Yellowstone Romance Series - Bundle (# 2-5) (27 page)

“Do what your father says, Sarah. Go back to the main house.”

“What . . . what happened? Are you hurt?” She reached out her hand to touch his arm. She noticed him clutching his side. Had he somehow reinjured his ribs?

“I’ll be fine in the morning,” he grumbled. “It’s been a long day. I just need to get to bed.”

“What about some food? You must be hungry.” Why was he acting so strange?

Chase inhaled loudly. “Sarah, I appreciate your concern. I’ll be fine.” Sarah could feel his eyes on her, but his body stood rigid. She ran her hand up his arm. He pulled away. “Good night, Sarah,” he said, opening the cabin door.

“Chase?” He stopped in his tracks. The tension in his muscles lessened.

“I had a run in with a deer, okay. Your dad can fill you in about my incompetence. I can’t seem to get anything right.”  His voice was filled with self-loathing. He kicked at the door when it wouldn’t stay open. “Good night, Angel.” He disappeared inside the dark cabin, the door closing swiftly in her face.

Sarah stood rooted to the spot momentarily. Reluctantly, she turned and headed towards the house. She needed to find out what had happened.

Her mother set a plate of stew in front of her father when she walked in. Her eyes met his.

“Is Chase hurt?” she asked.

“Only his pride,” her father said, a smile softening his features.

“You didn’t bring back any meat,” her mother remarked.

“No, we didn’t.” He grinned broadly now. “It seems the deer had other plans. Chase decided he was more proficient with his ax than the rifle, and took it upon himself to surprise the doe. His stalking skills are to be commended, but he neglected to stay down wind, or watch his surroundings. Another deer darted out of the thicket, knocking him to the ground.”

Sarah’s mother began to laugh, and her father joined in.

“Why didn’t you warn him not to do that?” Sarah asked, her hands on her hips, glaring at her parents.

“He learned his lesson today. He will not be making that mistake again.” Sarah conceded that her father was probably correct.

Chapter 28

Aimee stepped out of the bedroom, and spotted Daniel standing by the window, staring out into the distance. The gray early morning light held no hint of sunshine. July brought varied weather to her beloved mountains, and the sunshine they had enjoyed for weeks now seemed to want a day of rest. The fire in the hearth had already been brought to life, and water was set to boil for coffee. She walked up behind her husband, and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“What’s on your mind,” she purred, sliding her hands up his chest. He covered her hands with his own, and inhaled deeply.

“We made a grave mistake when we threw that device over the waterfall that day,” Daniel said solemnly. “We never expected it to resurface, did we?”

“No. I don’t see how that could have happened. We both thought it would lie at the bottom of those falls forever. I guess fate sometimes has its own plans. It must have somehow moved downstream and beached itself at the river’s edge. That’s the only way Chase could have inadvertently touched it in his time.”

“I have to find it. It has to be removed. Something like this can never happen again.” He turned towards her.

“You’re right,” Aimee sighed. “But what do we do about our immediate problem?”

“Chase?” his eyebrows raised.

“And Sarah,” Aimee nodded. “They remind me of us, Daniel. Two young people in love, from different worlds, each unsure of what to make of the other.”

“You wanted to be here.” Daniel stroked her cheek, smiling down at her.

“Your daughter has handled herself well. I can only imagine what had to be going on in her mind. She felt obligated to take care of him, but it went against all the customs she’s grown up with.” Aimee laughed. “I remember you barely setting foot in your own cabin when I arrived. You acted like such an honorable Tukudeka. Of course, I didn’t know your reasons back then.”

“You scared me to death.” He grinned.

Aimee rested her head on his shoulder.

“How do you feel about Chase now? You’ve spent practically every waking moment with him for the last three days. Is that because you prefer his company to mine, or is it to keep him away from Sarah?”

Daniel held her close and stroked her hair. “He has much to learn. He is young and impulsive. I believe he has not had much guidance in his life. When he finds his true path, he will be a great man.”

“As great as you?” Aimee raised herself on tip toes and kissed his cheek.

“In our daughter’s eyes, he already is.”

“I’m glad you won’t deny your daughter a chance to find love, Daniel. I guess time will tell where these two are headed.”

