“We are each other,” Wolf Dancer said huskily, then gave her a meltingly hot kiss.
Lavinia returned the kiss for long moments. They parted from one another at the same moment, their eyes searching each other’s.
“I wish we could stay here all day, alone,” Lavinia murmured, her heart pounding with the need thathad been born inside her the very first time Wolf Dancer had kissed her. “But…but…we have good news to share with others, don’t we?”
“Yes, and it will give me joy to tell it,” Wolf Dancer said, smiling.
He took her by the hand, and together they walked outside into the morning sunshine.
It seemed that the warriors who had returned to the village had already spread the news of Hiram’s death among the people of the village. The man so many feared was no longer alive.
The former slaves’ eyes were the brightest of all as they came and stood together before Lavinia and Wolf Dancer.
Wolf Dancer’s people stopped their chores and joined the crowd, their eyes also on their chief.
“I am certain you already know what news has been brought to our island today,” he said, smiling from one to the other, his eyes lingering longest on Joshua. “The man who harmed so many with his evil ways is no longer alive. We no longer have to fear that he might bring white soldiers to search for our island. We are safe, and peace is to be celebrated.” “And the harvest is finished,” Joshua chimed in, beaming as all eyes were drawn to him. He was proud to have been a part of these people’s harvest, for he wanted them to see him as a worthy member of their village.
“And we have much tobacco to share,” he said proudly. “It no longer belongs to Massah, I mean Hiram Price.”
He focused on those who had slaved in the fields with him under the hot sun at the Price Plantation. “When you think of dat man, do not think of him as your master,” he said thickly. He pointed at Wolf Dancer. “Because of dat man—” he paused to turn to Lavinia—“and dat woman, we are free. If’n you want to take a day to just sit by de river and fish, you can do dat. If you want to take a leisurely walk among de trees, you can.”
He laughed mischievously. “If’n you even want to make love any time of day or night, you can,” he said, causing soft giggles and blushes among the women. “I mainly mean to say dat you are free now to do anything you wish to do, but you must spend a lot of your time helpin’ in dis village, doin’ what-evah you can do to thank Chief Wolf Dancer for what he has done for all of us.”
Lavinia stepped up to Joshua’s side. “Everything he says is true,” she said, smiling from one former slave to the next. “With your freedom comes the freedom to do as you wish when you wish. There are many things to learn about the Seminole’s way of doing things. I have found it delightful learning, and I am sure you will, too.”
“Now go on and enjoy this beautiful day,” Wolf Dancer said, stepping up to Lavinia’s side. “You are all welcome here among my people.”
The Seminole children had come and mingled among the newly freed slave children.
After Wolf Dancer said to go on, they all ran off together, laughing and ready to learn each other’s various games.
Joshua turned to Lavinia and gave her a big hug, then embraced Wolf Dancer. Knowing now that he did not have to say “thank you” every time he thought he should, he only smiled and walked away. Wolf Dancer swept an arm around Lavinia’s waist as the last of the harvest was brought into the village, ready to be prepared for storage.
“It is a good day,” Lavinia said, smiling up at Wolf Dancer.
“It is a good life,” Wolf Dancer said, returning her smile.
Chapter Thirty-three
She shares the dawns with him in sacred
silence,
Love, who is most beautiful among
Thei mmortal gods,the melter of limps,
Overwhelms in their hearts, the intelligence
And wise counsel of all gods and all men.
—Hesiod
Several Years Later
Kneeling beside her crackling cookfire, Lavinia was grinding corn for her family’s bread. She was using a stone mortar and pestle, just as all the other women did.
She used all of her weight to grind the corn, pouring the cornmeal into a wooden bowl when it was ground fine enough.
She was deep in thought as she labored. It was work she loved, for it was for her family, which now included two more children.
Dorey was so proud of her younger sister, Running Laughter, who was now five summers of age, and of her younger brother, Little Rock, who was four.
Lavinia beamed with happiness that she had two more children besides Dorey. And she was even nowheavy with another child, who should arrive in two months.
Never had she imagined being this happy, especially away from the world of privilege she had known before meeting Wolf Dancer.
She would not give up her new world for anything. Every day brought her such contentment as she watched her children grow and her husband wisely lead his Seminole people.
It continued to be a good time for the Seminole under Wolf Dancer’s leadership. They prospered on their island and were never bothered by anyone. The tale of the mysterious white panther that stalked the Everglades seemed to keep strangers away.
Her back tired from the grinding, Lavinia stood and walked to the door, gazing outside where her children were enjoying the beautiful sunny day.
She caught Dorey gazing at Running Bear with a look of utter adoration. It was no secret that Dorey had a crush on Running Bear, who returned her admiration. They were almost inseparable, as were Twila and Deer Shadow.
Never would anyone guess how these four young people had met. Lavinia would not be at all surprised if they ended up being married one day in the future.
She gazed elsewhere and saw Joshua. He was walking his wife to the stream, where he would help her collect water, for she was near the time when their second child would be born.
