Yellowstone Heart Song (Yellowstone Romance Series Book 1) (16 page)

Daniel cleared his throat, annoyed by the women’s teasing.  Irrationally, he was irritated by their presence. Aimee appeared to be getting along just fine without him. He wanted to be the one she sought, yet there she was, sitting with the other women, having an apparently good time. His sister-in-law had read him correctly, though. At the moment, he could think of nothing he wanted to do more than sweep Aimee into his arms and truly claim her as his.

“You are well?” he managed to ask.

“Yes, your family has been wonderful,” Aimee replied softly. Her complete acceptance of these people made his heart swell, and overwhelming desire for her swept through him. He gave a quick nod, and then turned and left the cabin before his body betrayed his thoughts, which would only give the women more fuel for their jokes.

The women soon emerged from the cabin to help with preparations for the celebratory feast. Aimee stayed alongside Little Bird, and watched her grind nuts and berries. She helped make cakes, and sliced meat to hang over cooking fires and in pits that were dug into the ground.

Daniel watched her from afar, and tried in vain to conceal the hunger in his eyes. She showed none of the disdain against the Indians that he had encountered from whites back east. Aimee was genuinely warm and friendly with these people who were like family to him. She obviously loved children. She played games with the younger ones, and each time she held Elk Runner’s infant in her arms, a new wave of desire spread through him.

He tried not to think about what it would be like to see her holding a child, their child, in her arms. That could never happen. His white mother had died in this wilderness, giving birth to him. No matter how she dressed, or her abilities on the trail, Aimee was still a white woman. Like a beautiful spring flower, she would wither and die in these mountains. Neither lasted long in this harsh environment.

****

The people broke camp early the next morning. Aimee and Daniel stood by as the group prepared to depart. Aimee gave Gentle Sun and Little Bird a warm hug in farewell.

“I wish I understood their language, and could speak with them,” she said when they were alone again. “I think I did learn a few words, though,
Dosa bia’isa
.” She glanced up at him expectantly. Daniel’s eyebrows raised in surprise.

“I know that’s what they call you, and they call me
Dosa haiwi
, although I don’t know what these words mean.”

Daniel smiled. “To the Tukudeka, I am known as White Wolf, and Elk Runner gave you the name White Dove. But I prefer to call you
gediki
.”

“Meaning?” She faced him, her hands on her hips.

“It refers to a wild cat.” Daniel’s look dared her to have a sharp comeback. She had none. His little nickname gave her the warm fuzzies all over even as she wondered if being referred to as a wild cat was flattering or not.

“Well, I . . . ah, think I’d better change out of this dress and back into my practical clothes.” Lost for words, she rushed to the cabin, leaving Daniel to stare after her.

Chapter 14

Several days later, Aimee knelt at the banks of the river, a large pile of clothing next to her. She dipped her shirts and pants in the water, and sparingly dribbled some soap on them, then rubbed the fabric together vigorously to scrub everything clean. She’d grabbed several of Daniel’s shirts as well. Inspecting the garments, she wished she had some thread and needles to patch up some of the holes in them.

“Aimee.”

She glanced up at the sound of her name.  Daniel had returned early from one of his forays. He looked as if he must have run for quite a while. He breathed hard, and his hair was a mess. He stopped in front of the cabin, and waved her to him. The urgent look on his face startled her, and she rushed to his side.

“What is it?” she asked anxiously.

“Bring your wash,” he commanded.

Aimee headed back to the river to retrieve the pile of wet clothes while pondering his distressed behavior.

“Stay in the cabin, and don’t make a sound to give away your presence,” Daniel said when she returned. His voice had an edge to it, and his body looked tense. “Do not come out until I come for you.”

“Why, what is it?” The insistence in his voice made her nervous.

“Do as I tell you for once. Give me your word that you won’t leave this cabin for any reason until I get you,” he repeated.

“Daniel, I don’t understand why . . .”

“Your word!” he growled impatiently. “Or I will bind you to your bed and gag you.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll stay put,” she said in exasperation. He stared at her for a moment, then shoved her inside the cabin and pulled the door shut. Why didn’t he just tell her what this was about?

She paced nervously, then sat on the bed and strained her ears to listen. Was it Blackfoot? If they were being attacked, shouldn’t Daniel be in the cabin with her, rather than face them out there alone?

