing they both showed up when they did.
Having just come in off the range, and been appraised of the situation by a frantic young Tommy, they were only too happy to deal with Jason.
In fact, they were looking forward to it.
At the look on Hawk’s face, Jake drew his Colt and stuck the barrel in Jason’s face. “Get on your horse, McCandle. I assume you mu
st be the eldest McCandle, since you got Hawk, here, in such a killing fury,” he stated in a voice so calm the hair stood up on the back of Jason’s neck.
“I am,” he replied, getting slowly to his feet. “Too bad my son hasn’t listened to reason. It would have saved you all a lot of trouble. But Jordan is bent on trouble. Aren’t you son?” he asked Hawk. He picked up his hat. “I see Jordan told you all about me.” He grinned.
Kid’s eyebrows shot up in a perfect imitation of Hawk. “The cold-blooded killer of friends, women and children. Yes, he’s told us. You ought to be hung for the vile bastard you are. And...” He smiled back. “Isn’t that, McClain.” He looked around at the hands. “Boys, meet your real neighbor. This is Jason McClain.”
That caused Jason’s calm to slip. In fact, the cold that came to Jason’s eyes was almost demented in appearance.
Again, Kid’s brows shot up. “Ah... a glimpse of the monster—behind the mask.” He grinned. “It’s always nice to know who one’s enemy really is, now, isn’t it?”
“Does he always court danger with such aplomb?” Jason asked Hawk.
“Always,” was the only reply he got
Jason clucked his tongue. “Too bad, I rather like you, boy. Don’t reckon I’m going to enjoy killing you. Are you certain you’re on the right side?”
Kid inclined his head in a mock bow. “Quite certain.” He grinned. “I do believe I’m going to enjoy bringing you down.” He looked at Hawk. “I owe you one, brother.”
“Think nothing of it,” Hawk replied dryly
Jason flinched at the word brother, and his eyes narrowed dangerously on Kid. But before he could say a word, Jake indicated Jason’s horse with a slight move from his Colt.
“Get on.”
He complied, but gave one parting shot before he turned his horse to go. “I’m glad one of my sons has tamed the little minx.” He grinned. “Either way, I’ve already won, you know. The Northern Rose...” he made a face, “I hate that name. Anyway, it’s in the family.”
Hawk groaned. So this was how Mandy saw it. He couldn’t blame her for her hate. He’d delivered the land she’d fought for, for so long—the land her father had given his life for—right into the same, thieving hands she’d hated most. Why hadn’t he realized she would always see this as the worst betrayal? In his love for her, he had betrayed her.
Hawk drew himself up tight. “The only family I claim—the only father I knew, they’re all dead.” He stood, proud and strong, placing a hand on his chest, he said. “I am Hawk, son of Standing Bear. Brother of the Lakota.” His eyes flickered on Jason with deadly menace. “They, Star Flower and Mandy, and my brothers,” he indicated Kid and Jake, “are my only family.”
Jason glared at him upon hearing this. Then, he turned and left.
Chapter Twenty-six
Hawk wasn’t surprised when Mandy didn’t come downstairs that evening. But when she didn’t come down the next morning, he’d had enough.
No one answered when he knocked and, without a second thought, he kicked in the door. His heart was pounding with fear.
The fear mounted when he found a note lying on her bed. Sometime during the night she must have found a way to break out. Since Hawk had heard her pacing late last night, she couldn’t have been gone too long. But just how long? And where did she go?
Hawk,
I know you’re furious right now, but I’ll be fine. Really, I will. At any time, in all these weeks, you could have told me the truth, but you didn’t. So I can only assume the worst. I could never live with that kind of deceit. You have what you were after. You’re the owner of The Northern Rose. As I said before, I shall spend my life—wiping you from my life—and memory.
Mandy
Hawk crumpled the note and threw it. In a flash he was down the stairs, barking orders at Ned, Kid and Jake.
Kid, himself, brought Hawk his horse, while Hawk threw some things together. He was on her trail within the hour, Kid with him. By midday, he seriously questioned his tracking abilities. Unless he missed his guess, she was headed straight for the Lakota. He sent Kid back with a message. They were to run the ranch like their own.
And it might be weeks before he returned.
Hawk knew this tribe, although only briefly. It would not be a short trip. They would be heading for wintering grounds.
Angrily, Hawk signaled his horse to pick up speed. Did she think this was the one place she could hide where he would never think to look? She would have succeeded, too, but for Hawk’s tracking abilities. He’d nearly missed the almost too-well-covered trail when it had deviated from the main road to town. Hawk’s gut clenched. In fact, he had been heading straight for town, believing her to be going out on the next stage. It was going to be too easy, bringing her back.
