She took a bar of soap, her washboard, and their dirty clothing wrapped in a sheet, and walked to the creek that ran through their land. Caroline was sure to catch Jacob's attention to show him where she was going, and he waved at her. She never again wanted a serious punishment for worrying him. She reached the creek and went to work, wetting one of Jacob's shirts, rubbing soap on it, and then rubbing it on the washboard to get out all of the dirt. She rinsed it thoroughly, and then checked to make sure it was nice and clean before she twisted it and wrung out the excess water so it would dry faster. She did not have a clothes line yet, so the bushes would have to do for hanging their clothes to dry.
Caroline was just finishing her last piece of laundry when she heard a noise and looked up, surprised to see an Indian standing a few feet away from her. She took in his breechclout and bare legs, his bare chest... and noted the paint on his face. Caroline was prepared to scream when the man said, "Aya." When she slowly rose to her feet, he added, "In your language 'aya' means hello."
"H... hello...!" Her voice was a whisper and sounded strange to her own ears.
"Do not be afraid. I mean no harm."
"You speak English well," Caroline said, surprise in her voice.
"Yes!" he answered proudly. "You are English, not French."
"Yes, we are English," Caroline answered politely, wondering what she should do. The man was not threatening her, but she was still afraid.
"I am Strong Tree," he said, pointing to himself, and then he looked at her expectantly.
"I am Caroline Willis," she replied, and then hurriedly hung her skirt on a bush to dry, all while keeping an eye on the man who was watching her closely. She gathered up her washboard and her soap, and then asked tentatively, "Would you like to meet my husband?"
"Yes. I have seen him working hard." Strong Tree walked beside her back to where Jacob was working.
Caroline knew the moment Jacob saw her with Strong Tree. He calmly reached for his gun, and she felt Strong Tree's reaction. He was prepared to fight in an instant. "Jacob," she called out. "I have made a friend!" She saw Jacob lower the gun and take a less threatening stance and Strong Tree relaxed, too. When they were closer, she gave Jacob a smile and said, "Husband, this is Strong Tree. Strong Tree, this is my husband, Jacob Willis."
Jacob offered his hand, and Strong Tree copied the gesture and shook hands, and Caroline decided it was best to be polite. "I have food almost ready. Would you like to join us, Strong Tree?"
"Yes, but first I will help Jacob Willis pull this tree from the ground. I am strong," he boasted. He grabbed hold of the rope that Jacob had been tugging on for several minutes without luck and handed Jacob the end.
Caroline was almost amused when the two men strained and pulled, but the stump finally gave up its hold on the ground with a loud crack of a large root that Jacob had not seen. Jacob let out a yell of triumph and Strong Tree joined him. Caroline did laugh then, and she clapped her hands, praising them. Jacob laughed and Strong Tree did, too. She served them some hot stew and after they ate, Strong Tree told him of the settlement he lived in called Pickawillany. The English set up trading posts there and his chief, Memeska, defied the French, who wanted to control the Indians and all of Ohio Country.
Both Jacob and Caroline were surprised to learn there was a settlement of Indians and English traders a few days travel from them. The idea that other human beings were so close left them feeling less isolated. Jacob expressed his thought that it might be a good idea to do some trapping along with the farming, and Strong Tree told him that farming was work for a woman. Caroline giggled at that statement and Strong Tree told Jacob to take a stick to her. It was Jacob's turn to be amused at her indignant expression. Strong Tree talked of other things he thought would help them and once he finished, he helped Jacob clear another stump, and then announced he needed to leave. Surprisingly, both Jacob and Caroline were sorry to see him leave.
It was hard work, but they finally got a small patch of corn in the ground. Caroline could see that Jacob was brooding about something and she finally asked him what was wrong.
"We need to get some supplies, Caro. I am torn as to whether or not I should take you to the settlement with me, or leave you here."
"Why would you wish to leave me here, Jacob?" she demanded, hurt by what she considered an insult. "Do you think me unpresentable?"
