The Bear: The Paha Sapa Saga Part Two: The Paha Sapa Saga, #3.5

By Robin Deeter

Two women, one man… Continue the adventure as Lightning Strike meets two women who will forever change his life. Many of the men in the Kiowa tribe were killed during the terrible Cheyenne attack, leaving behind widows and children with no man to take care of them. Lightning Strike steps up, fulfilling his duty to the tribe by marrying. He asks his sister, Tulip, to find two sisters who are well suited to him, and so the search begins. Passionate Sunflower and sweet Starlight are determined to capture the handsome brave's heart. He's everything their husband wasn't; kind, amusing, and protective. After winning him over, the sisters are happier than they've ever been. However, amid danger, tempers flare causing a rift in their relationship. Stubborn pride and anger threatens their happiness. Can they move past it or will it destroy their marriage?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robin Deeter
• Release date: Sep 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223417668

Book preview

The Bear

The Paha Sapa Saga, Book Three, Part Two

Robin Deeter

Table of Contents

Dedication

A Special Thank You

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

About the Author

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all you brave readers who continue to accompany me on this adventure. We still have new characters to meet, exciting events to share, and new places to explore together. I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. As always, your faith, friendship, and kindness are so very appreciated. Happy reading!

A Special Thank You

To my Essie, you are my rock and my biggest fan. You’re always there to cheer me on and give me a kick in the caboose when I need it. I treasure your love and loyalty and I couldn’t do this without you.

Other books by Robin Deeter

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Chance City Beginnings

(Prequels to Chance City Series)

Part One

Part Two

Chance City Series

Mail Order Mystery

Mail Order Mystery Audio Book

Mail Order Mystery Print Book

On the Fence

Crossroads

Gray Justice

When the Thunder Rolls

And the Lightning Strikes

A Very Decker Christmas

Flourish 2

The Paha Sapa Saga

Sacrifice and Reward

Sacrifice and Reward Audio Book

Sacrifice and Reward Print Book

Winter Moon

The Bear, Part One

The Bear, Part Two

The Phantom Horse Bridge Series

Phantom Origins Book 0

Phantom Heat

Wolf Junction Series

Silver Bell Shifter

Chapter One

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A soft rain fell on the roof of the Blake house a few nights after the arrival of the man Noah Blake had been told was his father. It being a warm night, he lay under only a cotton sheet. The window in his room was cracked a little to let in cool air. His father sat on the edge of the bed telling him a story.

Noah was riveted as Luke Blake related a tale of a fierce fight to him. Luke had already told him two stories, after which Noah was expected to go to sleep. However, Noah had begged Luke for just one more story.

Did you win, then? Noah asked. Did you kill the other brave?

Luke smiled at him and held up a finger. Never interrupt a storyteller. It’s considered very impolite.

Noah sat up against his headboard. Sorry. Please, go on.

Luke turned toward Noah a little more. Yes, I killed him, but there’s something you must understand. Killing isn’t glorious, it isn’t fun, at least for me. Some warriors enjoy battle. I don’t.

Noah cocked his head a little as his eyebrows drew down over his dark eyes. Why not? Doesn’t it feel good to win?

It feels good knowing that you’ve protected your people, but it often weighs on my heart when I kill someone. Taking a person’s life shouldn’t be done lightly, Luke said. I hope you never do, but if you ever have to kill someone, you’ll understand.

Noah said, I see.

Luke’s mouth curved in a wry smile. You don’t, but that’s all right. Now, it’s time you went to sleep. Father will have my head if I keep you up late again.

Noah frowned but laid down without objecting. Will you tell me more stories tomorrow? Please? And will Moonbeam make fry bread again?

Luke grinned. Yes, I’ll tell you more stories. You’ll have to ask Moonbeam about the fry bread, though.

It’s delicious, Noah said. And will you teach me more Kiowa?

Yes, Luke said on a laugh. I’ll teach you more Kiowa. Go to sleep.

Noah grinned. All right. Goodnight.

Luke rose from the bed and blew out the candle on the nightstand. Bending down, he brushed a kiss against Noah’s forehead. Sleep well.

Noah watched Luke walk from the room, fascinated by the fact that he didn’t make a sound. He wanted to learn how to do that and so many other things. Despite being half Indian, he didn’t know much about being one.

Sometimes his grandfather let him go to the Miami village with him when he went to teach them about Christianity. However, Chris didn’t let him stray too far and there were only a few Indians he trusted around Noah. This wasn’t because Chris didn’t like Indians. He was quite fond of them.

Noah had been eight years old the first time Chris had taken him to the Miami village. A senile old woman had accused Chris of stealing Noah from her family. She’d tried to take Noah from Chris, which had caused a great commotion. Eventually, once some of the woman’s family arrived on the scene, they’d convinced the elderly woman that Noah didn’t belong to them and Chris had immediately left the village with the frightened boy.

