Distant Heart (14 page)

“Wouldn't it be nice to get a breeze?” Toni asked.

“Blake says we should reach the South Pass in a week or so and nights will be downright cold.”

“Good. At least if it's cold we can cozy up to the fire or
cover with a blanket. When it's hot, there's nothing to do but sweat.”

“We could go swimming,” Ginger suggested. Then her eyes brightened. She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Toni, let's do go swimming.”

“We're not allowed.”

“Hogwash. Why do those men always think they can tell us what to do?” She dipped her plate in the dishwater, scrubbed a little and used a dry towel to wipe it. “I'm going swimming. You coming?”

“Of course not.” Toni frowned at her companion. “And you can't either. You'll get into trouble.”

“Blake Tanner ain't my pa.” She gave a belligerent scowl. “What's he gonna do? Take me to the woodshed for a whippin'?”

Toni's lips twitched, and despite her better judgment, she couldn't help but imagine the soft waters of the creek just a few yards away. “We'll get caught.”

“Shoot. No one's caught me yet.” Ginger grinned and leaned in close. “We'll walk a mile up the creek. We'll be back before anyone even knows we're gone.”

Only a moment's hesitation stopped Toni. Then a hot breeze blew across her, fanning the summer flame and sending a flash of heat down her spine. “Okay, count me in.”

Ginger slapped at her thigh. “That's more like it! We'll leave in another hour after things settle down around camp. I'm goin' off to check on the animals.”

A grin played at Toni's lips as she watched the girl stomp away from the campsite to make sure everyone's animals
were accounted for. She set about cleaning up supper dishes. Once finished with that chore, she grabbed a fresh cup of coffee and settled onto the tongue of her wagon and waited for Ginger.

She was just beginning to wonder if her friend was coming back, when Amanda Kane wandered into their camp. “I'm not bothering you am I?”

“Of course not.” Toni stood and grabbed a clean cup. “Have some coffee?”

Amanda fanned her face with her flat hand. “Goodness no. It's much too hot.”

“I suppose.” Toni settled back onto the tongue of the wagon and invited her newfound friend to join her.

“Thank you.” She pulled her skirts aside and sat.

“What brings you by tonight?” Toni asked. She had to wonder if Amanda knew her husband was dallying with another woman. But she figured they weren't close enough friends for her to bring it up. Although she still kept her eyes open, hoping to find the identity of the woman in question, she wasn't going to be the one to bring up the infidelity to Amanda.

“Oh, nothing in particular, I suppose. My evenings are pretty lonely since Becca went away.”

“I'm sorry. I can imagine your grief.”

The woman's eyes filled with tears so quickly that Toni was caught off guard. “Do you know what's worse?”

Shaking her head, Toni reached out and took Amanda's hand. The woman clung to her, almost painfully. “My husband is a scoundrel.”

Toni swallowed hard. “What do you mean?”

“He's breaking our marriage vows.” Amanda's tears stopped and an angry spark replaced the sadness. “With another woman.”

“Are you sure?”

“A wife knows.” She thumped her chest. “He can't fool me. And I don't think he's even trying to. It's almost as though he wants me to find out.”

“For what purpose, Amanda?”

A shrug lifted boney shoulders that had gotten even bonier since her daughter's death. “I'm not sure. He should know I won't dishonor God or my family with a divorce.” She shuddered. “Can you imagine the outcast I'd become in polite society?”

The question struck Toni as funny and she gave a short laugh. “I can well imagine.”

Amanda's eyes grew wide and she gave a gasp. “Oh, for mercy's sake. I'm sorry, Toni. I didn't even think.”

Ginger chose that moment to stumble into camp. She glanced at Amanda with poorly concealed impatience. Amanda seemed to pick up on the fact that she was no longer welcome. She stood. “I suppose I'll turn in.”

Toni placed a hand on her arm and frowned at Ginger. Honestly, the girl's rudeness needed to be addressed. “We're going swimming,” she said, keeping her tone low.

