Savage Abandon (20 page)

“Papa, I am now called Lady Hawk,” she said, lifting her chin proudly as she gazed up at Wolf Hawk. “I never knew I could be so happy, Papa. But I am. Rest assured that I am.”

Wolf Hawk placed his arm around her waist and drew her near to him.

He then took his turn speaking to her father.

“Your daughter, my Lady Hawk, will never want for a thing,” he vowed. “I will see to her needs…all of them. She will be a happy woman. She is already as one with my people. She is beloved.”

A soft breeze brushed across his cheek, and then Mia’s.

They exchanged quick smiles, for they both felt her father’s presence.

Mia now knew that he had heard, and he was happy for her.

Thirteen Years Later
Spring—BIRD RETURN MOON

Though it was spring, snow could still be seen where trees shadowed the land. On a nearby hillside and across the meadows, flowers dotted the ground in a patchwork of color. Pussy willows were wearing their gray, fuzzy coats, and crocuses showed their bright faces of purple, white and yellow.

V-shaped flocks of birds flew high overhead, their squawking racket welcome since it had not been heard during the long months of winter.

It was the time of the spring hunt and Mia, who was now known by all as Lady Hawk, stood proud and very pregnant at the entranceway of hers and Wolf Hawk’s tepee.

She was watching the warriors bringing in their heavy packs of beaver pelts, as well as many travois heavily laden with meat already cut into many portions.

Wolf Hawk led the way on his horse, pride in his smile as he found Mia standing there. He knew that she would be feeling guilty for not being able to join the other women as they met the
warriors, ready to help unload what had been brought home from the successful hunt.

Mia was too heavy with child to join them, and the women understood.

Mia looked past Wolf Hawk, and saw their son of twelve winters. He sat proudly on his pony beside his father, returning from his very first hunt as a young brave.

His name was Spirit Hawk and he had been born in the exact image of his chieftain father, with the same intensely dark eyes, proud, lifted chin, and sculpted features.

Today he was attired as was his father, in a full fringed outfit, his coal black hair held back by a headband, then falling on down past his waist.

Spirit Hawk had skills with a bow and arrow that exceeded most his age, but not every youth had a father such as Wolf Hawk for a teacher.

Mia was so proud of the way Wolf Hawk spent so much time with both his children. Already, he was teaching Spirit Hawk the mystical secrets of his father and grandfather.

It did not worry Mia that her son might one day soar in the heavens as a hawk, or run on all fours as a beautiful, sleek wolf. She had grown used to her husband’s secrets, and saw nothing wrong in her son walking in the same moccasins as his father and grandfather.

Talking Bird was now far past his hundredth winter and still did his magic whenever it was
needed. Mia loved going and sitting and talking with the old Shaman, as did her two children.

Yes, there was more than a son to brag about. There was a daughter whose name was Recosha. She was now ten winters of age, and anxiously awaiting the birth of Mia’s third child.

Recosha wanted a sister.

Mia cared not whether she had a boy or a girl this time; she was just so proud that she was giving her husband another child. She had never seen anyone who loved children more than Wolf Hawk, except for herself.

They made quite a pair, thinking so much alike about everything. It had been their destiny to meet. Their marriage was filled with love and devotion, and…happiness.

Thus far the white government had not interfered in the Bird Clan’s lives. Wolf Hawk had made certain his people did nothing to warrant attention that might bring the white pony soldiers to their village.

No one had seemed to have missed the two trappers who had disappeared with the old fort after the earthquake.

As for Tiny? He, too, had never been seen again.

Mia had often wondered about him, whether or not he lived or died, after having lost one of his shoes, his deck of cards, and several strands of his hair. It was as though Tiny had just disappeared into thin air, and Mia only now and then wondered about him.

She frequented her father’s grave, and often
wished that she could go back to where her mother had been buried. Unfortunately, she knew it was unlikely she would ever find that grave again. It had been quickly dug, and her mother quickly buried, for at that time she and her father had felt like targets of the lone Indian who had killed her mother.

Mia brushed all of her troubled thoughts aside as Wolf Hawk rode up in front of the tepee and dismounted.

She rushed outside and flung herself into his arms. “It is good to have you home again,” she murmured. “And I saw the pride on your face when you looked at Spirit Hawk. I assume that means his hunt was good?”

