Dakota Dreams (Historical Romance) Read Online Free PDF
Author: Constance O'Banyon
Tags: Fiction, adventure, Romance, Historical, Adult, Action, England, Western, Native Americans, 19th century, multicultural, warrior, buffalo, Gambling, Marriage of Convenience, Brother, Indian, heritage, fiancé, stranger, American West, promise, Paleface, DAKOTA DREAMS, Debts, Reckless Ride, Bethrothed, Philanderer, Arapaho Indian
want to hear from you how wonderful Dakota is. I am sick of hearing about his bravery. If I had not ridden for help, you would all be dead now."
Running Deer's eyes were soft and luminous. "He is truly touched by the Great One. I have never seen anyone so brave as your brother."
Black Otter felt rage eating away at him because he had always wanted the chiefs daughter, Running Deer, to look upon him with favor. He now knew that she favored Dakota. She did not try to hide her admiration or her feelings. "He is not my brother," Black Otter said through clinched teeth. "He is white, and has no right to be called 'son' by my father and mother."
Running Deer's eyes saddened. "He has earned that right today, because he saved your mother's life, as well as my own. He is so grievously wounded that I fear for his life. It would seem that you should be proud to call Dakota your brother. He is a great warrior, and it does not matter what color his skin is. He will always be honored among the Arapaho."
Black Otter turned away, needing to be alone. Though no one said anything, he knew they were thinking he had behaved as a coward today. He envisioned himself in Dakota's place, the medicine man fighting to save his life, the tribal members gathered outside the tepee, waiting for word of his condition, his mother and father in fear of his life. He, Black Otter, was all but forgotten while everyone sang praises to Dakota.
"I hate him," Black Otter cried aloud. "I wish he would die!"
Dakota was still weak from his wounds, but he was proudly seated in the circle of honor, his father on his left, the chief on his right. The warriors of the tribe were paying homage to one of their own. In the background, the women and children pressed forward to watch the solemn ritual.
Two Moons stood up, motioning for Dakota to do likewise. "From today forward, you shall be known as a warrior for your brave deed." He reached into a pouch and removed a necklace of bear claws and placed it around the young boy's neck. "White Wing and Running Deer have made this from the claws of the bear which threatened their lives, to honor you for your bravery. I, as War Chief, honor you and welcome you to the ranks of warriors of the Arapaho." His dark eyes told of his pride in Dakota, his son.
"But, my father," Dakota said in an awed voice, reverently fingering the bear-claw necklace, "it was not my hand that killed the bear."
His father smiled. "Yours was the first blow that was delivered to the bear. Who is to say it was not your knife that finally brought about his death? Inside your body there beats the heart of a true Arapaho warrior, my son."
The young boy's eyes shone with pride, and his heart swelled with the honor that was being paid to him. In his joy, he glanced at his brother, Black Otter, wanting to share this moment with him, since they had always shared everything. He was puzzled that his brother was not also being honored. That was when he saw the anger and resentment on Black Otter's face.
"What I did was not any more important than what my brother did. Without Black Otter summoning help, I would not be alive to receive this. I wish to honor him." Walking forward, Dakota removed the treasured bear-claw necklace and placed it around his brother's neck.
Black Otter's dark eyes narrowed, and he jerked the necklace from his neck and flung it away. "I do not want this, no more than I want you for my brother." He stalked away, leaving Dakota staring after him in concern.
White Wing touched her husband's arm. "One son does us honor, while the other shames us before the whole village."
2
March 1857
Levi Gunther halted his horse on the banks of the Wind River, noticing it was running swiftly because of the spring runoff. Across the river, looking peaceful in the noonday sun, lay the Arapaho village. When he nudged his horse into the shallow part of the river, he knew his coming would attract little attention since he was a frequent visitor. It was well
Running Deer's eyes were soft and luminous. "He is truly touched by the Great One. I have never seen anyone so brave as your brother."
Black Otter felt rage eating away at him because he had always wanted the chiefs daughter, Running Deer, to look upon him with favor. He now knew that she favored Dakota. She did not try to hide her admiration or her feelings. "He is not my brother," Black Otter said through clinched teeth. "He is white, and has no right to be called 'son' by my father and mother."
Running Deer's eyes saddened. "He has earned that right today, because he saved your mother's life, as well as my own. He is so grievously wounded that I fear for his life. It would seem that you should be proud to call Dakota your brother. He is a great warrior, and it does not matter what color his skin is. He will always be honored among the Arapaho."
Black Otter turned away, needing to be alone. Though no one said anything, he knew they were thinking he had behaved as a coward today. He envisioned himself in Dakota's place, the medicine man fighting to save his life, the tribal members gathered outside the tepee, waiting for word of his condition, his mother and father in fear of his life. He, Black Otter, was all but forgotten while everyone sang praises to Dakota.
"I hate him," Black Otter cried aloud. "I wish he would die!"
Dakota was still weak from his wounds, but he was proudly seated in the circle of honor, his father on his left, the chief on his right. The warriors of the tribe were paying homage to one of their own. In the background, the women and children pressed forward to watch the solemn ritual.
Two Moons stood up, motioning for Dakota to do likewise. "From today forward, you shall be known as a warrior for your brave deed." He reached into a pouch and removed a necklace of bear claws and placed it around the young boy's neck. "White Wing and Running Deer have made this from the claws of the bear which threatened their lives, to honor you for your bravery. I, as War Chief, honor you and welcome you to the ranks of warriors of the Arapaho." His dark eyes told of his pride in Dakota, his son.
"But, my father," Dakota said in an awed voice, reverently fingering the bear-claw necklace, "it was not my hand that killed the bear."
His father smiled. "Yours was the first blow that was delivered to the bear. Who is to say it was not your knife that finally brought about his death? Inside your body there beats the heart of a true Arapaho warrior, my son."
The young boy's eyes shone with pride, and his heart swelled with the honor that was being paid to him. In his joy, he glanced at his brother, Black Otter, wanting to share this moment with him, since they had always shared everything. He was puzzled that his brother was not also being honored. That was when he saw the anger and resentment on Black Otter's face.
"What I did was not any more important than what my brother did. Without Black Otter summoning help, I would not be alive to receive this. I wish to honor him." Walking forward, Dakota removed the treasured bear-claw necklace and placed it around his brother's neck.
Black Otter's dark eyes narrowed, and he jerked the necklace from his neck and flung it away. "I do not want this, no more than I want you for my brother." He stalked away, leaving Dakota staring after him in concern.
White Wing touched her husband's arm. "One son does us honor, while the other shames us before the whole village."
2
March 1857
Levi Gunther halted his horse on the banks of the Wind River, noticing it was running swiftly because of the spring runoff. Across the river, looking peaceful in the noonday sun, lay the Arapaho village. When he nudged his horse into the shallow part of the river, he knew his coming would attract little attention since he was a frequent visitor. It was well
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