Wild Thunder (15 page)

“This friendship you speak of, it is not won as easily as a horse is tamed,” Strong Wolf said, dropping his hands to his sides. “But I do not enjoy having enemies. If you wish, you do not have to leave just yet. Stay awhile with my people.”

“Yes, I wish to stay,” Hawk said humbly. “It will be hard to explain to my mother how I have turned my back on her wishes.”

“When the time comes to face her, it will be the same as you having just tamed the mustang,” Strong Wolf said. “You will also tame your mother.”

Strong Wolf gazed over at Doe Eyes, then looked somberly at Hawk. “Hawk, never give Doe Eyes cause to turn away from you, for she does this easily, the cool-hearted woman that she is.”

Hawk's eyes widened. He said nothing as Doe Eyes came and stood beside him, her hand clasping his, but the warning caused him to gaze at Doe Eyes in wonder, again wishing that he knew what had transpired between Strong Wolf and Doe Eyes those many years ago. To make Strong Wolf this bitter, Doe Eyes must have done something very questionable.

He cast the wonder from his mind. He loved her. She loved him. He trusted her love, as she trusted his.

“And how long will you stay?” Strong Wolf asked, avoiding Doe Eyes's steady stare.

“Until you return to your people, then I shall also return to mine,” Hawk said. “That is, if you will allow me to stay this long among you and your people.”

“I no longer see you as my enemy,” Strong Wolf said. “So stay as long as you wish.”

Proud Heart stepped forth. He gave Doe Eyes a quick, uneasy stare, then placed a firm hand on Hawk's sweaty shoulder. “If Strong Wolf sees you as a friend, then so shall I,” he said, stiffening when he heard his sister emit a low, grateful sob.

“Hawk, make camp down by the stream,” Strong Wolf said, nodding toward it. “Tomorrow you can build a lodge that will house you and Doe Eyes until our return north.”

“You are both kind and forgiving,” Hawk said, suddenly hugging Strong Wolf, and then Proud Heart. “If not for my mother, we could have been such friends as adults.”

“We are adults now, and we shall share adult friendship,” Strong Wolf said.

Then Hawk stepped back from Strong Wolf and Proud Heart, smiled awkwardly at those who stared at him from the circle of people, then took the horse's reins, Doe Eyes's hand, and walked away toward the stream.

Hannah watched, absolutely in awe of this man she loved, and how generous he was to everyone. He had even made a friend out of an enemy!

Your eyes smile peace.
The pasture gleams and glooms
'Neath billowing skies that scatter amass.

—D
ANTE
G
ABRIEL
R
OSSETTI

 

 

 

Hannah went with Strong Wolf to his lodge, Doe Eyes's words staying with her like glue. Strong Wolf's warning to Hawk about Doe Eyes made her realize even more that Strong Wolf's past had not been pleasant.

“Let us sit by the fire,” Strong Wolf said. He gently took Hannah by an elbow and led her down onto the rabbit-fur blanket that was spread out on the floor before the hearth. “Food has been brought and left for us. Truly you are hungry, Hannah.”

“Yes, quite,” Hannah said, studying him as he ladled moose meat stew from a black pot that hung over the fire on a tripod into two wooden bowls. She could tell that he was still disturbed by what had happened today. She felt that surely Doe Eyes had affected him the worst. Her mere presence had made him nervous.

Hannah was filled with such wonder about what this woman had done to Strong Wolf in the past, to make him so unnerved with her in the present. Had he loved her this much?

Suddenly she knew what she must do. Marry Strong Wolf.

“The stew is good,” Strong Wolf said, watching Hannah as she slowly sipped stew from her spoon. He could tell that she was deep in thought.

And he knew about whom.

Doe Eyes.

Doe Eyes had placed many things in many people's hearts and minds today. He hoped that doubt was not inside Hannah's heart now; doubt of him and his true love for her.

“I was but a child of ten when I foolishly loved her,” Strong Wolf blurted, drawing Hannah's eyes quickly to him. He angrily broke off a piece of fried bread between a thumb and forefinger. “I have since then despised her.”

