Love by Dawn (17 page)

Swearing again she cried, “You thick headed
son-of-a-bitch! You men can think of nothing else but beating each
other to death. Well, it would have served you both right if you
had killed each other.” She hiccupped. “Y-you are both animals and
I w-wouldn’t love either one of you… so you fought for nothing! You
dolt, you could‘ve been mortally wounded.”

It seemed now that her anger took over her
grief and her profanities were music to his ears, he opened his
eyes. “Oh, sweetheart, you do have a way with words.”

“Why you f-faking polecat!” she sputtered,
her voice ragged with tears. Swiftly, he kissed her tear streaked
lips not believing her words. Blake dragged himself to his feet and
helped her up. They both looked a sight and after the initial
trauma of what happened wore off, they laughed, shocking the whole
tribe. Dasodaha announced that it was a draw to save his son’s face
and his sad eyes showed some relief. Blake knew that this was
certainly against tribal laws, but the way things have been
changing lately, he knew the chief saw no harm in overlooking
this.

“Go back to your duties,” the chief ordered
the amazed village. “There will be no more fighting amongst
brothers. It’s settled. White woman is Blake’s.”

Blake heard Casey sigh in relief and he knew
he looked bloodier than he really was since his blood was mixed
with Star Gazer’s. He also knew he would be sore for a couple of
days. Casey said that she ached for him, but he was alive, that’s
all that mattered.

They left the bewildered red skins and went
to the lake to wash away the dirt and blood. Standing knee deep in
the lake, Casey splashed water on his battered face. “Humph! Your
left eye is swelling some and you have a nasty cut on your upper
lip.” She touched it with a finger and he winced. “Looks as if we
won’t be kissing for awhile,” she teased.

“Says who?” He grabbed her to him and planted
a wet one on her mouth. He groaned, proving him wrong.

She rubbed it in. “See I told you it would
hurt,” she said a tad out of breath.

“Lady, that was a groan of pleasure not
pain,” he declared smugly, although it was half a lie.” But I do
ache in another area.” His hint sailed right over her head.

“Oh,” she gasped, “I forgot about your arm.”
She looked at the cut. “We better have Moon Glow look at that, you
might need stitches.”

“Honey, the only thing I need is you.” And he
pulled her closer to demonstrate his need, and to enlighten her
where his pain was. Then he began to introduce her body to the feel
of his hands. Could her eyes grow any wider? Her mouth opened to
protest such a foolish notion when he planted another kiss on her
lips. “Now do you get the message?”

“But, but, your wounds?” she rasped. Her eyes
grew darker, indicating strong emotions.

“My wounds can wait, I can’t.”

She harrumphed again. “You’re
incorrigible.”

“Again with the sweet talk,” he grinned.

TWENTY-ONE

Summer Wind was also astonished as she
watched the white man fight Star Gazer. If this Blake killed the
brave, would Hunter and his sister be sent away from her village?
Her heart was heavy with worry over the outcome of the combat. She
didn’t want to see one of her own people harmed any more than she
wanted to lose Hunter. He had feelings for her, this she was
certain of because her mouth still tingled when she thought of his
kiss. A tender kiss that spoke to her heart, what words could never
say. What would she do if he was banished from her life?

She, like her people, had watched in awe at
the result of the fight. Her heart sang with relief when Star Gazer
gave Casey to Blake. After the couple left, she stood and saw
Hunter approaching. All her pent up emotions consumed her reasoning
and she started to cry bitter tears.

Hunter embraced her in his strong arms.

“Summer Wind, please tell me what is the
matter?”

She wiped her tears on the back of her hand.
He studied her wet face, waiting for her reply but she was
humiliated and she lowered her eyes. She was embarrassed by his
actions and her body tensed. Summer Wind was uneasy because they
were being watched by elders and this was not fitting behavior for
a maiden. He took her trembling hand and they walked to the edge of
the woods, where she hoped the prying eyes would leave them
alone.

“Summer Wind?” Hunter sat her on a large
rock. “Why are you crying like a silly goose?”

She was in no mood for his teasing. She had
come very close to losing him and was slightly miffed that he
should find humor in this. She smarted, “Are all white people
crazy?”

