Forever Ecstasy (55 page)

Soldiers camped outside the village, feeling at ease after their cordial reception. Most were surprised to find the Red Hearts so friendly, honest, and intelligent. When curious braves visited the area, they chatted amiably.

Knife-Slayer and Night Stalker went to the chief’s son’s tepee to talk privately of the disagreeable events controlling their lives. When the contrary Bloody Arrow became naughty, the men left to speak elsewhere.

Morning Star and Buckskin Girl took a walk with Joe and Clay near the river. The two couples laughed and talked. The women, best friends for years, had confided in each other about their loves for men of white blood. Both had decided to pursue their choices and to follow them wherever they led, no matter the consequences.

Joe and Morning Star noticed how Buckskin Girl and Clay Thorne glanced at each other, and knew a romance had been revived. Both were glad for their friends, and were eager for all to begin bright futures.

When Clay asked Joe what his future plans were, Joe grinned before answering, as the half-Cheyenne already knew
the answer. Joe guessed his motive with accuracy, to give Clay a chance to speak his. “I’ll be heading back to Virginia to help my family. My parents are getting old and need me to take over the business. I won’t stay long after we’re done here. What about you, Clay? What are your plans?”

Clay ruffled his blond hair and stroked his smooth jawline as he pretended to consider the query. “I’ll stay here.” he divulged. “This is where I was born and raised, where I belong. If I’ve learned one thing during my long absence and journey, it’s that I have more of my father’s blood and feelings than my mother’s. I’ll make certain the whites and Indians live up to their impending agreement. Your people have agents and soldiers to protect them; mine need me to do the same. I’ll work closely with Tom Fitzpatrick to keep things fair and safe.”

Joe smiled. “That sounds good to me. But where will you settle?”

“I plan to visit my family and people first to settle what happened years ago. Then I’m going to accept Sun Cloud’s offer to live with my grandmother’s people, here with the Red Hearts.”

Buckskin Girl glowed with happiness at that news. “You will be welcome here, Sky Warrior. I will make a tepee for you.”

Clay faced her and asked, “Will you make it for me and my wife?”

Buckskin Girl did not catch the humor in his tone and eyes, and she missed the meaning of his words. Her smile faded, but she replied, “Yes.”

“Good, because I wouldn’t want you to be displeased with your home.”

Confusion was evident in the older woman’s gaze. She glanced at Morning Star as the younger female giggled and covered her mouth.

“You will join to me, won’t you?” Clay asked, caressing her cheek.

Buckskin Girl gaped at the half-white man who was grinning at her. She stuttered, “You ask m-me to be-come your …m-mate?”

Clay chuckled. “Yes. You loved me and wanted me years
ago. I hope you haven’t changed your mind. It just took me a long time to realize that what I was seeking elsewhere was waiting for me here.”

Those words flowed through Buckskin Girl as warm honey in her veins. Tears glistened in her dark eyes. Her cheeks rosed with joy. Without modesty, she confessed, “I love you and will join you.”

Clay let out a loud sigh of relief. Only because Morning Star had assured him of the woman’s love had he found the courage to take another chance with love and marriage. “I’ll make you a good husband,” he vowed.

Buckskin Girl forgot her friends’ presence for a time. She gazed into Clay’s dark-blue eyes and handsome face. She loved him with all her heart and soul, as Morning Star did Joseph Lawrence. At last, both of them would share true love. “I will make you a good wife,” she murmured, “I have waited many years for your return. In my dreams, Grandfather said he would bring you home to me. It is so, but I feared it would not happen when Tanner appeared as the vision man.”

“Morning Star, why don’t we leave them alone to talk?” Joe suggested, “I think they have a lot to discuss.”

The chief’s daughter was filled with joy for her best friend. “That is a good idea. But we must not be alone together,” she reminded. She hated to sacrifice any of the little time remaining with him. She was worried about the danger he would face soon without her help. She prayed the soldiers and Clay would guard him well when he challenged Orin alone.

Buckskin Girl and Clay/Sky Warrior looked at them with empathy. Their union would be easy to achieve, but it was not so with their friends.

“Don’t worry, love,” Joe said, “this won’t be for much longer.”

“He is your destiny; you are his,” Buckskin Girl remarked. “Many will resist your mating, but let nothing and no one halt it.”

