Promise Trail

by Shirleen Davies

  “We’ll bring Sam and Mal home, Lydia. I promise you.”

  She glanced over at him, her eyes showing fear and something else Bull couldn’t define.

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

  “Have I ever made you a promise and broken it?” Bull turned her to him, his hands resting on her shoulders. “I’ll do whatever it takes to bring Sam home to you.”

  She looked away, unable to hold his gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. “White Buffalo wants me.”

  “Look at me, Lydia.” He waited until she lifted her face. “He isn’t going to get near you. We’ll do whatever is needed to get Sam and Mal back, keeping you safe. Do you understand?”

  She nodded, already feeling an intense sense of dread tightening her chest. Bull was a good, honorable man who worked hard, taking care of those he loved. He’d jump in front of a bullet if it meant protecting her or any of those he considered family. She glanced behind him to the other men huddled together, talking in low voices. At that moment, she realized each one of them risked his life to bring her brother home and protect her. And they could all die for their efforts. She knew of only one solution. Swallowing the fear at what needed to be done, she nodded.

  “Yes, I understand.”

  He pulled her to him, wrapping strong arms around her, holding her close. Circling her arms around his waist, she rested her head against his chest, taking comfort from his warmth and strength. He’d honored her with his love, asking her to be his wife. Sucking in a ragged breath, she closed her eyes, knowing there would never be another man for her. Bull was her life, the only man she ever wanted and would ever love. In that instant, it became important he understood how she felt. Tonight might be her last chance to show him.

  Bull rested his chin on her head, stroking a hand down her hair. “Let’s get something to eat, then sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day.”

  Stepping away, Lydia grabbed his hand, forcing a smile as she looked up at him. An odd sense of peace consumed her as she accepted her decision. Tonight would be about her and Bull. By the time the sun rose over the eastern mountains, their lives would change…and neither of them would ever be able to go back.

  The camp had quieted, the fire reduced to a few burning embers as everyone slept. Well, everyone except her and Travis, who rested his back against a tree trunk several yards away, his rifle in his lap, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.

  Lydia propped herself up on her elbows, looking around, relieved to see the others sleeping with their backs to her. Scooting closer to Bull, she reached a hand out to touch his chest, letting her fingers slip between the buttons. He jerked an instant before his eyes popped open. Clear hazel eyes gazed into his, a timid smile tilting up the corners of her mouth. His breath caught as she played with the soft hairs on his chest.

  “Lydia…” he whispered, his hand coming up to grasp her wrist. “This isn’t a good idea.”

  Her smile broadened. “It’s the best idea I’ve had in days.” She rested her other hand on his arm, pulling herself toward him, placing a kiss on his lips. When he didn’t respond, she brushed her mouth across his until he moved closer, placing a hand behind her head and deepening the kiss.

  A soft moan escaped her lips as heat rushed through her. Raising her arms to circle around his neck, she drew him in so their bodies aligned, creating an exquisite friction.

  His hands splayed across her back, he groaned into her mouth when her body writhed against his. Pulling back, he rested his forehead against hers, sucking in an unsteady breath.

  “Lydia…we have to stop.”

  Her answer was to grip his head with both hands, searching his eyes.

  “No.” Drawing him back down, she brought her lips up to his, unwilling to stop.

  “They’ll hear us. Do you want that?” he murmured against her mouth.

  “I don’t care. I need you, Bull. Please, make love to me.”

  A whispered curse preceded his arms tightening around her as his lips traced a path from the corner of her mouth, along the curve of her jaw, and down the ivory column of her neck.

  Kissing the pulsing hollow at the base of her throat, he felt himself surrender. He didn’t know what tomorrow would bring—if luck would be with them, or if they’d face a cruel fate. Bull’s only thought was the overwhelming desire for the woman in his arms, the unrepentant drive to love her, without regard to those sleeping so close.

  Shifting her to her back, he hovered over her, searching her face one more time.

  “Are you sure this is what you want tonight?”

  Smiling up at him, she cupped his face in her hands. “It’s what I want every night.”

