by Rita Karnopp
He'd managed to pull enough hair away from her face to gaze into fiery blue eyes. Eyes he'd grown to love. The shock of discovery hit him full force. His Sarah lay beneath him. Choked with emotion, he did nothing more than stare at her.
Pinned down, Sarah breathed deep, controlling the rage that surfaced. This Indian had spared Eagle Shield's life. But more startling than that, he was the Indian in her dream! Despite the piercing stare and firm expression, he had to be the handsomest man she'd ever seen. His searching gaze drew her into his ebony depths.
"Nepo'-aka," he said, pulling himself off her.
Sarah scrambled to her feet, recognizing his Blackfeet words. She quickly thought of Trail Walker, wondering if she should mention his name.
Moving around the thick brush, Sarah led the way back to camp. It surprised her not to see the dead bodies of the Sioux strewn about. The other two Blackfeet warriors she'd watched last night were gone, along with all the Sioux horses and supplies. Two horses stood ready to ride, she smiled seeing Cloud among them.
She shot a glance across camp, in search of Eagle Shield. He remained tied to the tree. A rush of relief engulfed her. She ran to his side.
She felt Two Shadows came up behind her. She gasped as he grasped her arm and twirled her around to face him. She noticed quick anger rising in his expressions.
"Pena-pes-ena Ahki?" he asked, pointing at Eagle Shield.
She stopped for a moment, marveling how wonderful the Blackfeet language rolled off his tongue. She'd thought about the many words Trail Walker had taught her, yet, she hadn't heard them flowing in her mind the way he spoke them.
"Pena-pes-ena Ahki?" he repeated.
Alert, she looked up at him, reading impatience along with anger now. So, he wanted to know if she belonged to Eagle Shield. Sarah wanted to tell him she belonged to no one. That women weren't belongings to be passed around, sold, or tossed aside. "If I am, will you tie me to a tree, too?" She noticed his eye twitch and his jaw tighten.
"Pena-pes-ena Ahki?"
His feet were spread wide, his arms crossed in front of his chest. She noted condescension in the way he asked this time. She felt an unwelcome blush creep across her cheeks. Finally, she shook her head in response to his question. She stole a look at Eagle Shield, then wished she hadn't. His open gaze revealed more than she wished the Blackfeet to know.
He slapped at his chest and said, "Two Shadows."
"I'm Sarah Bryson."
"Why are you with Pena-pes-ena?"
"They took me captive during an attack. It wasn't my choice," she said, returning his hard stare. It suddenly dawned on her—this Blackfoot spoke English. Why did Indians pretend not to speak English? She found it frustrating and even irritating.
"Your concern for his well-being sheds doubts on the use of captive."
Sarah pulled in a hard, quick breath. What did it matter to him whether she loved or hated the Sioux? "His kindness toward me deserves gratitude."
She watched Two Shadows spin around and head toward the horses. Sarah stared at his back, wondering why he paused. She longed to ask him about Trail Walker. She held back, afraid to admit she came from the fort. Two Shadows had good reasons to hate the white men at Fort Bryson. They'd eaten the Indian's food, taken their land, broken treaties, lied and cheated them. Of late there was the whiskey trading that caused much dissention among the Indians. And of course, the current attacks on the cavalry rifle shipments.
As soon as she returned to Fort Bryson she'd tell her father about Giles Rutledge. Even if her father didn't believe her, maybe she could shed some doubt, making him watch Giles in a different light. Yes, if she ever made it back to the fort, she'd do everything in her power to bring Giles Rutledge to the hang-rope.
"You should not have hidden. I could have sent you to my village with the warriors. Now I must take you with me. You will only slow me down."
"What makes you think I want to go with you? I need to go back to...Fort Bryson and I will. Just give me Cloud, the white horse. I'll be out of your way." As she spoke, it occurred to her that she really didn't want to return to the fort. There wasn't a thing there to go back to except Trail Walker, but home it wasn't.
The more she stared at Two Shadows the more drawn she felt to him. Something...something she couldn't quite define pulled her to him...something familiar. Yet, he came across so frightening, so powerful, so demanding.
"I can't spare the horse. I don't have time to worry about you. I haven't decided what to do with you."
