Free Red Bird's Song by Beth Trissel Page A

concluded. “Are you promised to him?"
    "Uncle John gave his consent. If Captain Buchanan takes us back I will be expected to wed Rob."
    "Have you no other family to aid you?"
    His question touched a raw chord. “No. The McLeod's took me in after my older brother Craig died. I adored him,” she added, unsure why she was confiding in Wicomechee.
    "This is the reason you want me for your brother?"
    "I suppose so."
    "I have no wish to be your brother."
    "I would feel so much easier with you if you did."
    "Can you not feel easy with a man who is not your kin?"
    She shivered in the wind. “You are not just a man."
    "No. I am the man in your dream, but you will not say.” Without waiting for her stammered reply, he continued. “You grow cold. I will take you from here."
    "Wait. Before you do, where is my home?"
    He pointed to the east. “There."
    She searched the rippling ocean of ridges for a final glimpse of the lush green valley called Shenandoah, Daughter of the Stars. “Will I ever see the valley again?"
    A sweep of his arm encompassed the western sky. Lavender and rose streaked the golden rim of the ruggedly beautiful Alleghenies. “Your home lies that way, beyond the mountains. You belong to Shawnee now."
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    Chapter Six
    Wicomechee sought shelter in the fast-descending darkness. These ridges would be cold tonight and Charity was especially vulnerable to the chill. A wolf loosed a long thin howl above the wind crying through the trees.
    She jostled against him. “Mechee—a wolf."
    "Brother Wolf will not harm you."
    "How can you call that beast your brother?"
    "He is clever. Shawnee respect him.” Wicomechee guided her through the dusky light to the cluster of evergreens. A rocky mound on the windward side of the trees offered additional cover. He paused before the dim outline of the thickly branched evergreen. “Go under."
    She crawled beneath the sweeping boughs and hunched on the layer of needles. He slid in beside her. The force of the wind instantly lessened and he kept her in the innermost recess of their hideaway. He laid his musket down and slipped the shot pouch and powder horn from his shoulder, barely discerning their shapes in the gloom. His tomahawk joined the others at arm's length. The knife remained at his waist. Like trusted friends, he kept his weapons close.
    The lone wolf inspired others and their chorus swelled in the wind-tossed night. Charity burrowed against him. “The whole pack's coming for us!"
    " Petweowas will not come,” he assured her.
    How quickly she'd gone from regarding him as her greatest threat to her protector. Though he doubted she realized it.
    "I wish we could have a fire to keep them at bay."
    "We would burn all the trees in this wind. If Long Knives are near they will see the flames.” He wrapped the wool blanket around them both then took slices of the ham from the pouch at his waist. “Here is food, eat. Gain strength. Tomorrow we will leave with the sun."
    "Just now, I'm more concerned about surviving the night."
    Breaks in the tossing boughs revealed the round white moon rising above the trees and the first stars glittered. “The moon is bright this night. If I must I will fire by its light. If a wolf comes near, he will die."
    "A second one may attack before you have time to reload."
    "I have other weapons. Sedikoni , eat."
    She stayed as she was, her soft warmth pressed against his side, her face tucked in his shoulder. “Charity, have I been eaten by the wolf? Lost an arm or leg to his hunger?"
    "No. But he may prefer me,” she reasoned, her voice muffled against him.
    Wicomechee smiled. “You will taste better?"
    "Women might."
    He chuckled. “You are foolish."
    "Maybe so. But I'm not used to sleeping with wolves."
    "I am. Eat, and I will give you a gift,” he bargained.
    She lifted her head. “What?"
    He'd captured her attention. “First eat.” He handed her a slice of the smoked meat. She chewed that while he ate six