One Hundred Horses (6 page)

Watching Sun Puma as she mothered the baby horse incited his body to awaken with a long-dead yearning to have his own babies. She appeared to have all the maternal instincts he admired. Her soft voice as she crooned to the filly, did more to arouse him than convince the horse to suckle.

“You have your own meal to eat,” she whispered to him, interrupting his thoughts. He yawned as he glanced over to the stew she had brought and smiled. There wasn’t enough there to keep a frog fat. He yawned again and stretched.

Then, he decided to stand up, and untie his wrap and let it fall to the floor.

***

She tried not to notice.

She didn’t want to look as fire rose to her cheeks, but she couldn’t stop herself from peeking at him through the strands of her hair. He lay down on his bed of soft elk fur, let out a few tired moans from deep in his throat and folded his arms behind his head. Within moments she could hear the rhythmic sounds of sleep. Sarah then moved her hair out of her face as she allowed herself a better look.

Having never seen a naked man before, her quiver of fear was soon followed by awe. She sat unmoving, captivated by how beautiful he appeared. Without a doubt, he was more handsome than most. He simply had to be. Her curious gaze followed every line of his body. Several scars lined his arms, but they only added to his beauty. Her body betrayed her as sexual desire blossomed in her core. It was both frightening and exciting. These new urges challenged her to reach over and touch him, but she did not dare. Then the hungry foal demanded her attention and broke the spell. It was well into the night before Sarah was able to close her eyes and sleep.

***

Grey Fox sat up alone and confused as strands of pre-dawn light filtered into the loose opening of his tipi. The night had been filled with endless dreams of Sun Puma. But she was not here with him as he had thought. Then, suspicion clouded his mind as he quickly tied on his breech cloth and raced out the opening. He had feared her escape for two reasons: one was the prophecy, and the other was something he wasn’t yet ready to admit to himself. Still, when he did catch sight of her, he sighed in relief.

In the early hours of the morning, the dew had settled like a blanket over the meadow. Prairie grass arched its tips toward the Earth, yielding to the weight of the moisture. The sound of the rushing water of the creek and the bugle of a bull elk filled the air. Grey Fox stood in the center of the majesty surrounded by horses. The animals quietly grazed, paying him no mind. And in the distance, on her knees, coaxing a little horse to nurse from a nervous mare, was Sun Puma.

Surprise and fear rippled over him. The mare was not one he favored. She was obstinate and refused to bond with humans. Seeing Sun Puma in such a vulnerable position, crouched down under the mare’s belly, jolted his senses. She should not take such chances for the foal. He was careful to approach quietly, but his concern had overwhelmed his reason, and his words came out more sharply than he intended.

“Get up,” he told her. He tried to ignore that from where he was standing, he could see nearly all of her breasts as she leaned forward to help the foal find the mare’s teat. He watched her hesitate. She kept trying to get the orphan to suckle, but the mare flattened her ears in warning.

“I said, get up. Now,” he repeated. The mare stomped a hoof and swished her tail. Grey Fox grabbed Sarah by the arm and pulled her to her feet. She lost her balance and fell into him. The mare ran off, throwing kicks and bucks as she went.

Their bodies pressed against each other as the vapor of their breathing mingled. Her hair was damp, and she was covered in mud. Her wrap was also slipping from her body. Grey Fox pulled her arm behind her, and he kept his grip steady has he intently studied her face. For a moment, he could see she was frightened, but that fear was playing tricks on him because her fear morphed into something more,
something different
.
The woman he held trapped against him trembled with an awakening of her womanhood. Her scent became sweet and warm as primal stirrings vibrated between them both. She struggled against him, but he hummed a derogatory sound, and she stopped and licked her lips. Grey Fox’s other hand reached behind her and grasped her hair by her neck. The grip was firm, but he was careful not to hurt her. He held her in place as he lowered his face down to hers.

***

Gone were the gentle flutters of soft lips. Grey Fox claimed her mouth and assaulted them with masterful manipulation. There was nothing she could do but submit. When he darted his tongue between her lips, her body tensed and then melted into warm waves of liquid. Then his tongue made gentle contact with hers, and the liquid heated and fanned out all over, demanding that she keep him there. Her body acted on its own and moved against him, trying to feel his heat wherever it could. Her wrap, caught between the two bodies, fell to the ground as they moved.

