by Rita Karnopp
Her heart ached for the man she loved. What had she done to turn him away? She'd asked herself that question so many times. Did he believe she'd chosen Buck? How could he doubt her love?
Resting in the shade, she watched Two Shadows and Trail Walker stop. She wondered how her beloved old Indian handled the pain of traveling.
She drank from the canteen, then stopped, frozen by the cries of Two Shadows. She couldn't hear his words, but read the sorrow and pain in his voice. Trail Walker! Tears flooded her eyes and ran freely down her cheeks. No! Trail Walker had died. She didn't get a chance to talk with him. She had so much she wanted to ask him. To share with him. She wanted to listen to his weathered, old voice and lock it into her memories. How she'd dreamed of sharing her tipi with him, sharing her happiness with the man who she loved as her father.
Blinded by tears, Whispering Sun ran down the steep incline. She ignored the sharp rocks that tore into her already tender feet. She ignored the swarm of buffalo gnats that bit her exposed skin. She cried, loud and wailing, running toward Trail Walker's travois.
Stumbling to the ground, she felt the skin on her knees scrape from the bone. She ignored the burning, she ignored the warm blood that trickled down her legs, onto the marriage moccasins she so dearly loved. "Ni'-nah," she called out. "Ni'-nah!" she cried.
She had one thought in mind, to reach Trail Walker. To tell the old Indian she loved him before his soul headed for the Sand Hills.
Two Shadows thought his ears deceived him. Did Napi already answer his prayer. Turning, Two Shadows raised his palm to shade his sight. He heard the cry, Father, before finally spotting Whispering Sun running toward them. She seemed to float in the air, her hair streaming behind her, glistening like a golden mane. He recognized her wedding dress, the beaded necklace he'd given her on their wedding day.
"Well, do not just stand there as though you do not care," Trail Walker said, rising up on his elbow. "Run to her, you foolish young man. Run to your wife and welcome her back into your heart," he shouted.
She heard Trail Walker yell to Two Shadows, then watched him rise on the travois. He did not die? But the cries from Two Shadows, what did they mean? She saw him coming toward her. She searched his face and saw his tears...tears of joy.
He raced across the distance, catching her by the waist, twirling into his arms. "You followed?"
"I wanted to go home and be with my husband. His shadow confused me with another woman. I came to set him straight. My heart is not so easily tricked."
"You looked incredibly beautiful in that fancy dress, your hair all fixed up. You walked like a fine lady. I did not want to deprive you of that life. I saw the love Buck had in his eyes for you. I could not stay and watch."
"You left too soon. You should have stayed to hear me tell him I could not marry him, I already had a husband."
"You told your father that? What did he say?"
"I didn't wait to hear. I left Sarah behind me…forever. I am Whispering Sun. I want to spend my life with my husband, Two Shadows."
"You must know, I planned on coming back for you. I would have married you in your white man's church. I would stay Dirk Williams if that is what you wanted. I am happy that you have chosen to leave Sarah behind. I left Dirk Williams back at the fort, too. I had no desire to find him.
They walked, arm-in-arm toward Trail Walker. "It is time Napi brings you together. I grew tired of watching Nat'-o'ye drag his heart on the ground."
"I don't understand, Trial Walker. Why do you call Two Shadows Nat'-o-ye?" she asked, glancing at her husband. Seeing his puzzled expression told her of his confusion, too.
"Your husband no longer has two shadows. He has found himself. He drew on his beliefs, drew on his power with the sun, Nat'-o'ye, One Having Sun Power. This is his new name. It is a good, strong name, one that goes in harmony with you, my daughter, Whispering Sun."
The End
About the Author
Multi-published author Rita Karnopp knew at a very young age she wanted to be a writer – and penned her first story at age sixteen. She is drawn to the history of the Native American and strives to bring alive the authenticity of a time past. Whether writing suspense, Indian historicals, or contemporary romance, Rita enjoys bringing excitement and the enduring power of love to her stories.
Rita currently resides in Montana with her husband and their loveable Cockapoo named Gema.
When she isn't reading, writing or doing research, Rita enjoys making dream catchers, gold panning, crystal or sapphire digging, rafting, fishing, canoeing, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Check out her website at www.ritakarnopp.com. Contact her at BooksWeLove.com or write to her at [email protected].
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