Silken Savage (36 page)

Justin Kerr was also becoming a frequent visitor at the Martin house. He lived only a few doors down the street, and was brilliant at inventing excuses to drop by. Should his mother’s hens happen to lay an extra dozen eggs that day, Justin would naturally offer them to Elizabeth Martin first, and then stay to chat with Melissa. As a budding young lawyer, he offered his legal services to George and Edward and talked them into making new wills. This required several trips to the Martin home, of course. And when invited to stay to dinner on these occasions, he’d accept.

Justin and Adam saw more of each other coming and going from the Martin home than they did anywhere else, even though Adam was staying at the Kerr’s while he was in town. Though Adam admitted to Justin that he was courting Tanya, he did not tell his friend all. Justin knew that he was serious about Tanya, but he hadn’t the slightest inkling of Adam’s secret identity nor the fact that Adam was actually Tanya’s long-lost Cheyenne husband. Though he saw Adam’s genuine enjoyment with Hunter and Mark, it never dawned on him that Adam was their father. The only thing Justin knew was that Adam had his heart set on marrying Tanya Martin, and that Jeffrey Young was still making a pest of himself.

“What is Lieutenant Young’s problem?” Justin asked Melissa one day. “Can’t he see Tanya is not interested in him?”

“He sees only himself,” Melissa explained. “He’s so self-centered it is sickening! He refuses to believe any woman could not want him.”

“For God’s sake, why not?” Justin asked, shaking his head in disbelief.

“It is rather complicated, Justin. You see, Jeffrey was Tanya’s fiancéat the time she was captured by the Cheyenne. She was coming here to marry him.”

Justin nodded.

“Jeffrey was with Custer’s troops when they attacked the Cheyenne village. He was one of the first to spot Tanya and me, and he was delighted to find her alive. But he was not so overjoyed to discover she had an Indian husband and two sons. Also, he failed to understand why she did not view him as her savior and fling herself into his arms.”

“Which she did not, because of her love for her husband,” Justin suggested.

“Partly,” Melissa continued. “Two and a half years is a long time, Justin, and a lot can happen to alter your life. Not only did Tanya love Panther, but she discovered that what she had felt for Jeffrey was not love at all, but only girlish infatuation. Besides, she’d found a new and better life with the Cheyenne, one that suited her perfectly. That is the primary reason Tanya fared so much better than the rest of us. She adapted to the Cheyenne life so readily; totally and willingly. Of course, it helped that Panther treated her so well.”

“He did?” Justin found this hard to believe.

“He adored her,” Melissa avowed fervently. “He loved her every bit as much as she did him. It was a beautiful thing to behold.”

Justin needed to know more; anything that might help his friend Adam win Tanya where Jeffrey had failed. “Is that the entire reason Tanya rejected Jeffrey?”

Melissa shook her head. “Not entirely. Tanya saw how Jeffrey reacted to Hunter and Mark. He resents and dislikes them because they are halfbreeds, and she knows it. Tanya will not have her sons rejected or made to feel like second-rate citizens. She is proud of them and their father.”

“I can understand that.”

“Also, Tanya had become a part of the tribe long before the attack came. Chief Black Kettle and his wife had adopted her as their daughter before she married Panther.”

“Whew!” Justin whistled. “I didn’t know that.”

“Few people do. The day of the attack, Tanya saw her adopted parents killed by the white soldiers. She watched as they were shot in the back and then trampled by horses.” Melissa shuddered. “We watched together as a nightmare unfolded before our eyes. In all my time with the Cheyenne, I have never seen such heinous acts as the soldiers performed that day. Prisoners were raped, and everything in the village — tipis, dogs, people and horses — were killed and then burned. Few escaped or survived, and nothing was left to be salvaged. The attack came before dawn, while everyone was sleeping, and by noon the village was completely destroyed.”

Justin was dumbfounded. “My God! I’ve never heard of such things! That’s certainly not the story the military circulated.”

Melissa scowled. “That doesn’t surprise me! It wouldn’t surprise Tanya, either. She despises what they did, and I can’t blame her. As much as I hated living with the tribe, and as thankful as I am to be back, I can never condone what I saw that day. Neither can Tanya, and she knows Jeffrey is not completely blameless. He was there, and undoubtedly contributed his fair share in the massacre that took place. I doubt whether Tanya can ever forgive him that. In her eyes, he is a murderer.”

