Dance with Destiny

by Becky Lower

  The pastor shrugged. "I would be shirking my duties if I were not to point out the difficulties you and the children will face for the rest of your lives. But if you're willing to live with it, I will, against my better judgment, perform the marriage ceremony."

  Susannah smiled and her riotous stomach settled. She had never stood up to the preacher before. He was correct, and she had no delusions about the smear her choice would place on the family legacy. There would be talk swirling around them for the remainder of their lives and beyond. She hoped her children would be strong enough to bear it.

  Following a hasty ceremony in the little church, with only the preacher’s wife for a witness, Raoul, Susannah and the children got back into the wagon and rode through town in search of Sully’s mule. When they heard the harness bells on a side street, they turned in and located Sully.

  Susannah dropped down from the wagon before it came to a complete stop and faced Sully.

  “Sully, long ago you had a hunch there was an Indian on our hillside. Now, the time is right to introduce him. Please come and meet Raoul.”

  Sully glanced up at the muscular man with the Indian features, who had dropped down from the wagon and was now standing beside Susannah. Even though Sully was a tall man, he had to raise his eyes to meet the man’s. “Raoul’s a mighty fancy name for an Indian.”

  “My father is French-Canadian. But I take after my Ojibwa mother in looks rather than my father. His contribution was to give me my name.” Raoul extended his hand to Sully, who, after a moment, shook it.

  “Nice to meet you, then.” Sully cast a speculative glance at Susannah.

  “Sully, you can finally take your mind out of the gutter. Yes, Raoul worked the farm along with me and the children while William was away, but that’s all he did. We were never a couple, and Missouria is William’s child, not Raoul’s. He left the mountain right after Christmas, as I’ve told you several times. Evidently, you caught a glimpse of him as he rode through town on his way out. At least, that’s the rumor that reached my ears. So, he was never here when you returned William to me. And, if William had lived, he wouldn’t be here now.”

  “So you contacted him then, after William passed? Couldn’t let it rest?”

  Susannah sighed softly, and placed her hand on Raoul’s shoulder. “No, I had no idea where he’d gone. He didn’t reveal where he was headed when he left. He had a vision that told him it was time to return to the farm and to us. We just got married.”

  “You did what?” Sully removed his hat and hit it against his leg.

  “We got married, and now we hope to spend the rest of the summer and early fall visiting his grandfather, who had the first vision of me. He’s in Canada. Then, we’ll head to St. Louis to meet Raoul’s family. So, I’m hoping you can find someone who can take over the farm for a few months, in exchange for all the food they can harvest, the meat they can find in the woods, and milk from Bossy.”

  Sully scratched his beard stubble. “I’ll be damned, woman. Married. And to an Injun, of all things.”

  He glanced at Susannah and sighed. I can maybe find someone, if you give me a couple of days. How are you planning to get to Canada and out west? Rail transportation between here and Virginia is sketchy at best because of the war. The Confederates are either stopping the trains, or tearing up track. You’d be waiting a long time in the station here for a train. You’d probably be best taking this old wagon, instead.”

  Raoul nodded his agreement. “Even though it will be slower, I agree it would be the wisest choice. With all of our children, we will need food, clothing and other essentials for the trip. We will need some canvas, though, to cover the wagon.”

  “The general store, right here, can help you out.” Sully turned to Susannah. “Good luck, lady. You’re going to need it.”

  Four days later, the children and Susannah made one more trip to the family cemetery while Raoul packed the last of their goods onto the wagon. Once Lydia began to speak to people other than her sister Mary, she had been making up for lost time and would talk to anyone, so some time away from the grave would not impact her as much as it otherwise would have. But Susannah and the children all needed one more visit, and she appreciated that Raoul sensed their need without a word.

  Susannah knelt in front of William’s grave as the children roamed from one cross to another, touching the markers for their fallen siblings and their father. She brushed the tears from her eyes and whispered to him.

  “You told me, when the time was right, to make Raoul part of this family, William. The time is right, now. He loves your children as his own already, and is willing to take on the responsibility for us all. We will be fine, and will be back on the mountain by fall. Rest easy.”

  She dried her tears, gathered up her children, and returned to Raoul’s side. He brushed the tearstains from her cheeks before he kissed her and lifted her into the wagon. They were off on their big adventure, and vacating the little mountain in southern Ohio, from which she once thought she’d never leave. Their new life was about to begin.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Hannah and Jacob leaned out of the wagon, eager to be the first to see the Indian camp. Raoul was leading the way on Ziigwan, with Susannah guiding the wagon. He let the horse have his head, since Ziigwan had traced these steps as often as Raoul had. They rounded a bend in the rough road and the camp came into view. His grandfather was standing in the middle of the entrance to the camp, waiting for them. Even though he now needed a staff to hold onto for walking, Grandfather was still a formidable presence, and the children took a collective gasp when they spied him.

  Raoul leapt off Ziigwan and ran to his grandfather, enfolding him in his arms.

  “How did you figure out when to expect us?” he asked.

  The old man clamped a hand on Raoul’s shoulder. “I had a vision a few days ago and have been waiting. You brought the fair-haired woman to us.”