Ginger groaned. “Why don't you just tell the whole wagon train!”

“Hush, Ginger. Amanda's not going to say anything.”

“Of course not.” The woman's face split into a grin. “Especially if you invite me along.”

Toni smiled and nodded. “I was just about to do that.”

“Oh, for heaven's sake.” Ginger gave a huff. “Just be sure you don't go blabbing to no one else.”

Amanda smiled at Ginger, obviously not a bit offended by her surly attitude. “You have my word.”

“Let's go, then.”

Sam could have kicked himself for being so easily detected by the Cheyenne sentries. Even under the cover of darkness, they hadn't gotten within five miles of the village without being spotted and captured. Now the three men and Yellow Bird were being escorted into the village, surrounded by what seemed like the entire tribe. They'd been divested of their weapons but otherwise allowed to remain untethered and on their own horses. That courtesy gave Sam reason to hope they'd come out of this with their hair intact.

Nearly naked children followed them in the torchlight and curious women as well. But no one accosted them. Much to Sam's relief. Perhaps the Indians didn't look upon them as enemies. Hopefully Brian and Tim would be able to keep their heads. The guards halted them and ordered the captives to dismount in front of a painted tipi. Sam knew this was the dwelling of a chief. And he had an idea exactly which chief they were about to face.

He felt Tim bristle when Swooping Eagle exited the dwelling. The war chief was even more impressive up close than he'd been from a distance. Sam couldn't help but admire the way he held himself. Shoulders erect, face like stone. Sam's eyes wandered to his arm. Toni had been right. The Indian had a healing wound much like the one on Sam's chest.

He stared back at Sam and his eye twitched slightly with the knowledge of what had caught Sam's attention. “You have come to trade?”

“You have captured one woman and four children.” Sam pointed to Brian. “The woman is this man's sister.”

Tim spoke for himself. “Give me back my baby girl.” The threat in his tone was unmistakable and the warriors nearby tensed, poised to step in.

“Pa!” The scream pierced the air. Tim whipped around.

The little red-headed girl broke free from her captor, an Indian woman wearing a beaded dress made of deer hide.

“Janey!” Timothy ran toward his daughter, only to be grabbed by two burly warriors. They threw him roughly to the ground. He thrashed and fought until they had the better of him. One warrior held a knife to his throat.

“Pa! Don't hurt him, please. Ple-e-ase don't hurt my pa.”

The Indian woman gently took Janey. She spoke softly in her Indian tongue. The child obviously didn't understand a word, nor did she stop fighting the woman. “Let me go. I want my pa!”

Swooping Eagle glared down at Tim. “You have no regard for Cheyenne village?”

“Chief Swooping Eagle,” Sam said, keeping his tone calm
and quiet. “This man is grieving the loss of his woman. And now his child. He meant no disrespect.”

The Indian stared hard at Tim, then spoke a sharp command in his native tongue. The warriors around Tim put away their knives and jerked the man to his feet.

Janey's cries could still be heard from somewhere inside a tipi, and Sam knew it took all of Tim's control to keep from once more attempting to run through the crowd and find his daughter. Thankfully, reason seemed to outweigh his impulse. He kept his gaze forward and stood perfectly still between the two warriors who had been ordered to stand guard. Which was a good thing, because Sam knew if he tried anything else, nothing Sam said or did would make a difference. Tim wouldn't live through the night.

Swooping Eagle studied Sam, his glittering eyes scanning his face. “You are not white?”

“My father was white. My mother was Sioux.”

“You choose the white man's world?” He spoke with contempt.

“My mother left her people before I grew to manhood. I did not choose the white man's world. It was not my decision.”

“Come. We will discuss trade.” The Indian turned and entered the tipi.

“What about us?” Brian said.

Sam rested his hand on the young man's arm. “You're too emotional. Stay here and try to keep Tim calm.”

“You give them whatever they want for my sister. You hear?”

Sam didn't respond. He had a sinking feeling this elaborate capture was designed for one reason: the war chief's desire for the woman Sam loved.

