Savage Winter by Constance O'Banyon Read Free Book Online

would have to be a complete imbecile to go against Windhawk. My God, man, this isn’t Philadelphia! Windhawk will see you dead if you don’t give up this foolhardy notion!”
    Howard gazed out the fort gate to the vast prairie lands beyond the fort. “Joanna is somewhere out there, Captain. I know about some men’s greed for gold. I will have little trouble finding such a man. Besides, I don’t believe there is some damned Indian chief who strikes terror in everyone’s heart.”
    “Oh, Windhawk’s real all right, but you’ll find that out for yourself. Lord help you if you do succeed in getting Tag and Joanna away from him. There won’t be anywhere on God’s green earth you can hide to escape Windhawk’s wrath…I can promise you that.”
    Howard laughed contemptuously. “I can see the army has become frightened of a myth. After all that’s said and done, Windhawk is still just a man.”
    “You are deluding yourself if you believe that. You haven’t the slightest notion whom you are dealing with. Ask any of the trappers or buffalo hunters about Windhawk when you get to Fort Union. They will be able to tell you stories that will keep you awake at night, Mr. Landon.”
    Howard shook his head. “If you will excuse me, I think I’ll set about finding a guide to escort me to Fort Union. It’s for damn sure I’ll get no help from the army. I find very little comfort in knowing that men like you, Captain Thatcher, are all that stands between the rest of us and the Indians!”
    Harland glared at Joanna’s uncle. “You’ll need more than just comfort from the army if you ever come up against Windhawk, Mr. Landon.”
    Windhawk’s Blood Blackfoot had made their camp along the Milk River among the Sweetgrass Hills. The summer breezes that blew down from the nearby mountains and across the land brought with them the pleasant odor of blooming wildflowers mixed with the fresh, clean aroma of the pine forest.
    The Blackfoot village was thriving with activity. The buffalo were plentiful this year, and there was meat to go around for everyone. Joanna worked tirelessly beside Windhawk’s mother and sister. The meat had to be butchered and cured and the skins prepared for later use.
    Each night, Joanna would fall asleep almost as soon as she lay down. She was finding the Indian woman’s way of life a hard one, but she felt good knowing she was making a home for Windhawk. How far she had come from the girl she had once been!
    Joanna could often see pride in Windhawk’s mother’s eyes as she worked alongside her, and she knew she was truly accepted as Windhawk’s wife and Sun Woman’s daughter. The Blackfoot were an outgoing and loving people, and they didn’t hesitate to show their feelings. Joanna found no difference in the way Sun Woman treated her and the way she treated her own daughter, Morning Song.
    Tag was having the time of his life. Windhawk had taken it upon himself to see that Tag learned as much as he could about the Blackfoot ways. He would often take Tag on buffalo hunts and trained him with the bow and lance. Joannacould see Tag growing more confident in his ability under Windhawk’s strong guiding hand.
    It was early evening as Joanna and Windhawk walked beside the river. The night was dark, with no moon to lend its light to the deep shadows. Thousands of stars seemed to twinkle in the ebony skies.
    Windhawk took Joanna’s hand and turned her to face him. “You are quiet tonight, Joanna,” he said, drawing her into his arms.
    She sighed contentedly, laying her head on his shoulder. “I was just thinking how peaceful it is here. I cannot explain to you how I feel. I was thinking today how much I love the people of your tribe.”
    His chin rested on the top of her head and he smiled. “What about me? Do you also love me?”
    She raised her head and touched her lips to his cheek. “You I love more than I can say.”
    He laughed deeply and hugged her to him. “Sometimes, I wonder why the spirits