She walked for hours before she reached the place her father had buried the money. It was no more than a hundred or so yards from the house. She would have to be quiet, so as not to wake anyone. She went to the barn and felt her way to the tools hung on the back wall. She knew the barn so well she could find anything in the dark there. She felt for each tool until she found a shovel, then she took it and scampered back to where the money had been buried. It was in the family cemetery and under her Uncle Walden’s headstone. She began to dig.
There was enough moonlight so she could read the stones easily. Uncle Walden wasn’t buried there, but her father erected a stone because he’d been killed at Gettysburg. She remembered visiting the grave many times with her father.
She dug for some time before she hit the box her father had buried.
It was a heavy box.
It was sealed and she couldn’t take the chance of waking someone, so she pushed the dirt back into the hole and carried the box a few feet. It was almost dawn and she knew she’d have to be quick about it or someone would hear her.
She ran a few yards and rested in a dark clump of bushes. Friend followed her every step. Then she ran again.
She kept running and resting for a good mile and half and then she began dragging the box.
It took ‘til dawn to get back to the camp she’d made.
Tired, she pulled the box into a hole by the trunk of the tree and covered it with her saddle then she rested.
But the sun was high in the sky and sleep was not working. Friend seemed restless to be on the way too.
Tired but determined, she saddled her horse and loaded the box then was on her way once more.
She didn’t know where she was going, but for some reason she turned back the way she came and headed for Dallas. Things were forming in her mind, a plan of sorts and she didn’t hesitate to let her mind be open to possibilities for her future.
It would be a long ride, and she’d have to be careful not to run into Harry on his way back to the ranch too.
She took short cuts along the way, and then headed for creek beds at night.
At night, as she lay under the stars, she looked up and wondered where Sam might have gone. Was he headed west at last? Or did he go home? She so wished his dog hadn’t died. She knew Sam would be lonely now.
Although, deeply buried in her heart she both wanted and needed Sam, she would not chase him. She had been honest with her feelings for him. But obviously, even though he enjoyed their kisses, he didn’t want her as badly as she had wanted him. She’d have paid any price to be with Sam.
“You taught me a lot, Sam. I’ll try to remember all of it.” She smiled sadly up at the sky.
Finally, her eyes closed and sleep overcame her. Friend licked his paws, whined for a minute, then lay his head down and slept too.
But, getting closer to Dallas, she began to look at herself and wonder just how she was going to continue being a man. Although with her hair so short she didn’t look much like a woman.
Then, as she rode again, an idea began to form. It seemed crazy, but no crazier than some of the things her and Sam cooked up.
She glanced down at the dog. “I think I’ll do it. What have I got to lose?”
Chapter Sixteen
It was a beautiful night when she got back into Dallas. But it was late and most businesses were closed, and the hotels were full up too. Riley didn’t feel much like walking all over town to find a place to stay.
She took her horse over to the livery stable and bedded him down and told Friend to stay with him. Friend didn’t seem to mind since he cuddled up in the hay and was about to go to sleep. She curried her horse and informed the blacksmith she’d tend to him daily.
An hour later, as she knocked on the familiar door, she almost shook she was so afraid of what she was about to do. Would everyone think her crazy?
Nannette answered, eyeing her up and down. “Riley?” she finally asked, her voice unbelieving.
Riley barely noticed that Nanette’s peach colored gown was completely see-through. Riley had learned quickly to look beyond the physical. It hadn’t taken her long to get used to the way they dressed and not react to it. But it did make her want to cover herself more, as though they too could see her.
“Yes…it’s me,” Riley replied.
“Well, what are you doing back here?” Nannette asked, looking about and closing her arms over herself. “And where’s Sam?”
“Sam’s gone. Can I come in?”
Nanette shrugged. “I guess so.”
Riley noted that the lack of Sam being with her sent the light right out of Nannette’s eyes.
Some of the girls recognized her that passed in the hallway. Then Miss Tilda spotted her.
“Riley Morgan, what in heaven’s name are you doing here?”
Riley fidgeted for a moment, and then she squared her shoulders and looked Miss Tilda in the eye. “I got a proposition for you, Miss Tilda.”
“Do tell, sounds mysterious. Okay, come along to the veranda and we’ll discuss it.” The older woman smiled, taking her arm. “It’s good to see you. How are you and that handsome man of yours?”
Riley bowed up. “He isn’t my man.”
“No?”
“No.”
“But I thought you loved him.”
“I do, but he don’t. End of story,” Riley insisted as they found a couple of rockers on the porch and sat down. The night was full of crickets chirping, and somewhere off in the distance someone was playing a fiddle. There was a gentle breeze and it made it more comfortable as Riley sank into the rocker and glanced at Miss Tilda.
