Lakota Flower

by Janelle Taylor

  An ecstatic Macha ran forward and flung herself into her husband’s arms the moment he dismounted. A laughing and equally exhilarated Cloud Chaser hugged her in an open and unembarrassed display of joy and love.

  Caroline was amused and delighted by their actions. Now, her friend could relax, for Macha’s perfectly matched partner had returned to her.

  While the reunited couple talked in whispers and the other members of the party were embraced by their families, the noticeable absences of Black Wolf and Red Feather were questioned by the chief.

  As the falling snow slackened its pace and amount, War Eagle described the rescues of his and Wahcawi’s brothers, and said their two companions were escorting David out of the territory to safety since it was too perilous for all concerned for their white friend to seek refuge with them or to stay in their territory. He was pleased to reveal David’s brave attempt to rescue Cloud Chaser, though David had been captured while trying to do so. He told what Caroline and Cloud Chaser had done at Fort Kearny, and other news they had gathered, such as about Fort Grattan and their Brule allies.

  Wind Dancer spoke of his journey in the shadow of General Harney to Fort Pierre and of his return two days ago.

  Cloud Chaser disclosed that Harney had over twelve hundred soldiers with him, too many for a band or tribe to challenge without the aid of many allies, if a victory over that force was possible even with help. Since Harney—according to Wind Dancer—had reached Fort Pierre and—according to Captain Wharton—intended to winter there, it seemed as if they would have peace or at least be safe from attack until spring.

  Nahemana, his gray hair covered with a trade blanket and his body by a buffalo robe, told War Eagle, “I have revealed my dream to our people about you and Wahcawi. No one spoke against your joining, for she has done many good deeds for us and is worthy to become your wife. Little Turtle, Winona, Hanmani, and other women have prepared a tepee for you. If it pleases you, my grandson, we will hold the joining ceremony on the next sun.”

  War Eagle glanced at Caroline and smiled, but did not think he had to ask if that suggestion was acceptable to her. He already knew she was just as eager as he was for that event to take place, and her smile confirmed it for him. “It brings much joy and pride to my heart to lay claim to her as my mate. I believe it is the plan of the Creator for us to join, and Wahcawi feels and thinks as I do. We will become one family on the next sun.”

  Although his grandson had spoken for them, Nahemana wanted their people to hear the truth come from her mouth and heart, so he asked Caroline, “Do you think and feel as Wanbli does?”

  Her blue gaze met the shaman’s age-clouded one and she responded, “Yes, Wise One, I love Wanbli and want to be his wife and a Red Shield.”

  “So it will be. Winona,” Nahemana addressed his daughter, “you will prepare for the happy event for your son and Wahcawi.”

  “It is good, Father. I am honored for her to become a daughter.”

  * * *

  As if the Great Spirit and Mother Earth and other good forces showed their approval of the impending event, snow and fierce wind had ceased the previous evening; and today’s weather was sunny and unseasonably warm beneath a lovely blue sky and with gentle breezes swaying the trees.

  With the help of her three closest friends, Caroline finished getting ready in Cloud Chaser’s tepee. She was wearing the dress that Hanmani had given to her, and the younger female praised her beauty in it. With her—a white woman—joining to War Eagle, she mused, perhaps there was hope after all for a union between Hanmani and the half-blooded Cheyenne Dog Soldier, but that was something to be decided in the future…

  The sacred Medicine Wheel with a coup feather attached from Rising Bear was tied around a lock of her long blond hair. The belt from Zitkala, Chumani’s best friend, was secured around her waist. The purse pouch from Macha was suspended from it, a lacy handkerchief tucked inside in case it was needed to dab away tears of joy. The necklace from Pretty Meadow was around her neck, and Caroline hoped Runs Fast would accept the truth one day and cease blaming her for his son’s grim fate. The moccasins she was wearing were from Chumani, an old pair but still in good condition and they fit as if made for her. She had donned those garments and items to show her gratitude to their presenters and her acceptance of Indian ways.

