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He was very muscular, even though he was no longer able to get out and do much physical labor. But she had seen him exercise, knowing himself the importance of keeping his muscles alive and active.
“I’ll let you know when I need your help,” Chuck said, settling down in a chair before a slow-burning fire in the massive stone fireplace. “Now, you’d best get on your way before the heat of the day makes it too uncomfortable for you to ride. These cooler mornings, when even a fire feels good to my bones, are the best time for riding. Remember that you aren’t here to be my maid. I have enough help to care for the house and to see to the cooking.”
“Yes, and most seem dependable,” Hannah said, thinking that there was one man who seemed less than trustworthy.
Tiny Sharp, her brother’s foreman.
There was something about the man that bothered Hannah. It wasn’t altogether the way he looked at her. It was not a look of a man who was interested in a woman, and she understood. With her tall height and lankiness, she saw herself less than desirable for any man.
No, it was something else. He was shifty-eyed. He seemed to always be looking at her with a silent loathing!
She gazed around at the luxurious room. This alone could place envy in the heart of any man. Perhaps the foreman resented her brother for being this rich. Perhaps he resented her for being there, to see after her brother’s interests.
Expensive, gilt-edged paintings hung from the walls. The furniture was plush and comfortable, the coverings made of rich maroon velvet, matching the drapes at the two windows that were made of the same fabric.
Crystal vases caught the glitter of the rays of the morning sunshine pouring through the windows, taking on the look of sparkling diamonds. A grandfather clock made of beautiful mahogany ticked away against one wall. A foot-pedal organ sat against the wall opposite it.
“Go on, Hannah,” Chuck said, nodding toward her. “I’m going to rest, then play the organ for a while.”
“I won’t be gone—” she began, then stopped when the sound of someone arriving on a horse drew her attention to the window.
“See who that is, sis,” Chuck said, stiffening. “Tiny shouldn’t be back yet. He and some of the cowhands were supposed to be out checking the far pasture. I’ve lost a cow or two these past weeks.”
“Perhaps the Indians stole them?” Hannah said, walking toward the window.
“No. I don’t think so,” Chuck said, rising from the chair. He stood with his back to the fire and leaned his full weight on his cane. “As long as deer, buffalo, and other wild animals roam this land, that’s what the Potawatomis will eat. Naw, they wouldn’t bother my cows. Anyhow, thus far, Strong Wolf and I see eye to eye on most things. I don’t think he’d want to chance having me as his enemy by stealing my cattle.”
Hannah stepped up to the window and peered outside. “Is Strong Wolf a young warrior?” Hannah said, her gaze locked on the handsome Indian who had just reined in beside the hitching rail just outside of Chuck’s house. She knew horses well from her love of them and recognized that the Indian’s was a lovely bunched-muscled chestnut stallion.
“Yes, I’d say Strong Wolf is perhaps thirty,” Chuck said, slowly making his way across the room.
“Then, I think he’s just arrived at your doorstep,” Hannah said, unable to take her eyes off the warrior. She had seen many Indians while living in Saint Louis.
She had even talked with some on the waterfront when they had come to trade. Because of this she had learned not to fear them.
Looking at this Potawatomis Indian made her knees feel strangely weak. Perhaps it was because he wore only a brief breechcloth that was only soft squares of buckskin, hanging from the waist in front and back by a belt. This attire somewhat unnerved her, for it did not leave much of his anatomy to her imagination. That shamefully excited her more than she wished to admit, even to herself.
Strong Wolf had a fine-boned frame, a long, trim torso, and muscular thighs. He was powerfully built and sat tall in the saddle, with intense dark eyes. He had a firm, but almost sensuous mouth. The lean line of his jaw showed strength. He had a strong, determined face with hard cheekbones and flat planes. He carried his head high on a pair of well-knit shoulders. And his waist-length black hair was parted in the middle, a red band holding it in place.
“Come with me outside on the porch, Hannah,” Chuck said, breaking her concentration. “Let’s see if it is Strong Wolf. If so, I wonder why? He rarely makes it a habit of coming to call. I usually go to him when something needs to be talked over.”
“How, Chuck?” Hannah said, turning to wait for him. “If you can’t ride . . .”
“I’m not totally helpless, sis,” Chuck said, interrupting her. He frowned at her. “Whenever I have the need to leave my ranch, I travel by way of horse and buggy. Tiny, my foreman, usually accompanies me. Perhaps now you can if the need arises for me to go and speak with the Potawatomis leader.”
“Is he their chief?” Hannah asked softly.
“No, his grandfather is still chief,” Chuck said, squinting as he tried to see his feet while taking guarded steps across the room. “About a year ago, Strong Wolf led a portion of his Potawatomis people from Wisconsin to establish a village nearby. He told me that he will return one day to lead the rest of his people here. He came without them only because he wanted to be sure he could find land suitable to their needs. He found it here, on land that lies adjacent to my property.”
“His grandfather is chief?” Hannah said, still watching from the window, the handsome Potawatomis leader having not yet caught her gawking at him like some starstruck schoolgirl. “Does that mean that Strong Wolf will one day be chief?”
“Yes, after his grandfather passes on to the other side,” Chuck said, nodding. “Also, Strong Wolf told me that he was given his father’s name, Sharp Nose, until he had a vision. His name was changed then, so that he would enter the chieftainship with the na
me Strong Wolf.”
“I see,” Hannah said, then remembering what her brother had said about her accompanying him to the Potawatomis village made her heart leap with excitement.
“I do hope that I can go with you to the Indian village,” she murmured.
