Signaling with his hand, the women followed the chief back into the forest, stepping carefully over gnarled tree roots and broken branches. They followed the creek for more than a mile before crossing over the rippling water. George was waiting on the other side. Reaching out, he assisted the women up the embankment, pausing to kiss his wife’s cheek.
Chief Red Hawk grinned, holding out his hand to Adelaide.
“Dark Star, Strong Oak is waiting to take you back to your husband. I need to move my tribe before the sun sets. You will be safe now.”
Strong Oak stepped forward, leading a black stallion with white patches. The horse was beautiful, but at that moment it was Strong Oak who was a welcome sight.
Their eyes met, a warmth in his brown depths as he lifted her and Chief Long Knife’s heir carefully onto the stallion’s back before swinging up behind her. Wrapping one arm around her waist, he twisted his free hand within the horse’s mane, coaxing the horse to step forward.