Free Savage Winter by Constance O'Banyon Page A

chief of the Piegans giving Windhawk his daughter and that Gray Fox has brought her to our village. I do not think you should worry about this. Windhawk loves you.”
    Joanna felt her heart contract. “What are you saying? I have heard nothing about Windhawk and another woman!” Joanna could hear her own voice rising hysterically.
    “Did not Gray Fox tell you that the Piegan woman was to stay in his lodge until Windhawk comes home?” Morning Song asked, wondering why Joanna was reacting so strangely. Surely, she couldn’t be jealous of that woman.
    Joanna stood up on shaky legs. “Is this woman to be Windhawk’s wife?”
    “I do not think Windhawk will take Red Bird as his wife, but he could not insult the chief of the Piegans by casting his daughter aside. It would have been a very bad thing, would it not?”
    “I am beginning to see things much more clearly now!” Joanna cried, feeling as if she had been betrayed. “Windhawk found no time to come to see me, yet he has been with this other woman!” Joanna fought against the angry tears that came to her eyes. She looked upward as they fell from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
    Morning Song stood up and tried to take Joanna’s hand, but Joanna turned away from her. “My sister, do not be hurt. I am sure Windhawk will explain everything to you when he comes home. Have faith in him. He would never turn away from you for this woman.”
    “I want to see this woman,” Joanna said through clenched teeth. Her eyes were blazing and her anger had almost reached its zenith. “Bring her to me at once!”
    Morning Song had never seen Joanna so angry. She rushed from the lodge to do as Joanna had told her. She was puzzled by Joanna’s reaction. Though Windhawk had the right to take as many wives as he chose, he had promised Joanna he would take no other wife, and he would not break that promise. Morning Song knew her brother was an honorable man and would never break his word. She knew her brother’s love was great for Joanna. Whatever his plans were, he would never take Red Bird into his lodge.
    Joanna gripped the lodgepole so tightly that her knuckles whitened. Now she knew why Windhawk hadn’t come to her. He was waiting until she grew accustomed to the idea of his taking another wife. She looked about the lodge where she had been so happy as his wife. She knew she would never share her husband with another woman.
    Her mouth flew open in horror. Dear God, how could he expect it of her? How did he plan to move this other woman in? Did he expect them to sleep three to a bed, or would she be banished to a corner while he made love to the other woman? She wanted to cry out in anguish. How could Windhawk have betrayed her?
    Joanna covered her eyes with shaky hands. She had believed Windhawk when he had told her he would never take another wife. Had he meant it at the time? Was he tired of her already? She thought how foolish and naive she had been, believing that happiness could last forever.
    Joanna heard movement outside the lodge and dried her eyes, then straightened her shoulders. She would meet this woman whom Windhawk had used to betray her.
    Morning Song entered, leading Red Bird by the hand. She looked at Joanna apprehensively. “Joanna, this is Red Bird.”
    Joanna assessed the woman carefully. She appeared to be some years older than herself—small in stature, but large-boned. Her long dark hair was braided and interwoven with silver beads. Joanna could see why Windhawk would want this woman for his wife, for she was very lovely, and she was of his own kind.
    While Joanna was looking the Indian woman over, she was aware that Red Bird was also assessing her. Joanna read something akin to hatred in the woman’s dark eyes and realized, at that moment, that they would be bitter enemies.
    “I have heard much about the Flaming Hair. Windhawk has said you are of the white skin,” Red Bird spat out, giving Joanna a disapproving glare.
    “I have heard nothing