She walked over to him, hands on hips. "What gives you the right to decide what happens to me? I'm not your property, I'm not your slave, and I'm definitely not your woman! Let me decide my future." She glared up at him, completely aware how massive and overpowering he appeared.
"You're nothing but a slip of a girl with more mouth than common sense. You wouldn't last out here for more than a couple of days. Fort Bryson, you say? Well, it's many days ride from here. You really believe you'd make it on foot with no weapons, no food, no water, and no horse? If another Sioux or Crow party didn't find you, a bear or wolf pack might. You'd better reconsider whether you want me to leave you."
She couldn't help admitting what he said made sense. She didn't want him to be right. Melody had a horse, food and water. Even a strong, fit man would find the situation one of hardship. "Even if you're right, you could discuss it with me, instead of treating me like an old sun bonnet." She watched him shake his head, then shoot her a hostile glare.
"You'll ride with me."
His tone infuriated her. "No. I prefer to ride with Eagle Shield," Sarah said, glaring at him with disdain. She watched his eyes blaze with fury.
"Have it your way," he said, his voice quiet, holding an undertone of cold contempt.
He tossed her a piece of pemmican and a water pouch, she caught the meat, dropped the other. She didn't answer, then realized it seemed to annoy Two Shadows. She chewed on the jerky while watching him untie Eagle Shield's binding rope. Silently the men walked to the horses and mounted.
Uncertain what she should do, Sarah stood and waited
"A-pe-ech-eken," Two Shadows yelled at her.
She ran after them, looking at Two Shadows, then at Eagle Shield. He reached down and grabbed her arm, yanking her up behind him. Glancing over at Two Shadows, she caught a glimpse of irritation.
She found it puzzling that Eagle Shield led the way. Sarah wondered where they were headed. She felt tenseness in his posture. She'd noticed sadness in his eyes and expression. Surely he grieved for the warriors that had been killed the night before. She'd considered talking to Eagle Shield, but thought better of it. Two Shadows might hear them.
Struggling not to hang onto Eagle Shield, Sarah nearly fell off the horse twice, then settled for gripping his elk skin shirt. She grew increasingly aware that her breasts rubbed against his back.
Would she have felt more comfortable behind Two Shadows? She didn't even have to wonder about the answer. It made her uncomfortable to have him watching from behind.
The hot sun beat down on them relentlessly. Her stomach ached with hunger and her mouth grew too dry to swallow her own saliva. She felt the body heat and clammy skin of Eagle Shield through his shirt. She wanted to ask that they stop for a short rest, but didn't want to give the Blackfeet the satisfaction of hearing her complaining. She'd prove to him that she wouldn't slow him down.
Moisture formed on her upper lip. Her dress stuck to her skin. A trickle of water rolled down her back. Without even a slight breeze, she felt the grip of suffocation. The air became thick and hot.
Glancing at the sun, it seemed to laugh at her misery. The skin on her face swelled as did her lips. Her head throbbed. She said nothing. Determination or possibly stubbornness kept her from saying anything. It seemed they'd been riding forever.
* * *
Two Shadows noticed Sarah sway slightly. He contemplated letting her fall, yet he couldn't help admire her determination to handle the driving pace they'd k
ept.
He reined his horse in and reached for Sarah, before the Sioux had a chance to help her. In choppy Sioux, he said, "We camp here." Setting Sarah to the ground, he added, "Find wood and make fire." He might have worried about the Sioux trying to escape before, but after seeing the way he watched Sarah, Two Shadows didn't doubt the man loved her. A protective surge of jealousy surfaced and Two Shadows quickly shook it off. It angered him that he allowed his feelings to over-shadow his purpose.
He spread the horse blanket out on the ground and motioned for Sarah to sit. In silence she obeyed. Where was her quick tongue and defiance? He took a closer look at her, then knew. "Lay back," he told her. He should have figured she'd been exposed to the sun traveling with the wagons and then with the Sioux, and he'd added to that toll. With her back to him, he had no idea she was ill. Sun sickness could be a serious thing out in the wilderness.
"Bring me the water bag," he ordered Eagle Shield. In his haste he'd spoken English. The Sioux responded. Surprised, Two Shadows said nothing.
