Teton Romance Trilogy Bundle: Includes Yellowstone Proposal (Short Story)

by Peggy L Henderson

  Black Sparrow took another step closer until he stood inches from her. His dark eyes stared down at her, reminding Tori of an eagle about to sink its talons into its helpless prey. She refused to look away and show her apprehension. Her hand tightened around the rifle. Never had she imagined that she might need to defend herself against this man.

  “You come with me to my lodge. I will honor you as my wife.”

  Tori’s heart slammed against her ribs. Wife? This was the last thing she had expected. Black Sparrow’s stare intensified, and a sudden shiver of fear washed over her. He would not react kindly if she refused him.

  Lucas had been right in his assumption that Black Sparrow had returned without the best intentions. Was that what he’d meant? Did he know the Blackfoot would solicit her to become his wife?

  Her mind raced with how best to answer the warrior without angering him. She swallowed the lump in her throat, then squared her shoulders. “I’m flattered, Black Sparrow. I had no idea you thought of me in that way.”

  “You are a brave and strong woman, Victoreeah. You will be good wife to a strong and brave warrior, and give me many sons.”

  “This is truly unexpected.” She laughed nervously, stumbling over her words. By the tone of his voice, Black Sparrow wasn’t merely asking. It was more of a demand, leaving her with little options. Horrified, flashes of Paul entered her mind. Was this really happening to her again? She was once again faced with an impossible choice. What if she refused? Would Black Sparrow accept her answer?

  Stall him, Tori. Stall until you can think of a way out of this.

  “I’m honored, really I am, but this is a bit sudden,” Tori said with a plastered smile.

  A cold flash of anger passed through the warrior’s eyes, and his facial features tensed. Tori straightened her back. Her apprehension and fear of this man increased. Would he kill her if she refused to go with him, or would he toss her over his shoulder as Lucas had done? Was she truly such a bad judge in character? The man she’d trusted months ago was now a stranger in front of her, while the man she’d known for a mere week and didn’t trust for a second had made her feel nothing but safe and protected, even while he forced her off the mountain.

  By the hard look in his eye, Black Sparrow wouldn’t hesitate to drag her away from here, just as Lucas had done. Somehow she doubted the Indian warrior would be as kind.

  “You are a brave warrior, Black Sparrow. You’ve given me a lot to think about. Must I give you an answer now, or can it wait a few days?”

  Could she buy a day or two to get away from here? She would be running not only from the hangman’s noose, but also from two men. How long could she disappear before someone caught up to her? She wasn’t so naïve to think she could outrun either Lucas Walker or Black Sparrow forever. A wave of despair washed over her. She couldn’t live her life like this, always on the run, looking over her shoulder.

  But you can’t become this man’s wife, either.

  She had no feelings for him. What would she have done if Lucas had proposed marriage before flinging her over his shoulders? Ridiculous! He might still turn out to be nothing but a bounty hunter.

  When you see the most amazing, beautiful thing . . .

  Tori quickly shook off the memory of Lucas’ words; words that, along with the admiring gaze in his deep blue eyes, had haunted her during the entire ride back to the cabin.

  Black Sparrow glared at her. There was no hint of warmth or admiration there, only a possessive fierceness. His eyes roamed her face as if he was trying to come to a decision. Tori seized on his moment of uncertainty, and placed her hand on his arm. She chose her words carefully.

  “Black Sparrow, you are a good warrior. Yesterday, a man took me away from here against my will. He nearly killed you, and I know you were trying to protect me. I am ready to leave my father’s cabin, but I have preparations to make. Give me two days, and I will go with you.”

  Tori crossed herself mentally. Her lie would be forgiven.

  The Blackfoot’s body tensed. His muscles bunched beneath her touch, and that hard look flashed in his eyes again. It was obvious he didn’t like her answer, but was exercising great restraint.

  “It is good that you have escaped your captor. Lucas Walker can no longer come for you.” He paused, his eyes locked on hers. A triumphant sneer crossed his lips. Tori’s mind raced at his words, and her stomach churned with dread.

  “What do you mean?” she asked. Had Black Sparrow found Lucas, and killed him? Guilt consumed her, and she gripped the rifle tighter in her hand.