Again, he nearly missed her trail; but once again, it had stood out too well from the rest of the land to a man who’d spent years hunting and tracking his sister’s killers. A man taught, from a young child, how to track.
When he thought of how easy it would have been to miss to a man with less experience, how easily she could have disappeared out of his life—forever, he went into a cold rage. His heart pounded, then, at the thought of the years of he would have searched—at the thought of the loss of his only true love.
She would have, quite simply, seemed to drop off the face of the earth.
But the Grandmothers, who watched over her, now led him to her.
Hawk peered hard at the trail. She’d done well, had taken no chances. Several times he’d lost it, and had spent quite some time picking it up again, crossing back and forth until he found it.
She must have been about eleven when she’d been bought back from the people, since he knew it was about the time her father moved to this area. That was during the same time Hawk was living with Doc, relearning the white man’s ways.
Ashley had used her Lakota background to force her to submit to his threats. Ashley had known her witchy ways ruined her chances for a decent marriage proposal, and he’d been using it to get her to break. Hawk knew thinking about these things wasn’t boding well for him keeping a clear head. He should have come for her years ago, when the Grandmothers had first sent him the dreams, not been off seeking an old revenge.
It was near noon the next day when Hawk entered the village. Children ran up to him, excited to greet him. When he reached the center of the village, he stopped in front of Chief Ten Bears. The old chief stood there for a moment, his face lit up in recognition and welcome.
He let his old eyes travel over Hawk before he finally spoke. “It is good to see the son of Standing Bear. It has been too many moons since my old eyes have looked upon your face.”
Hawk dismounted and embraced the old chief. “It is good to look upon the face of my father’s best friend once again. It brings my heart much joy to see you enjoying good health. We will see each other for many more moons while we walk on this earth.”
The old chief grinned. “You are probably right. I am still strong, and I walk upright. My mind is still clear, and I still chase after my wife.”
Hawk nodded, smiling. “And you will continue to do so for some time.”
Chief Ten Bears sobered then. “But I see many hard times ahead for our people. I see much sadness, much death and hunger. The bellies of our children will rumble, and the women will weep and gnash their teeth in their grief.” He looked up at Hawk with a sad smile and shook his head in bewilderment. “I can see no end to it.”
Pain lanced Hawk’s heart, for he, too, could see there was no stopping what was fast approaching.
When Mandy entered the tipi, she ran into a brick wall and went completely still.
He had found her. Well, of course he had found her .Double damn. He’d been sent the dreams too, no doubt about it.
When she finally got the courage to look up, his green eyes glowered down at her.
“I suppose you want an explanation.”
“Something like that.” He grabbed her shou
lders before she could get away. “It seems I wasn’t the only one with secrets.”
That observation had her spitting like a wild cat.
He grabbed her hands and pinned them behind her back.
“Your woman?” The old chief broke in.
“My woman,” Hawk agreed. “My wife.”
The old chief grunted. “She said she had married a great warrior. I thought she said this to keep the other men at bay. But she has indeed married a great warrior.” He indicated to his wife to get the two young people their own tipi. “Have Two Stars come stay here. I think these two have much to talk about.”
Mandy shook her head, and Hawk gripped her arm so tightly it hurt. “We would be happy to accept such kind hospitality. I do, indeed, have much to say to my woman.”
After the evening’s supper, they were finally free to go their tipi. Hawk grabbed Mandy and pushed her through the flap, closing it behind them.
“There is nowhere you can hide from me.” He stepped up close to her while she looked wildly around for a means of escape. “You married me for better or for worse. You may be, even now, carrying my child.”
Mandy’s mouth dropped open in shock. Her eyes were wide as she circled the fire, out of his reach “I want you out.” She indicated the door.
“Not on your life, darl’n.” His eyes were slits. “Till death do us part. Remember?”
At this, she laughed. The sound of it was brittle. “Hah! Not here.” She grabbed his saddle bag and roll and, opening the flap, she tossed them out before he could stop her.
“Damnation!” he thundered, “Do you realize what you’ve done?” His eyes narrowed on her. “Yes, I think you do.” He stepped out and picked up the bags, ignoring the snickers when he stepped back inside.
Mandy swallowed “You can’t do that.”
“I just did.”
She dove toward the door, but his arm snaked around her waist, bringing her to an abrupt halt. Deftly he drew her down to the mat. He kissed her, while she punched him. He kissed her, until she brazenly kissed him back. He kissed her, until she begged for more. And then, he made love to her.