Savage Autumn (17 page)

The firelight gave off a rosy glow, and the flames flickered playfully across Windhawk’s naked body. Joanna’s eyes widened in admiration. Although they had made love before, she hadn’t seen his body. She had no idea that a man’s body could be so beautiful. His ebony hair hung loosely about his broad shoulders. His face, which was half cast in shadows, was handsome, and the passionate look in his eyes sent tiny shivers of delight down her spine. Her eyes wandered down his smooth chest and across his taut stomach, skipping quickly across his pulsating manhood to return to his face.

Windhawk dropped to his knees in front of her and pulled her up beside him. “Jo-anna, do you not know you should never look at a man like that?” His lips pressed against her closed eyelids.

“Why?” she whispered.

“Because, it makes me want to…” He never finished whatever he was going to say, because Joanna moved forward and touched her mouth to his. Windhawk could only groan softly.

He raised his head and looked deeply into her eyes. She became lost in the burning depths of his eyes, which caressed her face lovingly, before they traveled down her silky body. He was making love to her with his eyes. Joanna’s heart skipped a beat when his hand traced a pattern across her face, then slid across her shoulder and down her neck to cup her waiting breasts.

She raised her face to his, and Windhawk slowly lowered his head to take her lips in a soft kiss.

She arched her neck back as his lips moved down her throat to settle on her breasts. She swayed toward him, and her body seemed to fit perfectly against his.

“I have never felt like this before, Jo-anna,” he whispered. “Your love takes me to the highest peak of a mountain.”

“Love me, Windhawk,” she whispered in a throaty voice. “Make me truly your wife.”

Windhawk drew in his breath and gently pushed her back
against the buffalo robe. Joanna held her arms up to him and he came to her. His lips were like a raging fire as they plundered her mouth. Joanna slid her arms around him, trying to draw him closer to her. Her body craved the oneness she had felt with him before.

Windhawk slid her legs apart and thrust forward with an urgency. Joanna cried out as he entered her warm, throbbing body. She closed her eyes as wave after wave of pleasure carried her higher and higher. It flashed through her mind that she had been created to love, and to be loved, by Windhawk.

At first Windhawk began to move slowly inside her, but soon they were both consumed with a burning urgency, and Joanna’s body came alive as if guided by some primitive instinct, and she began to move with him. Windhawk closed his eyes as feelings he had never before experienced rushed through his body. He felt as if his body had long hungered without truly being fed, until now.

“Jo-anna, my beloved,” he whispered, taking her tender lips in a burning kiss of passion.

Joanna gasped in pleasure when her body answered Windhawk’s, and they both trembled in total fulfillment.

Windhawk rolled over and drew Joanna’s body tightly against his. “This time and the one before are not the first time we have loved each other, Jo-anna.” His lips brushed her red-gold hair. “Do you feel this also, beloved?”

Joanna slid her arms about his waist and looked up into his dark expressive eyes. “Yes, I feel as you do.”

“Do you feel that the two of us have lived other lives, Joanna?”

“My reasoning tells me that it is not possible, however, I cannot deny the feeling of reliving a moment out of another time, Windhawk.”

“Could it be possible that in another time we loved each other so much that Napi wanted us to be together again?” Windhawk asked.

She looked into his eyes. “I don’t know, Windhawk. It is a little frightening to me.”

His arms tightened around her protectively. “I will never allow anything to harm you, Jo-anna. You are my life.”

Joanna turned her head away so he wouldn’t see the tears that came to her eyes because of his beautiful words. Windhawk could feel her mood, however, and he raised her face to kiss the tears away.

The fire died down and the tipi became dark. Windhawk and Joanna lay in each other’s arms. No words were necessary to communicate their feelings for one another.

Windhawk knew in his heart that the time would come when their love would be challenged, but for tonight, Joanna belonged to him.

Joanna feared that something would happen to tear her and Windhawk apart. She wished that she could stay in his warm protective arms forever, but deep inside, she feared they would only have a short time together before something would rip her from his arms.

The night was spent with Windhawk introducing Joanna to the joys of the body. When she would become exhausted, he would hold her in his arms until she fell asleep.

Joanna never knew that one could feel so many different emotions. At times she would feel drained, and then, when Windhawk would touch her in a certain way, her body would come to life. At last she sighed contentedly and curled up against his warm body.