  “I will leave, and return when the sun has set two more times, to claim you as my woman. Walker’s death will be my gift to you.”

  “You killed him?” Tori asked with as much indifference as she could muster. She already dreaded Black Sparrow’s answer.

  A slow smile spread across his face. “He is my captive. He has been a worthy enemy to me. He will die the death of a great warrior.”

  Renewed guilt washed over her. Lucas Walker wouldn’t be a prisoner of this Blackfoot if she hadn’t run off with his clothes and weapons. Lucas’ warning echoed in her mind. He thinks the debt is paid and when he comes back, you may not like what he has in store for you.

  “Where is he now, if he is your prisoner?” Tori asked. She forced her eyes wide to feign surprise and eagerness.

  Black Sparrow’s own eyes narrowed. “Has he taken you as his woman?” His voice raised forcefully.

  “Has he . . . what?” Tori’s eyes widened even more. Comprehension dawned as to what he meant. “Of course not. I would never consent to such a thing.” For emphasis, she glared at Black Sparrow. The Blackfoot nodded in approval.

  “Warriors from my village hold him until I return to them. When his death is final, I will return for you.” With a determined nod, Black Sparrow turned and left the cabin. Tori followed on his heels until she reached the door. He mounted his horse, and kicked the animal into a run.

  Tori inhaled several breaths of relief. Her ploy had worked. He had believed her that she would go with him in two days. She turned quickly back into the cabin. She gathered some of the clothing that she had removed from Lucas’ bag when he stuffed them unceremoniously together just before he abducted her from her own home. After reaching under her bed for the bowie knife she kept hidden, her eyes fell to the small leather pouch lying next to the weapon. She held it in her hand for several minutes before pulling the strings apart to open it. She fingered her mother’s silver-chained necklace and cross that her father had brought along when they fled St. Louis.

  Tori blinked away the tears in her eyes, and hastily closed the small satchel. She tied the strings securely to her belt, then flung her leather pouch over her shoulder. Glancing around the cabin one last time, she slowly stepped from the room and closed the door behind her. This had been her home for three years. Somehow she was certain she would never see it again. A silent tear rolled down her cheek.

  Tori gave a short laugh. Before Black Sparrow showed up, had she actually entertained second thoughts about leaving? Would she have waited for Lucas to catch up to her, and face his wrath, perhaps even follow him off the mountain if he demanded she go with him again? She no longer had the option of waiting.

  She headed for her father’s grave. Kneeling before the wooden cross, she touched it and ran her fingers along the rough grain.

  “Goodbye, Papa.” she whispered. Tori didn’t suppress the tears that came, and allowed herself to cry for all the loss she’d endured over the years. She lingered for a few minutes, then inhaled a deep breath and stood. Squaring her shoulders, she smiled softly and wiped the moisture from her face.

  With absolute clarity on what she had to do, Tori strode toward the horse cropping at the sparse grasses that grew between patches of snow. She untied his hobbles and climbed onto the gelding’s back. Cradling the rifle firmly in her arm, she patted the horse’s neck, and followed Black Sparrow’s tracks. Lucas Walker had saved her life. Her conscience would
n’t allow her to simply ride away and leave him to die at the hands of the Blackfoot because she’d left him defenseless. The deaths of two men she’d loved already weighed heavily on her mind. She couldn’t live with herself if another man she’d - for some inexplicable reason - grown to care for, lost his life because of her.

  Chapter 11

  Darkness approached quickly over the mountains after the sun had made its fiery descent into the western horizon. The sky changed from hues of reds and purples to a dark blue. Countless stars twinkled overhead, and the shimmer of a half-moon became the only source of faint light. Tori carefully guided her horse along the rocky path where she’d last made out the hoof prints from Black Sparrow’s horse. For the past several hours she’d followed his tracks, wondering how far she would have to travel in the night to find where the Indians held Lucas prisoner. If an entire village of Blackfoot was nearby, how could she ever hope to rescue him?

