Love by Dawn (12 page)

“How are you, Melissa? Are you happy? Are
these people treating you okay?” he blurted out in a single
breath.

“Moon Glow is happy and
treated well,” answered the deep voice without malice. Blake looked
up to see Blue Thunder standing behind his cousin. He had forgotten
her Indian name “
Hon
Dah.
” The big brave extended his hand;
they shook grasping each other firmly. It was a custom that
Apache’s never did, but Blake knew the Indian recalled the white
man’s greeting making him smile.

“It is good to see you Blue Thunder. I
should have known you’d not be far from Melissa’s, um, Moon Glow’s
side.” Before he could say another word, he saw a pretty little
girl peek around Blue Thunder’s muscular leg. “And who might this
pretty little princess be?” The girl shyly came around and was
picked up by her father’s strong arms.

“This is our daughter. She is called Blue
Moon and born shortly after you left camp.”

Blake reached over and kissed her chubby
cheeks. “You are as beautiful as your mother,” he said to the child
causing her to giggle.

“Thank you Blake and you haven’t changed
much; just look more mature. And darn if you didn’t become all the
more handsome,” said his cousin.

“And papoose is son, Nantan Lupan, meaning
Gray Wolf, in white man’s tongue.” interjected Blue Thunder proudly
when a young maiden stepped by his side holding a baby. The maiden
was introduced as Tonkawana.

“What brings you here, cousin?” interrupted
Moon Glow, shifting uneasily and then taking her fussing son from
her friend, Tonkawana’s arms.

“I’m looking for a white male and female.”
She and Blue Thunder exchanged glances. “Did you see them pass
through the valley?” he asked, not missing the exchange.

“Why are you looking for them?” queried Blue
Thunder.

“Did you see them?” snapped Blake more rudely
than he intended. He only wanted a simple answer to a simple
question. He had ridden hundreds of miles to find the two and he
had no patience in being interrogated.

“You answer question,” ordered Blue
Thunder.

Frustrated, Blake growled. “All I want to
know is did you see them?”

Blue Thunder stood adamant, folding his arms
over his massive chest. The determination in the tall brave’s dark
eyes told him that he’d better clam down and answer the question if
he was going to get any satisfaction from Blue Thunder.

“The young man was my prisoner; his sister
helped him escape.”

Moon Glow’s brows furrowed. “What crime did
he commit?”

“Dealing in slavery; his first time.” Why
Blake found it necessary to say it was Hunter’s first offense
surprised even him.

Moon Glow was hesitant in telling Blake that
the two white people had been brought to their camp over three
months ago, weary from too much traveling. Not wanting to continue
for a while, they decided to accept the hospitality of the Indians,
hoping to regain their strength. She was happy to have Casey as a
friend; Hunter proved to be very brave and helped with the hunting.
She and her husband were becoming very fond of the two and she
didn’t want to see any harm come to them. Luckily they were down by
the pond fishing right now and were away from Blake’s eyes. She
shuddered and remembered how close she had come to being a prisoner
herself. She would find out why Blake was trailing them first.

“Are you going to take them back to jail?”
she asked.

“To tell you the truth, I’m more interested
in the girl.”

There’s going to be trouble when he finds out
that Star Gazer is quite taken by Casey’s beauty, thought Moon
Glow. She nodded to Runs Like Wind and the brave slipped,
undetected from the gathering to find the white girl.

“What interest do you have in Casey?” asked
her husband.

Blake grunted uncomfortably. “Well, it’s
kinda personal. I didn’t come to harm her, or take her back, but we
have some unfinished business.”

“Would you please excuse us a minute, Blake?
I’d like a few words with my husband.” He nodded and they walked a
short distance from him. She asked her mate advice and he told her
to tell the truth. They rejoined Blake and she said, “We know of
the two you are seeking, but I made my husband promised me that no
harm will come to the pair. You will honor my wishes?”

Blake nodded. “Did they pass through the
valley?”

“No,” said Moon Glow, “they are here.”

“Here? You let them stay here? I can’t
believe my luck! Are they all right?” he queried in dazed
exasperation. Her husband held up his hand. “One question at a
time,” he said chuckling. “They are happy and healthy; they were
not mistreated. Moon Glow will not let any harm come to any white
eyes. She is honored and loved greatly among my people.”

