Sweet Savage Heart

by Janelle Taylor

  “I fear no one and nothing except dishonor, Lone Wolf.”

  “Speak to your friend; then we ride for my camp.”

  Travis sat in Lone Wolf’s tepee awaiting the outcome of the council meeting, which had been going on for over an hour. It was near the eating time and Wild Wind had not appeared to prepare her brother’s meal. Travis wondered if Lone Wolf had ordered her to stay out of the tepee until his return. He was edgy, for there had been an undercurrent in Lone Wolf’s voice and manner that he had been unable to grasp. Yet he did not feel as if the warrior would deceive or betray him. He only wished he felt the same way about his council and tribe.

  Time dragged on and Travis’s tension mounted. Lone Wolf had not confined him to this tepee, but he wanted to be here when the girl arrived. He wanted to study her privately, to see what he and Nathan would be in for if they secured her release. He was annoyed by his anxiety and lack of patience. Had he forgotten that part of his Indian upbringing? Evidently Wild Wind had, for it was her duty to care for her brother’s tepee and needs, and those of his guests.

  The village noises became muffled by the buffalo hides forming the Oglala dwellings, for most had gone inside their tepees for the evening meal. Eating at this early hour would allow time for final chores before darkness claimed the settlement.

  For the countless time, Travis glanced at the closed flap of the tepee, unaware that his impatience actually had to do with wanting to meet Rana Michaels before Lone Wolf’s return. He had not been able to get her image out of his mind since his eyes had touched on it. If she did not come home soon, the fading light would deny him a good look at her, for it was too warm to build a fire inside the tepee this early.

  Travis decided to take a short walk to the nearby river to freshen up and to revive himself. Just as he reached the tepee entrance, the flap was thrown aside and Wild Wind ducked to rush inside, slamming her head into Travis’s hard chest. Both were caught off balance and tumbled to the ground with exclamations of surprise. Wild Wind landed atop the man in buckskins who was struggling to keep her from being injured from the ramming and fall. An abundance of fiery hair spilled over Travis’s face and chest like soft hay falling from a loft and covering him. His senses went spinning at her nearness and her fragrance.

  Wild Wind instantly realized it was not her brother she had bumped into and landed upon. She lifted her head and stared at the grinning man beneath her. The smoothly tan face that filled her vision was breathtakingly handsome. In a flurry of observations she noticed the red band secured across his forehead and the wisps of deep brown hair playing over it, which danced in the breeze of her rapid respiration. Her eyes took in his full lips, the tiny cleft in the center of his chin, the strength of his stubbled jawline, those incredibly green eyes that sparkled as they watched her, and teeth that flashed shockingly white against his darkly tanned features. She noted that a wanapin with Lakota markings had slipped from beneath his clean, chamois-colored shirt and now rested near the hollow of his throat.

  While Wild Wind was studying Travis, he was doing the same to her. From viewing her portraits, he had expected her to have great beauty and allure, but nothing as potent as what he was now observing. All suspicious twinges about women vanished from his entranced mind. She radiated an awesome attraction that set his heart pounding and her scent reminded him of a meadow of flowers on a dew-fresh morning. There was an untamed wildness and earthy sensuality about her, which seemed to convey a powerful yet hazardous magic. Her eyes were large and magnetic, and he felt as if he were being drawn into a blue-gray whirlpool. Lashes and brows of dark auburn set off those arresting eyes perfectly. Her unmarred complexion was smooth and golden, which was unusual for a redhead, though not so the light sprinkling of pale freckles across a dainty nose and cotton-soft cheeks. Her lips were pink and full—the kind that pouted prettily and would kiss delightfully, he mused. From her length against his body, he guessed her height at five feet three or four. Her weight could not be much more than two sacks of grain, he estimated; perhaps a shave over one hundred pounds. With it resting on him, he could tell it was enticingly placed to tempt a man to boldness. His large hands wrapped completely around her slender arms. Compared to his six-feet-four frame, hers seemed tiny and fragile.

