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  He did this over and over again, but still Hawk did not fall from the steed, or let up on fighting for his freedom.

  Doe Eyes watched, afraid for her loved one. Should he lose, she would lose, and he was all that she wanted out of life.

  “Do not fail,” she whispered.

  Then she raised a fist into the air. “Fight for your life, Hawk!” she screamed. “Choose life and me.”

  Hawk fought hard to stay on the mustang as it went in mad, crazed circles, its mane shaking back and forth as if it were insane.

  Then suddenly the steed came to a shimmering stop. Wet with sweat and shaking with exhaustion, it stood with its head hung.

  Heaving hard, sweat pouring from his brow, Hawk slid from the horse. He went around and faced the mustang, their eyes locking. He reached a hand toward it, smiling broadly when the horse nuzzled the palm of his hand as though he were a friend for life.

  Loud shouts came from the men and women. The wild mustang was conquered!

  Strong Wolf went to Hawk in two long strides.

  Hawk turned and faced him.

  Strong Wolf placed his hands on Hawk’s bare shoulders. “You have proven yourself,” he said. “You can go. And the horse is yours.”

  “Strong Wolf, please believe me when I say that I have never wanted to be your enemy,” Hawk said. “I want a family! Not enemies! I have never hated you. It is my mother’s hate that has come between us. I want you as a friend.”

  “This friendship you speak of, it is not won as easily as a horse is tamed,” Strong Wolf said, dropping his hands to his sides. “But I do not enjoy having enemies. If you wish, you do not have to leave just yet. Stay awhile with my people.”

  “Yes, I wish to stay,” Hawk said humbly. “It will be hard to explain to my mother how I have turned my back on her wishes.”

  “When the time comes to face her, it will be the same as you having just tamed the mustang,” Strong Wolf said. “You will also tame your mother.”

  Strong Wolf gazed over at Doe Eyes, then looked somberly at Hawk. “Hawk, never give Doe Eyes cause to turn away from you, for she does this easily, the cool-hearted woman that she is.”

  Hawk’s eyes widened. He said nothing as Doe Eyes came and stood beside him, her hand clasping his, but the warning caused him to gaze at Doe Eyes in wonder, again wishing that he knew what had transpired between Strong Wolf and Doe Eyes those many years ago. To make Strong Wolf this bitter, Doe Eyes must have done something very questionable.

  He cast the wonder from his mind. He loved her. She loved him. He trusted her love, as she trusted his.

  “And how long will you stay?” Strong Wolf asked, avoiding Doe Eyes’s steady stare.

  “Until you return to your people, then I shall also return to mine,” Hawk said. “That is, if you will allow me to stay this long among you and your people.”

  “I no longer see you as my enemy,” Strong Wolf said. “So stay as long as you wish.”

  Proud Heart stepped forth. He gave Doe Eyes a quick, uneasy stare, then placed a firm hand on Hawk’s sweaty shoulder. “If Strong Wolf sees you as a friend, then so shall I,” he said, stiffening when he heard his sister emit a low, grateful sob.

  “Hawk, make camp down by the stream,” Strong Wolf said, nodding toward it. “Tomorrow you can build a lodge that will house you and Doe Eyes until our return north.”

  “You are both kind and forgiving,” Hawk said, suddenly hugging Strong Wolf, and then Proud Heart. “If not for my mother, we could have been such friends as adults.”

  “We are adults now, and we shall share adult friendship,” Strong Wolf said.

  Then Hawk stepped back from Strong Wolf and Proud Heart, smiled awkwardly at those who stared at him from the circle of people, then took the horse’s reins, Doe Eyes’s hand, and walked away toward the stream.

  Hannah watched, absolutely in awe of this man she loved, and how generous he was to everyone. He had even made a friend out of an enemy!

  Chapter 21

  Your eyes smile peace.

  The pasture gleams and glooms

  ’Neath billowing skies that scatter amass.

  —DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI

  Hannah went with Strong Wolf to his lodge, Doe Eyes’s words staying with her like glue. Strong Wolf’s warning to Hawk about Doe Eyes made her realize even more that Strong Wolf’s past had not been pleasant.

