He sighed deeply. Did she feel the same way towards him? He hoped she did. Her body had responded to his caress and that thought made his emotions leap with a sense of power. But he wanted her heart, not just her luscious body to long for his loving touches. His eyes wandered from Casey to the surroundings. It was only a few years ago he lived among the Indians and he had forgotten how warm and secure the inside of a wickiup could feel. Many size leather bags hung from the support pole, each bag different in shape, size and color. Crude bowls and utensils sat near the now cold fire. He also noticed the fawn colored dress lying by Casey’s mat and suspected she had come to learn many of the customs of the tribe. It was an interesting but hard life. He brought to mind the feel of her small hands on his back and her callused finger tips. She was a hard worker and not as delicate as she looked, with all the qualities of a good wife. She was not afraid to work and would be a wild lover to warm his bed and would be a perfect soul mate. Albeit, she did have a prickly side to her like the desert cactus and a sharp tongue, but that made her all the more interesting. The warm body finally stirred and moaned softly bringing him out of his thoughts.
Casey slowly opened her eyes, momentarily forgetting Blake was beside her. In her semi-awake state she sighed softly. Strangely contented with the urge to purr, she stretched her body feeling a slight twinge in her core, bringing back the reality of last night. She recalled how Blake’s love made her feel. She knew she had responded wantonly, surrendering her emotions shamelessly. Even now her body was stimulated by his touch. Her sleepy eyes snapped opened. What did he think of her complete abandonment?
Turning to see the object of her thoughts staring at her, she grew warm all over. Twin glints of laughter leaped into Blake’s loving eyes and her heart gave a little leap.
How dare he look so smug? How dare her body react so willingly?
Bemused, he said with a lazy gleam of a smile, “Why the frown, sweetheart?”
Lowering the thick veil of her lashes, Casey peeked out of the corner of her eyes. How would she reveal her thoughts? Not able to look at him, she swallowed nervously and admitted, “I don’t know what came over me last night. I’m not that kind of a girl and I’m ashamed of the way I abandoned myself to you.” With renewed chagrin she looked away, but he was pulled her tightly into his arms.
“I don’t know what kind of girl you think you are, but I hope you don’t regret making love to me.” Casey opened her mouth to tell him that she didn’t, but he put his finger against her lips. “In case you didn’t notice, I had no control over my emotions either and it was your caresses that sent my senses reeling. My body reacted to your touch like never before. I’m pleased that you loved me completely. Never be ashamed of your feelings, especially towards me. I don’t think any less of you because of your actions.”
Still slightly mortified, she relaxed a bit in his embrace. I guess something that felt that good couldn’t be bad she thought and recalled his soft moans at her touch. She was elated that she could make his body tremble as he made hers. Blake explained to her the reason behind his foolish plan and again they made sweet love.
She was surprised to learn that Star Gazer had feelings for her and she would have hated being the object of two good friends clashing over her. It saddened Casey that the Indian’s feeling would be hurt, but she was glad there would be no fighting. She finally believed Blake when he swore that he had no intention of bringing Hunter back. In fact, he confessed he had been sleeping better; his conscience was relieved after he had made that decision.
So elated and happy the way things turned out, she playfully teased Blake saying, “You mean I threw myself at you like a shameful tart for nothing.” She added a pout for effect.
Blake arched his eyebrows. “So you think last night was for nothing.” Throwing her back against the fur, he kissed her passionately until she swooned. “Ah, I saw laughter in you brandy eyes, my little vixen. The pulse in your neck beats as rapidly as my heart is racing.” After making love for the third time in a few hours, he asked her again if she thought it was for nothing. Casey knew enough to lower her lashes in defeat.
After some tender kisses and small talk to clear the air about the past months, they rose and went to the lake. It was too cold for her to swim, but Blake drove in for a quick dip. She stripped and sponge bathed her shivering body. As she watched Blake, she knew that she’d fallen love with him. She wondered what his feelings were for her.
He lusted for you didn’t he? And you gave him great pleasure, responding to your touch.
Maybe so, but lust is not love, warned her conscience.
Well, it’s a good beginning, she argued back.
Yes, but could a man like him settle down and marry?
The little voice in her heard had a point, but when had she ever listened to her smart-self?
Never, so why should she start now when she so wanted to yell to the tree tops of her feelings for Blake, but was afraid of scaring him away. It might be too soon for such a confession. She wished they could linger by the calm lake forever, but she was certain the village would be stirring shortly and others would be coming. As they walked back through the thickets holding hands, she was still wondering what his true feeling were. Entering the clearing, her thoughts were quickly forgotten upon seeing the gathering of men and women. Casey gasped when the group parted and she saw that Hunter was being carried into her lodge by Blue Thunder. Forgetting Blake she released his hand and ran.
EIGHTEEN
Casey entered the dwelling close on the heels of the Blue Thunder. Her heart quickened with fear because her brother’s head was bleeding profusely. “Oh, Blue Thunder,” she gasped, “what happened?” Tears flowed freely down her cheeks thinking the worse. “Is he dead?”