Using a strip of Sarah's petticoat, he soaked it with water, then dabbed at her swollen face with the cool cloth. He left it laid across her forehead. Taking another strip of petticoat and wetting it, he pressed it against her swollen, cracked lips, allowing some of the moisture to trickle down her parched throat.
Feeling guilty, Two Shadows admitted he'd pushed them at a demanding pace. He knew Eagle Shield could cope, but Sarah wasn't a trained warrior. If he were to be honest with himself, he'd admit his motives were selfish. She'd chosen to ride behind the Sioux. Two Shadows didn't feel too pleased with himself.
By the time he had done all he could do for Sarah, Eagle Shield had started a fire, had two small rabbits skewed and cooking, and had the horses hobbled.
Hating to admit it, Two Shadows looked forward to eating the fresh meat. It angered him to see the Sioux going out of his way to impress Sarah. Had she already shared his blanket? The thought burrowed inside Two Shadow's mind like a wood tick; already it began to fester.
The two men ate and Sarah rested. Periodically Two Shadows changed the cool cloths on her swollen face. She stirred. He tensed as she opened her eyes. He could tell she drew in the scent of him and thought it odd for a white girl to do.
"You're him, aren't you? You're the one who helped me that day."
He tensed, then stared down at her, baffled. Was she dreaming? Or, once again, did she recognize him with that unnerving sense of hers?
"I'm thirsty," she said in a raspy voice.
Two Shadows lifted her head and brought water to her lips. She grabbed for the water bag, her small fingers wrapped around his thumb. The touch of her flesh against his produced a shiver that ran the length of his body. How can she affect me so totally? He asked himself.
A surge of water ran down her throat, she choked to get her breath.
He assisted her into a sitting position, then leaned her body into his, patting her gently on the back. "Better?" he asked, looking into her face. She had lost weight, and undoubtedly looked tired, still she beamed with beauty. He regretted pushing her hard all day.
She nodded.
He struggled to relax as she leaned her slight body against him. "Here, eat some of this. You'll feel much better," he said, handing her the remainder of the cooked rabbit. The fire snapped and Sarah jumped in his arms. Slow dawning of what just happened came to him...she could hear. He watched her with interest. She reacted to each and every sound that occurred around her. He wanted to ask her how it happened, but then he'd have to explain how he knew she was deaf to start with. He wasn't ready for questions, yet.
"You should have told me you were getting burned by the sun. It is a serious thing."
"I suppose I should be grateful you didn't let me tumble off Cloud, and get stomped over by your brute of a horse. It would have been an easy way to rid yourself of a burden."
"Had I thought of it, I might have considered it," he answered in a lighthearted tone, ignoring her defiance. He got up, then strolled over to the horses, checking them over for the night. He thought of the woman who threatened his patience at every turn, yet filled him with warmth at every look. His feelings were hopeless and he knew it.
He wanted to tell her of his happiness that her hearing had returned, but he couldn't. He wanted to pull her in his arms and tell her his heart belonged to her, he couldn't. He had sensed something changed in her, he just hadn't figured it out until this moment. Did the Sioux have anything to do with her restored hearing? Was this the gratefulness she felt? Again his mind briefly displayed an image of Eagle Shield and Sarah sharing a blanket. His heart beat against his breast as anger and jealousy built.
Having satisfied her hunger, Sarah settled down on the blanket. She didn't pull back, nor resist, when she realized Eagle Shield appeared behind her. His knowing hands drew back her snarled, long, hair and worked them free with a forked tree branch. The gesture soothed her tired body. She closed her eyes, content.
She imagined the stranger once more, dancing across the floor...intruding came the Blackfeet warrior...unwanted. Tenderness and understanding were his nature. Warmth and love were evident in his eyes. It occurred to her that the man in her dreams had the opposite personality of the Blackfeet warrior she now found herself getting to know. She felt herself drifting off to sleep and welcomed it.
Walking back to camp, Two Shadows looked up and stopped abruptly. He watched the Sioux brushing Sarah's hair, bitter jealousy stirred within him.
"Up against that tree." Two Shadows ordered, his voice harsh and raw.
Dropping the combing stick to the ground, Eagle Shield left Sarah's side.
