“Oh, I think he’ll find him, all right. He took Chinook with him.”
Cullen knew he was back in Blackfoot country, but he did not dare approach the village. Even though he was not dressed in his uniform, he would find no welcome there. He glanced down at the wolf, which was on alert. “Go find Wind Warrior,” he said, knowing the wolf did not understand him. He was amazed when the animal shot forward, toward the pine forest.
Cullen waited a moment, until the wolf disappeared, then turned his horse back toward the fort. He had done all he could to help Susan’s little friend. He did not know if the wolf would lead Wind Warrior to Rain Song, but he hoped she would.
“Land sakes,” Mrs. Pierce said, pulling the lace curtains aside. “There’s some kind of commotion going on at the front gate. Looks like the guards are arguing with a bunch of Indians. Wonder what that’s all about.”
Tall Woman sat astride her horse, with her arms crossed over her breasts. “Tell that white man to get out of my way. I want to see my daughter.”
Mule Deer, whom they had brought with them as translator, spoke English to the guard.
“We don’t have no Blackfoot girl inside the fort,” the young corporal said, taking a step back.
“Then I will speak to your chief,” Tall Woman demanded.
Rain Song was running as fast as her legs would carry her. “My mother,” she cried. “My mother!”
Tall Woman slid off her horse and ran toward Rain Song.
Throwing herself into her mother’s arms, Rain Song wept. “I thought I would never see you again. How is my father, and Fire Wolf, how is he? I know he has grown.”
“What about me?” a deep, beloved voice asked.
Rain Song flew into the arms of her husband. He held her tightly to him, pressing his cheek to hers. “I did not know what had happened to you.” He pulled back and touched her face. “I found Dull Knife’s body, and I feared…“
He grabbed her to him, unable to go on.
“I wanted you. I needed you,” she said brokenly.
A crowd was gathering inside the fort, watching the unusual reunion. Cullen walked across the parade ground to the gate, a smile on his face.
“Will you introduce me to your husband?” Cullen asked. “The colonel would like to speak to the legendary Wind Warrior.”
Rain Song quickly told Wind Warrior about Cullen.
The two men sized each other up.
“Rain Song,” Wind Warrior said, “thank the major for releasing Chinook, so we could follow her here, but tell him I will not speak to his colonel. Also tell him that if at any time he would like to visit our village, he will find a welcome there.”
Rain Song turned to Cullen, and after she told him what Wind Warrior had said, she made her own request. “Please, I want to go home now. I want to have my baby with my mother beside me. When my aunt and uncle come, bring them to the village. I want them to know my husband and my family.”
Cullen smiled. To be invited into the Blood Blackfoot village was an invitation no white soldier had ever received. “Will the village be located beside the Milk River?”
Rain Song asked Wind Warrior, and he nodded.
“Come home with me, Rain Song,” Wind Warrior said. “Come with me now.”
Joy spread over her face. “Yes. Let us leave right away.”
They camped the first night beside the Missouri River. Tall Woman had a small tent of her own, with three of her husband’s braves sleeping nearby. Farther into the woods Rain Song shared a tipi with her husband, while Chinook lay just outside. Curled up in Wind Warrior’s arms, Rain Song had never known such happiness. “I will not be parted from you again.”
Suddenly Wind Warrior gripped her arm, holding her tightly, his gaze searching hers. “Did my brother…did Dull Knife…hurt you?”
“No. Put that fear out of your mind. You might even like to know that at the last moment he could have pulled me to my death, but he let me go.”
Wind Warrior trembled with pent-up emotions. “I knew he had taken his revenge on me through you. I feared you were dead and I wanted to die too.”
Rain Song touched his face, smoothing her hand over the frown there. “I had to live. You made me keeper of your child.”
He brushed his mouth against hers. “Forgive me.”
“Why?” she asked, although she knew what was bothering him.
“I left you alone and defenseless, and at the mercy of my brother. How will you ever trust me to watch over you and our child?”
“Husband, it is a hard task you have been given in life. You are somehow responsible for the well-being of all our people. I know this and I accept it, as you must. I would not have you any other way.”
His hand trembled as he placed it on her swollen stomach. “I am nothing without you.”
“I know,” she answered with the confidence of a woman who realized how much she was loved.
His hand moved higher and he cupped her breasts. “These are bigger.”
“Yes.”
He nuzzled his mouth between her breasts and she smiled. “Will I hurt the baby if I have you?”
“I am told it will not harm the child.”
He let out a long breath. “I need you.”
“I know.”
He shook her playfully. “Why is it you know everything about me?”
“I do not. There are many mysteries surrounding this man I love. It will take me a lifetime to untangle them.”
She realized he had shed his doeskin shirt because she felt his muscled back beneath her fingers. He pulled away so he could raise her gown over her head. Then he stopped, puzzled. “How does this white woman’s gown come off?”
She laughed as she unhooked it down the front. He watched, his breathing heavy. When she was naked, he picked her up in his arms and held her for a long, silent moment.
“I will tell you something. When I saw you at the white man’s fort, I did not know if you would come home with me.”
She arched her brow. “You do not know how seductive your powers are, my husband.” She placed her hands on either side of his beloved face. “Make love to me.”
He dropped to his knees, as if his legs had gone out from under him. Laying her on the buffalo robe, he touched her breasts, nuzzled her neck, and ran his tongue over her lips. “I cannot wait to be inside you,” he said in a hoarse voice.
