Chapter Twenty
Before Zach could decide on a course of action, Seth opened the door. “Hi, Pa. We got company. Mr. White Eagle come to see you. He’s been talkin’ to us.”
Zach released his breath in a whoosh. “That’s good, Son.” He ruffled Seth’s hair as he passed him. Would wonders never cease? To say what he saw surprised him didn’t begin to describe the scene and his reaction.
White Eagle sat at the kitchen table, his usually stoic face displaying a grin. The fur he’d probably worn as a coat lay tossed over a chair. His bare chest revealed the intricate design tattooed there. If not for their expressions, he would have wondered what the women thought of having a so-called savage in their midst.
Alice smiled, and so did his aunts. Even Mrs. Harmon’s face displayed a pleasant expression, although he thought hers might be relief at his appearance.
Seth tugged at Zach’s sleeve. “Pa, Mr. White Eagle’s been telling me and Miss Price about you rescuin’ that boy. You sure were brave. Were you scared?”
“Of course I was scared, son. That’s what being brave is about, doing what you know is right even though it’s not the easiest thing. Now, let me greet my friend.”
White Eagle stood. “Marúawe, hello, old friend.”
Zach extended his hand, “Unha hakai nuusuka? How are you?
White Eagle shook Zach’s hand. “I am well.”
“Gosh, Pa, I didn’t know you could speak Injun.”
“Your father is a man of great ability, young Seth. I am proud to call him my friend.”
“I am honored you’ve come to my home, White Eagle.” Zach forced himself to wait for an explanation. Comanche customs required exchanging pleasantries before business discussions. He nodded at Mrs. Harmon. “If you wish, you can run along to your husband, Mrs. Harmon.”
She wasted no time removing her apron and scurrying out the door.
Lizzie said, “Dinner’s ready, Zach. Join your friend while Sister and I put it on the table.”
Alice and his aunts busied themselves laying the table and dishing up ham, sweet potatoes, and beans.
He bit into his bread and savored the burst of flavor blended with butter. “Ladies, you outdid yourselves. These biscuits are as light and fluffy as I’ve ever eaten.”
Alice grinned mischievously. “You forgot to ask. I baked those.”
He stopped midway to a second helping. “I knew you could cook if you’d a mind to.” He plopped a couple more onto his plate.
After dinner, Zach stood and gestured to White Eagle. “Let us go into another room where we can sit before my fire.”
Zach sent the women a shake of his head to indicate they shouldn’t follow. Comanche men didn’t discuss business in front of their women. He grabbed White Eagle’s fur and carried the wrap with them.
When he’d spoken, he’d hoped the fireplace was blazing. He need not have worried. Logs burned and the room was comfortably warm, or as warm as a stone house ever became.
“Take the seat near the fire, White Eagle.” Zach laid the other man’s fur across the back of the large armchair he’d indicated. The skin had belonged to a large wolf.
White Eagle sat tentatively. He bounced a little, testing the cushions. “This chair tries to eat me.” He laughed, his eyes scanning the room.
From the mantel, Zach took down a pipe and a pouch of tobacco. Though he wasn’t a smoker, situations sometimes demanded he partake. This was one of those times.
He took the matching seat and packed the pipe, lit it, then passed it to White Eagle. “You have traveled far to favor me with your visit.”
After a puff, White Eagle closed his eyes and appeared to relax. “I am glad you saved the pipe I gave you, my friend.”
Zach gestured toward the mantel. “This pipe stays in a place of honor. It is a prized possession.”
With a slight nod, White Eagle indicated he’d heard. “Your yellow-hair woman is pretty. She is also smart and brave. You are a lucky man to have such a woman. She will give you strong sons and good daughters.”
“She is a good woman.” What more could Zach say about Alice? The thought of sons and daughters they would have together made him smile inside. Pictures of the escapades those kids would attempt made him wish they were real, that Alice was his woman and they would always be together.
Pointless to dwell on the idea of Alice remaining. “What of you, White Eagle? Is your family well?”