Hannah lay her dish aside and moved on her knees before Strong Wolf. She took his platter and set it aside, and also the piece of bread that he had not yet eaten.

“My love,” she said, framing his face between her hands. “I care not about Doe Eyes, or what she was or was not to you in your past. This is now. We, you and I, are in love. And if you think me not too bold, I wish to marry you.”

Strong Wolf's lips parted in a soft, surprised gasp. He gazed at her at length, then swept her up in his arms as he rose to his feet. “Bold?” he said, laughing drunkenly. “Do I think you are too bold? Never. What you said came from the heart. I will answer you from my heart. Yes I want you. Yes I want you to be my wife!”

Inside he was warm with happiness. He fought off the shadow of doubt of taking a wife. His past! The secret that he had protected since he was ten winters of age! If he married Hannah, surely one day she would discover the secret when he least wanted her to. It could happen at any moment. Even while they were making love!

Yet he would chance anything to have a future with her.

He gathered her close and kissed her. Then he carried her to his bed and lay her across it. He knelt over her and kissed her again. His one hand kneaded her breast through the fabric of her shirt. His other hand stroked her at the juncture of her thighs, although her breeches were an impediment to him truly touching her there.

“I know the answer!” Hannah said, quickly drawing her lips from his. She sat up on the bed, her heart pounding like wild thunder at the thought that just came to her. It was a possible solution to her concern over her brother.

“What answer?” Strong Wolf said, brushing soft kisses across her brow.

“My sister!” Hannah said, placing a hand to his cheek as he stared into her eyes. “My sister's schooling is almost complete. Perhaps she will consider making a life for herself in the Kansas Territory and at the same time live with Chuck at his ranch and see after his welfare.”

She kissed Strong Wolf, then gazed excitedly into his eyes again. “I shall send a wire to my parents tomorrow about our upcoming marriage,” she said, her eyes bright. “I shall also send a wire to Clara. Oh, pray, darling, that she will agree to come and take my place at our brother's ranch.”

“And if she doesn't?” Strong Wolf said, taking her hands, drawing her against his hard body.

“Then I shall find someone dependable to stay with him,” Hannah said determinedly. “I love you. I wish to be with you. Yet I also want to make sure my brother's welfare is taken care of.”

“And I am sure that you will,” Strong Wolf said, again holding her close. He nestled his nose into her hair. “My woman is able to achieve anything, she wishes to achieve.”

“Do you truly think I was too bold by asking you to marry me?” Hannah asked, leaning away from him, their eyes locking. “It is not the proper thing to do, you know.”

A terrible explosion in the distance rocked the planked floor beneath the bed, causing the bed to tremor precariously.

“Now what?” Hannah said, rushing from the bed with Strong Wolf. Hand in hand, they went outside and stared into the heavens as billows of black smoke spiraled into the sky not that far from the village.

“What could that be?” Hannah said, shielding her eyes with a hand as she watched the smoke continue to waft into the air.

“It must be investigated,” Strong Wolf said. He shouted at several warriors who had been brought from their lodge by the same explosion.

Proud Heart came to Strong Wolf.

“Proud Heart, gather together many warriors,” Strong Wolf said, already half running toward the corral. “Come. Follow me.”

Hannah went with Strong Wolf. She swung herself into the saddle as Strong Wolf mounted his steed. They waited for the warriors to ready their horses, mount them, and then they all rode away in the direction of the smoke and stench of fire.

When they reached their destination, they discovered a bridge on fire that had not been built all that long ago just off Indian property, burning timbers tumbling down into the stream.

“Who could have done this?” Hannah said, watching the flames eating away at the rest of the bridge. “Why?”

The sound of horsemen coming up on them made Strong Wolf and Hannah turn at the same time, just in time to see Tiny ride up, his cowhands quickly surrounding them.

“We gotcha,” Tiny said, his eyes dancing as he clutched to a rifle. “We caught you in the act.”

Hannah sighed heavily. “Tiny, what on earth are you talking about?” she said, edging her horse closer to his.

