Wild Thunder by Cassie Edwards Page A

should have known better than to think that Strong Wolf would have anything to do with her disappearance.”
    â€œBy God, Tiny wasn’t lying after all?” Colonel Deshong said, eyes widening.
    â€œNot this time, Patrick,” Chuck said, nodding. “Nope. Not this time. And I feel lousy as hell for having shown that I don’t altogether trust Strong Wolf.”
    â€œChuck, I’m going to tell you what I told Tiny,” Colonel Deshong uttered. “I told him that if you did send him to me about your sister’s possible abduction, that you should not jump to conclusions so quickly. I absolutely knew that Strong Wolf wouldn’t abduct a woman, especially not your sister. You and Strong Wolf have a history of being friends. How could you accuse him of such a thing?”
    â€œWell, now, Patrick, that is a good question,” Chuck said, scratching his brow. “One I thought I had an answer to.”
    â€œAnd that is?”
    â€œStrong Wolf threatened me, that’s what.”
    â€œHe threatened you?”
    â€œAbout the dam that was built across the stream close to my ranch.”
    â€œThen, Tiny didn’t lie about that, either?”
    â€œNo. Afraid not. You see, Strong Wolf did blow up the dam, and with dynamite he stole from my very own shed.”
    â€œBut this dam—” Colonel Deshong crossed his arms. “It’s against what is set down in law, Chuck, when treaties were signed with the Potawatomis. No streams, creeks, or rivers can be dammed up. You know that as well as I. I’m surprised that you authorized Tiny to do that.”
    â€œI didn’t, Patrick,” Chuck said, his shoulders suddenly slouching.
    â€œThen, I’d say you’d better get you a new foreman, or set the law down on the one that works for you,” Colonel Deshong said, placing his fists on his hips.
    â€œYeah, I see that some changes must be made,” Chuck said, nodding.
    He reached over and patted Hannah on the knee. “Honey, take me home,” he said, his voice weary.
    Hannah lifted the reins. “Good day, sir.” she said, smiling at the colonel as an ally, for it was obvious that he despised Tiny as much as she did.
    Yet there seemed something else about the man that made her uneasy. It was the way he stared at her, as though he was trying to read her thoughts. And she had to believe that it was because of her obvious devotion to Strong Wolf. She knew to expect more questions from the colonel later.
    â€œCome sometime when you can have that cup of tea with me, Hannah,” Colonel Deshong said.
    She nodded, then slowly turned the buggy around.
    â€œAnd, Chuck, you come, too,” Colonel Deshong said, giving them a half salute. “We’ve much to get caught up on.”
    â€œI don’t get out much, anymore,” Chuck shouted back at him as Hannah rode off toward the wide gate. “But I’ll think about it. I’ll come if Hannah will.”
    Adam followed on the pinto.
    â€œI guess Tiny should be back home by now,” Chuck said, sighing. “I wish I hadn’t mistrusted Strong Wolf all that quickly. We’ve had such a special friendship.”
    â€œHe probably won’t even ever know about what you did,” Hannah said, giving him a soft look. “And, Chuck, I’m so sorry that I gave you cause to worry. I know that I shouldn’t have taken off like that. I’m here to make your life easier, not to make more of a hardship on you. Will you forgive me?”
    â€œThere’s nothing to forgive you for.” Chuck said somberly. “It’s me, I’ve got to relax more. I’ve got to quit being suspicious of everything everyone does. But when you didn’t come home when I expected you to and the dam had been blown to bits by Strong Wolf, I couldn’t help but think that just maybe he kidnapped you to spite me for having not removed the dam.”
    Hannah swallowed hard