by Barbara Goss
Sarah patted Dawn's hand lovingly. "Thank you for trying."
When Sarah came down for breakfast the next morning, Dawn excitedly told her that Storm had called a meeting, ordering her, Sarah, Little Bird, Hunter, Aunt Emily, and Manny to be present in the study in one hour.
Questions raced through Sarah's mind as she breakfasted without knowing what she ate. Freshening herself quickly, she arrived in the study on time.
They were all sitting in chairs facing Storm's desk. Sarah, the last to enter, had just settled into a chair beside Manny when Storm entered the room. His eyes scanned the gathering as if counting and mentally checking each name on his list. He remained standing, leaning against the front of the old oak desk.
Typically Indian, he stood with arms folded across his chest. He cleared his throat. "Thank you for coming.
"I'd like to announce a decision I made last night, with God's help." He paused, glancing at every face, his eyes softening as they met Sarah's.
Storm's manner of urgency alarmed Sarah. Would his decision change their relationship? If it did, would the change be for better or worse?
"It's not Sunday, so I won't give a sermon. I'll just say briefly that God spoke to me last night, and I've been awakened." He scanned his audience. "I thought God was pulling me from both ends recently, my affairs seemed so muddled. I kept asking God, 'Why?' I couldn't understand Him. But I know now, it was me, not God, causing my difficulties. I promised to live according to His Word, but one of my human weaknesses got the better of me. Greed. I lusted after this ranch, even to the point of hurting others. I was obsessed with owning Arrow C above all else.
"Not that we shouldn't desire nice things or be ambitious to succeed materially—but it shouldn't be our main goal in life. And it shouldn't hurt others. Wanting the ranch has only brought heartache and misery. Therefore I'm publically conceding the ranch to its rightful owner, Sarah Clarke."
Sarah gasped in surprise.
"Of course," he continued, I’ll stay and work the ranch as long as she'll have me, for the same compensation I receive now."
Pulling a folded paper from his pocket, Storm struck a match on his boot bottom, touched the flame to the paper, and threw it into the fireplace.
Sarah opened her mouth to protest, but Storm's warning look silenced her.
Emily and Manny exchanged baffled glances and shrugged. Dawn wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, sniffling loudly. Hunter grunted. Only Little Bird jumped up to protest.
"What about your promise?" she cried.
Storm spoke calmly, and gently. "I made the promise in good faith and will honor it."
"But Little Bird get no ranch? Not be housemistress? Where will Little Bird sleep? In bunkhouse with cowboys?" She questioned furiously.
"I'm sorry, Little Bird. I promised you my name, security, and support, nothing more. I will, however, be a good, kind husband."
Little Bird glared at the occupants of the room bitterly before storming out, slamming the door behind her.
Storm stood with head bowed, humbly. "That's all, meeting adjourned."
Slowly everyone filed out except Sarah, who sat staring at the charred paper ashes in the hearth.
Unsure of Storm's new attitude, she didn't know what to say. Did his new resolution exclude her? She gathered her courage and blurted the question foremost on her mind. "The paper you burned—was it the second will?"
"Yes."
She shook her head, befuddled. "But why? It proved the ranch belonged to you."
"I thought I wanted it—I still do—but not at the expense of hurting others," he replied.
"How would claiming your rightful inheritance hurt others?"
"If you leave, everyone will be hurt. Dawn loves you dearly; she'll be hurt, to say nothing of Aunt Emily, Manny, and the whole crew. Even Rosa adores you. The community is bound to make trouble; Lewis will see to that. And last, even I would be hurt. I envisioned my ranch without you. I'd never have another happy moment if you left Arrow C. This place is meaningless and worthless to me without you.
"But foremost, I truly believe that this is what God wants me to do, and I feel good about it, like stepping out of a bath, clean, leaving all dirt and grime behind."
Sarah gave Storm a bewildered look. "How will your giving me the ranch keep me here when you still plan to marry Little Bird? I cannot stay and watch you and Little Bird—"
"Trust me," Storm cut in. "I'm doing what I believe God wants me to do without questioning. What I've done today feels too right to be wrong. Trust God, Sarah. And if you can't trust Him, trust me, because if anyone has to leave this ranch, it will be me, not you. I promise."
~ C H A P T E R 12 ~
Sarah watched the late afternoon shadows rob the study of its brightness. The house was too still. She wondered if everyone remained as stunned as she over Storm's announcement that morning.
She shook her head sadly, still unable to understand. Storm didn't want the ranch, it was hers. Why did she feel no joy over her triumph? He'd said his lust for the ranch had hurt others, especially because it meant she would leave. Why did he think she would stay now? Just because the ranch was hers didn't mean she'd stay. How could she bear to stay when he married Little Bird? He had said, if anyone left, it would be him. Would he and Little Bird move out then?
Walking to the study window, she gazed out over the lawn behind the house. The grass that had been so green when she'd arrived had turned brown from the hot sun.
A sudden movement at the far corner of the house caught Sarah's eye. Little Bird and Storm appeared, walking slowly, talking animatedly.
Suddenly Sarah felt like an intruder. Had she any right to spy? Yet she couldn’t move. I'll only watch them for a moment, she thought.
