Free Tracie Peterson - [Land of the Lone Star 03] by Taming the Wind Page A

intention.”
    Tyler shook his head. “My thoughts are well-known around here. I hate the Indians.”
    “All of them?”
    He drew a deep breath. “No. I suppose not all of them. Just the ones who murdered my pa and the ones who go on murdering white folks.”
    She nodded. “Why are they so angry? Why do they want us dead?”
    For a moment he said nothing, and Carissa thought perhaps he wouldn’t answer her. Finally, however, he spoke. “I suppose when I really think about it, they are mad because we’ve taken their land. We’ve forced them to leave their way of life and live on reservations. And we’ve broken just about every promise we’ve ever made to them as a nation.”
    “I suppose I would be angry in that case. Is it true that the army often goes on raids, killing the Indians en masse?” she asked.
    “Where did you hear that?” He looked at her with a completely puzzled expression.
    “I overheard some of the men talking the other day at the Barnett place. One of them said something about a massacre of Indians by the army. I think they said it happened during the war.”
    He nodded. “They were probably talkin’ about Sand Creek. There was a big massacre there. I have to admit I don’t know a whole lot about it. I did hear that those Indians had been causing a lot of trouble in the warmer months when they’d attack whites on the trails.”
    “And for that, they deserved to be massacred?” she questioned.
    Tyler looked at her hard. “You haven’t had to worry much about Indians down in Corpus—have you?”
    She shook her head. “No . . . and I don’t pretend to understand it all.”
    Tyler started to say something, then shook his head. “I suppose nobody really understands. Seems to me like somethin’ could have been worked out a long time ago to let us all live together in peace.”
    “I’m sure wrongs have been committed on both sides,” Carissa replied softly. “That’s usually how it goes.”
    Tyler looked to where the children were playing and nodded. “I suppose that’s true enough. Still, there have been a lot of unprovoked raiding parties in the last few years. The Comanche and Kiowa seem bent on puttin’ an end to the white man’s existence. They’ve murdered a lot of innocent settlers—children, too.” He turned his gaze back on Carissa. “How would you feel if they killed Gloria and Daniel?”
    The very thought caused her to stiffen in fear. She had heard accounts of babies being dashed onto the rocks and killed. She shook her head. “I wouldn’t want justice,” she finally said.
    Tyler’s brows drew together. “I don’t believe you.”
    She shrugged and fixed him with a hard stare. “I wouldn’t want justice. I would want revenge.”
    For a moment neither said anything. Carissa couldn’t help but wonder if she’d angered Tyler by suggesting that his motives weren’t justice as much as a desire for payback. A part of her wanted to further the statement and let him know that she certainly didn’t fault him for wanting revenge. She could understand that passion—that need. Even if the very thought terrified her.

7
    I hope the rooms are to your liking,” Hannah said as she opened the door to the first bedroom. “Carissa, I thought this might work well for you and Gloria.”
    Peering inside, Carissa found a small, but adequate, space. An iron-frame bed stood against one wall with a small oak nightstand beside it. Across the room was another larger table with a bowl and pitcher on top.
    “It’s very nice,” Carissa said, nodding. “More than enough room for Gloria and me.”
    “I had Will put the bed against the wall so that you could have Gloria on the inside. That way she won’t fall out at night.” Hannah smiled and turned to Laura. “Come, and I will show you to your room.”
    Carissa wanted to follow after them, but didn’t. She knew Tyler would be coming along shortly to help Brandon bring up her things, and she wanted a chance to talk to him.