  Travis sensed that this girl knew what she wanted from life and would risk anything to obtain her desires. Yet there was a compelling aura of softness with her strength, a warmth and vulnerability that her mother had lacked. This girl had a naturalness that other women would envy. He was certain that Lone Wolf had spoken truthfully when he had told him that many men desired her and had made large offers for her. And he was just as certain that this girl could pick from the best warriors and wrap her choice around her finger like a supple blade of spring grass. Thomas Mallory had not exaggerated her beauty. There had been no artistic misinterpretation or tricks of lighting. If anything, she was even more beautiful than her portraits. Mallory had been right; who could forget or ignore this ravishing and radiant creature?

  In Oglala, Travis hinted mirthfully, “You must be Wild Wind. Perhaps Lone Wolf should rename you Whirlwind. Do you always make your guests prepare their own meals while you spin around?” he teased.

  Wild Wind’s cheeks pinkened, first from embarrassment and then from anger. How dare this white man touch her and insult her, compare her to a flighty wamniomni! “Nanpi yuze sni yo!” she demanded unflinchingly, ordering him to take his hands off her. He was so tall and strong, and so infuriatingly appealing. She was apprehensive about his curious effect on her, though she attempted to conceal her feelings. “Nituwe he?” She asked him who he was, questioning his presence and the freedom he was enjoying in her tepee.

  Travis could not suppress his unintentionally provoking chuckles as he sat up, easily taking her along with him and setting her beside him on the ground. He had never met a woman who ignited such fierce passions within him. He suddenly felt relaxed; he felt alive and daring. “Kopegla sni yo, Watogla Tate. Wanmbli Ska kola.” He shifted to an Indian sitting position and grinned at her.

  She glared at him, for he seemed to be making fun of her or perhaps was challenging her to battle him or cry out for help. Though he seemed fearless and powerful, she met his challenge with a proud and willful jut to her chin and a pretty pout on her lips. She held herself straight and still, expressing confidence and self-control as she responded tartly, “I am afraid of nothing and no one. What do you want? A despicable white man can be no friend to my brother and the Oglalas! It matters not if you speak our tongue and give yourself an Indian name. The white soldiers killed my father and attack all Lakotas. My people make war against them. We will drive all whites from our lands, or they will die.”

  She looked him over for weapons and was surprised to see none. She wondered why he was calmly sitting here unarmed. He did not appear to be a fool or a reckless man, for his eyes and demeanor suggested intelligence and prowess. To test his reaction, she warned, “You steal into the wrong tepee, white dog. When my brother returns, he will capture you and slay you. He is chief of the Red Arrow Band. When he has taken his revenge, there will be nothing left of your body for the wolf or vulture.” As she stared into his sparkling eyes and genial expression, she found that such an idea oddly pained her. His gaze was as soft as a feather but as strong as wet rawhide. His eyes made no secret of the fact that he found her beautiful and desirable. She could only hope that her eyes did not mirror those matching feelings, for they surged madly through her mind and body. It felt good to touch him, to look upon him. She suddenly and absurdly wished he would escape unharmed. This was a man who would never need the help of the Elk Dreamer’s love medicine to obtain or to hold onto his chosen woman. He could steal any careless maiden’s heart and honor easily. Quickly she suppressed such strange thoughts and reactions.

  Travis understood her anger and waxed serious. “I am half Lakota, Wild Wind. I offer no danger to Wild Wind or your people. I wait for Lone Wolf to return from the council. We are f
riends. I came in peace to offer help to your people against the bluecoats. I was born and lived in the camp of the Hunkpapas until seven winters past. I carry two bloods. My father was white and my mother Hunkpapa. Both are dead. I was named White Eagle by our medicine chief, Sitting Bull.”

  Travis lifted his fringed shirt to expose the scars on his chest muscles. “I was a warrior. Twice I offered my life to Grandfather in the Sun Dance; twice He spared it and honored me with many victories. I am sorry your father, Soaring Hawk, was slain; he was a man of great courage and honor. Lone Wolf fills his moccasins and tepee with the same measure of honor and courage. I live twenty moons of fast riding from your camp, in the land between the waking and sleeping of the sun. Lone Wolf brought me to his camp and tepee. When he returns, he will tell you I am his friend and guest. Are you injured?” he asked when she rubbed the top of her head.

  She retorted, “When my brother returns, I will learn if you speak with a split tongue. If your heart is as hard as your body, you will die, White Eagle. You are part white, and I trust no white-eyes.”