“My woman and children are well and near Fort Sill. We do not like reservation life, but we bow to the new ways sweeping our country. It is useless to resist longer. The buffalo are gone, the deer are not so plenty, the blue coats are many.”
“Your life is hard, but you are a wise man. You protect your family with honor in the only way left for you.”
“I see life has not been kind to you.” He pointed to Zach’s face. “How did this happen?”
Zach explained pursuit of the Kirby gang and capture of the elder member, his injuries, and his time spent healing. He fell silent when he’d finished, lost in memories.
The women came through the room, said goodnight and excused themselves, and went up the stairs. Seth trailed them, but made it clear he’d rather stay and listen to Zach and their guest.
White Eagle chuckled. “Let your son stay if you wish. He will be a man one day and must learn our ways.”
Seth’s face brightened. “Can I, Pa?
Zach nodded. “You may listen for a while. It’s about your bedtime.”
Seth sat on the floor and, for once, remained silent while the men spoke.
White Eagle emptied the pipe into the fire. The pungent tobacco scent blended with the wood smoke. “I bring news.”
Happy to learn the reason for his friend’s visit, Zach leaned forward. “Good, I hope.”
“I believe so. The five Kiowa who killed our friend have been caught. They are no more.”
Zach knew better than to ask who’d caught the Kiowa renegades or what happened to them. For now, this news was enough. “They were wrong to violate our agreement.”
“You and I are not like your government.” White Eagle’s right fist hit his open left palm. “When we pledge our word, it is so. Those five were not a part of the peaceful Kiowa nation, but those who followed Maman-Ti. They went against the blue coats, and against us.” He sagged against the chair back. “Ah, I believe I am growing old.” White Eagle rose as if to go.
“Will you stay with us? We have a warm bed for your weary body. I will send my son to take care of your horse.”
White Eagle appeared to think over the invitation. “I accept your hospitality. I have never slept in a white man’s bed. I hope it will not try to eat me as your chair did.”
They laughed and Zach led his friend upstairs to a spare room while Seth raced to see after the visitor’s horse and Solomon.
Chapter Twenty One
The next morning after breakfast, White Eagle joked, “My friend Stone man is indeed brave. Chairs and beds that eat a man must test your courage each day."
“Many’s the night we’ve slept on the ground, White Eagle. But a man grows weary of that life and wants a home for a wife and many children. Here is where I will remain.”
“This is a good place. I see the animals, the garden, and the fruit trees. You will have plenty for your woman and your son and all the sons to come.”
Zach smiled as Alice blushed. “And do you have a plot of land with your woman?”
White Eagle shrugged. “The government has given us a place. We will raise corn and beans and hope your government does not move us again.”
He stood. “The time has come for me to leave this happy place with my old friend. We could talk many hours, Stone Man, but I have said what I came to tell you.”
Everyone else stood also. White Eagle pulled his fur around his shoulders. Zach donned his coat.
“Son, put on your jacket and go to the barn. Ask Rabbit to ready White Eagle’s horse.”
Seth grabbed
his coat and pulled it on as he ran. Harry followed him.
Zach and White Eagle walked outside and waited on the porch. They stood looking out at the land.
Zach gestured around them. “All this I have because of your help. Without you, I could have not found the Warren boy.”
“You would have found the child, Stone Man. You were determined to do so.”
“But would I have kept my scalp?”
White Eagle chuckled. “Maybe, who can say? At times I wondered if either of us would escape with our hair. We traveled many miles together, my friend.”
“Yes, we did. And we each have ridden many trails since then, haven’t we?”
The Comanche said, “Ah, I grow weary of travel. My bones are ready for the tipi fires and my woman.”
“Can this be the mighty White Eagle who speaks?”
White Eagle exhaled a long breath. “Coming here has been my last great adventure. My sons cannot be brave hunters who ride free across the plains. My grandsons cannot lead noble hunts for the buffalo or follow the prairie grass seeking the deer. Our great battles have been fought and lost. My people weep for the old ways. We are a fierce nation no more, but are herded like cattle.”
