A Yellowstone Christmas (Yellowstone Romance Series (Christmas Novella)) Read online

  “Mine,” Daniel said boldly, and stepped closer to the Blackfoot chief, as if daring him to do battle.

  “I am glad he is dead,” Kimana said. “Do not avenge the man who would have killed your grandson.” She held up the infant in her arm for emphasis.

  Iniwa’s features seemed to soften momentarily. Fallen Eagle, who had sat quietly at the table, stood.

  “Your warriors took my son from me and nearly killed him. Your daughter saved his life. She has been welcomed as a member of the Tukudeka.”

  Iniwa’s eyes flashed in anger. “My daughter is Piikani. She will return with me to my village.”

  Daniel stepped between the two men. “There has been enough bloodshed and hatred.” He looked from one man to the other. “It is time to make peace. Your lives are forever linked through your grandson. Do you wish him to grow up not knowing both his parents? When he is old enough, he can choose his own path, whether Tukudeka or Piikani.”

  Kimana stepped up to her father. “Allow me to choose my own path, father. I will return to you so that you may know your grandson, but only to visit. My life is with the husband I chose. Do not deny me my happiness, if you care for me at all.”

  Iniwa stared at her. Then he gazed at the infant in her arms. Moments passed while he seemed to battle with a decision.

  “So be it,” he finally said. His eyes locked on Kimana, and his features softened. “Your mother, my first wife, the wife of my heart, was brought to our village as a captive when she was no older than you are now. Although she accepted her fate, she was never truly happy. I wish only happiness for you, my daughter. I see now that you must make your own choice.”

  Looking at Fallen Eagle, Iniwa added, “My daughter and grandson will join your village to replace those who have died at the hand of Brave Thunder.” With a curt nod to Daniel, he pulled open the cabin door, and left without another backward glance.

  “I think that went rather well,” Aimee said, loosening the tight hold she had on Sam. The tension left her, just as it seemed to seep from the room. “And now I insist that Kimana goes in the other room and sleeps for the rest of the day. In fact, I think I need a nap myself. Tomorrow, I’m decorating my Christmas tree.”

  She caught Daniel’s grin when she turned to head for her room. Soon, she planned to put an even wider smile on her husband’s face.

  ****

  Two days later, Aimee sat on Daniel’s lap in the rocking chair. A fire crackled loudly in the hearth. An almost full moon shone in through the window of the cabin, casting a warm glow on her tree. Zach and Matthew had finally gone to sleep after eating their fill of gingerbread cookies. Even Samuel had managed to stay awake longer than usual. He couldn’t get enough of staring at the tree that was now decorated with pinecones and red ribbons, carved wooden figures of animals, and dried bundles of flowers. The star that sat atop the tree was fashioned from white cloth and retained its shape with wooden sticks.

  “I’m glad everything ended peacefully,” Aimee said softly, and snuggled into her husband’s embrace. She rested her head on his chest, inhaling deeply of his wild and masculine scent she knew and loved.

  Kimana and Red Fox had rested at the cabin one more day, then left along with Elk Runner, Fallen Eagle, and the two other Tukudeka, to return to Elk Runner’s village. From there, Fallen Eagle would take his clan further north, back to where they usually spent the winter. Elk Runner promised to return in three days’ time with his wife, mother, and children for Christmas dinner.

  Daniel slowly ran his fingers through Aimee’s hair, and kneaded her shoulders. She sighed contently. Her heart suddenly sped up. This was the moment she’d been waiting for to tell him her news. She lifted her head to stare into Daniel’s deep brown eyes. He kissed the top of her head.

  “How would you feel about another baby, Daniel?” Aimee asked, barely above a whisper. His hands stopped their motion.

  “Are you—”

  “Yes,” Aimee interrupted. “And I’ve had morning sickness for weeks, and sometimes it lasts all day. I was never sick the last two times.” She could barely contain her excitement, now that she’d blurted her news.

  Daniel’s face lit up in a wide smile. He wrapped his arms around her. “And I thought you were hiding an illness from me. I’ve noticed you haven’t been feeling well. I didn’t even think about the possibility . . . like you said, you were never sick when you were in the family way with the boys.” He lowered his head and kissed her softly on the lips. “You should ask Little Bird about a tea. I believe she knows of some herbs that may take away the sickness.”

  “I’ll do that,” Aimee said. She ran her hands up his chest and around his neck, weaving her fingers through his hair. “This probably means it’s going to be a girl this time. I can feel it.”

  Daniel caressed her cheek and stared down into her eyes. “And she’ll have your blue eyes and be as spirited and independent as you,” he predicted.

  Aimee leaned her head against Daniel’s shoulder, sighing contently. “I love my life, Daniel,” she whispered. “I love my life, and I love you. And despite everything that’s happened these past few days, we’re going to have a very merry Yellowstone Christmas.”

  Titles in the Yellowstone Romance Series:

  Book 1 Yellowstone Heart Song

  Book 2 Yellowstone Redemption

  Book 3 Yellowstone Awakening

  Book 4 Yellowstone Dawn

  Book 5 Yellowstone Deception

  A Yellowstone Christmas (Novella)

  Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series

  Book 1 Come Home to Me

  You can find all my titles by visiting my Amazon author page:

  http://amazon.com/author/peggylhenderson

  What’s next?