It had been only last year when Chris had allowed Noah to accompany him again. Therefore, Noah’s knowledge of the way Indians lived was mostly limited to what Chris told him. So, he knew very little about that side of his heritage and was intensely curious about Luke and the others who’d come with him.

As his curtains fluttered in the rain-scented breeze, Noah smiled as he thought about how their housekeeper, Lisette, blushed whenever Rushing Bull was around. At first, she’d been overwhelmed by having five Indians around the house, but she’d gotten used to them. Rushing Bull complimented her cooking and sent flirtatious smiles her way, which turned her cheeks pink.

Noah was fast coming to adore Moonbeam, with her kindness, pretty smile, and teasing. He enjoyed her cooking and liked hearing her stories—all their stories, in fact. Their tales enthralled him, and he hungered for more.

He wanted to see Cricket’s medicine lodge and meet Moonbeam and Luke’s bear. How exciting it must be to fight enemies and hunt game! One thing he did know from being around the Miami, a man’s weapons were very personal and important. Therefore, he hadn’t attempted to touch any of the Indian men’s weapons.

Perhaps tomorrow he would screw up his courage and ask his father to show him how to shoot an arrow, or how to walk silently. There was so much that he wanted to know, but he had no clue where to start. Such as, how long would they stay? Noah was a bright boy and he knew without being told that his father and the rest wouldn’t be staying for good.

What happened when they left? Would Luke take him with them? But what about his grandfather, the man who’d loved and raised him from an infant? How could he leave him? Noah’s heart was troubled about that. He wanted to be with his newly found father, but he didn’t want to leave Chris. Noah’s eyelids grew heavy as the sound of the rain lulled him into slumber and he dreamt of an Indian village where a giant bear lived among the people there.

Ten Thunders smiled as he walked to his father’s guest bedroom where he and Moonbeam had been staying. As with all Indian fathers, it was natural for him to indulge his son. My son. His smile faded as he realized once again the enormity of that phrase. He was now responsible for another life.

It was disturbing to think that he’d only been a few years older than Noah when he’d fathered the boy. He’d had no idea because it hadn’t been quite a month after he’d been with Rachel when he’d been captured by the Ojibwa and torn away from his home. If he hadn’t been taken captive, he would’ve lived up to his responsibilities even though he’d been so young.

Stopping outside of the bedroom door, Ten Thunders knew that the situation was a complicated one. When they left—and they would—he would take Noah with him, but how much damage would that cause to Noah’s young heart? Ten Thunders hadn’t broached the topic yet, but he planned to ask Chris to go with them.

He knew that his people would accept Chris, but would he leave all he knew to go with them? Now that he’d found him, Ten Thunders didn’t want to part from his father again. With a sigh, Ten Thunders went on to bed. Nothing would be solved that night.

Entering the bedroom, Ten Thunders saw that Moonbeam lay on her side, facing away from the door. Judging by her breathing, she was still awake. Going around to the other side of the bed, Ten Thunders sat down, took off his moccasins, and lay down beside her.

He rolled over to face her. Moonbeam, please talk to me. I know that you are upset.

Why did you lay with her?

Moonbeam had known that Ten Thunders had been with other women in the past, but him fathering a child with another woman wounded her heart as much as if someone had stabbed it with a hot knife.

I imagine it was because I was young and smitten with her. I did not have the sort of control that I do now. I am sure that I was also flattered because she wanted me even though I was so young. He shifted slightly in the bed. Perhaps if I had known that she was drunk at the time, I might have refused her.

Moonbeam asked one of the questions she didn’t want answers to. Did you enjoy it? More than being with me?

Ten Thunders’ expression reflected kindness and remorse. From what little I remember, it was over rather quickly. He smiled a little bashfully. Again, I did not have much control at that age. Most boys do not. Cupping her face, he ran his thumb over her cheek. There is no other woman who has ever given me the kind of pleasure you do, Moonbeam. It is so intense between us and I want you all the time. But it is not only the physical pleasure. Our love for each other makes it even more meaningful.

Moonbeam blinked back the tears that threatened to escape her eyes. Do you really mean that?

When have I ever lied to you? he asked. I would not say it if I did not mean it.

A sob stuck in Moonbeam’s chest, making her voice thick with tears. I know how petty this is, but I wanted to give you your first child. Noah is a wonderful boy, but I am jealous of a dead woman because she bore your first baby and not me.

Ten Thunders slowly gathered her to him, relieved when she let him hold her. She hadn’t since they’d arrived and found out about Noah. He didn’t know how to make her feel better about not bearing his first child, so he prayed that she would come to accept it.

Ten Thunders?

Hmm?

Moonbeam couldn’t ask him the question that was on the tip of her tongue. Instead she made a request. Please, tell me everything that you remember about yourself.

Everything?

She pulled back and met his eyes as lightning flashed outside. From the time we captured you, you would not speak very much about your past and now there is much of it that you do not remember. I do not know you very well at all.