Zach laid his hand on White Eagle’s shoulder as he faced him. “You are still The People. For the honor of your visit, I thank you, my friend. I share your weariness. No longer will I chase outlaws, following wherever the trail leads.” He gestured around them. “This is my home now, and here I hope to live out my years with my family.”
“It is a good place. Your roots grow in this land.”
Alice stepped from the kitchen. “White Eagle, we fixed food for your journey.”
“I thank you.” White Eagle tied the sack to his horse and mounted. Sadness etched lines in his face and he appeared to have aged overnight. He raised a hand palm outward to Zach. “Farewell, my friend, my brother. Never again will I be able to leave the land the blue coats have set aside for my people. Your place is here with your woman and son. I fear we will not meet again in this life. Perhaps in the next one we will once again ride together. May the Great Spirit watch over you.”
Zach raised his hand in the same way. “You have honored me with your visit. I wish you safety on your journey home. I wish plenty of food and warmth for you and your family. Peace, my brother. Go with God.”
Zach watched as his friend disappeared into the distance. Fingers of mist floated on the river and drifted upward from the low spots on land. Although the air carried a nip, the light breeze also bore the promise of spring. A rosy sun announced a clear day, but heaviness cloaked Zach.
At the edge of the trees, White Eagle turned and raised his arm in farewell.
Zach raised his own arm, closing a portion of his life. His own great adventure.
Shrouded in the rising mist, White Eagle turned his back and disappeared into the brush and trees. Would they ever meet again in this lifetime?
Seth tugged on his sleeve. “Where’s he going, Pa?”
“He has a wife and children and grandchildren in Oklahoma Territory, and he’s headed there.”
Alice stared where White Eagle had ridden. “I almost cried at what he said. He’s lost everything, hasn’t he?”
“His life has changed in every way. But he is a clever man, too much so to fight the government any longer. His surrender protects the lives of his family, but with great cost.”
“I was plenty scared of him at first, but he seems like a good man. He sure puts a store of worth on you.” She laid her hand on Zach’s arm. “You saved those children for their families. I’ve never known a man as brave as you.”
Zach leaned on the porch rail and slid his arm around her. “The Warren boy was the one I went for. When I got there, I saw two other white children. Took everything I had to trade, but I got all three. I see the other two from time to time, but the Warren family went back to Kentucky.”
Alice leaned into him, as if they stood like this each day.
“Lizzie said they gave you a special price on the house and land. Sure is a nice place, and the barn and other buildings look in pretty good shape.”
“Them making me a deal is why I was able to buy their ranch. They asked about ten cents on the dollar of what it was worth.”
“They should have after all you went through to rescue their son. But didn’t they need the money from the sale?”
“Mrs. Warren’s parents died and left her a fine place in Kentucky. Apparently she hadn’t wanted to come here in the first place. Once she had her son back, she couldn’t wait to get back to what she called civilization. By then, her husband agreed.”
“I can see having your son kidnapped would be terrible. Shame they gave up this place, but I’m glad for your sake they did.”
“You sound like you’re growing fond of Texas.”
“Well, this is a beautiful ranch and the house is the nicest I’ve ever seen. Reminds me of those Mama had described, only stone instead of brick.”
Zach realized he’d put his arm at Alice’s waist, but didn’t move. Together, they stood watching Seth and Harry play. For a moment, he imagined they were parents watching their son. Longing sliced into Zach’s heart. If only Alice wasn’t so all-fired set on going to Atlanta.
Beside him, Alice sighed and leaned closer his way. “You could have been killed, Zach.”
Was her sigh a good sign? He hoped so. “At the time, finding David Warren consumed me. Guess I figured his life was worth more than mine.”
She raised her face and pivoted so their eyes met. “You were wrong. Losing you would have changed a lot of lives. What would have happened to Seth if you hadn’t rescued him? I know what would have happened to me.”