Outside, the rhythmic thudding sound of an ax repeatedly striking wood carried into the cabin.
He’s chopping wood? What the heck is going on?
She left the bed. Her hand was on the door handle when she heard a strange voice with a French accent called out “hello the camp.” Overcome with curiosity, she clenched her fists at her side, and sat on her bed to stay away from the window. She lay down, and stared at the ceiling, trying to listen. Why was Daniel hiding her away from visitors? He didn’t hide her from the Indians. 

*****

 Outside, Daniel stood by the woodpile. He swung his ax with more force than necessary to split the logs on the chopping block. His rifle lay within easy reach at his feet. A voice called out from behind, and he turned. Two white trappers rode their horses into the yard.

They arrived sooner than he’d expected. He had stumbled across their tracks earlier in the day, and followed them for half the morning. When it became obvious they were heading for his cabin, he had cut through the forest to head them off. Until he knew whom he was dealing with, he had to keep Aimee hidden away. He couldn’t take the chance of them finding out about her. Perhaps he should have tied her up. She never listened to him. He didn’t want to think about what might happen if these men saw her. He knew he wouldn’t hesitate to spill their blood to keep her safe.

Daniel walked out to meet the men. He called a greeting to each one of them in turn.

“Daniel Osborne, it has been a long time,” one of the men said with a thick French accent, and reached his arm out. Daniel shook his hand heartily. Without being invited, the trapper dismounted his horse. The other man did the same. “You are well?”

“I am well Francoise,” Daniel replied. “How are you, my friend?”

“Very well, very well,” the Frenchman smiled brightly, exposing stained teeth.  “How is your father? We did not see him last month in St. Louis.”

“Oh? You must have crossed paths. Presumably he is still there. He doesn’t like to admit it to me, but I believe, as he is getting older he prefers city life to the mountains. Something he always swore would never happen.” They all laughed. The three men slipped into conversation that was a mixture of French and English.

“He is more likely enjoying the company of the ladies.” Francoise stroked his goatee smugly. “That is something sorely lacking up here. The Shoshoni do not like to share their women. The Absaroka, on the other hand,” he smiled, showing more of his rotten teeth, “they will accommodate any visitor with a woman for the night. The unfortunate thing is, they won’t let you take one with you. A man gets pretty lonely up here, especially in the winter. A woman to keep the bed warm at night would be nice.”

Daniel cursed inwardly.

“Word in the mountains is that you have taken a wife, Daniel.” Françoise leered.

“Who told you that?” An overwhelming urge to hit something, or someone, washed over Daniel.

“We met a group of Absaroka two days ago, and heard the most curious story,” Françoise said, rubbing his chin some more. “One of them said you had taken a wife. And not just any woman, but a white woman.”

Daniel’s hands itched to wrap around that damn Absaroka’s neck and choke the life out of him for having such a loose tongue.

“It is about time that a young man such as yourself takes a wife. It is not good to live such a solitary life. I remember when I was your age, I sometimes serviced two or three women in one night.” He and his companion slapped each other on the back, laughing. “I’m not sure I could do that anymore, eh, Pierre?”

“Sit and have some coffee,” Daniel said, trying to hide his growing annoyance. He gripped his ax handle until his knuckles turned white, and motioned to the coffee pot on the tripod over the fire pit.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Daniel,” the man named Pierre said, and poured himself some coffee. The three sat down around the fire.

“So, is it true?” Pierre asked, his eyes darting around the yard.

“I have taken a wife, yes,” Daniel conceded. He had to think fast. This was a complication he wasn’t prepared for.

“Where did you find a white woman, Daniel?”

“I traded her from a river man up on the Missouri,” he lied smoothly.

“It would have been wiser to marry a Shoshoni, Daniel. You are practically one of them.”

“If you tire of her, we will take her off your hands,” Pierre offered. “I’m sure we can make good use of her, eh, Françoise?” They laughed again. “Where is she? Let’s have a look at her.” Both Frenchmen turned their heads in all directions.

“My wife,” Daniel said slowly in a cold, quiet voice, “is none of your concern. And if you speak of her again in an insulting manner, you won’t walk out of this camp alive.”

“We meant no disrespect.” Françoise laughed nervously and waved a hand in defense. “A woman of beauty is rare to behold in these mountains, and we only wished to make your bride’s acquaintance.”