Windhawk felt his heart swell with love and pride. Joanna had delighted him with her sweet innocence. Her lovely soft body had taken him higher than he had ever flown before.

When the sun rose, Windhawk knew Joanna needed the sleep. He kissed her satiny cheek and stood up.

Gazing down at her lips which were swollen from his kisses, he was tempted to awaken her. No, he would let her sleep, he thought. There would be tonight, and many other nights to come, when he would hold her in his arms.

Joanna awoke when someone roughly shook her by the shoulders. Opening her eyes sleepily, she saw Sun Woman bending over her. Her face flushed red, and she grabbed the buffalo robe, pulling it over her nakedness. She remembered the night before when Windhawk had made her his wife. With a sweeping glance of the room, Joanna saw that Windhawk was not present. She was hurt that he had sent his mother to awaken her, instead of being there himself.

Sun Woman threw the doeskin gown at Joanna and motioned for her to put it on. Unlike the night before, Joanna quickly did as Sun Woman told her to. She slipped into the gown and then pulled on the soft knee-high moccasins and laced them securely about her knees.

When she was dressed, Sun Woman shoved the waterskin at her and nodded toward the river, indicating that Joanna should go for the water. Joanna met the hostile, dark eyes without flinching. Windhawk’s mother still resented her, and she was making sure that Joanna realized it. Joanna wanted to ask Sun Woman where Windhawk was, but she doubted his mother would tell her.

She walked outside thinking it was a glorious day. The sun was shining warmly, and the birds were singing. For the first time in many weeks, Joanna felt at peace with herself. Last night she had truly become a woman…Windhawk’s woman.

As Joanna progressed through the village, she noticed that many of the women would look the other way when she raised her hand in greeting. She sighed, thinking she would never be accepted by the people of the Blackfoot tribe. She knew instinctively that if Sun Woman would only accept her, the other women would also. It was critical to Joanna that she
win Sun Woman’s friendship, knowing how important it was to Windhawk.

“Joanna, wait,” Morning Song called out, running to catch up with her. “I will walk with you to the river, my sister.”

Joanna smiled brightly at Windhawk’s lovely sister. “Is it not a glorious morning, Morning Song?”

“It is for me, my sister, for I can see the light of love shining in your eyes.” Morning Song gave Joanna a mischievous smile. “Did I not tell you that my brother was wonderful?”

Joanna raised her eyebrow. “That you did, but I suppose I had to find out for myself.”

Morning Song laughed delightedly. “I always wanted a sister, but I began to think my brother would never take a wife. I am glad he chose you.”

Joanna paused and put her arms around Morning Song. “I am glad you feel that way, for like you, I myself never had a sister.”

As the two girls continued to the river, Joanna was unaware that she was humming. Morning Song felt her heart would burst with happiness. Windhawk had at last taken a wife, and she was kind as well as beautiful.

“Joanna, my brother has asked my mother and me to teach you about our customs. I am to teach you to speak the language of my people. I know you can already speak many words. I do not think it will be difficult for you to learn the rest.”

“Yes, I would like that. Could we start today?”

By now they had reached the river, and there were many women and children gathered there. The children were playing and laughing gleefully, while the woman went about their endless work.

“Yes, we will start now.” Morning Song answered her. Many of the women came up to Joanna, and Morning Song would introduce them to her. Most of them were withdrawn, and many of the young maidens gave Joanna unfriendly glares. Joanna didn’t have to be told that they were jealous because she was Windhawk’s woman.

One of the women touched Joanna’s red-gold hair and exclaimed in surprise at its glorious color. Others would touch her
hand to show their approval. Joanna accepted their curious interest with good grace, and soon they went back to their tasks.

Joanna knelt down to wash her face and hands in the river. She then filled the waterskin, and she and Morning Song walked back to the lodge together. Along the way Morning Song began to instruct Joanna in the Blackfoot language.

By mid-morning Windhawk had still not appeared. Sun Woman had worked Joanna mercilessly. She had swept out the lodge, cleaned the buffalo robes that were used to sleep upon, and helped butcher a deer.

Her back was aching and her knees were cramped, so she stood up, stretching her arms over her head. She smiled to herself, thinking how different she was from the girl who had always had her meals prepared for her, and had relied on servants to clean her home.

