Melissa released a soul-weary sigh. She
tried to enjoy the tea and biscuits, realizing how
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much she missed Effie’s cooking. Tears
brimmed in her eyes as she remembered her family. It seemed so long
ago. Would she ever stop hurting? Maybe. No, not ever.
Later, true to Blanche’s words, Captain
Sanders questioned her. She answered his interrogation, but kept
private her love for Blue Thunder.
Melissa spent over a week at the fort,
grateful for the kindness of the captain and
Blanche. They treated her like a daughter
and she came to care for them deeply. Most of the fort’s
inhabitants ignored her, but she still saw stares and heard the
comments behind her back from a few snickering men and women.
Melissa smiled tightly at them, greeting them pleasantly, and held
her head high, hoping snide gossipers would scurry away.
Narrow minded
people!
she told
herself
,
but that
was a poor excuse
.
She always believed her race was better than that.
Back at the Captain’s table, Melissa’s
thoughts drifted to Blue Thunder. When was her mind not on him? She
ached inside and had to forget him, but her memory was too fresh,
it would take a long time. Sighing again, she believed she’d never
forget him. Maybe she didn’t want to.
“...we can find some information, Melissa.
Melissa?” Looking up from her plate where she had been toying with
her food, Captain Sanders smiled at her, the way her father had
done when she was caught daydreaming. It was a patient and
understanding gesture.
“Oh, I’m sorry. My mind was far away.”
“Err, yes,” he cleared his throat, “I see
that. What I was saying was that when I get some information on
where your family settled, we’ll put you on the stage out. It stops
here later this month, though it may take a while to locate them.
I’m still waiting for an answer to the wire I sent to California
inquiring on the location of the wagon master, Lucas Cain, and
where the wagon train is now.”
The captain poured himself another brandy
and Melissa watched a tiny amber drop travel down the neck of the
decanter. It was as if her soul, like that tiny drop, was slipping
away. Still
she produced a happy face.
“You have been very thoughtful of me, thank
you. I don’t know how I would have managed without your
hospitality.” Her eyes filled with water, remembering Laughing Tree
and
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her kindness. Some people, no matter their
race, have a good heart. There are good and bad among us all.
Blanche took her hand. “Dear, your
loveliness outshines anyone at the table and your sad eyes does not
mar you loveliness. You are young and determined to survive, you’ll
be just fine; someday the light will return to your beautiful eyes.
Now, I need to stay behind to talk with friends, my husband will
walk you back to the quarters.”
Too choked up over the woman’s kind words
she merely hugged Blanche. When she and the captain reached the
barracks the captain said, “Sleep well, Melissa. My wife will
return shortly.”
She shut the door after wishing the captain
a good night also.
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TWENTY-THREE
The fort had been quiet for many weeks. The
only sound that night was the ominous rumble of distant thunder.
Feeling bored and restless, Cliff looked up at the inky sky. He was
the only sentry on duty and scratched his crotch thinking about the
last time he had a woman. It had been quite a while and he thought
of the beauty that was staying with the captain and his wife. He
could never forget those eyes. They reminded him of a topaz stone
like the one he saw on the finger of a highly priced prostitute.
Melissa St. Andrew had hair so pale it reminded him of ripe wheat
that grew on his pappy’s farm. It didn’t matter that an Indian buck
or two had her first.
Thinking about his anatomy reminded him he
had to relieve himself. Cliff was tired of staring over the wall so
he took a stroll. There hadn’t been any Indians around for weeks;
he saw no harm in opening the gate to take a leak, and then stretch
his legs for a while. If he got caught leaving his post while on
duty, it would be the stockade for him. But it wouldn’t be the
first time.
Blue Thunder had been searching the grounds
for a way over the wall when he first arrived at the fort and was
surprised to find the wooden gate open. When the soldier passed
water, he slipped inside, unnoticed. Now there was the chore of
finding his Honey Eyes, but the risk of looking into all the wooden
barracks was too risky. He wondered what he should do when
two figures walked toward him. Hiding in the
shadows, he recognized one of the voices immediately; it was like a
wind chime to his ears, causing his heart to hammer forcefully that
he thought they would discover him for sure.