"Now calm your temper, Mrs. Willis, or I shall paddle your bare hind." The look of warning in his dark eyes let her know he was serious.
Caroline stomped her foot in agitation. "I wish to go, Jacob!"
"It might not be safe to take you there, wife. If the settlement has no other white women you could present quite a temptation. At this point in time, no one knows you are here. I do not worry that someone will come and carry you off while I work farther from our wagon. Once men know you exist, we could have visitors who come for the sole purpose of killing me and taking you away." At the look of horror on her face, he added, "Do you have any idea of how beautiful you are, Caroline? I shall be the envy of nearly every man in these parts," he stated.
"I think you jest," she replied, blushing.
"I am telling the truth, sweet one. If I take you, it could prove dangerous for you, and if I leave you behind some trappers or unfriendly Indians could come upon you, and that could be dangerous, too."
"Then I would prefer to face danger at your side, husband," she announced. He looked at her for a full minute and then nodded in agreement.
"You will keep your hair covered and a cloak around your body, Caroline, and you are not to speak to anyone unless I signal that it is acceptable. You are to stay at my side, always, and do not let anyone entice you away for any reason. Is that clear, Caro? Will you obey me?"
"Yes, Jacob." Caroline was beside herself with joy at the prospect of going to the settlement, but then her face fell as she asked, "What will happen to our garden if I am not here to water the plants?" The rain had been scarce. "How long will we be away?"
"It will take the better part of two days to walk there, and another two days to walk back. At least four days, Caroline." He, too, realized that their garden would suffer without water in that length of time.
"Perhaps I shall get to go the next time, Jacob. We will need the food from our garden to survive the winter. I shall stay and take care of things here while you go for supplies."
"I shall leave early in the morning, Caro, and be back as quickly as I can." Caroline nodded in response, but her green eyes filled with tears. "Will you be afraid?" he asked.
"No. It is peaceful here. I am behaving like a brat who does not get a special treat." She smiled, and then said, "I need to get our supper started, Jacob, or you shall think me lazy."
"Never that!" he said in mock horror and earned a giggle from his wife. Leaving her here alone while he made the trip to Pickawillany worried him. She truly was a beautiful woman and she would be without his protection for several days. Of course, the only person they had seen since coming here was Strong Tree, and the odds were good that she would be safe.
Caroline waved until Jacob was out of sight and then she sat down on a rock and cried for the next half hour before pulling herself together and getting busy. She watered her garden first, congratulating herself that her plants were growing and looked so green. Since she was making the sacrifice to stay home and care for them, she hoped the garden produced a lot of food she could store. She and Jacob needed to dig a root cellar so she had a place to store everything.
Caroline was not one to sit around brooding. Since she and Jacob had already picked out where they wanted to build their cabin, she decided to get busy and start clearing the land so that they could get started as soon as possible. Jacob said he might try to get another field of crops planted before turning his attention to building a cabin, but she could not fell trees. She could clear bushes and vines and she threw herself into her task with such determination that she was unaware she had a visitor until she decided she was thirst
y and went to get a drink of water from the bucket.
"Oh!" she gasped when she saw the woman. "Hello..." Caroline said tentatively.
"Aya! I am Little Fawn and you are Caroline Willis," the young woman said, giggling at Caroline's expression of surprise. "I am wife to Strong Tree," she admitted with another giggle. "I wanted to see you."
"I am pleased to have your company, Little Fawn," Caroline stated truthfully. "Come and sit in the shade and I shall make us some tea," she offered.
"I would like this very much." She kept staring at Caroline's hair and finally said, "Your hair is of the sun. My husband is most amazed and impressed. He talks of your magical power."
"I have no magical power, Little Fawn. I am simply a woman like you," Caroline said with a smile as she poured their tea.
"It is nice to have a woman friend with hair of the sun."
