Authors: Constance O'Banyon
Danielle had begun to look forward to each new day. There was an excitement in the air as she trudged along behind Wolfrunner. She was learning many things from him. Sometimes, when he was unaware, she would watch him. He was almost beautiful, with his bronzed skin glistening in the sunlight. His dark eyes seemed to see so much more than normal human beings would ever notice. She had the feeling he could
go the rest of his life living off the land. She came to admire and respect him and wished he respected her as well.
Deep inside Danielle was troubled. She wouldn’t allow herself to think about the longings Wolfrunner stirred within her young body. He made her aware of the fact that she was a woman, and she was very aware that he was a man. She wondered if an Indian knew how to kiss? Did Wolfrunner ever think of her as a woman?
Sometimes when she lay beside him at night, and he appeared to be sleeping, she would watch him. A deep ache would surround her heart and her body would feel feverish.
There were times when Danielle was angry with him, and there were times he made her want to cry; those times she could handle. It was the times that he made her ache for his touch that she fought against.
Many party and picnic invitations still continued to come to the house for Skyler. She was grateful, however, that her Aunt Alexandria and Uncle Tag no longer insisted that she attend any of the functions. The only person Skyler ever saw outside the family was Priscilla Wendham. Somehow Priscilla’s lighthearted teasing often brought a smile to Skyler’s lips and caused her to forget about her troubles for a time.
Apparently Morgan had taken Skyler at her word to leave her alone. She hadn’t seen him since the night in the garden. She knew it was for the best, but oh, she did wish she could see him just once more before she left for home.
Priscilla would often come to visit, and she and Skyler would ride over the estate, or just sit in the summerhouse, talking girl-talk and nonsense. Skyler was glad to hear that her friend was no longer infatuated with Bill Kirby. It seemed Priscilla was now interested in someone new. Priscilla was
flighty and fickle, but then she was still young, Skyler thought. One day she would lose her heart to a man.
It was a hot, humid day with no cooling breeze to ease the heat. Priscilla had been visiting, but she had now left for home. Skyler and Alexandria were in the morning room. It was the coolest spot in the house because of the many windows that opened out onto the garden. Since it was on the west side of the house, it was also shaded from the morning sun.
Alexandria was playing the spinet while Skyler sat on the bench beside her. It suddenly occurred to Skyler that she would miss her aunt very much when she returned home. It saddened her that she wouldn’t be here when Alexandria’s baby was born.
“I love babies, Aunt Alexandria, and do you not think there is something magical about children’s laughter?”
“Yes, dear,” Alexandria replied, thinking that Skyler would make a wonderful mother.
“I love to be with the children in my village. Sometimes my mother allows me to give them their reading lessons.”
Alex smiled. “Is Joanna still trying to educate the whole world?”
Skyler nodded. “Yes. She believes that everyone should have an education. Did you know she even taught Farley to read and write?”
“Surely you jest?”
“No, I can assure you it is true.”
Alexandria ran her fingers over the keys remembering the old trapper fondly. “Farley would do anything to please Joanna. That dear old man loves her more than anyone.”
“I think he is a wonderful character. I always loved to listen to his tales.”
Skyler lapsed into silence and Alexandria knew she was troubled. Actually Skyler was thinking that summer had been a growing up time for her. She had learned many painful lessons, but she had also come to know and love her aunt
and uncle. She knew that when she left she would never return to the white man’s world. She was a stranger here and could never become one of them.
Just as Alexandria played the last note of “Irish Summer,” the downstairs maid rapped on the door. “Begging your pardon, madam, but Mrs. Prescott and her daughter wish to see you.”
Alexandria gave Skyler an inquiring glance. “I wonder what they could want? They only returned from France yesterday. I didn’t expect them to call so soon.”
“Would that be Morgan’s mother and sister?” Skyler asked. She had no wish to meet them.
“Yes, and before they come in I want to warn you that Nora Prescott is a very overpowering woman. She is one of my dearest friends, but she does speak frankly.”
