Read Online Dark Warrior: To Tame a Wild Hawk (Dark Cloth) by Lenore Wolfe - Free Book Online

know,” she almost whispered, looking down at her hands. “And I suspected you were going to say that again, even though you didn’t put it in those exact words before. But in Cord’s store, he was a gunslinger. And you know, and I know, he’s played that part before—been dressed in those clothes before. Aren’t you afraid of what that means?” Meg’s cracked-glass-blue eyes were intent and earnest. “It means you are to marry a white Indian with a hidden agenda,” she went on, “masquerading as a gunslinger. And from what I saw,” she emphasized her point by leaning in towards Mandy, “he’s good at it.” She stood and moved closer to Mandy. “Is this really supposed to be better than marrying McCandle? Tell me if I’m wrong. Because, I fail to see how trading in one killer for another is supposed to make your predicament better.”
    “I know, Meg.” Mandy took her friend’s hand in hers. “But I’ve loved this man all my life.”
    Meagan’s mouth dropped open for a second time.
    “We have been together in other lifetimes,” Mandy went on. “And together, we will defeat McCandle in this lifetime too, turning him from his hell bent path. This time we must win, once and for all. This cannot be allowed to go around again for another lifetime. And here, he has been allowed to reign as a powerful cattle baron, terrorizing families, for much too long.”
    Meg frowned. “I’m always amazed at how well you remember the lives you have lived before this one.” She looked deflated and happy at the same time. “I hope I’ll feel what you feel one day, even for a little while. To love a man for many lifetimes . . . .” She shook her head in wonder.
    It was Mandy’s turn to frown. “You’re not going to marry that man your father arranged for you, are you, Meg?”
    “Will I have a choice? When I’m penniless and begging in the streets?”
    “I would never let that happen to you! Don’t you dare marry that monster.”
    Meg smiled at Mandy. “You’re so brave. I’ve always admired that about you.”
    “So are you,” Mandy scolded. “You just don’t realize it.” She stood and hugged her friend. “Promise me you won’t do anything rash,” Mandy begged. “Besides, you’re meant for a different destiny.” She wrinkled her nose, smiling.
    Meg frowned at her, then shook her head as though she didn’t even want to try to figure that one out. “I promise.” She walked to the door of the kitchen. She turned back. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
    “I just have to get his fever down,” Mandy told her, washing their cups and putting them up to dry. “Besides, you already have enough to do, caring for your grandmother.”
    Meg smiled, crossing to hug her friend once more. “I’ll be back to visit again soon. I’ve an idea this is going to get interesting. And I don’t want to miss the party.”
    Mandy went back in to check Hawk. His fever seemed lower, and she sighed in relief.
    He talked a lot in his sleep, in both Lakota and Cheyenne, most of which she understood. She shook her head. He had loved his Cheyenne family deeply. He rambled on, on several occasions, about deadly white-man’s diseases.
    At times, she wept for him. At times, she wept with him, especially when he relived the deaths of the woman and the boy. At the moment, he was mumbling something about a man who kept leading him around in circles, killing the people he loved.
    Mandy frowned. She thought about McCandle.
    Be careful, child. There is great danger ahead of you both.
    ***
    When next Hawk woke, it was full daylight. All the curtains, as well as the windows, were open. A fresh summer breeze tugged playfully at the frilly, lace material, filling the room with the scent of wildflowers. The sun shone brightly, promising a warm summer day.
    He looked around and found her writing in a leather-backed journal in her lap. He lay there, watching her, for several minutes before she lost her concentration enough to