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  Jared fumed and did a terrible job at hiding it, but at least he tried. Unlike her Miwok family who had no problem letting their disdain of Lucas be known. He set his bowl on the nightstand and propped up his bad leg on a few pillows.

  “I got sick after my godfather left in the fall and couldn’t hunt. I ate stored food and didn’t worry, because as I said, I’m an excellent hunter. It took me a week before I was well enough to go out again.

  “The weather turned cold early, like this year. I had never hunted in the winter before. My dad always took care of us. It was extremely hard to find rabbits and such. I’d set my snares as usual, but with very little success. I thought maybe I’d hunted them all up over the summer or maybe they’d left because of the cold. The first few I caught after being sick, I ruined in the smokehouse. It took me a while to figure out how to do it right.”

  He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t my place, but I can’t remain silent any longer. You couldn’t have been but eleven and trying to fend for yourself. A travesty. I’ve never wanted to horsewhip anyone before, but your godfather comes pretty close.”

  “You don’t understand.”

  “Yes, I do. You’re so angry with him, you barely speak his name, yet you continually defend his indefensible actions. Hell, I had to ask what his name is.”

  She’d thought Jared was different than her family—thought.

  He took her hand into his. “I’m sorry. I’m not angry with you. Please continue.”

  Glad he wanted to move on from talking about Lucas, she continued. “I ate mostly apples for weeks. I didn’t want to eat the deer or boar my godfather left for me. I’d need it over the winter. I decided to venture deeper into the woods to hunt. I wanted to build up my strength. The night before I left, I ate some of the deer. It made me sick.”

  “I can’t eat big game anymore.” She shook her head and reacted to a chill trickling down her spine. “I’ve tried it a few times. I can’t stomach it. The weather was changing quickly. I didn’t have time to be sick. I stuffed my backpack with apples, grabbed my bow, arrows and snares, and went hunting.”

  His eyes sparkled with amusement and understanding. “Now I know why you wouldn’t touch the delicious apple pie you baked. I can’t believe I ate an entire pie.” He wrapped an arm around her waist.

  She rested her head on his good arm. “I’d gone on the east side of the mountain. It’s so steep over there I wasn’t allowed to explore on it. I thought maybe that’s where the game hid.”

  “I was walking through the woods, looking for burrows when I heard growling behind me. I knew it was a wolf, and I wouldn’t have time to turn around and kill him. I ran to the nearest tree and climbed up. I barely made it. The problem was, I dropped my bow when I climbed the tree.”

  She closed her eyes to recollections of the fear she’d felt. She could see the wolf snarling at the base of the tree. She could hear her mother saying, “Wait in the tree for your father.” She grinned. “That’s when it happened.”

  “What? I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”

  “The wolf was on his hind legs snarling and growling at me. He must have been rabid or something. Before my mother was killed, she told me to climb a tree and wait for my father. Before my father died, he told me to climb a tree and wait for him. I was a child and could feel them speaking to me. That’s one of the ways I knew to run to the tree.” She gazed into his worried eyes. “That sounds crazy, doesn’t it?”

  “You are asking a man who believes a mountain called to him if you thinking your parents are your guarding angels is crazy. No, not crazy, just different. I can’t explain everything either.”

  “It was like they were telling me to stay in the tree and wait for my father.” Understanding his confusion, she shrugged. “The wolf yelped and fell to the ground. It took two arrows to kill him.”

  “But I thought you’d dropped your bow.”

  “I did. I looked in the direction the arrows came from and at first I thought I saw my father, but they had come from an Indian.”

  “Wolf found you?”

  “Not Wolf, but his father. I was afraid to come out of the tree at first. He took the wolf carcass away and returned. He held his hands up to me and… I can’t explain it, but I felt like I was supposed to leave with him. I was so scared and I missed my parents so much. Once I climbed out of the tree, I clung to him. He cradled and comforted me. I told him what happened to my parents and why I was in the woods. He took me to his home.”

  “Thank God.”

