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But now she was in the wilderness, free from her father’s watchful eye, and stern, commanding voice, and having been attracted to Strong Heart from the first made her fear her feelings for him. She was glad that Four Winds was a part of the group. For, if she were totally alone with Strong Heart, she did not know what she might expect from him, or herself.
She already knew the wonders of his touch, of being held in his strong arms, and the thrill of the heat of his breath on her face and lips. Alone with him, she might forget all that she had been taught about being a lady. She would perhaps learn what it meant to be a woman, with needs of a woman.
Shocked at where her mind had wandered, Elizabeth again tried to change her thoughts. It was a cool September night, with lightning flashing luridly over the mountains in the distance. Elizabeth gazed around her at the groves of tall, slim pines which stood majestically sprinkled with stars. Only a few feet away, a swift-running, sweet-singing trout stream coursed. Strong Heart had chosen this beautiful campsite which seemed like a woodland cathedral, roofed by the open skies, and where wave and rock and tall pine met.
It was a place of serenity, yet Elizabeth could not feel that serenity within her heart, for again her thoughts had traveled back to Strong Heart and the dilemma in which she had found herself.
Strong Heart had not said much to her during their flight from the prison. She had to wonder if he was reconsidering keeping her captive.
The thought that he might set her free frightened her, for they were now many miles from Seattle, and she would not be able to find her way back alone.
And he did not dare return with her, for surely a posse had been formed to search for him and Four Winds and herself. It was possible that she was considered an accomplice. The sheriff would not know the truth, for he had been unconscious.
Elizabeth started when a stick with cooked fish at its tip was thrust toward her. She turned and looked up at Four Winds, who was offering it to her.
“Eat,” was all Four Winds said.
Elizabeth accepted the skewer and nodded a silent thank you. Four Winds had been quiet since his release. He and Strong Heart had not even discussed the escape. There seemed to be a strain between them, and Elizabeth could only surmise that it was because Strong Heart and Four Winds were not so much friends as allies in crime. Surely if they were close friends, they would have been warmer to each other.
At the moment she only truly cared about the hungry ache in her stomach. Elizabeth tore
at the fish with her teeth, giving Strong Heart a sideways glance as he also began eating from his stick.
When he looked her way, she turned away from him, embarrassed by how her hunger was making her forget her table manners. She was so hungry, she yanked the fish from the stick and began stuffing it into her mouth with her fingers, then blushed when she found two sets of eyes on her. She offered Four Winds and Strong Heart a weak smile.
Having eaten all of her fish, Elizabeth wiped her mouth free of grease with the back of her hand, then opened her ears to the conversation that had started between Strong Heart and Four Winds.
Four Winds squatted before Strong Heart and placed a heavy hand on his shoulder. He began earnestly, saying, “Strong Heart, mah-sie, thank you for what you have done for your childhood friend. Your silence since the escape proves that you do not yet fully trust that I am free of guilt for that which I was about to be hanged. Trust that I am. Feel good in your trust.”
“My silence was caused by many things,” Strong Heart said, giving Elizabeth a quick glance, then focusing his attention on Four Winds. “Many things trouble me, and, ah-hah, part of that is my doubt about your innocence. But knowing you from childhood, I cannot see you as anything but innocent. When I spoke with my father about breaking you free, he hesitated, yet agreed with me that you should be saved. Prove to me, old friend, that you have earned our trust. Do not allow yourself to be taken prisoner again by the white man. The hangman’s noose would not go empty a second time, for this friend of yours would no longer be a friend.”
“Four Winds will remain your friend, for Four Winds will never give you cause again to risk your life for his,” he said, humbly lowering his eyes. Then he raised them and looked into Strong Heart’s. “I must now go my way alone. I will flee high into the mountains until I feel it is safe to surface again. This I do not only for myself, but also for you. As long as I am with you, your guilt in helping me escape could be proved. Without me, you are just another Indian to the white man, for no one witnessed your part in the escape.”
Four Winds’s eyes focused accusingly on Elizabeth, then turned back to Strong Heart. “This woman’s presence with Strong Heart can also prove dangerous,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “Her being with you could be proof enough of your guilt, not only for having aided an accused criminal in an escape from prison, but also for abducting a white woman. Once the sheriff regains consciousness, he will remember, and recognize her if his posse finds you.”
Strong Heart rose to his feet. He placed a hand at Four Winds’s elbow and led him toward the grazing horses. “Ah-hah, yes, it is best that you leave,” he murmured. “As for the woman, she stays.”
“But do you not see the danger in that?” Four Winds persisted, untying his horse’s reins from a tree stump. “She can be the cause of you being taken to the hanging platform.” He placed his free hand on Strong Heart’s shoulder. “Consider carefully your decision about this woman. Is she worth the risk? Is she?”
“I have learned many ways of being elusive,” Strong Heart said, setting his jaw. “No posse or sheriff will find me.”
He glanced over his shoulder at Elizabeth. Her beautiful eyes unnerved him. There was no denying the true reason why he would not set her free now that he had her to himself. It was for his own selfish needs that he held her in bondage. She was the embodiment of all temptation. And he never would allow her to leave.
Never.
Not even his father could shame him into releasing her. She had stolen his heart, a heart which until now beat for no woman.
Only her, only Elizabeth, who was now his la-daila.
Strong Heart turned his attention back to Four Winds. He squared his shoulders proudly. “You say that it is dangerous for the woman to be with me,” he said, stubbornly. “The chances are worse for me if I set her free. She knows too much. And I cannot kill her to silence her. Do you not recognize me still as a man of honor?”
Four Winds could remember very well his childhood with Strong Heart, and could see that he had not changed. Strong Heart was still a bullheaded, stubborn man. Four Winds knew not to argue with Strong Heart when he had his heart set on something.
Four Winds looked over at the woman, seeing her loveliness, and was convinced now that his friend’s heart was set on the white woman. Four Wind had seen how Strong Heart had looked at her, and had seen the gentleness with which he had treated her.
Four Winds knew that Strong Heart saw her as special, perhaps special enough to take as his la-daila, and there was no arguing with that, once any man chose the woman of his heart.
“Ah-hah, yes, Four Winds knows that Strong Heart is a man of honor, and Four Winds will say no more about your decision concerning the woman,” Four Winds said, dropping his horse’s reins as he stepped close to Strong Heart. He embraced Strong Heart. “Kla-how-ya, good-bye, my friend. Again, mah-sie, thank you.”