Blue Thunder inhaled deeply and tenderly placed a hand on her shoulder as Blake entered the wickiup. “He is only wounded. It looks worse than it is because head wounds bleed more. Moon Glow will tend to his wound and stitch the cut. She is good with needle,” he assured her. “See,” he pointed to a zigzag scar on his side, “this is wife’s handiwork.”
She had noticed the scar when she first met Blue Thunder but never questioned it. Just then his wife entered the hut with a bowl of water and a bag she placed by Hunter’s side.
Without a word, she proceeded to clean and sew the injury. Her brother groaned as she pushed, what looked like a porcupine quill needle and thread into his flesh. Hunter thrashed about but he didn’t regain consciousness.
“Come,” the big Indian said to her and Blake as a pretty maiden entered and stood over Hunter. “He is in good hands with Moon Glow and Summer Wind. Both women have helped my people with their healing powers. No need to worry.” Also, an old Indian entered, Casey assumed he was the shaman, their witch doctor. He proceeded to sprinkled something over her brother and chanted, waving his arms frantically about. Her eyes grew wide with fear.
“Is he putting a curse on Hunter?” she gasped.
“No, he is warding off evil spirits. It had taken the shaman a while to accept Moon Glow and her magic; now they work together. There can never be too much medicine,” explained Blue Thunder. Casey sighed and followed the two men, but not before glancing over her shoulder for another look at her brother. She noticed his complexion was good and she believed that he would be all right.
“What happened?” Blake asked, stepping into the sunlight.
Blue Thunder shook his head and let out a disgusted sound. “We were attacked by four white men on return journey. We were lucky to find cover, but not before Hunter was hit. As I circled them, your brother managed to stay conscious long enough to hold them off. I killed two before others panicked and fled.”
The Indian’s chest seemed to expand just a little thought Casey before she folded herself into Blake’s arms letting out a long needed sob. Dasodaha offered his dwelling for her and her brother to rest and eat a meal that had been prepared by Moon Glow for them. They happily accepted the security of his home, but she
didn’t feel like eating just yet.
That night Blake returned to Dasodaha’s lodge, his temporary home, while she slept with Laughing Tree, Blue Thunder’s aunt. She wanted to spend the night in her own wickiup with her brother, but the others convinced her he was in good hands. Too weary to argue, she accepted the kindness of Laughing Tree. She slept, missing Blake’s arms, but his face filled her dreams and awoke to the shuffling sounds of feet. Opening her eyes, she saw Laughing Tree preparing the morning meal of ground corn.
She yawned and heard, “Sleepy head awake?” She knew it was also a statement. Casey knew the Athabscan word for awake and answered her. The Indian woman grunted her reply.
“You restless in sleep, call Blake many times.” Laughing Tree, spoke into the bowl as she worked.
“Sorry if I disturbed your sleep.”
Laughing Tree mumbled something and Casey excused herself to see to her morning toilet. She’d never get used to not having an outhouse, especially having a terrible fear of squatting in poison oak. How could these people live without such a modern convenience?
Hunter opened his eyes to see Summer Wind. He had seen the young maiden around the village many times, but she had lowered her eyes shyly and fled whenever he neared her. Seeing her sitting beside him, wiping his warm brow, he blinked, unable to believe she was really here. He lay still as his eyes followed her movements afraid to speak in fear she would run away again.
He winced when she removed the wrappings from his wound to replace the dressing and add some smelly ointment.
“I am Summer Wind and I speak white man’s tongue.” He believed the maiden thought it necessary to properly introduce herself. “I am sorry I hurt you when removing bandage. I am here to tend to your wound.” She spoke so softly that he had to strain his ears to hear her; so taken aback by her presence he couldn’t find his voice so he merely nodded.
“Are you thirsty? You not run fever,” she said, lowering her eyes. “You lucky bullet only crease head.”
Hunter watched the firelight flicker across her face, a face that glowed with beauty and warmth, heating his very being. He wanted to go to her and plant a kiss on her perfectly formed lips. Swallowing his urge, he found his voice and said, “I can use something to eat. My stomach is rumbling like a Northern sky ready to storm.”
Without further words, she left and returned shortly with a bowl of buffalo stew. He forced himself to sit up. At first the dwelling spun, but he would brave the dizzy sensation if only to see the Indian maiden again. She had entered with her eyes downcast. His stomach rumbled at the delicious smell. It had taken him a while to get used to eating buffalo, but he drew the line when it cane to eating unborn calf and the entrails of animals, which they regarded as delicacies. Even mule flesh was considered the best meat. But at this moment he would eat a bear just to please her, but he knew eating a bear was out of the question. He learned that bears or hawks were taboo to kill unless to save a life. Golden Eagles were never hunted but their feathers were plucked; they were considered a prize.
He looked at her and he made his smiling muscles do their work.
Summer Wind sat cross-legged on the mat. “Does Hunter need help eating?”
It was on the tip of his tongue to say no, but his pride was not that important and he nodded. She smiled a smile that went straight to his groin and he didn’t mind when she spoon-fed him. He ate greedily, never tasting a morsel.
