by Rita Hestand
"What do you mean, as their own?"
"Well, usually when one of their own is killed by whites then they take a white child and make them their own." Angus told her.
"That's what I've been told. I can't imagine my Peggy living the life of an Indian. Can't imagine her becoming an Indian."
"Then you must not be from around here, as many have been taken through the years. She will be Indian before long." Angus laughed. "And there ain't no turning back once that happens."
Aiden stared at her now, she was a lovely looking woman, but her attitude made Aiden angry. "Ma'am how long have they had her?"
"Over a month." She told him, holding a blanket around her to keep warm.
"Did you and your husband try to find her when it first happened?" Angus asked.
Gloria came closer to the fire now, staring into it, as though remembering, "We couldn't, the soldiers advised not to. They wouldn't send a party out for her, and they wouldn't allow us to leave the train, said it was too dangerous. That we didn't know the country. I suppose he was right about that."
"Well, he was right. Look, your daughter is still little, it would take a while to make an Indian out of her. This is going to be a long trip and you need to realize we won't find her real quick like unless we get very lucky. So, try to remain calm."
"It's very hard, she's my baby." Gloria cried her voice going soft now.
"Yes ma'am." Aiden looked at Angus.
"Why didn't she stay at the fort?" Angus asked as she finally walked back to her husband's side.
"Major Marsh insisted they could go with me."
"Lucky you," Angus chuckled.
"Yeah." Aiden tried to laugh.
But with more people it was a bit more tolerable now. Angus did his part with the horses and making camp. Pumpkin tried to help the white woman cook as much as she would let her.
"You haven't washed, I'll do it myself, never mind." Gloria insisted.
Pumpkin just shrugged.
Chapter Three
Aiden decided to go ahead of the others and try to find a pathway the tribe might have made. Before he took off Angus gave him some advice. 'Look, since you're going it alone out there, you look for circles in the snow, usually close to trees or rocks."
"I will certainly keep my eye out for the traps, thanks Angus."
Still by noon, he wasn't having much luck and he stopped to make some coffee and have a bite to eat. The sky was gray and hung gloomily over the glimmering snow. The trees hung heavy like weighted angel wings as the snow covered its branches. It had snowed so much that any passerby was hidden from their trails.
At the rate he was going he could be out here all winter looking for the tribe. Not only that but he had to worry about bear traps and a Cougar.
Aiden didn't particularly like the job he was given. Especially about bringing Lucy in. Lucy was a touchy spot with Aiden. He knew her story and how she'd been captured so long ago. How the Indians had raised her and not one soul had ever come to claim her. Even if her parents had been killed, surely someone would have come to look for her. But they hadn't. He remembered how hurt she'd been because of it. Although she usually hid that hurt well, it was there in the depths of her clear blue eyes. He knew her well, maybe better than anyone in the world. He had a feeling for Lucy that even he couldn't define. He understood her hurts, and how deep that hurt went, she had tried over the years to hide them, but he recognized her vulnerabilities. He wanted better for her. Over the years he'd known her, he'd become protective of her, just as the Indians were.
He'd thought about taking her from the village many times, but he knew she would face a life of scorn with the white people. He'd seen it too many times. Women dragged back to what they called civilization where the other white women jeered at them and men disrespected them. Out here, a woman was expected to kill herself rather than let an Indian have them.
Lucy was but a child when she was captured by the Blackfoot. Carried off at six, she never saw her parents again. And at that age she was old enough to miss them terribly, and young enough not to understand why they didn’t' come for her.
In her own defense she became Indian.
When the Cheyenne took her from the Blackfoot village, she'd again been ripped from all she knew. Adjusting was part of her life. But the Cheyenne raised her as their own. She would have been miserable had she not accepted the love they offered her.
It seemed there was no place for her in life, and his heart ached for her. She didn't deserve the life she was leading, and she sure didn't deserve the ridicule of others. She was despite it all a survivor and few realized just how much.
The Sergeant's words echoed in Aiden's head, "Unless maybe you like her a little yourself."
Aiden thought about that. He had feelings for Lucy, he just wasn't sure which way they went. She was only sixteen the last time he saw her. Just becoming a woman, and more beautiful than he wanted to admit.
No, Lucy was a survivor, and he respected the hell out of that.
He was just putting the coffee pot back on the fire when someone jumped him from a tree above him.
Aiden landed in the snow face first, and it didn't take him but a second to roll over and grab the offending person and wrestle him under him. Stradling the stranger he took his knife out and put it up to the stranger's throat when he realized who it was.
"What in the world!" he shouted at her as he put his knife away and jerked her to her feet. "Do you realize I almost killed you?" His voice was harsh, his frown set.
The woman smiled now, a warm inviting smile that melted the snow around them. "Hello to you too, Aiden!" Came her soft, sweet voice.
Her voice was melodious and teasing. The glint in her eyes had him smiling. The huskiness in her voice brought an awareness between them instantly. Aiden jerked her up by the collar of her coat and brought her menacingly close.
Dear God, she'd gotten to be a beautiful young woman. It startled, pleased and scared him all at once. His attraction to her was instant and he fought it with his better sense, but her smile always curled around his heart.
