Savage Summer (33 page)
Authors: Constance O'Banyon
As the warm breeze kissed the leaves on the tree and the lazy stream cut its way across the valley, they made love, thus binding themselves tightly one to the other.
Danielle knew there would be times when she would falter, for one doesn’t change overnight, but she knew Wolfrunner’s love would mold her and make her into the woman he wanted her to be.
Soft words of love were spoken, and hearts were pledged for eternity. There was music on the wind and laughter in their hearts. As they discovered new things about each other, they were drawn into an everlasting love.
As night began to fall they returned to the village. The people of the tribe didn’t seem at all surprised to see Wolfrunner return with the Blackfoot princess. They had known for a long time what Danielle and Wolfrunner now openly admitted.
It was with a happy heart that the Blood Blackfoot welcomed Morning Song’s daughter back home.
Joanna felt Windhawk’s arm on her shoulder, and turned to smile up at him. “I knew Wolfrunner would never allow Danielle to leave, Windhawk.”
The tall chief of the Blood Blackfoot looked down at his wife. “From the way they are looking at each other, I think they had better be joined in marriage soon.”
Joanna reached for Windhawk’s hand, and together they entered the lodge. “Make it today, my husband.”
As Windhawk enfolded Joanna in his arms, he thought of all the happy years he’d spent with this flaming-haired woman beside him. He looked forward to many more.
Now that the Civil War was over, the people of the United States turned their eyes westward. There were rumors that they were coming in droves to the lands that belonged to the Indian.
They wanted to till the soil and plant their crops. They sought the precious silver and gold metal that came from the sacred mountains. Soon…soon they would push the Indian back, and force him to fight for what belonged to him.
Windhawk looked down in the valley below him and watched as his people moved slowly toward the north. There was a great cloud of dust which was stirred up by the many horses. Deep in his heart there was an ache that they must forever leave this land of their birth. But had he not made his mother a promise that if the white man came, he would move his Blood Blackfoot to the Canadas?
Perhaps it was best, he thought. It would rip Joanna’s heart out if he had to war against the people of her past.
As his eyes roamed over the winding Milk River and across the Sweet Grass Hills, Windhawk knew he looked upon them for the last time. The beauty of this land would remain in his heart. He felt as if he were in tune with the past. His fathers and their fathers seemed to cry out at the injustice of it all. Could a man keep his honor when he turned his back on his ancient home? he argued. Was it not better to leave a place where his people might die from the white man’s bullets? he reasoned.
He saw Joanna riding up the hill to join him. He knew she was part of the reason he was leaving. He did not want to turn his war weapons on her people.
Her red-gold hair was flying in the wind, and her cheeks were kissed by the warmth of the sun. His heart seemed to swell within his body as he caught the look in her beautiful eyes. This was his woman, he would do anything to keep her from hurt and sorrow.
Joanna said no words as she drew up beside Windhawk. Both knew what the other was feeling so there was no need for words. Each sat for a long time watching the Blood Blackfoot ride away from the land of their grandfathers.
Reaching out, Windhawk caught Joanna’s hand in a firm grip. He knew he could live anywhere with his woman beside him.
Silently they rode down the hill to join their people. The Bloods would start a new life. They would cast off the old life and embrace the new. For Joanna and Windhawk there would be no looking back with regret. They must look to the future and concentrate on the survival of their people.
They were not leaving their homes, rather they were riding toward a new beginning.
Author’s NoteYOU ARE GONE O NOBLE BLACKFOOT
WARRIOR
TO DISAPPEAR FROM EARTH AND SKY.
BUT YOUR MEMORY LIVES IN THE HEARTS
OF MEN,
FOR LEGENDS…DO NOT DIE…
With
Savage Summer
I conclude my four-book saga on the Blackfoot Indians. While writing these books, I became aware of a way of life that has disappeared forever. With a heavy heart I cannot help but regret that we, our children, and our children’s children will never know the peaceful world of a wise and noble people. We will only be allowed to visit them when we find them in the pages of a book.
SAVAGE SPRING
SAVAGE WINTER
SAVAGE AUTUMN
WOLF RUNNER
WIND WARRIOR
ENCHANTRESS
COMANCHE MOON RISING
DESERT PRINCE
DAUGHTER OF EGYPT
SWORD OF ROME
LORD OF THE NILE
HAWK’S PURSUIT
HAWK’S PLEDGE
THE MOON AND THE STARS
HEART OF TEXAS
MOON RACER
THE AGREEMENT (SECRET FIRES)
RIDE THE WIND
SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE (Anthology)
TYKOTA’S WOMAN
FIVE GOLD RINGS (Anthology)
SAN ANTONIO ROSE
TEXAS PROUD
CELEBRATIONS (Anthology)
A LEISURE BOOK®
September 2010
Published by
Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Copyright © 1986 by Constance O’Banyon
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E-ISBN: 978-1-4285-0937-5
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