“Just you stay right there,” Tiny warned, aiming his rifle at Hannah. “You're in on this as sure as I'm sittin' here.”

“And you are full of sour wind!” Hannah barked back. “If anyone is to blame, it is
you
. You did it to cast blame on Strong Wolf. You just hoped he'd come to see what had caused the explosion. You son of a bitch, you set off the dynamite and hid until Strong Wolf and his warriors came to investigate.”

“And so aren't you full of it,” Tiny snarled back. “Just shut up, Hannah. You've no room to talk. You're just as guilty as Strong Wolf, because you are
with
him.” He chuckled. “Just wait until Chuck sees you behind bars with the savages. He'll split a gut, that's for sure.”

“You're a sick, miserable man,” Hannah said, her teeth clenched.

“
You
should've minded your own business and stayed at the ranch with your brother,” Tiny spat out. “What happened today is an obvious Potawatomis plot to disrupt the white community. This time Colonel Deshong will hear me out, when I cast blame Strong Wolf's way.”

Another man on horseback came into view. Claude Odum soon drew a tight rein beside Strong Wolf. “And what were you saying?” he said, directing his question at Tiny.

“Strong Wolf blew up the bridge, that's what,” Tiny said, nodding toward Strong Wolf.

“Tiny, now, why would Strong Wolf blow up a bridge close to land where a road he has only recently approved of is being built?” Claude said sarcastically. “It isn't logical, now, is it? Don't you think you'd best change your story as to who did the dynamiting today?”

Tiny went tight-mouthed on him.

Claude leaned closer to Tiny. “This looks more like a double cross to me,” he accused. “Something that you might do to make it look like Strong Wolf was responsible.”

Hannah edged her horse closer to Tiny's. “And Strong Wolf has my alibi, to prove that he wasn't anywhere near the bridge,” she said, boldly lifting her chin. “He was with me back at his village. We were in his lodge when the explosion rocked the earth.”

Tiny glowered from Claude, to Hannah, then to Strong Wolf.

Boiling mad, Hannah watched Tiny ride away. “He's gone too far this time,” she murmured, then turned to Strong Wolf. He had been much too quiet while she had debated things with Tiny. “Strong Wolf, did I say something wrong?”

Strong Wolf's lips tugged into a smile. “You said everything right, my woman,” he said, reaching over to kiss her.

Claude Odum chuckled beneath his breath, drawing Strong Wolf and Hannah apart.

“Now, will someone tell me what's going on here?” Claude said as he gazed from Hannah to Strong Wolf. “I heard the explosion. I came as soon as I could. Who
did
set off the dynamite?”

“Are you thinking that perhaps Strong Wolf had a hand in this, after all?” Strong Wolf said, his smile fading.

“Naw,” Claude said, relaxing his shoulders.

“Then let's forget about it. It's Colonel Deshong's problem,” Hannah said. She smiled over at Strong Wolf. “I believe I have a trip to make to Fort Leavenworth. Will you accompany me there tomorrow, Strong Wolf, so that I can send the wire to my parents and my sister?”

“A wire?” Claude said, forking an eyebrow. “What's this about a wire?”

“Hannah and I are going to be married soon,” Strong Wolf said, lifting his chin proudly.

“And I am sending a wire to my family to let them know,” Hannah said, smiling over at Strong Wolf. She was glad to see that he seemed more relaxed, perhaps able to place the traumas of today behind him, in the hope of their future together.

“Congratulations,” Claude said. “And if you don't mind, I'd like to accompany you to the fort tomorrow in case Tiny might have tried to stir up trouble over today's explosion.”

“That would be fine,” Hannah said.

She turned and gazed at Strong Wolf, who again seemed quiet and filled with thought. She wondered if he was thinking about another time, another place, another woman?

Yet, she reminded herself, he had loved Doe Eyes when he was ten.

Still there seemed too much between them that made Hannah uneasy. She knew now that she would only be truly sure of Strong Wolf after they had spoken wedding vows.

She hoped that could be soon, then again, there were always unseen problems to delay the best of plans, especially here in the Kansas Territory!