But before he could say a word, she stood on the top of his boots and kissed him, throwing her arms around his neck and proceeding to make him very aware of who she was. Her hands danced against the nape of his neck, her fingers delighting in his rich thick goldish brown hair. It wasn't a peck on the cheek either kind of kiss. It was a get-down kind of kiss, the kind that made a man have urges. He couldn't stop it, or change it, all he could do was respond to warm lips that melted the ice from his own.
Her lips massaged his, until he began to respond and pull her closer. His male instinct took over from there. The kiss suddenly deepened and finally had her backing off. Now his hands went to the back of her head and moved her so their lips could explore each other further. He wrapped his arms around her and held her against him, so she wouldn't fall. He felt the thud of a heartbeat, the scent of a mate, the temptation of a woman.
She jerked herself away, blowing an icy breath at him, "That's a little nicer welcome." She smiled, her eyes shining into his. "That's the first time we've kissed, Aiden, it sure was something. I wondered what it might be like."
"Yeah," he stared for a long moment. "I guess it was." His frown began to fade away. How could a man be angry with a kiss like that?
They seemed to stare at one another for a moment, sizing each other up, mentally and emotionally.
"Your standing on the top of my boots you know?" He smiled sexily at her.
"Does it hurt?" she asked softly.
"No," he grinned, "Just letting you know where you were."
"It doesn't hurt me stepping on your toes?" she chuckled.
"If you weren't light as a feather it might, but it does make you a might taller." He grinned sexily at her.
A soft shy smile painted her face.
"What are you doing up here, Aiden?" she asked, helping herself to the coffee as she dusted the snow from her clothes. Her nonchalant attitude ab
out the kiss had him scrambling for a bit of control. She was bundled up in a deerskin coat with a fur hood, she had mittens on her hands and wore long boots that came up to her knees. Her silvery hair peaked out of her fur hood, she readjusted as the braid fell at her shoulder now.
"I have business here," he replied turning away. For nothing would he let her see how frazzled he was by her kiss. Damn, she'd grown up since he'd seen her last, and she was more breathtaking, with that silver blonde hair, and pale blue eyes that searched his constantly!
"What kind of business?" she eyed him over the rim of her cup. The way her glance went from the top of his head to his boots, amused him and he tried to squash the grin. Aiden was tall and lean, broad shouldered and narrow hipped, he reeked of male masculinity. A woman would have to notice.
There was a strange kind of hunger in that female kind of glance that had Aiden reacting physically. She'd always challenged him in that way, and he'd always responded like an alpha male.
His male predator instincts took her in too. Although her female body was fully clothed, he recognized her as all female. From her gorgeous head of hair, to the silently beautiful blue eyes, she appealed like no other to Aiden. Unlike other women with beautiful dresses and sweet scents, Lucy had a scent all her own, and it was sweeter and more powerful than any he knew. It instantly attracted him, challenged him, lured him.
Although her demeanor was friendly, there was an edge to her husky voice, as she waited for his answer.
The smell of woodsmoke permeated the air. "Brought a couple up from the fort, they are looking for their kid."
"Kid?"
"Three-year-old little girl." Aiden told her. "Know anything about that?"
"Taken from a wagon train?" She asked.
"That's right."
"She's in the Sioux village. A replacement for the dead!"
"They can't keep her, Lucy."
"It's their right, it would cause a morning war if you try to take her. You know that as well as I do, Aiden."
"It's their child." His glance searched hers now.
"My name isn't Lucy any more. It hasn't been for years." She protested turning away from him.
"It'll always be Lucy to me," he informed her. "Or would you rather me call you the White Silver Fox?"
"You've heard of me?" she smiled with a tease.
"I'd hoped what I heard wasn't true."
"I'm sure some of it is… "
"You went to war with the whites?"
"No, I went to war with the army, Aiden. They killed my husband. We'd been married three months, and he was dead, because he butchered some cattle for our people to eat in the dead of winter. They shot him down like a dog. No questions, just shot him."
"When did this happen?"
"Last winter."
Her eyes held pain. He hadn't expected that.
"I'm sorry. I'd heard you married, wasn't sure of the fact though."
"Why not, a white man wouldn't have me." She challenged. "Would they?"
"You don't live in a white man's world." He said drily.
"And you do. You wouldn't have me… "
"You were a child the last time I saw you… " He defended.
"I was sixteen, and very aware of you. You saved my Indian father and helped me get back to the village safely. I owe you Aiden. I know that."
"I would have done it for anyone."
"At the risk of your own life?"
"Yes. Out here breathing is a risk, and you know that."
Something in her eyes went cold, like he'd slapped her face. "I guess you would. There are few white men, like you Aiden."
"Lucy… I—"
"Is the child the only thing you are after?" She came closer trying a bit of intimidation.
"Not exactly, no." He firmed his lips ready to do verbal battle with her.
But just as they were getting to the point his party showed up.
Mr. and Mrs. Winters stared at her as they dismounted, the woman seemed to size her up quickly. She came closer.
"Who is she?" Gloria came up to Aiden, eyeing her closely, and asked, her nose raising to the air.
