He left Joy to her piece of wood, wondering if she’d give Soaring Eagle a chance. He was twelve years her senior, but had a good heart. Well, if she wouldn’t go for Soaring Eagle, he could always fall back on Samson. He had five months to help her fall in love with one of the two. Once she was married, she’d be busy starting a family of her own and forget all about the mountain.
“Lucas, I’m going home to start dinner. Do you want me to bring some over for you?”
“No, thanks, I’ll work through. Samson, would you mind walking Joy home?”
“I know the way home. Samson has work to do, and it isn’t fair for you to keep making him escort me around.”
“I don’t mind. Really.” Samson held out his arm. “Let’s go. I’ll be right back.”
Lucas watched them leave. He wouldn’t have to do anything to encourage Samson, but Soaring Eagle was a bird of a different feather.
Jared was lost for five days before he finally found the cabin. He put the wagon in the barn, cared for the horses and went inside. Exhausted, he wished he had taken Night with him so he could have returned home a lot sooner, but if he’d done that, Lucas would have caught on to what he was up to.
He hung his coat, pulled off his boots and slouched down on the couch. The supplies would have to wait until tomorrow. Night approached him with his brush in his mouth. Jared brushed the wolf’s coat. “You were ready to come inside too, weren’t you, big boy? Any sign of Day yet?”
Jared’s best hope of finding Joy was Day. If she didn’t return, he’d have to search every reservation in California for her. He set the brush aside with memories of his fight with Lucas.
He’d woken when Lucas was sneaking Joy out of the house. He tried to stop him, but with his re-injured leg, he was no match for Lucas. Lucas kept pushing gold at him, saying he knew that was all he wanted. Jared tried to make him understand, but Lucas wouldn’t listen to reason.
He could see Lucas would take her no matter what, so he took the ride to town after sending Night off to hide. With the gold he bought a wagon, horses and supplies to last through the winter. He’d allow his leg time to fully heal, then when spring came he’d follow Day to the reservation and retrieve Joy. On the slight chance Day didn’t return, he also bought maps of California. He had the postmaster indicate where the Indian reservations were.
While in town, he’d gone to the bank and deposited the rest of the gold. He also did the paperwork required to transfer his money from the Alabama banks to the one in town. This way when he retrieved Joy, he could pay Lucas all of his money plus interest. He’d still have more than enough from the profits he received from his plantation to build them their own utopia in a warmer climate.
“I’m coming for you, Joy. Just hold out.”
He examined his injured leg. It was getting better every day. He’d stay off it for a month, then start his own rehabilitation. When he went for Joy, he would be prepared to fight this time. Lucas wouldn’t stop him from obtaining joy.
Their shopping expedition into the big city should have only lasted two days. A week later, they came rolling into town exhausted from their trip. Joy bathed and went straight to bed. Lucas bathed, then sat in the living room to read and relax. He’d wanted to use the trip to get to know Joy again, and boy had he.
Everything that could go wrong did. The rains were freezing. One of the horses threw a shoe. The wagon broke a wheel. Someone broke into their hotel rooms while they were out and took their money. Lucas convinced Joy to try steak and she got sick. He leaned his head back, reflecting on their trip when he heard a tap at his door.
“Soaring Eagle. Come on in.” They both took a seat in the living room. “We just got in a little while ago. How long have you been back?”
“I got in this afternoon. Pops told me Joy signed up for school. Was that her idea or yours?”
“I’m too tired to fight over Joy today. She wants to finish school, then I don’t know what her plans are. It’s her choice. This past week was one of the most rewarding weeks of my life. I know Joy again.” He set his feet up on the table. “She’s grown, but in a way she’s still a child. I can’t explain it. Maybe because she had to grow up so quickly, her immaturity never ran its full course.”
Soaring Eagle tossed off his shoes and placed his feet on the table as he leaned back on the couch.
Lucas fully expected Soaring Eagle to be in that same spot, sound asleep come morning. He couldn’t count the times he’d fallen asleep at Soaring Eagle’s.