  “Yes, thank God for sending me my Miwok father. I’d been so scared living by myself. I thought I was a brave warrior, but I’d never been alone before. He said he’d been sent for me. He said he was my father now, and I was to live with him and his wife. He took me to the Indian village on the east side of the mountain.”

  “He said he was sent for you?”

  “At the time I believed him. I was a kid. Now, I don’t know. Anyway, he had five sons and no daughters. I was his only daughter. Wolf is the youngest son. He’s twenty-four summers. I stayed the winter and spring with Wind Dancer, my Miwok mother, and Rising Sun, my Miwok father. I wanted to stay in my cabin to protect my land, so in the summer and fall he allowed me to return with Wind Dancer.”

  “Did your godfather return in the spring to check on you?”

  “Thankfully, he came at the end of the spring, so I’d returned to the cabin. Wind Dancer had returned to the village for a few days and wasn’t around at the time, so he didn’t know I hadn’t spent the winter at the cabin.”

  “Why didn’t you tell him about the tribe?”

  “He never asked how my winters were and he arrives like clockwork, so I could ensure he wouldn’t know of my Miwok family.”

  “But why didn’t you tell him?”

  “I was mad at him for leaving me. I didn’t volunteer information. In a way I was afraid he’d take me away from them. I spent part of the fall, winter, and spring in the village and summer here in the cabin with Wolf or Wind Dancer. My Miwok father didn’t think I was old enough to stay by myself. I made sure to be here when my godfather came. Like I said, he is always on schedule.”

  “Your Miwok father was correct.” He held her closer, protectively.

  “The only way he’d let me stay here for more than a few days was if I stayed with one of my brothers. Wolf was the youngest. He was stuck with the job of watching after me. Two years ago my father let me spend a whole year here. I had to do enough hunting to feed Wolf and myself. The food Wolf caught was taken to the village. Father said if I could take care of the two of us for one year, I could move to the cabin and live by myself.”

  “Why didn’t you want to live in the village?”

  “I love it here. I’m a warrior. In the village I couldn’t be a warrior.”

  “I understand.”

  “Last year was my first full year on my own. I go to the village occasionally, but since my parents died last spring, I don’t go back very often.”

  “I’m sorry.” He stroked her face with his knuckle. “You’ve lost two sets of parents.”

  “I was lucky enough to have two great sets of parents. Last winter a fever swept through the village, killing half of the tribe. When I returned in the spring, my mother had already passed and my father was dying.” Tears fell from her eyes. He gently thumbed them away. “He was over sixty winters. He had a good, long life. He told me he loved me before he died.” Her heart sank into mourning her parents.

  She pushed the memories away. “Look, I can’t sit here talking with you all day. I need to leave or I’ll never return. I’m taking the wolves with me to help carry supplies, so I can finish in one trip. The east side of the mountain is dangerous during the summer, and it’ll be slick now.”

  “Are you sure your godfather doesn’t know about your Miwok family?”

  She put on her leggings. “He doesn’t.” She grabbed the rest of her clothes and left the room to dress.

  Ja
red noticed Joy always defended her godfather, yet she had pinned up hostility toward him. He couldn’t say he blamed her. What kind of man would leave a child alone on a mountain?

  He took his bowl of berries and nuts off the nightstand and enjoyed his breakfast. Waking with Joy in his arms was his favorite part of the day. Just minutes ago his hand was in the perfect position to massage her breast. If he weren’t careful, he would need a nice long walk outside without his coat to relieve himself from his arousal.

  Her hair was in a loose braid that had come undone overnight. He preferred her hair down rather than in her too-tight bun. At first her question about white men being different had thrown him, but he was glad she asked. When she’d backed her behind into him, passion, ecstasy, and lust overflowed through Jared.

  He knew he should have stopped, but desire swept him away. Once between her legs, he went back to kissing her. Her deep moan had sent him over the edge. He needed to stop, but didn’t have the willpower. He couldn’t stop, but couldn’t take her like this, yet she felt so good. He needed her and she wanted him, so he’d prayed to God to give him the strength to stop.