O, keep a place apart,
Without your heart.
For little dreams to go!

—L
OUISE
D
RISCOLL

 

 

 

The next day at Fort Leavenworth, Claude Odum stood back with Hannah as Strong Wolf talked with Colonel Deshong. Hannah's purpose for having come to the fort had been sidetracked the minute Patrick had seen Strong Wolf enter the door. The bridge. There were many questions about the bridge.

“And, Patrick, do you suspect that I, Strong Wolf, had anything to do with the bridge being destroyed?” Strong Wolf asked, stiffening his shoulders.

Strong Wolf's corded muscles showed through the material of the fringed buckskin shirt, they were so taut in his building anger with the colonel. His word! Did not his word mean anything?

“Don't get your nose out of joint, Strong Wolf,” Patrick said, rising from his chair. “I have to ask questions. That's what I'm getting paid for.”

As everyone mutely watched, Patrick went to his liquor cabinet and poured himself a shot of whiskey.

He gave a look over his shoulder at Strong Wolf, then thought twice about asking him if he wished to have a drink. He knew that Strong Wolf didn't approve of “firewater.”

Nor did Claude Odum, who showed his displeasure.

Patrick tipped the glass to his lips and drank the whiskey in one fast gulp, then slammed the glass back down inside the liquor cabinet.

He sauntered back to his desk and eased down in the chair, then gazed over at Strong Wolf again. “Now, what were we saying?” he said, easing the awkwardness of the morning by pretending their discussion was unimportant.

Feeling insulled by the behavior of Patrick today, Strong Wolf leaned over and placed his hands flat on the desk, so that he was closer to his face. “I ask you again,” he said, his voice edged with anger. “Do you suspect that Strong Wolf and his warriors are responsible for blowing up the bridge?”

“Strong Wolf, if I had, I would have sent my soldiers to your village to arrest you,” he protested. “Now, I hope that sets things straight between us so that we can go on to something else.” He cast Hannah a forced smile. “Like what Hannah is doing here this morning?”

Hannah started to take a step forward.

Claude gently grabbed her wrist and eased her back to his side, realizing that Strong Wolf wasn't finished with the colonel yet.

Hannah looked questioningly over at Claude. He slowly shook his head back and forth, and she soon understood.

“I am glad that you trust me,” Strong Wolf said, drawing the colonel's eyes back to him. “We both, in good faith, have touched the goose quill to treaty papers.”

Strong Wolf straightened his back and folded his arms across his chest. “But I must admit, Patrick, that I, a man with copper skin, do not always understand the white man's law,” he said solemnly. “It is too often like walking in the dark. Whites complain that redskins are intruders upon their rights. Yet we, the so-called intruders, are the first true Americans. How smooth the language of the whites when they can make right look like wrong, and wrong like right.” Strong Wolf stated.

“Strong Wolf, in my case I must listen, always, to both sides when a crime is committed,” Patrick said, heaving a sigh.

“Have I not shown in many ways my friendship toward you?” Strong Wolf demanded. “Is that not enough? Enough to believe Strong Wolf over evil white men? Strong Wolf has always been the white man's friend. I have always spoke well of those who are good at heart. I feel that you, a great war chief, would not hurt my people. You know that
my
objective is not
war
. Had it been, I would have attacked and killed the war chief and his soldiers long ago!”

“Don't threaten me,” Colonel Deshong said, his eyes squinting angrily. “And as far as friendships go, when someone says they have proof of even a friend's guilt, I have to investigate.”

“I am a
true
friend,” Strong Wolf said tightly. “And to strengthen my friendship with you, the war chief for this territory, I offer to go again for more meat for you and your men.” He offered to do this, knowing that with men like Tiny around, he needed this strengthening of camaraderie with the colonel.

Colonel Deshong's eyebrows forked. “As a matter of fact, we
do
need more meat,” he said, smiling up at Strong Wolf. “You
are
a true friend for offering to bring more for our tables.”

