Brave Beginnings Read online

  If there was any way I could get rid of her… The white man made promises, but she had yet to see them come to fruition. She caught sight of a white man up ahead and stopped walking. Narrowing her eyes, she waited as Noah walked over to her.

  “Take Julia,” she told Noah. “She not part of tribe!”

  Noah cleared his throat and adjusted his vest. “Yes, well, that’s why I’m here.”

  Sarita’s eyes lit up. She’d given up all hope that this mysterious boss would take Julia away from the tribe so that she could have Chogan to herself. “You take her. Today?”

  Noah rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “My boss…Ernest…is ready.”

  “But?”

  “It’s not right. Julia’s already married.”

  She grunted and rolled her eyes. “Julia stole my man. He not marry her if she not…”—she searched for the right word—“bewitched him. You people say ‘bewitched’. Is correct word, yes?”

  He grimaced and fidgeted from one foot to the other.

  She walked up to him and placed her hands on her hips. “I try to get rid of her. It not work. You get rid of her. I do not care how. Just do it!”

  Sighing in resignation, he said, “Where is she?”

  “She go out with my man. They go that way.” She pointed north. “I cannot go. People watch me.”

  “But I don’t know where to go.”

  Sarita groaned impatiently. The man was slow to understand her. “I know path. I not able to get away before. Now I can.” Thanks to the careful eyes of her family, she wasn’t able to leave the lodge until Chogan and Julia left. With any luck, Chogan would be coming back alone. Then she could comfort him, and he’d marry her.

  “You will meet my boss over here. By these bushes?” Noah asked.

  “When?”

  “Tomorrow. At this time?”

  She nodded. “I be here.” She expected him to leave as he had before when their conversations were over, but he stayed in place. “What you want?” she snapped, growing weary of this whole thing. So far, there’d only been promises of getting rid of Julia. She hoped the man wasn’t going to change his mind.

  Noah gave her a pleading look. “Can’t you marry someone else?”

  She slapped him. “I only marry one man. You get boss. I deal with him.” Hopefully, he wouldn’t be a weakling like the man who stood before her. “You no warrior.”

  He waited for a long moment before he said, “No. I’m not.”

  Satisfied, she watched him leave. Good. He didn’t back down this time. He would bring his boss out, and then tomorrow, once and for all, she could get rid of the thorn in her side.

  ***

  Julia unfastened the last button of her shirt and let it slip off her shoulders. Chogan leaned her back onto the grass and settled beside her. Sighing in contentment, she reached out and ran her hands along his bare chest, loving the strength beneath his skin. He pulled her closer and kissed her as his hand cupped her breast beneath her chemise. His tongue traced her lower lip, and she parted her lips for him, giving a light moan as he deepened the kiss.

  He lowered his hand and slipped it under her camisole. The skin on skin contact made her body tingle in anticipation. She couldn’t imagine another man touching her this way, and even as it was intimate to feel his thumb brush her nipple, it was wonderfully natural as well. Chogan was a part of her—the better part.

  Her hands descended until she felt the breechcloth around his waist. She loosened the belt that held the cloth in place and lowered the garment so that she could cup his erection in her hands. He groaned and shifted above her to give her better access to him. Sliding down the length of him, she squeezed him and worked her way slowly back up.

  Ending their kiss, he moved his lips to her ear, his breathing raspy as he whispered his love for her. Then his hand left her breast, traveled down her abdomen which was slightly round due to her fourth month of pregnancy, and then down to her skirt and two petticoats which he bunched up until they were around her waist.

  She let go of him so she could help him remove her bloomers. She expected him to enter her, but he left a trail of hot kisses down her neck and over her covered breasts. He suckled her nipples through the thin fabric of her chemise and the flesh between her legs pulsed for the need to be stroked. She wiggled against him, striving for the pressure that would ultimately bring her to a climax.

