Ivy Page 11

  “Well, how did it go?” Ivy asked but did not leave Hotah’s embrace.

  “Colonel Black has given Hotah a full pardon, and he no longer needs to live on the reserved land,” Noah said.

  “Thank goodness.” Ivy leaned her head on Hotah’s shoulder.

  “Kimi, I brought you something,” Poppy said to her niece.

  Ivy loved the nickname her sisters had given to Kimimela who she now looked at as her own.

  The girl skipped up the steps to stand in front of her aunt.

  Poppy opened the burlap bag she’d been carrying.

  “For me? Really?” Kimimela asked.

  “What is it?” Ivy whispered to Hotah.

  “A bow and quiver.” He squeezed her closer to him.

  “There are no bows,” the girl said.

  “We will make them,” Poppy told her.

  Ivy smiled. Her sisters had accepted the people she loved as one of their own.

  “Let me see my nephew,” Poppy said and waited for Ivy to place him within her arms.

  “Thank you,” Ivy mouthed.

  Poppy kissed her cheek before taking the baby, Kimimela, and Noah inside.

  Ivy’s eyes misted. She was thankful once more for all that had changed within her life. She peeked at Hotah beside her. If not for him finding her, she’d still be a prisoner to herself. He’d brought out the best in her, and even though they’d only been together a short while, Ivy couldn’t imagine her life without him.

  Hotah turned Ivy toward him. “Two more days, and you will be my wife.”

  “Yes, my wastelakapi,” she whispered. Poppy had taught her the word, and she was excited to say it to him now.

  “Am I your beloved?” He was close enough for her to see the smile upon his handsome face.

  He took her breath away.

  “You are. And so much more,” she whispered.

  “I love you, wiwasteka.” He ran the pad of his thumb down her cheek, catching on her bottom lip just before his mouth touched hers in a soul-drenching kiss.

  THE END

  About the Author

  Kat Flannery’s love of history shows in her novels. She is an avid reader of historical, suspense, paranormal, and romance. A member of many writing groups, Kat enjoys promoting other authors on her blog. She’s been published in numerous periodicals throughout her career.

  Her debut novel CHASING CLOVERS has been an Amazon bestseller many times. LAKOTA HONOR and BLOOD CURSE (Branded Trilogy) are Kat’s two award-winning novels. Kat is currently hard at work on her next book.

  When not researching for her next book, Kat can be found spending time with her three sons and husband.

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