Savage Desire (Savage Lagonda 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

trees, giving the forest an enchanted look. Pushing Blue gently away, she rose to her feet, walked over to a tall dogwood tree, and sat down, leaning her back against the trunk. She felt an overwhelming urge to stay in this beautiful, enchanted place. If only she were a man she could strap her belongings to her back and explore until her heart was content. She remembered when Mr. Lewis and Mr. Clark had passed through St. Louis after their travels into the wilderness to map the land at President Jefferson's request. It had been September 23, 1806. She remembered the date because it had been her fourteenth birthday. She and Jeffery had followed along with the crowd that welcomed the weary travelers. They had listened, fascinated as Meriwether Lewis had recounted some of their adventures. Something had come to life within Mara that day. She felt the pull of the far-off land he spoke of.
    Sometimes, afterwards, she would awaken at night feeling she did not belong to her surroundings. It was such a strong feeling. She would feel she was lost and adrift, yearning for some unknown place. As she grew older, instead of diminishing, the feelings grew stronger. She told Jeffery of her feelings, knowing he would understand and not laugh at her, as others might have.
    Her thoughts were interrupted by Blue, who was growling deep within his throat. The bristles on the back of his neck stood on end. Mara smiled and patted him, unafraid at his aggressive action.
    "I am assured that you are brave and fearless," she told him, roughing his smooth coat.
    Realizing how late it was, and how far she had wandered from the path, she turned her steps toward home. She had not gone far when she noticed that Blue was not with her. She heard him growling fiercely, and for the first time began to feel apprehensive. What if it were some dangerous animal stalking her? Hugging her precious burden of strawberries tightly against her, she quickly retraced her steps, calling out to Blue.
    Mara heard a loud yelp, and then a pitiful whining sound as though Blue were in pain. Forgetting about her own safety, she ran to the spot where she had left him. She saw him lying motionless on the ground. Kneeling down beside him she noticed in horror the knife that was buried in his chest. The wound was bleeding profusely. Mara watched in shock as Blue's lifeblood spilled onto the ground.
    At first she felt anger that someone would do such a cruel thing to Blue. Lifting his head, she cried openly, for it was apparent that he was dead. It flashed through her mind how angry David would be with her. He would hold her responsible for Blue's death.
    Hearing a rustling in the nearby bushes, she looked up slowly and saw a pair of moccasin-clad feet. Fear made her heart pound. Her eyes traveled up the leather-clad legs to the naked torso, and finally to the man's face. The Indian just stood there watching her with a puzzled expression on his face. He was short and heavy-set. Mara reached for the knife that was buried to the hilt in Blue's body, and withdrew it. If he expected her to scream and faint at the sight of him, he would be sadly disappointed. Rising to her feet, she took a step backwards, watching to see if he would pursue her. But he did not make a move in her direction. Keeping a wary eye on the man, she took another step backwards, and then another. Still the man did not move. Was it possible that he would let her go unharmed? Taking several steps backwards, she tested that theory. But still he only watched her, not moving a muscle. Not trusting him, she turned on her heels with the intention of fleeing for her life, but she met with a solid wall. A second Indian had been standing behind her all the time. He grabbed her with a force that knocked the breath from her body. Then he wrestled the knife from her grip as easily as if she had been a child.
    Mara felt herself go limp as he tightened his grip on her. She heard someone screaming and realized it was herself. The