Forbidden Fires

by Madeline Baker

  “I do, but if we’re in danger here, doesn’t it make more sense to leave right away?”

  Rafe let out a long breath. “I promised Summer Wind we’d spend a few days with the Cheyenne if she’d behave herself.”

  “You mean she’s blackmailing you?”

  “In a way. She had a bad time of it with Beech and she wanted to spend some time with the People again. Who knows, maybe she’ll decide to stay here.”

  “How can she stay? You two are supposed to be married.”

  “We’ll get a divorce.”

  “I didn’t know Indians believed in divorce.”

  “They do, and they’re a lot less complicated than in the white world.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. When a woman wants a divorce from her husband, she simply returns to her parents. In this case, Summer Wind would stay with Shinte Galeska and declare our marriage is over.”

  “Could you do the same thing?”

  “It’s a little different for a man. If he tires of his wife, or decides she’s unfit, he waits until the next dance and then he announces that he’s throwing his wife away and whoever wants her can have her.”

  “How embarrassing,” Caitlyn remarked, thinking she had never heard of anything so uncivilized. Marriage was a sacred covenant and as such should not be taken so lightly.

  “Maybe, but you have to remember that a lot of Indian marriages are arranged by the parents. They don’t always work out, and I imagine a little embarrassment is better than living with a man who doesn’t want you.”

  “I suppose.”

  Rafe took Caitlyn’s hands in his. “Will you be all right while I’m gone?”

  Caitlyn shrugged. “I guess so.” Ordinarily, she would have begged him not to leave her, but the thought that Summer Wind might decide to stay with the Cheyenne was too tempting to pass up.

  “I’ve got to go,” Rafe said reluctantly. “They’re waiting for me.”

  Rising, he reached for Caitlyn’s hand and pulled her to her feet. “I’ll miss you,” he murmured. His hand stroked her back and lingered in her hair, and then he lowered his head and kissed her fervently.

  “Hurry back,” Caitlyn said, forcing a smile.

  Rafe nodded. “You can count on it.”

  Caitlyn followed him out of the lodge. He had discarded his buckskin shirt and the early-morning sun caressed his broad shoulders. There were moccasins on his feet, a knife sheathed on his belt, and a red headband kept his hair from his face. His skin was as dark as that of Shinte Galeska.

  Summer Wind led Rafe’s horse forward, and he swung into the saddle. Shinte Galeska handed Rafe a bow and a quiver of arrows, and Caitlyn felt a twinge of unease. Rafe looked as Indian now as he had the first time she had seen him.

  In moments, a half-dozen warriors had gathered near the lodge of Shinte Galeska. Rafe sent Caitlyn a long look, silently assuring her that everything would be all right in his absence.

  Summer Wind tugged on Rafe’s ankle and he looked down at her.

  “Good hunting, my husband,” she said, smiling up at him.

  “Take care of Caitlyn,” Rafe said.

  Summer Wind nodded, her expression sullen. If only the white woman would disappear, then she and Stalking Wolf could stay here with the Cheyenne forever. They could have a good life together, and she would give him sons, many sons. If only the white woman would disappear.

  Rafe gave Summer Wind’s shoulder a quick squeeze, but he had eyes only for Caitlyn. He sent her a warm smile of farewell and then followed the other warriors out of the village.

  Rainbow Woman waved to her husband and then went to stand beside Summer Wind. “Come along,” she said. “I must go gather wood and water.”

  “Let the white woman do it,” Summer Wind said, and Rainbow Woman smiled in agreement. Going into the lodge, Rainbow Woman returned with a large gourd, which she thrust into Caitlyn’s hand.

  “Go to the river and fetch water,” Summer Wind said imperiously. “And wood.”

  “I will not.”

  “You will do it if you wish to eat,” Summer Wind snapped. “Hurry now.”

  Muttering a very unladylike expletive, Caitlyn headed for the river, her mind busily contemplating the many ways she would like to dispose of Summer Wind.