“I can’t say I blame her,” Justin responded thoughtfully. “Tell me something, Melissa. You’ve said Tanya loved her husband, and I’ve heard her say the same thing. Do you think Adam stands a chance with her? He’s a very good friend, and I’d hate to see him hurt.”

“I’d say his chances are quite good,” Melissa assured him gently. “Tanya needs some love in her life. It has been five months since the attack.”

“Yes, but what if her husband somehow manages to come for her? Wouldn’t she go with him?”

Melissa gave a small laugh. “You are worrying unnecessarily, I promise you. If he has not come for her by now, he never will.” And that was the complete and utter truth.

The last week in April brought balmy, sunny days that sent everyone into fits of spring fever. Tanya yearned to ride across the open land, and when Adam suggested just this, she complained, “I’d like nothing better, Adam, and I’d prefer to ride Wheat, but after my escape attempt, Jeffrey took him from me.”

Anger flared dangerously in Adam’s dark eyes. “You shall have your mare back again, my darling, I promise you.”

That very day, Adam spoke with Tanya’s father privately. “Edward, I understand Lt. Young has confiscated Tanya’s mare.”

Edward blinked in surprise. “Yes, I guess he did. I’d forgotten all about it. I didn’t say anything at the time, since it seemed a good way to prevent Tanya from trying to leave again.”

“She’d like the horse returned now,” Adam stated. Edward’s brow furrowed. “I don’t know if that’s really a good idea yet, Adam.”

“What you mean is, you are not sure you trust Tanya not to attempt to run off again,” Adam interpreted.

Edward flushed uncomfortably, but argued, “I’d think you’d concur with that, Adam. I thought you were interested in my daughter. It would be to your advantage, too, if she were not tempted to return to her Cheyenne husband.”

Adam smiled. “I don’t think there’s much chance of that now. In any case, if we have to hold Tanya here by force, it is not much of a victory for us, is it? I’d like to take Tanya riding, and since you are her father, you can demand that Jeffrey return her mare.”

“You seem awfully sure,” Edward commented, eyeing Adam speculatively. “I’d hate to see Tanya run away just when she seems to be adapting to our way of life again.”

“Trust me, Edward — and trust Tanya.”

Edward sighed. “All right, Adam. I’ll talk to Jeffrey this afternoon. I just wish I could be as confident as you are.”

True to his word, Edward talked to Jeffrey, and at supper that evening, he told Tanya and Adam that he’d had no success. “That young pup refused to release the horse to me!” he bellowed. “He’s handing me some cock-and-bull story about its now belonging to the U.S. Army, part of property confiscated in the raid at Washita!”

“That’s a lie!” Tanya exclaimed. “Before they shot the other horses, General Custer offered me my choice of mounts. When Melissa pointed out that Wheat was my horse, there was no objection. Everyone knew the mare was mine!”

“Calm down, Tanya,” Adam advised. “I’ll get your mare for you. In fact, I’ll see to it right after dinner. Jeffrey Young is in for a rude awakening.”

At his quietly determined tone, Tanya became aware of his anger. “I’m coming with you, Adam,” she declared.

Adam grinned. “You sound alarmed. Are you afraid I’ll hurt him?”

“No, dear sir,” Tanya assured him with an innocent, wide-eyed look that didn’t fool him at all. “I’m afraid you’ll
kill
him! What good will you be to me swinging from the end of a rope?”

Adam pulled the buggy up at the corral the cavalry had erected near their Pueblo headquarters. There was no actual fort in Pueblo, but the Army kept a post in town to defend the residents if need be. Next to the corral was a stable and a small office. It was to this office Adam headed, a determined glint in his onyx eyes, Tanya scurrying along beside him.

A young private sat behind a desk just inside the door. To Tanya’s dismay, she recognized him as one of the men who had accompanied Jeffrey on his trek to intercept her flight in February.

Apparently surprised by her sudden appearance, he jumped to his feet, almost toppling his chair in his haste. “Oh, Miss Martin! Are you looking for the lieutenant?”

“Not particularly, Private. I’ve come to claim my horse,” Tanya replied decisively. “Would you be so kind as to bring her to me? I noticed she’s just outside in the corral.”

The private’s face turned red and he blurted, “No, ma’am, I can’t do that. Lieutenant Young has given orders.”

At this point Adam stepped into the conversation. “Private, the mare is Miss Martin’s private property. Her father is in agreement, and there is no reason the lady should be denied her horse.”

“I’m sorry, sir,” the private blustered, “but Lieutenant Young would have my hide if I let the horse go against his orders.”

