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“Hawk, make camp down by the stream,” Strong Wolf said, nodding toward it. “Tomorrow you can build a lodge that will house you and Doe Eyes until our return north.”
“You are both kind and forgiving,” Hawk said, suddenly hugging Strong Wolf, and then Proud Heart. “If not for my mother, we could have been such friends as adults.”
“We are adults now, and we shall share adult friendship,” Strong Wolf said.
Then Hawk stepped back from Strong Wolf and Proud Heart, smiled awkwardly at those who stared at him from the circle of people, then took the horse’s reins, Doe Eyes’s hand, and walked away toward the stream.
Hannah watched, absolutely in awe of this man she loved, and how generous he was to everyone. He had even made a friend out of an enemy!
Chapter 21
Your eyes smile peace.
The pasture gleams and glooms
’Neath billowing skies that scatter amass.
—DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI
Hannah went with Strong Wolf to his lodge, Doe Eyes’s words staying with her like glue. Strong Wolf’s warning to Hawk about Doe Eyes made her realize even more that Strong Wolf’s past had not been pleasant.
“Let us sit by the fire,” Strong Wolf said. He gently took Hannah by an elbow and led her down onto the rabbit-fur blanket that was spread out on the floor before the hearth. “Food has been brought and left for us. Truly you are hungry, Hannah.”
“Yes, quite,” Hannah said, studying him as he ladled moose meat stew from a black pot that hung over the fire on a tripod into two wooden bowls. She could tell that he was still disturbed by what had happened today. She felt that surely Doe Eyes had affected him the worst. Her mere presence had made him nervous.
Hannah was filled with such wonder about what this woman had done to Strong Wolf in the past, to make him so unnerved with her in the present. Had he loved her this much?
Suddenly she knew what she must do. Marry Strong Wolf.
“The stew is good,” Strong Wolf said, watching Hannah as she slowly sipped stew from her spoon. He could tell that she was deep in thought.
And he knew about whom.
Doe Eyes.
Doe Eyes had placed many things in many people’s hearts and minds today. He hoped that doubt was not inside Hannah’s heart now; doubt of him and his true love for her.
“I was but a child of ten when I foolishly loved her,” Strong Wolf blurted, drawing Hannah’s eyes quickly to him. He angrily broke off a piece of fried bread between a thumb and forefinger. “I have since then despised her.”
Hannah lay her dish aside and moved on her knees before Strong Wolf. She took his platter and set it aside, and also the piece of bread that he had not yet eaten.
“My love,” she said, framing his face between her hands. “I care not about Doe Eyes, or what she was or was not to you in your past. This is now. We, you and I, are in love. And if you think me not too bold, I wish to marry you.”
Strong Wolf’s lips parted in a soft, surprised gasp. He gazed at her at length, then swept her up in his arms as he rose to his feet. “Bold?” he said, laughing drunkenly. “Do I think you are too bold? Never. What you said came from the heart. I will answer you from my heart. Yes I want you. Yes I want you to be my wife!”
Inside he was warm with happiness. He fought off the shadow of doubt of taking a wife. His past! The secret that he had protected since he was ten winters of age! If he married Hannah, surely one day she would discover the secret when he least wanted her to. It could happen at any moment. Even while they were making love!
Yet he would chance anything to have a future with her.
He gathered her close and kissed her. Then he carried her to his bed and lay her across it. He knelt over her and kissed her again. His one hand kneaded her breast through the fabric of her shirt. His other hand stroked her at the juncture of her thighs, although her breeches were an impediment to him truly touching her there.
“I know the answer!” Hannah said, quickly drawing her lips from his. She sat up on the bed, her heart pounding like wild thunder at the thought that just came to her. It was a possible solution to her concern over her brother.
“What answer?” Strong Wolf said, brushing soft kisses across her brow.
“My sister!” Hannah said, placing a hand to his cheek as he stared into her eyes. “My sister’s schooling is almost complete. Perhaps she will consider making a life for herself in the Kansas Territory and at the same time live with Chuck at his ranch and see after his welfare.”
She kissed Strong Wolf, then gazed excitedly into his eyes again. “I shall send a wire to my parents tomorrow about our upcoming marriage,” she said, her eyes bright. “I shall also send a wire to Clara. Oh, pray, darling, that she will agree to come and take my place at our brothe