When Summer Wind first saw Hunter entering her village some months ago, her heart fluttered at the sight of him. He was so handsome. She had wanted many times to stop and talk with him, but it was shameful for a maiden to flirt with a man. There was no way she could tell him of her feelings so when she saw him wounded, she instantly ran to tend to his injury. Moon Glow taught her how to tend to wounds and she had helped in the past. But now it was Hunter who was hurt and she feared for his life. Would he die before she could tell him what was in her heart?
The next morning Summer Wind knew she’d get in trouble with her elders, but she couldn’t resist sneaking down to the lake after the two men. Blue Thunder helped Hunter tend to his needs and he brought Hunter to the lake for a much needed bath. Living with three brothers, she knew the body of a male and wasn’t shocked at the sight of Hunter, but when she saw his tan, muscular back, her breath caught in her throat. Not able to control her eyes from roaming down, she put her hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle at the sight of his half tan and half white body. She turned quickly away hoping he did not hear her snickering.
Three days later Summer Wind was with other women tilling the ground with little wooden implements. Her Apache tribe obtained corn and melon seeds from the Mexicans. She stayed behind not noticing the others had left.
“Summer Wind,” the deep voice spoke behind her back causing her to jump and drop her basket of seeds. She turned to see Hunter kneeling down quickly scooping up the contents. “Sorry,” he apologized. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. I want to thank you for tending to my wounds and caring for me.”
She didn’t answer him. Couldn’t even recall what he said as she stared mutely at the top of his head knowing she shouldn’t be here alone with him, but she seemed rooted to the spot. Her heart skipped wildly in her breast, no longer caring what was right or wrong. Every night she had dreamt of Hunter and by morning, there was this need to have him touch her when she was awake. Handing her the basket, Hunter rose. She accepted it meekly, noticing his long fingers. Fidgeting nervously, unable to look him in the eyes, she gazed foolishly at her feet. Feeling uncomfortable he took her hand in his and she hated the fact that she wanted to scurry off like a scared rabbit.
“Hunter,” she said, but his name came out like a soft croak. She tried to draw away but he refused to release her hand and pulled her quickly into his embrace. He kissed her tenderly and Summer Wind didn’t shy away when his warm lips touched hers, inflaming her whole body. Then shame overcame her senses and she stepped from his light hold and fled.
“Damn!” Hunter chided himself. He slammed his fist into his open palm, convincing himself that she was gone for good, and that he had made a mess of things. He walked back to camp and released a long-suffering sigh.
Remembering the sweetness of her mouth, he thought it was worth the risk he had taken kissing her.
NINETEEN
Four days after Hunter was wounded, Blake learned that Star Gazer, Arapoosh, and Swift Arrow had returned from their visit to the neighboring camps. Star Gazer was sent by Dasodaha to speak to the other clan leaders about some of the young bucks that had been raiding white farms nearby. The chief wanted to keep peace in the area, but some of the young blood didn’t want to take the advice of the elders. It had been quiet for a time and he was upset that some of the braves from other tribes in the valley were stirring up trouble. When Star Gazer and the other braves entered the camp, there was much whooping and hollering as loved ones greeted each other.
Blake held his breath when the flap opened in Blue Thunder’s wickiup and Star Gazer entered. The brave had grown tall in his absence and filled out from the thin boy he had remembered; and as he saw, he was as handsome as his brother, Blue Thunder. He wasn’t too happy seeing how vital and strong the brave had become. Hell, he didn’t like this at all. Except for the badly scarred leg from the bear attack, he was overpowering and pleasing to the eyes. It was a miracle Casey didn’t fall for the warrior.
You’re a lucky snake in the grass. Blake patted himself on the back, but realized that he just might be a little premature in his self-congratulations. He kept his silence as Star Gazer greeted his brother and father then he came forward from the shadow.
“Blake!” Star Gazer bellowed, giving him a bear hug. “It is good to see you again, my old friend!” He then slapped him on the back taking the wind from his lungs. He coughed trying to calm the turmoil that gnawed in his gut. “Star Gazer, you grew strong over the years and don’t know your own strength.” He inhaled deeply to replace some of the air then slapped the
Indian in return.
Star Gazer grunted, “You no weakling, my friend.”
They both laughed and Star Gazer took a second to study him. “My friend, you have grown into a fine looking man and have added weight to your lanky form also. It is good to see you after many moons.”
He didn’t miss the coolness in Star Gazer’s dark eyes and he knew his friend wasn’t all brawn; he was highly intelligent and spent many nights studying the stars, thus giving him his name. Blake and his cousin had taught the brave what they knew about the galaxy during the time they were here learning how to track and survive in the wilderness. He owed all his skills to Blue Thunder, Star Gazer and many friends in the village. Dasodaha shook his head and Blake knew the old chief saw the tension in his body. He knew what the Indian was thinking. There was going to be trouble; two brothers in love with the same woman. In his heart he prayed that he and his friend could resolve this problem, but his head knew differently. He suspected his friend wouldn’t give up on Casey; he dreaded when the truth would be revealed.
That night, Casey joined in the celebrating as the camp gathered around a huge campfire. The good news Star Gazer brought back that the other clan leaders believed as Dasodaha and promised to see that the young bucks of their tribes obeyed. They wanted, also, to live in peace.
Love by Dawn Page 11