  “Let us sit by the fire,” Strong Wolf said. He gently took Hannah by an elbow and led her down onto the rabbit-fur blanket that was spread out on the floor before the hearth. “Food has been brought and left for us. Truly you are hungry, Hannah.”

  “Yes, quite,” Hannah said, studying him as he ladled moose meat stew from a black pot that hung over the fire on a tripod into two wooden bowls. She could tell that he was still disturbed by what had happened today. She felt that surely Doe Eyes had affected him the worst. Her mere presence had made him nervous.

  Hannah was filled with such wonder about what this woman had done to Strong Wolf in the past, to make him so unnerved with her in the present. Had he loved her this much?

  Suddenly she knew what she must do. Marry Strong Wolf.

  “The stew is good,” Strong Wolf said, watching Hannah as she slowly sipped stew from her spoon. He could tell that she was deep in thought.

  And he knew about whom.

  Doe Eyes.

  Doe Eyes had placed many things in many people’s hearts and minds today. He hoped that doubt was not inside Hannah’s heart now; doubt of him and his true love for her.

  “I was but a child of ten when I foolishly loved her,” Strong Wolf blurted, drawing Hannah’s eyes quickly to him. He angrily broke off a piece of fried bread between a thumb and forefinger. “I have since then despised her.”

  Hannah lay her dish aside and moved on her knees before Strong Wolf. She took his platter and set it aside, and also the piece of bread that he had not yet eaten.

  “My love,” she said, framing his face between her hands. “I care not about Doe Eyes, or what she was or was not to you in your past. This is now. We, you and I, are in love. And if you think me not too bold, I wish to marry you.”

  Strong Wolf’s lips parted in a soft, surprised gasp. He gazed at her at length, then swept her up in his arms as he rose to his feet. “Bold?” he said, laughing drunkenly. “Do I think you are too bold? Never. What you said came from the heart. I will answer you from my heart. Yes I want you. Yes I want you to be my wife!”

  Inside he was warm with happiness. He fought off the shadow of doubt of taking a wife. His past! The secret that he had protected since he was ten winters of age! If he married Hannah, surely one day she would discover the secret when he least wanted her to. It could happen at any moment. Even while they were making love!

  Yet he would chance anything to have a future with her.

  He gathered her close and kissed her. Then he carried her to his bed and lay her across it. He knelt over her and kissed her again. His one hand kneaded her breast through the fabric of her shirt. His other hand stroked her at the juncture of her thighs, although her breeches were an impediment to him truly touching her there.

  “I know the answer!” Hannah said, quickly drawing her lips from his. She sat up on the bed, her heart pounding like wild thunder at the thought that just came to her. It was a possible solution to her concern over her brother.

  “What answer?” Strong Wolf said, brushing soft kisses across her brow.

  “My sister!” Hannah said, placing a hand to his cheek as he stared into her eyes. “My sister’s schooling is almost complete. Perhaps she will consider making a life for herself in the Kansas Territory and at the same time live with Chuck at his ranch and see after his welfare.”

  She kissed Strong Wolf, then gazed excitedly into his eyes again. “I shall send a wire to my parents tomorrow about our upcoming marriage,” she said, her eyes bright. “I shall also send a wire to Clara. Oh, pray, darling, that she will agree to come and take my place at our brothe
r’s ranch.”

  “And if she doesn’t?” Strong Wolf said, taking her hands, drawing her against his hard body.

  “Then I shall find someone dependable to stay with him,” Hannah said determinedly. “I love you. I wish to be with you. Yet I also want to make sure my brother’s welfare is taken care of.”

  “And I am sure that you will,” Strong Wolf said, again holding her close. He nestled his nose into her hair. “My woman is able to achieve anything, she wishes to achieve.”

  “Do you truly think I was too bold by asking you to marry me?” Hannah asked, leaning away from him, their eyes locking. “It is not the proper thing to do, you know.”

  A terrible explosion in the distance rocked the planked floor beneath the bed, causing the bed to tremor precariously.

  “Now what?” Hannah said, rushing from the bed with Strong Wolf. Hand in hand, they went outside and stared into the heavens as billows of black smoke spiraled into the sky not that far from the village.