  “Wild Wind is all white. Should a man of Lakota blood not trust her? It is wrong to hate all whites for the evil of some. Tell me how you came to be Oglala, the daughter of Soaring Hawk,” he asked politely.

  “Only my skin is white; my life and heart are Lakota. We will speak no more until my brother returns and calls you friend or foe. What help did you come to offer my people? You are only one man, a half-white man. How can you help? Why did you leave the Hunkpapas?”

  Travis smiled and shook his head of nape-grazing sable hair. “We will speak no more until your brother returns and calls me friend,” he playfully retorted to intrigue her. “I did not mean to tease you earlier. My body was restless and my stomach is empty; they clouded my reason. Does Wild Wind know how to gather firewood and cook?” he mischievously teased, though he had just finished apologizing for doing so earlier.

  In spite of her resolve to remain poised, Wild Wind narrowed her eyes and clenched her teeth. “Why do you insult Lone Wolf’s sister?”

  “Why does Lone Wolf’s sister treat his guest so badly? It is past the eating time and White Eagle hears thunder in his belly. Do you wish me to hunt and roast my own rabbit?”

  “You dare to shame and correct Wild Wind?” she demanded.

  “You shame yourself with defiance, unless there is a reason why you come home late and do not prepare food for Lone Wolf’s tepee. Perhaps Wild Wind has more than white skin to master.”

  “I will explain nothing to you, half-breed!” she exclaimed, panting.

  “You will explain your lack of manners and disobedience to your brother and chief when he returns to a dark tepee and hungry guest. I was told of Wild Wind’s bad ways, but I did not believe one so beautiful and smart could behave so shamefully and defiantly. I see the words and jokes of others hold much truth. It is wrong for a sister to bring such dishonor and unhappiness to her brother and chief. I will seek food and warmth in another tepee until Lone Wolf returns.”

  Wild Wind frowned in dismay. This arrogant, insufferable man was going to get her into more trouble with her brother and people! As much as it hurt, she held her tongue and forced her manners to surface. “A smart man does not accept the foolish words of loose tongues, White Eagle. I have good reason to be late. My brother will understand and forgive me. I did not expect to find a white man in our tepee, one who tries to cut Wild Wind with his sharp, cruel words. I will return soon with hot food to quiet your rumbling belly and loud manner. I will build a fire to lighten the darkness in our tepee and in your head. You are Lone Wolf’s guest and I will treat you as such. But do not speak to me again. Anger and hatred for you fill my heart.”

  Wild Wind arose gracefully. She brushed off her garments, then checked her hair with quivering fingers. Her stormy blue eyes flashing insults at him, she turned and left quickly. She would go to Myeerah’s tepee to obtain food for her brother’s insolent guest and information about him. Before the council meeting ended, Lone Wolf’s tepee would have a cheery fire and hot food. Then she would see if the half-white man exposed her misbehavior to her brother. If he did, he would be sorry! So would Lone Wolf if he dared to reprimand her before that nettling creature with the devilish grin and mocking eyes!

  Yet, as she walked toward Myeerah’s tepee, she glanced over her shoulder several times to see if the stranger was watching her retreat; she found herself annoyed that he was not. Much as she tried not to be, she was impressed by him and she quivered strangely. He had a smile that brightened his handsome face and eyes like a fiery sunset. His body and grip told her he was powerful; his movements and responses told her he was agile and alert. He was a superior male and doubtlessly had been a superior warrior. His wit was quick and amusing, even if it had been directed at her. Surely he was a man of many sides and traits, and all seemed most appealing. If only he was not half white, she mused dreamily as she called his image and voice to mind. Suddenly a voice inside her head replied, But you are white too…

  Chapter Three

  As Travis Kincade built a small fire in the center of the tepee, he questioned his behavior toward Nathan’s misplaced granddaughter. It was not right to view or to judge Rana in the same light as he did other women, or to treat her so rudely. His initial motives had been to test her character and to see if he could control her with cunning. He had thought that if he made her angry and defensive now, she would comply with his demands later, just to prove that his insulting accusations about her had been false, or at least exaggerated. If he were lucky, she would meet his challenge and would expose her mettle and suppress her disruptive ways. Hopefully she would think twice before “shaming” her brother and herself by being unwilling to accept her new fate or by refusing to behave like a proper Indian maiden of high standing.