  Kneeling beside the river, she filled the gourd, then placed it on the ground beside her and gazed into the distance. She could see a group of young boys shooting arrows at a bear skin pegged to a tree, and further down river she could see a trio of young girls splashing in the water.

  Twenty minutes later, she left the river and walked toward a grove of trees. For a moment, she considered running away. Probably no one would look for her. Certainly Summer Wind would be glad to see the last of her. But the thought of wandering alone across the plains was less than inviting. She would be alone, prey to wild animals and Indians and whatever other dangers lurked in the wilderness. Better to face the devil she knew, she mused, than to go out to meet a new one.

  It took only a few minutes to gather an armful of wood and then, with a heavy sigh, she returned to Rainbow Woman’s lodge.

  It was just after noon when the women began to play a game. Each woman had four sticks that were blackened with charcoal on one side and white on the other. Caitlyn stood behind the players, trying to discover the object of the game. After several rounds, she realized that when all four sticks were thrown and came up black, the player won two points, all white was one point, and mixed colors were zero. She was surprised to find that the Indian women were avid gamblers, wagering robes, moccasins, and household goods on a single throw.

  As the betting grew heavier, a couple of warriors joined the group and the game grew louder and more intense.

  As time passed, Caitlyn noticed that one of the warriors often looked her way. She saw him whisper to Summer Wind, who nodded. The warrior looked up at Caitlyn and smiled and Caitlyn felt a sudden chill.

  Her uneasiness increased when the warrior left the circle, then returned leading a fine bay mare. He pointed at Caitlyn and then at the horse, and though Caitlyn could not understand what he said to Summer Wind, she knew that he was wagering his horse on the next throw. If he lost, Summer Wind would have a new horse; if he won, he would have a new slave.

  Summer Wind glanced over her shoulder at the white woman. Dare she accept Tonkalla’s wager? She quickly weighed Stalking Wolf’s anger against the prospect of ridding herself of the white woman. The fact that Caitlyn did not belong to her was of no consequence. She was white, the enemy.

  Summer Wind turned back to Tonkalla. “It is a bet,” she said, and tossed the sticks on the ground.

  Caitlyn murmured, “Oh, no,” as all four sticks came up white.

  A muscle worked in Tonkalla’s jaw as he took his turn. It seemed to Caitlyn that the sticks fell in slow motion. The warrior loosed a loud cry of victory as all four of his sticks showed black. He had won.

  Caitlyn shook her head as he walked toward her. “No,” she said, backing away from him. “I don’t belong to you.”

  Panic rose within her, shattering her outward calm, as the warrior laid his hand on her arm. “No!” she screamed. “Leave me alone!”

  Summer Wind jumped to her feet and handed the warrior a strip of rawhide.

  “No,” Caitlyn sobbed as the warrior bound her hands behind her back. “No, you don’t understand. I’m Rafe’s wife.”

  But her protests were in vain. The warrior did not understand English so her words meant nothing. She struggled in vain as he dragged her through the camp toward his lodge and pushed her inside.

  Caitlyn fell to the floor, unable to break her fall with her hands bound behind her back. Scrambling to her knees, she scooted to the rear of the lodge, her heart pounding with fear, but the warrior did not approach her. Instead, gesturing for her to stay there, he returned to the game.

  The hours passed slowly. Each time she heard footsteps nearing the lodge, her heart lurched in dreadful anticipation, but no
one entered the lodge. She could hear the Indians as they went about their business—women laughing, calling to their children, the high-pitched shrieks of young girls at play, the shouts of the boys, the soft cry of a baby. Dogs seemed to be barking constantly. Frightened, she closed her eyes and prayed that Rafe would come back soon.

  The hunt was a success. Shinte Galeska had found a small herd of buffalo grazing in a meadow not far from the village and the warriors chased the herd, each man bringing down one or more of the huge shaggy beasts.

  Rafe had loved every minute of it, the thrill of the hunt, the exhilaration of the chase. It had been exciting, following pte again, feeling the surging power of the horse beneath him, hearing the sibilant hiss of the bowstring as he let an arrow fly, and lifting his voice in the age-old cry of victory as he brought down a prime cow.