  During the long winter, she would use the furs, hides, and pelts from others to make herself more Indian garments and a new pair of moccasins. For a minute or two, she thought about the new dot on the flesher that Chumani had given to her, and pride surged through her to be so honored and accepted by War Eagle’s family and people. Soon, he had told her yesterday, the Story Catchers would paint her deeds upon the Tribal History Hide, added to those of his two brothers and their wives.

  The only people missing were her family. She hoped that somehow her parents were watching from heaven. She hoped her brother was safe and far away, and would come to visit them within the next few years.

  At last, Caroline and the three females left the tepee and gathered with War Eagle, his family, and their people in a clearing surrounded by evergreens and barren hardwoods beneath a warming sun and clear blue sky.

  Nahemana invoked the Great Spirit to observe the ceremony and bless the couple. He looked at War Eagle and asked him to say the proper words.

  War Eagle’s gaze locked with Caroline’s and he smiled and said, “I join to Wahcawi before the eyes of Wakantanka and the Red Shields.”

  After Nahemana told Caroline to do the same, she smiled at War Eagle and said, “I join to Wanbli before the eyes of Wakantanka and the Red Shields.” According to their custom and laws, all that was required was an announcement before the band and beneath the eyes of the Creator for them to be considered joined, married. It was not the wedding she had imagined for herself long ago, but it was perfect and she was elated soul deep.

  Nahemana proclaimed, “Wanbli and Wahcawi are mates. It is as the Great Spirit willed when He created them and crossed their paths.”

  Rising Bear said, “I am blessed by the three women who have joined to my sons, for they have done many good and brave deeds for our band. As I prayed long ago, War Eagle has found a wife as brave, cunning, skilled, and kindhearted as Dewdrops and Dawn are. Come, my sons and daughters, we feast with our people to honor War Eagle and Sunflower.”

  Caroline and War Eagle sat in places of honor on rush and willow mats as they were served food and water by the women, many of the same items she had enjoyed at the feast for her and Red Wolf. Yet, it was hard for them to enjoy the meal, talk, and merriment when they wanted to be alone. They listened and tried to conceal their anticipation as some of their people sang, chanted, and played the kettledrum and flutes.

  Later, while War Eagle and the other members of the Sacred Bow Society danced around a glowing fire, Caroline observed them. As she did so, many thoughts raced across her mind. Next summer, she and her husband would go to the Badlands during the annual buffalo hunt to recover some of her possessions. Afterward, perhaps she and Cloud Chaser could go to one of the trading posts to sell the fancy dresses and trunks, and use that money for supplies. In days past, she and Cloud Chaser had offered to teach the Red Shields to farm and ranch, and might be allowed to do so in the future, for the Indian world was changing each year. They had peace for now, but they didn’t know what spring or summer would bring. She knew some of the reasons for matters settling down for a while. Little Thunder had resigned from the warpath and had moved far away. Crazy Horse, Spotted Tail’s nephew, had joined another Oglala band that camped somewhere northward with Red Cloud’s Bad Faces. Sitting Bull also had guided his people far away. Spotted Tail and his followers were imprisoned at Fort Leavenworth, but Nahemana had predicted they would live and be freed before Mother Earth renewed her face again and the next season of grass was born. But if war or more encroachment came, she would work with the shaman to doctor any gunshot wounds and white man’s diseases. She halted her mental roamings as he husband joined he
r and the celebrating continued.

  As the late afternoon moved toward dusk, the sun began to set in the west and the air cooled at a rapid pace with its warmth gone. Shadows of trees, rocks, and dwellings lengthened upon the hard ground as daylight gradually vanished. The large fire had been allowed to devour its last pieces of wood, and only glowing coals remained inside the rock enclosure.

  Nahemana stood and said, “It is time to return to our tepees. Gather your family and possessions, for the sun goes to sleep soon. Go, Wanbli and Wahcawi, to live in your new tepee as mates.”

  As they stood inside their tepee with the flap laced tightly, their first home, they glanced around in pleasure and happiness, but each knew they would examine it later. At the present, other desires called out to them. They stood near the abode’s center, close to a low-burning fire. For a time, all they did was gaze at each other and mentally count their blessings.