 

Toni and Amanda followed Ginger down the river until they reached a spot far enough from the camp where they wouldn't be heard or seen. The walk had heated them even further so none of the women hesitated to undress down to their bare skin. Side by side, they waded into the cool, refreshing water.

“Now ain't you glad I suggested a swim?” Humble, as usual, Ginger dipped under water and splashed back up, spitting water from her mouth.

“I sure am,” Amanda said with a giggle. “I can't remember the last time I took a night swim. Come to think of it, I don't believe I ever have swam beneath a moon.” She took in a deep, long breath and stretched her back staring at the night sky.

Ginger gave a grunt. “Well, that ain't much of one, is it?”

Toni floated on her back as well, and stared at the sliver of moon. “It'll be new moon in a couple of days, won't it?”

“Yes,” Amanda replied. “I always prefer the beginning of the moon cycle. I like beginnings.”

“I like the light of the full moon,” Ginger said. “This one ain't even worth looking at.”

“I'm just glad to get cool,” Toni said. It was a night to relax and talk nonsense. She suspected Amanda must feel the same way.

Ginger tensed and stared toward the bank.

“What is it, Ginger?” Toni asked.

“Shh.”

“Is someone there?” Amanda's voice trembled.

“I said Shh!”

“S-sorry.”

A branch crackled. This time Toni heard it. Fear shot through her belly.
Please don't let it be Swooping Eagle
.

Squinting toward shore, Ginger stood perfectly still as the source of the noise came into view. She gasped. “A bear.”

“What?” Toni hissed.

“A bear.” Ginger repeated. “He must have smelled our clothes.”

Irritation shot through Toni. “Your clothes, you mean. I hope you see now that you have to bathe regularly.”

“This ain't no time for lectures. Stop acting like you're my ma, anyways.”

“W-would you two stop arguing before he decides to come in after us?”

The bear rummaged about on the bank. “What's it doing?” Amanda hissed.

“What do you think, you numbskull?” Ginger whispered back. “Looking for a meal that supposed to be in the clothes.”

A few minutes passed and it turned as though it would walk away.

Toni started to breathe easier. “Thank heavens,” she whispered, just as the beast dropped to the ground and rolled onto its back.

Amanda moaned a little. “Merciful heavens. It's not going to leave. D-do you think it's waiting for us?”

“How'm I supposed to know?”

“Can you never be pleasant?” Amanda's tone rang with irritation. “I vow your surly attitude doesn't win you any friends.”

“Who says I want friends?” Ginger shot back. “Besides Toni, here.”

“Why don't the two of you save this argument for another time?”

Amanda gave a sigh and shivered. “Oh, never mind. If we make it back to camp alive, I say we let it go.”

“That's fine by me,” Ginger said.

The bear rolled onto its side and let out a long happy groan.

“Looks like we're in for a long night.”

“Y-you don't think there are any snakes in here, do you?” Amanda asked.

Ginger swung about to face her. “What do you think?”

“Oh-oh my.” Raw fear spoke in her voice, and then panic. “I hate snakes. I have to get out of here.”

“Would you rather be eaten by a bear?”

“Why can't we get out on the other side?”

“That critter has our clothes,” Ginger said, and Toni was beginning to wonder if the girl was indeed incapable of being kind to Amanda. “You want to walk naked into camp?”

Toni chose the water, the snakes, even the bear to walking naked anywhere. “I'm not going anywhere without my clothes.”

Ginger's head bobbed in agreement. “Same here.”

Two hours later, they were no closer to leaving the river
than they had been the minute the bear arrived. Their skin wrinkled, their bodies grew cold, and they shivered as the water temperature dropped. And still the bear kept vigil. As though waiting for the women to give up and become a willing meal.

“I'm starting to think that varmint's going to wait us out,” Ginger said, her voice a mix of anger and fear.

Amanda's teeth chattered. “We have to get out of the water or we'll catch our deaths of cold.”