He waited in the shadow of the building
until the soldier left, and then went around back to discover the
room empty. Slipping thorough a window was easy and he crept
through the rest of the square building just in time to see the hem
of a dress disappear into a smaller room. Before Honey Eyes had a
chance to close the door, Blue Thunder was behind her, muffling her
surprised cry with his large hand.
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“Do not cry out. It is I.”
She nodded and he released his hand from her
mouth. He was caught off guard when she spun around throwing her
arms around his waist. “Oh, Blue Thunder, you’ve come after me.”
Before he could speak, she stood on tip toes and kissed him on the
mouth. Her kiss also took him completely by surprise. Like a
starving man, he reacted with instinct and kissed her back. How he
missed and worried about her and dreaded her reaction to his coming
after her. His heart sang with happiness knowing she was glad to
see him again.
She broke off the kiss quickly and stepped
back, whispering nervously, “Oh, Blue Thunder, you had frightened
me. I thought it might be one of the soldiers who brazenly winked
and flirted with me. When I fell back against your hard chest, I
knew without a doubt that it was the man I couldn’t forget. Here
the soldiers looked soft with pot bellies and smelled from unwashed
bodies. Your clean manly scent, I remember belong only to you.” His
Honey Eyes relaxed against him, he felt her heart race at a
dangerous speed against his chest.
“You took a big chance by coming here. What
if you’re caught? Please, you must go.” She rubbed her palms
together, “I caused your people too much sadness already. If
anything happened to you because of me... Oh, I couldn’t live with
the guilt. I’ve done enough. Please, I don’t want to be responsible
for anymore death or pain.” Tears shimmered in her eyes.
Blue Thunder pulled her to him. “You are not
responsible for the death of Little Turtle. I know truth about many
things, except why you tried to kill me.”
“Oh, but I didn’t---”
“Shush! We have no time to talk now, you can
tell me later. We go now before we are both discovered.”
“But---”
“No time to argue. You come willingly or
unconscious.” His threat wasn’t hollow and her eyes widened; she
knew he meant it. “If you protest, I might be caught and I will
fight.”
“Oh, Blue Thunder my emotions are spinning
inside like a whirlwind and I don’t want to be the cause of another
death, but you people will be unhappy to see me again. I’m caught
between two civilizations but if I have to be anywhere, it would be
with you.”
“Follow quietly,” he commanded softly.
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The gate was open and unguarded, the soldier
was nowhere in sight. Melissa looked at him with a questioning
glance. He relieved her anxiety by telling her that the soldier
wandered off to see to nature They were still in luck, and she
seemed grateful for that.
“Hurry, before he returns,” he coaxed.
Into the night sped Melissa and her brave on
Night Rider’s back. They rode long and hard, putting great distance
between them and the fort before she was discovered absent. She
would miss the captain and Blanche, wishing she could have left
them a note saying that she would be all right; that she was with
the man she loved, Blue Thunder.
Her arms held tightly to her Indian, knowing
she was in her rightful place, safe and secure in his embrace, with
him forever. A safe distance from the fort, they made camp a few
hours before dawn. She was full of questions but the time was not
right to talk. Weary, she was content to rest in his arms until the
sun rose. When they made camp that night after a days travel, she
fell into Blue Thunder’s strong arms, making passionate love. She
couldn’t believe the hunger they had for each other was beyond
reasoning. Exhausted, the nearness of his body brought her
contentment.
Blue Thunder awoke with the rising sun on
their second day of their journey and he was first to open his
eyes. Sensing his gaze upon her, Melissa opened her eyes. She
purred softly as she snuggled closer. He accepted her curves
against his hard body and she said, “Blue Thunder, I am sorry about
Little Turtle’s death.” She shuddered, recalling the horror of that
day. “I have caused nothing but trouble for you and your people,
and yet you still came for me.” Her head rested on his chest and
she loved the scent of him, the feel of his hairless chest. “I will
visit her grave and ask for forgiveness.”
