Free Surrender to Love by Julia Templeton Page A

missing.
    He stopped abruptly when he saw a movement out of the corner of his eye. His body was rigid, ready to strike when he saw it was a young white girl. She stood outside a teepee watching them. He waited for her to yell, but instead she remained silent.
    "We have to take her with us," Jordan whispered, motioning the girl over.
    He could tell by the expression on Jordan's face that she wasn't about to leave the girl behind.

Chapter 8
    SITTING ON the river's edge, enjoying the feel of the sun on her face, Jordan watched Rebecca splash in the water with one of Iron Bear's sons. In the weeks since they had escaped the Crow village, Gray Hawk's people had taken to Rebecca, especially the children, who seemed to be in awe of the little girl who acted much older than her tender years.
    Each day Rebecca flourished. Her smile came quickly, her eyes now held a sparkle that had been missing, and her appetite was ravenous, filling out her thin frame. She was a different child from the one Jordan had met at the Crow village.
    Rebecca had brought out a maternal streak in Jordan that she'd never known existed, making her think about having children of her own.
    "Don't go out too far, Rebecca," Kari called from the log, where she was busy sewing yet another pair of moccasins, these for Rebecca. Jordan smiled knowing Kari had also become enamored of the little girl. She was constantly doting on her, which was odd in a way, since she'd never shown any interest toward her half-sisters. Yet Rebecca was far different from those two vile little creatures, who were as bad as their mother.
    Rebecca's laughter filled the warm afternoon, sending a rush of joy through Jordan. Jordan believed in fate and knew that destiny had brought her and Rebecca together. The little girl turned to her with a smile. Her hair was slicked back off her face, making her hazel eyes appear enormous. Climbing from the water, her little body was goose-pimpled and her teeth chattered as she came to stand before Jordan shivering.
    Wrapping a blanket around her, Jordan asked, "Did you have a nice swim?"
    Rebecca frowned at Iron Bear's little boy, who still played in the water with his friends. "Yes, but he was splashing me," she said, sticking her tongue out at him. "I told him not to do it, or I won't play with him anymore."
    Jordan tried not to smile. "And what did he say?"
    "He said he didn't care. That he didn't like me any ways."
    Jordan's humor died a quick death. She was instantly defensive. It was all she could do not to chastise the boy, but realized how silly she was being. Rebecca would have to learn things the hard way, just like everyone else. With a reassuring smile, she said, "Now, he doesn't mean it, love. Boys will say one thing, when they really mean another."
    "Do they?"
    Surprised to hear Gray Hawk's voice, Jordan turned just as he sat beside her. She was even more shocked when Rebecca threw herself into his arms and rested her head against his large chest. "Hi, Gray Hawk," she said, playing with the gold band on his upper arm. It seemed odd to Jordan that such a fierce warrior could take so easily to children. The two had become close in such a short period of time.
    Gray Hawk grinned down at Rebecca. "Hello there, Miss."
    Rebecca ran her fingers through his hair, then began braiding a strand. "Know what?"
    Gray Hawk shook his head.
    "Jordan says you're our hero, cause you saved us."
    Jordan could feel his gaze burning into her, and when she glanced up, she clearly saw desire there. How could he possibly want her when she had been so mean to him? He still bore the scar from where she'd thrown the bowl at him.
    Her stomach was in knots and she wondered if her thoughts were obvious to him and those around them. Uncomfortable, she dropped her gaze to Rebecca. Even then she could still feel him watching