“We won’t,” Joe responded for them, and Morning Star nodded.

He sent her an encouraging smile and whispered, “Soon, love.”

As she left his side, Morning Star was plagued by Buckskin Girl’s words. For a short time, she had deluded herself by thinking anything—including peace and her many coups— could change the laws and customs of her people or influence her father’s mind about her intention. She must not allow herself to get wishful again, as it clouded the mind.

How she longed to be a part of the exciting final victory over Snake-Man, to be at Joe’s side when the obstacle to their departure was removed. She wanted to ride to Bear Butte and participate, but her father and Joe had refused her request. She would not defy their order or display recklessness by sneaking there; that was the act of a foolish woman. She must not be disrespectful or dishonorable. She would obey them, even if she didn’t agree with being left behind during this triumphant episode.

Later, Joe and Stede took a walk as dusk was yielding to night. The older man said, “I received a letter from your mother just before I left Fort Laramie. She’s worried about you. She asked me to make sure you stay safe and return home soon. She also wanted to know all about Morning Star.”

Joe related what he had written to his parents and when. “Did you write her back?” he inquired, a strange sensation gnawing at him.

Stede clasped Joe’s shoulder with a strong hand. His gaze was filled with kindness and affection. Wind played through his graying deep-brown hair and ruffled the lashes around dark eyes: signs of his Indian heritage. At sixty-five, he knew his years were numbered, but he had accomplished his last wish. He had met his kin, found the missing part of his roots, and would help win peace for them as his father would have wanted. He felt complete, even thought a vital part of him was gone forever. But soon he would join his brave son, whose death had not been in vain. He would be with his beloved wife again, leaving only his sister and her family behind. It was the way of life. “Yes, but she’ll worry anyway. Mothers are like that.”

Joe had noticed the brief, faraway look in Stede’s eyes, and
suspected where the man’s thoughts had fled. He loved and missed Tanner, too. Nothing could bring him back, but the memories of their years together would always live in his mind. As a distraction, he asked, “You don’t think she and Father will reject Morning Star, do you?”

“No. They’re fine people, Son. Besides, they know I’m part Indian and they like me. They have no prejudice against our kind.”

“That’s good, because I can’t give her up for anybody.”

“Tanner would be happy you’re marrying his cousin. He would be proud of all you’ve done to help our kin. I am.”

“Lordy, how I miss him. He was closer than a brother to me. Sometimes I think this is all a bad dream; I’ll wake up, and he’ll be there. His killer will be punished soon.” He met Stede’s gaze. “I’m sorry you’re caught in this deceit of mine, sir, but it was the only way to help them.”

“I understand, Joe. But I’ll be glad when we can tell the truth.”

“You think it will turn Sun Cloud against me?”

“Frankly, Son, I don’t know. From what my father told me, Indians are taught to keep their bloodlines pure, and they’re reared to honor their customs and laws. It’s even more restrictive for chiefs and their families. You’ll be asking Sun Cloud to send his only daughter into a world where some people want to conquer or destroy his culture. Worse, from some points of view, his bloodline is already tainted with enemy blood, and I’m sure he wants to get it back to its purest state. I’m sure he has no idea of your feelings and intentions for his daughter, nor hers for you. He knows what you’ve done for his people, and he likes you. But I can’t venture a guess how he’ll react to such news.”

“I appreciate your honesty and candor, sir. Somehow we’ll have to convince him of my love and persuade him I can protect her in my land. It will help, when the time comes, if you speak in our favor.”

“I’ll do what I can, Son, but I’m a half-breed and visitor, too.”

Early the following morning, Wind Bird, who was being trained by Payaba to become a shaman one day, departed for Orin McMichael’s trading post with Black Moon’s musical watch and alleged message. A man with small hands and feet, he could pass more easily for a Crow than any other Red Heart. He was instructed how to use his wits, English expressions, and a white truce flag. If Orin wondered how a Crow knew to come to his place, Wind Bird was to say he was seeking Zeke Randall. That culprit had no doubt rejoined his boss while they awaited news from Bart of their blond intruder’s death.