“Do you suppose they have come to see me?”
“I don’t know. Why don’t we just wait and find out. Holly, show them in, and then bring tea and cakes.”
Skyler came to her feet as the two callers came rushing into the room. While they were greeting her aunt, Skyler had a chance to study Morgan’s mother and sister. Nora Prescott was dressed in black and wore a matching bonnet with an ostrich feather as decoration. She appeared stately and assured and Skyler noticed that she had the same silver-gray eyes as Morgan. Morgan’s sister was small and pretty. She was dressed in a pale green gown, and her golden hair was pulled back in a matching snood.
Skyler was unprepared when the older woman rushed across the room to her. Taking her hand, Nora Prescott eyed her up and down. “I had to see you with my own eyes. I couldn’t believe it when my son told me you were Danielle’s look-alike. I can see he wasn’t far wrong, except…you are prettier than your cousin, in an odd sort of way.”
Alexandria laughed at Skyler’s startled expression. “Nora, as you have already discerned, this is my niece Skyler Dancing. I warned her that you were outspoken.”
Nora smiled. “Not so. I merely say what’s on my mind. I’m too old to mince words. Besides, I don’t give a fig for anyone who isn’t truthful.”
Morgan’s sister stepped forward and took Skyler’s hand. “I am Jenny Prescott, and I am hardly ever outspoken,” she said, smiling brightly. “I think you and Danielle could easily pass for twins.”
Skyler remembered her manners and made the correct replies. She had never met anyone who was as overwhelming as Mrs. Prescott, unless it was Morgan himself.
As they drank tea and ate the tiny tea cakes, Skyler listened to Nora Prescott and her daughter talk about their trip to Paris. She wondered what it would be like to visit faraway places. She thought of her brother who was traveling in Europe and hoped he wasn’t feeling out of his depth.
Nora took a sip of tea and eyed Skyler closely. “So you are the one who has my son in a spin? I can see how he could have lost his head over you, my dear. I am sure Morgan never met anyone with your kind of beauty before. You have a strange accent. I can’t quite place it. Did you ever live in England, or perhaps Ireland?”
“No,” Skyler answered. “But my mother comes from England, as does my Uncle Tag.”
Nora was watching her closely. “I believe you may be the prettiest little thing I have yet seen. My son knows quality when he sees it. Yes indeed, Skyler Dancing, you have Morgan in a real spin.”
Skyler felt her face flame. She felt tongue-tied, not knowing how to answer.
Jenny reached over and squeezed Skyler’s hand. “Mama, you have embarrassed Miss Dancing. She isn’t accustomed to your teasing.”
“Oh, Tish. She doesn’t appear to be the kind of girl who would be offended by straight talk. You aren’t one of those flighty girls who has vapors and swoon, are you?”
Skyler caught Alexandria’s eyes and saw the merriment dancing there. She was at a loss as to how to deal with this
woman. “I have neither swooned in my life, Mrs. Prescott, nor did I set out to put your son in a spin.”
“Well said, my dear. You’ve got spunk, and I like that in a young lady. Tell me all about yourself.”
Skyler began to feel uncomfortable under the woman’s silver gaze. “There isn’t much to tell about myself, and my mother always said people do not want to be bored by listening to one’s life story.”
“You cannot argue with that logic, Mama. That’s the same thing you have always told me.” Jenny stood up and smiled. “Come, Skyler, let’s walk down to the summerhouse before my mother asks you to share all your secrets.”
Nora laughed jovially. “I’ll let you off this time, but I have no intentions of giving up.”
Skyler followed Jenny out to the garden, aware that Morgan’s mother watched her closely. She was confused by Mrs. Prescott’s attitude.
Jenny took Skyler’s hand as they slowly walked down the winding path. “You really mustn’t mind Mama. She was so excited when she learned that Morgan was interested in someone. She has been badgering him for years to take a bride. Morgan has had his pick of lovely ladies, but they always bored him. I can see why he wasn’t bored with you.”
