ChasetheLightning (22 page)

She ran her hands over the soft deerskin, wished fleetingly
for a mirror so she could see how she looked.

Yellow Calf Woman stood back, her gaze moving over, and then
she smiled. “Pretty, you look.”

“Thank you.”

“He is good man. Strong. Brave.”

“Yes, he is.”

Yellow Calf Woman’s dark eyes sparkled. “Handsome.”

“Oh, yes,” Amanda agreed. “He is that!”

A soft drumming came from outside.

“It is time,” Yellow Calf Woman said.

Amanda nodded, suddenly too nervous to speak.

She followed Yellow Calf Woman out of the wickiup, through a
throng of smiling faces. Feeling a sudden itching between her shoulder blades,
she glanced back to see a woman staring at her with obvious dislike.

Amanda frowned, wondering who the woman was, but then, from
the corner of her eye, she saw Trey waiting for her. Walker on the Wind stood
beside him. The old man wore a buckskin shirt painted with symbols representing
hail, rain, and lightning. Several members of the tribe stood behind the two
men, but Amanda had eyes only for Trey. Clad in an elkskin shirt that was
heavily fringed along the sleeves, a wolfskin clout, and fringed leggings, he
looked every inch an Apache warrior. His moccasins were beaded in black and
yellow. He wore an eagle feather tied in his hair.

She had always dreamed of being married in a church, of
wearing a long white satin dress and a veil of handmade lace, of having her
father give her away. How could she have been so foolish? Being married here,
in this peaceful canyon, with the sky for a roof, was more beautiful than any
church. And a doeskin dress, made by Yellow Calf Woman’s loving hands, was far
better than any satin gown. She would have liked to have her parents present,
but that wasn’t possible. And it didn’t really matter, because the one person
in all the world who mattered most was standing there, his dark eyes filled
with love and admiration.

A hush fell over the crowd as Walker on the Wind took her
hand and placed it in Trey’s.

“This day, let it be known that my grandson, Long Walker,
takes a wife. For us, the act of marriage takes place here, in the heart. It is
not words that will bind you together, but the love you have, one for the
other. From this day forward, there will be two people, but one heart. Sorrow
will be cut in half, joy will be doubled, because you now have someone to share
it with. You will warm each other in winter, and share the laughter of summer
days.”

Walker on the Wind took their joined hands in his. “Go now,
to the place Yellow Calf Woman has prepared for you. Let your hearts grow
close.” He smiled at Trey, and then Amanda. “May
Usen
bless you with
many strong sons and beautiful daughters.”

“
Ashoge
, grandfather,” Trey said quietly.

The crowd parted and a warrior appeared, leading Relámpago
and a dainty little buckskin mare. It was customary to have a feast for the
bride and groom, but Trey had decided against it. He knew only a few people in
the village and rather than have Yellow Calf Woman spend hours preparing food
to be shared with people he didn’t know, he asked that Walker on the Wind give
a horse to a poor family instead. Besides, feasts had been known to go on all
night and he was anxious to be alone with his bride.

Trey lifted Amanda onto the mare’s back, then swung aboard
Relámpago and headed toward the mouth of the canyon.

“Where are we going?” Amanda asked.

“Yellow Calf Woman built a honeymoon lodge for us a short
distance from here.” He smiled at her. “It was one of the reasons she wanted us
to postpone the wedding. We’ll stay there for a week or so.”

Alone, for a week. It sounded like heaven. “But…what about
food?”

“Yellow Calf Woman will bring it to us each day, as well as
wood for a fire. There’ll be nothing for us to do but…” His dark eyes moved
over her, igniting frissons of desire wherever his gaze touched. “Get to know
each other.”

She shivered with anticipation, surmised he was as anxious
as she when he urged Relámpago into a lope.

Their honeymoon lodge was located along the river, hidden
within a thick stand of timber. Silver bells had been fastened to the branches
of nearby trees; they tinkled merrily in the faint breeze that blew over the
water.

After reining the stallion to a halt, Trey dismounted and
helped Amanda from the back of the buckskin. He tethered the buckskin to a
tree, then removed the bridle from the stallion, leaving Relámpago free to
graze. Swinging Amanda up into his arms, he carried her into the lodge. He held
her a moment and then let her slide, ever so slowly, sensuously, down the
length of his body until she was standing in front of him, her green eyes
glowing, her lips curved in a smile that was both shy and provocative.

She ran her hands over his shirtfront. “So, Mr. Long
Walker,” she purred. “What do you want to do now?”

He gazed down at her, his eyes smoldering. “I’m sure I can
think of something.”

“I’m counting on it.”

