“Leaning her head back, she began her nightly ritual, wringing the rag to trickle the scented water along her throat and over… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“You will drink?” “No,” she whispered. Hunter uncapped the gourd and pressed it upon her. “You must drink, Blue Eyes.” “No.” Hunter… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“Loretta reached him and dropped to her knees, trying to gather him into her arms. Dead weight. She couldn’t lift him. Blood,… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“Loretta’s shoulders slumped in defeat. With numb hands she lowered the rifle to the dirt. A nasty grin twisted Hunter’s mouth. “So… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“From the moment she had stepped out from her wooden walls, the path ahead of him had been clearly marked, but he… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“Why would he think I’d steal you away? I’m the one victimized, the one who left her family.” “This saddens your heart?”… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“Your wooden walls are far away, Yellow Hair. If you try to slip away, this Comanche will find you.” Until that moment,… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“They would find their way west, just as the prophecy had foretold. She knew they would. The Comanche nation was doomed. There… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“Somewhat revived by the water she had been forced to consume, Loretta sat astride the mare, suffering the confines of Hunter’s arm… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“I don’t know why you even want me!” A sad smile twisted his mouth as he recalled how she had walked out… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“So we go to fight, do we?” “I go.” “Then we go with you.” Hog fastened his gaze on the huddled shape… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“Ice. Loretta sucked in a whine of air as the shock of water washed over her body. A warm arm encircled her… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“I am Comanche, yes? A mo-cho-rook , cruel one. This is what you run from? A heathen. A man who will beat… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“Your heart holds great love for her.” “Yes. Those terrible men-- She’s just a little girl. They’ve already had her for eight… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“You are Comanche now, yes?” he said hopefully. “One with us.” Indefinable emotions played across her face. “I’m married to a Comanche.… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“While he finished his meal, Loretta consoled herself by hugging her knees, acutely aware that he watched her. A meadowlark warbled nearby,… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“As Red Buffalo disappeared into the darkness, Hunter’s hand, which was riding Loretta’s thickened waist, tightened. He glanced down, his brows lifting… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“From the hilltop Loretta watched the lone man walking toward her from the village. Relief flooded through her when she recognized Hunter’s… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“The snake writhed and hissed as Hunter lifted it from the pallet. For a moment he held it aloft. Then he looked… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“That night after supper, Loretta sat by the fire, using an overturned bucket as a stool, a mug of gritty coffee cupped… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“The Comanche rode in a wide circle around the frightened, riderless horses and tossed Amy into the arms of a fellow Indian… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“Hunter turned toward her and looped an arm around her waist. His eyes were dark splashes in the moonlight. “Blue Eyes, it… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“I come for the woman,” the Comanche repeated, never taking his gaze from her. “And I bring my finest horses to console… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“What’sa matter? You afraid I’ll get too friendly if I find out you’ve been pleasurin’ Comanches?” Struggling to stay calm, she said,… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“Frightened and horribly frustrated, Loretta sank onto a rock and hugged her knees. Think. Amy’s life depended on it. And so did… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“When the shot rang out, she jerked as if the ball had plowed into her own body. The blast echoed and reechoed,… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“We must go west. Alone, Blue Eyes, leaving all that we are behind. All those we love, your people, my people.” Loretta… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“You must also remember the yellow-hair may give you many more children than a Comanche woman. Take care or you could father… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“You’re plumb addled, stealin’ off like this from a Comanche husband. Don’t you got an inklin’ of what he’ll do when he… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“Were the Comanches still out there, hidden from sight but watching? Was that lance a message from Hunter to his people? I… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“Hunter made the time pass more quickly by teaching her things while they rode: how to find water by watching the birds… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“Your wooden walls are far away, Yellow Hair. If you try to slip away, this Comanche will find you.” Until that moment,… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“Do not fight.” His voice was so close, it seemed to come from within her own mind. “You cannot win, eh? Rest.”… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share Image
“You’d better keep her tied.” “Why?” A yawn stretched Hunter’s dark face. “Because she’s looking skittish.” “She’s naked.” Sheathing his knife, Hunter flopped on… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share
“I have such great love for you, little one. Such great love.” “I love you just as much, Hunter. I thought I’d die when… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share
“Blue Eyes, you will say yes to me?” “Tonight? Now?” “Yes, tonight. Before this time between us passes.” When she sat, silent, watching, Hunter… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share
“My heart is filled with great love for you,” he whispered. Tears sprang to Loretta’s eyes. She couldn’t name the emotion that caused them,… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share
“I’m in no need of matrimony, Father. I still have my honor.” Hunter jerked her to his side and, in an ominously even voice,… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share
“You know, I should start thinking on names. I have to be over two months gone. A name is important. Especially for this baby.”… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share
“As he tightened his embrace around her, he knew he'd made the right choice. He held the whole world in his arms.” — Catherine Anderson Copy Share
“You will tell your sons and daughters about me, yes?” Hunter wished he could weep, but the tears were dammed behind his lids, aching… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share
“Speaking of pits in plum pudding, do you remember your sister’s first attempt? Your grandfather broke off his only remaining tooth trying to eat… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share
“You ever seen what they do to a captive white woman? If you ask me, them Injuns got exactly what was coming to ’em.”… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share
“I would like to make arrangements with you--to take her as my wife. Not right away, of course. When she grows old enough.” The… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share
“ Toquet , it is well, little one. It is finished, eh?” She panted, tossing her head. “It h-hurts!” “It will pass,” he assured… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share
“Make a story for me, yes? About my Loh-rhett-ah when she was small like Blackbird.” She stared at him, clearly unable to believe he… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share
“He ran his palm up the curve of her back and then removed his arm from around her, amused at how swiftly she rolled… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share
“Another uplifting development was Amy’s recovery from her ordeal. Loretta could scarcely believe how quickly the child was regaining her former gaiety, and she… — Catherine Anderson Copy Share