“I will not be marrying your brother, Miss Prescott. Surely he must have told your mother this.”
“Yes, but neither Morgan nor my mother gives up easily. I gathered from what Morgan said that you are going to return to your home.”
“Yes, by the end of summer.”
“It is so uncanny how much you resemble Danielle. When I first saw you I was surprised that Morgan fell for Danielle’s look-alike, since he never paid the slightest attention to your cousin. But now I can see you are nothing like her. You are much quieter than Danielle.”
“Did Morgan ask you to come here today?” Skyler wanted to know.
“Heavens, no. He wouldn’t be at all pleased if he knew
Mama had started grilling you.” Jenny stopped and faced Skyler. “My brother loves you, Skyler. I had thought the woman would never come along that would settle him down. I can sense in him great pain and I was wondering if you would tell me why you turned him away?”
Skyler looked into bright, sensitive blue eyes and knew that Jenny was only concerned for her brother’s happiness. “Your brother and I are simply not suited, Miss Prescott. I can tell you no more than that.”
“Please call me Jenny, and please don’t think I am prying. I just want to see my brother happy. Do you have a brother, Skyler? May I call you Skyler?”
“Yes, I have a brother and yes, I would like you to call me Skyler.”
“Then you know how I feel. You would want your brother to be happy, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes, of course. But my brother would never allow me to interfere in his life.”
Jenny laughed. “Whoops, you can see I am more like my mother than I would like to admit. Will you forgive me for prying, Skyler?”
“Yes, of course. As you say, you love your brother.”
By now they had reached the summerhouse, and both girls sat down on a cushion seat. Jenny arranged her gown and stared at Skyler. “You can tell me it’s none of my affair, but do you love my brother? I somehow sense that you do.”
Skyler smiled. “You said that you were not outspoken, but I find that you are.”
Jenny smiled. “I guess it’s a family trait.”
“To answer your question, I do have some very deep feelings for your brother, but as I said, we are not suited to one another.”
“I have always been a firm believer that love conquers all. If you love Morgan and he loves you, what is standing in your way?”
“I cannot explain, except to say that Morgan and I are
from different worlds. I cannot live in his world, and he cannot live in mine.”
“Let me tell you a story, and then you can judge for yourself if people from different worlds can ever find happiness. I know of a woman who was born into poverty in England. She was sent to America as an indentured servant to work off her father’s debts. She toiled and labored in a wealthy man’s house for a year. She and the son of the house fell madly and passionately in love. As you can imagine, the parents of the young man were violently against their son marrying beneath him. They opposed the marriage, but it took place all the same.”
“What happened?” Skyler asked, getting caught up in the story.
“The two of them are deliriously happy. I have never heard them speak an unkind word to one another in all the years I have known them. Their love has warmed me for many years. You see…I was speaking about my and Morgan’s mother and father. My family has always put love above all else. I hope you can now better understand why my mother wanted to meet you. You and Morgan couldn’t have the gap between your worlds that my mother and father had. I can tell you are a well-brought-up young lady…unless you think Morgan isn’t good enough for you.”
“I could never in a million years make you understand about me, Jenny. You will just have to take my word that I am not right for your brother. My mother and father also reached far across two worlds to fulfill their love, but Morgan and I could never breach that gap.”
“I don’t understand.”
“No, nor would your brother. I wish it could be different, but it cannot.”
“Is this the way it will end?”
“I fear so. Some things just are not meant to be, Jenny. Morgan and I are not meant to be.”
“Do you believe my brother loves you?”
“Strangely enough, I do.”
“I think it’s only fair to warn you that Morgan is persistent. He isn’t a man to give up easily.”
“He has given up on me, Jenny.”
Morgan’s sister laughed and shook her head. “Don’t you believe it for a moment.”