"Her name is Lucy." Aiden announced, "And she's going to lead us to the Sioux village."
"How would she know where it is?" Gloria still eyed her skeptically.
"She lives there," Aiden told her with a sardonic chuckle.
"Lives there?" Gloria's glance slid over Lucy with a strange distaste. "With the Indians?" The woman's haughty voice brought all their heads up to stare at her.
Lucy came toward her now, and Gloria backed off. "That's right. I live there, with the Indians."
"Why?" The woman stared in disbelief.
"We'll get to that later, right now, we need to put some travel time in." Aiden told them.
Aiden mounted and put his coffee pot up, then helped Lucy up behind him.
The others stared, then mounted and followed them.
"Show us the way, Lucy." he muttered as she held him at the waist.
"Do I have a choice?"
"No, not this time."
She sighed and pointed.
"I can see this is going to be a real pleasant trip." Lucy muttered as she hung on to him. "You're not as friendly this time Aiden, how come?"
"Oh, I don't know, that kiss was pretty friendly if you ask me. What happened to the young girl I used to know?" He muttered sharply.
"She grew up." Lucy muttered just as thickly. "Can't expect me to stay little forever, you know."
"Well, you're still little, but I can tell you've grown up. So, tell me, is the child safe?"
She lifted her head from his back, "Of course she's safe. They treat her as their own. You should know that. I was one like her, many years ago."
"I know Lucy. Just wanted you to confirm what we'll find. How have you been?" he asked softly.
"Fine," she snapped.
"Why'd you kiss me back there?" He asked, the puzzlement in his question glaring at her.
"I hadn't seen you in a long while. I missed you." She defended. "Why, did it upset you?"
"No," he looked down at her hand around his waist and smiled. "Just shocked me a little. I'm still getting used to the idea of you being grown."
"Well, I'm no expert in the matter, but you kissed me back too Aiden."
He chuckled softly, "I guess I did. That's a fact."
"Are you married now? Spoken for?" she asked.
He shook his head.
"Then I'm not sorry I kissed you. Besides, I've been curious for some time how it would be."
"And how was it?" He asked softly.
"I don't want you to get the big head, Aiden. But it was the best kiss I ever had." She told him.
"That good, huh?"
"Well, what do you think?"
"I think you should be careful who you kiss like that, Lucy, it's deadlier than a gun."
She laughed out loud.
"I guess you're right about that. Don't know what got into me. But Aiden I don't want you to think I kiss every man I see. You know I love you, I always have… " She teased lightly.
"That why you married a buck?" he chuckled.
"A woman can't live alone forever, Aiden. Besides, he traded five horses for me. And you showed no signs of ever coming back for me."
"Five, well, I guess that commanded some respect." Aiden nodded.
"He was a good man."
"Did you love him, too?"
"No, but I liked him a lot. I respected him." She answered honestly.
"Who killed him?"
"A soldier…. Caught him killing the cattle and fired at him, it killed him instantly." She sighed. "He didn't take the time to ask why, he just shot him point blank dead."
"I'm sorry."
"It is the way our lives are here, Aiden. Now that we have the small talk out of the way, do you want to tell me why you are really here?"
"Major Marsh wants to see you at the fort." Aiden told her, his voice softening as he spoke.
"For what reason?" she didn't realize how sharp she spoke, but Aiden almost turned to look at her.
"He thinks you can help speed getting your people to settle out and quit warring."
"And how can I do that?"
"It's known you have influence on your people. You have become a great leader, a spirit woman. Isn't that what they call you?"
"Sometimes, yes."
"Your voice can have impact on what they do."
"And why should I tell them anything?"
"To keep them alive, and well."
"When the spirit dies, the body dies also. It would be a slow death, but a death, nonetheless. The ways of the Indian is dying, Aiden. When the buffalo are gone, so will the Indian die out. I can't stop it, but maybe prolong it."
"You really are a wise, little one, aren't you?"
"Who is the woman?" she asked, glancing over her shoulder at her.
"She is the child's mother."
"And she comes out here, herself, to find the child? In this weather… in these mountains?"
"She does."
She turned her head to look at the woman once more.
"I respect her for that at least. She's a snob, but a courageous one. It doesn't look as though she knows a thing about surviving out here." Lucy let her head fall against his back and rested.
"That's the truth." Aiden chuckled and pulled her hand tight to him.
"Are you tired?" He asked when she leaned her head against his back.
"No, I just like being close, Aiden." She sighed. "Something about you makes me want to be close. It always has. I can't seem to control it. Do you mind?"
"No, I don't mind." He chuckled softly, "It's the white side of you, Lucy, it comes out every now and then."
"Maybe… but I don't let everyone see that side of me often."
"I know that… " he whispered for her ears alone. "Will we encounter trouble getting the child back?"
She sighed once more, as though a bit exasperated, "I will speak to them for the woman. I won't lie to you, it is serious business. It is for their mourning that they took her. Custer, the yellow hair, came and killed many of the women and children one day while the braves were out hunting for food. Custer has the whites stirred up. Our people are the same. They want war with the whites. But this, this could cause a mourning war and you know that."