  “What could that be?” Hannah said, shielding her eyes with a hand as she watched the smoke continue to waft into the air.

  “It must be investigated,” Strong Wolf said. He shouted at several warriors who had been brought from their lodge by the same explosion.

  Proud Heart came to Strong Wolf.

  “Proud Heart, gather together many warriors,” Strong Wolf said, already half running toward the corral. “Come. Follow me.”

  Hannah went with Strong Wolf. She swung herself into the saddle as Strong Wolf mounted his steed. They waited for the warriors to ready their horses, mount them, and then they all rode away in the direction of the smoke and stench of fire.

  When they reached their destination, they discovered a bridge on fire that had not been built all that long ago just off Indian property, burning timbers tumbling down into the stream.

  “Who could have done this?” Hannah said, watching the flames eating away at the rest of the bridge. “Why?”

  The sound of horsemen coming up on them made Strong Wolf and Hannah turn at the same time, just in time to see Tiny ride up, his cowhands quickly surrounding them.

  “We gotcha,” Tiny said, his eyes dancing as he clutched to a rifle. “We caught you in the act.”

  Hannah sighed heavily. “Tiny, what on earth are you talking about?” she said, edging her horse closer to his.

  “Just you stay right there,” Tiny warned, aiming his rifle at Hannah. “You’re in on this as sure as I’m sittin’ here.”

  “And you are full of sour wind!” Hannah barked back. “If anyone is to blame, it is you. You did it to cast blame on Strong Wolf. You just hoped he’d come to see what had caused the explosion. You son of a bitch, you set off the dynamite and hid until Strong Wolf and his warriors came to investigate.”

  “And so aren’t you full of it,” Tiny snarled back. “Just shut up, Hannah. You’ve no room to talk. You’re just as guilty as Strong Wolf, because you are with him.” He chuckled. “Just wait until Chuck sees you behind bars with the savages. He’ll split a gut, that’s for sure.”

  “You’re a sick, miserable man,” Hannah said, her teeth clenched.

  “You should’ve minded your own business and stayed at the ranch with your brother,” Tiny spat out. “What happened today is an obvious Potawatomis plot to disrupt the white community. This time Colonel Deshong will hear me out, when I cast blame Strong Wolf’s way.”

  Another man on horseback came into view. Claude Odum soon drew a tight rein beside Strong Wolf. “And what were you saying?” he said, directing his question at Tiny.

  “Strong Wolf blew up the bridge, that’s what,” Tiny said, nodding toward Strong Wolf.

  “Tiny, now, why would Strong Wolf blow up a bridge close to land where a road he has only recently approved of is being built?” Claude said sarcastically. “It isn’t logical, now, is it? Don’t you think you’d best change your story as to who did the dynamiting today?”

  Tiny went tight-mouthed on him.

  Claude leaned closer to Tiny. “This looks more like a double cross to me,” he accused. “Something that you might do to make it look like Strong Wolf was responsible.”

  Hannah edged her horse closer to Tiny’s. “And Strong Wolf has my alibi, to prove that he wasn’t anywhere near the bridge,” she said, boldly lifting her chin. “He was with me back at his village. We were in his lodge when the explosion rocked the earth.”

  Tiny glowered from Claude, to Hannah, then to Strong Wolf.

  Boiling mad, Hannah watched Tiny ride away. “He’s gone too far this time,” she murmured, then turned to Strong Wolf. He had been much too quiet while she had debated things with Tiny. “Strong Wolf, did I say something wrong?”

  Strong Wolf’s lips tugged into a smile. “You said everything right, my woman,” he said, reaching over to kiss her.

  Claude Odum chuckled beneath his breath, drawing Strong Wolf and Hannah apart.

  “Now, will someone tell me what’s going on here?” Claude said as he gazed from Hannah to Strong Wolf. “I heard the explosion. I came as soon as I could. Who did set off the dynamite?”

  “Are you thinking that perhaps Strong Wolf had a hand in this, after all?” Strong Wolf said, his smile fading.

  “Naw,” Claude said, relaxing his shoulders.

  “Then let’s forget about it. It’s Colonel Deshong’s problem,” Hannah said. She smiled over at Strong Wolf. “I believe I have a trip to make to Fort Leavenworth. Will you accompany me there tomorrow, Strong Wolf, so that I can send the wire to my parents and my sister?”

