Wind Rider by Connie Mason Read Free Book Online

beholden to any man. Meanwhile, she had no choice but to do as Wind Rider directed. A short time later, when she heard rifle shots reverberate across the plains, she started vio lently, until she recalled Wind Rider’s intention to hunt for their supper. When she returned with the wood he was gutting and skinning a fat rabbit. She sat down on a log to watch him as he finished with that rabbit and started on another.
    “You speak English amazingly well,” she said idly, fascinated by the movement of his strong hands and nimble fingers.
    He sent her an austere look. “The white man’s tongue is not difficult to master.”
    Hannah stared at him. “Is your mother white? Did you inherit your silver eyes from her? Did she teach you to speak English?”
    Annoyed by her infernal questions, Wind Rid er slashed his hand in the air. “Quiet! Are all white women so nosy? A Cheyenne would never inquire into another’s past. I am Cheyenne; that is all you need to know.”
    “But you don’t look .
    “You are brave, Hannah McLin. I could kill you without remorse. I have killed before and would not hesitate to do so again.”
    What Wind Rider didn’t say was that he’d never in his life killed or harmed a woman or child. Killing pony soldiers who had attacked his people was one thing, but he had yet to par ticipate in an attack on settlers. His own sister and her husband, Zach Mercer, were settlers who lived not far from Denver.
    Fear shuddered through Hannah. She did not doubt that Wind Rider was capable of performing every vile atrocity attributed to Indians. His words made her think seriously of escape. Lowering her lashes to shutter her thoughts, she desperately searched for a plan. Obviously, she needed more information.
    “When will we reach your village?” Hannah asked after Wind Rider had spitted the rabbits and set them over the fire to cook.
    “If we encounter no delays, we will reach Red Cloud’s camp tomorrow.”
    “Who is Red Cloud?”
    “He is a great Sioux chief.”
    Hannah fell silent, realizing that she wasn’t going to get much from Wind Rider in the way of conversation.
    Wind Rider watched Hannah warily. She was too nosy by far, he decided. He should either kill her or let her go, but unfortunately he could do neither. Killing her definitely didn’t appeal to him, and letting her go would be tantamount to a death sentence, for she was ill-prepared to survive on her own. Besides, she’d likely be captured by someone who would delight in torturing and killing her after using her body to satisfy his blood lust for white flesh.
    Wind Rider tested the rabbits, found them done to a turn, and ripped one into pieces. He offered Hannah a share, which she accepted with alacrity and tore into with relish. Juice ran down her chin, but she didn’t stop to wipe it away until the last morsel had been chewed and swallowed. She looked at the remaining rabbit with such longing, Wind Rider offered her a share of that one, too. He had hoped to save it for their morning meal, but Hannah’s ravenous appetite changed his mind. He felt scathing contempt for the girl’s master, who obviously had starved her and worked her excessively. White men puzzled him. He didn’t understand why whites were allowed to mistreat one of their own so severely.
    Kneeling beside the stream, Hannah washed her hands and face, then searched for a place to bed down. Wind Rider placed a blanket beneath a tree and walked to the water’s edge. Wading into waist-deep water, he submerged himself briefly, then rose like a golden statue and, ignoring Hannah, walked into the nearby willows for a moment of privacy. When he returned Hannah was sitting on a log beside the fire.
    “Lie down,” Wind Rider said gruffly. He jerked his head toward the blanket. Hannah ignored him. “I am tired. I wish to sleep.”
    “Go ahead,” Hannah said carelessly.
    Wind Rider’s eyes glittered dangerously. “Do not defy me, woman. I do not trust you. Lie down.” His