“Since I’m not his first choice, my going shouldn’t cause too much of a hardship.” She wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her shirt and, when she looked up, she saw a movement in the trees. Her heart jumped, for she knew who it was.
He waited for her back among the tall pines skirting the lake. As she drew near, he moved out of the trees.
“Jessie,” he called out to her.
Drawing her horse up tight, her eyes scanned in the direction of his voice, until at last she saw him waiting for her. “Two Spirits.” She smacked her horse with the reins.
When her horse drew even with his, he lifted her into his arms. “My woman, I have missed you so much,” he whispered, his voice muffled in her long thick hair.
“I thought I would never see you again.”
“My love for you and our child could not be silenced. I am going to take you far away from here. Will you come with me?”
“I would go to the ends of the earth with you, Two Spirits. As long as we’re together, I’ll never look back.”
He placed her back on her horse. “The danger that lies in wait for us, Jessie, must be dealt with now. You cannot return to your father’s ranch. We must go now.”
“My clothes are in a bag tied to back of my saddle. I’m ready.”
In silence, he led them through the forest. As they rode, he told her about all that had transpired with his mother and Pehta.
“I’m sorry you have to leave your family and friends. I only hope this won’t make you regret what we’ve had to do.”
“Jessie, as long as I have you and our child by my side, I will never wish for more.”
“Wolfer said you will never be happy without your people. I don’t believe that. I think as long as we’re together, nothin’ else matters.”
“Our families cannot understand what we feel for one another. They see the color of our skin. Now they will know that does not matter. We love each other, Jessie,” he told her, his voice low and caressing, “and we will be together.”
“How did you know about the baby?”
“Pehta told me”
“But how…?” she began, then remembered the man’s uncanny ability to see things before they happened. Not wanting to dwell on Pehta and what she deemed his strange behavior, she chose instead to talk about their coming child. “Two Spirits, are you happy about the baby?”
“Yes, Jessie. Our daughter will bring us much happiness. She will prove to everyone our races can be mixed, that prejudiced feelings dwell in the minds of those too ignorant to open their eyes and see beyond the color of a person’s skin.”
“He even knows our child is a little girl?”
Nodding, he smiled over at her. “He asked that we name her Tia, after the wife of his brother. I hope you will not be angry, for I told him we would.”
“Two Spirits, I no longer fear the stories you tell me about the spirits and visions, for I had a vision myself last night.”
He stared at her, wanting to believe her. “What did you see?”
“I saw a dark-skinned little girl who ran and laughed with a very handsome Indian man.” She tried to remain calm in the telling.
“How can you be sure you had a vision and not a dream?”
“Because the little girl changed into a young woman and the man who held her called her Tia.”
“You have been blessed with the gift of looking upon the face of our daughter, Jessie.”
“I no longer look at life through the eyes of a white girl. I see life through the eyes of your woman.”
“Jessie, do not be a reflection of my love. I want you to remain your own person. The spirits have given each of us our own life to live. Never let another lead you on a path you do not wish to travel.”
“I won’t, Two Spirits. I have enough of my father’s blood flowing in my veins to always be true to myself.”
“What made you decide to come to me today?”
“Hattie knows I’m pregnant. I thought it best to leave before she told my parents. I feel bad about runnin’ away and leavin’ her to handle all the mess, but I had to. If I’d stayed, my father would never have let me leave.”
“Then you did right, little one. If the fates are kind, he will not suspect me right away as the one who has fathered your child.”
“There’s no way he can suspect you. He’ll think it’s one of the boys around the county I’ve been seein.”
“For another man to claim the siring of my child, even in the minds of those who are guessing fills my heart with anger.”
“We needen worry about things like that anymore, Two Spirits. We are startin’ a whole new way of life with only the three of us to worry about.”
He smiled over at her. “Our destiny is in our hands now. No one will ever be able to dictate our lives again.”
As they kneed their mounts into a fast gallop, the strong wind blowing down from the mountains, lifted away all their problems.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hattie tapped on Jessie’s bedroom door. When her knocking drew no response, she turned the knob pushing the door open wide.
“Miss Jessie, is you sleepin?” she called out in a soft voice.
All remained silent.
“Miss Jessie?” Hattie peeked into the quiet room.
Finding the room empty, she walked inside, the opened drawers of the large bureau drawing her attention.
“Now why’d she do dat? Der ain’ no reason fer her ter bes leavin’ eve’ything jucked opened lak dat. She jes’ specs me ter cleans up affer her all de time. Git’n so a body kain nebber bes thoo wukin!” she grumbled, beginning to push the drawers closed. But as she peered inside, her breath caught in her throat. “All her clothes bes gawn. Oh Lawd, whut twuz in dat chile’s mine to kase her ter runs ‘way lak dis?”
“Who ran away?” Charlotte asked, coming into the room.
“Oh, Miz Charlotte,” Hattie wailed, blowing her nose into her apron.
“Hattie, what in the world’s the matter with you? And where’s Jessie?”
“She gawn, Miz Charlotte.”
“Are you tellin’ me she took off without tellin’ anyone where she planned on goin’ again?”