Rain Song quaked when he hovered above her, and moaned when he pushed into her. Clutching him to her, she closed her eyes. He filled her heart, and took her loneliness away.
“My soul,” he whispered.
“My love,” she said.
Rain Song had come home.
Epilogue
Spring had come at last to Blackfoot country. Gentle breezes blew off the Milk River, where happy children frolicked and played in the sun.
Wind Warrior stood with his arms folded across his broad chest, feeling at peace as he watched the serene scene around him.
Rain Song had given him a son, and he raised his head to the wind with pride in the child that carried both their races in his small body. He watched Tall Woman scolding Fire Wolf, and Broken Lance looked on, his brow arched. Wind Warrior knew by his look that Broken Lance was thinking it was time he took over the rearing of his son.
Wind Warrior’s heart swelled as Rain Song came out of her mother’s tipi, with his son strapped to a cradle board. The Blackfoot people no longer saw his woman as one of the white race; they saw her for the exceptional person she was.
At that moment, Rain Song’s lullaby floated on the wings of the wind and he closed his eyes, absorbing the sound of it.
Rain Song’s aunt and uncle had come to visit earlier in the year. At first they tried to convince their niece to return to Washington with them. But after a few days, they admitted she had a good life and a family that loved her.
The best part of their visit had been when Rain Song and her aunt sang a song together, their voices blending so sweetly, many cried when they heard
them. The beauty of that song would stay with Wind Warrior’s people for many years to come, and was often retold around the campfires.
He watched Rain Song move gracefully in his direction, and saw her dip her head to place a kiss on his son’s face.
“Our son has no name,” she reminded Wind Warrior as she drew close to him. “When will you name him?”
He smiled, pulling her into his arms. “For now, you may pick his name. But our son will not wait for his father to name him, as I had to wait. He will go on his own vision quest when he is of an age.”
“My father has been calling him Wolf Runner, because his eyes already follow Chinook.”
Wind Warrior laughed. “Broken Lance’s act of revenge against me because I chose your name.”
“Speaking of my wolf, have you seen her? She has not come home since her latest adventure.”
Wind Warrior touched his child’s hand and the baby curled his fingers around his father’s. “Remember when I told you Chinook might one day leave us.”
Her mouth flew open. “I do not want to lose her.”
He took the cradle board and smiled down at his son. He wondered if every father thought his child was perfect. “Fear not, Chinook will return, for she is attached to you. But do not be surprised if she brings a mate with her, and even cubs.”
A smile lit Rain Song’s face. “It would be wonderful if Chinook could have a family of her own. She has spent so much time taking care of me.”
Wind Warrior touched his son’s smile and it lit his heart. “Wolf Runner. It is a worthy name.” In that moment a fleeting impression of a young Blackfoot boy, running with a wolf pack, touched his mind. Before he could examine the thought, it was gone.
“My father told me Cullen would be coming to the village, and he promised to take him hunting for elk.”
“I never thought I would say this about any white man, but Cullen has become a good friend. Broken Lance has accepted him as a friend as well.”
Rain Song looked into the eyes of her husband, and saw love reflected in the shimmering depths. He was a man of honor and duty toward those he loved. Later in the summer they would take the baby and climb up the mountain. It was a place she wanted her son to love as much as she and Wind Warrior did.
Raising her head, she watched an eagle floating on the currents of the wind. Because of Wind Warrior’s teachings, she was able to envision the world through its eyes. Because of Chinook, she could look at the world through the eyes of a wolf.
Life was good beside the Milk River.
Romantic Times Praises USA Today Bestselling Author Constance O’Banyon!
COMANCHE MOON RISING
“O’Banyon has written another romantic tale of forbidden love, honor, bravery, revenge and passion. Readers will enjoy the rich attention to detail and the hair-raising action and suspense.”
DESERT PRINCE
“In the hands of O’Banyon, ancient history comes alive in this fourth book set in Egypt during the rule of the powerful Roman Caesars.”
DAUGHTER OF EGYPT
“The heroine is a smart, strong woman, a perfect match for the warrior hero. Their sexual tension permeates the novel, and the culmination of their love is hot and sweet.”
SWORD OF ROME
“O’Banyon continues the tale she began in Lord of the Nile by introducing Adhaniá. The historical facts are intriguing, and the effort of the characters to foil the plot against Caesar is heartwarming. The sensual scenes are sparse but tender and hot.”
LORD OF THE NILE
“Fans of Egyptian lore and facts will find O’Banyon’s historical right up their alley. She sprinkles political intrigue and love throughout the pages of this enjoyable book.”
HAWK’S PURSUIT
“O’Banyon’s third book in her Hawk series is possibly the best yet, with a regular little spitfire heroine, great verbal sparring and some very emotional scenes.”
THE MOON AND THE STARS
“Fast-paced and filled with adventure, this is a great read…O’Banyon has created some wonderful characters, an interesting plot and an entertaining book.”
HEART OF TEXAS
“O’Banyon excels at bringing the grit and harsh beauty of the West and its brave pioneers to life…Heart of Texas gets at the heart of the West and its readers.”
HALF MOON RANCH: MOON RACER
“Kudos to Constance O’Banyon!”
RIDE THE WIND
“Ms. O’Banyon’s story is well written with well-developed characters.”
TYKOTA’S WOMAN
“Constance O’Banyon delivers a gripping and emotionally charged tale of love, honor and betrayal.”
TEXAS PROUD
“Texas Proud is another good read from Ms. O’Banyon.”
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