Savage Winter by Constance O'Banyon Read Free Book Online Page A

chose me to be the lover of the Flaming Hair. I have everything I could want when I hold you in my arms, Joanna.”
    She threw back her head and laughed up at him. “The spirits did not choose you…I did! After the first day we met, I was the one who wanted you. I did not know it at the time, but now I do.”
    “Did I not stand a chance of getting away, then?” Windhawk asked in a light and teasing voice.
    Her hand moved up to touch his dark hair. “No, you never stood a chance. Had you but known it then, there was no way for you to get away from me.”
    Joanna felt his hands span her waist and he lifted her up over his head and then let her slide down the length of his body. “No,” he whispered, touching his lips lightly to hers, “I never stood a chance.”
    Joanna saw that there were now others who walked by the river and she moved away from Windhawk and sat downon the grass. “How is Tag doing, Windhawk? He seems so happy…is he being well accepted by the other young boys? It matters to him a great deal that they like him.”
    Windhawk sat down beside her and took her hand in his. “I am very proud of your brother, Joanna. When we have a son, I hope he will be like Tag. The others think of him as a Blackfoot. He is daring and brave and is never afraid to test his courage.”
    “I am glad. Sometimes, I worry about him, but he is happy and that is the most important thing, do you not think?”
    “Yes, this is important,” he agreed. “I have been wanting to talk to you about Tag, and I think now is a good time.” He paused, wondering how to tell her what Tag wanted to do.
    “I am listening.”
    “…Joanna, four of my warriors are going up into the Canada. It will be a mission where they take several young boys to teach them many things about survival. It is considered a great honor for a young boy to be selected to go…Tag has been selected.”
    Joanna was quiet for a moment. When she spoke, Windhawk could hear the concern in her voice. “What would Tag do and how long would he be gone?” she asked at last.
    “He would be gone for several months, and he would learn how to live under the most primitive conditions. I would ask that you think carefully before you decide, Joanna. Tag would be exposed to many dangers, but he would be taught how to meet those dangers. I think it would be good for him to go…and he has asked that I talk to you about it. I told him if you said no, he must accept your decision as final, and he has agreed to this.”
    “Did you go on such a venture when you were a boy?” Joanna wanted to know, wishing she could just say no and get it over with. It was hard for her not to be overprotective where her brother was concerned. She knew that Tag would benefit by such an experience, but still her heart felt heavy.
    “Yes, I was younger than Tag when I went on the journey of learning.”
    “What do you think I should say?”
    “I cannot tell you what is best for your brother. This you will have to decide for yourself.”
    Again, Joanna lapsed into silence. She knew in her heart that she would have to allow Tag to go. Raising her face to Windhawk, she sighed. “You can tell Tag that I have given my consent. He can go on the journey.”
    Windhawk took her hand and placed it against his cheek. “I somehow knew you would make the right choice. This will be a valuable lesson for your brother. It will get him through many hard times in his life.”
    “I do not know what Tag would have done had it not been for you, Windhawk. When he needed the guidance of a man, you were always there for him. I am very grateful to you for caring about him.”
    “It is easy to love the boy; he is very like his sister,” Windhawk said, pulling her into his arms.
    Joanna’s head was resting against Windhawk’s chest, and she could hear the drumming of his heart. She thought how greatly this man had touched her life as well as Tag’s. Joanna loved him with all her heart. Surely he was a man like no