  Maybe she would use extra effort to impress him, for her initial study of him had been one of appreciation, and he knew women went after things that caught their eyes. She was accustomed to men pursuing her, just as he was used to women desiring and chasing him.

  But this girl had been raised differently, raised as he had been, and hopefully without learning dirty, greedy feminine tricks. If he showed little or no interest in such an untamed minx, she might be intrigued into mellowing in order to entice him. One thing he knew for sure was that the girl had spunk. She was proud, and pride might aid his cause if she were led to believe that her departure would be a heroic and unselfish act. No matter what she might say or do to soften him, he would have to stand firm and blind to it, for he felt certain she would yield better and more quickly to a show of strength and persistence, or a display of scorn if she were to conduct herself badly. Perhaps her brother’s leniency was the root of Lone Wolf’s trouble with her, he mused. Travis felt he had to let this girl know immediately who was boss. He had to weaken her rebellious streak, make her defensive and compliant. Though they might be dirty tricks to play on her, it looked as if she would demand such deception and harshness to master her.

  The kindling caught and Travis gradually added small pieces of wood. He sat near the blaze, feeding it when necessary and reflecting on Wild Wind. What an independent and ornery little cuss she was, as Nathan would say. She was going to be one bag of trouble, that mule-headed and irritating vixen… that ravishing and arrogant creature who would no doubt use her wits and charms to battle or disarm him. Lordy, this trip home was going to be long and rough! he told himself. Especially if Nathan became enchanted by her and interfered with his lessons and discipline. Without a doubt she would try to escape them at least once, just to annoy him with a display of her unusual skills. So Wild Wind wanted to be a fighter, did she? He would watch her every minute and mile during their trek home.

  Travis envisioned her challenging expression and smug air; they reminded him of his own attitude long ago, before Nathan had taken him under his wing. Sakes alive, how he had changed over the past few years! People who had met or had known him before Nathan Crandall would not re
cognize him now. The thought brought a roguish smile to the ranch foreman’s lips and eyes. He recalled certain lessons Nathan had used with him. Nothing made a person do something or do it well quicker than to have another person tell him he couldn’t do it or do it right. He couldn’t count the times he had behaved himself or had learned something new and had made sure he had done it better than anyone else, only because Nathan had challenged him with clever words or cunning expressions. Sometimes it had been to prove Nathan and others wrong, and other times it had been to show Nathan that he had been right about a hot-tempered, sullen youth who had touched the old man’s heart.

  Travis wished Lone Wolf would settle this matter tonight, so he and Nathan could carry out their part of the bargain and be gone before any Hunkpapa warriors came to visit. Maybe he had been a fool to let Nathan come here with him, for Nathan could become entrapped along with him if things went badly. If Lone Wolf and the Oglalas discovered why he had left this territory years ago and what his—

  “Loyacin sni he, Wanbli Ska?” Wild Wind breathily asked, inquiring if he were still hungry and startling the dreamy Travis into reflexive action.

  In a blurred instant, Travis was on his feet, crouching and holding a knife that had appeared in his left hand seemingly from nowhere. Poised for an enemy’s attack, he saw Wild Wind inhale sharply and back away, her alert eyes never leaving his and her stance preparing to defend herself. Travis instantly relaxed and smiled. He replaced the knife in its sheath beneath his left pant leg. “I did not hear you enter, Wild Wind. You move as silently as the stalking cat… or as nimbly as a skilled warrior. Your eyes and instincts are sharp. You have watched and trained well. No foe would be safe around you.

  Wild Wind had observed how rapidly and agilely the man had moved. She had intentionally sneaked up on him and she now realized that if his instincts had not been dulled by deep worry over some matter, he would have detected her stealthy approach. She had been wrong earlier, for he was indeed armed. By not blindly lunging at her, which she had desired, he had revealed self-control and the ability to rapidly assess a situation. She had hoped he would react foolishly and cause her to drop the food he had demanded she get for him. Yet when their eyes had fused, she had unconsciously clutched the containers to avoid dropping them and looking clumsy. Reluctantly, she was impressed by his show of superior training and pleased by his flattering remarks. She knelt beside his fire without commenting, retrieved a small wooden platter, and served his food, then handed him a bag with fresh water.