Ginger gave a snort, “If we get out of the water we'll be dead, anyway.”

“Shh,” Toni said. “I hear someone talking out there.”

“You sure?” Ginger frowned. “I don't hear nothin'.”

Amanda cocked her head to the side. “I do, too” she whispered. “Someone is out there.”

“For mercy's sake,” Ginger exploded. “Which one of us is the scout, here? If there was someone out there, don't you think I'd be the one to…”

“Bear!!” a man's voice bellowed as a woman's scream sliced through the summer air.

The panicked cry from the shore put a stop to Ginger's outrage. “Get in the water, you idiots!” she called.

Without waiting for a second invitation, two shadowy figures splashed into the river. The bear stood on the shore staring into the water. Toni held her breath, her mind conjuring the image of the enormous animal deciding to come in after them.

It reared up on hind legs and let out a fearsome growl, then as quickly as the animal had appeared, turned and loped
off. The relief in the water was palpable. All three women turned to the new additions to their adventure.

“Is that you Mr. Kane?”

“How is it you are out here with my husband?” Amanda's icy voice addressed the woman who stood shivering in Mr. Kane's arms.

Shock zipped through Toni as she realized just who that woman was. “Lucille Adams?”

Ginger let out a moan. “Lord have mercy.”

 

Just as Sam suspected, the war chief was only interested in one trade. Toni for the rest of the captives still in his camp.

“We do not trade one person for another,” Sam said. “Miss Rodden has made it clear she does not wish to be your woman.”

A sneer twisted the war chief's lips. “You would allow a woman to cause war between us?”

“Would you?”

The Indian sized him up, then sat quietly for a moment. Sam respected the silence. He knew Swooping Eagle had more on his mind, otherwise Sam would have been dismissed.

He only had to wait a couple of minutes before Swooping Eagle spoke. “My mother was a great medicine woman.”

Sam remained still while the warrior came to the point.

“When I was just a boy, the great Eagle granted her a vision concerning me. This vision foretold my many victories in battle.”

The chief spoke with a hint of pride. Sam knew the best thing to do was to feed the Indian's ego. “Swooping Eagle is a
great war chief. No one disputes that fact. You are respected among the white man.” Respected might be a bit of a stretch, but the soldiers definitely took notice when Swooping Eagle wreaked havoc with wagon trains headed west.

Patience was wearing thin and Sam figured the Cheyenne war chief's days on the warpath were numbered before the soldiers came after him. They would not let him get away with it for much longer.

“My mother's vision also foretold the day when the white man would try to take our lands. They would invade by wagon. Kill the buffalo, push the Cheyenne from their lands. I alone would lead my people and other tribes of the plains against these whites.”

The Indian spoke with such conviction, his words brought a chill to Sam's soul. Swooping Eagle had enough victories in battle to be a formidable foe on a small scale. If other tribes rallied behind the Cheyenne and joined them on the warpath, the loss of lives—to Indian and settlers alike—would be devastating.

“The white man doesn't want war,” Sam said, but his words fell flat into the air. And rightfully so. He scarcely believed them himself. “The land is vast enough to make room for all people, Indian and white alike.”

“The white man is not interested in sharing the land. He takes what does not belong to him and then destroys whatever he touches.” He thumped his brown, bare chest. “But I will drive the white man from our land. We will lance them like the boils they are and drain their disease from our forests.” He turned to Sam, his glittering black eyes boring into
Sam's. “The white woman is the medicine for which I have waited.”

“Toni?”

“My mother's vision foretold of a white woman with hair the color of the snow. This woman would give me the strong medicine I require to triumph over the white man. The spirits have sent her to me.”

Alarm seized Sam. Desire was one thing. Lust, he could have negotiated around, but if Swooping Eagle truly believed Toni was the medicine he needed to drive the white man from his land, he would stop at nothing to possess her.

There was nothing more to say. Sam only prayed that the Indian chose to let them leave his camp in peace. They'd have to find another way to rescue the other captives.