Authors: S. E. Smith
Spirit Warrior (19 page)
“You worry about your man,” Paytah commented.
“Yes,” Allie said, looking up at the stars.
“Tell me of what it feels like to fly,” Paytah asked. “Have you touched the stars?”
Allie chuckled and shook her head. “No,” she whispered. “Only a few men have done that. There are men and women living in a Space station that travels around the world at incredible speeds. I fly something different. It lifts off the ground and flies through the air.”
“Do our people all live like you?” He asked.
Allie nodded, before she stopped. “I don’t know how much I should tell you,” she suddenly said. “Sometimes it is best not to know one's future.”
Paytah looked up at the stars. He was silent for several minutes before he smiled. He looked back down at Allie.
“Perhaps one day I will go to your world and fly in one of your metal birds to the stars,” he said. “Until then, Spirit Warrior, I will travel along the ground with the other creatures of our world.”
“Spirit Warrior?” Allie asked with a raised eyebrow.
“The warriors talk about your fight with them today. When it was learned you traveled further than the milky river in the sky, they decided you are a Spirit Warrior. You walk between two worlds,” Paytah said standing.
Allie watched as Paytah walked away. She jerked when a hand touched her shoulder, startling her. She looked into the gentle eyes of Paytah’s mother as she motioned for Allie to follow her. Allie rose, clasping the fur in her hands as she followed the older woman. She paused before she entered the tipi, looking up at the brilliant stars.
“I’ll find you,” she whispered. “You promised me that you wouldn’t leave me. I don’t know how, but I know you are alive. I’ll find you, Jacob. I won’t be left behind again.”
*.*.*
Allie jerked awake the next morning as loud shouts and the barking of dogs woke her. She sat up, blinking as she tried to remember where she was. The old woman whispered for her to stay before she hurried out of the tipi.
She pushed the furs off of her, shivering as she searched for the soft moccasins that had been given to her last night. Her boots and other clothes had been too wet for her to wear. Pulling the soft, doeskin material down around her knees, she scrambled to the entrance of the tipi to peek out. She caught a glimpse of a figure on a horse, riding into the camp.
“Jacob,” she whispered as she saw the man turn his head, his piercing blue eyes searching the crowd of people around him. “Jacob!”
Allie pushed out of the tipi, uncaring of the chilly air. Her heart thundered as he stopped and turned his head. Her lips trembled as she saw his eyes narrow on her. A smile lit her face and she began walking toward him.
“Allie,” Jacob called, dismounting.
The crowd of people parted as he turned to look at where he had last seen her. She paused as she stared at him. Tears blurred her vision and she impatiently brushed them away. Biting her lip, she laughed when he opened his arms for her.
Running, Allie flung herself in his arms. Her arms wound around his neck and she pressed desperate kisses to his face as tears streamed down her face. A low sob escaped her and she buried her head in his neck, muttering incoherently.
“What?” He asked, frantically trying to make sure she was alright. “Allie, what?
“I said, I love you,” she sobbed, looking at him. “I love you, Jacob Tucker.”
“I love you, too, Allie Tucker,” he murmured. “I love you so damn much it hurts. When you screamed…”
Allie cupped his face when he shuddered. “It was the same for me when they lit the cabin on fire,” she said. “How did you escape?”
“I built it into the side of the mountain for a reason,” he chuckled. “There is a cave system leading out to the other side.”
“I’m glad you were so smart,” she choked out, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding him close. “The men…”
“Dead,” Jacob replied in a hard voice. “They won’t ever bother us again.”
“Jacob Tucker,” a voice commented. “I see you have your Spirit Warrior.”
Jacob turned to see Paytah standing looking at them with an amused gaze. A responding smile creased his face. He raised an eyebrow at Allie.
“Spirit Warrior?” He asked.
Allie flushed and looked at Paytah. “I had a minor altercation with a couple of the warriors,” she muttered. “But, we’re cool now.”
“Explain minor altercation,” Jacob growled, glaring at Paytah.
Allie smiled up at Jacob as he handed her a cup of cold water. She scooted over so Jacob could sit next to her on the porch. It had been almost a year since she’d traveled through Spirit Pass and her life had settled down as she found her place in the past. She enjoyed helping with the horses. She and Indy had grown even closer as they shared their hopes and dreams of making the ranch the best one ever.
It had taken a few attempts, but three bathrooms had been added to the house. They were working on trying to figure out a way to create a hot water system. They had one that worked, but Allie loved her hot baths so it still needed some refining.