“You will soon have it,” Strong Wolf said, then looked more somberly down at Patrick. “And do not forget that favor when evil men might again wrongly accuse me of crimes I have not committed.”

“And now that that is behind us, what has brought this lovely lady to the fort with you, Strong Wolf?” Patrick said, rising from his chair. He went to Hannah. “You surely did not come just to listen to the two of us have a heated discussion.”

“No, not quite,” Hannah said, laughing awkwardly. She tilted her chin, causing her long golden hair to tumble down her back, her dress more feminine than usual. And today she was not riding a horse. She had come in a buggy. “I have come to ask you to do a special favor for me.”

“Why, certainly,” Patrick said, clasping his hands behind him as he rocked slowly back and forth. “Just ask and it is yours.”

“Would you please send a wire to my parents and my sister in Saint Louis?” Hannah said, sending a beaming smile over at Strong Wolf, who stood with his eyes on her.

He had placed his anger behind him and now waited for her to announce their upcoming marriage.

“Why, I would be happy to,” Patrick said, unclasping his hands. He reached a gentle hand to Hannah's arm. He led her to the desk and handed her a pen. “Just write down what you wish to be sent, and I shall do you the honors.”

Hannah took the pen, smiled over at Strong Wolf, then dipped the pen in the inkwell. She wrote out the message that her parents would soon be reading, and then one for her sister.

She knew to expect an explosion from her father and pitied her mother having to be the one to calm him. He would have to understand that Hannah was no longer his concern; she was a woman with her own mind.

And as for Clara? She knew that Clara would be happy for her. But would Clara be willing to give up her ambitions of teaching? She was just about to graduate from college.

Hannah only hoped that Clara would care enough for Hannah's future with her husband to come and help her establish it. Her hand trembled as she wrote that note to her sister. It was the more important of the two!

She signed her name to the notes and handed them to the colonel. “I believe I have covered everything in my notes to my parents and my sister,” she said, smiling to herself at his reaction when he read them, then stared up at her.

“Yes, sir, I am going to marry Strong Wolf,” Hannah said, linking her arm through Strong Wolf's. “As soon as my parents can accept the marriage and will arrive here to share the happy event with me.”

“We would like for you to be there also,” Strong Wolf said, addressing Patrick.

“It would be my pleasure,” Patrick said, nodding.

Hannah turned soft eyes to Claude. “And you, Claude,” she said, smiling at him. “Would you please?”

“Why, most certainly,” Claude said, smiling widely over at her, and then Strong Wolf. “I would have been hurt to the core had you not included me.”

Hannah turned to Strong Wolf and hugged him, then watched as Patrick sent the wires.

When it was done, she sighed. “And now to await the responses,” she said, giving Strong Wolf a nervous glance.

Strong Wolf placed an arm around her waist. “We will go now.”

Claude went to Strong Wolf and placed a hand of friendship on his shoulder. “Congratulations,” he said, his eyes warm. “Just let me know when to be there for the wedding. I wouldn't miss it for the world.” He stepped away from Strong Wolf and gave Hannah a gentle hug. “I wish you all the happiness in the world.”

“Thank you,” she said, returning the hug.

Patrick went to Strong Wolf and shook his hand. “I envy you,” he said, giving Hannah a glance. “My wife passed away a few years ago. I've never considered marrying again. But should someone like Hannah come along and give me a second glance, I think I'd jump at the opportunity of having such a woman to grow old with.”

“Why, thank you,” Hannah said, surprised. She even welcomed the colonel's arms around her as he gave her a pleasant hug.

She then walked to the door with Strong Wolf, for the moment feeling content.

“I've much to discuss with Patrick,” Claude said, as they stepped outside onto the porch. “And if a wire comes in from your parents, I'll personally bring it to you, Hannah.”

“I hope that will be soon,” Hannah said, stepping up into her buggy.

Strong Wolf swung himself into his saddle and rode beside her buggy through the wide gate of the fort, then rode in silence until the fort was far behind them.

Then he reached down and grabbed Hannah's reins. “Do not return home just yet,” he said, his eyes imploring her. “Too many things have gotten in the way of our being together. Let us hide ourselves in the woods today so that we can be alone. No one will find us to interrupt our moments together.”

