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Her confession made Thunder Hawk’s knees weaken with surprise and happiness. He now knew that he had not misread her eyes those many times they had stared at one another during family visits. And surely her dreams had included him, as his had often been filled with her.
At this moment, he felt as though he was experiencing another dream; her wanting him for a husband was something that he had wanted, yet feared never having. He had taken a dangerous chance in coming here today with the bold offering of horses.
Now it seemed as though his heart had led him well in this decision. He did not see how the chief could refuse his daughter her choice of husbands. The whole village had been a witness to her confession.
Chief Red Moon placed gentle hands to Sky Dancer’s delicate shoulders. “Daughter, how is it that you know how your heart speaks?” he said quietly. “You have never been alone with Thunder Hawk. You have never been allowed to be alone with any man. And he is not a man; he is but a child in my eyes.”
With that, Thunder Hawk straightened his shoulders even more squarely, thrust out his chest, and held his chin high with dignity. He had to prove his worth. He hoped that somehow he reflected some of Sage’s nobility, knowing that in so many ways he resembled his chieftain father. If only Chief Red Moon would look past the young man in him, and see him as he would be in the future.
Surely Chief Red Moon understood that this man asking for his daughter’s hand in marriage might one day be a powerful Navaho chief. He was from a long line of chiefs, and his father, Sage, carried the title on from his ancestors before him.
Of course, Thunder Hawk knew that Runner would be there to make challenges to the title. But that was far in the future. Chief Sage was a young man in spirit and body.
“Father, when our people met in celebrations and feasts with Thunder Hawk’s, I saw him,” Sky Dancer said. “He saw me. Our eyes spoke of our feelings for one another. Sky Dancer is so pleased that I read the right message in Thunder Hawk’s eyes—that he loves me as I love him. I want nothing more from life than to be his wife.”
Thunder Hawk’s lips parted with a low gasp, having never expected that Sky Dancer’s feelings could run this deep for him. It was more than he had ever dreamed possible. To have her at his side forever was something that made everything else seem trivial. He wanted her now more than life itself.
There would be no more schooling. There would only be a wife who stood by his decisions to be the great owner of vast numbers of sheep. They would live the dream together.
Chief Red Moon gaped openly down at his daughter for a few more moments, then drew her into his gentle em
brace. “Sky Dancer, this father has never forbidden this daughter anything of the heart,” he said, his voice low and caressing. “Nor will he now.”
“Thunder Hawk and I will have our own private ceremony,” Sky Dancer said.
Chief Red Moon said nothing for a moment, then nodded. “If that is what you wish, then so be it,” he said. Again he hugged her, then stepped away.
Sky Dancer paused and stared up at Thunder Hawk, then dashed toward him and flung herself into his arms. “I do love you,” she whispered, so that only he could hear.
Thunder Hawk’s insides melted with the bliss of the moment. He held her a moment longer, then watched her enter the hogan, knowing that she was going there to gather up her belongings.
Feeling that this was unreal, as though it could not truly be happening, he was light-headed and giddy. He smiled clumsily at Chief Red Moon as the chief went to the horses and slowly began checking them over. After each was approved, they were taken away to the chief’s pole corral, which was already filled to capacity with handsome steeds.
Chief Red Moon stepped up to Thunder Hawk, patted him on the back, then eyed him up and down, as though measuring his worth. Then he gazed into his eyes. “The horses are of great value and breeding,” he said calmly. “I do not venture to ask how they came into your possession. I take them, anyhow.”
Chief Red Moon chuckled and clasped a hand to Thunder Hawk’s shoulder. He leaned closer to Thunder Hawk, so that only he could hear what he said. “I, too, have ventured onto land owned by Damon Stout,” he whispered. “I, too, have added to my herd at his expense.”
Thunder Hawk’s eyes widened in disbelief, then he exchanged knowing smiles with Red Moon.
Without further thought, he moved into the chief’s hefty embrace. He was going to enjoy being friends with, and better yet, a son-in-law to, this powerful, headstrong chief. Their thoughts traveled the same path.
Sky Dancer came from the hogan carrying two large leather satchels, and two blankets rolled up and tied together. When she discovered her father and future husband in an embrace, a wondrous relief washed through her.
“Thunder Hawk?” she said, her voice lilting and sweet.
Thunder Hawk and Chief Red Moon stepped apart. Thunder Hawk went to Sky Dancer and relieved her of her heavy burdens and placed her belongings on the back of his horse. She would travel in his saddle with him, where he could draw her slim form back against him, his arm willingly holding her in place.
His heart pounded as she gave her father one last embrace. He had not expected this to be so easy.
Actually, he was stunned. This quickly he had a wife. This quickly he would be able to turn his back on the schoolbooks and the dreaded one-room schoolhouse forever!
Sky Dancer stepped timidly up to Thunder Hawk. She smiled shyly up at him as he placed his hands on her tiny waist and lifted her onto his saddle.
He gave Chief Red Moon a big, grateful smile, then swung himself into the saddle behind Sky Dancer. When his arm went around her waist and she leaned back against him, a wild desire clutched at his heart.
Chapter 25
She so torments my mind
