Westward Dreams (9 page)

              All of the Samuels women stood and watched the proceedings and laughed along with the workers.  They kept the children with them so they didn’t get hurt.  When the job was done and the tipi tied up and hitched to a couple of Indian ponies, it was time for Owl to say goodbye to his new white family.

              Black Fox and He Who Runs watched in surprise as each person hugged Owl and made him promise to visit.  This included Dean.  Black Fox in particular watched the interaction between his brother and Dean with keen interest.  When the two men shook hands, there seemed to be a new bond between them and Black Fox wondered what had caused it.

              The Lakotas started out towards home and Owl waved to Dean and company a couple of times as they went.

              Black Fox said, “You’re going to miss them, aren’t you?”

              Owl said, “Yes.  They took very good care of me and we had a lot of fun.  I wasn’t expecting that.  In fact, I wasn’t sure what to expect when you all had to leave.  If it weren’t for Silver Ghost being here, I would have tried to come with you somehow.”

              He Who Runs walked on his other side and said, “Something changed in you over the winter.”

              Owl nodded.  “I discovered that they have some strange ways about them, but they’re not really much different from us.  They love their children and work to make a good life for themselves. And they like to have fun, too.  It’s different fun than we have, but still fun.”

              He Who Runs thought about that.  “What about Dean?  You seemed different with him, too.”

              Owl laughed.  “He and I are at odds a lot, but it’s more of a friendly antagonism.  He was only truly angry with me two or three times and that got resolved quickly.  We have different views on raising children and he can’t understand our way of doing it.  It was very funny, actually.”

              Black Fox smiled.  “I can only imagine.”

              Owl felt that he needed to tell them about Hannah since he wanted her to meet his family.  “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

              “Who?” He Who Runs asked.

              “A woman.”

              Black Fox said, “What woman?  All of the Lakota were down south.”

              Owl raised his chin.  “She is white.”

              He Who Runs stopped walking and looked at Owl.  “Did you just say that she’s white?”

              “Yes, I did.  What of it?” Owl asked with a direct stare at He Who Runs.

              “It’s complicated,” Black Fox said.

              “Why?  Fawn is white and there’s never been any objection,” Owl said.

              Black Fox said, “It’s understandable why Silver Ghost would marry a white woman since he’s half white and was raised as such.  You are full Lakota and have been raised with our traditions and within our culture.”

              Owl’s eyes widened.  “You love Fawn, right?  So do I.  You can’t love one white woman and object to another, Black Fox.”

              Black Fox sighed.  “Is it serious?”

              “I’m not sure yet.  I know that she makes me happy.  You know how long it’s been since that’s happened,” Owl said.  “I’m asking that you simply reserve judgment until you meet her.  Her name is Hannah.  She’s a medicine woman.  She’s been helping me with my shoulder and back.”  He smiled.  “You should have her give you a backrub.  It feels incredible.”

              He Who Runs saw his brother’s face light up as he talked about this woman and recognized that look.  Owl was halfway in love with this woman and he didn’t know if Owl realized it or not.  He wasn’t going to be the one to point it out, though.

              They started walking again and Owl tried not to be nervous about what Black Fox’s decision would be.  Black Fox tried to look at the problem from all angles.  Yes, it was true that they had accepted and had grown to love Fawn and the children.  Silver Ghost’s situation was unique, however.  Still, they had made an exception and Black Fox could see how Owl would view that. 

              Black Fox thought about how unique the tribe’s position was, too.  They had actually voted in a white community’s election for a leader.  He smiled as he thought about Joe.  It would be good to see him and hear about what he had been up to over the winter.  Black Fox knew that there were many tribes that hated the whites and vice versa.  He had to admit that it made him happy that they had such a good relationship with their nearby white brothers and sisters. 

              Silver Ghost’s white family was a good example of that.  He was grateful for the care they had given Owl during his recovery.  Leaving Owl behind had caused Black Fox deep distress, but as chief, his first responsibility was to the tribe and he couldn’t stay in summer camp for just one person.  Silver Ghost had come through on his promise to take good care of Owl.  Of course, Silver Ghost loved Owl as much as he did, so it was no surprise.