With a throaty growl, Grey Fox placed his hands under her buttocks and lifted her up. She had no choice but to wrap her arms and legs around him. As her head was slightly above his, he gave her the opportunity to end the kiss if she wanted. But she didn’t stop. There was no mistaking the ache between her legs. His manhood grew with their intimate contact, momentarily jarring her senses back to reality. But when he deepened the kiss further and wrapped his arms even more tightly around her, crushing her to him, she hadforgotten about her fear and lost herself in her desire to become a part of him.

***

The horses disappeared into the fog like wild apparitions in search of sweeter grass hidden beyond its soft borders, a fleeting moment known only to them before Father Sun climbed the sky and chased away the chill, drying the Mother Earth for a newly promised day. All the creatures great and small who walked upon her rose from their slumber and prepared for a path both planned and surprised.

Grey Fox loosened his grip, allowing Sun Puma to slide down. His hardness dragged across the warm skin of her belly and then he let go of her. She backed away from him, amazement etched on each other’s faces as a new potential path for their lives materialized before them. Then Red Dawn’s words carried in the morning mist for them both to hear:
Someday, the only strings that bind you will be the ones around your heart.

***

On a hill, lying on his belly, a shocked Broken Horn watched the scene below. It would be just his luck that the girl he had been sent to find was the mate of the feared Grey Fox, the very warrior who had had his face disfigured for stealing his prized war ponies. Broken Horn shuddered. This would take some careful planning, for this deserved far more than a measly plot of land.

Chapter Six

“The grey mare lost her foal last night,” Grey Fox told her as she still lay half asleep on her mat. She sat up, rubbed her eyes and looked at him.

“She did? Do you think she will feed Feather?” Sarah asked hopefully. The constant feedings of the little orphan filly were exhausting her.

“Feather?”

“The filly. I named her Feather.”

He nodded with approval.

“We can try skinning the dead foal and tying the hide to Feather. Maybe the mare will accept Feather that way,” he suggested.

Sarah smiled. They had done this on the Cashion Ranch before with cattle. The idea should work. Grey Fox was up and out the tipi instantly. Finally, maybe the two of them would get some sleep.

When Sarah went outside to see Grey Fox’s handiwork, she let out an unrestrained belly laugh that sent the herd running. Standing on wobbly legs and looking quite embarrassed was Feather. She had the soft roan hide of another foal strapped down over her with leather thongs. The precocious little horse tried to walk under the weight of the extra pelt. Grey Fox had to laugh too. But when the big, grey mare stopped running and turned back toward the filly, they both stopped immediately and watched. The mare inspected the weird-looking creature and then calmly went back to grazing.

That’s when Grey Fox half-walked, half-crawled to the mare’s side and encouraged the filly to latch on. Maybe now Feather would stop entering the tipi, looking for milk.

***

Buffalo had finally been spotted, and the entire village prepared for the hunt. Sarah watched the proceedings in awe. Every man, woman and child had a job to do in order to see that the hunters would have everything they needed. Some women would even go along on this hunt to help prepare and pack. Nobody had mentioned anything to her about going, and she was relieved for that.

Sarah was standing by Red Dawn’s tipi when she noticed that Grey Fox was searching the crowd. When he spotted her, there was no mistaking the warm smile that appeared on his face. Watching him approach her ignited a wave of apprehension along with a jolt of something more carnal. It was the first time she had ever seen Grey Fox dressed for hunting. The bright red clay paint on his face intensified his already angular features. Dark wings were painted across his wide chest. She couldn’t keep her eyes off of him. The power and danger radiating off Grey Fox both frightened and excited her. Gripping the edge of her wrap, she swallowed hard when he stood before her, looking down at her with intense, dark eyes.

“Sun Puma, you can join the hunters if you so choose,” he told her.

Her mouth fell open. “I don’t think the people would like that. If something went wrong, they would blame me. I need to stay with Feather and with Red Dawn. Her health is worsening, Grey Fox,” she told him. Her voice faltered. She hated how every time he came close, she trembled. Since the morning of the kiss, he had kept a safe distance. This invitation to join him in the hunt was truly a surprise. Then she realized that with most of the men gone, she could easily run away.

Is that why he asked me to go with him? He still wants to watch over me?

With an almost somber look, Grey Fox looked down to her side at the filly.

“Take good care of your little one.” Then his eyes reached hers. They held momentarily before he placed a hand on her cheek brushing the side of her face with his thumb. Without another word, he turned away and jumped on Black Cloud and headed west with the other riders. A strange new feeling trickled through her. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear it was sadness and surprisingly, she wondered if she was anticipating missing him.

