Quotes from Catherine Anderson

As pleased as Loretta was to see her aunt, she went up the sagging steps with mixed emotions, glancing over her shoulder at the horizon, watching for Hunter. He would come for her now. An inexplicable eagerness filled her. She was anxious to go home--back to the village, back to their lodge, back to his arms. Home wasn't here at this little farm anymore. Home was where Hunter was, anywhere he was.

Only a White Eyes would walk when she had a perfectly good horse to ride.

When she lowered her hands, her reflection shimmered up at her, pale and golden in contrast with the bronzed, dark-haired man next to her. Seeing herself beside him made the nightmarish situation she was in seem all the more real. She turned to look at him, and at the same instant he looked at her. For several heartbeats they simply studied one another. "Even the water sings our song." He sighed and rose to his knees, glancing back down at their shimmering images.

Home was where Hunter was, anywhere he was.

I know, but this one is important." He cupped his hand to her chin and looked deep into her eyes. "When you lie down tonight and close your eyes to fall asleep, take me with you. If the nightmares come, dream that I'm there." He pressed his cheek to hers. She felt wetness touch her skin. "Don't face them alone anymore.

Ai-ee ," he whispered. "You learn quick." Raising tear-filled eyes to his, she again spat in his face. This time he felt the spray and wiped his cheek, his lips quivering with something that looked suspiciously like suppressed laughter, friendly laughter this time. "Maybe not so quick. But I am a good teacher. You will learn not to fight me, Yellow Hair. It is a promise I make for you.

She was a slightly built woman, narrow of hip. He was not a small man.

You will learn not to fight me, Yellow Hair. It is a promise I make for you.

She stared at the crude stone medallion that rose and fell against her bosom. And then it struck her. El Lobo, the wolf. Hunter of the Wolf. Her friend had protected her with something more than just lances in the yard. He had left his mark on her person. You will wear it for always? A hysterical laugh welled in her throat. And then relief swept through her. Hunter's woman.

Did she know she took with her a little bit of his heart?

I'm frightened," she said shakily. "I am frightened beside you," he murmured. "You? But why are you--" "Because you are sunshine. Because you make a glad song inside me. I have great fear that you will go away from me.

You know, I should start thinking on names. I have to be over two months gone. A name is important. Especially for this baby." "Why especially this one?" Rachel asked, looking up from the bread she was kneading. "Names are important for everybody." Loretta sighed. "Well, with Hunter as the father, I have to think of names he'd approve of." "You call that child Running Water and I'll disown you.

Well, with Hunter as the father, I have to think of names he'd approve of." "You call that child Running Water and I'll disown you." Loretta giggled. "I don't know. After hemming all those diapers, maybe Running Water wouldn't be so far off mark.

Nei com-mar-pe ein. " She clutched her skirt. "What does that mean?" "I love you.

I'm quite a hand on names. Let me think on it." "Something impressive for a boy, Ma." Amy pursed her lips. "You know--like Mighty Fighter. Or Wise King. You gotta remember how Hunter thinks. They give boys grand names." "Swift Antelope, for example?" Loretta grinned.

Tears sprang to Hunter's eyes when she reached up to hug his neck, clinging to him even though he was the one hurting her. He had asked her to trust him this one last time. And she had.

As quickly as they had advanced, the Comanches retreated. Loretta, buffeted by the wind, stood alone on the flats until they rode from sight. When she could no longer hear the tattoo of their horses' hooves, she held up her hands and stared at the smears of crimson that stained her skin. Hunter's blood. The ultimate sacrifice. And he had made it without a second's hesitation, out of love for her. The pain that knowledge caused her ran too deep for tears.

Blue Eyes, you will drink?" Loretta waved him away. A long silence settled over them. Then Hunter grasped her chin and forced her to look at him. " Habbe we-ich-ket , seeking death, it is not wisdom." He wedged the canteen between his knees and caught her hand, placing it on his muscular upper arm. " Ein mah-heepicut , it is yours. No harm will come to you walking in my footsteps. You will trust this Comanche, eh? It is a promise I make for you.

My heart rides with you, tah-mah. " Hunter moved his hands in a light caress down Loretta's arms, then released her. "And mine remains here.

We will meet again. I will come to you like the wind, from nowhere. Remember the face of this Comanche. I am your destiny.

Where are we going?" she asked. "You will see." She cast an uneasy glance at the knife on his belt. Then her eyes trailed up his muscular torso to his face. The breeze caught his hair, pulling it back so she had an unimpeded view of his features. She had grown so accustomed to the slash on his cheek, she scarcely noticed it now. Instead she saw the proud lift of his squared chin, the high line of his cheekbones, the chiseled profile of his nose and forehead.

Hunter. If he was alive, Loretta knew he would come after her. And he had to be alive. She couldn't bear it if he wasn't. Life without him was inconceivable. She prayed as she had never prayed in her life, ceaselessly, with all her heart--for a man she had once hated.

Are you hurt anywhere?" Rachel demanded. "No, not a scratch. Just a little grimy around the edges." "Lands, you are in a tangle. Don't those Injuns have soap?" "Not a sniff." Loretta laughed, feeling giddy, not quite able to believe Hunter had brought her here as promised. "Maybe that's a bad choice of words. I bet I smell to high heaven." "Like a little smokehouse.

I have such great love for you, little one. Such great love.