“What do you mean she had to grow up so quickly, because her parents died when she was so young?”
Lucas knew the consequences of his words to Soaring Eagle. His protective instincts would shift into overdrive and hopefully bring Soaring Eagle and Joy closer together. “Joy has forgiven me for the unforgivable.”
Soaring Eagle drew his head back in confusion. “What are you talking about?” Lucas told Soaring Eagle everything, and true to his nature, he soared into a fit of anger. He chastised Lucas worse than Pops had in a tenth of the time. “…and you should thank God she’s forgiven you.”
“I have and I do every second of the day. Please, sit with me.” Soaring Eagle returned to his seat. “I know what I did was wrong. I wish I could go back and change it, but I can’t. We’ve decided to move on, but I’ll never forgive myself.”
Soaring Eagle stared at Lucas for a while. “I want to see Joy.”
“She’s asleep, but you can look in on her for me. I convinced her to eat a steak, and it made her sick. She doesn’t eat big game, you know.”
“No, I didn’t. Why?”
Shame turned Lucas’s gaze downward. “When I left her she was only ten. She wasn’t strong enough to carry, or drag a carcass back to the cabin. She could kill deer, boar, and sheep, but by the time she’d cut it up animals would come, and she’d have to fight for the meat. She didn’t want to kill an animal for just the leg. So she stopped eating large game. It wasn’t worth it. She’d eat fish, birds, rabbits, and squirrels for her meat,” he rambled. “She said she tried big game again when she was fourteen and strong enough to carry a carcass home, but the meat made her sick. She can’t digest it anymore.” Too ashamed to face his friend any longer, Lucas rose. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Lucas cracked his door open and watched Joy enter the living area. He’d known she’d be up before the sun to take her walk.
She set the lantern on the mantle, put on her coat, gloves and hat and was ready to go.
Soaring Eagle stretched. “Joy, where are you going?”
She smiled and sat on the table in front of him. “I didn’t know you were back. How was your trip? I met your father. He’s great. I’m going to work with him after school.”
“What time is it?” He dropped his legs over the side of the couch and reached for his boots.
“I don’t know. I’m sorry I woke you. I love to walk early in the morning. It drives Lucas crazy, so I try to return before he wakes. Go back to sleep. You can tell me about your trip later.”
“I’ll go with you.” He went for his coat, but she stepped in front of him.
“You aren’t planning on treating me like a baby the way Lucas does are you? I don’t need another father.”
He stroked her face with his hand. “What do you need, Joy?” He stepped away. “I’m sorry. I’ll walk with you.” He grabbed his coat and they left together.
Lucas continued to watch the two as they left the yard. Soaring Eagle would lose his fight against his attraction to Joy. Now his only problem was his stubborn niece. When she said she’d never fall in love or marry, she’d meant it. How would he convince her to give Soaring Eagle a chance? He plopped down on the couch. The best thing would be to let nature take its course. She’d fall for Soaring Eagle or Samson eventually.
“Come in, Joy.” Reverend Richardson motioned for her to sit in one of the chairs positioned in front of his desk. “Make yourself comfortable. So you’re Lucas’s niece. I missed you last week.”
Joy grinned. “About last week. You see we ran into a little trouble.”
“It’s all right, Mr. Hines has already explained.” He sat on the front of his desk and looked down at Joy. “Mr. Hines is impressed with your writing. He showed me the impromptu report you wrote about your mountain. I must say it was very good.”
“Why thank you, Reverend Richardson. I love my mountain.” She looked about the office. He was sure she recognized her uncle’s handy work. “Do you share this office?”
Puzzled by the question, he turned up his face. “Yes, why?”
“I was just wondering.”
“What made you think I share the office?”
“Because it doesn’t have any personal affects. Its character comes from the woodwork. Did you need something, Reverend?”