Jenny and her mother left a short time later. After they had gone, Skyler felt more confused than ever. Alexandria had gone upstairs to lie down, and the house was strangely quiet. Feeling restless Skyler went to the stable to saddle a horse so she could go for a ride to clear her head. She had many things to think about—many problems that didn’t seem to have any solution.
It was almost sundown when Skyler returned to the stable. The ride had brought no joy to her heart, and no comfort for her loneliness. It had been torture talking to Mrs. Prescott and Jenny today. She knew neither of them would be anxious for her to marry Morgan if they knew about her Indian blood.
One day passed very much like all the others. Danielle didn’t know what day it was, or for that matter what month. For a few days Wolfrunner had allowed a fire at night, but now they would make camp at night without benefit of a campfire. He had become cautious and watchful, and Danielle realized that he must think they were being followed by Scar Face once more.
They no longer followed the river, but moved among the tall grasses across the never-ending prairie. The winds were blowing strong and steady, bending the grass almost double. Danielle’s mouth was parched and dry, and her skin felt as if it had been cooked by the sun.
As she trudged along, trying to keep step with Wolfrunner’s powerful gait, her foot hit the edge of a large stone, and it threw her off balance. She stumbled and fell to her knees, crying out in pain as her leg twisted beneath her.
Wolfrunner glanced back and gave her a look of scorn before he plodded on ahead, ignoring her pain.
She bit her lip in anguish and staggered to her feet. The pain was so intense that she could hardly bear it. Taking a deep breath, she moved forward. Each step she took felt like tiny needles prickled her ankle.
With stubborn determination, Danielle refused to falter. She would give Wolfrunner no cause to look down his nose at her. She would keep going if it killed her—and it probably would, she thought bitterly.
The morning passed, and still they continued. By now, Danielle’s whole foot felt numb. She was long past pain and was moving on sheer willpower alone. She didn’t think, as she placed one foot in front of the other—one foot in front of the other.
The sun beat down on her and the blistering hot wind stung her face. They didn’t stop to rest, but plodded onward. If this was a new kind of torture Wolfrunner was dealing out to her, she would show him that he couldn’t break her.
Keeping her eyes fixed on Wolfrunner’s back, Danielle trudged onward. Hunger and thirst had no meaning—pain and weariness were as nothing. All that mattered was that she follow the man in front of her.
Many times she fell to her knees, but Wolfrunner never slowed his pace. She would get slowly to her feet and push onward.
Wolfrunner knew he was testing the girl beyond endurance, but somewhere deep inside he wanted to punish her. Why? he questioned. Did he punish her for the deep feelings she had invoked within him? Or was it because he wanted to make her regret the way she had treated him when they first met?
Looking back over his shoulder, he noticed she had dropped
farther behind. Realizing that if Scar Face were to come upon them now he would be unable to protect her, he stopped and allowed her to catch up.
This white girl had surprised him. He had deliberately been hard on her, and yet she hadn’t complained. No Indian maiden could have endured what she had without faltering. She was stronger than he had thought, or perhaps it was her hatred for him that drove her onward.
When she drew even with him, she reached out her hand. He could see the pain in her eyes and grabbed her about the waist as she slowly sank to her knees.
Wolfrunner’s heart was beating wildly as she threw back her curtain of ebony hair and gave him a pleading look. He noticed her lips were dry and cracked and her eyes were glazed with pain.
Leaning her back against the ground, he removed his waterskin and held it to her lips. He had wanted her to beg for mercy, but she hadn’t. Even now her eyes seemed to defy him.
“We will rest here until the evening breeze cools the land,” he said, sitting down cross-legged beside her.
Handing her a piece of dried meat, he watched her take a bite. Lying back, with the tall grass as a cushion, he closed his eyes. How strange it was, he thought. Even with his eyes closed he could still see the image of Danielle’s face. The hardships they had endured had not detracted from her beauty. He wondered what her laughter would sound like. Was there a white man somewhere who waited for her return?