“No’m, Miz Charlotte, Ah means she ain’ nowhars in de house an’ all her clothes bes gawn.”
“What do you mean her clothes are gone?” Charlotte yanked open Jessie’s chest of drawers. “I don’t understand this.” She stared into the empty drawers.
“Miz Charlotte,” Hattie led the other woman over to seat her on the side of Jessie’s bed, “you needs ter sits yo’seff down fer a minute, kase Ah think Ah knows why Miss Jessie done runed away.”
“Hattie, you’re scarin’ me,” Charlotte whispered.
“Miz Charlotte, you doan knows de half of it.” Hattie wiped her eyes on her apron. “Ah thinks Miss Jessie bes in de fambly way.”
“What are you talkin’ ‘bout?” Charlotte jumped from the bed.
“Now, jes’ calms yo’seff,” Hattie took Charlotte’s hand, “an’ lets me tells you why Ah thinks de way Ah does.”
“This better be good, Hattie. You’ve made a serious accusation against my daughter and I won’t allow anyone to talk about her like that!” She turned her back to the woman trying to talk to her.
“Miz Charlotte,” Hattie sat herself on the bed and positioned herself so Charlotte had no choice but to acknowledge her. “Ah din’ wants ter b’lives it needer, but den Ah started a-putin’ eve’ything tergither an’ dat’s whut Ah thinks is a-gwing on.”
“Just tell me why you think she’s pregnant!”
“Awright, Ah’ll tells you.” Hattie nodded, gulping several deep breaths to calm herself. “Las’ night, w’en ah broughts up her supper, she ast me why de mizry doan comes w’en it spos to, an’ Ah tole her, dat de only reason Ah knows of dat de mizry doan comes is w’en a womens gwing ter has a baby.”
“What’d she say?”
“She jes’ say dat kain bes de reason, kase she ain’ been wid nobo
dy in dat way.”
“Oh thank God!” Charlotte breathed, clutching a hand to her heart. “You really had me scared for a moment, Hattie.”
“Miz Charlotte, Ah knows fer a fact she ain’ had de mizry dis month kase ah went ter puts in a clean stack of flannel-wrapped-cottons fer her, lake ah does e’very month and ah seed she ain’ touched de las stack ah put in fer her.”
“Hattie, there could be another reason. Maybe she’s upset about something. That’s made me late with my menstrual cycles before.”
“She bes upset ‘bout sumpin’ awright, an’ dat sumpin’ she bes worrit ‘bout is dat she’s in de fambly way.”
“Hattie, I believe my daughter. She’s never lied to us. There has to be another reason for her bein’ late,” Charlotte whispered. “There just has to be.”
“Ah gots mo’ proof,” Hattie’s large shoulders drooped, “effen you wants ter hears it.”
Twisting the ring on her finger back and forth, she nodded. “Go ahead, Hattie, I’m listen’.”
“Dis mawnin’ she wuz a-throwin’ up. Den w’en Ah says dat mout bes we needs ter sends fer de doctah she runned outta de room. Now all her clothes bes gawn, an’ she ain’ nowhere ter bes seed.”
“Oh my God, Hattie. She can’t be pregnant.” Charlotte dropped down once more on the bed. “When Eathen finds out, it’ll kill him.”
“Yas’m,” Hattie pulled Charlotte’s head against her shoulder. “Ah specs it will.”
“Well, we’re not gonna find her sittin’ here. I guess I’ll go tell Eathen she’s gone. And what we suspect.”
“Ah sho’ doan envies you, Miz Charlotte.” Hattie lifted her large girth off the bed.
“I don’t either, Hattie. I know my husband, and I know what he’ll do to the young man responsible. He’ll find hisself married before the week’s out.”
“Does you has any idea who mout of did dis ter our baby chile?”
For a long moment Charlotte turned the faces of all the boys she knew around in her mind, then she nodded. “Yes, Hattie, I think I do.”
“Who does you think it wuz? Miss Jessie wuz a-seein’ mos’ e’very boy in de county der fer w’ile,” Hattie peered at her.
“That’s true, Hattie, she did see a lot of different boys. But there is just one she always talked about.”
“Miz Charlotte,” Hattie’s dark face paled, “you doan means dat young Indian boy!”
“That’s exactly who I mean, Hattie. I just thought about the time I saw them together. I needed her for somethin’, probably to help us with the housework. Anyway,” she threw up her hands, “I found her watchin’ Two Spirits workin’ the horses. As I recall, it had to be close to 100 degrees out that day and he didn’t have on a shirt, just a pair of tight jeans and a pair of moccasins. I must admit, I stood for a few moments enjoyin’ that sight myself. He’s such a handsome kid. As I stood there, I saw somethin’ pass between them. At the time I didn’t think too much of it. But now as I think back, I should have. I hope I’m wrong, Hattie. But I think the boy who got Jessie in trouble is Two Spirits.”
“Does you think dat’s whar she’s gawn? Ter bes wid him?”
“I think so. I know one thing for sure though. If it is Two Spirits, there won’t be a weddin’. Eathen’ll kill him.”