Straightforward like her uncle. He liked that. “I just like to meet with all of the students. We have service every Sunday at ten-thirty. I’ll expect to see you there. Are you baptized?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. You’d have to ask Lucas. And I won’t be going to church on Sunday.”
He quickly pulled the second chair close to her and sat. He worried about saving her soul. Lucas refused to attend church, but he might be able to save his niece. She was still young enough to mold. “Are you a Christian?”
“I don’t know any religions, but I know the Bible and I’m a child of God.”
He smiled. There was a chance to save her. “Amen to that. Have you ever been to church? Didn’t your parents ever take you?”
“I don’t remember if they did. Lucas doesn’t go to church.”
He leaned back in his seat. He’d been trying for years to convince Lucas to attend church. So many of the young men followed his lead. Now his niece would follow in his footsteps. “But he should. He won’t object if you come to church. Why don’t you come this Sunday?”
“Why? I have a Bible. I know it back and forth. So why go to church?”
He cleared his throat to give the speech he’d given many times on why you should attend church.
“Lucas and I will go to church this Sunday, but that’s all I can promise,” she said just as he began.
He was ecstatic. If she brought Lucas into the church, he could save them both. “Even if Lucas doesn’t come, I’d like to see you.”
“We’ll be there. May I leave now? It’s time for my math lesson.”
He held his hand out to shake. “It was nice meeting you, Joy.”
“It was nice meeting you also, Reverend. We’ll see you on Sunday.”
He returned to his desk. What a refreshing young lady. He read through his sermon for Sunday and began revising it. This might be the only chance he had to hook Lucas into the church, and he didn’t wish to put him to sleep. He was almost finished when Miss London stepped into the office doorway.
“Hello, Reverend.”
“Hello, Miss. London, come in, come in.” His attraction for Miss London became more difficult to hide with each visit. At thirty-five, he was only a few years older than her, had job security, and quite handsome if he said so himself.
With his blond hair and blue eyes, most of the females acted a little silly around him. He thought it cute and used his looks to encourage them to attend church. He found it quite flattering. The woman he wanted was Miss London, but she didn’t see him as anything but the reverend.
“I saw Joy leave a little while ago. I was just wondering how things went with her. I must say, I’ve been worried about her.”
He motioned for her to take a seat, then he sat on the edge of his desk. “Why, what’s wrong?”
“It’s just that she’s only around men. She’s a sweet young lady, and I don’t want her to become,” she paused, “compromised. She’s very friendly, and I don’t think she’s been taught why the boys are giving her so much attention. Her uncle…”
He raised his hands slightly. “Wait a second, Miss London. Lucas doesn’t attend church as I’d like, but he is a good man. I’m sure he wouldn’t allow anyone to take advantage of his niece.”
“I’m not saying he’s doing it on purpose. I’m just saying he has the young men escorting her everywhere. If not one of them, he has Soaring Eagle. It’s just so improper. I’m hoping you will convince her to attend church and maybe join the women’s club, so she can make friends with women who can help her grow into a nice young lady.”
He sat behind the desk. “She’s young and beautiful. Maybe he has the young men escorting her in hopes of finding her a husband.”
“I guess I see your point.” She released a long drawn out sigh. “Well, would you at least tell him it is wrong for him to have Soaring Eagle escort her around? He is too old for her, and I can tell she has a crush on him. I don’t want her to be hurt. She’s no match for him.”
He raised a brow. There it was, as clear as the nose on her beautiful face. He’d seen Soaring Eagle and Joy together earlier in the day. They were sitting in the church, eating lunch together. Miss London must have seen them also. Now she wanted to tie Joy up in church activities, so she wouldn’t have time to spend with Soaring Eagle.
He glanced down at his desk. Why hadn’t he known of her interest in Soaring Eagle? He’d have to increase his visits onto the reservation. “Soaring Eagle is Lucas’s best friend, and he’s only, what, ten years or so older than Joy? I’m sorry, but I just don’t see what you’re worried about. She’s interested in males, and that’s healthy.”