His hands moved slowly up her arms to release the ties that
fastened her dress at the shoulders. The garment slid over her skin with a soft
whisper to pool at her feet.

“Beautiful.” His gaze moved over her, then lifted to her
face. “Beyond beautiful.”

Smiling, she tugged his shirt over his head and tossed it
aside. “Beautiful,” she said.

He looked down at his bare chest, then looked back at her,
one brow arched. “Beautiful?”

She ran her hands over his chest. “I love the color of your
skin, the feel of it.” Leaning forward, she licked the pulse beating in his
throat. “The taste of you.”

Her hands dropped to his waist, and then she frowned. “How
do I get you out of this?”

With a roguish grin, he removed his clout and leggings.
Bending, he took off her moccasins and then his own. Kneeling there, he looked
up at her, his eyes hot with desire.

“Trey…”

He rose slowly, took her by the hand, and led her to a bed
made of soft furs. He dropped to his knees and drew her down beside him.

“I’ll try to make you happy.”

She ran her hand through his hair, over his shoulder, down
his arm. “I am happy.”

“Amanda.” Her name was a sigh on his lips as he wrapped her
in his arms and kissed her, gently at first, and then with growing intensity.

She clung to him, reveling in the feel of his heated skin
against her own, loving the way her body fit against his, the low growl that
rose in his throat as he fell back on the furs, pulling her down on top of him.
There was no doubt that he wanted her. She was glad now that there had been no
one else, glad that she had waited for this man. Like a prince in a fairy tale,
he kissed her, awakening all her senses. She had never felt so alive, so aware.
Every nerve, every cell, every fiber of her being yearned toward him. She had
been made for this man, she thought, and he had been made for her. The fact
that not even time could keep them apart only proved they were destined to be
together.

Holding her close, Trey rolled over, tucking her neatly
beneath him, adoring her with his eyes, his lips. She was the home he had never
had, the love he had never thought to find, the future he had thought denied
him.

She tasted of sunlight and musk, of sage and sweet desire.
Her skin was smooth and unblemished, her hair like silk in his hands, her lips
like warm honey.

Soft moans of pure feminine pleasure rose in her throat as
he caressed her, arousing her until she writhed beneath him.

He knew a moment of surprise when he realized she was a
maiden. It humbled him, left him feeling as though he had been given a gift
beyond price.

And then there was no more time for thought, there was only
the wonder and the mystery that was Amanda, the touch of her, the taste of her.
Her heat enfolded him. Her scent surrounded him. She was life and breath, and
he knew that from this moment forward he would be lost without her.

She cried out his name as pleasure burst within her,
shimmering, ethereal and all-encompassing. A moment later he followed her over
the edge, tumbling down, down, until they lay together in each other’s arms,
sated, replete, bodies entwined, hearts forever bound.

Amanda snuggled closer to Trey, more content than she had
ever been in her whole life. The warm furs, the warmer man, the sweet afterglow
of their love-making, all combined to fill her with a deep sense of peace, of
being where she was meant to be.

She looked at Trey’s profile. Strong. Rugged. More handsome
than mere words could tell. He was all the excitement she had never known,
everything she had ever wanted. He was strong yet tender, with a wry sense of
humor and a deep sexy laugh that always made her smile. She loved looking at
him, touching him. Loved being in his arms, possessed by him, loved making love
to him. Happiness bubbled up inside her, sparkling like champagne. How had she
ever lived without him? She loved the sound of his voice, loved the way her
name sounded on his lips. Loved the sound of his name.

“Trey.”

“Hmm?”

“Nothing. I just wanted to say your name.”

He turned to face her, the backs of his fingers skimming
over her cheek. “You didn’t tell me you’d never been with a man before.”

She lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “The subject never
came up.”

He kissed her tenderly, unable to tell her how much that
meant to him.

“I guess you’ve been with a lot of women?” she remarked, and
then bit down on her lower lip. She hadn’t meant to ask. Whatever he had done
before, whoever he had done it with, it was all in the past.

“One or two.” His gaze moved over her face. “But when I look
at you, I can’t remember any of them. I was always looking for you. I know that
now.”

“Oh, Trey…” His words made her insides melt like chocolate
left too long in the sun.

“Come on.” Rising, he took her by the hand and drew her to
her feet.

“Where are we going?” she exclaimed, glancing down at her
nudity.

He gave a gentle tug on her hand. “For a swim.”

She followed him out of the lodge, her arms crossing over
her breasts as they stepped outside.

Trey grinned at her. “Who are you hiding from? There’s no
one to see you but me.”

“Well, I’m not used to running around naked, at least not
outside.”

He drew her into his arms, his hands sliding up and down her
back. “Get used to it,” he said with a roguish grin. “I plan to keep you this
way often.”