  Chapter Five

  Rolling over, Bull reached out, surprised when he didn’t feel Lydia next to him. Sitting up, he scanned the camp, still seeing no sign of her.

  The sun hadn’t come up. Everyone except Travis, Luke, and Billy were still asleep. Tossing off the blanket, Bull stood, hands on hips as he made a slow circle, then walked toward the three men hovering over a small fire.

  “Where’s Lydia?”

  Three sets of eyes shot up to meet his. Billy jumped up, his eyes wide. “I haven’t seen her since last night.”

  “We thought she bunked down with you.” Luke stood, walking toward the horses, turning abruptly to stare at Bull. “Her horse is gone.”

  “What?” Bull ran toward the horses, a string of curses spewing from his lips when he saw Angel missing. “Where the hell is she?” he roared, storming back to gather their bedrolls. “We’ve got to find her.”

  “Travis, see if you can find her tracks. Everyone else, get ready to ride.” Luke walked up to Bull as he tied the bedding to the back of Abe’s saddle. “We’ll find her, Bull.”

  “Luke?” Travis came toward them, shaking his head. “One set of prints riding out.” He looked over at Bull. “She’s headed in the direction of White Buffalo’s camp.”

  “But…why?” Bull scrubbed a hand down his face. “What is she thinking?”

  “She’s going to offer a trade.” Billy moved next to Bull, his voice strained.

  Grabbing Billy by his shoulders, Bull glared at him. “How do you know that?”

  Billy’s face reddened, both anger and fear evident in his voice as he pushed Bull away. “I don’t—not for sure. But I know Lydia, and she’d do anything for family. Even giving herself to that miserable savage to free Sam and Mal.”

  Bull’s chest tightened, his heart pounding as he bent forward, placing his hands on his knees, sucking in a deep breath. He couldn’t think, could barely breathe. The thought of Lydia leaving him, riding out without a word to hand herself over to their enemy, couldn’t find a place in his brain. Without saying the vows, he’d made her his in every way a man could. Now she was willing to share herself with another man. In order to save her brother, he reminded himself. The thought gave him no comfort.

  “We’ll get her back.”

  Bull heard Luke’s words and slowly rose, his gaze locked on the mountains to the east. Straightening, he glanced at the men who waited for him to give an indication of his intentions. As much as he wanted to race after her, he couldn’t put them in more danger. Even her leaving didn’t change what had to be done—locate the Crow camp and determine their next move.

  “Lydia leaving changes everything.” Bull cleared his throat, shoving aside the hard ball of fear in his gut. “Assuming Billy is right, we need to ride hard, catch her before she reaches White Buffalo.”

  “I’m on point.” Travis swung into his saddle, not waiting for Bull or Luke to respond.

  Luke nodded at the others. Nothing else needed to be said. They’d ride flat out, doing their best to catch her before she made the greatest mistake of her life.

  Lydia slowed Angel to a walk, glancing behind her, letting out a ragged breath. Her body shook with the knowledge she wasn’t alone. She’d sensed a presence for the last hour, believing at least one of White Buffalo’s braves was following he
r. Shifting in the saddle, a shudder rippled through her as she accepted how alone she felt and what she’d left behind.

  Her thoughts locked on Bull. Lying next to him last night, wrapped in his strong arms, her resolve had almost faltered in the hours before dawn. Staring at the stars, she thought of every possible option, knowing the fate of Sam and Mal, perhaps the entire search party, rested with her and no one else. Her heart broke knowing the man she loved more than her own life would never understand her actions. She couldn’t bear to think of Bull’s pain when he found her gone.

  Sneaking out of camp had been easier than anticipated. Travis had taken a position far enough away to not notice her tiptoeing around the sleeping men. Angel made no sound as Lydia climbed onto her back, guiding the horse in a wide circle around Travis, following the tree line until she found a trail east.

  Riding alone had given her ample time to consider what she’d done, what she’d thrown away. Standing on the crest of the hill, looking down on the valley below, knowing it wouldn’t be long before she traded her freedom for the release of Sam and Mal, she wondered if she’d made the right decision. Bull had promised he’d bring Sam home. He’d asked her to trust him.