He grunted. “That is not possible.”
“Why?”
“No women were allowed to follow and no
Apache ever revisits the spot. She was buried
in an obscure place with other trifling
personal effects. She was buried by piling stones over the grave to
protect it from coyotes and other prowling beasts. I did not attend
her burial and will not seek out the spot. You must forget, as I
have done.”
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Melissa thought it was a cold and unattached
tradition, but she accepted it as part of the red man’s ways. She
asked instead of expressing her views. “Blue Thunder, what will
happen to us? I didn’t mean---”
“Hush, little one,” he placed a finger over
her lips and kissed the top of her head. “You were not at fault for
what happened. I am glad she not take your life.” He squeezed her
closer, as if he was assuring himself that she was truly in his
arm.
Melissa kneaded her lower lip, recalling
that day once more. “She must have loved you very much to fight for
you, my handsome warrior.” She moved her hand lovingly across his
chest, making him shudder. He took her hand and kissed her finger
tips. Her body responded to his tenderness and she wanted to make
love with him again but a certain matter had to be resolved now.
She pulled her hand away and shifted her weight onto her elbow to
look into his eyes. “Blue Thunder, did you love her?” His face
remained emotionless but she didn’t miss the pain in his dark eyes.
It was many seconds before he answered.
“Yes, we were lovers once,” he admitted
truthfully but quickly added, “we were very young.”
Melissa was relieved he didn’t lie to her
but she knew he wouldn’t. She believed he was an honest man.
“Little Turtle said you were going to marry her. She treated me
badly when she was alone with me.”
Blue Thunder sucked in his breath and turned
to her. “Little Turtle lied. I am sorry you suffered at her hands.”
He took her face in his palms and kissed her tenderly on her
trembling lips. “I feel a wave of love I have never experienced
before. I love only you.”
Melissa’s heart exploded with joy from his
words. “Oh, my darling,” her eyes filled with tears, “please
believe me; I never wanted to kill you that night.” She shivered.
“If I had pierced you inches closer to your heart, I would have
killed the only man I could have ever loved.”
“It is first time you speak tender words of
endearment Honey Eyes. Your words made my heart fly like an eagle
on the wind. How you, a slip of a girl found your way into my heart
is still a mystery that only the gods can answer. You are soul
mate; I can never love another the way I love you.”
Those endearing words and the thought of
what she had done made tears fall freely. “Oh,
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Blue Thunder, you were drunk and I was upset
at Little Turtle’s words. I didn’t think you really cared for me. I
was so frightened. You came after me and stumbled and fell onto the
spear.”
Her body trembled more, realizing what might
have happened if she hadn’t moved the spear over to the side to lay
it down. Her last minute decision saved him from death. The man she
loved held her in his arms, reassuring her of his love.
“I know you not want to harm me. Laughing
Tree told how you stayed by my side and cared for me. When my eyes
saw the crazy stitches, I knew it was work of your hands.” He
pointed to his side which was no longer wrapped. “How do we take
these out of my skin?” He frowned deeply.
Running her hand tenderly over her
handiwork, she said, “Will Blue Thunder promise never to drink
white man’s fire water again?” He nodded and gifted her with the
most sensual
male smile. She was enchanted and he looked
like a real charmer then. She never recalled seeing him look more
handsome. .
He clucked his tongue. “I will have battle
scar,” he feigned disappointment, forcing his voice gruff.
Melissa giggled again at
his stern words belied by the twinkle in his eyes and raised
brow.
Vain?
She
was happy to discover he had a sense of humor. His timing was
right; they both needed to release so many pent-up emotions. “I’m
afraid so. I’m not very handy with a needle,” she declared
honestly.
“Good! Scar will remind me never to drink
evil fire water or trizwm made from corn.” They both laughed and he
kissed her to seal his promise. Then she sighed dramatically. “Your
father must hate me?”