  Now that the extra pain in his leg gone, he could think clearly again. Talking about being careful what you pray for! He’d almost seduced her.

  She poked her head into the room. “Do you need anything before I leave?”

  “No, I’ll be fine. Thank you.” It would be good if they separated for a while. He needed time to figure out what his next move. Actually, he needed time to decide what he wanted. He thought back to how Wolf had said the mountain called for him and how he’d begun healing emotionally since he’d been with Joy. He couldn’t envision a life without her.

  Chapter Eight

  Joy hugged Wolf as he entered with his catch. “I’m so glad you’re home.” She’d been playing with her little niece and nephew. She took a list out of her pouch and handed it to him. “Would you please go to town for me?”

  He kissed his wife and babies, then looked at the list. “This is was way more than you’d need to hold you over the winter and contains items you don’t use.”

  “He wanted to stay.”

  “Humph, you wanted him to stay.”

  “Maybe a little.” She sat on the ground and played with the babies. “I’ve been telling Twilight I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I kissed him, Wolf. I kissed a white man. That’s another reason I’m here. My feelings for Jared scare me. It’s like he has some pull on me.” Looking for a reason to distance herself from her feelings, she asked, “Do all white men have a pull on people? Him said…”

  “Don’t mention him and don’t ever listen to what he says,” Wolf snapped.

  She dropped her head. Her family hated Lucas. They just didn’t understand him like she did. “I’m sorry.”

  He pulled her into his embrace. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken so harshly.” He raised her chin with his finger and smiled. “It’s about time you had your first kiss. What self-respecting warrior makes it to nineteen without ever kissing?” He laughed and turned to his wife. “I’ll be back in the morning.”

  “I brought more gold.” She handed him a pouch of gold.

  “Just put it with the rest. We have plenty.” He left the women alone.

  She filled her bag with apples and pecans. “Since Roaring Thunder is gone, I’m sleeping with Raven tonight.” She hugged Twilight, kissed the babies, then drug the barrels of apples and nuts outside. When she brought her apples and nuts, she always let her brothers’ wives take what they wanted first, then set the remainders out for the rest of the village.

  Raven was her favorite sister-in-law. She was the oldest and reminded her of her mothers. She hugged Raven and handed her a bag of apples and nuts.

  “I’ve missed you, Brave Heart. Roaring Thunder will be sorry he’s missed you…again.”

  Joy flashed a crooked grin. “It’s funny how we always seem to miss each other.” She sat on a palate.

  “You are avoiding your brother. Take your hair down so I can wash it.”

  Joy thought Raven had the most beautiful hair. It was raven black, giving it a blue sheen. So thick, straight and silky, Joy only wished she had hair half as nice. She told Raven everything about Jared, including the kiss in hopes Raven would be able to clarify things for her.

  They sat by the fire while Raven combed out and dried Joy’s hair.

  “Your attraction for Jared is normal. You are getting older and this is just a part of life.”

  Ruckus outside startled both women. A wolf ran in and Joy froze. Thoroughly upset, she slowly turned to Raven. “Roaring Thunder’s home. I didn’t…” Each of Rising Sun’s children had a pet wolf. He’d felt a special bond with the animal and wanted to give his children extra protection.

  “Don’t worry, love. He only wants what’s best for you. Do as he says.”

  She always did as he said, which was why she avoided him. If she didn’t see him, he couldn’t tell her what to do. She stood as he entered.

  Raven approached him. “Welcome home, husband. I didn’t expect you for another week. I’m glad to see you.”

  He kissed her lightly on the forehead, but kept his eyes dark, penetrating eyes focused on Joy. “I think you’re not the only one who didn’t expect to see me.”

  Joy refused to let his scrutiny shake her. She was a warrior. She stood tall and strong. “I’ve missed you, brother.” It didn’t work. His stare crippled her. This was another reason she avoided him. He could always see through her.