"I think it is wonderful to have a friend, too," Caroline replied. It truly was nice to sit and talk with another female, and Little Fawn was happy to share suggestions that would make Caroline's life easier. Little Fawn was showing Caroline some roots to use for various medicines when she suddenly gasped and jumped to her feet, ready to run.
Caroline looked around for the source of her fear and saw nothing...
Chapter Twelve
"What is wrong, Little Fawn?" Caroline nervously whispered, looking about for something she could use as a weapon if necessary.
"I have been discovered," she whispered. "Strong Tree told me not to come here alone, and I said I would not. He thought I would go to my sister, but instead, I came to see your hair of fire. He will punish me." Little Fawn looked very much afraid.
Caroline still did not see Strong Tree, but she did not doubt that Little Fawn was correct about him being close by. She decided to do everything in her power to protect the other woman.
Strong Tree finally stepped into the open and the look upon his face was fierce and angry. "Is this your sister, woman?" he asked.
"She is now, Strong Tree," Caroline said happily as she put her arm through Little Fawn's. We were just getting ready to eat; you are welcome to join us."
"Caroline Willis, where is your man?" Strong Tree asked pointedly.
"He left this morning for the settlement," she told the truth, pretty darn sure that Strong Tree already knew the truth.
"Then I will tell you to sit down and say no more unless you wish to share in Little Fawn's punishment."
Caroline was shocked when he took her arm and pulled her free of Little Fawn and sat her down on a tree stump they used as a chair for the time being. "You will stay right here," the tall Indian said firmly, and his black eyes warned her of dire consequences should she disobey. Little Fawn nodded at her, urging her not to upset her husband further. Caroline wisely sat.
When Strong Tree turned to face Little Fawn she backed up a few steps before speaking in a language that Caroline did not understand, but the expression on her face was one of pleading. Strong Tree answered in the same language, and Little Fawn bowed her head, and she finally nodded. Her cheeks were a bright red and Caroline saw that she was embarrassed. She made a movement to get up from the stump and go to Little Fawn, but Strong Tree looked at her and pointed his finger at her, effectively disabusing her of the idea.
Caroline was shocked when Little Fawn went to the pile of kindling wood that Caroline kept close by. She bent down and looked until she found a piece she thought suitable and then showed it to Strong Tree. He growled something at her, shaking his head. Little Fawn put down that piece of kindling and then picked up another. This time Strong Tree was satisfied. He took a seat on another tree stump and motioned for Little Fawn to come to him. She obviously was reluctant to do as he asked, but when he growled at her again, she moved, albeit slowly, to his side. He held out his hand for the stick, which she grudgingly handed to him. He said something else, and she pointed towards Caroline and argued. He spoke again, smacking the stick against his palm. She shook her head no, and just that quickly, he pulled her over his lap and started spanking with the palm of his hand!
Caroline was in shock and she did not know what to do. Her strength was no match for Strong Tree's. And she knew how well her own husband would tolerate interference from another woman if he was determined to punish her. Still, it was awful to sit there and do nothing while Little Fawn was being spanked in front of her. Caroline decided she could not watch, and she turned around to face the opposite direction, but she could still hear the spanking, and finally, Little Fawn's cries of pain and her pleading voice.
Strong Tree spoke in a firm tone, and Little Fawn answered meekly. It was then that Strong Tree noticed that Caroline was not watching. He approached her and took her arms and turned her around so that she was forced to watch. "You will watch, Caroline Willis, or I will treat you to the same after I finish with Little Fawn."
"You have no right to do that!" she told him, her tone of voice full of anger.
"Jacob Willis is not here to care for you properly, and as a man, the duty falls to me. Obey me, woman."
Little Fawn gave her a warning nod, even though it was obvious she did not wish an audience for what her husband had planned.
Strong Tree seated himself again, and this time he spoke in English. Apparently he wanted Caroline to understand what he was saying. "Little Fawn, you will now bare yourself and tell me why you will receive punishment."
