Authors: Constance O'Banyon
Wolf Runner (22 page)
They laughed, they teased each other, and they grew more deeply in love.
For Cheyenne, her nightmare existence was over. Safe in the arms of the man she loved, Cheyenne knew she was home at last. There would be no more fear or uncertainty about where she belonged—she belonged with the legendary Blackfoot warrior with the green-flecked eyes.
The sun had barely risen atop the pine trees as Cheyenne stood near the river watching the water from the spring runoff flow swiftly by. There was peace and tranquility beside the Milk River.
A week ago Cullen had arrived in the village, stirring up excitement. He had brought Cheyenne a letter from Maria, which she had read over and over. In the letter, Maria explained that she had married Francisco, and they were expecting their first child.
Cheyenne missed her friend, but it was a comfort to know Maria had found happiness with her Francisco.
Cullen had also told her how Señor Mendoza had delivered a breakfront to the ranch, along with several crates that had been stored in the attic. He laughed as he told Cheyenne how Hattie had polished the piece of furniture and had the ranch hands place it in the dining room, where her grandmother’s green-and-white dishes were displayed.
It had taken several letters, and Cullen’s aid, to convince the Mendoza family that she was happy in her new life, and that she had found contentment in the Blackfoot village.
Cheyenne had gone from having no family at all to being a part of a large and loving family.
She glanced down at her infant daughter and her heart swelled with a mother’s love—Prairie Flower had her father’s features. Tiny fingers clasped around hers, and the child gave her a toothless grin.
Wolf Runner adored his daughter, and was laughed at by Firethorn because he made such a fuss over her. When Prairie Flower smiled at him, he could hardly contain his elation.
A shadow fell across Cheyenne’s face and she felt Wolf Runner’s hands slide around her to rest on her still-flat stomach, where his unborn baby lay. This time she hoped the child would be a boy, although Wolf Runner said it did not matter to him.
“Are you happy here, Cheyenne?”
“Entirely,” she told him.
“Do you greet the morning?” he asked in a whisper, laying his chin on the top of her head.
“I do each morning.”
“You are the joy of my life.”
She grinned up into his dark, green-flecked eyes, her own eyes filled with mischief. “Husband, there was a time when you thought of me as nothing more than a nuisance.”
His large hand moved over her stomach, and he arched his eyebrow, joining in her teasing. “That’s because you were a nuisance.”
Cheyenne shook with laughter. “And I thought you were arrogant…because you were.”
Wolf Runner walked around Cheyenne and lifted his daughter in his arms. Prairie Flower giggled at her father and he cuddled her close.
“Our daughter looks like you,” he observed.
“Not everyone would agree with you. Your father thinks Prairie Flower looks like you.”
Wolf Runner looked pleased as he nestled the tiny
child in his sheltering arms. “She will be beautiful like you when she grows up.”
There was a mountain of love reflected in his wonderful eyes when he looked at Cheyenne, and it took her several tries before she could speak.
“If I find favor in your eyes, I am glad.”
Handing Cheyenne the child, Wolf Runner slid his arm about her waist. “My mother spoils her first grandchild.”
Cheyenne’s laughter was like music to his ears.
“And you do not?”
His dark eyes swept across the river and he raised his proud head. “No one will ever make Prairie Flower suffer the way you had to.”
She thought about that. “No. Here in the land of her father, she is accepted as a Blackfoot from a fine and noble family.” Cheyenne touched his arm. “But let us not dwell on the past—you have made up for all the unhappiness I felt then.”
“And you gave me a life I never imagined. We are so alike, you and I. It is as if we were cut from the same cloth and fit together perfectly.”
A birdcall stirred in the stillness. The village was coming to life, and the people were beginning to emerge from their tipis, ready to begin their daily chores.
Cheyenne breathed in the fresh air, thinking how wonderful life was here in the Blackfoot village.
“Do you mind so much that I cannot accompany you to the mountains this spring with the new baby coming?”
Wolf Runner shook his head. “I will not go into the mountains this year.”
“You love it there.”
“I love you more. I will not leave you until our
child is born. We will all go next spring when the baby is old enough to take to the mountains.”
It was a poignant moment, and Cheyenne could not speak.
Wolf Runner’s eyes rested on her mouth. “I like waking up with you beside me.”
She laughed. “Me, the baby, and Satanta,” she reminded him. “Soon there will be our new baby. Are you sure you will not grow weary of us and seek solitude in the mountains?”
“Not without you,” he said, touching her hair and allowing his hand to drift through the silken strands. “I want only to be where you are.”
WIND WARRIOR
“O’Banyon’s attention to detail brings a Blackfoot Indian village and its inhabitants alive. The fast-paced plot takes readers on an emotional roller coaster through danger, suspense and passion, with a touch of the paranormal thrown in.”
“O’Banyon has written another romantic tale of forbidden love, honor, bravery, revenge and passion. Readers will enjoy the rich attention to detail and the hair-raising action and suspense.”
“In the hands of O’Banyon, ancient history comes alive in this fourth book set in Egypt during the rule of the powerful Roman Caesars.”
“The heroine is a smart, strong woman, a perfect match for the warrior hero. Their sexual tension permeates the novel, and the culmination of their love is hot and sweet.”
“O’Banyon continues the tale she began in
Lord of the Nile
by introducing Adhaniá. The historical facts are intriguing, and the effort of the characters to foil the plot against Caesar is heartwarming. The sensual scenes are sparse but tender and hot.”
“Fans of Egyptian lore and facts will find O’Banyon’s historical right up their alley. She sprinkles political intrigue and love throughout the pages of this enjoyable book.”
“O’Banyon’s third book in her Hawk series is possibly the best yet, with a regular little spitfire heroine, great verbal sparring and some very emotional scenes.”
“Fast-paced and filled with adventure, this is a great read…O’Banyon has created some wonderful characters, an interesting plot and an entertaining book.”
“O’Banyon excels at bringing the grit and harsh beauty of the West and its brave pioneers to life…
Heart of Texas
gets at the heart of the West and its readers.”
“Ms. O’Banyon’s story is well written with well-developed characters.”
“Constance O’Banyon delivers a gripping and emotionally charged tale of love, honor and betrayal.”
“
Texas Proud
is another good read from Ms. O’Banyon.”
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®
August 2010
Published by
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Copyright © 2010 by Evelyn Gee
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