Wyatt nodded. „Not so cruel. The woman was prepared to pay the price of her infidelity. The people knew that the Great Spirits lived in their kingdom beneath the water. Even now, the woman’s warrior lover was dwelling there with them. Now would she go to him. When the tribal elders tossed her into the icy water, moonlight glinted off the waves, like a beacon. At once her body went numb with cold. Within minutes she could no longer feel her hands or feet. Her body sank below the water and she gave herself up to the fate awaiting her. Suddenly, with a great rush of sound, the lake came alive. Waves rose up taller than the trees that ringed the shore. Fish that had been sleeping in the deep awoke and swam in wild profusion around her.
Water that had been laced with ice floes was now as warm as if it had been heated over a fire. A mighty wave lifted the woman on its crest, sweeping her above the waves. Her body began to take on a new form, and the form became that of a beautiful but fierce warrior woman in flowing robes, her hair golden, skin luminous as freshwater pearls. It is said that even now she waits out there in the lake, hoping for a glimpse of the daughter she loved more than her own life. Thus was born the legend of the warrior woman of the lake, for there is no warrior more ferocious than a mother denied the love of her child. Like a she-bear, she will wait and watch and do whatever is necessary to reclaim the love that was lost.“
Grace’s tone grew hushed. „Do you think she was able to make peace with her child?“
He fixed her with a dark, knowing stare. „What do you think, Grace?“
She was silent for a long time. When at last she spoke, her voice was troubled. „I can’t imagine any daughter who would be so hard-hearted that she could ignore her own mother’s anguish and refuse to forgive a solitary mistake.“
„Even if that mistake caused great pain to the girl’s father?“
„I wonder. Was it pain that drove the chief to punish her? Or his wounded pride?“
The old man shrugged. „Perhaps a little of both.“
Josh asked the question that was uppermost in his mind. „You said few had seen her, except for some of the old ones. Why do you think the warrior woman has begun showing herself again after all these years?“
Wyatt Eagle turned to him. „That is indeed a mystery. Perhaps it is she. Or perhaps a kindred spirit who must find some resolution to the pain of this life, before entering the Great Beyond.“
Grace mused aloud, „Why have I never read of this legend in any of my research?“
Wyatt smiled. „Much of my people’s lore has never been recorded, but rather passed from father to son. It is, after all, an ancient tale, and there are none of my people left.“ He set aside his empty mug. „I thank you for that fine meal. And for your pleasant company. But now I must leave you.“
As he stood, Barnaby looked up from the fire. At a soft command, the dog trotted over to stand beside the old man and looked up into his eyes as though sharing his innermost thoughts.
Touching a hand to the dog’s head, Wyatt glanced from Grace to Josh. „It would seem that my companion feels at home here.“ He turned to Grace. „You remind me of the woman who left Barnaby in my care. She entrusted me with something else and told me I would recognize the one for whom it was meant.“ He reached into the pocket of his parka and handed Grace a manila envelope.
She stared at it, then up at him. „I don’t understand.“
„So much of life is a mystery.“ He bent forward and brushed a kiss on her cheek. „Good-bye, Grace Marin. I am honored that we met.“ He turned to Josh. „Barnaby loves the land. He would make a boon companion to one who enjoys exploring the wilderness.“
Josh chuckled. „I’m sure he would. But I travel alone.“
The old man opened the door and stepped outside, with the dog at his heels.
Grace and Josh stood in the doorway watching as Wyatt and Barnaby started toward the woods. Suddenly the wind picked up, yanking the door from Josh’s hands and slamming it shut.
„Getting colder,“ he muttered.
When he’d finally managed to shove open the door again, both man and dog were out of sight. Though Josh and Grace strained to see their figures moving in the woods, there was no sign of them.
„Odd. For an old man, he moves like lightning.“ Josh glanced at the envelope in Grace’s hand. „Going to open it?“
„Of course.“ But instead of tearing it open, she simply stared at it.
„You’re looking at it as though it’s some kind of magic bottle, and you’re afraid of the genie inside.“
„Maybe I am.“
He started out the door. „You can open that envelope, or just stare at it for the next hour. While you decide, I’m going to the shed and see if I can get that generator started.“
He sauntered away, leaving Grace alone in the cabin, her pulse racing, her throat as dry as dust.
Seven
Josh breezed into the cabin on a rush of cold air. Bracing a hip against the door, he closed and latched it before starting across the room toward the warmth of the fireplace.
He passed Grace, seated on die sofa, surrounded by a stack of letters and photographs.
„Getting cold out there. I didn’t realize just how cold until I stepped out of the shed and decided to wash up in the lake. I must be losing my touch. Even though I cleaned every single part, I couldn’t get that generator to…“ His words died in midsentence when he caught sight of Grace’s tear-streaked face. „Hey, I’m really sorry.“ His voice lowered. „I see you decided to free the genie. Is it something you can talk about?“
Before she could say a word, the tears started fresh.
„Here.“ He was beside her in an instant, his arms outstretched. „Let me help.“
Grace stiffened. It simply wasn’t her style to give in to any weakness, especially one involving something so private and painful. But his offer was too tempting. Right now, this minute, she was feeling so alone and so wounded. Where was the harm in allowing someone else to be strong for her, just for a little while? The moment the thought formed in her mind, it seemed the most natural thing in the world to accept the comfort he was offering.
On trembling legs she stood and nearly fell into his arms. „Oh, Josh.“
„Oh, baby, whatever it is, you’ll get through it.“ He gathered her close. Against her hair he whispered, „Hold on, Grace.“
The instant his strong arms closed around her, she felt a measure of peace and safety. Comfort. As though, simply by being held, she would, as he’d promised, get through this terrible pain that had shattered her poor heart.
The tears started again, and this time she allowed them to fall until there were none left.
At last she sniffed and lifted her head. „Sorry. I don’t usually blubber like a baby. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I had a good cry. Now I’ve got the front of your shirt all wet again. I seem to do that a lot.“
„I don’t mind.“ He lowered his head to smile down into her eyes. „It was wet anyway, after my dip in the lake. Feeling better?“
„Yeah. Thanks.“
„My pleasure.“ Despite his smile, there was a huskiness to his tone that had her heart speeding up. He made no move to release her. „You feel good here.“
She blinked the moisture from her lashes. „I was thinking the same thing.“
„Great minds.“ His gaze burned over her face before settling on her mouth. „If you’d like, we could try that again, only closer.“
Why wasn’t she drawing away now that her tears had run their course? What power did this man have that he could hold her with nothing more than an inviting look, a charming smile?
Her voice was a whisper. „If you don’t mind, I’d like that.“
„Mind?“ On a sigh he drew her close and tipped up her chin. She felt the heat of his kiss even before his lips found hers.
He kept the kiss as light as air. As soft as the brush of butterfly wings against her mouth.