She gave him one last pleading look, but Strong Tree did not relent. Slowly, Little Fawn pulled up her dress, and Caroline was surprised to see the Indian woman wore a breech clout beneath. She untied the piece of leather holding it about her body, and the cloth fell away, leaving her completely bare from her waist to her moccasins.
"Tell me why you are to receive punishment, Little Fawn," Strong Tree demanded, still speaking English. He obviously wanted Caroline to understand what was happening, and why.
Little Fawn started to answer in her native language, but he stopped her. "Speak English, woman."
Embarrassed, Little Fawn nodded. "I lied to you and instead of going to visit with my sister for several days, I came to see Caroline Willis because I wished to see her hair of fire for myself."
"And...?" he demanded.
"You forbade me to come here alone."
"Why did you disobey me, Little Fawn?" he asked quietly.
"I wanted to meet Caroline Willis. She and her husband were kind to you and I was sure they would be kind to me as well."
"I forbade you because it is not safe for a woman to travel this far alone, Little Fawn. You risked your safety, and I will not have that. You will be punished for lying to me, for disobeying me, and for risking your safety. Lie over my lap now and show me you respect me and my right to beat you when you deserve."
"I am sorry for lying, Strong Tree," she said. "I was not in any danger at all... I was very careful to make sure of that," she added. "I cannot be sorry for choosing to visit Caroline Willis. We are now good friends, like sisters," she said.
"This pleases me, but you will still be punished for disobeying me. Now, do as you were told."
Little Fawn bowed her head, but she bravely walked over to where her husband sat and put herself across his lap for what was sure to be a terrible punishment.
Strong Tree moved her precisely where he wanted her and then he picked up the piece of kindling and smacked her bottom hard. Little Fawn jerked, but she did not cry out or beg him to stop. He finally gave her a second hard whack, and then he started scolding. Little Fawn lowered her head. The third time was even harder and Little Fawn could no longer keep quiet. She groaned, and then Caroline was sure she asked for mercy.
Strong Tree seemed to shake his head, and then he spanked her with the stick a fourth time. Little Fawn howled in pain and Caroline saw a welt rise on her dark skin. She could no longer remain silent. "Strong Tree, please, do not strike Little Fawn again!" He looked at her and motioned for her to be silent.
Several spanks later Little Fawn was reduced to sobbin
g quietly over his knee, all signs of fight and resistance gone. She was no longer capable of asking for the mercy her husband refused to give her, and she was resigned to accepting the punishment he felt she deserved.
"Now do you regret lying to me and leaving our home for the purpose of coming here?" he asked solemnly.
"I regret lying," she managed to whisper hoarsely. "I do not regret coming to see Caroline Willis. She is now my friend." She paused, then added, "I do regret that you are so upset, husband."
Strong Tree nodded. "Very well. You have been punished enough for this time." He helped her up and said, "Fix your clothing, Little Fawn." While she moved to do as she was bid, Strong Tree rose to his feet and walked over to where Caroline was sitting. "Do not be so angry with me, Caroline Willis. A man who loves his woman punishes her when he must. I am now hungry," he stated, looking at her meaningfully.
"It would serve you right if Little Fawn and I ate in front of you and did not give you so much as a bite!" she told him, clearly indignant.
To her dismay he threw back his head and laughed. Caroline's manners were too good, and of course she was unable to refuse to feed the proud man. He thanked her when she handed him food and he did his best to be a charming guest. He once again asked Caroline about Jacob's whereabouts, and when he expressed disapproval at her being left alone, Caroline told him she volunteered to stay behind in order to water their garden.
"It is not safe for you to be alone here right now, Caroline Willis. Little Fawn and I will stay with you until your man returns to protect you."
Caroline did not know whether to be insulted or relieved, but Little Fawn seemed very pleased with her husband's decision, and so she decided to be gracious.
A Man of Dreams, a Woman of Passion Page 13