Storm and Little Bird walked toward the big cottonwood but no longer gestured wildly. Sarah concluded from their motions and facial expressions that they now conversed in soft tones. Little Bird seemed to be doing most of the talking, and the discussion appeared emotional and serious in nature.
Sarah, about to turn away, saw Storm encircle Little Bird within his arms and hold her tenderly. The Indian girl clung to him, weeping convulsively.
What did this mean? Did they love each other after all? Although it hurt to see Storm embracing another, Sarah couldn't command her feet away from the window.
She watched Storm wipe Little Bird's tears with his large bandana. Urging Little Bird to sit beneath the tree, he continued comforting her by holding her hand, patting it now and then as he spoke to her, with head bent close.
Forcing herself from the window, Sarah raced up the stairs and threw herself upon the bed and cried convulsively. Her cry was long overdue. Weeks of suppressed emotions flooded to the surface.
Thoroughly spent, she dried her eyes and propped herself into a sitting position. Though now battling a bout of hiccups from her emotional upheaval, she felt better. She had to analyze the situation and put things in proper perspective.
What did this mean? This morning Storm had forfeited his right to the ranch. Little Bird had been noticeably bitter over his decision. Had Storm smoothed things between them? Was this, then, the beginning of the end for her and Storm? But she'd known all along this moment was coming. Why cry over it now?
She dropped to her knees.
"Lord, like Storm, my life is Yours to do with as You will. Yet I'm human, and things hurt. Please settle this quickly between Storm, Little Bird and me. Is Storm the man you want me to spend my life with? Show me now, Lord, so I can deal with it and get on with life. Maybe Little Bird is Your choice for Storm; then help me continue without him. Should
I leave? Or ask them to leave? Guide me, Lord, for without You, I'll mess things up. I need Your expert guidance. Amen." Sarah felt a surge of courage ripple through her.
She undressed and washed from the pitcher and basin. Moving to the wardrobe, she selected a rose-colored silk with the new, smaller-style bustle, which she'd bought in Saint Louis and never worn. She c
hose it to wear tonight because Manny and Aunt Emily were celebrating one month of marriage with a housewarming party, and everyone on the ranch was invited to their cottage. Aunt Emily had suggested they dress in their stylish city clothes for old times' sake.
She modeled before the mirror, feeling foreign in the tailored finery. The dress, while lovely, was as out of place here as her homespun would be in a Chicago drawing room. She sighed and supposed it wouldn't hurt to wear the clothes on special occasions, if only as a remembrance of her previous life.
Picking up a pink feather, she wove it into her hair. As a final touch, she pinched her cheeks, smiled at the reflection, and turned to go. She flung open the bedroom door and gasped to see a figure standing, ready to knock.
"Why, Little Bird," Sarah gasped in surprise. "Did you wish to see me?"
The Indian girl nodded, dropping the hand that had been poised to knock.
"Come in, sit here on the bed." Sarah sat beside her. "You've been crying. Is something wrong?"
Little Bird nodded again. Her large brown eyes stared longingly at Sarah's dress and hair. "Pretty," she whispered, reaching out to touch the fabric lightly.
"Would you like a dress like this?" Sarah asked, suddenly inspired with an idea.
Leaving Little Bird perched on the bed, she rummaged through the wardrobe until she found the perfect dress, a green satin with a large bustle of white lace ruffling down the back. She handed it to the awestricken Indian girl.
"For me?" Little Bird whispered.
Sarah nodded. "I'll help you put it on. That's what sisters are for, you know." Sarah smiled warmly.
To Sarah's surprise, Little Bird threw the dress aside and embraced her so hard; she nearly took Sarah's breath away.
Tears streamed down Little Bird's face. "First, let Little Bird say what came to say. Already talk with Storm. He say talk to you. I should have before but was afraid you be angry with Little Bird. Storm say truth always best, and you never angry with truth." The Indian girl hung her head shamefully. With big brown eyes peeking through lowered lashes, she spoke so softly Sarah had to strain to hear. "Little Bird lied. Little Sarah is not Wilson Clarke's baby. Poor man died, and Black Feather tell Little Bird to blame him, get ranch and lots of money. Wilson Clarke never even look at Little Bird. Little Sarah's father was bad Indian who forced Little Bird when crazy with firewater. Next day he ran away, knowing that Black Feather would kill him."
She continued in a slightly louder tone. "Little Bird loves Black Feather, listens to him always. Understand now, that wrong. Storm say Little Bird must think for self."
The Indian girl put her hand over Sarah's. "Because of lie, Little Bird will not hold Storm to promise. You love Storm, Storm loves you—Little Bird happy; not sad. Little Bird have baby. Little Sarah make Little Bird very happy.
"We leave ranch, but not go far. Storm sending Little Bird to Indian school. He start bank account for Little Sarah. She go to school, too, someday. Until Little Bird's ready for school, live on reservation with grandmother. Storm promises to talk with grandmother, make her welcome Little Bird and Little Sarah."
Sarah embraced the Indian girl fondly.
"You still want this bad Indian for sister?"
"Oh, Little Bird, I'm so happy for you. I forgive everything.