Joshua had married his wife’s best friend, who had given Twila a brother. The little boy was one summer old now, and adorable.
Pretty Butterfly, his wife, had worked side by side with Joshua and his former wife Lorna in the fields at the Price Plantation. They each had lost a mate and had grown to love one another after they came to Mystic Island.
All in all, things could not be any finer on the island, nor could Lavinia be any happier.
She rested her hands on her hips, smiling to herself when she felt a soft nudge from what she imagined might be a knee inside her big belly.
That was a moment she always cherished, when a child inside her womb let her know just how alive it was, and ready to let out its first cry once it was born. “A son,” she whispered to herself, knowing that Wolf Dancer wanted another son, and then another. He was the sort of man who loved children, and the more, the merrier!
“I love him so much,” she whispered to herself, her heart doing a sort of flip-flop as she caught sight of him entering the village on foot with a deer carcass casually thrown across his shoulder. He had been out hunting with his men, and she noticed that several other warriors had caught game as well.
“We shall have plenty of venison for the next several days,” she whispered, again smiling.
Wanting to get her bread finished in time for the evening meal, so it would be ready to eat with that delicious venison, she went back to her grinding. She was so happy, she felt as though she were swimming in joy!
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed reading Savage Flames. The next book in my Savage series, which I write exclusively for Leisure Books, is Savage Abandon, about the Winnebago tribe. This book is filled with romance, authentic history of the Winnebago people, and majestic Indian pride.
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 North Country Club Road
Mattoon, IL 61938
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Thank you for your support of my Indian series. I love researching and writing about our nation's beloved Native Americans, our country's true first people!
Always,
Cassie Edwards
In his darkest hour, Gabriel found Solace. She was full of life, energy and daring. And it was up to Gabe to defend her when all society shunned her for the very individuality Gabe loved. But this time he had the strength and know-how to protect his woman; this time he would have faith that, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.”
Read ahead for a sneak preview of
Gabriel's Lady by Charlotte Hubbard.
“Gabe! Gabe, it's so dang good to see ya! But I'm so'”
When Billy grabbed his hand, the grip stunned Gabe'because it was so strong from his years of working with horses, but also because it swung him into an unexpected hug. A choking sound made Gabe's eyes go wet: for the first time, someone felt his pain instead of just giving it lip service. Billy Bristol's arms clamped around his body like steel bands, yet he sensed that his friend'this blood brother of his childhood'would be the one to free him from his misery.
When the redhead stepped back, his blue eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “It's so good to see ya,” he repeated, “I don't want to get to that other part. But it tore me up pretty bad to hear about Letitia. I'm real sorry for your loss.”
Billy glanced toward the train then, where porters scurried to unload Grace's belongings at the encouragement of her pretty smile. The platform was stacked with an impressive number of trunks and boxes. “Good thing I drove my biggest buckboard,” he remarked with a chuckle. “Can't thank you enough for es-cortin' Gracie, since any man with eyes'll try to sweet-talk her. And she so obviously hates that!”
Gabe laughed. “Yes, she could charm the socks off any fellow alive.”
“Yeah, well it's what those fellas'll charm off her that scares me.”
He stood back then, a rugged man in denim and homespun, clean but well-worn. Comfortable had always been Billy Bristol's way, in clothing and behavior. His hair had turned a darker shade of auburn and he wore it a little longer now. Gabe tried to imagine him as a desperado, like his twin brother had been, yet the direct gaze of those blue eyes bespoke a man of utmost integrity. A man who'd earned his place in the world by the sweat of his brow and the strength of those broad, calloused hands.
“It was a small favor, considering your generous invitation to'”
“Well, how else could I get ya here? Been way too long,” Billy insisted. “It's a shame it took a situation like yours to get us together again.”
He sighed. “Yes, well…situations happen, don't they?”
“And we'll hash all that out after we get you home and outta these fancy city clothes. Gotta say I like that derby, though. Never owned one myself.” Billy plucked at the sleeve of his brown plaid suit. “Looks like you've done right well for yourself practicin' the law, Mr. Getty.”
“It's what's beneath the suit that's taken the beating,” he replied with a sigh. “Appearances can be deceiving, my friend.”
“And I want to hear whatever you gotta get off your mind'but meanwhile it appears our new tutor is ready to load up.” Billy grinned. “You were the perfect escort, Gabe. Professional, well-heeled air about ya'to discourage anybody else who might be givin' her the eye. And lots of practice at totin' a woman's trunks, I bet!”
“It's amazing how much luggage one tiny female requires. Where would any of them be without men for pack animals?”
For a fleeting moment he wondered how Cranks, the butler, spent his time now that he no longer accompanied Letitia on her shopping excursions. It was a good sign that such a thought didn't depress him today; a better sign that he could laugh at himself for ever depending on domestic help.
It felt good to shoulder those trunks with Billy; they'd worked together as boys, and it was only his bent for book learning that had sent him away from such a salt-of-the-earth existence. As he heaved Gracie's trunks up to the buckboard, his muscles told him he hadn't pulled his weight lately. Maybe this trip to rural Missouri would balance him…show him what he was made of, without stylish clothing and someone else's mansion to live in.