  He brought his hand to the apex between her legs and slid two fingers into her. She gasped and moved her hips so he could deepen his exploration. His mouth departed from her breasts and he moved lower so that he had full access to her sensitive flesh. While his fingers stroked her in lazy movements, slowly building the pressure within her core, his mouth traced the insides of her thighs. Running her fingers through his loose hair, she closed her eyes and gave into the sensations of their lovemaking.

  She wrapped her legs around his shoulders and lifted her hips when his lips touched her sensitive nub. Softly calling out his name, she urged him to continue, and his tongue brushed her nub, causing waves of pleasure to course through her. They’d made love partially clothed before, but here, out in the sun with the breeze caressing her skin, it felt far more sensual than she could ever recall.

  Groaning, she gave into the need to move her hips in rhythm to the stroking of his fingers as he made circular motions on her nub with his tongue. The moment seemed suspended as he continued to work, increasing the pressure and speed only to slow it down and then increase it all over again. The effect was so wonderful that she didn’t want it to end, and yet, when she felt her body nearing the peak of her pleasure, she cried out for him to keep going until she climaxed. As her flesh throbbed with satisfaction, she let out a moan, aware that his tongue and fingers still teased her in gentle movements, prolonging her pleasure until she drifted back to Earth.

  She felt weak as he moved above her so that he could enter her. His thickness filled her core and stroked her tender flesh. He seemed to be in no more hurry to bring himself to the peak than he’d been to bring her to her state of bliss. He slid as deep into her as he could, almost pulled himself all the way out, and then slid back in. His movements were purposeful and slow.

  After she gathered enough energy back, she rolled him onto his back, careful not to break their intimate connection. Her petticoats and skirt fell over their legs as she took over in moving over him. Placing his hands on her hips, he guided her along and groaned as he brought his hips up to thrust into her. Together they worked in unison until she heard him grunt and knew he had reached his peak. She stilled as he spilled his seed into her, taking note of his throbbing erection.

  She leaned forward so that she could kiss him. He wrapped his arms around her and returned her kiss. Then she settled her head on his shoulder, and they remained that way for a long time, content to enjoy being in each other’s arms.

  ~~********~~

  Chapter 33

  The next day, news of Ernest’s sudden disappearance spread through Bismarck like wildfire, and Conrad hastened to Ernest’s house with the search warrant in hand. Ernest’s disappearance meant bad things, Conrad knew, but until he could piece the puzzle together, he wouldn’t be able to bring Ernest to justice.

  On his way to Ernest’s residence, he saw a man leaving the Bismarck Tribune. “Excuse me, sir,” Conrad called out as he ran up to him. “You’re a reporter, aren’t you?”

  “I do some reporting from time to time. I’m working on a story now. Why?”

  “I have something you might find interesting. I’m a detective from Fargo, and I’ve been hired by a man to track down the person who murdered his daughter. The problem is, I haven’t been able to nail down the suspect because I couldn’t find the evidence I needed. The suspect is Ernest Freeman, and I just received word that he embezzled money from his bank and is on the run.”

  The man nodded. “I know. I’m doing a story on it. I’m Larry Bleier.”

  Conrad shook his hand. “Conrad Williams.”

>   “The Senator’s brother?”

  “Yes.” He held up the search warrant. “I’m going to Ernest’s residence. I have reason to believe the murder weapon is somewhere in the cellar. I could use a reporter to help get things going on finding Ernest, if you don’t mind?”

  Larry smiled. “Conrad, it would give me pleasure to give Ernest exactly what’s coming to him.”

  Conrad returned his smile and slapped the warrant. “Let’s see what we can find.”

  ***

  Julia sighed as she woke up. She opened her eyes, noting the afternoon sun as it lit the inside of the teepee. How long had she been asleep? Frowning, she became aware that something seemed off. Rolling over, she saw that Chogan was sitting up, tightening the belt around his waist.

  A sound from outside the teepee caught her attention. Footsteps. She bolted up and grabbed her chemise, bloomers, and petticoats. When she realized Chogan reached for the bow and arrows, she hastened to put on her undergarments. He didn’t need to warn her; she could hear that someone was outside, creeping up on them.

