"They will not get away with this. We will not let them." Black Wolf promised.
"You are right about this Valley. It is a good place. We can live here and prosper in peace. If we war, we will not survive, as the blue coats have many more men and guns."
"That is what Big Knife does not understand."
"Big Knife does not use his head much. He is instead a man of action and conniving. He does not think before he acts. However, he is clever in other ways."
"Yes, I can see this too." Black Wolf wanted to ask something, but hesitated. "I do not know how to put this without sounding unfeeling, but if your father is dead, do you want me to come get you?"
"No! Right now, I have enough hate inside me to kill Big Knife with my bare hands, if I knew my father died, I might not give him the chance to face our people with his deeds. So no, do not tell me. I know in my heart he will die. I will leave that thought in a secret place and not face it until I know it for fact. If he is dead, console my sister and take care of her, for she was very close to my father after her mother died."
Black Wolf nodded. "He raised her well."
Nakota shot him a small smile, "Yes, he did. But she will need you now, more than ever."
"Perhaps that is a good thing," Black Wolf smiled shyly.
"Yes my brother. It is good. You are a good match for her."
After a good night sleep, Black Wolf got up early to return to the Arapaho camp.
Nakota grabbed his arm, shook it and smiled, "Go with the Creator."
"Be careful my brother." Black Wolf smiled. "I will join you when she leaves."
"Good. We will be ready." Nakota smiled. "Tell my wife and children I love them more than my life and I will return, hopefully soon."
Black Wolf nodded, said goodbye to his men and left.
Chapter Fourteen
It took a week's ride back and Black Wolf was anxious to get this over and done with. Still seeing Sasha again would be nice, he thought to himself. He mused over how quickly he'd fallen in love with her. And every day he seemed to love her more but making her understand how he felt was difficult. He could not rush her, for she had loved another and she needed time to get over him.
He'd missed her every day, dreamed of her every night. He wondered if her heart had softened some for him. He wanted to make a good marriage and yet he knew he could not push her too quickly.
She had a mind of her own, and he loved that, still, sometimes her thinking got in way of her feeling.
He knew he should concentrate on getting Big Knife, but the closer to home he got the more he hurried to be with Sasha.
When he rode into the Arapaho camp, many gathered. around Black Wolf. Many greeted him and he spoke with a few that he knew. He glanced around for Sasha and saw Naomie in the crowd. He shot her a frown.
Naomie raised her head proudly and shot him a sexy smile.
Sasha sauntered through the crowd, her steps slow, her body moving fluidly through the crowd of people and they made way for her. She stopped a few feet away. She stood directly in front of him, her gaze lifting to his, a slow burning smile to her lips. For a moment they just stared not saying a word. Then suddenly, she moved closer, her arms going up, reaching for him. As his arms welcomed her, her lips grazed his neck as she sighed with pleasure and whispered softly, "He's gone!"
Black Wolf could hear the pain in her words. He wrapped his arms around her tight, holding the back of her head to him as he squeezed her tighter to him. His face contorted and a tear slipped down his cheek. When she moved to look at him, and saw the tear fall down his cheek, she leaned to kiss him, long and sweetly. The crowd around them sighed with happiness at their love.
Long minutes later, he took her hand and they walked to the tepee. The crowd dispersed quickly. "I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you!" He said as soon as they were inside.
"I'm so glad you are still alive," she smiled. "I've been worried about you and Nakota."
"Nakota is fine, he awaits my return."
"Oh, you are going back?" she asked, whirling around to look at him.
"I must, but I have something to do first."
"What's that?" she asked, not looking at him, as the sight of him filled her with such a longing she didn't quite understand. And the news that he wouldn't be staying long hit her hard too.