  It felt as if they’d started their journey ages ago. In reality, they’d only been on the trail a week—a week where they’d had the Crow camp in sight each night, and a good man had been captured. She wanted it to end. She wanted to find Sam and Mal, rain havoc on White Buffalo, and escape to the shelter of Redemption’s Edge. But the men were cautious, serious in their quest, and not prone to act without thinking. They planned to take Sam and Mal back, no matter the time it took or if they had to follow the Crow to Canada. To a man, they were patient, unwavering, and loyal.

  She placed a hand on her chest, trying to calm her erratic breathing as she allowed herself to consider everything that had happened. Had she given the search party enough time? Had her decision to leave been reckless and selfish? They were good men, putting their lives in jeopardy to rescue others. Glancing over her shoulder, her heart raced at the thought she’d made a mistake by giving up too soon.

  Any doubts she had about continuing disappeared the instant two braves emerged from the brush, rushing toward her, pulling to an abrupt stop. She recognized both as close friends of White Buffalo. Neither spoke as their gazes wandered over her body. One grabbed Angel’s reins as the other rifled through the saddlebags.

  Satisfied she carried nothing to harm them, her wrists were tied together with a leather thong. The one she knew to be Strong Eagle moved close, nudging his horse against Angel’s side, causing the mare to dance away.

  Tall with strong arms and muscled thighs, he’d made no secret of his desire to have her, despite her being promised to his friend. Lydia knew if White Buffalo didn’t claim her, Strong Eagle would. Either way, she now faced a life she’d run from, hoping to never return.

  Letting out a deep laugh, Strong Eagle stared at her, his voice strong, intimidating.

  “Golden Bird, you made a good decision to ride from the white men. White Buffalo will be pleased.” Without giving her a chance to speak, he nodded to the other brave.

  An instant later, they were riding fast and hard away from the spot she’d left Bull only hours before. Gripping the saddle horn with her bound hands, she held on tight, unable to swipe at the tears of fear, regret, and hopelessness streaming down her face.

  As the wind whipped over her, drying the moisture on her cheeks, she pushed aside her doubts, making the hard decision to focus on the reasons she rode away from her life with Bull.

  Giving herself to White Buffalo would be a small price to pay for Sam’s and Mal’s freedom. It would guarantee they, and the search party, would have safe passage back to Redemption’s Edge. No matter how much Bull might hate her, be repulsed by the turn of events, Lydia knew, deep in her heart, her actions were justified.

  “Right here.” Travis pointed to the spot where one horse approached the top of the hill, but three rode away. “This is where they found her.” He rode several yards ahead. “And this is the direction they took.”

  “Straight to White Buffalo’s camp.” Bull sucked in a harsh breath, then let it out, his hands clenching on the saddle horn.

  “All we have to do is follow and we’ll find her.” Luke had pulled his horse alongside Bull’s, seeing the unshod tracks of Crow horses. “Can’t say how we’ll get all three back, but we will.”

  “You know as well as I do her intention is to trade herself for Sam and Mal. By the time we reach them, the boys will be on foot, heading to the ranch, and Lydia...” Bull couldn’t say the words. He knew exactly what would happen to Lydia the moment Sam and Mal were released…if they were released. “White Buffalo may keep Lydia, as well as Sam and Mal. There’s no real reason to let them go.”

  “Except knowing we’d continue to chase them. He might believe we’ll give up if he has already taken Lydia as his wife.” Luke saw the pain cross Bull’s face and wished he could pull the words back. “I’m sorry, but that’s what I believe. We can’t do what’s needed if we don’t accept what we might be facing. I’ve got to believe he’ll let the boys go. Once we have them, we can make our plans for getting Lydia back.” A play of emotions washed across Bull’s face. “You would want her back, right?”

  “Damn right I want her back. I don’t care what happens or what White Buffalo does. Lydia is mine, Luke. She’ll always be mine.”

  Luke clasped a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Lydia loves you, Bull. She’s doing this to save Sam and Mal. That’s all.”

  Bull nodded. Hearing the words was easy. Accepting them in his heart posed a bigger challenge.