  It had been three weeks since Caroline’s physical preparations for the rescue attempt, so her injuries had healed. Even so, War Eagle kissed every spot he had been compelled to wound, and he had not forgotten a single one. “Do they still hurt, my beautiful wife?” As he asked his first question, he nibbled upon her lips. After she shook her head, his mouth drifted across her cheek and brushed over her ear. After many kisses, with each waxing deeper and swifter, one of his hands fondled a breast through her garment. He was eager to seek blissful rapture in her arms and body, but he did not want to rush this special event, their first union.

  For Caroline, it was as if when he kissed her and touched her, she lost all will to think clearly, and craved to answer his seductive summons. She loved him and wanted him urgently, so she let her emotions soar away with her eagle to seek pleasure and fulfillment.

  War Eagle felt her body loosen and knew she was willing and eager to proceed with their sensual adventure as his lips met with hers and he kissed her with great hunger. He felt her arms encircle his body and rove his back as her mouth feasted on his.

  They kissed and caressed each other until passions were inflamed and their carnal urges could not be denied. A flood of anticipation washed over them. They found it exciting to kindle each other to fiery heights as they imagined the quest and victory looming before them. They shed their outer garments so their naked flesh could make heady contact; then, their fingers drifted over their mate’s bare skin as their mouths clung and worked magic on each other. Soon, they sank to their knees on the buffalo mat and each removed the undergarments that stood between their bodies. They eased to the furry hide to kiss and stroke for a while.

  Caroline relaxed as much as those blissful sensations would allow and surrendered fully to his possession. She quivered when he nibbled her earlobe and spread kisses over her face, neck, and breasts. His hands roved lower and lower until she was almost dazed by rapturous sensations.

  War Eagle gazed into her blue eyes with their glow of enticement. Her beauty and allure were so enormous that his breath caught in his throat and his pulse quickened. With tenderness, he moved atop her and gently made them one. He remained motionless for a short while as he simply savored the special moment and allowed her to relax after his entry, for she was pure of body. Slowly and carefully he began to move within her. He was thrilled when her arms clung to him, her legs gripped him snugly around his buttocks, and she melded their mouths. He could barely maintain his self-control and struggled to do so, as he knew the objective he strove for was worth his best effort and she must reach that destination first.

  Caroline kissed his neck and her hands clasped his shoulders as she listened to his ragged respiration near her ear as his cheek pressed against her temple. Exhilarating and wonderful emotions charged through her body as he whetted her appetite and gloriously fed it when a powerful release burst upon her and warmed her skin from head to toes. She moaned in triumph and murmured her love of him over and over.

  War Eagle realized she had captured her goal, so he reached for his and found sweet ecstasy. After his triumph, he sealed their lips as he embraced her with tenderness and fulfillment.

  Caroline was engulfed by love, happiness, and contentment. She smiled into his tender gaze and trailed her fingers over his strong jawline. “You gave me much pleasure, mihigna,” she told him, thrilled the brief discomfort had been mild and she could now call him my husband.

  War Eagle grinned. “As you gave me, mitawin. It is good we have the same thirst and hunger for each other.”

  “Will it always be this wonderful way between us?”

  “Ohinniyan, Kawa Cante. Waste cadake.”

  She felt aglow with elation as her dreamy mind echoed his words: Always, Heart Flower. I love you. She gazed into his dark eyes and said, “Always, Wanbli, for I love you. I pray for peace to fill our hearts and lives.”

  A happy War Eagle murmured in her ear, “As Macha said last summer, ‘Peace often is as short as the night flower’s life. Yet, while it blooms, it gives much beauty and joy.’ It also will be that way for us, Kawa Cante, my beautiful Lakota Sunflower, but our life together and love will not be short.”

  As they kissed and talked, passions were rekindled and soon they were making rapturous love again, their fates sealed as one forever…

  Here is a sneak preview

  of Janelle Taylor’s next book,

  the romantic suspense novel

  DON’T GO HOME,

  a December 2003 Zebra release.