The words were no sooner out of his mouth when the door swung open to admit Jeffrey. “What’s the problem here, Private?” he asked, as if he didn’t already know. His cool blue eyes skimmed over Adam, obviously dismissing him, and zeroed in on Tanya.

“I want my horse, Jeffrey,” she told him bluntly in a no-nonsense tone.

Jeffrey smiled tightly and shook his head. “No, darling, that’s quite impossible. As I informed your father, the horse is now Army property.” His tone implied he was speaking either to an ignorant child or a moron.

Tanya glared at him. “That’s nonsense, Jeffrey, and you know it. Wheat has belonged to me for years, and General Custer let me take her. Besides, as was pointed out when the Cheyenne ponies were slaughtered, an Indian-trained horse is of absolutely no earthly use to the cavalry.”

Jeffrey gave a short, nasty laugh. “No, Tanya, it’s your word against mine.”

“Not quite,” Adam cut in sharply. “You see, Young,” he continued, his dark eyes spearing Jeffrey, “Melissa was there when Panther gave Tanya the mare. She was there when Custer allowed Tanya to cut her horse out from the others. I’ve already dis- cussed this with Justin Kerr, who is willing to act as Tanya’s attorney in this matter. If necessary, we’ll call the sheriff in.” One dark eyebrow lifted as he delivered his final point. “Stealing horses is frowned on here, Young. Horsethieves are often hung before they ever come to trial.”

Jeffrey colored, but tried to hold his ground. “The sheriff has no voice in military matters, Mr. Savage,” he snapped.

Adam shrugged. “Explain that to St. Peter after word gets around town that you are a common horsethief.”

“Are you threatening me?” Jeffrey exclaimed.

Ignoring him, Adam directed Tanya, “Go get your horse, Tanya.”

As Tanya stepped toward the door, Jeffrey moved to stop her. Adam put himself between Jeffrey and the door, effectively blocking him. The young private stood where he was, shuffling uncertainly.

“Don’t forget your saddle and bridle,” Adam reminded as Tanya slipped into the darkening evening. His dark eyes never left Jeffrey’s flushed face.

“Any more objections, Lieutenant?” he asked. Jeffrey eyed his opponent, anger making his blue gaze shimmer. “You’ve been getting pretty high and mighty lately, Savage, pushing your nose into other people’s concerns,” he snarled.

Adam returned his gaze with a warning look of his own. “Anything that concerns Tanya Martin is my business, Young. Remember that!”

From outside, Tanya called, “I’m ready, Adam.”

“My lady calls.” Adam grinned wickedly at Jeffrey’s furious expression and turned toward the door.

“Later, Savage,” he heard Jeffrey growl.

“Anytime you choose,” Adam shot back over his shoulder.

A few seconds later, the sounds of the horses and buggy leaving the yard echoed through the open door. “Someday I’ll break you apart, Adam Savage,” Jeffrey muttered under his breath. “That’s a promise!” Hands clenched into tight fists at his sides, he stamped out of the small office, leaving the befuddled private to heave a sigh of intense relief.

Now that Tanya had her mare at her disposal, she and Adam dispensed with the buggy much of the time, preferring to gallop the fields and wooded trails on horseback. Despite her mother’s scandalized objections, Tanya refused to ride sidesaddle. Instead, she donned a split riding skirt and rode astride, as a few of the rancher’s daughters were starting to do these days. Still, once in a while, in deference to Melissa and Julie, she would accompany them in the buggy, fully arrayed in frills and bows and lady-like graces.

One repercussion to having recovered her mare was immediately apparent. In addition to the tension Tanya perceived in her parents as they waited to see if Tanya would take advantage of the situation and run, Tanya noticed that she was under additional surveillance from Jeffrey and company. Tanya pointed this out to Adam.

“I’d noticed,” he confirmed wryly.

Tanya sighed in exasperation. “I feel like a bug in a bottle!” she complained. “Every time I step out of the house, I feel eyes boring into my back! I went out to the stable the other night and nearly ran headlong into one of Jeffrey’s subordinates.” She gave Adam a long, searching look. “This could seriously impair our love-life, you know.”

Adam smiled, his eyes twinkling knowingly. “We’ll find a way around it, I’m sure. Any Cheyenne woman worth her salt should easily be able to elude a few dull-witted soldiers.”

“I’ll admit I had a good teacher, but your absolute confidence in your own charm annoys me, Adam,” she pouted prettily.