              Black Fox saw Owl sneak a glance at him and the leader came to a decision.  How could he say no without even meeting the woman in question when they were friends and relatives with so many other white people?              He prided himself on being a fair, impartial leader and knew that a rush to judgment would cause discord between several different parties.  Silver Ghost would take offense if Black Fox refused Owl’s request.  His youngest brother would see this as an insult to his white blood and that of his wife and children.  He had no wish to offend Silver Ghost or Fawn.

His mind made up, Black Fox said, “Bring her so we may meet this woman who makes you happy.”

Owl barely kept from jumping up and down with joy.  “Thank you, brother.  That means a lot to me.”

Black Fox smiled.  He could almost feel his brother’s happiness.  “You’re welcome.  Just prepare her so she’s not scared.”

“She’s not afraid of me, so why would she be afraid of you?” Owl said with a grin.

He Who Runs laughed.  “Yeah, but you’re only one Lakota.  Remember Fawn’s reaction when Silver Ghost brought her?  Black Fox is right; prepare her to meet over a hundred Lakota.”

“You’re right,” Owl said.  He couldn’t wait to go get Hannah and smiled the whole way back to camp.

              It was early afternoon until Owl could get away to go to Hannah.  He rode his favorite horse, Swift and led another horse for Hannah to ride.  Owl just hoped that her legs wouldn’t be too sore to ride.  His excitement about her meeting his family was powerful and made him impatient.

              He tied the horses outside the hotel and entered the building without thinking about it falling down on him.  He waved at Jolene and ran up the stairs.  His stomach filled with butterflies as he knocked on her door and Owl willed himself to calm down.

              Hannah’s hope that it was Owl knocking was rewarded when she opened the door.  He said nothing to her, but smiled and pulled her close so he could kiss her.  Hannah had no objection whatsoever and enjoyed every moment of the embrace.

              When he drew back, Owl smiled at her and asked, “How your legs?”

              Hannah laughed at his unusual question.  “Better than I thought they’d be.  I took your advice and had a nice hot bath.”

              “Good.  We go for a ride then,” Owl said.

              Hannah asked, “Where to?”

              The smile that blossomed on his face stole her breath away.  “My family has come back.”

              Hannah’s eyes widened.  “Owl!  That’s’ wonderful!  I’m sure you’re so happy to see them again.”

              He nodded vigorously.  “They want meet you.”

              “They do?  Are you sure?” Hannah asked.  Thinking about meeting his family made her anxious.

              “Yes, I am sure.  You will like them.  I promise,” Owl said.  “Nothing bad happen.”

              His confident tone made her feel a little better.  “Ok.  I guess I’d better change,” she said as she gestured at her dress.

              Owl nodded.  “Ok.”

              Hannah gathered her clothes and went into the washroom.  She shut the door and took some deep breaths to ward off the panic that threatened to envelope her.  Hannah knew that meeting Owl’s family was a no small thing, especially since his brother was the chief of their tribe.  She didn’t want to do anything to embarrass Owl or offend his family.

              Owl seemed sure that they would like her, so Hannah decided to take a chance and see what happened.  She knew that she cared for Owl very much and was happy whenever she was with him.  He was in her thoughts much of the time when they weren’t together.  Maybe it was a good thing to meet his family before things went any further.  If there was going to be trouble because of their different ethnicities, better to find out now.

              Hannah emerged from the washroom and saw Owl looking out the window.  He turned to her and smiled.  “We get you leggings, I think.”

              “I’d like that,” Hannah said.  “I wonder what I would look like in them.”

              Owl gave her a devilish smile.  “Beautiful.”

              Hannah laughed.  “You do, huh?”

              “Yes.  You ready?” he asked.

              “Yeah.  I think so,” Hannah said.

              Owl ran his hand down her arm and took her hand.  “It will be ok.  You will see.”

              Hannah nodded and followed him downstairs.  She saw that he had two different horses and that they only wore very simple bridles.  “There’s no saddle.”

              Owl nodded.  “Ride by balance, remember?”

              Hannah said, “But how do I get on?”

              “I will help you,” Owl said. 

