Free Untamed by Sharon Ihle Page A

you will be punished."

 
     
     
    Chapter 6

     
    When Josie first saw the Cheyenne come through the door, his great robe, hair, and face dusted with snow, the usual cold fear crawled through her veins, freezing her. to the spot. At the arrogant demands he made, her blood suddenly thawed then heated until it bubbled like the stew on the stove.
    "Make me." Josie dropped into a crouch and raised her fists. "I grew up with fourteen brothers—fifteen if you count the one a no-account murdering Indian killed. Just because you're bigger than me doesn't mean I can't get a few good licks in before you beat me to a pulp. And that's what you're going to have to do to make me go out to that barn and butcher your supper."
    The savage looked to his brother in surprise.
    Daniel glanced at Josie, hesitated, and then laughed. "You'd best believe her, Long Belly. She damn near blew my head off this morning just because I fell asleep while she was talking."
    This, unfortunately, drew the Indian's attention to the strip of petticoat strapped to Daniel's scalp. "What did happen to your head?" he asked.
    "It's like I said—she shot me. I wouldn't get her all riled up if I was you."
    Long Belly's skeptical eyes went to Josie. "This is true? You took a gun and shot my brother?"
    She threw back her shoulders, a mouse standing up to a puma, then dared to say, "Darn tooting I did."
    To her relief, the big Cheyenne turned away from her, slowly shook his head, and apologized to his brother-in-law. "This gift I have brought to you is truly worthless. She cannot cook, is no good at washing dishes, and now she has tried to kill you. Perhaps I should leave her in the forest for the wolves."
    "Hold on a minute." At last, Daniel came to her defense. "I didn't say she meant to shoot me, just that she did. It was an accident, and she did turn out to be a pretty good doctor when it came time to patch me up."
    Long Belly turned to stare at her again, not exactly glaring, but making Josie feel as if he were measuring her for a pine box.
    "She is a bad gift, this white woman who can do nothing. Until I can return her to her people, she must be taught to obey. Perhaps it would help if I were to beat her."
    Josie dropped back into a crouch, fists raised as before. "Go ahead," she challenged. "Try it."
    "All right, you two," said Daniel. "Why don't you both go to your own corners a while and cool off. Maybe in the meantime, Sissy can go to the barn and take care of that calf. The stew ought to be about done by the time she gets back."
    Long Belly shook his head, rattling the arrowheads and strips of wolf hide woven into his braids. "Buffalo Hair must rest. She is not to be disturbed by such tasks. I will see to this lost animal myself."
    Grumbling something about women's work, Long Belly started for the door, pausing long enough to say to Josie, "When I return, you will be punished for what you have done to my brother's head—and for what you have not done for him." Then he disappeared into the storm.
    Although she'd halfway expected a little show of support from Sissy, it didn't take long for Josie to discover that it wouldn't be forthcoming. While Daniel continued to work on a large piece of deerskin, Sissy snuggled quietly in her chair, eyes downcast as she warmed herself by the stove. Her casual, unconcerned attitude irritated Josie at first, but then it occurred to her that she hadn't so much as given a thought to poor Sissy when she'd been out in the storm. Hadn't even considered her safety or the terror she must have felt to be lost in a raging blizzard.
    Realizing this about herself made Josie feel awful enough on its own. When she remembered some of the things Sissy had said the morning she'd gone with Long Belly on his insane journey, she felt even worse. Maybe Sissy was right, Josie thought with a jolt. Maybe she was a terrible excuse for a friend. She'd certainly taken for granted the overtures Sissy had made on her behalf at the pleasure palace. Never