Sun Woman had deliberately been hard on Joanna, assigning her the hardest tasks, hoping she would complain. She saw the smile on Joanna’s face, and knew she hadn’t succeeded. This white-face girl was not what she seemed. One could not hide their true character for long. Windhawk would soon see the girl for what she was and drive her from their village, she thought.

By late afternoon the lodge was spotless. A delicious smelling venison stew, not unlike the ones Franny had often prepared, was bubbling over the cook-fire.

Morning Song motioned for Joanna to follow her, while Sun Woman returned to her own lodge. Windhawk’s sister led Joanna to a secluded part of the river that was surrounded by trees. Joanna looked startled when Morning Song began stripping her clothing off, and dove into the water.

“Come on in, Joanna, the water is not cold once you are in it.”

“Won’t someone see us?” Joanna asked, wanting to go for a swim, but reluctant because she didn’t want anyone to come upon them.

“Come on, no one will come here,” Morning Song called out before she dove beneath the water.

Joanna hesitantly removed her moccasins and gown and rushed into the river. She sank down in the water quickly to cover her nakedness. “I have never done anything so unconventional before,” Joanna said, loving the way the water caressed her naked skin.

“Have you never been swimming before?” Morning Song asked.

“Of course, but not without my clothing on.”

“How can one possibly swim with clothing on?” Morning Song questioned.

Joanna laughed out loud. “Not very well. This way is much better.”

After a while, the girls reluctantly swam to shore and pulled their gowns on. As they leisurely made their way back to the village Morning Song continued to instruct Joanna in the Blackfoot language.

Joanna wanted to ask Morning Song where Windhawk had gone, but she had refrained from doing so all day. She supposed there would be many days when he would leave her without telling where he was going.

Joanna was discovering that the Indian way of life was hard, but she could tell that they enjoyed a peace and tranquility that was unknown to the white world. The Blackfoot were nature’s children. The women were not bothered by what hat went with which gown. They were concerned only with the health and well-being of their families. Not that they didn’t have fun. They played games, gossiped, and did many things to amuse their children. The uppermost thought in their minds seemed to be wanting to please their husbands.

In spite of the tedious work today Joanna felt exhilarated. She felt as if she had accomplished something important. She wanted Windhawk to be proud of her. She also wanted his mother to think well of her.

When the two girls entered the lodge Joanna was shocked to find her trunk and many other articles that had belonged to her stacked against the back of the tipi. She thought she had lost everything in the raid.

“Where…how did Windhawk get all my belongings?” Joanna asked, wondering if her mother’s jewel case was in her trunk. She had grieved thinking she had lost her mother’s jewels. Not only were they extremely valuable, her mother had treasured them. Joanna hated the fact that she had been forced to sell some of them to finance the ill-fated trip to Oregon. For some strange reason, she couldn’t bring herself to look into the trunk. She supposed she associated it with Tag’s and Franny’s death.

“I was told by Gray Fox’s wife, White Dove, that some of the braves were traveling many days behind you and my brother when he brought you to our village. Windhawk wanted to make sure he was not being followed. I suppose those braves also carried your belongings.”

Morning Song lifted up a copper kettle and exclaimed over its beauty. “I must leave you now. My mother will expect me to help with the evening meal. Tomorrow will you show me the wondrous things that belong to you, Joanna?”

Joanna nodded. She was hardly aware that Morning Song was gone. Seeing the things that belonged to her reminded Joanna of her past. She covered her eyes with trembling hands, thinking about the raid on the wagon train. She remembered that she was Joanna James, and that she had a father waiting for her in Oregon.

How could she have allowed herself to forget even for a moment that she didn’t belong here. Had last night made her forget her obligations?

The aroma of the bubbling stew reminded Joanna of the present. She walked over to the cook-fire and absentmindedly picked up a long wooden spoon and stirred the contents in the pot.

As if in a daze, she glanced at her trunk. She had been deluding herself all day by thinking she could be a part of Windhawk’s world. As much as she loved him, she could never remain with him. She knew she would never be content until she and her father had dealt with her aunt and uncle.

A slight breath of air touched the back of her neck, and
Joanna knew before she turned around that Windhawk had come in.