  “Yes, and her children. We are married now. Allow me to introduce you.” Raoul led his grandfather to the wagon and began to unload the children, beginning with Hannah.

  “So you are the brave girl who first extended the hand of friendship to my grandson.” He took her small hand in his grizzled one. Raoul grinned as Hannah’s eyes grew wide.

  “How did you see what happened on the hill?” She reached up and touched his long gray hair, smiling up at him, reminding Raoul of their first meeting, when she did not back away from him, either.

  “I have seen much about what my grandson has done since he left this camp.” He turned and touched each child as they emerged from the wagon. When Susannah finally alighted, he came to her. Raoul was pleased that she stood her ground in front of the wizened old man, much as her daughter had done.

  His grandfather touched Susannah’s hair. “Yes, you are the fair-haired one from my vision of long ago. Lone Wolf found you when you needed him. And he needed you. Welcome to our camp.”

  The children needed to run, after days of being cooped up in the wagon, and the Indian children were more than happy to take them on a quick tour of the camp, and then play, although Hannah stayed close to Grandfather’s side. Susannah was introduced to the other women in the camp, and after some speculative glances, was made welcome. She helped prepare their dinner over an open fire as Raoul unloaded the wagon.

  As evening waned, they all sat around a campfire. One by one, the children grew tired and made their way into the wagon to sleep. Soon, only Susannah, Raoul, and Grandfather were left. And her questions could no longer wait.

  “Tell me when you first had this vision of me, Grandfather.”

  “It was some time ago. Shortly after Pale Moon died. My grandson was a very angry young man again. He had come to this camp several years before, feeling as though he did not fit into either the white man’s world or the Indian one. Pale Moon soothed his anger away for a while, but her death brought it back again. My vision told me you were the one who would once again make him happy. But that your union would
not be an easy one.”

  Susannah put her head on Raoul’s shoulder. “No, it wasn’t an easy one. Without Raoul being on our mountain, I would have died in childbirth. But the timing was all wrong for us to form a relationship, since I was still married to William. Now, though, Raoul has agreed to take on the responsibility of being an authority figure to all of my children and helping them grow to adulthood. Not many men would relish that opportunity.”

  The old man’s gaze roamed from Susannah’s face to his grandson’s. “He will be a good father to your children, fair-haired one. It is the fulfillment of his destiny.”

  “Wasn’t it hard for you to allow your only daughter to leave the camp and move to the United States with Raoul’s father? I don’t relish the day Hannah moves away from our mountain to begin a new life with her husband.”

  “I had to make a choice, to determine what was best for my daughter and the children she would have. Our ways are changing, and soon this camp will be no more.”

  He raised his hand to encompass the campsite.

  “But it’s so perfect here,” Susannah murmured. “Why would you leave this place?”

  “The old ones are dying off and the young ones are leaving, striking out on their own, finding their way in this new world. Soon, there will be no more Indian campsites in this country, or in yours. I was familiar with Emil Lafontaine and could tell he would be a good match for my daughter, Mary. He came into our camp to spend a winter when she was a young woman. He stared at her when she served him a meal and I decided she would leave with him in the spring. He decided that first night, after seeing my daughter, that he would not move on alone, and came to me with his request.”

  “Did they have time to court each other first?”

  “A bit, but it was their destiny. So, when spring came, they left together and have been together ever since.”

  His gaze wandered over Raoul’s face again. “Lone Wolf and his brothers and sister are a fine outcome of that union. Emil and Mary have built a good life for themselves and for my grandchildren.”

  “Yes, I agree. I can’t wait to meet them, and all of Raoul’s brothers and his sister. But I also hope to spend more time here with you in this camp. Especially since your visions have been accurate so far, and if you declare that Indian camps are soon to be no more, I need to experience this fully. And give my children a memory of a way of life that will soon be gone.”

  Susannah and Raoul finally crawled under their own blankets, underneath the wagon, and curled together to keep warm.

  “Grandfather has given his approval of our union. We will stay here a bit longer before we head to St. Louis.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  A few weeks later, as they neared the ranch on the outskirts of St. Louis, Raoul noticed a group of people mounting up close to the house.

  “Our welcoming committee will be here in a moment,” he told the excited children and Susannah. Hannah, Jacob, and Lydia craned their necks to see the group of riders. Little George stood up next to his mother, who held onto him with one hand while Missouria sat in her lap, wiggling. All of the children were excited, sensing their long journey was coming to an end. At least, for a while.

  Susannah smiled at Raoul. “I will be glad to leave this wagon for a few weeks. Riding in a wagon with five active ones has been most challenging. But I’m anxious to meet your family. Anxious about meeting them.”

  A red-haired woman galloped away from the rest of the group and raced toward them. She pulled her horse to a trot, and came alongside the wagon, reaching for Susannah’s hand.

  “You’re here, finally! Hello, Susannah. We’re so pleased to meet you.”

  Susannah smiled, at ease with the genial woman. “You must be Ginger. Raoul’s told me about you.”