All at once, Wolfrunner’s senses became alert. He could smell smoke! Jumping to his feet, he looked to the east and saw the grass fire that was burning out of control. Smoke was billowing into the air! Deer and other smaller animals were stampeding in wild abandonment, trying to escape the fire.
The fire was spreading rapidly, destroying everything in its path! The orange and red flames were rolling in their
direction! Wolfrunner’s eyes moved quickly to the river which was at least five hundred paces away, wondering if they could reach it before the fire overtook them.
Jerking Danielle to her feet, he pushed her in front of him. She hadn’t yet detected the fire, and she pulled away from him defiantly.
“No, I won’t go another step. You said we could rest, and that’s just what I’m going to do.”
“Then you will die,” he said, gesturing toward the raging grass fire.
Danielle felt wild unbridled terror as the cloud of smoke darkened the eastern sky. Taking a step forward, she fell to her knees. “I cannot make it. You will have to go on without me!” she cried.
Wolfrunner knew if he were going to save her he would have to act quickly. Rising his hand, he slapped her hard across the face with his open palm. “I always knew you were weak, white girl. You have not the will to survive. It will serve you right if you perish in the fire. I can then tell Windhawk and the Blackfoot people that you died a coward’s death.”
Danielle’s head reeled from his blow. Tears of pain stung her eyes, but she ignored them. Again she would call on her inner strength to show this man she was not weak. With wings on her feet and pain forgotten, she ran in the direction of the far distant river. It was unlikely that they would make it to safety, but she wouldn’t give up until Wolfrunner did.
Wolfrunner ran beside her, keeping his eyes on the advancing fire. He could see that they would never make it to the safety of the river at the pace they were going. Without even breaking his stride, he reached out and lifted Danielle into his arms.
His burden was light and had suddenly become more precious than his own life. He must save her because she was in his heart and mind. Looking down into Danielle’s face, he felt his heart melt. Her lovely blue eyes seemed so trusting as they stared back at him.
His feet were swift and fleet as he raced the wind. He had not been given the name Wolfrunner for nothing.
The fire was gaining on them. Danielle felt the smoke sting her eyes and burn in her lungs. She realized she and Wolfrunner were faced with a painful death.
Suddenly she felt a calm wash over her. If she was to die, it seemed only right that she should die with this man. Looking up into his eyes, she somehow knew he was thinking the same thing. They had faced many hardships together. This might be their final test. But there were so many things that she wanted to tell him. Now they might never be said. She wanted to tell him how sorry she was for the cruel things she’d said to him. She wanted to tell him how her heart was filled with longings she didn’t understand. No, there was no time. There might never be time.
All at once Wolfrunner became aware that a new danger threatened! The rumbling of many hooves drowned out the sound of the advancing fire. Wolfrunner glanced eastward and saw the huge herd of buffalo that had been stampeded by the fire, and they were heading right for him and Danielle!
There would be no time to make the river. They would soon be caught between the stampeding herd and the fire!
Making a quick decision Wolfrunner stopped and placed Danielle on her feet. Pushing her behind him, he faced the oncoming danger without flinching. He was faced with two ways of dying—to be crushed beneath the hooves of the buffalo—or to be burned to death by the fire. He would accept neither. As long as he breathed the air of life, he would fight to survive, for if he perished, Danielle would also die.
Danielle clutched at his shoulders, awed by his bravery. She knew he could have made it to safety if he had abandoned her. Why had he stayed with her?
Suddenly she knew that she loved this man. She didn’t want to see him die because of her. “You must run!” she cried. “Save yourself, Wolfrunner!”
“No, I will not leave you,” he shouted. “If death comes, it will find us both.”
Wolfrunner knew that the end was near. With a glance at the sky, he prayed Danielle’s death would be swift and she would not suffer. His heart cried out in protest. Had he saved her from Scar Face only to lose her now? Words of love had not been spoken, and she would never know that he gladly gave his life for her. She was as his own heart and filled his very life and soul. She was his love!