  As soon as she finished putting her petticoats on, she glanced at Chogan and saw the cautious look on his face. Their eyes met, and she caught the warning in his gaze. She nodded and reached for her skirt and blouse. She would stay inside and wait for him to come back.

  While he slowly lifted the flap on the teepee, she pulled up her skirt and fastened the buttons around her waist. She kept a careful watch on him as he peaked outside the small opening he made. He let the flap fall back for a moment as he readied the arrow in the bow. Just as she shrugged into her blouse, he slipped out of the teepee without making a sound.

  Her hands trembled as she worked the buttons. Something definitely wasn’t right, and she had a sinking feeling that it was about to get worse. She anxiously tucked her blouse into her skirt right before she heard a gunshot. She stilled for a second, unable to process what just happened.

  A second gunshot rang through the still air, and something inside of her snapped. Without thinking, she ran out of the tent, her heart pounding. She and Chogan didn’t have a gun! Her gaze fell on Chogan who was lying face first on the ground.

  “Chogan!” she screamed and rushed forward.

  “Julia! Stop!”

  She heard her name, but it didn’t register who said it or where the admonition came from. Instead, she continued to run until she fell beside Chogan and rolled him over. She gasped when saw that his head had hit a rock when he dropped to the ground. She took him into her shaky arms and cradled him to her breasts.

  “Chogan?” she whispered.

  She had to do something! She struggled to clear her mind long enough to form a coherent thought, but the fog in her mind clouded any adequate judgment. She couldn’t believe it. One minute, she and Chogan had been in the teepee together, enjoying a rest from the morning’s hunt, and now… And now…

  Blinking the tears from her eyes, she released her tight hold on him so she could examine his wounds. Two bullet holes. One just below his shoulder blade and the other just below his left lung. She gulped and steadied herself so she could concentrate. Closing her eyes, she pressed her hand over his heart and waited. It seemed to take an eternity but the heart beat came through and then she noticed the slight rise and fall of his chest.

  He was still alive! She gathered him to her breast and let her tears fall with relief. The wounds weren’t fatal. He would be alright as soon as she could get him to a doctor.

  “Really, Julia. Have a sense of decency. A hunter doesn’t mourn the death of his prey.”

  She froze, suddenly remembering that someone fired the gun. Of course, someone else was there! In her panic, she’d forgotten they weren’t alone. She needed to think! She needed to get Chogan out of here and to a doctor! Trembling, she pressed her hand again to Chogan’s chest. The heart beat was still there. And he was breathing. He was alive.

  “Oh, for goodness’ sakes!” Ernest grabbed her around the waist and pried her away from Chogan despite her efforts to hold onto him. As soon as Ernest let go of her, he grunted and stared at his hands. “Savage blood.” He pulled out his handkerchief and wiped his bloody hands. Looking at her bloody clothes, he grimaced. “Put something else on.”

  She tried to focus on what he was saying, but her mind kept going back to Chogan. He needed help! She couldn’t leave him behind! Her body trembled as she debated the best course of action to take. She searched for the bow and arrow and saw them within six feet of where she stood. Then her gaze fell to the rifle Ernest had under his arm as he finished cleaning his hands.

  Could she make it to the bow and arrow in time? She bit her lower lip. She had to try. Without giving Ernest a warning, she lunged for them. Her fingers brushed the bow when she heard the dreaded sound of a trigger echo in the air. She stilled and looked back at Ernest whose gun was pointed at Chogan.

  “No!” She scrambled until she was in front of Chogan’s body. “You already killed him! You don’t need to shoot again!”

  “You’re coming with me, Julia,” Ernest said in a smooth voice. “I know he’s not dead, but I can make it so that he is. So, will you go with me and let him live, or will you make me kill him?”

  She shook her head. “You’ll kill him no matter what I choose.”