“I had planned to spend the rest of the day with Chuck,” Hannah said, her heart thumping at the thought of doing otherwise. “I feel as though I have neglected him, Strong Wolf. Soon I will have to tell him our plans. I don't want to have any regrets.”

“I need you,” Strong Wolf pleaded. “For a little while, Hannah? Then you can return to your duties to your brother.”

Understanding his needs, which matched her own, Hannah nodded. “Yes, darling,” she murmured. “For a little while. I want nothing more than to be with you.”

He leaned down and kissed her, then led the way through the forest until they came to a slow, meandering stream, over which hung a thick foliage of oak and elm trees. The shade was cool. The breeze was gentle. Everywhere overhead birds sang and flew from branch to branch. Squirrels scampered beneath the trees, gathering long lost acorns from last autumn.

“It is absolutely perfect,” Hannah said, gazing around her. Wild roses climbed the trees, in pinks and reds, their fragrance sweet and spicy.

Strong Wolf removed a blanket from his buckskin bag that lay across his saddle. He took the blanket and spread it on the ground close to the stream.

He reached out a hand for Hannah. She went to him and sat down beside him. For a while they watched the minnows at play in the water.

Then Strong Wolf turned Hannah toward him and drew her into his arms. His lips came to hers in a frenzy of kisses, his hands quickly unbuttoning her dress.

As he lowered the dress down to her waist and her breasts were revealed to him, he moaned as his hands swept around them, their softness, their firmness, sending a hunting passion through him like a whip crack.

Hannah abandoned herself to the wondrous feelings that swam through her as his hands kneaded her breasts, his lips drugging her. She reached up beneath his shirt and ran her fingers over the smoothness of his skin, over his muscled chest, then gently pinched his nipples until they became hard against the palms of her hands.

Needing more than this, wanting everything today, Strong Wolf eased away from Hannah and yanked his shirt off. He stood up over her as he slipped his breeches down, the urgency he felt for her springing into sight.

“Remove your clothes,” he said as he kicked his breeches away, then stepped out of his moccasins.

Hannah moved to her knees and slipped her dress over her head and tossed it aside, then as he watched her, she lay down on her back and slid her undergarments slowly and seductively down her legs.

Swallowing hard, passion overwhelming him, Strong Wolf knelt down beside her and grabbed her undergarments and yanked it away from her. He removed her shoes and stockings, then straddled her and probed with his throbbing hardness between her thighs, where she opened herself to him.

Her blood quickened, and she closed her eyes in ecstasy when he entered her in one quick thrust, filling her magnificently.

She shuddered with desire and tossed her head back and forth, moaning throatily as he moved within her.

Strong Wolf wove his fingers through the soft glimmer of her hair and brought her lips to his, his free hand moving over her silken body, touching and caressing her secret places.

Her whole body quivered as the slow thrusting of his pelvis brought her ecstasy. She swept her arms around his neck. Her soft, full thighs opened more widely to him as she placed her legs around his waist. She clung and rocked with him, sighing against his lips as he reverently breathed her name while kissing her.

His hard body against hers, the way they were locked together, so sensually, made a flood of emotions overtake Hannah. How could she have lived before him? She had not known that such paradise existed on this earth. Her breath quickened with pleasure as his lips brushed her throat, and he sank his mouth over a breast, his tongue flicking the nipple.

“I adore you,” she whispered, her face hot with her building passion. “I love you. I shall always love you.”

Strong Wolf gazed into her eyes and swept damp locks of her hair back from her face. “You are mine forever,” he whispered.

He once again claimed her lips with his in a heated kiss, his tongue thrusting between her lips, touching hers, the fires of his passion burning, spreading, heating up his insides like an inferno.

“More,” Hannah whispered, hardly recognizing her voice in its huskiness, or herself, in her brazenness. Her voice quivered emotionally with excitement. “Don't stop. Love me. Fill me more deeply. I need you! Please, Strong Wolf. More!”