His Cousin's Lady *Big Sky Brides Book 1*

Chapter 8

The first crackled cheerfully keeping the tiny cabin warm and snug. Justice had finished of the rest of his jerky last night for dinner so from now on he'd have to hunt.

He'd send a note back with one if his men so Pearl wouldn't worry about him much. He downed the rest of his coffee and went out to tack up Calamity.

Calamity nickered as he approached and tossed her head with an indignant snort at being left outside in the cold.

"Easy Calamity, " He said quickly grabbing her plain leather bridle.

The mare tossed her head and setting her simple bridle jangling.

Justice ran his hand down Calamity's back making  sure her fur was free from burrs and briars.  He smoothed the blanket on her back and hefted the saddle onto her.

Quickly he tightened the girth strap and tied his saddle bags back into the proper position.

Within moments he was mounted and ready to once again continue his search for the beautiful,  Serilda Montgomery.

Not only was the girl on his mind throughout  the day,  but she invaded his dreams at night and every waking  moment was spent thinking about her.

Calamity whinnied reminding  Justice she was still there. 

He turned her away from the vacated old trappers cabin.

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*Clank! Clank! Clank! *

Everything  was hazy...  Serilda couldn't think!  She couldn't  breathe, she just knew she was suffocating!

A strangled sound,  resembling  a low growl escaped her lips as she groped at the the cloths that bandaged her neck.

Her eyelids...  They seemed so heavy like they were made of lead.

Slowly after what seemed like an eternity  and a whole lot of work,  Serilda  had managed  to open one eye and it wasn't  long before  the other followed suit.

She blinked against the bright light and tried to make sense of the objects veiled in her sleep induced haze.

She rocked her head back and forth taking in her surrounding willing her pounding head to ease.

A fire encircled with stones blazed in the middle of the room, animal hides,  and the walls were of animal skin?

Serilda gasped, no!  She was captives of Indians? 

She tried to remember  what happened,  but alas her memory  was shrouded in the same haze that she'd just woken from.

"Where am I? " 

Her only reply being the fire cheerfully crackling.

That awful clanging continued  and Serilda lifted her hand to rub  her hand but she found her energy  completely depleted.

She feared her head might explode  if the awful noise continued.

She groaned as she shifted her gaze toward and opening into the teepee.

The room suddenly  seemed chilled.  Her teeth  chattered and she felt as if she was freezing.

A pair of moccasin clad feet appeared in the door and Serilda's gaze wandered upward until she met the smiling brown face of an Indian woman.

Waynoka...  She felt as if the name should hold some significance to her, but in her muddled state of mind it meant nothing.

The whole list of names that played in her mind meant nothing  at this point.