“What are you talking about?” he
chuckled.

“You laugh at me!” Outraged at his conduct,
she stood to leave. Uncaring how much she loved him, she refused to
sit there watching his handsome face grin at her so stupidly.
Hunter jumped in front of her to stop her from leaving. She dodged
to the left but he moved the same way blocking her path. She huffed
and moved to the other side but he was faster. Sighing heavily, she
stood and looked into his eyes. Hurt and confusion filled them, but
a hint of mischief lingered on his lips. She could not stop sobbing
and he took her hand again.

“I’m sorry I angered you. I didn’t mean to
offend you, it was just that you looked so sorrowful and your sad
face only made…”

She flew into his unsuspecting arms. Taken
off guard, they nearly stumbled backwards. He appeared lost for
words at her action and stood mute for many moments.

“I worried that you would be sent away before
heart can tell what it feels.” Her words struggled to get out of
her throat. She was trying to be brave, afraid she would falter
before she spoke her thoughts. Her head on Hunter’s chest, his
heart beat wildly in her ear. Praying for strength, she continued.
“My life no longer same since you come to village. I cannot sleep
and eat without thinking of you. A man’s lips never touched mine
before yours. Red men do not practice this custom. Your kiss made
me feel funny in my belly and....”

This time it was Hunter’s turn to cut her
words short. He placed a finger tenderly under her quivering chin,
forcing her to look at him and he kissed her softly. She opened her
mouth to receive his tongue when it darted between her lips.

“I love you Summer Wind and I want you to be
my wife.”

Those words left her as speechless as a
papoose.

TWENTY-TWO

That evening Blue Thunder talked late into
the night to Four Toes on Hunter’s behalf, praying to the spirits
that the maiden’s father would consent to their marriage.

“I know how you feel,” Blue Thunder spoke
Athabscan since Four Toes didn’t know any of the white man’s
language. “Four Toes, my father refused to give me permission to
marry the white woman, Moon Glow. But as you know, she proved to be
a great healer to our people and won favor in Dasodaha’s heart.
This Hunter is brave and will care for you and your daughter. They
are deeply in love. I will also speak with your chief, Bear Claw.
Times are changing, we can no longer keep the white eyes from our
land and someday I feel many of our people will join hands with
other cultures. It is sad, I know and also tried to fight progress,
but when it comes to matters of the heart, I am afraid the heart
will win over everything else.”

Four Toes chewed on a long stem clay pipe,
smoke made his old eyes squint. “I know my daughter loves white
man, but she is only child and I do not want her to be hurt. She is
young, but then I remembered taking my wife, Dark Skies to mat when
she was but fourteen winters. I will sleep on your words, Blue
Thunder.”

Blue Thunder knew Summer Wind sat quietly in
the corner. He heard her sigh happy that her father did not flatly
refuse.

Casey as well as Blake was not surprised when
they heard of Hunter’s love for Summer Wind and his will to stay.
She had mixed feelings for she’d miss her brother dearly. Her only
regret was that they were so very young and prayed they were doing
the right thing. But she was glad he had found happiness in his
life. The Indians would teach him their ways. Her brother beamed
with pride and love, but Blue Thunder told them that he had to
first convince Summer Wind’s father, Four Toes, that the white man
was worthy of his daughter.

Hunter paced nervously in his wickiup,
annoying Casey with his fretting. Finally, she couldn’t take any
more. “Hunter! Please sit,” she scolded. “You’re driving me crazy
with your pacing. Summer Wind’s father will be convinced of your
love for his daughter. I’m sure she’s confessed her love for
you.”

Her brother inhaled deeply and started to
respond when Blue Thunder’s deep voice asked permission to enter
the dwelling. She didn’t like the serious expression the Indian’s
face and her sibling swallowed audibly, rubbing his hands
together.

“What did Four Toes say?” he asked, wiping
the sweat from his brow.

“This will not be easy, but he did not say,
no. He said he would sleep on it.” Blue Thunder sat on the floor
and patted a spot for Hunter to join him. Casey made the motion to
leave, but Blue Thunder told her to stay and continued to explain
the Apache way. “If Four Toes gives Hunter permission to marry
Summer Wind, Hunter must give him a bride price gift.”