Miss London offered a tight smile. She rose to leave. “Thank you for your time, Reverend.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
Chapter Sixteen
Months Later…
Jared needed supplies to last until it would be safe to collect Joy. Risky, but he decided to try the general store on the reservation, instead of traveling the fifty miles to the next town. He’d been watching Joy and Lucas’s schedule for weeks, thus knew only a slight chance of running into them existed.
“May I help you, son?” Pops stepped out of the storage room. “If you hand me your list, I’ll fill it, so you can be on your way.”
Jared set the items he had in his hands on the counter. “That would be great. Thank you.” He handed Pops his list.
Pops began filling the list. “You’re new around here, aren’t you? I see everyone at one time or another.”
“I arrived a few weeks ago. Do you have any books?”
Pops motioned to the shelves at the back of the store.
Jared was shocked at the selection.
“By the way, I’m called Pops.”
He peeked over the bookshelf. “I’m Jared.”
Jared and Pops were both startled by Joy bursting into the store. Jared quickly stooped further and watched through the thin slats in the shelf.
“Hi, Pops.” She ran behind the counter and placed a grade book behind it. She turned on her heels and ran toward the door. “Bye, Pops.”
Pops held up a hand. “Hold it a second, young lady.” Joy halted in her tracks and turned slowly toward him. He went behind the counter and pulled out the grade book. “Who’s is this?”
Joy’s mouth curled up. “Miss London’s. All I can say is dare.”
“Didn’t you give up starting fights with Lucas for Lent?”
“If I make it back to school before our break is over, I won’t be caught; therefore, Lucas and I won’t have any reason to fight. Now can I please leave?” Joy glanced toward the bookshelf, shrugged, then refocused on Pops.
“Go.”
She kissed him on his cheek, then ran for the door, stopping to say, “I wasn’t here.”
Pops returned to filling Jared’s order. “That child is something. How are you doing back there?”
Jared returned to the front of the store with a few books, sketchpads and pencils. “Great. Who was that?” He laughed at himself for thinking she’d be sitting around waiting for him. That was not her personality. Stealing the teacher’s grade book was the Joy he knew. He thought of the
stories she’d told him about the trouble her and Wolf used to cause.
“That was Joy. She finds more trouble than the boys.” He tallied Jared’s purchases. Holding the sketchpad, he commented, “You have Joy to thank for this. I didn’t keep these in stock until she came. Do you draw for a hobby?”
“Yes, I do as a matter of fact. I find it calming.”
“Wait a second, I have something I know you will appreciate.” Pops went to the back of the shop and returned with a large framed picture. “Joy drew this. I don’t think I’ll ever see better.” He set the work on the counter so Jared could see it properly. “She gave this to me. She uses her drawing to work through issues.”
It took Jared a few minutes to gather in all he saw. Comprehension settled on Jared, sinking his heart. Joy was sitting on a log in the middle of a meadow with her back to the viewer. Walking away from her into the distant fog were five people, which he knew were her parents and himself. Walking onto the scene from the edge was Lucas, holding out his hand to her. Instead of looking to Lucas, her focus settled on those leaving her.
She’d been drawing from her heart, and it showed in her work. Uninhibited. Glorious. Heartbreaking. He was dead to her. Knowing Joy as he did, he knew she’d go on with life. He decided to keep his arrival secret for a little longer until he could find out if she’d found someone else. Her choices were limited on the mountain, but in the town she wouldn’t be forced into a role she didn’t want.
His hate for Lucas grew exponentially. If he were to become a part of her life, he’d have to deal with him. She’d always wanted a relationship with Lucas, and now she had one, and he wouldn’t take it away from her.
He glanced at the door, admitting to himself that she looked much healthier than when he’d first seen her on the mountain. She’d gained weight, her skin glowed, and she seemed happy.
“Are you all right?” Pops asked.
Jared snapped out of his musing. “Oh, yes, I was just admiring her work. She is excellent.”
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