Averting her watery eyes, Sarah forced herself to look down at the filly. Feather never wanted to leave her side. Even in a village full of people, Feather followed her like a dog. The little horse was quite rude, approaching every unsuspecting person begging for milk. She couldn’t help but care for the filly. The foal gave her a purpose and a sense of home. She couldn’t forget who Sarah Cashion was with this little horse to care for. Grey Fox must have known she would never leave the foal, so he had no need to worry. She exhaled the breath she was holding, wiped her eyes with the back of her hand wondering if she would stay because of Feather or because of him? When did he become important enough to even be considered into her plans?

***

Broken Horn watched the procession of riders as they followed the setting sun. It was the break he needed. He had seen the fledgling herd of buffalo. The hunters wouldn’t need but a day or two. He would have to hurry. Plus, he had sat on the ridge for so long he was out of food and water. He had learned quickly that every morning, the girl fetched water from the creek. He made sure he would be there before Father Sun rose. Broken Horn felt the blood pump wildly in his veins. Soon, he would have his revenge and his land, all for just capturing one stupid woman. Things have changed, he had decided. The mate of Grey Fox would surely earn him more than just a plot of land. In fact, he would need much more.

***

With the ponies bunching and stretching beneath them, the hunters raced after the small herd of buffalo. The hunters had managed to contain most of them, and they pointed the stampede toward a low-lying cliff. Black Cloud matched the stride of Crow Feather’s and Stalking Wolf’s mounts as the horses and riders pushed the buffalo as hard as they could. It was a fierce pace, and soon the hunters had managed to chase fifteen buffalo off the edge.

***

Sarah was awakened by the soft touch of a velvety nose. Feather had managed to find her way into the tipi despite the fact that the mare was finally, after many days, feeding the foal as her own. Sarah giggled as she pushed the filly’s head way from her face. The tiny horse ran back out of the opening when the mare called to it. Very soon the horse would be too big for such play.

Then she realized, as an emptiness tugged at her heart, that she would not get to see this baby grow. By the time Feather was a full grown mare, she would have made it back to Cashion Ranch. The reality of it brought on an unexpected rush of mixed emotions. The thought of never seeing Grey Fox, the filly or any of the people of the village, fell heavy inside her. Her gaze wandered inside the interior of Grey Fox’s tipi. She began to look at his belongings with different eyes. His things, his space, all somehow became ingrained into her. Almost as if she felt some kind of protectiveness and affection for them or maybe it was simply for
him
. She would not want to miss this.

Swallowing down the rush of emotions that threatened to consume her, she fully awoke and became startled and angry with herself to discover that it had been morning for quite some time. Red Dawn would wonder what happened to her. The village would think she was lazy. Just when she was beginning to earn everyone’s respect! Sarah hastily grabbed a tightly woven basket and headed toward the creek. Sky Fire was also there, filling her basket. Sarah smiled and waved. Sky Fire shyly returned the greeting.

***

He was hidden well inside the patch of cattails as he watched the two females sit at the water’s edge. Broken Horn had not planned on the arrival of the younger woman. He would either have to kill her or take her, too. A fact that did not displease him. He could keep the young one with him, make her his. He continued to watch her as he licked his lips. She was lovely, a very feminine-faced girl with distinctive white features but with long, heavy Comanche hair. He would find pleasure with that one. He smiled. This day would find him with two prizes.

The young one was turning back toward her village when he grabbed her from behind. He managed to cover her scream with his hand. She began to fight him a little too hard, and he feared he’d lose control, so he had to push harder down over her mouth and nose until he felt her body grow slack in his arms.

Broken Horn released her, and her head hit a rock with a cracking sound as she fell hard to the ground. The girl let out a scream, but then he watched as her eyes rolled into the back of her head.

***

Sarah saw the filly’s ears prick at something across the creek. The little horse nickered and then darted back to the meadow. Sarah looked up to see the silhouette of a man grab Sky Fire and drag her bloody, lifeless body into the brush.

With a scream, Sarah jumped into the icy water. She inhaled sharply at the shock of the cold current rushing against her skin. It was hard to gain footing and get across, her muscles refusing to cooperate. With another shout out for help, Sarah managed to get to the shore. She was panting hard and shivering violently, her eyes frantically searching the edge of the entanglement of foliage for where the man may have dragged the girl.

A dark shadow pushed her down in the rocks. Her hands caught her fall, but it resulted in a heavy cut on her palm. Before she could look up to see who was attacking her, he had thrown a buckskin shirt over her head and wrapped an arm around her neck, lifting her and squeezing the air out of her lungs.

