“So your mother and father were very much in love?”
“Yes. When the soldiers came, my mother fought them, but one of them hit her, knocking her unconscious, then threw her on the back of a horse. My father went after them in a rage. He shot the soldier so my mother could escape, but then he was killed.”
“Where were you?”
“I was out of the village, chasing wild horses. When I came back, the entire village was in mourning, and they told us we had to leave, that we had brought the white soldiers down on them.”
“Were there any other whites in the village?”
“There were some; they all went back.”
“But they still blamed you?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry. This must all be so strange for you.”
They sat in silence for a while, both thinking about what had happened to the young half-breed.
“What about you—how long has it been?” Chase the Wind asked.
“A year this spring. One minute we were a family, and the next we were orphans.”
“Then your family was happy. You were happy?”
“Yes, but I didn’t realize it until it was gone. I mean, I never knew anything else; we never needed anyone else; we were complete.” Jenny placed her chin on her knees, which were tucked up under her. “I wonder if I’ll ever know happiness like that again, the innocence that we lost.”
“You’ve lost the innocence forever, but you can find the happiness. At least I hope you can. I don’t know really, because I never had that kind of happiness. I was never accepted into the tribe, so I knew bad as well as good when I was with my mother and father.” Chase the Wind captured her again with those dark eyes that showed the pain of his isolation. “At least you’re not alone.”
“I’m grateful for that. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have Jamie.”
“I’m glad to know I’m so appreciated,” Jamie said as he came strolling into the room, grinning widely. “Have you been waiting for me?” he asked Chase the Wind while winking at his sister.
“Forever,” Chase the Wind answered as he shifted uncomfortably in bed. Jamie helped him up, and they disappeared behind the screen. Jenny discreetly slipped out of her bed as they went.
“You know, Chase, we’ve got to find an easier way to do this,” Jamie said as he helped him back to the bed. “I don’t plan on being your crutch for the rest of my life.”
“Chase?”
“Yeah, Chase. It’s easier than Chase the Wind, you know. Just like I’m James Duncan, but my friends call me Jamie.
“Friends.”
“Well, I should hope so. We’ve been up close and personal, if you know what I mean, and I’d hate to think I’m doing all this for someone who isn’t my friend.” Jamie grinned as he arranged the leg back in the sling, then moved it into the raised position. “I’m pretty handy to have around, too,” he said as he admired the contraption. Chase couldn’t help laughing, and when Jamie extended his hand to him, he took it. In that firm exchange they took full measure of each other and found a kinship.
“Jamie,” Chase began, once the formalities were out of the way. The priest was here this morning.”
“What happened?” Jamie’s face went from its usual open friendliness to wariness.
“Nothing, but he scared your sister. The nun wants you to move in here with Jenny for her protection.”
Jamie began to pace, much as Jenny had earlier, but where she had moved gracefully around the room, Jamie prowled like a tiger in a cage.
“What did Jenny tell you?”
“She’s afraid for herself and for you.”
“For me? Why should she be afraid for me?” Jamie stopped his prowling and stood in the middle of the floor.
“She’s afraid you might seek revenge and get hurt in the process.”
“Revenge for what?” A sudden realization came over Jamie’s face as the events of the past month came together. “Damn!”
The instant he spoke, a mug went sailing past his head and crashed into the wall above Chase’s head, making him jump, then look over his shoulder at the milk running down the wall. Jenny was standing in the doorway, hands on her hips, her eyes narrowed into slits.
“I trusted you,” she snarled from between clenched teeth. “You had no right.”
“Your brother needs to know what’s happening.”
“It’s none of your business!” Jenny was shouting now.
“Yes, it is. You should have told me,” Jamie said.
“Why? So you could go out and get killed, or worse?” Jenny came stomping into the room, and Jamie met her halfway.
“It’s my job to take care of you.” He stuck his nose inches from hers, leaning over her.
“And it’s mine to take care of you.”
“No, it’s not. I’m the man of the family now, you are my responsibility and if something is going on, I should know about it.”
“Not if I don’t want you to.”
Chase watched as they stood toe to toe, nose to nose.
“Jenny, he could have killed you.” Jamie shoved his hair back, his frustration growing at his sister’s unreasonable stand.
“Yes, and if you go after him, who would stop him from killing you?”
“He’s not going to kill me. He can’t hurt me.”
“No, but he could have you arrested, and then who’s going to stand up for you and take your side?”
“I think you’re being ridiculous.”
“Ridiculous! I’m not the one who goes off half-cocked all the time.”
‘Yes, you are.”
“What?”
“You’re the one who goes off half-cocked. I’m the sensible one.” Jamie gave her a smirk that sent her temper flaring. Jenny whirled around, searching for a weapon of some sort to use against his hard head. Chase was sitting up, watching the proceedings with rapt attention. “See, you’re looking for something to throw, aren’t you? Admit it, you don’t think things through. I, at least, listen to reason.” Jenny opened her mouth to answer his latest challenge, then snapped it shut. She turned, her skin flaring out, and left the room, slamming the door as she stormed out.