“Where is the white woman?” Blake asked
without hesitation.

“She’s with her brother, down by the creek
that flows down from the mountain,” Moon Glow admitted. Blake
turned to go, but Blue Thunder put his hand on the young man’s
shoulder.

“You will see them in time. First, you must
visit my father’s wickiup. We need to inform him of your visit.”
She knew the last thing Blake wanted to do was socialize, but he
had to pay his respects to Dasodaha. Reluctantly, he followed her
and Blue Thunder into the chief’s dwelling.

FIFTEEN

Casey and her brother were painstakingly
trying to catch a fish out of the small brook that flowed down from
the mountain. They both had become quite skilled in the art of
spear fishing. If she had been asked earlier in life if one day she
might find herself living with the Indians, she would have laughed
at the impossibility of it ever happening. But laughing right now
was completely out of the question; she had to give her full
attention to catching her slippery prize, as she watched her prey
circle her ankles. She stood with her two small feet balanced on
smooth rocks; the stream was cold and her feet were becoming numb.
Holding her breath, she took steady aim. Whoosh, splash, a perfect
hit. She pulled the fish from the water hearing Hunter groan,
knowing he had missed his supper. Turning, gloating unladylike, she
giggled and held up her catch. Her brother hated to be teased and
didn’t like that she was just a little faster than he. But he
forced a crooked smile and feigned being a good sport.

Casey looked down at her legs that were
exposed to the sun. The Indian dress, that Moon Glow had given her,
was beautiful and comfortable. Her pale skin had turned to a golden
bronze over the months in the sun. Her hair had lightened so much
that Hunter said from a distance she and Moon Glow could pass for
twins. She sighed as wisps of clouds floated by. She was at peace
here and could never recall a time in her life she had been
happier, but knew she and Hunter had to leave after the winter. For
now, she was content.

Her mind wandered back to the night they were
captured by Blue Thunder’s braves. She thought for sure she and her
brother would be killed. Five braves had arrows pointed at their
hearts. Casey nearly strangled on her breath as the sixth Indian
holding a large knife, came forward. Hunter had pulled her close to
him to shield her from danger.

“We...we come in peace,” her brother croaked,
trying not to let his lips quiver. “My sister and I are just
passing through.”

The redskin holding the knife spoke to the
others in a harsh tone and all the braves lowered their weapons.
The Indian who spoke looked at her and Hunter suspiciously and
Casey swallowed audibly, her eyes locked on the large knife. The
brave reached out and grabbed her long hair. Closing her eyes
tight, she feared she would be scalped then and there; she prayed
her death would be swift. What seemed like eternity passed before
the brave let the weight of her hair fall on her shoulder. Puzzled,
she opened her eyes to see the red man smiling.

The brave said, “We have woman back at
village with hair like you, she is sister by marriage. We not hurt
you if come peacefully,” he declared in broken English. The others
murmured in their own tongue and she and Hunter nodded, neither
could speak. Fear coupled with relief filled her body knowing their
lives would be spared…for now.

The braves unhitched the wagon and took the
horse; it was the only thing of value to the red man, but, Casey
begged them to let her retrieve her clothes. The Indian who spoke
English, nodded. She only owned few pairs of pants and shirts as
did Hunter, but they were a gift from the old couple and she wanted
to keep them.

Quickly she gathered up her things and her
brother’s. When she went to climb out of the wagon, the brave who
touched her hair, grabbed her and placed her in front of him on his
mount. She was flabbergasted and very uneasy sitting so close to a
half dressed man, not to mention an Indian. Hunter rode Sadie.

Upon arriving at the village, Casey was
curious about the strange looking teepees. Woman and children ran
out to see her and Hunter; they all looked unhappy frightening her.
She had heard white people were tortured, tied to stakes to burn in
the sun. With her light skin, it wouldn’t take her long to burn to
a crisp, like a piece of bacon. She shivered.

