The Renegade's Woman Read Online Free PDF Page B

more.
     
    "Have you had a dream?" Whistling Hills asked.
     
    He was tempted to lie. To say he had. For that would close the discussion right there, and they could mount up and ride back to the village in agreement, Pale As Moonlight behind him on his pony, regardless of the consequences.
     
    He shook his head regretfully. "No dream. "
     
    "Then let's kill her and be done with it. She'll tell the Wagon Men where we are, what you have done. " Two Otters' obscene gesture told him exactly what the man thought had transpired. "What we all did... " He took a step toward them, his rifle still raised.
     
    Up to that point, the Cheyenne had remained silent, observing. Ignoring Two Otters' threat, he now spoke up.
     
    "Cloud Man, " Black Crow said, at once reminding Standing Bear of his place within his people, Black Crow's own position as honored guest among them, and the respect due the man's age and status from all three of the younger braves. "Cloud Man, let us sit and we will all speak our hearts on this matter. "
     
    Sally shifted nervously, sitting astride Standing Bear's horse. He'd led her over and hoisted her onto its back what seemed like hours ago. Ever since, the four Indian men had been sitting on their haunches in a tight circle, arguing and glaring at each other. She had a sinking feeling she knew exactly what they were discussing so vehemently.
     
    Her.
     
    They were deciding whether to take her away as a captive or just kill her and be done with it.
     
    What a fate to choose between.
     
    Four months earlier, her gramma had pressed what little money she'd saved into Sally's hand, insisting that she and Alyssa leave Virginia, just so the sisters wouldn't be forced to endure a similar doom there. Units of unruly Union soldiers made regular forays to their area, wrecking havoc on crops, livestock and any young women they ran into. The Confederates knew of the family's long-time stand against slavery, so they were regularly harassed by them as well. It was only a matter of time before one of the sisters was subjected to a fate neither she nor Alyssa cared to contemplate. So they'd reluctantly agreed to the long trek West, to the home of a distant cousin in far-off California.
     
    Sally thought of the sacrifice her aging gramma had made in order to keep her only granddaughters safe. She must survive her present ordeal, if only for Gramma's sake.
     
    Drawing in a shaky breath, Sally fingered the odd wooden, sword-like club hanging from a leather strap over the horse's withers. It was painted and decorated all along its edges with feathers. A strange-looking weapon. Beside it hung a sheathed Winchester rifle. For a brief second, she considered lifting the gun and shooting her way out of this, but decided she didn't stand a chance of living through the attempt. With her shooting skills, she could kill one of them, maybe two, before they returned fire. But not four. And not Standing Bear. No matter what he intended, she could never kill him.
     
    But what of him? Would he use that rifle on her today? Or would she live out her days sleeping in a tepee, playing servant and concubine to a savage renegade? She bit back the tears that threatened.
     
    No. That was unfair. There was nothing savage about Standing Bear. Yes, it was true he'd taken her virginity, and would probably have done so even if she hadn't wanted it herself. But she'd never met a man so gentle and thoughtful in all his ways, despite his overpowering strength. Or so passionate. Or so deeply, provocatively sexual. He had but to glance her way and she was wet and longing for his touch.
     
    It was she who was the renegade, ready to throw herself under a stranger, a wild red Indian, and slake his every lusty urge at a moment's notice. She was a wicked, wicked woman. A lascivious wanton who deserved everything she got and more.
     
    She nearly tumbled to the ground when, suddenly, the men rose as one and went for their horses. Standing Bear jumped up