Owl moved to stand by a chestnut mare and he made a step with his hands for her.  She didn’t hesitate to put her foot in his hands this time.  Her mount was slightly shaky, but still not bad, Owl thought. 

He mounted Swift and said, “We will go slow.”

“Thank you,” Hannah said.  She tried to remember everything Owl had taught her from the day before. 

They were almost out of town when Owl said, “You are riding well.”

“Thanks.  I miss the saddle, though,” she said.

“You will get used to it,” Owl said.  He could read the worry in her furrowed brow.  “What is wrong?”

Hannah knew there was no sense in lying to him.  “I don’t want to embarrass you, Owl.  Your brother is the chief and I don’t want anything I do to reflect poorly on you or him.”

He rode closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder.  “Hannah, will be fine.  They maybe laugh, but not be mad.  Um, we like have fun.”

“Ok, good,” Hannah said.

Owl wanted to distract her from her anxious thoughts.  “We move my tipi back.”

“You did?  So I’ll get to see it?” she asked.

“Yes.”

That thought excited her.  “How many tipis are there?  When we were there, the place looked really big.”

“Hmm.  Don’t know number.  A lot,” Owl said with a laugh.  “Wish English was better.”

“Your English is much better than my Lakota,” Hannah said.  “Does your family speak English?”

“Yes,” Owl said. 

“That’s good.”

Then turned into the woods and Hannah had to keep a tight rein on her nerves.  They had to travel single file which bothered her.  She tried to take comfort in the fact that Owl was right in front of her.  They rode for quite a distance before she heard Owl let out a hoot owl call, which was immediately answered.  She tried to see who had made it, but couldn’t see anyone. 

              Soon they came out of the woods into the clearing and Hannah saw Lakota men and women everywhere she looked.  It was a whole other world compared to when she’d been there last and it was impressive.  Tall tipis stood against the sky and children ran everywhere.  Most of the men wore their leggings and shirts since it was still cool, but a few wore only their loin cloths.  Hannah tried not to gape at them.

              Greetings were called to Owl and he answered in kind.  Several children came to run alongside their horses and touched Hannah’s legs.  She smiled down at their adorable little faces.  Owl rode over to where there were many horses and dismounted.  Hannah stopped her horse and slid off before Owl reached her.

              “Very good,” he said.

              “That’s the easy part,” Hannah said with a smile.

              “Come, Black Fox’s tipi over here,” Owl said.

              As they neared a large tipi, two boys ran over to Owl and pointed at Hannah.  They were apparently asking who she was.

              Owl said, “Hannah, this Raven and White Deer, Black Fox and Wind Spirit’s boys.”

              Hannah said, “Hau.”  This was the Lakota word for “hello”.

              Owl gave her a surprised glance.  “You remember.”

              The boys repeated it back to her.  Raven said, “You’re pretty,” in English.

              “Thank you.  You are very handsome,” she said.

              “Are you Uncle Owl’s lady?” he asked.

              Hannah blushed, but said, “Yes, I am.”

              Owl felt immense pride that she considered herself so, but told himself not to get carried away.  Dean’s sound advice came back to him and he tried to take heed.

              Raven took her hand and said, “Come on.  Father wants to meet you.”

              “He does?” Hannah said.

              Raven laughed.  “Why else are you here?”

              Owl said, “Raven, behave.”  His words were softened by a smile, Hannah noticed.

              Raven giggled as they neared his tipi.

              “Get your father,” Owl said to Raven.

              The boy disappeared into the tipi and then came back out followed by a Lakota man who was several inches taller than Owl.  Hannah felt like a dwarf compared to him and couldn’t help the fear that threaded its way through her body.  He and Owl grasped arms and then Black Fox looked down at her.

              Hannah dropped her eyes for a moment and then lifted her gaze again.  Black Fox scrutinized her with kind eyes.  He noted the light brown color of her eyes and the pretty shape of her face.  She cut a womanly figure and he smiled when he saw she wore jeans.  Warrior Woman wore them, too.  He liked Sammi very much and wondered how she was.

              She smiled back at him and Owl said, “Black Fox, this Hannah.”

              “Welcome, Hannah,” Black Fox said.

