Savage Spring (35 page)

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Tag walked in the twilight, allowing his gaze to wander over the hills and valleys of Meadowlake farm. The air was cold and crisp, and he thought it might snow before morning.

They had been staying at Meadowlake for the last three months, while the house in Philadelphia was being redecorated. Last night Alexandria had given birth to his baby, and Tag was bursting with pride over his new son.

Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned to see Sun Woman approach. “It will snow before morning,” she said, coming up beside him.

“I was just thinking the same thing myself. Are the children settled for the night?” Tag couldn’t get over the sight of Sun Woman dressed in the white woman’s clothing. She wore a green print skirt and a white blouse. The only things Alexandria couldn’t convince her to part with were her moccasins. She stubbornly argued that the leather shoes Alexandria had given her pinched her toes.

“Yes, my son, and Alexandria is resting, as well.”

“Are you happy here, Sun Woman?” Tag asked softly.

“I am not unhappy, even though many of the ways are new to me. I like many of the white man’s comforts, such as the soft beds and the padded chairs. As soon as the cold season passes, I will return to my village.”

“I’m glad you came with us, my mother, and I know Alexandria shares my feelings. I also know you must leave when spring comes. You will be missed when you go.”

“It is good here on this farm, but I do not like it in that place you call a town. I will miss many things when I return home. You, my son, have granted me peace of mind. I can leave knowing my granddaughter has a good life.”

“Are you sure you want to return to the Blackfoot village? You will always be welcome here with us.”

“Yes, I am sure. I would like to think of my granddaughter being here at Meadowlake. I do not like to think of her in that big town.”

Tag laughed. “Alexandria shares your views on Philadelphia. I have a feeling this will become our permanent home.”

“I have come to love your golden-eyed wife. She is good to you and my granddaughter. When I do leave, I will know that all is well with you and Danielle.”

Tag kissed Sun Woman on the cheek and walked toward the farmhouse. Living in the white world had been a hard adjustment for Morning Song’s mother to make, but she was a strong, stubborn woman, and when she made her mind up about something, she usually obtained her goal. Next spring they would all return to the Blackfoot village, and then his father would come back to Philadelphia with them. Perhaps he could even convince Farley to come back, if he assured him he could stay at Meadowlake.

When Tag entered the house, he climbed the stairs quietly. Entering his bedroom, he tiptoed over to the bed, thinking Alexandria was sleeping. Her mink-colored hair was fanned out on the pillow, and she looked so beautiful he felt his heart swell. Her eyelashes fluttered open, and he looked into her golden eyes.

“How do you feel?” he asked, kneeling down beside her.

“I feel wonderful. How is our son?”

“He is sleeping.”

“How is Danielle? You don’t think she will be jealous of the new baby, do you?”

“I have it on good authority that she is delighted with her new baby brother.”

“Don’t forget to pay special attention to her. I wouldn’t want her to think she has been replaced.”

Tag smiled and kissed Alexandria’s cheek. “You are a wonderful mother to both our children. It isn’t likely that either one of them will suffer from lack of love.”

Alexandria smiled weakly, and her eyes drifted shut again. She was just too weary to stay awake.

Tag rose and crossed the room quietly, standing for a moment to look down at his sleeping son. The baby’s hair was golden in color, in startling contrast to his sister, whose hair was black as midnight.

Tag left the room and a moment later entered his daughter’s nursery. How angelic Danielle looked, with her dark hair spilled over the white pillowcase. She was a lovely child, and she had such a happy disposition.

As if the child sensed her father’s presence, her eyes opened, and she favored him with a smile. He knelt down beside her and gathered her close to him.

“Baby?” she questioned in her childlike language.

“Your baby brother’s sleeping, just like you should be.”

Danielle put her chubby arms about her father’s neck and laid her face against his. “Mama?” she asked sleepily.

“Your mama is sleeping. You can see her tomorrow. Close your eyes and sleep,” he said, kissing her smooth cheek.

As Tag held his sleeping daughter in his arms, he was overcome with many emotions. He wanted her life to be filled with happiness.