She couldn’t help smiling. “Do you?”

“You bet.” He held her at arm’s length, his gaze hot. “I
don’t think you’ll need to get dressed at all while we’re here.”

She laughed at that, shrieked as he suddenly lifted her into
his arms and carried her into the river.

“No! Trey, don’t!” She kicked her legs in protest as water
splashed over her. “It’s cold!” She wrapped her arms around his neck, but to no
avail. He went under the water, carrying her with him. She came up sputtering
and laughing, Trey’s warm body a vivid contrast to the cold water.

He laughed with her and then his lips claimed hers in a long
lingering kiss that chased the chill from her flesh, rousing her desire once more.
It seemed impossible that she could want him again so soon, but want him she
did, desperately.

And he wanted her. Carrying her out of the water, he laid
her on a patch of grass.

Amanda glanced around. “Here?” she asked, her voice husky
with yearning.

“Here.” He lowered himself over her, his body a welcome
weight. Her hands skimmed over his back and shoulders, down his arms, her hips
lifting to receive him, her arms drawing him closer. His hands caressed her.
His tongue laved her breasts, then slid up her neck, sending shivers of delight
down her spine. And then he was kissing her, and she marveled again at the
power of something so simple as a kiss. She writhed beneath him, her nails
lightly raking his back as he moved deep within her, carrying her up, up,
though rainbow heights and over the edge of pleasure into ecstasy.

She drifted slowly back to reality, the smile on her face
turning to soft laughter.

Trey frowned down at her. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.” She couldn’t stop smiling. “I’m just so…so happy!
And I love you so much.” She threw her arms out to her sides, then hugged him
tightly. “Tell me. Tell me you love me.”

Leaning on his elbows, he gazed down at her. “I love you,”
he replied fervently. “More than you can imagine. More than I ever thought
possible.”

“Oh, Trey…” she murmured, and cupping his face between her
hands, she drew his head down and kissed him.

And that one kiss rekindled the blaze between them.

It was late afternoon when they returned to the wickiup.
They ate the meal Yellow Calf Woman had prepared for them, and then Trey
suggested a walk. When she started to get dressed, Trey stayed her hand, and
now they walked hand in hand along the riverbank, admiring the beauty around
them. They walked for perhaps an hour, saying little, content to be together,
to pause from time to time to embrace and share a kiss.

It was like being in a dream, she thought, or a fairy tale.
The land around them seemed like the Garden of Eden, untouched by evil, hidden
from the rest of the world. Trey was her Adam, the first man she had ever truly
loved, the first man to awaken the passion within her. And she was Eve,
fascinated by the world in which she found herself, and by the man who walked
beside her. She smiled inwardly as a verse from Genesis flitted through her
mind. “And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”

They came to a curve in the river and turned back, toward
their lodge.

“I feel dreadfully wicked,” Amanda remarked, shivering. “Do
you go naked much?”

“No. Are you cold?”

“A little.”

“Come on, I’ll race you back. It’ll warm you up.”

“Yeah, right. Like I have a chance of winning.”

“I’ll give you a head start.”

She grinned up at him, her green eyes sparkling. “You’re
on!” she said, and took off running.

She ran as fleet and graceful as a doe. The late afternoon
sun cast golden highlights in her hair, made her skin glow.

He watched her appreciatively, giving her a good lead, and
then gave chase. It felt good to run, to feel the earth beneath his bare feet,
the wind in his face. His heart began to pound to the thrill of the chase, the
anticipation of catching her, holding her.

She continued to run long after he expected her to slow
down. He began to run faster, taking pride in her strength and her stamina.

Gradually, he closed the distance between them. She glanced
over her shoulder as he drew close, shrieked when his arm snaked around her
waist. They fell to the grass in a tangle of arms and legs. Trey pinned her to
the ground, his breath fanning her face, the heat of his body mingling with her
own. Desire stirred between them, stilling their laughter.

“Trey, I never thought it would be like this. Never thought
I could feel like this.”

“Me, either, sweetheart.” He cupped her cheek in his hand.
“You’re gonna wear me out.”

“Are you complaining, mister?”

“What do you think?”

“I think I’ll die if you don’t kiss me.”

She didn’t have to ask him twice. Lowering his head, he
claimed her lips and entrenched himself a little deeper in her heart.

* * * * *

Later, back at the wickiup, they sat outside on a buffalo
robe and watched the sun set. Amanda rested her head against Trey’s shoulder.
It had been a wonderful day, she thought, a day filled with love and laughter.

“Still happy?” Trey asked.

“Oh, yes.”