Hunter let out a slow breath that ended in a
whistle. It wasn’t hopeless she thought; Four Toes didn’t say no.
Then her brother drew his thick brows together, not understanding
what a bride gift was. Before he had a chance to speak, Casey asked
for him, “What is this bride price gift Hunter has to pay?”

“Summer Wind is Four Toes’ only girl child
and he is a poor Apache according to red man’s belief. He owns only
one horse and it is very old, not even strong enough to carry any
burdens. A red man’s worth is in the amount of horses he owns. If
he accepts Hunter, he will want six horses for his beautiful
daughter.”

Hunter gasped. “You might as well ask me for
a thousand dollars. I don’t own a horse, much less six of them. All
is lost,” he whispered and slumped heavily.

Casey touched her brother’s arm tenderly. “I
have Sadie,” she offered.

He snorted. “Well, that makes five to
go.”

Blue Thunder spoke up. “Blake and I will help
you round up horses for your bride price.”

Hunter’s head snapped up, his eyes filled
with puzzlement. “I don’t understand.”

“There is herd of wild horses in the valley.
Bright Spirit, the wild stallion leads his herd every winter into
valley; they arrived few days ago. Bright Spirit had never been
captured, though many braves gather a few of his mares each year.
Four Toes has no son’s to bring him horses. They were killed when
Star Gazer and myself were captured by white dog soldiers a few
winters ago. Summer Wind’s father has been too ill for many moons
to join the chase. I see that he and his daughter have plenty to
eat. Summer Wind’s, mother, Dark Skies, was too old when she gave
birth. Her heart failed in labor and Four Toes has never been same
since wife’s death.”

Then they were told that a warrior seeking a
wife would have to bargain with the parents, in this case, her
father. Because of the language barrier and Hunter was a white man,
Blue Thunder would have to handle the matter. But it had to be
Hunter who would take the horse to the maiden’s dwelling. If she
viewed his suit with favor, she would feed and water the animal.
Blue Thunder guaranteed Hunter that Summer Wind would do this and
upon seeing her care for the animal, Hunter would go and fetch his
bride. Her brother jumped to his feet when Blue Thunder rose. He
gratefully shook the big Indian’s hand vigorously, thanking him
over and over until the red man finally pulled away from his well
meaning grip.

The next day Hunter joined Blue Thunder and
Blake and they rode out into the valley to bring back a bride
price. They rode for miles before spotting the wild horses. Blue
Thunder pointed to the magnificent white stallion leading his herd.
Hunter thought that it was a beautiful sight.

“There! Bright Spirit; he runs like the
wind.”

Hunter sat in awe but it was Blake that
commented, “You said no one had ever captured Bright Spirit?”

“No. The Apaches believe he should always be
free. We believe he was once a great leader of our nation and he
come back in horse’s form.”

“Interesting,” murmured Hunter.

It took them quite a while to separate a few
horses from the herd. After Blue Thunder admitted that he didn’t
think Hunter would be much help, he proved to be a fast learner.
When the feat was accomplished, the animals were tied with a rope
and hobbled for the night. Blue Thunder told the men that they’d
leave after he had his morning run. He bragged that he was the
fastest runner in his clan and could race for miles without
breaking a sweat.

Hunter merely shrugged. Nothing that big
Indian could do would surprise him. Then he became curious as to
how the Indians broke horses. He remembered when his father brought
home a wild horse, it took his father many bruises and bumps before
the animal stood still long enough to be mounted and then there
were times when the critter acted up. He still recalled how his
father distracted the horse’s attention by holding his head down by
the ears while Hunter or Casey mounted. Sometimes his old man would
catch the tip of the ear with his teeth. This strange technique
caused the critter to stand very still to avoid pain. Casey always
barked at the terrible treatment their father did by what was
called, “ear down.”

During the night, they woke hearing the cry
of a mountain lion, spooking the horses. Hunter rose on his elbows
and rasped, “Please don’t tell me what I think that is?”

Blue Thunder stoked the fire. “We are safe. I
will quiet the horses. A few minutes later he returned. “The lion
is near, but the stallions seemed to have quieted down some.”