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She nodded. Bundling her clothes, some cookware, and a few other things along with the rest of the brisket they did not eat, they were packed within the hour.
She rode in front of Lone Wolf, his arms protecting her from any harm. She realized just how safe she felt with him. She would never feel this safe alone. That thought shocked and pleased her. She had thought not long ago that she would be happy once she was released from his tribe and could leave. But nothing had changed, she still had no place to go to. Now, protected in his arms, she suddenly realized that this was the only place she felt that safe. As long as she was with Lone Wolf, she was safe, she knew this. She was growing used to being with him and she found she liked her life among his people. Still, in the back of her mind was the fact that she was married to Liam. If only she weren't.
The fact that she didn't belong anywhere bothered her greatly. What direction was her life taking her now? If he let her go, which he had already offered, what would she do? It distressed her most of the day.
For the first time in her life, she was beginning to really care about someone. And not just Lone Wolf, but the whole tribe she left behind. When had she embraced them so? She loved the children too, they were so happy. They were a happy people and she had begun to feel the same with them. Happiness had been a catch in the wind to her, mostly. Laughter and fun, it eluded her.
They traveled for many moons.
"Where are we?" she asked on the fourth night.
"We will be in New Mexico Territory tomorrow, we will live with the Navaho and Pueblo's. They are peaceful tribes and your people would not ever think to look so far for us here." Lone Wolf told her.
"I'll miss the others, even Gray Eye." She smiled.
"Gray Eye would be pleased you said that." Lone Wolf smiled sexily at her.
"He is a wise man. I have come to have much respect for him." Hannah admitted.
Could she ever belong with this tribe of people? It was the first time she considered it. Life with the Indians had been so much better than with the whites.
Lone Wolf was a huge part of her feelings now. Strange but even his smile affected her heart beat. He suddenly looked better and better to her. She no longer felt shy around him. She could tease and even laugh a little with him. She didn't know when things began to change for her, but they had. But that could be dangerous, as she might assume too much. She could never allow herself to do that.
Deer Runner and Black Feather rode together by their side. "We will see them again, after time has passed so the white man forgets us."
Hannah nodded. "Of course."
"This country is hotter and dusty," Hannah told them as the dust began to kick up.
Lone Wolf looked over the horizon and saw the storm coming. It wasn't a rain storm, it was a dust storm, he'd heard much about them.
Lone Wolf wrapped his neck bandanna around her face, as he drew out another from his pouch in his saddle bags. The bandanna had the smell of Lone Wolf on it, and Hannah breathed it in quickly. His smell was not that of a dirty man, but a very clean man, she realized the difference and smiled.
It awakened her senses to the man.
The dust got very thick, and it was hard to breath. Hannah nuzzled his neck and chest to brace herself from the storm. The fact that it was a bare chest and warm offered her more comfort. But it was an intimacy she'd never shared with any other person before. Liam had never sheltered her from storms. He never just held her like this. All her senses came alive at once. The sense of touch, of being so close, smell, uniquely his, she heard the strong beat of his heart.
Liam had never sheltered her from anything, he'd simply never held her in his arms. Whatever was wrong with her, Lone Wolf didn't see it, evidently. Liam had always said there was something wrong with her, but she didn't know what, and Lone Wolf didn't seem to notice.
They stopped in a small crevice like cave. Deer Runner and Black Feather hugged each other on one side of the cave. They sought privacy. Lone Wolf and Hannah stared at them for a moment, then looked at each other. Lone Wolf stared at Hannah, "Come here, let me protect you." He insisted.
Hannah realized how necessary it was to breath. So, she went into Lone Wolf's arms once more and they held each other during the storm. "I can hardly breath," she gasped.
"Do not talk, it will only make it worse. Turn your head into my chest, and breath through the bandana as best you can."
Hannah felt so protected, and she didn't mind cuddling into Lone Wolf now. She trusted him and knew he would do whatever he had to, to keep her safe. As the storm got worse, the men got their blankets and wrapped the women into them with them. Shielding them from the dust.
"Do not be afraid," he whispered somewhere near her ear.
"I'm not afraid with you." She whispered.
Without hesitation, he stared for one second, took her against him and put a hand on either side of her cheek, their gazes connected. She drew breath, his stare was so intent. And then ever so slowly, he kissed her long and warmly. Hannah was lost. The kiss was unexpected and very welcoming. The
feeling was so sweet and seemed to go on forever. She lost breath, but she no longer cared. She wanted it to continue. Never had she felt such an intense emotion. For him to touch his lips to hers, it was the most tender moment of her life. It breathed new life into her. Her lips moved slowly against his. He wasn't just protecting her now, he was kissing her. She felt the difference, silently enjoying that difference. And she was shocked, as she kissed him back. She'd seen people kiss before, but she'd never had anyone kiss her with such feeling. So long she had wished for some sign of love from someone and here, in his arms, he gave so freely to her.
Her heart began to pound hard, her breathing ragged, and her lips moved over his, following his lead, yet always letting him lead. How could kissing do so many things to her. Her body responded by drawing closer to him.
Liam would put his slopping wet lips on her, but she never responded. The difference in the two men was incredible.