She and Jacob had also been working on rebuilding the cabin in the mountains. They were scheduled to return to it later this morning.
“Are you sure you are up to the trip?” Jacob asked in a husky voice.
“Yes, I’m pregnant, not dying, Jacob,” Allie replied. “Besides, I want to see the work that has been done to the cabin since I was last there.”
Jacob chuckled as he reached over and rested his hand on Allie’s still flat belly. He relaxed back against the swing as Allie rested her hand over his. Ever since she told him two days ago that she was pregnant, he couldn’t resist resting his hand on her stomach.
He glanced up as his brother stepped out onto the porch. A small bundle nestled against his shoulder, his hand gently patting the tiny back. Indy had given birth to Samuel Hugh Tucker a little more than a month ago.
“How is the construction going on the cabin?” Jonathan asked as he sat down in the rocking chair.
“Good. I think I’ve figured out the bathroom,” Jacob replied. “We’re heading out shortly.”
“That’s good,” Jonathan said before he frowned as he saw a group of riders on the rise. “Who is that?”
Allie glanced up. Standing up, she stepped closer to the railing. A low cry escaped her as she recognized the man and woman in front.
“Papa! Mom!” Allie cried out. “Jacob, it’s Papa! Oh my god, I think he brought Taylor!”
“Oh God,” both men groaned as they saw one figure break away with a loud yell.
“The past will never be the same again,” Jacob muttered as he came to stand behind his beautiful wife.
Allie chuckled as she frowned again. She was surprised when she saw Aleaha riding beside her parents. “Who is that next to Aleaha?” She asked as she studied the tall man riding close to her sister.
“Shit!” Jonathan and Jacob both exclaimed as they recognized the tall Lakota brave riding beside Aleaha. The male was dressed in jeans, a dark blue, long sleeve shirt, and wearing a cowboy hat. “What the hell is he doing with them?”
To be continued:
Maikoda’s Gift.
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Additional Books by S. E. Smith
Paranormal and Science Fiction short stories and novellas
For the Love of Tia
(Dragon Lords of Valdier Book 4.1)
A Dragonlings’ Easter
(Dragonlings of Valdier Book 1.1)
A Dragonlings’ Haunted Halloween
(Dragonlings of Valdier Book 1.2)
A Warrior’s Heart
(Marastin Dow Warriors Book 1.1)
Rescuing Mattie
(Lords of Kassis: Book 3.1)
Science Fiction/Paranormal Novels
Tink’s Neverland
(Cosmo’s Gateway: Book 1)
Hannah’s Warrior
(Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 2)
Tansy’s Titan
(Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 3)
Cosmos’ Promise
(Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 4)
Ha’ven’s Song
(Curizan Warrior: Book 1)
Abducting Abby
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 1)
Capturing Cara
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 2)
Tracking Trisha
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 3)
Ambushing Ariel
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 4)
Cornering Carmen
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 5)
Paul’s Pursuit
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 6)
Twin Dragons (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 7)
River’s Run
(Lords of Kassis: Book 1)
Star’s Storm
(Lords of Kassis: Book 2)
Jo’s Journey
(Lords of Kassis: Book 3)
Touch of Frost
(Magic, New Mexico Book 1)
Choosing Riley
(Sarafin Warriors: Book 1)
Hunter’s Claim
(The Alliance: Book 1)
Razor’s Traitorous Heart
(The Alliance: Book 2)
Gracie’s Touch
(Zion Warriors: Book 1)
Krac’s Firebrand
(Zion Warriors: Book 2)
Paranormal and Time Travel Novels
Indiana Wild
(Spirit Pass: Book 1)
Spirit Warrior
(Spirit Pass: Book 2)
Lily’s Cowboys
(Heaven Sent: Book 1)
Touching Rune
(Heaven Sent: Book 2)
Excerpts of S. E. Smith Books
If you would like to read more S. E. Smith stories, she recommends
Abducting Abby
, the first in her Dragon Lords of Valdier Series
Or if you prefer a Paranormal or Time Travel with a twist, you can check out
Lily’s Cowboys
or
Indiana Wild
...
S. E. Smith is a
New York Times
,
USA TODAY
and
#1 International Amazon
Bestselling author who has always been a romantic and a dreamer. An avid writer, she has spent years writing, although it has usually been technical papers for college. Now, she spends her days and weekends writing and her nights dreaming up new stories. An affirmed “geek,” she spends her days working on computers and other peripherals. She enjoys camping and traveling when she is not out on a date with her favorite romantic guy.