Seeing love for Sarah in the eyes of the Sioux, Two Shadow's fury increased. But, he found it even harder to face his greatest fear...could Sarah love the Sioux?
Two Shadows left the bindings loose enough for the Sioux to rest comfortably on the ground. He hated treating a living being like a dog, even if he happened to be the enemy. The time had come to avenge the deaths of his people. He'd do what he had to, but he wouldn't fail.
Without considering his actions, Two Shadows took over the task of brushing Sarah's hair while she slept. He loved the way the silken strands slid through his fingers. He missed her light scent of lemon. Just thinking about it brought back a flood of pleasing memories. He buried his face in a handful of hair, wishing this white woman meant nothing to him.
She moaned softly and turned. Her breast pressed lightly against his knee, torturing his whole being. Leaning down, he pulled the blanket up over her shoulder, then moved away. As before, he wondered what it'd be like to make love to a woman like Sarah. Finally, he admitted to himself, he didn't want a woman like Sarah—he wanted Sarah—and no one else.
* * *
Deep grunts and screams of agony filled the early morning stillness.
Sarah sat, icy fear twisted around her nerves. She scanned the camp, stopping in disbelief at a hideous black bear. Its open mouth and fierce growling make her shiver in fear. The beast sat on its haunches and sniffed the air.
The horses bucked and snorted, wild and crazed, fighting against their rawhide hobbles.
Several swipes of its white, sharp claws left Eagle Shield a pulpy mass of blood. Sarah screamed. She felt sickened by what she saw and angry at the helplessness that engulfed her.
Two Shadows grabbed his knife, then charged the large bear. He clung to the bear's back, stabbing it repeatedly. The animal pivoted, sending Two Shadows sprawling to the ground. She watched in horror as he quickly got to his feet. He stabbed the bear several times in the chest before the beast clawed back. The first blow clawed across Two Shadow's chest, hammering him to the ground, his leather shirt little more than strips of blood.
The bear retaliated with a hair-lifting roar, biting and clawing at his chest where Two Shadow's knife had struck.
She watched Two Shadows struggle to his feet. Again he dived at the animal, stabbing and stabbing. The bear moved its mouth over Two Shadow's
head, she gasped in disbelief. Bile rose in her throat. She couldn't just stand by and watch him being eaten alive.
Two Shadows drove his knife into the hairy chest once more. The bear roared, allowing Two Shadows to free his head. The animal clawed at Two Shadows with a vengeance.
Sarah ran over to the sleeping blanket where she'd seen Two Shadows conceal the handle of what she guessed to be a flintlock during the night. The trade gun was a full-stocked, muzzle-loading smoothbore. She wasn't certain she could even lift it. Grabbing the weapon, she found herself surprised to find several inches of the barrel had been filed off, converting the rifle into a light, makeshift carbine.
She ran to within a few feet of the animal. Two Shadows now lay on the ground, motionless. Her heart thudded and she felt the pounding right down to the tips of her fingers. If she failed to kill the beast, Two Shadows would die.
The bear stood on its hind legs, baring is teeth at her, as though mocking her. It's beady, black eyes pierced right through her.
Sarah raised the gun, pulled the large trigger guard, and with a sputter of fire from the pan and a burst of flame from the muzzle, the flintlock discharged right into the chest of the great bear.
The blast sent Sarah reeling backward, landing hard on the ground. Winded, she watched the bear, weakened by Two Shadow's knifings, stagger forward. Blood trickled from the bear's open mouth and its growl became muffled by the gurgling blood within its throat.
It took yet another step toward Sarah. She struggled for air, then realized she'd been holding her breath.
The heavy bulk dropped to the ground, sending a spray of dust and blood in all directions.
Sarah remained still. A chilling dead silence surrounded her. She glanced at Eagle Shield. Her heart sank. She held no hope he could be alive.
Taking a deep breath, she gathered her strength, then crawled the short distance to Two Shadow's side.
His chest had been slashed open in several places. His shoulder and arms were a bloody mess. She reached over and placed a trembling hand against his heart. Panic filled her—she felt nothing. Tears streamed down her face. Overwhelming sensations of fright and hopelessness conquered her. What would she do now? She gulped hard. Hot tears slid in a steady stream across her cheeks.