  Tori halted her mount and slid from the animal’s back. She knelt to the ground, and strained her eyes to see. Darkness would make tracking more difficult. A shiver passed down her spine. She still wore Lucas’ dirty shirt, but she longed for her wool coat. Unfortunately, it lay abandoned at the camp she’d left this morning in her haste to escape. Tori almost laughed out loud. She’d run away from Lucas Walker, and now she was trying to rescue him.

  If he’s still alive.

  Her father had often told her of the horrific torture methods many of the Indians employed. She’d heard stories of only one white man who had ever lived to tell about his capture with the Blackfoot. What did Black Sparrow have in mind for Lucas? Would he let him run for his life?

  Tori stood, and led her horse through the darkness. The trail she followed coming off the mountain gradually leveled out. Short and tall conifers grew in patches as the landscape opened up into a wooded valley. The soil beneath her feet turned to softer earth, with grasses growing in greater abundance. There were fewer patches of snow for her to skirt around.

  The sound of a creek trickling nearby reached her ear, and Tori stopped. ‘Lucas’, the gelding, nearly pulled the reins from her hands in his eagerness to reach the grasses at his feet. Tori’s stomach grumbled loudly. Neither she nor the horse had eaten much all day. She patted the gelding’s neck and allowed him a few bites.

  “At some point you’ll get a chance to eat, but for now, we’ll just have to do without.” She gritted her teeth and pulled the reluctant animal behind her.

  “You are as ornery and stubborn as your owner,” she grumbled. Her arm ached from the effort of dragging the horse along. She should just leave him behind. It would be faster on foot without the wretched beast.

  Tori cursed under her breath. She nearly dropped the reins and conceded defeat to the animal, when she inhaled the distinct smell of wood smoke.

  “You’re going to get your wish,” she mumbled to the horse. Her hands trembled when she hobbled the gelding’s front legs together. He probably didn’t need the restraints. He was too intent on finding food to think about running off. One hand firmly gripped Walker’s rifle, the other felt for her knife strapped to the belt around her waist. Her heart pounded faster in her chest. Had she found the Blackfoot’s camp?

  Tori lifted her pouch from around her shoulder and dropped it to the ground. The bulky leather bag would be too cumbersome to carry if she had to make a fast getaway. As an afterthought, she reached into the pouch and pulled Lucas’ britches out, and tossed them over her shoulder. She stuffed his moccasins between the shirt she wore and the belt strapped around her waist. Her heart pounded in her ears. She inhaled a deep breath, and followed the smell of what had to be a fire.

  Not a hundred yards further ahead, the faint glow of several campfires flickered between the trees. Tori moved slowly through the forest, using the foliage for cover. She stopped behind each trunk, and listened. Soon, muffled voices and men’s laughter reached her ears.

  How much closer to the camp should she dare approach without the risk of discovery? Tori clamped a hand over her mouth to suppress a startled gasp when the underbrush to her right rustled loudly. She pressed her back up against the tree she hid behind, and held her breath. Her hand clutched the rifle tightly to her chest. A second later, a horse snorted. Tori slowly expelled a breath of air. Her pulse still pounded fiercely at her temples, and she swallowed back the lump of fear that lodged itself like a boulder in her throat.

  Tori glared into the darkness toward the source of the noise. The faint outlines of horses blended with the undergrowth of the forest. At least now she knew where these Indians kept their mounts. This information might come in handy later. She sighed in relief that it hadn’t been a sentry. Not this time.

  With her back still pressed against the tree, Tori inched around the trunk to stare toward the Blackfoot camp. It was definitely not an entire village. She counted five men sitting around two campfires. A smaller figure, not much larger than a boy, stood off to the side closer to where the horses appeared to be tethered.

  Where was Lucas? Slowly, her eyes roamed around camp. There had to be a guard somewhere, perhaps more than one, and until she found their location, she had to be on high alert. If she could get close enough to count the horses, she might get a better idea of exactly how many warriors she had to contend with.

  Her mouth fell open, and she once again pressed her hand over it to stifle a cry. Off in the trees, barely visible in the dancing shadows from the firelight, stood a man, his bare arms raised high above his head. He appeared to be strung up like a carcass hanging from a tree limb. It was impossible to tell from where she stood if he hung from his hands in midair or if his feet touched the ground. His head drooped limply toward his chest, his dark hair hiding his face.