  “A wire?” Claude said, forking an eyebrow. “What’s this about a wire?”

  “Hannah and I are going to be married soon,” Strong Wolf said, lifting his chin proudly.

  “And I am sending a wire to my family to let them know,” Hannah said, smiling over at Strong Wolf. She was glad to see that he seemed more relaxed, perhaps able to place the traumas of today behind him, in the hope of their future together.

  “Congratulations,” Claude said. “And if you don’t mind, I’d like to accompany you to the fort tomorrow in case Tiny might have tried to stir up trouble over today’s explosion.”

  “That would be fine,” Hannah said.

  She turned and gazed at Strong Wolf, who again seemed quiet and filled with thought. She wondered if he was thinking about another time, another place, another woman?

  Yet, she reminded herself, he had loved Doe Eyes when he was ten.

  Still there seemed too much between them that made Hannah uneasy. She knew now that she would only be truly sure of Strong Wolf after they had spoken wedding vows.

  She hoped that could be soon, then again, there were always unseen problems to delay the best of plans, especially here in the Kansas Territory!

  Chapter 22

  O, keep a place apart,

  Without your heart.

  For little dreams to go!

  —LOUISE DRISCOLL

  The next day at Fort Leavenworth, Claude Odum stood back with Hannah as Strong Wolf talked with Colonel Deshong. Hannah’s purpose for having come to the fort had been sidetracked the minute Patrick had seen Strong Wolf enter the door. The bridge. There were many questions about the bridge.

  “And, Patrick, do you suspect that I, Strong Wolf, had anything to do with the bridge being destroyed?” Strong Wolf asked, stiffening his shoulders.

  Strong Wolf’s corded muscles showed through the material of the fringed buckskin shirt, they were so taut in his building anger with the colonel. His word! Did not his word mean anything?

  “Don’t get your nose out of joint, Strong Wolf,” Patrick said, rising from his chair. “I have to ask questions. That’s what I’m getting paid for.”

  As everyone mutely watched, Patrick went to his liquor cabinet and poured himself a shot of whiskey.

  He gave a look over his shoulder at Strong Wolf, then thought twice about asking him if he wished to have a drink. He knew that Strong Wolf didn’t approve of “firewater.”
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  Nor did Claude Odum, who showed his displeasure.

  Patrick tipped the glass to his lips and drank the whiskey in one fast gulp, then slammed the glass back down inside the liquor cabinet.

  He sauntered back to his desk and eased down in the chair, then gazed over at Strong Wolf again. “Now, what were we saying?” he said, easing the awkwardness of the morning by pretending their discussion was unimportant.

  Feeling insulled by the behavior of Patrick today, Strong Wolf leaned over and placed his hands flat on the desk, so that he was closer to his face. “I ask you again,” he said, his voice edged with anger. “Do you suspect that Strong Wolf and his warriors are responsible for blowing up the bridge?”

  “Strong Wolf, if I had, I would have sent my soldiers to your village to arrest you,” he protested. “Now, I hope that sets things straight between us so that we can go on to something else.” He cast Hannah a forced smile. “Like what Hannah is doing here this morning?”

  Hannah started to take a step forward.

  Claude gently grabbed her wrist and eased her back to his side, realizing that Strong Wolf wasn’t finished with the colonel yet.

  Hannah looked questioningly over at Claude. He slowly shook his head back and forth, and she soon understood.

  “I am glad that you trust me,” Strong Wolf said, drawing the colonel’s eyes back to him. “We both, in good faith, have touched the goose quill to treaty papers.”

  Strong Wolf straightened his back and folded his arms across his chest. “But I must admit, Patrick, that I, a man with copper skin, do not always understand the white man’s law,” he said solemnly. “It is too often like walking in the dark. Whites complain that redskins are intruders upon their rights. Yet we, the so-called intruders, are the first true Americans. How smooth the language of the whites when they can make right look like wrong, and wrong like right.” Strong Wolf stated.

  “Strong Wolf, in my case I must listen, always, to both sides when a crime is committed,” Patrick said, heaving a sigh.