You are very brave to admit the truth. I'm proud to be your sister." She hugged Little Bird again. "Now, let's make you pretty for the party tonight."
The little yard behind Manny and Emily's cottage was gaily decorated with candles and lamps, adding excitement to the night air. A colorful cloth covered each table, though neither showed under all the food Emily placed on them. Chairs were scattered in half circles around the yard, where Emily and Manny scurried to seat everyone comfortably.
Sarah arrived early with Dawn and Little Bird. Dawn had dressed proudly in an Indian costume of white buckskin, and accompanying her was a dark beauty in the green satin; Little Bird stunned everyone, especially Snakebite, who followed her the whole evening.
To her delight, Sarah found a well-scrubbed and groomed crew awaiting her with sheepish grins. She sat and conversed with each, wondering why Storm had not made an appearance. She approached Hunter with the question, but he merely shrugged.
Just before Emily announced that the tables of food were ready, Storm appeared dressed in a clean white shirt and dark pants. Immediately he made his way to Sarah's side, planting a tender kiss on her temple. Sarah smiled up at him. Their eyes locked. Both knew nothing stood in their way any longer. Their exchanged look revealed love, relief, and a "let's talk alone, soon" plea. Words no longer necessary, their eyes did all the conversing.
They ate with the others, laughing and joking congenially, but their eyes still caressed each other and begged to be alone. As the guests finished eating and broke into small groups Storm steered Sarah to the rear of the yard, where no lights or eyes could follow them.
Sarah expected to be embraced and smothered with kisses of joy and promises, but he held her at arm's length, peering into her eyes by the light of the slightest sliver of a moon.
"Little Bird talked to you. I can tell by the joy in your eyes,” he said.
"Yes, but how did you get her to admit Wilson didn't father her baby?"
"Actually, it was you who got her to admit it."
"Me? I don't understand."
"Little Bird has been breaking down little by little all along, from your love. You loved your enemy, not just into friendship, but also into the Kingdom of God. We prayed together this afternoon. You set such a fine example of Christian love, that she now wants to be just like you!
"It was my giving up the ranch that finally broke Little Bird, but only because you had already brought her to the breaking point."
He paused, staring down at her tenderly. "Sarah, do you understand what this means?"
"That you're no longer promised to another. You're free."
He continued to stare into her eyes, as if scanning them for her true feelings. "Will you marry me, Sarah Clarke?"
"Yes," she whispered, without hesitation.
Still holding her at arm's length, he asked, "I want you to understand something. I may be half white to you, but in the eyes of the community, I'm just another Indian. They don't accept half Indian. You're either Indian or white. You had a taste of that attitude when Samuel Lewis visited. It could be like that for a long time."
She started to reply, "But it doesn't—"
Storm put his finger to her lips. "When I go into a town, I'm sometimes tolerated, other times I'm ridiculed. I've been shot at and had stones hurled. Name-calling is common, and there are places I'm not allowed to enter.
"Also keep in mind, if we marry and have children, they will also be Indian and subjected to the same treatment."
Storm had given her much to think about—things that had never occurred to her. She stood silently, staring into his eyes, without an answer.
Suddenly he crushed her to him. "I love you, Sarah, more than I've ever loved anyone or anything." He gritted his teeth together and said emotionally, "It's because I care so much that I want you aware of what you're getting yourself into by marrying me."
Storm loosened his hold on her so he could search her eyes again. "You thought love was all that we needed, but there is so much more to consider. It would be simpler for me to marry an Indian, and you a white man."
Sarah laid her head on Storm's chest and listened to his heart beating. God lives in this heart; God loves this heart; this heart loves me and beats for me. How she loved Storm's heart! Each and every beat.
She looked up at him, "I won't like the attitude of the community, and I'll hate having our children treated badly. But God loves you; you belong to Him. He loves me; I belong to Him. Our children—God will love them, too, and they Him. We'll all be able to endure whatever life hands us, as long as we keep near to Him."
Sarah put her chin up proudly. "I will marry you, Storm. I could never marry another."
Storm kissed her lips tenderly. "Thank you, Sarah." He cast his eyes heavenward, "Thank You, Lord," he whispered.
The End
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Other books by Barbara Goss:
1. Forbidden Legacy
2. Captured Heart
3. Stolen Heritage
4. Dangerous Illusions
5. Silent Love
6. The Final Vow
7. The Kissing Bridge
8. Drawn from Darkness
9. Temptation by Moonlight
10. The Romantic Ruse
11. Shadow of Shame Book 1
12. Shadow of Deceit Book 2
13. Shadow of Regret Book 3
14. Shadow of Hope Book 4
15. Shadow of Love Book 5
16. Shadow of Second Chances Book 6
17. Shadow of Faith Book 7
18. 7 Shadow of Shame package: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KAAWFP2?tag=faceboocombar-20
19. Sunshine in the Rain and Yesterday’s Rain Part 1 and Part 2
20. Mail Order Mishap Book 1
21. Mail Order Vixen Book 2
22. Mail Order Ruse Book 3
23 Mail Order Calamity Book 4
24. The Guilty Proposal, coming soon.
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