  He opened his arms to her. She ran to him. “I did miss you.” She hugged him, not wanting to release. He was so much like their father.

  “Then why do you stay away so long?”

  There was no use in lying to him, he’d know. “Because I don’t want to marry and you’re going to make me marry.” She returned to the palate so Raven could finish her hair.

  Roaring Thunder sat in front of the women. “I’ve been dreaming about you lately. That’s why I’ve come home. I was headed to your cabin to check on you.”

  “What did the dream tell you?” Roaring Thunder had the same gift of dream interpretation as their father, but he wasn’t as skilled yet.

  “Father says you are to marry late spring. I wanted to bring you back to the village with me, so you can spend the winter here. I don’t know who you’ll marry, but you’ve already met him. Everyone you know is here, so you must remain at the village. Plus, I can tell this will be a bad winter. You shouldn’t be alone.”

  As a warrior she couldn’t disobey Roaring Thunder. If he said she was to return to the village and marry, that is what she would do. “Please don’t make me stay.” She thought of Jared. He couldn’t survive the winter alone. He hadn’t even seen a real snow before.

  Raven gently tugged Joy’s head around to her by the braid. “Talk to your brother. He only wants what is best for you.”

  Readying herself for the brewing storm, Joy slowly turned to Roaring Thunder. “A few months ago, a man broke his leg on my side of the mountain. I’ve been caring for him. He won’t survive the winter by himself.”

  The boom of Roaring Thunder’s voice explained his name perfectly. His mother had said the first time he cried out, she knew what she must name him. After he finished yelling, he insisted she tell him about Jared. She told him everything except the kissing part. She was glad Wolf had left for town already because Roaring Thunder was especially angry with him for keeping such a secret.

  “…Tomorrow we will return to the cabin together, and I will decide what to do with this man. Don’t ever keep anything from me again, Brave Heart. If you want to live like you’re grown, you will have to act grown. I will deal with Wolf when he returns.” He stalked out.

  Roaring Thunder’s disappointment in her brought tears to her eyes.

  Raven placed her hand on Joy’s shoulder. “He is angry because you didn’t come to him. Your brother is responsible for you now. He has a good heart and will know what is best. Now lie dow
n and rest. Once Wolf returns, Roaring Thunder will wish to leave.”

  Jared heard wolves scratching at the door. He missed Joy and was glad she returned safely. He set down his pad and grabbed his crutches to let them in when the door opened.

  In stepped a mean looking Indian. Jared was startled, but kept his composure. He stood the best he could with the aid of his crutches.

  The Indian was a few inches shorter than Jared, but he exuded immense power. Immediately behind him followed a much older Indian who walked directly into the kitchen without saying a word. Wolf, Joy, and a third warrior filed in after the old man.

  Joy took off her hood and coat and hung them on the hook. The look in Joy’s eyes as she walked past told Jared not to say a word until spoken to. This must have been what she and Wolf had been speaking about so heatedly the first time he met Wolf.

  Joy stood between the mean looking Indian and Jared. “Chief Roaring Thunder, this is Jared Montgomery.” She motioned to Jared. “Jared, this is Chief Roaring Thunder.” She motioned to Roaring Thunder, then stood beside Wolf quietly.

  Roaring Thunder saw the way Brave Heart warned Jared when she passed. He also saw how Jared’s eyes lit up when Brave Heart entered the room. He stood before Jared. “The Shaman has come to look at your injuries.” He motioned to the kitchen where the older man waited patiently. “Brave Heart, tell the Shaman everything he needs to know.” Roaring Thunder observed Brave Heart and Jared’s interactions.

  Jared followed Brave Heart into the kitchen. She pulled out a chair for him to sit in and retrieved a basin of water to wash his wound. She explained to the older man all she’d done for Jared and his progress.

  She glanced over her shoulder. Roaring Thunder was occupied with Jared’s sketches in the living room, but still paying attention to the couple in the kitchen.