For years Chama waits for Fire Woman to notice him. Since her capture as a child he watches her, knowing that she was meant to be his bride. Now she had come of age, and has grown even more tempting over the years. With her tempestuous spirit and flaming red hair she has many admirers. But his determination to have her has raised the bride price. He doesn't care. He will pay whatever is necessary to make her his. But she still refuses him... moreFor years Chama waits for Fire Woman to notice him. Since her capture as a child he watches her, knowing that she was meant to be his bride. Now she had come of age, and has grown even more tempting over the years. With her tempestuous spirit and flaming red hair she has many admirers. But his determination to have her has raised the bride price. He doesn't care. He will pay whatever is necessary to make her his. But she still refuses him. Even though the bride price is paid, she will not accept him. But her refusal doesn't sway him. He will have her! Will make her his and eventually she will come to accept him. Now the time has come. In two days she must come to his wickiup. She has no choice. If she does not come willingly then she will be brought to him. He would soon her resistance would melt under his slow, tender loving. Mary Elizabeth could hardly look at the Apache Warrior without burning with rage. No matter what happened she would never give in to him. He thought to make her his bride, but the thought of crawling willingly into his bed made her blood boil over with rage. She had known for the past three years that he wanted her. She had seen him watching her from the time she was brought in to the Apache village and was always careful to never be alone when he was around. But now the bride price had been paid and she knew her time had run out. She would find a way to leave. And perhaps that way had now presented itself as she watched the newly captured prisoner led into the encampment. She had heard of the woman who was thought to be a healer. If the two of them escaped together then her chances to stay alive were doubled. She would wait, would find a chance to speak with her. And if Johanna McFarley agreed they would escape together. She knew Chama would never willingly give her up. Not since he already considered her his property. But she was afraid of the bronze-skinned brave. More fearful of being unable to control her wild emotions around him. Emotions that left her breathless, that often crept into her dreams while she slept until she woke with the memory of his lips claiming hers in a heated kiss. No, she must leave here before that happened. And she would go alone if she must but she would never allow the warrior to claim her. Never! But when the two managed to leave and take refuge at Bent's Fort, she soon discovered there was no escape for her. She killed a warrior while escaping from the village and if they found her she faces torture of the worst kind. Her only hope is the man she had thought never to see again. less
