Bittersweet Ecstasy (58 page)

“Our lives have followed many thorny paths and many lovely ones. It is so good to be home again,” she whispered and snuggled against him, careful of his healing body.

He put his arm around her shoulder and guided her toward their tepee. “It is the rest period, my love. Come and lie with me.”

Rebecca laughed as he laced the flap and walked toward her, a walk which said his confidence was restored and his strength was returning rapidly. She removed her garments and waited for him to reach her. He dropped his breechcloth along the way, so their naked bodies touched intimately as they embraced and kissed.

They made love leisurely and blissfully, then slept for a short time. After bathing in the river, they dressed and returned to camp, just in time to receive guests.

As tears flowed down her cheeks, Tashina raced forward to hug her mother tightly. The waiting to come home, after she had learned of her mother’s survival and return, had been tormenting. Although she knew the whole story from her husband, Soul-of-Thunder, she coaxed her mother to repeat it once more, just in case something had been omitted. Rebecca urged her youngest daughter to tell her all about her romance and marriage to the handsome male at Tashina’s side.

After the women had embraced several times and exuberantly exchanged tales, Windrider and Bonnie “Sky Eyes” Thorne came forward to reveal their
elation at Rebecca’s return. Between joyful tears, Rebecca embraced both affectionately, then hugged each of their children, immediately noticing how muscular and handsome and virile Sky Warrior had become during the past year. She was glad her daughter had married the son of Windrider, for both were unique males.

When Little Feet and Thunder Spirit joined the laughing group, she and her sister hugged and whispered about their new lives and this happy occasion. As Rebecca placed her arm around Bright Arrow, he drew her close to his side, as if he could not endure her absence very long. Little Feet and Tashina went to stand at either side of their reunited parents, clasping their hands before and behind them to form a circle of shared love. After releasing each other’s hands, the two women joined their husbands and nestled close to them.

The merriment seemed contagious, for White Arrow and Pretty Woman strolled over to where the smiling couples were standing and talking. His aging gaze walked slowly over the group and he smiled. He watched his son Thunder Spirit and was glad to observe his happiness and peace, for he and Little Feet were well suited and it suited him to have his son joined to the granddaughter of his best friends Gray Eagle and Shalee. He would miss those two terribly, but he would watch over their sons and grandchildren for them.

Flaming Star returned from his hunt and came to see what was going on in the center of camp. He grinned at Rebecca, then clasped forearms with Bright Arrow. Suddenly, giggling children surrounded Flaming Star and he leaned forward to scoop up Buckskin Girl and to ruffle the dark heads of his two sons. Soon, the little girl wiggled to get down, for she wanted to race off to play with White Arrow’s second set of children.
Flaming Star glanced at his father and smiled, for they were very close.

Everyone was in a good mood, ready to celebrate the joys of living and loving. Bright Arrow’s gaze scanned the group around him and his heart surged with deep emotion. All of them had been touched and loved and influenced by Gray Eagle and Shalee, and they would never be forgotten. He had vowed to send word through Sturgis to Powchutu’s son, Stede Gaston, to let Stede know all about his father’s life and death, and to let Stede know about his true heritage. His gaze met White Arrow’s, and he realized how closely their thoughts and feelings matched. Now that his father was gone, White Arrow would be the one to give him guidance. They smiled and nodded in understanding.

A hunter galloped into camp to send up the signal that Sun Cloud and Singing Wind were approaching, and the Oglalas quickly dropped their tasks and rushed forward to greet their new chief and his future mate. They cheered loudly and merrily as Sun Cloud dismounted agilely. Then Thunder Spirit stepped forward and helped Singing Wind from her horse’s back, and they exchanged grins.

Sun Cloud eyed the lovely and smiling Rebecca, then hugged her tightly. “It is good to have you home again, my sister.”

Sun Cloud embraced his brother and queried him about his health. When Bright Arrow told him he was fine, and ecstatically happy, Sun Cloud greeted his friends and people. Grasping Singing Wind’s hand and pulling her to his side, he announced, “I wish to join the daughter of Brave Bear this moon. Do my people accept her?”

A cheer arose and all shouted,
“Han, han.
Yes, yes.”

Bright Arrow revealed the news of the vote making

Sun Cloud chief, then placed the bonnet made from his many
coup
feathers upon his head, and was glad Mind-who-Roams had completed it and had handed it to him to carry out this thrilling duty. He asked everyone to make a path so Sun Cloud and Singing Wind could see the generous gift from their people: the beautiful tepee with the Oglala chiefs markings. “All is prepared for your joining and our feast. It is good to have you home safely, my brother, and my chief.”

Sun Cloud looked around at all of his friends, loved ones, and people. His eyes were misty and his voice was choked with deep emotion as he said, “My people are generous and kind. I pray I will be a worthy chief like my father Gray Eagle and his father Running Wolf. This is a good day for living and for joining. My heart swells with joy and pride, and I fear it will burst from fullness.”

Bright Arrow suggested, “Come, let the ceremonial chief join you to your chosen one, then our celebration can begin.”

Sun Cloud squeezed Singing Wind’s hand and pulled her forward. “It is time, my love,” he whispered near her ear. “Are you ready?”

Singing Wind looked up at him and smiled. “More than ready, my love,” she replied, for the bitter demands on all of their lives were over, and only sweet ecstasy loomed before them. She entwined her fingers with Sun Cloud’s and they approached the area where their lives would be joined as one, just as their hearts were bound as one.

Dear Reader:

On page 394 of my novel
Savage Conquest,
an error was made which many of you have questioned. The original text read as follows, beginning with line seven:

“Sun Cloud had told Miranda how the chiefs bonnet had left the bloodline of Gray Eagle. When
he
(meaning Sun Cloud, not Gray Eagle) was fifty-five, he (Sun Cloud) was wounded critically (not slain). The chiefs bonnet was passed to his (Sun Cloud’s) son, Night Stalker, but only for two years until the grim 1854 massacre (when Night Stalker was slain). With Bloody Arrow only five and Blazing Star only eight (both too young to become chief), Sun Cloud resumed (took back) the chiefs bonnet until Crazy Horse won it…”

I am sorry this confusing error slipped by.