“I guess that shut her up,” Jamie said to Chase as the sound of the door slamming echoed in the tiny room
“You’d better go after her before she gets into trouble—or, worse, runs into Father Clarence.”
“You just hope I can get her calmed down before she starts in on you.” Jamie grinned at him.
Chase looked down at the shattered pieces of mug. “I guess it’s a good thing I can’t walk. It looks pretty dangerous out there.”
Chapter Sixteen
Jamie didn’t have any trouble following Jenny; she had left clear tracks through the snow. The air was frigid, the sky still overcast. He hoped she hadn’t gone far. She wasn’t wearing a coat, and he pulled his ragged one closer about him as the full force of the wind hit him. The wind was so strong he had to hold his hat down on his head. “Now is not the time for you to be so stubborn,” he mumbled as he made his way through the snow, his long legs breaking through the crusty top layer.
He caught up with her in the orchard. She was leaning against a tree, her arms wrapped around it as if she were afraid the wind would take her away. Jamie took his coat off and draped it around her shoulders.
“I guess you’re pretty mad at me,” he said. She wouldn’t answer him. “Jenny, come on, its freezing out here.” He cocked his head so she would have to look at him, but she turned the opposite way. “Jen,” he begged. “Come on, you have to go back and yell at Chase. You can’t do that if you’re frozen to a tree.” Jamie grinned when he saw her shoulders shake; he knew she was trying not to laugh. Jamie began to jump up and down, waving his arms against the chill. “Come on, I’m freezing.”
She turned and looked at him. “Serves you right.”
“Can we please finish this inside?”
Jenny reluctantly let go of the tree, and Ja
mie turned to go back to the mission, jogging in place as he waited for his sister to fall in step with him. Jenny scooped up a handful of snow and dropped it down the back of his shirt, taking off like a shot after she did so. Jamie let out a whoop and set out after her. Jenny’s shoes were old and worn, and she hadn’t gone far when the slick soles gave out and she went sliding into a drift, landing face first, her skirt flying up over her backside. Jamie came upon her and doubled over in laughter as she came blinking and dripping out of the snow. He finally stopped laughing long enough to help her up, and the two of them slipped and slid all the way back to the mission. Jenny finally joined his laughter when his legs went in two separate directions, causing him to land in a split position in the snow.
When they got back to the infirmary, Sister Mary Frances was using a broom and dustpan to clean up the mess while Chase watched with a contrite look on his face. Jenny walked to his bed, her head humbly bowed as if she were going to apologize, and promptly deposited a snowball down the front of his shirt, bringing him up with a howl. He whipped the shirt off and picked up the snowball to return fire. Jenny hastily placed herself behind the shelter of Sister Mary Frances, daring him to throw. Chase held the weapon in his hand while mopping his chest with his shirt, trying to decide if he should or shouldn’t. The nun silently held out her hand to take the snowball away. He placed it there and she carried it off, her hand still outstretched as if the snow were contaminated.
Chase narrowed his dark eyes at Jenny, and she danced away in case he had something else ready to throw. He held his wet shirt out to her and pulled the blankets up over the wide expanse of his bare chest as she took the garment away to dry near the stove. Jamie had removed his own shirt and held it out to Jenny as she went by, looking like a cat who had just been at the cream. After she had draped the shirts, she stood with her backside to the stove, pulling her skirt up to help dry her pantalets. She moved over to make room for Jamie, who was briskly rubbing his arms, but he declined with a shake of his head and she did not push him. He managed to avoid anything that produced a flame of any kind, not minding the cold as long as he didn’t have to confront his fear. He went into the infirmary and came back with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders, then sat down to breakfast with his usual hearty appetite.
That afternoon after they had moved a cot into the office for Jamie, the snow started again. Jamie brought Chase out into the office and they put him in a chair next to the stove, propping his leg up on another chair. Jenny and Sister Mary Frances took seats close to the stove, and Jamie read to them as the snow blew and drifted outside, building up against the walls of the mission, sealing in the warmth. When it got too dark for Jamie to see the words, he began to fashion a crutch for Chase to use, and Jenny wrapped the top with padding and a soft cloth. They helped him try it out, and he was soon able to move around, although with difficulty. The effort soon wore him out and he gratefully sought his bed, his entire leg throbbing.
Jenny soon climbed into her own bed and settled back with a sigh after turning down the lamp.
“I’m sorry I made you so mad today,” Chase said in the darkness.
“It’s okay. I actually feel relieved now that Jamie knows everything.”
“I’m glad.”
“Yeah, me too.” Jenny said with a yawn. “Good night.”