  The warriors had feasted on the choice parts of the buffalo, smacking their lips at the taste of fresh liver and tongue. Because they had not brought any women along, the men skinned the carcasses and quartered the meat, which they then packed in the hides. There would be a big feast when they returned to the village, with singing and dancing and food for all.

  Rafe was feeling jubilant as they rode into camp two days later. His eyes quickly scanned the lodges, looking for Caitlyn. But it was Summer Wind who came running to meet him, a smile of welcome on her face as she reached for the reins of his horse.

  “The hunt was successful,” she remarked.

  “Very. Where’s Caitlyn?”

  Summer Wind lowered her gaze. “I have done a terrible thing,” she murmured.

  “What are you talking about? What terrible thing?”

  “I let Rainbow Woman talk me into playing the stick game,” she said, still not meeting his eyes. “One of the warriors offered a fine bay mare against the white woman. I was sure I would win and the horse would be mine. She was such a lovely mare. But…” Her voice died away. She could feel Stalking Wolf’s tension as he began to realize what she was saying, and suddenly the thought of facing his anger was more than she could bear.

  “Go on,” Rafe said, dismounting.

  “I lost.”

  “Where is she?”

  “Tonkalla has her in his lodge.”

  “Damn!”

  Rafe turned on his heel and started off across the camp.

  “Where are you going?” Summer Wind called.

  “To see if I can buy her back. Rate replied.

  With an effort, he fought down his anger as he made his way to Tonkalla’s lodge. Taking a deep, calming breath, he scratched on the lodge cover.

  “Enter,” Tonkalla invited, and ducked inside. He saw Caitlyn immediately. She was sitting in the back of the lodge, her hair mussed, her face drawn and pale, her eyes filled with apprehension. He shook his head slightly, warning her to keep still.

  Tonkalla smiled at Rafe as he invited him to sit down.

  “Are you hungry, my friend?” the warrior asked.

  “Yes, a little,” Rafe replied, knowing it would be considered a breach of etiquette to refuse his host’s hospitality.

  Tonkalla’s wife offered Rafe a slice of smoked buffalo meat and then left the lodge. Rafe ate without really tasting it, trying to decide how best to approach the reason for his visit.

  Tonkalla offered Rafe his pipe next, and the two men smoked and then spoke of the hunt. There followed a lull in the conversation, and Tonkalla looked at Rafe expectantly.

  Rafe cleared his throat. “I wish to buy back the white woman you won from Summer Wind,” he said, deciding the direct approach would be the best. “Summer Wind is jealous of the yellow-haired woman and she gambled her away without my permission.”

  Tonkalla shook his head. “I do not wish to part with her. My woman, Little Deer, will give birth soon. Her mother has gone to the place of spirits, and I have no female relatives to help her. She will need a woman to help with the work after the child comes.”

  Rafe nodded sympathetically. “I understand. But I have become very fond of the white woman. She is good beneath the buffalo robes.”

  Tonkalla smiled, and Rafe cursed his choice of words. Telling the warrior that Caitlyn was good in bed was not the way to get her back. Most Indian men did not have intercourse with their wives until after a baby was weaned.

  “That is another reason I desired to have the white woman,” Tonkalla admitted, sending Caitlyn a lust-filled glance. “A slave is less worrisome than a second wife, and more easily disposed of if she causes trouble.”

  Rafe nodded, suddenly glad that Caitlyn did not understand the Cheyenne tongue. “I will give you my horse and rifle for the woman.”

  Tonkalla frowned thoughtfully. A new rifle was tempting indeed, but not so tempting as the woman with pale skin and yellow hair.

  “I will keep the woman,” the warrior decided, a note of finality in his voice.

  Rafe swore under his breath. Rising, he glanced at Caitlyn, and then at Tonkalla. “May I speak to her?”

  “Of course,” Tonkalla said generously. “I will leave you alone to say goodbye.”

  “Le pila mita,” Rafe murmured. “My thanks.”

  When they were alone, Rafe knelt in front of Caitlyn, his hands cupping her shoulders. “Are you all right, Caty?”