Daniel’s eyes narrowed as he nodded. He tried not to let the tension show on his face. His muscles were coiled tight as a snake ready to strike. He would have loved nothing better than to beat these men into the ground.

After exchanging nervous glances, the two Frenchmen quickly changed the subject, and talked about good beaver trapping areas, the growing demand for fur in the east and across the ocean, and mutual acquaintances. Finally, they said their farewells.

“Give our regards to your father, Daniel, and perhaps we can meet your bride next time,” Francoise said, waving as they mounted their horses and rode on. Daniel kept his eyes on them until they disappeared into the forest. Only then did he go to his cabin. When he opened the door, Aimee bolted upright from her prone position on the bed.

“That was quite a story you told those men,” was the first thing out of her mouth. “Since when am I your wife?”

“If you understood that, surely you heard them talk about what they would like to do to you,” Daniel said with disgust.

“You really think they were going to just jump me?” Aimee persisted.

“Believe me, you don’t want to meet men like those two.” Daniel scoffed. “And I didn’t wish to kill two men because of you today.” He ran his hands through his hair and paced the small cabin like a caged animal.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“What will it take to convince you?” Daniel whirled around and snarled at her. “Animals like that have only one thing on their minds when they see a woman. And one look at you would make them behave like bull elk during the fall rut. Is that what you want? To have them leering at you with nothing on their minds but you on the ground on your back?” He turned abruptly and stormed out. He had to get his emotions under control. The thought of what men like that would do if they laid eyes on a beautiful woman like Aimee caused the blood to boil in his veins.

“Hey, no need to get so worked up. They’re gone now,” Aimee said from behind him a moment later. He turned to face her.

“I will follow their trail for a day and make sure they leave the area,” he said gruffly. He inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself. He studied her face for a moment. “I will not let any harm come to you,” he added as if to himself.

“I know that, Daniel.” Aimee smiled softly. She placed her hand on his upper arm. It was an innocent gesture, but the sensation was like a jolt of lightning, even through the fabric of his shirt. His body reacted instantly. He swallowed hard and cleared his throat. Right now, his emotions spiraled out of control.

“Aw, hell!” In one fluid movement he pulled her to him, one hand at the back of her head, his other arm coiled around her waist. He tilted her head and claimed her mouth with the hunger born of weeks of pent-up desire for this woman. Kissing her like a starved man who’d finally been given a morsel of food, Daniel savored the feel of her soft body pressed to his. It’s what he’d longed to do since he first laid eyes on her. She squirmed in his embrace, and the pleading noises that came from her throat finally brought him back to his senses. Dear God! What was he doing? Had he completely lost his mind? Apparently so, where this woman was concerned. He was doing exactly what he wanted to protect her from. How long had she struggled to get him to stop? His blinding need overruled everything else. She was so small, she didn’t stand a chance against him. How easy it would be to just take her. The thought scared the hell out of him. Abruptly, he broke away from her. Disgusted with himself, he released a string of curses and quickly headed into the trees behind the cabin.

*****

 Aimee gasped, struggling to control her breathing and racing heart. She wanted to call him back, to run after him, but her mouth and her legs wouldn’t obey. She just stood there, stunned by what had happened. She definitely hadn’t been prepared for Daniel’s unexpected onslaught, and had just stood there stiffly, crushed against his hard body. The primal assault on her mouth had ignited a fire in her veins and her body began to melt.

Aimee fervently wished this wasn’t simply Daniel trying to make a point. He was trying to intimidate her, make her see that she was no match for a man’s assault. But God help her, the desire that had built in her as he slashed his lips across hers was more powerful than an impending eruption of Old Faithful.

She’d wanted desperately to wrap her arms around him and respond to his kiss. Her arms had been trapped, however, against his chest, and the more she tried to squirm to free them, the tighter his hold on her had become.  She had yearned for his touch for weeks. Her body was still liquid fire, but this was not how she had envisioned their first kiss.

She should be appalled at what he had done, her common sense told her. This was not a lover’s kiss, yet it hadn’t exactly been brutal, either. Her lips tingled from the assault. What would a true kiss of passion feel like? Her body was still a molten mass of goo at the sensations he evoked. 

As her breathing returned to normal, she realized that he had successfully made his point. She was completely helpless if a man tried to have his way with her here. No, not any man, just this man.