              “Hau,” she said.

              Black Fox’s smile grew and he said it back to her.  “I think Owl is teaching you well,” he said.

              “I’m trying to learn,” she said.  “I’m very pleased to meet you.”

              “Likewise,” Black Fox responded.  “Come sit.”

              Hannah sat where he indicated and Owl sat next to her.  Their knees touched and Hannah was glad for the contact.  Black Fox folded his long frame down to sit cross-legged and he said, “Owl says you are a medicine woman.”

              “Yes.  We call it a nurse,” Hannah said.

              “Ah, I believe Silver Ghost has mentioned that before,” he said.

              Hannah smiled.  “I can’t wait to meet him.  He’ll be my boss when he gets back.  I’ll miss Doc, though.”

              Black Fox nodded.  “Doc has helped us many times.  We are good friends.  Why did you move here?”

              His abrupt question reminded her of Owl.  He often switched subjects quickly.  “I was a mail-order-bride but it didn’t work out. The man I came to meet lied about everything and there’s no way I would ever marry someone like that.”

              Black Fox frowned.  “He tricked you?”

              “Yes.”

              Black Fox smiled.  “It seems like his loss is my brother’s gain.”

              Hannah laughed and Owl smiled.  “You are right, brother,” he said.

              Another Indian walked over and sat down.  His expression was very stern and he eyed Hannah a little suspiciously.  She remembered the name of Owl’s other brother and said, “
Hau
, He Who Runs.”

              He Who Runs’ face registered surprise and his brothers laughed. 

              Black Fox said, “She must have heard that you always look grumpy.”

              He Who Runs shot him a dark look and then said, “
Hau
, Hannah.  Welcome.  Do not listen to them.”

              Suddenly a gray blur invaded the group and Hannah screamed at the abrupt appearance of the huge, hairy animal.  Owl put a reassuring hand on her leg and spoke sharply to it.  It dropped to the ground and rolled over.

              Owl said, “It’s ok.  Just Roscoe, Silver Ghost’s wolf-dog.”

              Hannah said, “Wolf-dog?”

              Black Fox said, “Yes.  Don’t be afraid.  He is a good dog.”

              Owl let the dog get up and Roscoe crept over to Black Fox who ruffled the dog’s ears.  Roscoe promptly jumped on him.  The chief laughed and pushed the dog away.  Roscoe’s bushy tail swept the ground and kicked up dust.  He made his way around the circle and came to Hannah.  He sat down in front of her.  Hannah wasn’t sure what to do, but Roscoe was.  He raised a large forepaw and held it out to her.

              Hannah smiled, gingerly took the paw and shook it.  Roscoe panted happily and then gave her a big slurp on her cheek.  Hannah laughed and began petting him.  His fur was incredibly soft and she buried her hands in it.  Roscoe flopped to the ground and showed her his belly as an invitation to scratch it.  She did while Owl watched her with a smile on his face.

              Black Fox could see how much Owl cared for her.  He hadn’t seen that kind of emotion in his younger brother’s eyes since he’d been married to Blue Star.  That Owl should feel that way after almost a decade meant that there was something special about Hannah and Black Fox decided that she should be befriended by his tribe.

              Then Roscoe jumped up and ran off to find the children and Hannah turned her attention back to the men.  A pregnant woman came walking over to the camp site carrying a water skin.  She sat it down and looked at Hannah.

              Black Fox said, “Hannah, this is my wife, Wind Spirit.  This is Owl’s friend.”

              Wind Spirit smiled and said, “Welcome, Hannah.  That is a pretty name.”

              “Thank you,” Hannah said. 

              Wind Spirit knelt by Black Fox and started a fire in the center of the circle in which they sat.  Hannah noticed that none of the men moved to help her and remembered what Owl had told her about the roles of each sex.  She didn’t know if it was proper for her to offer to help, so she refrained from saying anything.

              Owl saw her confusion and had a hard time not smiling.  He could imagine that she was expecting them to help Wind Spirit, but he would never dream of insulting Wind Spirit by doing so.  He remembered how hard it had been for Claire to get used to that.  She and Marcus had argued about it several times before she finally understood that she was not to interfere.