“If I find the device, he may choose to go home.” Daniel’s expression turned serious.

“True,” Aimee sighed. “I fear what this might do to Sarah.” She pulled out of Daniel’s embrace, and stood next to him, in front of the window. She laughed softly, shaking her head. “She hasn’t been interested in a man, ever, that I can think of. Then Chase shows up, a man completely unfamiliar with the ways she knows, and sweeps her off her feet. I’m telling you, Daniel, there are stronger forces at work here than you and I will ever comprehend.” Her eyes scanned the distance across the meadow, and she raised herself on her toes to see better.

“Is that Elk Runner?” she asked, pointing to the west.

Daniel looked to where she pointed. “And it looks like he’s brought company.”

Aimee turned her head and looked at her husband. A slow smile formed on his lips. Aimee’s eyes narrowed.

She turned back to watch her brother-in-law and another man approach. Her hands shot to her hips. “One of these days I’m going to have a serious talk with your brother. Him with his shenanigans.” She threw her arm out in the general direction of the approaching men, pointing a finger their way. “That’s Hawk Soaring he’s brought with him.”

“Why should that bother you?” Daniel raised his eyebrows.

Aimee glared at him. “He knows, Daniel. He knows about Chase, and how Sarah feels about him. Three days ago while we were visiting Snow Bird, he kept asking Sarah how Chase was doing. And apparently he also found out from some Crow about Chase’s run with the Blackfoot. I wonder if that’s why he’s here.” Her voice rose, and her speech became faster with each word.

“You’re getting too upset, wife,” Daniel pulled her up against him. “Perhaps he merely comes to visit with me. I haven’t seen him since before rendezvous.”

“You don’t believe that any more than I do,” Aimee scoffed. “He’s up to something.” She paused and angled her head at her husband. “And what are you going to say to Hawk?”

“There is nothing to say.” Daniel shrugged. “The decision rests with Sarah.”

Aimee pulled away from him and headed for the hearth.  She busied herself pouring hot water in the coffee pot. Daniel went out to greet his brother. Loud voices and laughter outside drew nearer, and she plastered a smile on her face when the men walked through the door.

“You sure didn’t waste any time when you said you were coming for a visit.” She glared at her brother-in-law. Elk Runner smiled brightly.

“White Wolf, your wife is as disrespectful as ever. When will you teach her how to properly address a hunter of the Tukudeka?”

Daniel winked at Aimee from across the room. She greeted Hawk Soaring, then said, “If you’d like to sit, I’ll have some breakfast ready in a while.”

Elk Runner held a passel of freshly caught trout, already cleaned and gutted, out to her. “I bring the food, if you will cook it.” He took a seat at the table. “Perhaps this will placate your disposition, woman.”

Aimee stood glaring at him, her hands on her hips. Then she broke into a wide smile. Staying mad with him was impossible.

Hawk Soaring remained standing near the door, a stoic look on his face.

“We’ve come to ask if you,” Elk Runner looked at Daniel, “and Chase would accompany us on a bighorn hunt. We are headed to the Sheepeater Mountains. The hunting is good there.”

Aimee shot a suspicious look at her husband, who tried to avoid her stare.

“I’d be happy to go, but I have not seen Chase yet.”

“I’ll wake Sarah. She can help me with fixing breakfast.” Aimee headed towards her daughter’s room.

“She’s already up and gone.” Daniel said, stopping her. Aimee was about to ask where Sarah had gone, when the cabin door opened.  Everyone’s head turned when Chase walked in. He stood rooted to the spot for a moment, his eyes darting from one person to the next. They lingered particularly long on Hawk Soaring, whose own stare didn’t waver.

“Sit down, Chase. We’re going to have fried trout for breakfast. Elk Runner’s treat,” Aimee said cheerfully. “You have already met him, I believe.”

Chase walked to the table and held out his hand in greeting. “Yeah, we’ve met.” He sneaked a glance towards Sarah’s closed bedroom door before he took a seat opposite Elk Runner.