He squeezed her hand, wondering how long she would be
content to live here, among his people, how long it would be before she began
to miss her own home, her own time, all those near magical appliances she used
so easily. Life was not easy among the People. They had none of the modern conveniences
she was accustomed to having. To tell the truth, there were things in her time
that he missed, like hot running water and electric lights. He had not seen
much television, but he had enjoyed what he had seen and would like to have
seen more. Riding in her car had been exciting, the speed unlike anything he
had ever known. He would have liked a chance to learn how to drive it himself,
to be in control of that much power. And the grocery store. So much food in one
place. Food that was ready to be eaten. Ready-made bread. Meat in tidy little
packages. No hunting, no skinning, no curing, just pick it off a shelf and cook
it. And if you didn’t want to cook, well, you could buy pre-made dinners that
just had to be warmed up. If he hadn’t seen it, he never would have believed
such things were possible.

He drew Amanda into his arms and held her close, suddenly
afraid that whatever magic had brought them together would end.

* * * * *

It was a week she would never forget. Days of sweet loving,
of falling deeper in love with the man she had married. She learned about his
childhood, his years of living with the Apache. She told him of trips to her
grandmother’s farm, of the time she had tried to ride an old milk cow and
fallen in a mud puddle, of going trick or treating on Halloween.

They took long walks, swam in the river, watched the sun
set, went horseback riding. It was a week of being pampered as Yellow Calf
Woman brought them food and wood each day, careful to do it when they were away
from the lodge so that, for seven days, they saw no one else.

All too soon, it was time to return to the canyon.

Amanda couldn’t help feeling a twinge of regret as they
dismantled the wickiup.

“Can we come back here some time?” she asked, and realized
that, for the past week, she’d given no thought to returning to her own time.
“Maybe on our anniversary?”

Trey looked at her, and she knew what he was thinking, knew
he was wondering if she would still be there in a year’s time.

“Sure,” he said quietly.

Silence stretched between them as they packed their few
belongings.

“Trey?”

“Yeah?”

“What’s wrong?”

He shook his head. “Nothing, sweetheart.”

“I don’t want to leave you. Ever. You know that, don’t you?”

“Even if it means staying here?”

“Even if it means staying here.”

“Amanda!” He drew her into his arms and held her tight. “I
don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t.”

He buried his face in the wealth of her hair, one hand
stroking her back. “Every day when I wake up, I’m afraid you’ll be gone. Every
time you’re out of my sight…”

“Oh, Trey, I don’t think you have anything to worry about.
We tried to go back and nothing happened. I think maybe I was born in the wrong
time, and this is Fate’s way of putting things right.”

He drew back a little and grinned at her. “Is that what you
think?”

“Well, it’s as good an explanation as any.”

“Maybe you’re right. Come on, let’s go.”

* * * * *

Walker on the Wind was sitting outside his lodge when his
grandson and the white woman returned. He stood up, narrowing his eyes
thoughtfully as he glanced from one to the other. He watched as Long Walker
lifted his bride from her horse. And then he smiled.
Enju.
It was good
between them.

He nodded at them both, his heart light as he watched the
young couple duck into their lodge.

“So,” Yellow Calf Woman said, emerging from their wickiup.
“They have returned.”

“Yes.”

Yellow Calf Woman moved up beside him, her gnarled hand
resting on his arm. “Do you remember our honeymoon, old man?”

He looked down at her, a twinkle in his eyes. “I am not so
old that I have forgotten those days,” he replied. “Nor have I forgotten how
beautiful you were the day I took you as my wife.”

“It was the best of days,” she recalled with a quiet smile.
“All the women envied me as we rode away from the village.”

Walker on the Wind placed his hand over hers. “We have
shared many good years, old woman. I hope our grandson will be as fortunate.”

“What have you seen?” Yellow Calf Woman asked sharply. “You
were gone long yesterday, and silent when you came home.”

Walker on the Wind lowered himself slowly to the ground, his
expression pensive. He had gone to his secret cave early in the morning. Clad
in his ceremonial shirt, a pair of eagle feathers tied into his hair, he had
sprinkled hoddentin and white sage into the fire. He had purified himself in the
smoke, then stared into the flames. He had repeated the ritual several times.
Always, it was the same.

“I am not yet certain what the vision meant.”

“It troubles you?”

“Only because I do not yet understand what it means.” His
gaze strayed to the stallion. “I saw Relámpago ride into a dark mist. He was
carrying Long Walker and the white woman when he disappeared into the mist.
When he returned, Long Walker and the woman were gone.”

Yellow Calf Woman’s eyes grew wide. “You don’t think…?”

“I do not know,” he said, his voice troubled. “I do not
know.”