have to relieve myself.” The lie came on its own, without a single thought. In fact, it came too easily. She’d have to deal with her conscience later.
“What’s the bag for?”
“It’s necessary that I, um . . . I need things . . . it’s not proper to discuss.”
He seized her arm, his fingers tangling in her hair, and pulled her down near his painted face. “What things?”
“Womanly things.” She clenched her teeth. “Feminine things that men have no business knowing about.”
He released her as though she’d bitten him.
If it hadn’t been so dark he might have seen the flame in her cheeks. Her papa had been right. After telling one lie, the ones after that just grew bigger. But desperate times required desperate measures.
“Go. But don’t take long.” He eased back down.
And go she did.
Once she put plenty of distance between the Indians and herself, she bolted between the trees. A constant view of Denver City was in her sights as she made her way across the ridge. Soon she would come upon less rugged ground and be able to work her way down the side of the mountain—she hoped.
The sounds of her breathing echoed off the trees. She gripped the buckskin tightly against her chest, even though the cool night air didn’t bother her now as she ran for her life. Her carpetbag felt heavy, and her feet carried her over fallen branches and pinecones. To her left, the small lights of Denver City, so far away, were still in view.
The moon lent just enough light to ensure she didn’t run into trees, but the rest of the woods were nothing but black shadows. She forced her mind on Denver. Home was where she was headed, and nothing would stop her. Not fear, not her uncle . . . not even a band of wild Indians.
~*~
“I’ll kill the woman,” Running Cloud said in a furious whisper so the other braves wouldn’t hear. The moon’s light illuminated his angry face. “I’ll pass her among the warriors. They’ll humble her.”
That thought sent a shock of white-hot anger through White Eagle’s system, and right then and there he knew if anyone laid a hand on her, he’d kill him. “She’s mine, and I’ll bring her back.”
“She’s not yours until marriage. Until then, she belongs to me.” Running Cloud thumbed his chest, challenging his friend. “This woman’s life is of no value. She’s defiant and not worthy of our tribe.”
“She is worthy,” White Eagle said. “She’s shown bravery by running away, though her escape will be in vain. You said yourself, Walks Alone has been touched by the Spirit of the Sun.” He used any argument he could come up with, whether he believed it or not. Anything to save her hide. “She’s strong, and a valuable gift. I want to make my gratitude known. I’ll find her, bring her back, and make her my wife.”
Running Cloud studied him, and then his frown softened. “She is brave, or foolish. If you wish to claim your gift then go after her. By sunrise, we’ll continue on to the village. If you’re not at the village after two suns, I’ll take back your gift, and she will be given to the warriors to do with as they please.” He started to turn then stopped and pointed at White Eagle. “If you don’t find her, I will. If she comes in contact with anyone, she could endanger our village with the knowledge she has of us.”
Even if White Eagle tried to take her to Denver City, Running Cloud would follow through with his word, sooner or later. Walks Alone’s defiance to his authority had ignited his anger all over again toward the white man. Thankfully, Woman Of Sorrow hadn’t tried to escape, or there would have been no hope. When his heart was ruled by anger, Running Cloud’s wrath could be as deadly as Black Bear’s.
They had been chasing Black Bear, who was still on the rampage destroying any and all newcomers to the Western Territories. They had followed him from their secret village as far as the South Platte. This last confrontation with Black Bear had been the worst yet, and White Eagle had fought well, despite the fact that he constantly resisted killing his old friend.
Because of Running Cloud’s withdrawal from the renegade parties, Black Bear blamed White Eagle. Now he and Running Cloud were considered enemies of Black Bear, even though Black Bear and Running Cloud were brothers.
White Eagle had obviously pleased Running Cloud, and that was why he originally offered Walks Alone to him as a gift. She likely would have been killed if she’d remained with the wagon train anyway. White Eagle had little doubt that Black Bear would return and raid the travelers.
Good thing he took Walks Alone. But now he had to save her from herself.
~*~
The lights of Denver City became distant between the trees. The woods grew dense, and Anna was forced to work her way toward the opposite direction of Denver. She came to a clearing where shadows lurked in all directions. An owl hooted, and then a chilling silence hung on the air.
No longer able to be guided by the distant lights of the city, she looked up at the stars to try and get her bearings. It was important that she continue in the right direction. But she had no idea how to follow the stars, and she feared she was lost already. Still, anything was better than being held captive. At least now she was free, and eventually she’d find her way.
She started in the direction she thought was correct. When she came to the center of a clearing, a twig cracked several feet behind her. The light hairs on her neck rose. Was it just a small animal foraging for food? Or was it a bear? Slowly, she turned to look.
A large shadow loomed halfway from the edge of the clearing to where she stood.
She froze.
Nothing had been there before. She dropped her carpetbag, picked up her skirt and ran.
The animal’s movements thumped behind her and came closer. Suddenly, she was taken about the waist. Her screams carried up through the trees, and she found herself aboard a horse.
“If you ever do that again, I’ll kill you myself.” Its rider held her close, whispering harshly in her ear.
White Eagle.
“Nay!” she shouted and struggled to break free, but he held her fast. She scratched his arms and kicked.
The horse jerked its head back and sidestepped.
White Eagle reined in and slid with her to the ground, causing her to land on all fours.
Anna got to her feet and bolted. She barely made it a few feet when he grabbed her arm and swung her around. Screaming, she kicked, and when her boot met his shin, he loosened his grasp just enough for her to get away. She ran, but again, he swung her around by the arm. This time her palm met his face, and he jerked back.
Growling, he seized her arms and held her in front of him. She twisted and turned, but it was useless.
Not saying a word, he waited.
She pulled and twisted her arms, but it did no good. Finally, out of breath and strength, she relented, her whole being trembling. “Let me go.”