“That’s too bad. Did you get your ranch and money back?” Miss Tilda asked.
“Yes ma’am, I did.” Riley nodded. “All of it.”
“I’m so glad.”
“But…I’ve had another idea and I wanted to approach you with it,” Riley began.
“Oh…”
“It’s gonna sound a little crazy to ya. I’m sure. I was gonna sell the ranch, but for some reason I changed my mind as I was headed back. I got another idea.” She smiled at Miss Tilda. “It’s pretty crazy.”
Miss Tilda smiled back. “Why am I not surprised. Well, go ahead and spill it. I’m in a listening mood.”
Riley rocked for a moment then turned all her attention to the older woman. “Let me ask you something first. Do you like it here?”
“Here?” The older woman shrugged. “I don’t know. Never thought about how much I liked or didn’t like it. Places like this, we can’t be too choosey. We try to make it as pleasant as we can but the neighborhood is what it is. Why?”
“‘Cause during my travels, I heard a few conversations about bordellos. I had stayed at the hotel and had eaten out of course and during the time I had heard a lot of conversations that probably weren’t supposed to be heard. Actually, while I was waitin’ in the lawyer’s office. How they were thinking on redistricting the area, which meant you’d be moved to the other side of town which is more unsavory.”
Miss Tilda stared. “I’ve heard that rumor too. And I have to admit I’m not wild about that part of the town myself. Our…work, if you will, has its ups and downs and being moved ever so often happens as the big whigs of this part of town try to change things.”
“I’ve got an idea that could solve all your problems.” Riley smiled.
“Of course you do, so don’t hesitate to tell me. What is it?” Miss Tilda bellowed.
“You could come and run your business from my ranch.” Riley sighed as though she’d solved the world’s biggest problem.
“Your ranch?” Miss Tilda frowned then stared unbelievingly at her.
“But honey, that’s your home. You don’t want a bunch of rangy men and women hanging out there, do ya?”
“I’ve thought about it for several days and it would be perfect. It’s private and no law for miles about. We could get word to ranchers and locals. Even put an ad in the paper if you wanted to.”
>
Miss Tilda stared wide-eyed at her for a second. “You’re plum serious, aren’t you?”
“Yes ma’am, I am.”
“But darlin’, we’re whores and you’re not.”
Riley sighed heavily and leaned back in the rocker. “That’s true. But I know for a fact I get mighty lonely out there with no females within a hundred miles to talk to. No one to help with the chores; and it’s a big house, got seven bedrooms, three wash-up rooms, big kitchen and a fancy parlor. Oh I know it isn’t all reds and golds, but we could fix it up in no time. What do you think?”
“No law for miles?” Miss Tilda shot her a glance and smile.
“At least a hundred miles. And I know all the ranchers…”
“And their wives?” Miss Tilda finished for her.
“Yeah, but most of them are older and got more sons than anything, and not all of them are married.”
Miss Tilda pulled herself up and stared hard once more. “Why? I gotta ask you that, ‘cause frankly I don’t understand what you’d get out of it.”
“I’m lonely without Sam…and I so want to learn how to be a real lady. I don’t have any idea where to start.”
“Aw…honey, I’m so sorry for being insensitive to you about Sam. Sure you miss him, but someone will come along eventually.”
“Well, this way, if they don’t, I’ll have plenty of company around me.” She laughed.
“Can we legally do it?” Miss Tilda asked after thinking on it a minute.
“I’ll find out, but I wanted to ask you about it before I go storming the lawyer about the matter,” Riley explained.
“I’m interested. I surely am. Go to the lawyer tomorrow and let me know what he says. Where are you staying?”
Riley firmed her lips. “I hate to admit it, but I haven’t got a place for the night. Think you could rig me something out here on the porch or something?”
“I can do better than that; I’ll give you a room.” Miss Tilda patted her hand. “Come on, where’s your dog anyway?”
“How’d you know I had one?”
“It was with Sam when he came.”
“Oh…well, that was his dog, Nodog. My dog’s name is Friend. He’s down at the livery stable for the night.”
“Fine, you can go get him tomorrow.”
Riley looked at her. “Looking like I do, I hate to go into a hotel and try to keep up a charade.”
“Well, at least you got the clothes and haircut. You can pull it off a little longer with the lawyer.”
“You won’t have to keep up a charade here.” Miss Tilda smiled. “Come with me, we’ll fix you a room up and you can get some sleep. Tomorrow, you go in and talk to that lawyer and then we’ll talk about rent and charges. I really can’t believe you are wanting to do this.”