His eyes sought hers, and she could see the love shining in those dark depths. She wanted to run to him and have him hold her, but she didn’t. She could do no more than stare at him in confusion.

Windhawk walked to her and clasped her in his arms. “It has been a long day, Jo-anna. I wanted many times to return to you.”

She raised her head and brushed his cheek with her lips. “Why didn’t you?”

He smiled and her heart seemed to melt. “I could not have my warriors say a woman kept me from my duties.”

“What duties?” she asked.

“It is the autumn season, a time when game must be killed to sustain us through the long winter months.”

“Is that what you were doing? I wish I could go with you on a buffalo hunt. Are women permitted to take part in the hunt?” Her eyes spoke of her enthusiasm, and Windhawk smiled to himself, thinking how child-like she appeared at the moment. She somehow reminded him of her brother the day he had wanted a tomahawk.

“It is not unusual for a wife to go on the hunt with her husband, but you are not experienced. It could be very dangerous for you.”

“I would be very good, and do just what you told me to, if you would allow me to go along.”

Windhawk picked her slight body up in his arms, and held her tightly to him. He couldn’t find it within his heart to refuse her anything. “We shall see, little wife. Perhaps you can go tomorrow.”

Joanna threw her arms around his neck and laughed delightedly. For the moment the trunk and the memories it had brought back were all but forgotten.

“Morning Song told me that when you go on a buffalo hunt, you have a special horse which is used for nothing but hunting
the buffalo. Will I be allowed to ride one of your buffalo runners?”

Windhawk sat down and held her in his lap as he would a child. “The buffalo horse is trained to run among the buffalo. It would be too dangerous for you to ride among the buffalo until you learn how the horse moves.”

“I am a good horsewoman. You have seen me ride Fosset, and he is a highly spirited animal.”

“Yes, but do not forget that Fosset pulled your brother into the river.” Windhawk had not been thinking or he would never have brought up the subject of the little brother. He knew that her brother’s death was still too painful for Joanna to deal with.

“Yes, Fosset can be a handful,” Joanna said with a faraway look in her eyes. “My father gave him to me on my sixteenth birthday.”

Windhawk brushed a red-gold curl from her face. “What is your age now?”

“I am seventeen, almost eighteen I believe. I do not know what the date is.”

He kissed the tip of her nose. “You are still so young; have I taken a baby for my wife?”

Joanna jerked her head up, but when she saw the twinkle in his eyes she knew he had been teasing her. “You didn’t seem to think I was too young last night.”

He smiled. “When one is young she is much easier to teach.”

“Perhaps I can teach you a few things, Windhawk.”

He laughed and pulled her tighter against him. “You already have, Jo-anna, although I think I will be an old man before I learn all there is to know about you.”

She smiled up at him. “You are the complicated one. I have overheard many of your people speak of you in awe. To me you are very wonderful.”

Windhawk gazed at her for a moment. When he looked away he seemed to stiffen. He saw Joanna’s belongings piled on the floor of the tipi. He hadn’t meant for his braves to bring
her trunk to his lodge. First, he wanted Joanna to accept his way of life with no reminders of her past.

Joanna’s eyes followed his gaze. “They were here when I came back from swimming with Morning Song.”

“I will have them taken away,” Windhawk said, standing up and placing Joanna on her feet.

Joanna grabbed his arm. “It will do no good to have them hidden away, Windhawk. I shall always remember who I am. You must try to understand this. There is something I must do. I would love to stay with you for the rest of my days, but I must find my father.”

His eyes flashed. “I will never allow you to leave me, Jo-anna.”

“Do you intend to keep me tied up night and day to prevent me from leaving?”

“You are acting like a child, Jo-anna. Have I ever tied you up? Have you not been allowed to roam freely?” he asked, with a stubborn set to his chin.

“I am not a child, Windhawk. I don’t think I ever have been. In the past there were too many people depending on me. I had to grow up fast.”

Windhawk half closed his eyes and stared at her through lowered lashes. “I will never allow you to leave me,” he repeated.

“Then I am not your wife, but your captive!” she said, raising her voice.

Windhawk started to answer her, but instead he turned away and walked from the lodge. Joanna dropped to her knees, and a sob broke from her throat. She had to get away! Somehow she had to reach her father.