Taming the Wind (Land of the Lone Star Book #3) by Tracie Peterson

Author:Tracie Peterson [Peterson, Tracie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Romance, Christian, Historical
ISBN: 9781441260383
Google: _IYRrQncBmgC
Publisher: Baker Books
Published: 2012-09-01T07:00:00+00:00

***

SIXTEEN

"Well, we certainly weren't expecting to see you folks

today,"

Hannah declared as Ted Terry helped his wife down from the wagon.

"Kiowa are on the warpath," he said in a matter-of-fact manner that still managed to shock Carissa to the bone. She looked at the riders about him and noted they were well armed. "Are they headed this way?" she asked.

"Who can say?" Ted replied.

Marietta came to where Carissa and Hannah stood. "Now, we're not gonna borrow trouble, girls. We're just takin' some precautions."

"That's why we're here," Ted told Hannah. "I was hopin' Marietta could stay with you until this trouble blows over. I can keep my mind on other things if she's here with you."

"Of course she can stay," Hannah declared. "You know that. All of you can stay. I think it would be safer than returning to the ranch."

188

Ted shook his head. "I have to protect what's mine. Won't be the first time and probably won't be the last. I just wanted to get Marietta to safety. I left some men on alert at the ranch, and now we're headin' into town to let the sheriff know what's happening. I'm hopeful he'll get the army notified and they can deal with the matter."

"Do you think they will?" Hannah questioned.

"I do. There's a strong push to round up the Indians. All of them, no matter the tribe. Phil Sheridan is in charge now, and he's determined."

"What's got the Indians so stirred up?" Carissa asked.

"Mostly Sheridan's demands they all head to reservations." Ted shook his head. "Doesn't seem to be any peaceable way to live side by side. The Indians hate us for being on their land and killing their game. The whites hate them for making war on 'em and stealing their livestock. It's a vicious cycle that doesn't look to stop anytime soon. Just when the army thinks they have a good hold on things, something happens and the war flares up again.

I don't know what it'll take to put an end to it."

"I read in the paper that Sheridan believes if they eliminate the buffalo, they will eliminate the Indians," Hannah said.

"He did say that, and he has even encouraged buffalo hunters to come west," Marietta added. "His plan is to wipe out the herds and leave the Indians hungry enough that they'll have no choice but to return to the reservations."

Hannah shook her head. "I don't see this war ending anytime soon. I'm afraid we are just seeing the beginning of hard times."

Carissa bit her lip to keep from saying anything. She thought of the children and how vulnerable they were here,

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so far from town. Not only that, but Laura remained gravely ill and tiny Lucas still fought to live. How could they ever get those two to safety if they needed to leave the ranch?

"I'd take precautions if I were you," Ted instructed. "I'll speak to Berto myself, but if I were you gals, I'd store up plenty of water and food in the house. And get the windows covered just in case.

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