“Do not be afraid, Little One,” the deep
voice behind her ordered smoothly. It did nothing to soothe her
nerves. He stopped in front of one of those strange dwellings and
the biggest Indian she had ever seen emerged. Now she was more
frightened than before. A warning cloud settled on his threatening
countenance and looked no more pleased then the villagers.

“Who do you bring to our camp, Runs Like
Wind?” asked the imposing Indian, as he came closer, looking up at
her intensely.

“She and the man were camping nearby. They
said they were passing through, but when I saw the woman’s hair
shine like your wife’s, I had to see her closer.”

Casey listened, which didn’t help her
condition. Were they planning her demise? A moment later, a white
woman appeared and she blinked, speechless for the first time in
her life.

“
Hon Dah,
I am Melissa St. Andrews,
called Moon Glow by the Apache people. Please do not be frightened,
no harm will come to you and the young man by your
side.”

Her brother managed a few words. “I am Hunter
Walsh and this is my sister Casey. We are sorry if we trespassed on
your land.”

“Are you hungry?” Moon Glow changed the
subject leaving them completely stymied.

Casey’s stomach was in such a knot, she
wasn’t sure. Moon Glow turned to the tall Indian and she was glad
the woman spoke English.

“Blue Thunder, show our guests inside the
wickiup, please. Maybe the young woman will be more at ease away
from prying eyes.”

The big brave grunted and pushed aside the
canvas flaps. “My wife and I open humble lodging to you. Come
inside.”

When Casey was helped down from the
Appaloosa, her tongue still stuck to the roof of her mouth. She
followed, feeling her brother’s hands on the small of her back
ensuring her that everything will be all right. But her jitters had
continued for a few days even with Moon Glow’s assurance that they
were safe. So into her reverie that she didn’t hear the brave
approach. When the sun was blocked by his body, she opened her eyes
to see what had caused the shadow.

“Runs Like Wind?” She shaded her eyes looking
up at the tall brave. He gave her the bad new before she had a
chance to open her mouth.

“White man named, Blake come looking for you
and brother.”

“What?!” She leaped to her feet as her
brother was coming out of the water.

Waving a large trout in his hand, beaming
with pride, Hunter yelled, “Hey, Sis…look here. I think I’ve caught
a bigger fish, this....” his statement went unfinished when he
noticed her tremble. Dropping his prize and spear, he ran to her
side. “Casey, what is it?”

“Blake,” she whispered her throat dry.

“Blake?”

“Runs Like Wind just told me that Blake is
here…here in the village.”

“Damn!” snapped Hunter and then spit a curse
into the air. “Well, I’m not running anymore. The war’s over. If he
wants to take me back I’ll just have to take my chances.”

“No!”

“Look, Sis,” he grabbed her shaking hand. “We
can’t run forever. It looks as if this fellow won’t rest until he
brings me back. I was wrong and I must pay for it.” She shook her
head, negatively. “The war is over; they probably won’t even give
me a second glance,” he said, but his words came out a bit
weak.

Casey wasn’t convinced and continued to shake
her head frantically. “No, I won’t let him take you back; you’re
all I have left. We’re family.”

“He did not come to take white man back,”
informed Runs Like Wind in Athabscan. Her brother looked at the
brave with question in his eyes. She and Hunter knew enough of his
language to understand most of what he said.

“What?” they said in unison.

“Man said he no come to take Hunter back,” he
repeated in broken English so she and her brother could fully
understand.

“This doesn’t make any sense,” commented
Casey, wrinkling her face in thought. “If he didn’t come here to
take Hunter back, then why?” she questioned.

“He said he interested in you, white girl.”
Runs Like The Wind pointed a finger at her.

“Come on,” Hunter tugged on her hand. “We
might as well go being that we’ll have to see him sooner or later.”
Casey hesitated, but he tugged harder, pulling her reluctantly back
to camp.

Blake entered Dasodaha’s dimly lit dwelling.
The old chief sat quietly, gazing listlessly into the low burning
fire, his health had been failing. Blue Thunder nodded and motioned
for him to come closer, stating that the chief’s mind was not as
clear as it was a few years ago and he wouldn’t have noticed if
anyone had entered. Moon Glow shook her father-in-law’s
shoulder.