  “Hurry up, Raoul. Let’s get this group to the house, so I can give everyone a proper hug.”

  Raoul flicked the reins over Jasper’s back, and he increased his pace. Ziigwan trotted along behind the wagon. The hard-working horses were as eager as the humans to have this journey end, and to be able to spend their time relaxing in a nice barn. As soon as they arrived at the ranch house, the horses were unhitched and taken to the barn to be groomed and fed by Raoul’s brothers Gaston and Etienne. Raoul stayed by Susannah’s side as she and the children were introduced to everyone. Then, Mary Tall Feather announced there was food and fresh lemonade in the house. She took Missouria from Susannah and led the other children into the house. Ginger wrapped her arm around Susannah and began to pull her from Raoul’s side.

  “Come with me, Susannah. We have a lot to talk about.”

  Susannah cast a questioning look at Raoul, who shrugged.

  “Ginger would not leave me to my brooding when I was here over the winter. She would track me down regardless of where I tried to hide and would not leave without getting some answers to her questions. I guess it is now your turn.”

  Ginger stuck out her tongue at him. “Don’t worry, Raoul. I’ll have her back to you before this evening. I need to get acquainted with the woman who tamed your heart. We sisters need to get familiar with each other.”

  As Ginger led Susannah away, he overheard Ginger’s initial line of questioning.

  “So, how long can you stay with us?”

  “A few weeks, at least. My son, Jacob, has expressed an interest in learning what goes on here at the ranch, and already has visions of returning when he’s a bit older to learn the business. And Hannah wishes to learn to ride a horse bareback. But we do need to get back home before fall sets in and the pass gets choked with snow. There’s so much to do to get ready for winter on the mountain.”

  As the two ladies moved away from him, Raoul let out a long breath. His new family had been fully accepted by both his grandfather and his parents and siblings, without question. He had expected no less, but was glad it had been accomplished without incident. As Susannah said, they would stay a few weeks so they could fully appreciate the business Emil had built up over the years. But then, they would head back to Ohio and to the small farm at the top of the mountain. Winter would be here in no time and it would be just him, Susannah, and their children, alone and socked in. He could not wait. The shattered pieces of his heart were put back together, one at a time, by Hannah, Jacob, Lydia, George and Missouria, who accepted him as their father. And by Susannah. The constant ache that had accompanied him since the previous December had now disappeared.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  October 1862

  Raoul brushed his hands over Susannah's stomach, dipping his finger into her navel. After a summer on the road, they were back at the farm, back where their relationship started. Where William rested on the hill next to his daughter, Mary, and his son, William, Jr. Fall was in the air with crisp mornings greeting them each day and the leaves turning brilliant shades of orange, red and brown.

  "I need to get started on gathering up wood for us to get through the winter." Raoul murmured as he nibbled on Susannah’s ear.

  "Yes, it seems our tenant farmer only took and didn't give back." Raoul was pleased to notice the hitch in her breath as he fondled her.

  Raoul kissed her lips and then moved to her neck, finding the jumping vein there. His lips pressed against it, feeling it move. His tongue glided over the vein and Susannah let out a small sigh. He moved on to the indentation between her neck and collarbone, burying his nose in it, reveling in her scent. It had been four months since they had married in the small white church in the valley, despite the minister's disapproval. Four months of the most joyous sex he had ever experienced with a woman who had invaded his dreams for over a year. Instead of having his appetite appeased, he craved more. His kisses grew more ardent, but he sensed Susannah had something on her mind, and pulled back to stare into her eyes.

  “What is it?”

  “I’ll never get used to how you can read my mind. It’s one of the things I find so wonderful about you.”

  “Are you going to tell me, or shall I guess?
”

  Susannah got a grin on her face. “You do have this uncanny gift being able to tell everything that’s in my mind. So try to guess.”

  Raoul lifted his head, gazed into her blue eyes and let his hand roam over her body again. He nodded toward her stomach with his chin.

  “My guess is we will have a fine son by spring.”

  Susannah gasped. “How did you figure it out?”

  “Your body is changing, even now. Your stomach is a bit rounder, your breasts are heavier. You are a ripe, sensuous woman, and I cannot get enough of you.”

  “And how can you be so certain it’s going to be a son?”

  Raoul’s hand brushed over her core, and he smiled at her gasp. “Never question an Indian who has the power of seeing visions. Our son is even now growing and becoming strong, inside of you.”

  He shifted his weight and knelt between her legs. His fingers slid inside her as his mouth covered her sex, his tongue tormenting her in the most delightful way. Her breathing hitched again, and her muscles contracted around his fingers. She crested in minutes, her small moan arousing him as if it were an Indian love song.

  He entered her while she was still throbbing with orgasm. The walls of her vagina pulsed around him, pulling him into her even more. The gods had been smiling when they sent her to him. His growl of satisfaction grew as he speeded up his rhythm, and their bodies glowed with sweat. He raised her knees up, cupped her bottom, and tilted her so he could have even greater access and so his body could reach her sex bundle each time he thrust into her. When he sensed she was near the edge again, he spilled his seed, their moans matching as they climaxed together.