He touched her silken hair and felt a lump in his throat. Her skin took on a soft golden glow in the dimly lit room, and Tag knew she would always look different from the other children in the neighborhood, because her mother had been an Indian.

He realized the time would come when Danielle would have to face who she was, but not for a long while. He knew how cruel the white world could be to those who were the least bit different from them.

In that moment, he decided that Danielle would be educated in only the finest schools, where she would be taught to be a lady. He would lavish money on her clothing and lift her so high that no one would dare look down on her. He would arm her against whatever came, hoping to give
her confidence and pride in both her white and Indian heritage.

Until the day when Danielle had to deal with who she was, he and Alexandria would protect her from as much hurt as they could.

Tag blew out the lamp and moved silently across the room to the door, closing it softly behind him.

Danielle sighed in her sleep, not knowing of the concern her father had for her future. She was past her first birthday and had never known anything but love in her life. She was too young to know that one day her strength and courage would be tested—that one day she would have to stand with her feet in both the white and the Indian worlds!

Blackfoot Territory

Many miles away from Valley Forge, in the Blackfoot village, there dwelt another half Indian, half white baby girl.

It was early evening. Joanna held her sleeping daughter in her arms, wondering what the future held for her child.

The child was fair of skin and looked enough like Danielle to be her twin sister.

Joanna couldn’t help being concerned about her daughter, since she looked more white than Indian. When Sky Dancer had been born, her eyes had been a nondescript color, but now that she was older they were a bright violet-blue, like her mother’s.

Joanna didn’t worry about her son, Little Hawk—he was a small replica of his father and looked every bit an Indian. He would be groomed to take his father’s place one day.

Sky Dancer smiled in her sleep, and Joanna remembered her mother’s once telling her that when a baby smiled in its sleep, it was seeing angels. She pushed the ebony hair away from her daughter’s face and hugged her tightly.

After much discussion, Windhawk had agreed to allow
Sky Dancer to go to Philadelphia when she was older. She would stay with Tag and Alexandria and be educated in the ways of a proper young lady. Joanna wanted her to know both the white and the Indian world.

Joanna hadn’t noticed that Windhawk had come up behind her. She watched as Sky Dancer slowly opened her eyes and smiled. Windhawk lifted his daughter into his arms and she giggled with delight. When he looked into Sky Dancer’s eyes he couldn’t help but smile. His heart seemed to contract when she threw her arms about his neck and kissed him on the cheek.

Little Hawk ran up to his father and grabbed him around the legs. Windhawk bent down and lifted his son in his arms, as well.

They left the lodge for a walk by the river. The sun was going down, painting the countryside with a soft, rosy hue.

Joanna glanced across the Milk River and sighed contentedly. She had never imagined it was possible to attain such complete happiness. She often missed Tag and Danielle, but they would be coming to visit before long. She felt Windhawk’s eyes on her and glanced at him. His eyes spoke of the deep love he had for her, and she leaned her head against his shoulder.

Life was good here in Blackfoot country. With Windhawk beside her, she would teach their children the important things in life.

Joanna’s son held his arms out to her, and she lifted the child into her arms.

As the first stars twinkled in the ebony sky, Windhawk and Joanna walked back toward their lodge. Their love was so strong, it had reached across the gap that had separated their two worlds. Joanna had no desire to ever leave this land. She would be content to remain beside her tall, dark husband until the end of time!

SAVAGE SUMMER

SAVAGE WINTER

SAVAGE AUTUMN

WOLF RUNNER

WIND WARRIOR

ENCHANTRESS

COMANCHE MOON RISING

DESERT PRINCE

DAUGHTER OF EGYPT

SWORD OF ROME

LORD OF THE NILE

HAWK’S PURSUIT

HAWK’S PLEDGE

THE MOON AND THE STARS

HEART OF TEXAS

MOON RACER

THE AGREEMENT (SECRET FIRES)

RIDE THE WIND

SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE (Anthology)

TYKOTA’S WOMAN

FIVE GOLD RINGS (Anthology)

SAN ANTONIO ROSE

TEXAS PROUD

CELEBRATIONS (Anthology)