By now the dust caused by the buffalo herd swirled in the air, mingling with the smoke. The fear-maddened animals were so near that Danielle could see their small, beady eyes. She closed her eyes not wanting to watch Wolfrunner’s death.
A wild cry rose from Wolfrunner’s throat, and he thrust his spear into the air and waved it about wildly. Knowing the buffalo were fear-crazed from the fire, he doubted they would stop for him, but still he had to make the effort.
The lead buffalo was bearing down on them, and Wolfrunner shouted louder. It seemed an eternity before the beast neared. To his surprise the animal turned, and he watched in amazement as the others followed suit!
Danielle opened her eyes in bewilderment. They were in the middle of the stampeding herd, and yet the animals were moving around them. They came so near, had Danielle wanted to she could have reached out and touched them.
Wolfrunner continued to shout and wave his spear in the air, and the buffalo continued to move aside. The air was filled with dust and smoke. The thundering sound from the buffalo hooves seemed to make the very earth tremble.
Wolfrunner could see the end of the herd now, and just behind them was the fire! Without pausing to consider, he grabbed Danielle in his arms and raced toward the river.
Danielle could feel the heat from the fire and realized they would never make the river. Clutching Wolfrunner about the neck, she silently urged him onward. No man could be so fleet, she thought. He was keeping pace with the buffalo!
The heat of the fire seemed to burn her face, the smoke
burned her lungs, causing her to choke—she couldn’t breathe or catch her breath.
How puny life was, she thought. How easily one could cross over the line between life and death. Turning her face against Wolfrunner’s broad chest, she felt darkness swirling about her. Gasping for breath, she reached a state of unconsciousness.
Farley entered Windhawk’s lodge. His white head bent in sorrow, and he couldn’t meet Joanna’s eyes. He knew the sadness she was feeling and it tore at his heart. He’d loved her for many years. She and Tag had been the children he’d never had.
Looking into the dark eyes of Windhawk, he shook his head. “The warriors have just come back. They ain’t found hide nor hair of Danielle.”
“Has Wolfrunner returned?” Windhawk asked.
Farley scratched his grizzly beard. “No, there ain’t been no word of him.”
Windhawk bent down beside his wife and raised her face to him. “It is time for Farley to go to Tag and tell him his daughter is missing.”
Joanna’s eyes clouded over. “Could we not wait a while longer? Perhaps Wolfrunner has found her.”
“No, Tag must be told as soon as possible,” Windhawk said firmly. “You would want to know if Sky Dancer had come to harm,” he said more gently.
Farley gave Joanna a sympathetic look. “I best be gone. It’s been raining in the mountains, and I don’t want to be caught in no flood. I’ll bring Tag back with me.”
Windhawk stood up and faced the old trapper. “Tell him not to lose heart. We will continue to search for Danielle. Tell him we are doing everything we can.”
As the old trapper left the lodge, Windhawk gathered Joanna in his arms. He held her tightly, trying to bring her comfort. She knew without him telling her that there was very little hope that Danielle would be found alive after all
this time. It was doubtful that they would ever find out what had really happened to her.
A short time later Farley rode away from the Blackfoot village that he now called home. His heart was heavy that he would have to be the one to bring the sad news to Tag that his daughter was missing. Deep inside he doubted the girl would ever be found alive.
As he reached the river, he glanced back. Joanna would get through this. She was strong and had weathered many hardships, and most likely she would weather a few more in the course of her life, still, Farley wished he could have brought her comfort.
Windhawk walked out of his lodge where two dozen warriors waited for him. Mounting his horse, he rode away, knowing he couldn’t give up trying to find Danielle. The guilt he felt, that this should happen when she was under his protection, was nothing compared to the rage he felt toward whoever had taken her away. He would find out who had done this thing, and they would die a slow and agonizing death, he vowed.