  She nodded, too close to tears to speak.

  “Caty, I’m sorry.” He drew her into his arms and held her close, his hand lightly stroking her back. He could feel her trembling in his arms and he cursed Summer Wind for her treachery. “I tried to buy you back,” he said, “but Tonkalla refused.”

  “You can’t mean to leave me here!” Caitlyn exclaimed.

  “Of course not.” He held her tighter. “I’ll think of something, don’t worry. In the meantime, do whatever Tonkalla tells you.”

  “Do you want me to sleep with him, too?” Caitlyn asked, pushing him away.

  “Don’t be silly.”

  “I’m not being silly. I’m scared. I want to go home, and I want to go now!”

  “Caty, please be patient. I can’t just walk out of here and take you with me. Not now, not in broad daylight.”

  “When?”

  “Tonight if I can arrange it.”

  Caitlyn nodded, her eyes filling with tears.

  “I’ll get you out of here as soon as I can,” Rafe said quietly. “I promise.”

  She didn’t say anything, only stood there gazing at him through eyes damp with tears. “Caty, Caty.” He took her in his arms and held her close. He could only imagine how frightened she had been in his absence. Guilt rose in his heart as he realized that while he had been out having a good time, she had been sitting in Tonkalla’s lodge, frightened and alone.

  “I’d better go,” he said reluctantly. “Don’t be afraid. Tonkalla won’t hurt you.”

  Caitlyn sniffed back her tears. “Tonight,” she reminded him. “I’ll be waiting.”

  “I’ll come for you.” He kissed her then, savoring the sweet taste of her lips, knowing he would kill Tonkalla or any other man who dared touch her.

  Stepping outside, Rafe saw Shinte Galeska striding toward him, a huge grin on his face. “My woman told me of your loss,” the warrior said, chuckling. “Two women in one lodge can be trouble sometimes, but Summer Wind seems to have solved it for you.”

  “Yes,” Rafe agreed, forcing a grin.

  Shinte Galeska slapped Rafe on the shoulder. “I know you were planning to leave us tomorrow, but you must stay for the feast. The women are preparing the food even now.”

  Rafe nodded. He had no intention of leaving the Cheyenne camp without Caitlyn.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Caitlyn sat outside her captor’s lodge, the remains of a meal in a shallow bowl on the ground beside her. The Indian food was palatable, if different, but her mind was not on food. The women had been cooking all day and now, with the feasting over, the Indians were dancing and singing and generally having a good time. The babies and toddlers had all been put to bed, the older children could be seen p
laying on the outskirts of the adult circle. Several men were engaged in a boisterous dice game off to one side, while a number of young maidens strolled around the camp, showing off in their new finery.

  But Caitlyn had eyes only for Rafe. She was seeing him through new eyes as he made himself at home in the Indian village. He seemed to belong here, among these dusky-toned people. Time and again she wondered what she would do if he decided to stay. And time and again she reassured herself that such a thing would never happen. Rafe loved her. She knew it, even though he had never said the words. He would not leave her at the mercy of another man.

  Summer Wind hovered near Rafe, smiling at him, touching him, openly admiring him, and Caitlyn felt her jealousy flare. Rafe was only a man, after all. How long could he gaze into Summer Wind’s adoring eyes and not be moved? How many times could Summer Wind smile at him, caress him, before he took what she was so boldly offering?

  Caitlyn closed her eyes, unable to watch the two of them any longer. She gave a strangled sob as images of Summer Wind and Rafe sharing the same bed within a dark lodge played across her mind.

  In desperation, she tugged against the rope that bound her hands, but it only caused her pain as the rawhide bit into her wrists. Tears flooded her eyes and she bowed her head so no one could see her weeping.

  Lost in misery, she uttered a sharp cry when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

  “Caty.”

  Joy filled her whole being at the sound of his voice.

  Rafe swore under his breath when he saw the tears glistening in Caitlyn’s eyes. Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her lightly and then, very gently, he wiped the tears from her cheeks with his fingertips.