  Lucas.

  Dear God, what had they done to him? She bit her lower lip while her hand inched to the hilt of the Bowie knife at her belt. Her other hand firmly gripped the rifle. The sudden urge to spring forward and shoot every one of these warriors consumed her. She pressed her back up against the trunk of the tree to keep from carrying out her impulsive thoughts. She’d never be able to shoot them all without getting shot herself. Hell, she didn’t even know exactly how many of them there were.

  Anger coursed through her, watching the Indians at the fire laugh and carry on as if the suffering man didn’t even exist. She glared through narrowed eyes when she recognized Black Sparrow among the three warriors sitting at the fire closest to her. How could she have ever thought of him as a decent person? She had saved him from a similar fate not even a year ago. Part of her wanted to rush into that camp and demand that they release their prisoner. It was a foolish thought. They’d kill her before she even spoke one word.

  Lucas, why didn’t you aim better when you had the chance?

  She kicked herself mentally. This was all her fault. She hadn’t listened to Lucas’ warnings about the Indian. She even kissed him to divert his attention away from Black Sparrow. Lucas looked to be nearly dead, and that was all her fault, too. Well, dammit, she was going to make this right.

  Perhaps she could talk to Black Sparrow. If she pleaded for Lucas’ life, asked the warrior to set him free as a wedding gift to her rather than kill him, would he do it? She shook her head. Why Black Sparrow wanted her for a wife was a mystery to her. There hadn’t been a flicker of tenderness in his eyes earlier at the cabin. Certainly not the warm looks she’d received from Timothy, or the smoldering, intense stares of appreciation and desire from . . .

  Tori’s head leaned back against the tree trunk, and she squeezed her eyes shut. Lucas Walker couldn’t possibly have feelings for her. The admiration in his eyes, the heated stares, what did they mean? Tori swallowed. This wasn’t the time to think such thoughts. Her immediate problem was how to get Lucas away from these murderous warriors. She slowly turned her head and peered at the prisoner again. Was he even alive? The way he hung motionless from the tree limb, he could be dead for all she could see through the darkness.

  Bide you
r time. Find out how many warriors there are.

  By the look of things, these men were getting ready to settle in for the night. Two of them already had fur robes wrapped around their shoulders. Tori hugged one arm around her waist. With the coming of darkness, the temperature had dropped quickly, and with a cloudless sky overhead, it promised to be a frigid night. Lucas stood in the open, completely nude. Would he even survive until morning?

  An Indian appeared from the thicket close to where Lucas was tied and entered the circle of light from the fires. He nudged one of the other warriors, who stood and headed off in the same direction from where the first man had emerged.

  “Must be the changing of sentries,” Tori mumbled under her breath. She waited. Would there be any more guards? Minutes passed, and no one else appeared. The youth joined the others at the fire.

  Time to move.

  If she could reach the horses, she could confirm how many warriors she was dealing with. Hopefully it would be no more than the six men plus the boy she had seen.

  Thankfully, she was downwind from where the horses stood tethered, and Tori approached only as closely as she needed to in order to see them all. She counted seven animals standing side by side tied to a picket line. Quietly, she backtracked to where she’d come from, and continued to skirt around the camp. She kept a far enough distance to see the fires flicker, but well outside the circle of light. The sentry had disappeared into the woods somewhere behind where Lucas was strung up. He was her immediate problem.

  Tori settled behind a large spruce tree, sinking to her rump in the pungent earth. The soil was moist and cold, and a shiver passed through her body after sitting motionless for countless minutes. She cupped her icy hands over her mouth and quietly blew hot breath into her palms. She waited.

  The fires slowly died to glowing embers, and the last of the six figures stretched on the ground and pulled a heavy robe over himself. A horse snorted contently, and an owl hooted in a nearby tree. Tori guessed she must have sat motionless for another hour before she dared to move. She could no longer make out Lucas’ form from where she sat. Slowly, she rose to her feet, her legs stiff from the cold. She stretched, then clutched the rifle to her chest, and inched her way toward the tree where Lucas was strung up.