  Prologue

  Robert Gray slipped his wedding ring into his pocket, sucked in his gut, and checked out the women sitting at the bar and the small, circular tables dotted around Chumley’s, his favorite nightclub. Not bad, he thought, eyeing a young, busty redhead in a midriff top and a miniskirt. Perched on a bar stool, the babe leaned over to shout an order to the bartender. Thirty-six C, tiny waist, and hips a guy could hang on to for ten or fifteen minutes. He’d buy her a few cheap drinks, offer to drive her home, “show her the view” at the far end of Lover’s Cliff, then screw her senseless and be back at Chumley’s in less than an hour. A quick washup in the men’s room, and he’d be ready for babe number two.

  Robert liked to have sex with at least two women on his Saturday “boys’ night out.” The boys had abandoned him a few years ago for serious girlfriends or marriage, but Robert didn’t mind driving into Center City to make the nightlife rounds alone. Less competition for the ladies that way. As long as his wife thought he was out with his buddies, watching a game at a sports bar or shooting pool, she didn’t give him much grief about going out on Saturday nights. He always showered first thing when he got home, making the excuse that he reeked of other people’s smoke. His wife thought that was very sweet, especially because Robbie, their twoyear-old son, was asthmatic.

  When the redhead’s girlfriend headed toward the ladies’ room, leaving his dream girl all by her lonesome at the bar, Robert made his move. One classic line later, he had the redhead smiling and leaning closer to him. Two very strong gin and tonics later, he had her crossing and uncrossing her long legs, the sign that he was definitely going to score.

  Until her friend got ditched by the guy she’d been flirting with.

  Suddenly his redhead was putting on her jacket and getting up. Leaving. He couldn’t take his eyes off her chest. Man, what he wanted to do to her.

  “Hey, beautiful, why don’t you stay?” Robert said in his sexiest and most sincere voice. “It’s only nine o’clock. I’ll drive you home later.”

  The redhead giggled and eyed her friend, who looked jealous. “Sorry, but I’ve got to get going. Thanks for the drinks, though. You’re a sweetie.”

  And then she was gone. With eight bucks of his money in her enticingly flat stomach. Bitch.

  Robert sat back down at the bar and ordered a scotch. Forget her, man, he told himself, running a hand through his thick brown hair. There were plenty of other good-looking young women in Chumley’s tonight, and a few were checking him out. At thirty-eight, Robert was in his prime to attract women in their twenti
es. He had the looks, money, confidence, and experience to seduce them. Sometimes he’d go for a woman in her thirties—if she was hot enough—but they weren’t much of a challenge. Unmarried women in their thirties were so desperate they’d latch on to any man and give it up too easily.

  Scotch in hand, Robert turned and looked around Chumley’s.

  Whoa.

  Whoa.

  The best-looking piece of ass Robert had ever seen had just walked through the door.

  Twenty-something. Long, silky blond hair. Light brown eyes, like a doe’s. Red lipstick. Little black dress—very little. Lots of cleavage.

  She sat down alone at a table near the bar. Robert couldn’t take his eyes off her. A babe like that has to be waiting for someone, he thought, noting she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. But ten minutes later, she was still sitting there by herself, sipping a drink, not paying the least bit of attention to the door. Probably got into a fight with her boyfriend. Probably could use a little male attention. Probably could use a little of the Robmeister’s very talented tongue tonight.

  Robert downed his scotch, popped a breath mint into his mouth, sucked in the ole gut, and made his way over to Blondie’s table. Ten seconds later he was sitting down next to her. A few minutes later, she was sipping the cosmopolitan he’d bought for her.

  Her name was Candy. Twenty-five. Administrative assistant. Aries. She told him a bunch of other stuff about herself but he’d been so busy fantasizing about whether he wanted him or her on top that he missed the rest of what she’d said.

  He inched closer, and she murmured that his cologne was very sexy … which was his invitation to get even closer, slip an arm around her shoulder. She smiled and took a sip of her cosmo. Giggled. Crossed her legs. Uncrossed them.

  “I’d do anything for a kiss,” he whispered into her ear.