  Book2 in the Second Chances Series, titled Ain’t No Angel (coming summer 2013)

  I have a trilogy in the works, called the Teton Romance Trilogy

  Set in the Grand Teton area of the Rocky Mountains, just south of Yellowstone. Strictly historical, without time travel elements.

  Look for Book 1, Teton Sunrise, to be released in early 2013

  (scroll down for an excerpt of Teton Sunrise)

  Find out more about me and my stories here:

  http://peggylhenderson.blogspot.com

  You can stay current on my book projects and happenings on my Facebook author page:

  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peggy-L-Henderson-author/254755581267700

  I’m always happy to hear from my readers.. I can be reached via email here:

  [email protected]

  Teton Sunrise (Book 1 in the Teton Romance Trilogy)

  Prologue

  St. Charles, Missouri, 1822

  Evelyn Lewis rescued the wooden bucket from under Miss Millie’s legs just before the cow would have knocked it over. She pushed the milking stool she’d been sitting on out of the way, and straightened her back.

  “I’ll be back later to let you out into the pasture,” she said, patting the bovine on the back. Millie swished her rope-like tail, and resumed munching contently on a bushel of fresh hay. Evelyn doused the lantern that hung on a peg on the stall’s wall, and headed for the barn door. Thin ribbons of golden light found their way through the cracks between the wooden boards, creating striped patterns along the hard packed dirt floor. It was well past sunup. Apparently, she’d been in the barn longer than she had thought. Her mother was surely waiting for this morning’s milk.

  She leaned her shoulder against the heavy barn door with the intent of pushing it open when her brother’s loud and excited voice reached her ear. Evelyn stopped to listen.

  “Let me see that advertisement, Alex.”

  Alex! Evelyn’s heart sped up. He hadn’t stopped by the farm in almost a month. The passing of his mother had to have been quite a shock.

  Evelyn remembered folks saying that poor Mrs. Ada Walker was probably in a better place. People in town whispered, speculating whether Silas Walker had finally struck his wif
e hard enough to kill her. It was common knowledge that he beat his wife on a regular basis. Even Alex had shown up here, sometimes limping, other times clutching at his ribs, or holding a piece of raw meat to a swollen eye.

  “I met that fella, William Ashley, after I read the notice in the St. Louis Gazette. He’s startin’ up a fur company.”

  Paper rustled, and Henry cleared his throat, then read out loud. “Seeking enterprising young men to ascend the river Missouri to its source, there to be employed for one, two, or three years.” He paused. “You’re actually going into Indian Territory? They hire men only eighteen years old?”

  “Yes. I signed up. Mr. Ashley hired me on.”

  Evelyn’s heart pounded in her ears. She quickly held her hands over her mouth to quiet the gasp that escaped her lips. Alex was leaving? For up to three years? That seemed like a lifetime. She blinked rapidly. She couldn’t stop the tears from falling. Alex couldn’t leave.

  “I wish I could go,” Henry said excitedly. Then his voice dropped with a twinge of disappointment. “But pop depends on my help on the farm. Evie’s only thirteen. She can’t help out in the fields.”

  “Maybe in a few years,” Alex suggested. “After my ma’s passing, I ain’t staying here. This is the perfect chance for me to get away.”

  The barn door suddenly pulled open, and Evelyn jumped back in surprise. The milk sloshed over the sides of the bucket in her hand, soaking her skirt.

  “Evie!” Henry sounded equally surprised to find her standing there. Her eyes darted quickly from her brother to Alex. In the month since she’d last seen him, he’d grown some more. Her brother was still taller, but Alex was not as skinny. His shoulders seemed to have gotten wider, and his arms more muscular. She wiped a hand down her skirt, hoping neither of the boys noticed how her face had flushed.

  “Did you hear the news, Evie? Alex is going to be a fur trapper. He’s leaving for St. Louis today.” Henry’s joy grated on her nerves. She ventured another quick look at Alex. He glanced her way, but the expression on his face was unreadable. His dark, almost jet-black hair hung over his forehead, partially covering his blue eyes.

  “Guess your plans are going to have to change, Evie,” Henry continued, almost in a mocking tone.

  “My plans?” she echoed.

  Henry snorted. “Come on, Evie. We all know you fancy yourself in love with Alex. I bet you’re hoping he asks you to marry him someday, when you’re all grown up.”

  Evelyn’s mouth fell open, mortified that Henry would spill her deepest, most guarded secret in front of the very person who shouldn’t be hearing it. She sucked in a deep breath of air, then raised her chin. With her hands on her hips, she glared at her brother.

  There was only one way to save face. With her eyes narrowed, she advanced on him, and said, “I have no such notions, Henry Lewis. Why, I would much rather marry a warthog than someone like Alexander Walker.” For emphasis, she glared at Alex, then pushed past her brother through the barn door. She paused and lifted the milk pail, tossing its contents at her brother’s face, then stormed toward the house. Her long braided hair whipped behind her back, the tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. The last thing she heard before escaping into the house was her brother and Alex laughing loudly behind her.