Aimee turned her back to the room full of men. She laid the trout out on the workbench, and sliced a knife along the sides of the fish. It would be interesting to see how Chase and Hawk interacted with each other. Jealousy was as powerful an emotion as love. Both of these young men cared for her daughter. She wondered how this would all play out. Finished fileting the fish, she coated each with some cornmeal and flour, and tossed them in a sizzling hot skillet over the fire.  The cabin quickly filled with the delicious smell of fried fish.

“White Wolf, may I speak?” Hawk Soaring’s even voice asked. Aimee’s head turned. She glanced from Hawk to her husband, then to Chase. She realized how disadvantaged he was. Everyone in the room spoke in Shoshoni. Chase probably didn’t understand any of it.

 Daniel left the table, and walked towards Aimee. He reached for the coffee pot, and filled five cups.

“Speak, Kwiyoo,” he said, picking up two cups and setting them at the table. He returned for the rest without looking at the young hunter.

“Might you permit me to find
Imaah
? I wish to speak with her.”

Aimee’s eyes volleyed to each man in the room. Elk Runner wore his usual silly grin. Chase’s attention was on Hawk, his jaw clenched. He couldn’t know what Hawk had asked.

“She went in search of eggs. She mentioned a fresh goose nest about a mile to the east along the Little Buffalo River. You will probably find her there.” Daniel waved him off. 

Hawk nodded respectfully, then turned to leave. Chase’s body tensed, his palms on the table as if he was about to spring out of his seat.  His arm and shoulder muscles tightened.

“Shouldn’t someone wake Sarah?” he asked casually.

“She’s already up, collecting goose eggs, I think” Aimee smiled at him. “Maybe she’s planning to bake something today.”

Elk Runner bent towards the floor, and picked up a hornbow. It looked newly made. When he held it out to Chase, Aimee’s eyes widened. The Tukudeka were known for their excellent bows, which they fashioned from elk antlers or mountain sheep horn. It was a painstaking and long process to make one of these bows, and it was a hunter’s most prized possession. Seldom did they trade or otherwise part with them.

Chase gave him a questioning look.

“For you, Chase Russell,” Elk Runner said. “A hunter need good bow.”

Chase reluctantly accepted the gift. “I . . . don’t know what to say.” His eyes darted to Aimee and Daniel. Daniel’s eyebrows furrowed, a questioning look directed at his brother.

“Someday, I teach you make own bow. Now, you use this. We go hunt
wasuppin
.” He looked at Daniel for help.

“Mountain sheep. Bighorn,” he supplied the English translation.

Chase stood abruptly. “Will you all excuse me?  I forgot to wash up.” He set the bow on the table, then quickly darted out of the cabin.

The three remaining people looked at each other in turn.

“He needs a good weapon to hunt.” Elk Runner shrugged, when both Aimee and Daniel glared at him.

“What is your interest in Chase?” Aimee asked. She removed the trout from the skillet, scraping the meat onto plates, and set them on the table. Daniel returned to his place at the table.

“If he is to be my future nephew, I can surely present him with a gift,” Elk Runner said, taking a bite of trout.

“I fear my daughter has two suitors,” Daniel said, pushing the food around on his plate. “What am I to do with that?”

Aimee hadn’t sat down. She stood by the workbench, her arms crossed over her chest, watching the conversation like a tennis match.

Elk Runner shrugged. “What do bull elk or bison do when two want the same cow?”

Aimee’s mouth dropped open at his words.

“You’re suggesting I let them fight over her?” Daniel’s fork stopped in mid-air, the trout falling back onto the plate.

“Oh stop it, you two,” Aimee scoffed, throwing her hands in the air.  She glared at her husband and brother-in-law. “Listen to yourselves. Sarah is not a cow, and neither are Chase nor Hawk bulls. These are three young people we are talking about, not elk or bison. Someone is going to get hurt by all this.”

“Sarah will have to decide which man she chooses,” Daniel said, reaching a hand out to Aimee. She took it, and he pulled her up to stand beside him while he sat at the table. His arm snaked around her waist. “The trouble is, only one of them has asked for her.”

“Chase is not ready yet, but he will be.” Elk Runner said confidently, shoveling more food in his mouth.

“Maybe he wants to return home to the place he came from,” Daniel suggested. “He is still unsure of himself. His skills at tracking are improving, but these things take a long time to learn. It is not like learning from childhood. Chase is a grown man, and has no experience.”