Lakota Flower Read Free Page B

with her brother. Now, that chance at a fresh start was also lost to her, unless she could find a way out of this predicament.
    Predicament, her mind scoffed, that’s a mild word for the trouble and danger encompassing you!
    Caroline realized she could not change the past, and must deal with a difficult present. In a way, she had that same wicked banker to blame for her current crisis; if he had not, due to “a generous heart and nature,” allowed her to keep enough money for her journey, she would not be here today. No doubt the grasping beast had done so to be rid of her as fast as possible before others could learn of his actions and view him in the same dark light in which she did!
    Caroline put aside the dark dress and those unsettling thoughts and went back to her task. After it was finished, shereplaced the dislodged items and fastened the trunks; why, she did not know. Perhaps it was with the hope that they could be recovered later. She tossed the bulging satchel to the grass and climbed from the wagon, her heart pounding as her unknown fate loomed closer.
    War Eagle stood a short distance away, facing her and talking with several of his men whose backs were to her. She assumed he was their leader and was giving them their final orders. She could not prevent herself from staring at him. Strands of ebony hair were tossed about by the prairie wind, as if an enchanted Mother Nature’s fingers were playing with them; the top and side sections of his hair were secured at the back of his head with a leather strip. His features were bold and appealing, accurately proportioned for the size and shape of his face. Even the black slashes on his prominent cheekbones looked sensual on him. He had compelling dark eyes, full lips, and even white teeth. She would guess him to be a little over six feet tall and at the ideal weight for that height, and his age, near hers. His muscular body looked strong and well honed; his flesh, sleek and almost unmarred. She couldn’t guess how much of his skin coloring was due to his Indian heritage or how much was obtained from years spent outside, and now the slowly lowering sun seemed to enhance its dusky shade. When he had stood near her, he had smelled of fresh sweat and animal scents; an odor neither overpowering nor unpleasant. He was the perfect image of a man to be in charge of others and important decisions. He was indeed handsome and virile and no doubt stole the hearts of many females, even if he had a wife and children.
    A wife … If one existed, was she being captured to become her slave? If so, how would that woman view and treat her? What would a wife think and feel about her husband bringing another female, a stranger, an enemy, into their abode? From the tepee she had been shown outside Fort Pierre where “friendlies” and “beggars” camped, those hide dwellings had only one room, offering no privacy. At thosedismaying thoughts, apprehension filled her. Please, dear Heavenly Father, don’t make this situation any more difficult than it already is.
    War Eagle saw Caroline slyly watching him and patiently waiting for him, though he concealed that knowledge from her and his friends. He finished speaking with the others, then rejoined her at the wagon, along with his best friend from camp, Swift Otter, who was also a Sacred Bow Carrier. That small group of men were among the highest-ranked warriors in charge of his people’s protection and the most prominent in battles. He glanced at the fat pouch on the ground, then looked at her. “You ride with War Eagle. Swift Otter carry possessions. Come, we go.”
    Caroline watched the warrior pass his weapons to his friend, no doubt to put them out of her reach for his safety; they could be tossed back to him if danger approached. Then, he leapt upon his horse with great agility and extended his left arm to her. She grasped it and found herself hauled up behind him. As she had ridden horses and even a mule since childhood and