“Very,” Wolf Hawk said, now stepping away from Mia and watching, along with her, as Spirit Hawk dismounted from his pony and began helping unload the travois.

Recosha rushed up and stood beside Spirit Hawk, helping to hand out the portions of meat as each woman came for her share.

“And ah, what a pretty daughter we have,” Wolf Hawk said.

Recosha resembled her mother, with her pale skin and green eyes, but her hair was very different from Mia’s. It was coal black, thick, and worn in one long braid down her back. She was dressed in doeskin, the dress embellished with beautiful beads. Her moccasins reached up to her knees and were of doeskin, too, and also beaded.

“She is pretty, isn’t she?” Mia said, smiling at Wolf Hawk. “We are so fortunate.”

Wolf Hawk turned to her and gently placed a hand on her round belly. “We are very fortunate,” he said, his eyes smiling into Mia’s. He laughed softly. “I feel her moving in your belly. I do not think she is going to be as delicate as our Recosha.”

“And you still assume that the third child will be a girl?” Mia said, giggling softly as she, too, felt the movement of her child inside her belly.

“Recosha wants a sister, and I believe she will get her wish,” Wolf Hawk said, turning slow eyes back to Recosha.

Mia smiled inwardly, for she, too, believed she was going to have a daughter. Her husband had powers to make things happen as he wanted them to happen. If he said that he would soon father another daughter, then that was what the child would be.

As Wolf Hawk drew his hand away from Mia’s belly, she placed her own there and felt such joy.

Wolf Hawk was her soul mate, the very air she breathed, and she knew they would be together for eternity.

She sighed as she thought to herself,
Could anything
be more perfect?

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoyed reading
Savage Abandon
. The next book in my Savage series, which I am writing exclusively for Leisure books, is
Savage Sun
. This book is filled with much romance, excitement and a few surprises.

Those of you who are collecting my Indian romance novels, and want to hear more about the series and my entire backlist of Indian books, can send for my latest newsletter, autographed bookmark, and fan club information, by writing to:

Cassie Edwards
6709 N. Country Club Road
Mattoon, IL 61938

For a response, please include a self-addressed, stamped legal-sized envelope with your letter. Thank you for your support of my Indian series. I love writing about our nation’s beloved Native Americans, our country’s true first people.

Always,
Cassie Edwards

CASSIE EDWARDS,
AUTHOR OF THE SAVAGE SERIES

Winner of the
Romantic Times
Lifetime
Achievement Award for Best Indian Series!

“Cassie Edwards writes action-packed, sexy reads!
Romance fans will be more than satisfied!”

—
Romantic Times BOOKreviews

Other books by Cassie Edwards:

TOUCH THE WILD WIND
ROSES AFTER RAIN
WHEN PASSION CALLS
EDEN’S PROMISE
ISLAND RAPTURE
SECRETS OF MY HEART

The Savage Series:
SAVAGE FLAMES
SAVAGE WRONGS
SAVAGE LIES
SAVAGE DARKNESS
SAVAGE WIND
SAVAGE TOUCH
SAVAGE GLORY
SAVAGE SKIES
SAVAGE INTRIGUE
SAVAGE QUEST
SAVAGE TEMPEST
SAVAGE BELOVED
SAVAGE ARROW
SAVAGE VISION
SAVAGE COURAGE
SAVAGE HOPE
SAVAGE TRUST
SAVAGE HERO
SAVAGE DESTINY
SAVAGE LOVE
SAVAGE MOON
SAVAGE HONOR
SAVAGE THUNDER
SAVAGE DEVOTION
SAVAGE GRACE
SAVAGE FIRES
SAVAGE JOY
SAVAGE WONDER
SAVAGE HEAT
SAVAGE DANCE
SAVAGE TEARS
SAVAGE LONGINGS
SAVAGE DREAM
SAVAGE BLISS
SAVAGE WHISPERS
SAVAGE SHADOWS
SAVAGE SPLENDOR
SAVAGE EDEN
SAVAGE SURRENDER
SAVAGE PASSIONS
SAVAGE SECRETS
SAVAGE PRIDE
SAVAGE SPIRIT
SAVAGE EMBERS
SAVAGE ILLUSION
SAVAGE SUNRISE
SAVAGE MISTS
SAVAGE PROMISE
SAVAGE PERSUASION