Read Online Captive Eden by Brenda Williamson - Free Book Online

but as long as Brant wasn’t standing there
naked, Charlie wouldn’t be too shocked.
    “Mama,” Charlie shouted again.
    “Over here,” she answered.
    Charlie rushed into the clearing.
    “Brant, why is he alone? It’s not safe for him to come this
far by himself.”
    “You were to stay in the village,” Brant gently scolded
Charlie and then he turned to Eden. “I will remind my mother and my brother
that Charlie shouldn’t be left on his own until he understands the dangers.”
    Eden had no argument. The Indians were used to letting small
children run free and unattended in and around the village. They’d not know
that Charlie wasn’t as careful or wary of his surroundings. She had to trust
Brant would not overlook that detail again.
    “Mama, did Papa tell you we saw a bear?”
    “That’s nice, dear.” She forced a smile, trying not to focus
on the fact that reinforced her concerns. “Now would you both turn around so I
can get out?”
    “Mama, did you hear me? I saw a bear and it was bigger than
Papa. Then I fell out of the canoe and…”
    “You fell into the river?” Eden hurried to get into the soft
leather dress, overwhelmed by the added distressing event.
    “Yeah, but I’m all right.”
    “Are you sure?” She rushed to squat down in front of him as
she held the ties of the doeskin against her shoulder.
    “Sure, Mama.”
    Brant took over fastening the dress while she ran a hand
over Charlie’s forehead and pushed his hair back, searching for bruises.
    “A bear and falling in the river?” She rose and pulled
Charlie away from Brant. “I knew something like that might happen. You were supposed
to keep him safe. How could you not tell me, Brant Sullette?”
    Charlie snickered and she didn’t understand why.
    “He was not hurt, Eden.” Brant too had a smile.
    She suspected it was a joke between father and son, but she
could not let go the seriousness of the incident.
    “There’s nothing funny about this. He could have drowned. I
don’t want you to take him in that canoe again.” She pulled Charlie snug to her
side.
    “Mama, I’m not a baby anymore,” Charlie whined.
    “You want we should turn him into a squaw?” Brant charged,
folding his arms.
    “Charlie, go wait for me over by those rocks while I talk to
your father.” She pointed out the direction.
    “It was my fault he fell in the river, Eden.” Brant said.
“He was never in any danger of drowning. I was to him in seconds.”
    “He knows nothing of the wilderness, Brant.” She tried to
ignore the way his gaze drifted over her.
    “He will learn.” He glanced at her bare feet.
    “Stop eyeing me as if you want to devour me,” she insisted,
intent on making him realize how upset she was.
    “But I do.” He took her hand and pressed a kiss to the
center of her palm.
    “You’ve already had me three times in less than twenty-four
hours.”
    “And I will have you another three before the sun sets.”
    A shiver of anticipation eased her anger. “Brant, be serious
for a moment. He doesn’t know what dangers there are with animals, the land or people.
You have to watch him every minute of every day.”
    “I promise I will keep one eye on him and the other on you.”
He grinned.
    She’d forgotten about the dimples in his cheeks when he was
happy.
    He cupped her face. “Do you like the dress?” He fingered the
edge along her collarbone.
    “I love it.” She nuzzled her cheek to his palm.
    His fingers slid over the pattern of beads that trailed
between her breasts. “This symbol is of our marriage. I had planned to give you
a proper Indian wedding in the autumn. I don’t know how many times I sat at
night holding this dress, wishing I had given it too you sooner. I kept it all
these years, hoping you’d come back to me.”
    “I found other items of mine in the box.” She moved in
closer to him. “Things I left behind.”
    “I liked to keep you close. Over the years, as I spent time
waiting for you, watching the