She was right and Ten Thunders now regretted that he hadn’t told his tribe more about his past because big chunks of it were lost to him. Why hadn’t he wanted to talk about it? Had he done something that he’d wanted to forget? It was possible, but he doubted that he’d ever know.

Please, Ten Thunders?

Yes. I will tell you. Maybe it will help me remember more if I talk about it, he said. Of course, it will take longer than tonight.

Moonbeam placed a hand against his chest, feeling his heartbeat under her palm. I know, but it will be a start.

All right. He closed his eyes and forced his mind back as far as possible. My very first memory is...

Ten Thunders was yanked by the arms from his sleeping robes. His mother screamed as Ten Thunders opened his bleary eyes and rubbed them.

No! Do not take my son! she cried.

When she attacked the man holding Ten Thunders, he cuffed her and shoved her down hard. He said something in a foreign language that Ten Thunders didn’t know, dragged him from their earthen house and down the short ladder to the ground.

Fully awake now, Ten Thunders fought the stranger and screamed for his mother. She was descending the ladder when another strange man hit her and knocked her to the ground.

Mother! No! Mother! Stop it! Ten Thunders shouted.

Tears sprang into his eyes when he saw the man hit her again. Ten Thunders knew by her sightless eyes as her head turned toward him that she was dead. He’d seen dead people enough to recognize that his mother was gone.

Even so, he murmured, "Ihú http://dictionary.hidatsa.org/wp-content/plugins/sil-dictionary-webonary/audiolibs/img/blank.gif , one last time. It would be the last time he said the word for mother" in his native tongue.

His young heart bleeding, he kept his eyes trained on her as long as possible before the man carrying him dumped him on the ground and began tying his ankles together. Even though he was still small, Ten Thunders fought as hard as he could against his captor, kicking and hitting him.

The man had yelled at him and finally, tired of Ten Thunders’ defiance, he’d slapped the boy, dazing him long enough to secure ropes around his ankles and wrists.

Ten Thunders jumped a little when Moonbeam brushed away a tear from his face. He’d been so lost in his memories that he hadn’t realized that he’d been crying. After that, things get foggy, he said.

Moonbeam’s heart hurt for the little boy who’d been ripped from his people at such a young age. And he’d repeatedly been torn from so many he’d loved over the years. No wonder he’d been afraid of being captured again. But while she felt bad for the boy he’d been, she was also happy.

I am so sorry for what you have been through. She slid a hand over his arm. But now we know who your people are.

We do? Ten Thunders’ stomach clenched at her words. Who?

"Yes. Ihú means mother in Hidatsa."

Ten Thunders’ breathing picked up. How do you know?

I have been to their village a couple of times and that is what the children call their mothers. Also, our warriors and Ames have taught us a little of their language. They live in round dwellings made of earth, she said. You are Hidatsa. We know who your original people are.

The ramifications of this were staggering to Ten Thunders. Not only had he found his white father and discovered his son, but now he knew from which people he came. He might very well still have relatives there. Was his Hidatsa father still alive? Did he have siblings?

He bolted up in bed at that thought and tried to force his mind back even further. However, the only thing he could remember other than that horrible night was the story his mother had told him regarding his name.

Moonbeam sat up, too. What is it? Have you remembered something else?

Ten Thunders laid back down and relayed his thoughts to her. I am Kiowa now, but if I still have family there, I would like to know.

Moonbeam said, We can find out next summer. We will need to visit all three bands until we find the right one.

He looked at her. You would be willing to do that?

Yes. Unless I am pregnant. Moonbeam wished she could put the words back in her mouth.

Ten Thunders shifted to face her again. I cannot wait until we have a baby. Holding our child will be an incredible joy.

Moonbeam said, You already have a son. Perhaps we will have a girl.

Taking her hand, Ten Thunders kissed the back of it. I may have a son, but I did not get to meet him until now. I want to watch you grow bigger with our baby and worry while you are giving birth. And I want to watch you nurse the tiny little life that we create. There are so many things that I missed with Noah and I do not want to miss anything with our babies.

Hearing him speak with such eager anticipation about their future children dispelled any doubts Moonbeam had that they would mean as much to him as Noah. Once again, she felt ashamed of such thoughts. She was glad that she now had the answer to the awful question she’d been avoiding.

Sweat beaded on her brow and she wiped it away. These sleeping pallets are so hot.

Beds.

She smiled. All right. Beds. They hold the heat too much. How did you stand it when you were a boy?

I got used to it. Then I had to adjust again when the Ojibwa took me. Ten Thunders shut his eyes against the memory. Once again, he’d screamed for a parent, only this time it had been for his father.

Moonbeam saw his brow furrow and his mouth thin. Lightly, she traced his jawline with her fingertips. Do not think about it anymore tonight.

Opening his eyes, the sympathy in Moonbeam’s gaze almost did him in. She was right. A subject change was in order. He got out of bed and stripped one of the blankets off it. He folded it, laid it on the floor, and did the same with a second blanket.

Come, wife. We will be cooler down here. He opened the window a little