  Strong Eagle let out an ear-piercing cry as the three rode into the Crow village. Lydia’s spine stiffened, her body shaking as she lifted her gaze to see women and a few children rushing toward them. Gathered together outside one tipi, older men stood and made their way over. She recognized most, seeing a few more children than when she and the others had run away.

  She continued to search faces, her gaze darting around the encampment, not seeing Sam or Mal. A scuffle on the right drew her attention. Turning in the saddle, her breath seized at the sight of White Buffalo striding toward her. Behind him stumbled Sam and Mal, both being shoved harshly by four braves walking behind them.

  Sliding from his horse, Strong Eagle spoke to White Buffalo, whose gaze never left Lydia’s. After a moment, White Buffalo nodded before walking to her, roughly pulling her off Angel’s back. He didn’t try to help her when she lost her footing and fell to the ground.

  “You bastard!” Sam’s curse rang through the village, yet White Buffalo only laughed, saying something to Strong Eagle before Sam was shoved to the ground, a foot in the middle of his back holding him down.

  “His mouth has grown loud since you left. Scared Boy is no longer one who works with women.” White Buffalo used Sam’s Crow name as he threw out the warning. Some would take it as a compliment. Not Lydia. She understood his intent was to humble Sam, break his spirit, and force him to cower as he did when he’d been held captive. Smirking, she lifted her chin, not giving him the satisfaction of a reply.

  White Buffalo grimaced as he walked around her, his gaze drifting up and down her body as if assessing a horse, determining if it were suitable to ride. Coming to a halt, he fisted her hair in his hand, forcing her to within inches of his face.

  “Golden Bird should not have run. Now you must learn your place.”

  She didn’t give him the satisfaction of grimacing or showing fear. Instead, Lydia hardened her gaze and stared into his eyes.

  “I came here to ask a trade.”

  Roaring with laughter, White Buffalo released her. Strong Eagle stepped forward, then backed away at his friend’s gesture. As quickly as the humor filled his face, it disappeared, replaced by an arrogant smile. “You have no power to trade.”

  “Then I will run.”

  This time, he didn’t laugh. Wrapping a strong hand around
her arm, his fingers dug into her skin as he tugged her close. “You will do as I say, Golden Bird.”

  She grimaced in pain, even as her resolute gaze never left his. “Then I will appeal to Red Tail. He is a wise man. He will listen to me.”

  White Buffalo’s brows rose slightly before he steeled his features. Shoving her away, watching in dispassionate silence as she landed hard, he nodded to Strong Eagle.

  “Bind her. Take her to my—”

  “She will be brought to me.”

  Lydia’s gaze shot to the familiar voice of the band’s chief, Red Tail. Shuddering at the unyielding look he sent White Buffalo, her unease grew as the older man’s attention moved to her. His features didn’t soften as he studied her, as if she were a new and unfamiliar creature.

  A hard man who’d experienced much suffering, she knew he could show a great deal of compassion or kill without remorse. Working alongside the other women during her previous captivity, she’d understood enough Crow to know he’d anguished over the decision to break from the Crow tribe and forge a separate life with over a dozen braves and a few women. A few years later, their village still survived by raiding white settlements, stealing from the nearby Blackfoot, and moving frequently. He held no love for the white man, yet had never lifted a hand to any of the white captives living in his camp.

  “Strong Eagle, you will bring Golden Bird to my tipi. I will hear what this woman has to say.”

  Letting out a breath, she shrieked in pain when Strong Eagle yanked her up, pushing her toward Red Tail’s tipi. A few minutes later, she sat on her heels before the chief. An elder she recognized sat to his right, another she didn’t to his left. White Buffalo walked in behind her, said something to Red Tail, then took a seat when he nodded.

  Red Tail looked at Strong Eagle, who stood inside the tipi’s entrance. “Cut the ties.”

  Strong Eagle didn’t make the mistake of glancing at White Buffalo before doing what the chief ordered. Rubbing her raw skin, Lydia winced at the redness and bruising before letting her gaze wander over the three elders before her—the men who would decide her fate, as well as Sam’s and Mal’s.