Free Sweet Savage Heart by Janelle Taylor Page B

Wolf; she will obey the commands of her chief and brother. Do not give her a choice. Order her to return home with Nathan. Explain the bargain to her; ask her to sacrifice herself for the survival of her Oglala brother and people.” Lone Wolf winced and frowned noticeably. “Such a brave and unselfish deed should make her proud and happy, perhaps earn her a tribal feast and coup, perhaps a special medicine wheel for her fiery hair,” Travis suggested cleverly.
    Lone Wolf laughed. He recalled how she had earned her last one by defiantly trailing a hunting party, then warning them of a white ambush in time to crush their foes. “White Eagle has not forgotten the ways of the fox,” the warrior remarked, complimenting his cunning. He liked this half-white male, who he was beginning to think might make a good match for his sister. “Wild Wind was raised Oglala, but she carries white blood that makes her stubborn and defiant, as White Eagle was long ago. You have changed, my Hunkpapa friend. You have found peace and honor and acceptance in your new life. Would it be the same for my sister? Can you make her white again? Can I force her to obey me in this? Manytimes her Indian heart wars with her white skin. If she does not remember her grandfather, she will not wish to return to him. She might fear leaving with strangers to go far from the people she knows and loves. In truth, she desires to be a warrior, not a woman. If I agree to your trade, White Eagle, do you have the strength, cunning, and patience to tame a wild wind for her grandfather?”
    Travis scowled in annoyance, dreading to learn if Rana had inherited any of her mother’s bad traits or if she were anything like the twenty-eight-year-old Clarissa Caldwell, who could pass for twenty-three. Considering their personalities, it was no wonder those two Texas vixens had become close friends during Marissa’s last few visits home, even though Marissa had been ten years older than Clarissa. Lordy, even their names rhymed! he reflected sardonically. It still surprised Travis that Harrison Caldwell’s daughter had not persuaded Marissa to stay home and get rid of Raymond Michaels. From what Nathan had told him, the two women had stuck together during that last visit like a tick to a calf’s ear. No doubt Rana and Clarissa would take to each other just as rapidly and tightly. His mind ceased its foolish ramblings. “I was afraid she was named accurately. It sounds to me like I’ll be taking a problem off your hands. If you release her to us, I’ll do whatever is necessary to get her home and get rid of that rebellious streak. Perhaps a good spanking will work magic on her. That’s one white man’s custom I heartily approve of.”
    Lone Wolf shook his dark head. “If she leaves with you, you must be kind and patient with her, White Eagle. Have you forgotten how hard it was for you to leave and to change?” he reminded Travis knowingly. “She is my sister and she is Oglala. I must speak with my council before I give you my answer. Come, you will wait and sleep in my tepee. Do not speak of this matter to my sister or to others. She will feel betrayed by our exchange. Shedoes not agree with trading for another person as is done with wives and captives. If we vote to keep her, you must leave in peace as you came. Do not force us to slay good white men, for they are few and we count them friends.”
    “I cannot agree to leave without her, Lone Wolf, for I have given my promise to return her to her home and grandfather. Do not force me to battle for her. All Oglala warriors and their brave chief are needed to fight a real enemy, not their friend White Eagle.”
    Lone Wolf pictured himself addressing his council on this matter. He would explain his warring emotions and predicament to the wise and heroic men who sometimes made him feel too young and ignorant to be sitting around the same council fire with them. But he could not make such a crucial and troubling decision