That night Jenny dreamed of a dark-eyed man with long, dark, flowing hair. She was older, a woman full grown, and she was running from the man, all the time hoping he would catch her. She saw everything as if she were on a soft cloud floating above the scene. She saw herself running across the plains, looking back to see how close he was, and she saw the man running, his dark eyes intense, his long hair flowing behind him as he effortlessly covered the terrain. Jenny was laughing, running for pure joy, exhilarated at her freedom. She knew the man with the dark eyes could catch her whenever he wanted, but he was enjoying the chase, pacing himself to stay right behind her. She felt the air pumping through her lungs, felt the motion of her legs and arms, felt the man’s breath on the back of her neck as she slowed. She watched from above as he reached out his arm, wrapping it around her waist, pulling her off her feet and swinging her around to face him. She looked up into dark brown eyes obscured by the long hair that swirled around his face. She watched as he lowered his face to hers, reaching a hand up to pull the wind-blown locks away, and then he mumbled.
Jenny’s eyes flew open with a start as she heard the muffled sounds coming from the other room. Jamie was talking in his sleep, something he had done his entire life. Jenny had quickly stopped noticing it when they were young, but it had been nearly a year since she had slept near him and the sounds had penetrated her dream. She closed her eyes to recapture the dream, but it had faded, blown away like the cloud she had been floating on. Across the room she heard the steady sound of Chase’s breathing, and once again it lulled her to sleep.
The next morning they woke to sunshine so bright that the reflection off the snow was blinding. Everything was covered with crystals of ice that gave the appearance of a fairyland to the drab brown of the mission and outbuildings. The small group housed in the infirmary were in high spirits as they started their day. Jenny was relieved that her secret was out in the open so they could start making plans for the future. Jamie now knew who the enemy was, and he was ready to leave; the only thing holding them up was the weather. Chase was happy to be mobile again; the necessity of relying on others for the simplest need had chafed at his proud spirit. He made his way from one room to the other on his crutch, occasionally giving them a scare as he teetered precariously. Somehow, he always recovered his balance and went on his way, smiling and shaking his head as he did so.
As they days passed, the snow began to melt and they began to look anxiously for signs of spring, hoping that it was here to stay as the days of March began. Jamie did not want to risk setting out with the chance of another storm coming in, especially since they did not have any supplies and would have to live off the land until an opportunity for employment presented itself. Sister Mary Frances began to check the mail, and soon began making trips into town when the weather was nice. After she took off in the wagon, Jamie and Jenny would help Chase go outside to the orchard and spend the afternoon soaking up the weak rays of the sun. Chase seemed to be more at home under the trees than he ever was in the confines of the infirmary, and every day he would test his strength, placing a small bit of pressure on his broken leg until he could set it on the ground without any pain.
After one of her excursions to St. Jo, Sister Mary Frances came into the office with a glow on her lovely face.”You got the letter?” Jenny asked as the nun removed her cloak.
“No, better,” she said as she took Jenny’s hands and led her to the table. Jamie came up behind Jenny and placed his hands on the back of her straight-backed chair, waiting for the news. The nun looked up at Jamie and smiled. “I’ve found a place for the two of you.”
“You have?”
“What? Where?”
Sister Mary Frances held up her hand to silence the barrage of questions as Chase thumped into the office with the aid of his crutch. “There’s an older couple on the other side of town—their last daughter has married and gone west. They had a bad winter and need someone to help with the farm and help around the house. I’m going to take you—” she looked at Jamie—”to meet them tomorrow. They didn’t quite believe me when I told them how big you are. Jenny, you’ll stay here in case Chase needs any help. If they agree, you can both move in on Sunday afternoon.”
Jamie and Jenny exchanged happy grins at the news. It seemed to be an answer to a prayer for both of them. “What about Chase?” Jamie asked.
“I’m leaving as soon as my leg heals up. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine,” Chase said from the doorjamb he was leaning on.
“Where will you go?” Jenny asked.
Chase waved in the general direction of the west. “Out there somewhere. I’ll know it when I get there.”
> “Maybe you could come with us,” Jenny suggested.
Sister Mary Frances opened her mouth to speak, then thought better of it. Chase looked around the room at the three people who had cared for him during the past few weeks and knew that the mission had sheltered them from the real world. Sister Mary Frances was looking down at the table, her hands folded gracefully. Jenny and Jamie were looking at Chase expectantly, waiting for him to complete their happiness by agreeing.
“No, I don’t think a farm is the place for me. I’ll go west again.” He knew in his heart that the couple who were being so generous to Jamie and Jenny would never accept a half-breed; there weren’t many people who would. He was grateful for the three in the room who had taken him in and nursed him, but he knew there weren’t many more like them in the world. He would make his way west, maybe even go back to his tribe and claim his birthright, as soon as he was able. He smiled reassuringly at the group, but the expression didn’t quite reach his eyes, and he knew that Jamie and Jenny saw the doubt.
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