He grasped her shoulders then slid his hands up and down her arms. “You’re smarter than you give yourself credit for, Alice. You’d have gotten away somehow.”
Sadly, she shook her head. “No, and neither would Seth. Please, don’t take any more risks like that. You have a good family who loves you. Seth needs you.”
He turned her and caged her with his arms. “What about you? Do you need me?”
She blushed. “Staying here has meant a lot to me. I can’t tell you how much. But I reckon in a couple of weeks you can send me on my way.” She pulled away and hurried inside.
Guess that told you, Zachary Greenberry Stone, you fool. She doesn’t need you and is counting the days until she can leave.
Alice rushed through the house, unmindful of the aunts questioning stares. She had to get to her room before she bawled like a baby. She couldn’t stay here, not with Frank and Rusty looking for her. But, oh how she wished she could.
She closed her bedroom door and walked to the washstand. Splashing cool water on her face helped. After rubbing the towel across her wet skin, she hung it on the rail. No good ever came of wishing, Mary Alice Price. Buck up and do your best. But which best?
Should she make the aunts hate her, or try to win over Zach?
Chapter Twenty Two
Alice slid her fresh-baked pies from the oven and set them to cool. Golden brown crusts turned out as she’d hoped. Aromas of cinnamon and warm apples swirled around her and filled the room.
Seth and Harry burst in like small tornadoes. “They’s a buggy coming. Looks like a couple of ladies in it.”
Maggie whipped off her apron, so Alice did the same.
Lizzie looked at the golden pies and smiled as she shed her own apron. “Whoever it is, at least we’ll have a treat to serve them.”
Alice had thought of Zach when she baked the pies. “Oh, I hope we can save one for dinner. Zach said apple is his favorite.”
“We will, but let’s go see who’s coming to call.” Maggie turned to Mrs. Harmon. “Zelda, we’ll be in the parlor. Would you be kind enough to open the door for our guests?”
Alice trailed behind the aunts, self-conscious about her tan foulard dress. Should she hurry upstairs and change? At least a lace collar dressed up her old garment. But she w
orried about what the visitors would think of her. Should she be haughty or kind?
Mrs. Harmon stood ready to open the door. As usual, she didn’t look pleased to be there. Alice wondered if Mrs. Harmon ever smiled, even for her husband.
“Why, the nerve!” Maggie peeked out the window and looked fit to fight a bear. “If this doesn’t beat all, Holly Jordan Dalton coming to call. Zelda, I suppose we’ll have to serve that woman and her mother coffee. Can’t have them saying we shamed Zach.” She stomped back into the parlor and plopped onto the sofa.
For the first time since Alice had been here, Lizzie scowled. In fact, anger turned her face red. “After the hurtful way she jilted our Zach, she has gall to drive up here as if she hadn’t insulted him and our family.” She sat beside her sister and crossed her arms over her ample bosom.
“Is this the woman who said Zach was too awful looking to wed?” When the aunts nodded, Alice added, “She must be dumb as a stump. He’s the most handsome man I ever met.”
Alice parted the curtains a slit to see the visitors. “Oh, my, she’s beautiful.” Insecurity reared its ugly head and she patted her hair in place, smoothed her skirts, then joined the aunts.
“She’s not nearly as pretty as you, dear.” Lizzie patted her arm. “And you have a sweet disposition to go with it. My mother always said ‘Pretty is as pretty does.’ So that makes you truly beautiful.”
Maggie harumphed. “Which makes Holly Dalton ugly as a board fence.”
At the knock, Mrs. Harmon paused and appeared to count to herself before she opened the door. The beauty entered followed by an older version sure to be her mother.
As if she were a butler like Mama had described, Mrs. Harmon took the women’s outer wraps and hung them on foyer pegs and laid their gloves and bonnets on a side table. Her face looked as if she’d been sucking lemons when she announced, “Mrs. Dalton and Mrs. Jordan to see you.”
High Stakes Bride, Men of Stone Mountain Book 2 Page 13