Joe was sure Sergeant Carnes would not search too far into the vast grasslands for him and risk confronting an Oglala war party. Bart was probably back at Fort Tabor, enjoying his stolen command. No matter, the traitorous officer would be arrested soon and be kept out of their way.

If things went as planned, Zeke would talk with Wind Bird, then report the message to Orin. The crafty Scotsman should respond without delay. While at Orin’s long ago, Joe had glimpsed a wagon in the barn, but had not thought to check it for a false bottom and “magic” balls. Nor had he thought to ask Clay to examine it during one of his spying trips. Yet Joe was positive it was there and Orin was guilty.

Wind Bird was ordered to ride slowly to give the others time to reach Bear Butte to prepare for the impending trap and for Joe’s party to carry out their additional task. The Red Heart brave was to tell Zeke the Crow would no longer follow, trust, or obey Snake-Man’s words unless the spirit met them at the sacred mountain and commanded it. Snake-Man must again prove his magic and powers to them, or their truce was over. Wind Bird was to dangle another piece of bait before the heartless villain: Joseph Lawrence, whom they had captured for him as a gift. The meeting was set for six suns after the message was delivered. It would require that long for Orin to travel there by wagon, as he would need his special one for Snake-Man’s vanishing trick. It would be good for Black Moon to see him unmasked and to be taught the error of his ways.

Joe and Morning Star were certain Orin and his gang would
fall for the ruse. The villains needed to retain control of the Bird People for their vicious scheme to work, and the blackhearts were eager to get their hands on Joe to question and torture him. The couple was sure Wind Bird could entice the culprits there for defeat.

That same day, Joe, Stede, Tom, Clay, Sun Cloud, Red Heart warriors, and half of the troop departed to set their part of the plan in motion. The other soldiers left for the fort, to arrest Sergeant Bart Carnes and to take command of the post to prevent any trouble during the final episode.

Miles northwestward, the forces would separate, with most journeying on to Bear Butte to make preparations there, while Joe and a few others continued northward to carry out Tom Fitzpatrick’s added order.

Joe admitted it was a clever but risky scheme, and he wished he had thought of it. He envisioned Black Moon’s reaction when he was issued such an ultimatum. It was a cunning coup de grace to the Crow chiefs final treachery. Over the years, Tom had learned about good and bad Indians, and Joe was glad the agent had suggested this ploy.

Joe’s only regret about this final confrontation was Morning Star’s exclusion from it, as she deserved to be included, but it was best not to have a beautiful Oglala woman around so many men. Every mind had to be focused on their joint task. He wished he could take her in his embrace and kiss her goodbye. But soon she would be in his arms and life forever, and he eagerly anticipated that day.

As the large group rode away, women and children watched them take their leave, as did the warriors left behind to guard the camp.

Morning Star, Singing Wind, and Buckskin Girl watched until their loved ones were out of sight. Concern filled each woman.

“Come, we have chores,” the oldest woman told the younger two.

“What if this plan fails?” Buckskin Girl worried aloud.

Morning Star murmured with undisguised trepidation, “It must not. But I fear the change the Indian agent made in it. Broken-Hand does not want Orin to know he walks into a
trap. It is clever,” she admitted, “to have Black Moon waiting for him to destroy any suspicions. It will be good if Sky Warrior can learn why Orin does this evil thing. But this deed has many dangers. Sky Warrior will be bound and helpless among many foes. He could be slain before soldiers or our warriors can help him. When Snake-Man sees he is trapped, he will strike at Sky Warrior before his capture or death. Broken-Hand wishes to prove enemy tribes can work together, but it is dangerous to let the Bird People share in this great moment. Black Moon has proven he is our foe and Orin’s friend. Why must they ride to his camp to seek his help? It may defeat the sacred vision.”

“No, my daughter, it is a good plan,” Singing Wind refuted in a gentle tone, trying to conceal her own fears. “It will draw us together for future peace. It will force Black Moon to give up his bad ways. He does not wish to anger the soldiers and whites. He fears them more than he fears the false spirit. He will obey and help. When the evil white man and his men see Black Moon, they will approach and be trapped by forces working together.”

“I understand such hopes, my mother, but I do not trust him, and it was not in Payaba’s vision. Evil is strong this season and seeks to defeat all that is good. I should be there, for all know Sky Warrior rides with a squaw.”