The last thing Sarah heard were the constant crying whinnies from Feather. She feverishly prayed no harm would come to her foal.

A full day had passed when Sarah felt the shirt that had blinded her being ripped off her head. Immediately, she noticed that Sky Fire had been badly beaten and slung over a large sorrel horse. There was a terrible gash in the girl’s skull, an open wound spilling a blood trail down the side of her face and along the ribcage of the animal. Sarah recognized the horse, Bluey, instantly. Who was this man with Tom’s horse? What could he have possibly done to her family for Bluey to end up here? The worst possible scenarios played themselves out in her mind, and a wave of nausea overcame her. Sarah bent over, her stomach rocking her with violent spasms, when she felt a blow to the back of her head.

***

Disgusted by the vomit, Broken Horn kicked the woman, forcing her to fall backwards. She tried scrambling back to get away from him, but he grabbed her by her feet, dragging her body toward him so he could tie them. The game excited him as he effortlessly tossed her over the horse’s back right next to the younger girl. Pleased with his triumph, he led them away from the creek on foot. By the time the sun had fallen beyond the horizon, Broken Horn had safely led the horse with the two women miles away from the Coyote Clan. He smiled to himself. Only in his wildest dreams could he ever imagine he would get his revenge on the warrior who had disfigured his face. He had Grey Fox’s woman.

***

Crazy Goose sat in the shadow of his tipi, chipping an arrow head from a piece of flint when Little Doe ran through the village crying out at the top of her lungs. He stood to get a better look to see what all the commotion was about. White Bird was also yelling, and the women began bickering. With a roll of his eyes he went back to working with his flint. It was when he heard White Bird mention the name of Sun Puma did he fully pay attention to the argument.

“The witch has taken my niece!” Little Doe shouted.

“You are crazy! We are all sick and tired of how awful you have been to Sun Puma. She is not a witch,” White Bird yelled back.

Wild Flower ran up to the crowd with tears in her eyes.

“Sun Puma is gone! Gone! Her little horse is crying for her. She is gone and so is Sky Fire.”

Little Doe smirked at Wild Flower's anguish and crossed her arms across her chest.

“She probably thinks Sky Fire is a white eyes. See, I told you. She is a witch. Grey Fox is good to be rid of her,” she said. A small crowd had formed, and some of the women there began to agree with Little Doe.

Wild Flower grabbed her belly. The baby would come soon. She started wailing for the loss of her sister and cried out Crow Feather’s name. Then she spun on Little Doe. “I will not listen to your nonsense, Little Doe!” she cried. Wild Flower turned and ran for the safety of her tipi.

White Bird turned to face Little Doe. “If any bad spirits enter Wild Flower’s baby, I will blame you, Little Doe!”

Little Doe shrugged. “Sun Puma is not here is she? She is gone and she has Sky Fire. I did not do this.”

There was no denying the logic of Little Doe’s words. Mostly all the women now agreed with her as they made their way back to their chores, murmuring to one another and nodding.

***

Two suns had passed when the hunters arrived back at the village. Travois pulled by dogs and horses carried loads of the buffalo kill. The hunters were jubilant as one by one, each were greeted by children and women all happy to see that not a single hunter had been killed or injured. The bounty of buffalo would surely be enough to last the entire winter, and the fruits of the Earth would require a celebration. Crow Feather, Grey Fox and a full-chested Running Deer all searched the crowd to find that no women had come to congratulate them. Looks of concern passed between them.

Little Doe, standing by Stalking Wolf for protection, sneered at Grey Fox.

“Sun Puma left. She left and she took Sky Fire with her!” Grey Fox’s body tensed at her words. He hoped she was speaking falsely but Stalking Wolf put an arm around Little Doe looking all too happy to join in with her. Stalking Wolf raised his voice.

“She has made you a fool. She has dishonored Crazy Goose. No woman is worth one hundred horses. Your woman is not worth one mangy dog!” Little Doe giggled behind his back.

Grey Fox dug his heels into the flanks of Black Cloud and raced toward the meadow. He entered his tipi with such force he ripped the flap. It was empty inside and messy. The filly must have been in there at some point and had knocked over supplies. Suddenly, with the thought of the filly on his mind, Grey Fox frantically scanned the meadow. The mare was grazing, but there was no foal. Grey Fox raced across to the creek. He saw nothing. The sinking realization that Sun Puma had left and foolishly taken Sky Fire and Feather with her filled him with confusion and anger. He should not have let his guard down. Her actions had betrayed him.