  He sighed and clucked his tongue. “Now, what do you take me for? You’ve been spending too much time with savages. I’m a gentleman, Julia. I honor my word. You come with me right now, and I’ll leave him here with two bullets instead of three.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone run up to them. It took a moment before she recognized Sarita.

  “You can’t kill him,” Sarita snapped as she approached Ernest. “You promised him to me if I led you to Julia!”

  “You conniving, no good…” Julia struggled to think of the right words to describe the woman, but years of repressing that type of language inhibited her from using them. “That’s why you kept following me?” she finally demanded.

  “Enough,” Ernest barked. “Julia, make your choice. Whether Chogan lives or dies means little to me.” He walked around her and Chogan so that he could get a clear shot of him.

  “Don’t!” Julia crawled on top of Chogan. “Don’t shoot him!”

  “So, do you stand up and come with me?” Ernest asked. “Or do I kick you off of him?”

  “I’ll go!” Even as she said it, her throat tightened on a sob. “I’ll go,” she said in a lower voice as she turned her eyes to Chogan who was still unconscious.

  Her tears wet his face so she quickly wiped them away with her bloodied sleeve, realizing too late she only made things worse. Oh, Chogan. I love you. Would he wake up and think she left him willingly?

  No, he won’t. He knows I love him and would never leave unless I had no choice.

  And if he lived, he’d find her. She had no doubt he’d come for her. She just needed a plan. If she could make a way for him to find her…

  Ernest cleared his throat. “Do you have other clothes, or did that savage you’re crying over only leave you with the clothes on your back?”

  She turned to face Ernest and glared at him. “You will not call him that!”

  He cocked his gun. “I’ll call him dead in a minute if you don’t back away from him.”

  Ignoring the triumphant look on Sarita’s face, Julia rose to her feet and straightened her back. In doing so, she gathered enough courage to settle her nerves and her mind cleared.

  “Now,” Ernest said, lowering his gun, “do you have other clothes?”

  Swallowing the lump in her throat, she nodded.

  “Go get them.”

  She glanced at Sarita who knelt by Chogan and brushed the hair from his face. Julia’s hands clenched as she watched the other woman being more personal with him than she had a right to be.

  “Don’t concern yourself with that,” Ernest said. “Come on.”

  Julia wanted to tell Sarita that it was all in vain. Chogan would never marry her. Sarita
sold her soul to the devil for nothing. But she held her tongue and stepped toward the teepee, aware that Ernest followed, his finger still on the trigger in case she made a wrong move. Despite her fear, she managed to collect the extra skirt and shirtwaist she had packed. She wiped a few tears from her eyes and left the teepee.

  “You’ll change later,” Ernest said. “Go to the buggy and wait for me.”

  “What? Why?”

  “I don’t need to trouble you with what I need to do next. Be a good girl and go, hmmm?” He motioned to the buggy a good distance from where they stood.

  “What are you going to do?” she demanded, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. “You promised to let Chogan live if I went with you!”

  “Yes, I did, and I will. Like I said, I’m a gentleman, and I’ll keep my word to a lady.” He checked the bullets in his gun and glanced at her. “The next bullet isn’t for Chogan. Go on ahead and sit in the buggy. I’ll join you soon, and then we can start our life together.”

  She hesitated, afraid of what he planned, but then she decided she couldn’t risk him killing Chogan so she obeyed him. She nearly tripped on her way to the buggy but managed to reach it and get in. She set the clothes on the seat and tried to decide what she could do. She needed to do something to lead Chogan to her. But what?

  Wiping more tears from her eyes, she remembered her layers of petticoats. With a quick glance around, she saw Ernest up ahead, walking toward Sarita, his back to her. Julia quickly pulled up her skirt and ripped the seam of her first petticoat. It was a long shot that Chogan would notice it, but he knew what her petticoats looked like and would recognize it if he saw it.

  She glanced at Ernest again and saw him talking to Sarita. Jumping out of the buggy, she ran to the nearby bush and wrapped the strip of petticoat to one of the branches. A gunshot echoed through the air. Gasping, she turned around in time to see Sarita slump to the ground.