Walking across the yard on her way to the corrals, she kept watching for any sign of Jessie. She tried to catch sight of Maggie, Jessie’s horse, but she couldn’t spot her.
“Tom,” she called out, as he walked towards the bunkhouse, “have you seen Jessie this mornin’?”
“No, Miss Charlotte. I sure ain’t. I ain’t seen Maggie this mornin’ either,” he laughed. “Guess they must be together.”
“Probably,” she declared, with a wave of her hand.
“Were you lookin’ for me?” Eathen came up behind her to slip his arms around her trim waist.
“As a matter of fact, yes, Eathen.”
“Then look no more, my love. I’ve been found.” He kissed her full mouth.
When at last she could pull away, she asked him. “Darlin’, have you seen Jessie this mornin’?”
“Nope.” Eathen left his arm snuggled around her waist. “It’s my guess she’s out takin’ advantage of this beautiful day. I know I’d be if I had the time.”
“Come up to the house. I need to talk to you ‘bout somethin’.”
“Sounds serious.” He grinned down at her, matching his steps to hers as they made their way to the house.
When Eathen had seated himself in his favorite chair, Charlotte handed him a glass of brandy.
Eathen glanced up at her. “It’s a little early in the day to start on that, ain’t it?”
“I think you’re gonna need it.” She settled herself in the chair across from him.
“What’s goin’ on?” He set the drink on the table beside his chair.
“Eathen, we think Jessie’s run away. Most of her clothes are missin’ and no one’s seen her since early this mornin’.”
“What the hell you talkin’ about? Jessie wouldn’t run away.” He leaned forward in his chair. “Hell, I give her everything she could ask for.”
Twisting her hands in her lap she plunged ahead with what she suspected. “Eathen, we think she’s run away because she’s pregnant.”
“What…the…goddamn hell…are you sayin?!” he growled, lunging from his chair, knocking the table, drink and all, unnoticed to the floor.
“She ain’t had a menstrual cycle this month and Hattie said she saw her throwin’ up this mornin’. When Hattie suggested callin’ the doctor, Jessie panicked and ran out of the room. Now her clothes are gone and so is she,” Charlotte finished.
“Wait!” Eathen threw up his hands. “Just back up one goddamn minute here! Now I know you’re wrong, because the reason she didn’t go to the reservation with Wolfer the other day’s cause of her havin’ cramps. Don’t that go along with all that female shit?”
“It does.” Charlotte nodded in agreement. “But I think she told you that so she wouldn’t have to tell you the real reason she didn’t wanna go.”
“Didn’t wanna go? Hell, she all but got down on her knees she wanted to go so damn bad! Didn’t wanna go! Christ! Two Spirits is all she could talk about.”
“Eathen, I think the boy who got her in trouble is Two Spirits.”
“In a pig’s ass!” He stomped across the room. “No goddamn daughter of mine’d lay up with a worthless Injun!” Eathen yanked the stopper out of the whiskey decanter. “I’d stake my life on that!”
“All right, then you tell me who got her in trouble.”
“If she is knocked up, it ain’t by no goddamn Indian!” he snorted, sloshing whiskey into a glass.
“Who’s the one person she always talked about? Who’s the one person she always took up for? You have to stop and think, Eathen!” Charlotte moved to stand in front of him. “She didn’t get this way by herself!”
“All right, what about that Sinclair boy?” He waved the hand holding his drink. “She sure acted like she cared for him.”
“If that’s so, then why did she always turn him away when he came to see her? The same as she did every other boy who came around? Sure, she would go riding with them or sit out on the porch with them, but who’s the one boy she always wanted to be around?”
“I’ll kill that son-of-a-bitch!” The color drained from his face as he strode in the direction of his den.
Close on his heels, Charlotte tried to grab hold of his arm. “Eathen, where are you goin’?” she demanded, as she watched him strap on his Colt.
“To find Wolfer. I wanta know why the hell she came back that day they left to go to the reservation.”
“Well, do you need your gun for that?!”
“If I run across that red nigger bastard who put his hands on our daughter, I do!” He filled his vest pocket with handfuls of ammunition.
“Eathen!”Charlotte spun him around to face her. “I don’t want you goin’ off half-cocked! This
young man could be innocent!”
“You better hope to God he’s innocent, Charlotte! ‘Cause if he ain’t, he’s a dead son-of-a-bitch!”
***
An angry Eathen Thornton rode onto the Browning Indian Reservation a little before sundown. Reining his horse outside Pehta’s lodge, he called out in a loud voice. “Pehta, it’s Eathen Thornton out here. I need to talk to you!”
Within moments, the lodge flap lifted as Pehta came outside to greet him. “Hello, old friend, I’ve been expecting you.”
Dismounting, Eathen followed the older man inside to seat himself before the lodge fire. “I’m sure you know why I’m here.”
“Yes, you have come in search of Wolfer.”
“Is he here?”
“He will return. You are welcome to stay here tonight.”
“Thank you, Pehta.” Eathen removed his hat to lay it on the floor beside him. “I hate draggin’ you into this mess, but it can’t be helped.”
Fated Memories Page 27