Strangling fear surged up his throat. Amy, skirts flying, blond hair a gleaming target, was running in a straight line for the wagons, Loretta right behind her. The white, spying the women, had stopp...
Staring down at Hunter, she noticed things about him that she hadn’t before. Or perhaps it was that she now saw him in a new light. The broad span of his shoulders, knotted with muscle, hunched protec...
Somewhat revived by the water she had been forced to consume, Loretta sat astride the mare, suffering the confines of Hunter’s arm around her waist and the familiarity of his hand on her midriff. His...
Something deep within Loretta knotted, twisted. She hugged her middle and tried desperately not to think, to deny the reality she could not accept, that Hunter, the legendary killer, was a man who tho...
Please, Tom whispered. There’s other gals you can steal. Don’t take this one. Let her go home to her family. Breaking off, he licked his lips. She ain’t done you no harm.After a long while, Hunter ret...
One Indian was taller on horseback than all the rest, broader across the shoulders and chest. She kept her gaze on him. A month ago she would have fled in panic. She would never run from him again.
No Black Robe, no marriage for your God. I am sure enough happy with a marriage my way. With a determined glint in his eyes, he turned toward the crowd, raising his arms, and shouted something. Then h...
My gawd, Henry! Tom cried. You ain’t seriously sayin’ you’d keep her here?A flush crept up Henry’s neck. Of course not.Rachel glanced uneasily at her husband, then back at Tom. How long would it take...
My dear child, the priest inserted, it’s not often one of these--he threw a meaningful glance at Hunter-- offers to make an honorable woman of a captive. Wouldn’t it be wise to accept?I’m in no need o...
Memories of those first few days washed over her. Of his arm around her while she slept, the heat of his chest against her back, how terrified she had been. Suddenly the stars above her blurred, and s...
Make me a story.Hunter, I don’t have a stitch of clothes on, she squeaked.One of his dark eyebrows flicked upward. You must have clothes to make stories?No. I guess I…well, it might help me think.He s...
Let the find the lots of land, plenty for all, and plant dead trees there. This is Comanche land, and it cannot be given or bought.And we say it can. As you’re so fond of saying, it is not wise to fi...
Less than an hour later the girls were nearly ready to leave. Amy had just gone out to saddle her horse, and Loretta was about to join her, when Amy burst back inside the house, slamming the door behi...
Late the fourth evening, Many Horses visited Maiden’s lodge. At first Loretta sensed that Hunter’s father was taking measure of her, and she was suspicious of his motives for coming, but soon Many Hor...
I’m leaving on a journey.Ah, yes, a journey. Where are you going?Hunter ignored the question. It was one thing to surrender to his woman, but quite another to admit it to his brother.
I’ll do anything, Hunter. I’ll serve you on my knees. I’ll be your loyal slave forever. I’ll kiss the ground you walk on, anything.He disengaged his hand from hers and grasped her shoulders, hauling h...
It’s a very small bow. Who is it for?Turtle, Many Horses replied with a mischievous smile. At my age, there is little pleasure in life. It is time I watched my grandson learn to shoot. I and my friend...
If her face was carved on his heart, his was carved on her soul.
I think it’s plumb loco, that’s what! The paddle thunked rhythmically against the sides of the tub, making such a din that it nearly drowned Amy out. If you marry up with that old man, you’ll be suppi...
I swear it before God--I’ll eat and I’ll stay beside you, forever into the horizon.You will not fight the great fight?No, I won’t fight.He slipped an arm around her waist and drew her against him. Ah,...