When they pulled into the Bristol driveway, lined with maple trees in their shiny spring leaves, Gabe's heart fluttered. It was still the homeplace he'd envied when he came here for Billy's wedding: the house glowed with fresh white paint and its pillars suggested Southern grandeur of a bygone era. Lilacs scented the breeze, and beyond the large red barn stretched miles of white plank fence. Beautiful grazing horses dotted the lush pastureland.
He couldn't have painted a prettier picture if he'd been Michelangelo.
A dog raced toward them then, white with distinctive markings around his eyes and ears. Some of his fondest childhood memories returned: Billy letting him pick out a border collie puppy born in the Monroes' barn…their four dogs herding Texas longhorns that had cut across their Kansas farms. Those black and white collies were long gone, but Gabe still glowed, thinking about them. Everything about this family took him back to better days, and Gabe felt happier than he had in weeks. Maybe years.
“Rex!” a loud voice called. “Rex, you ornery mutt! We're not finished practicing!”
Billy halted the horses while Grace sat taller on the seat between them. “Don't tell me that's Solace, riding without'”
“Haven't you ever seen your sister practicin' her act?” Billy cut in. “She's trainin' her new dog, and he's a handful.”
“Mama would be having a'time and again she's told Solace not to'”
“Which is why Solace loves to come here.” Billy leaned his elbows on his knees to include Gabe in his grin. “You and Lily were cut from silk and satin, honey, and Aunt Agatha's academy was the place you needed to be. But while you were away, how do you s'pose Solace entertained herself? She sure wasn't perfectin' her needlework.”
Gabe chuckled. He gazed at the approaching figure in rapt fascination, for she was standing barefoot on the back of a bay gelding that cantered alongside the driveway. Solace Monroe wore old denim pants and a red plaid shirt, and with her dark brown hair flying behind her'and a daredevil grin!'she seemed like something from a dream. She balanced so confidently on the horse's back that she appeared to be floating. Or flying.
And then, a few feet before she reached the buckboard, Solace dropped down to straddle her mount as though these acrobatics were second nature to her. Such effortless grace bespoke hours of practice, and Gabe wondered how many times she'd tumbled off'how many bones she'd broken'to reach this level of performance perfection.
“Gabe! Gabe Getty, it's been way too long!”
Her hands shot out and he grabbed them. A warm tingle of energy raced through his body when he felt the strength in Solace's sturdy hands. Her face was flushed from riding and her breath came in exuberant bursts as she grinned at him. The little girl he'd danced with at his wedding was anything but a child now.
“I was so happy to hear you'd be'” Her face clouded over then, but her brown-eyed gaze never wavered. “We were all so sad to learn about Letitia, Gabe. How horrible it must've been for you to'but you're here now! Family again, like when we were kids!”
His heart turned a cartwheel. When had anyone ever greeted him with such enthusiasm? Such all-embracing sincerity? He opened his mouth but it took a moment for the words to come out.
“It's good to be back,” he murmured. Grace and Billy watched him closely, so he gave them the best smile he could muster. “The past few weeks have been sheer hell. The Ban-crofts blame me for Letitia's untimely'”
“How absurd!�
� Solace had no need for more details. She believed without question in the Gabriel Getty she'd known all her life.
He swallowed hard. Her compassion nearly overwhelmed him. He wasn't sure he deserved such outright confidence in his innocence. Those bold brown eyes unnerved him, too, yet the glow on Solace's face drew him in and warmed his very soul. And she did all this as effortlessly as she'd ridden her horse standing up.
“Don't mind my sister, Gabriel,” Gracie murmured. “She wants the best for you'as we all do. But she needs to rein herself in.”
Anguish froze Solace's face, and then Gabe watched a play of familiar emotions: despair and betrayal…the sense of being an outcast in her own family. And in that brief moment, he heard the cry of a kindred spirit. How often had he himself felt despised and belittled these past six years?
“Now Gracie,” Billy began, “you shouldn't doubt your sister's intentions about'”
“No, Billy, she hasn't a clue about what anyone else might think or feel,” Solace huffed. “So nice to see you again, Saint Grace. How have we gotten along without you?”
Before Gabe could offer Solace encouragement, she whistled. Her dog leaped onto the horse, in front of her, and Miss Monroe wheeled her mount in a tight circle. Then she charged full-tilt toward the pasture'but the gate wasn't open! He held his breath, wondering if'As though the horse were a part of her, flying on her will alone, it leaped up and over the white plank fence to land proudly on the other side. The dog was still seated, and so was Solace, who urged the bay into a breakneck gallop. Had he not seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed it.
Other books by Cassie Edwards:
TOUCH THE WILD WIND
ROSES AFTER RAIN
WHEN PASSION CALLS
EDEN’S PROMISE
ISLAND RAPTURE
Savage Flames Page 21