“I spent the whole trip back thinking on it. They’ll be building towns up before long out that way. And if you want to move into town eventually then I’d understand, but who knows you might like the country.” Riley sighed as Miss Tilda threw an arm around her and guided her up the stairs.
Riley slept well that night.
Chapter Seventeen
Sam sat in the saddle all night, letting the night air cool his face while his mind wandered back to Riley over and over. He wondered where the hell he was going. He no longer had any ambition to go to Arizona.
What had Riley been thinking, that they could marry and have a home together?
Even if it was natural for a woman to think like that, she had to consider he was black and others wouldn’t accept him as her husband. They’d likely hang him. But then hanging might be worth it, to have Riley just once.
Sure he loved her, more than anything in his life, he loved her. But that’s why he left, so she could make a life for herself. Didn’t she realize it?
He glanced down at the ground and missed Nodog once more. How could he go on, losing everything he cared about in this world?
He hadn’t been this lonesome in years. Tears fell down his cheek unchecked. And for a short while he mourned losing Riley and Nodog.
He hadn’t let himself fantasize about Riley before, but now he couldn’t stop thinking about her. What would she do all alone? How would she handle the storms? What if Harry was still at the ranch and hurt her? That possibility had him stopping and camping for the night. He should return, see this thing all the way through. Yet she herself had run him off.
Nothing made any sense. He missed her, wanted her, loved her, and he’d left her. Was he crazy?
That night he slept restlessly. Where would he go, what would he do? How would he release this yoke around his heart?
Before he realized where he was headed, he found himself back in the arms of his sister Hattie, shaking hands with Lee, Chase and Katherine. He went through the motions, but nothing seemed real any more. Nothing shut out the feeling he had for Riley, and the thought that he should be with her, helping her.
Burning Tree sensed the sorrow within Sam. That’s when he called him to his lodge.
Burning Tree was the one man who would listen with an open heart and tell him what needed to be done. As Sam entered the lodge, he took in the old man with braids that had gone silver, the dark piercing eyes that still looked young and vital as he stared into them. Though Burning Tree was stooped to some extent, he had the heart of a young warrior, and everyone in camp listened to him.
“You have been through much, my son,” Burning Tree said as he stared straight ahead and admitted him into his lodge.
“Yeah, I guess you could say that.”
“You have seen love, temptation, and lust. Yet, you continually picked love over the three. A wise choice. You have experienced danger, evils, and crime. Yet, you remained strong. You have suffered sorrows, loss and confusion. You have not yet found your way out of the confusion. Your heart is heavy. You love this white woman? This Riley.”
“God, how did you know?” Sam was startled at his ability to see so much.
“I had visions of your adventure with Riley. She is part of your future unless you reject her. There is only one question to ask. Do you love her with all your heart and mind?”
“Very much…yes!” Sam answered. “I thought I could walk away from her and not look back, but that isn’t so. I think about her all the time. I worry for her. I feel I did not succeed in taking care of her.”
“Then what is there to decide, your heart has spoken to you,” Burning Tree insisted.
“My heart yes, but my head tells me this won’t work. That black and white cannot mix,” Sam explained.
“Yet, you have a sister who married a white man and lives very happily. Sometimes a man must walk with his heart, not his mind. Your sister mixed. She is happy. Is she not?”
“But…Hattie and Lee…are different. They were in love for years. Riley, well, Riley and I haven’t known each other that long.”
“Time does not measure love. Nor does time make the love any more powerful.”
“No,” Sam admitted. “It sure don’t. Because when I think about Riley I think of Hattie and Lee and how much they loved each other, how much they were willing to sacrifice to be together. That’s how I feel about Riley. I tried to fight it. Tried to hide it from her, but she was always so honest with me.”
Burning Tree frowned and nodded. “You are not the first to love so. You will not be the last. Long ago, our chief took a young white captive, he didn’t want to admit it then, but he was taken with her at first glance. He took her into his own teepee. Although she was a captive, he could not treat her as such. He called her White Feather. He gave her an Indian name, for he was sure she would be his,” Burning Tree was saying as he cooked himself a meal.
“He was so in love with her, he took her to his lodge. He had no other wife and after she came, he wanted no other. She resisted our ways at first, and would have nothing to do with him. But he slowly won her heart and respect and after a while he married her, I married them. They were so in love. Deeply and truly in love. They
lived together here for years. They are still here. Many times she had the means and ways to escape, but she did not. She did not even try. When her husband asked why she did not escape, she told him she loved him too much to leave him.
“She chose her Indian husband over living with her own people. He even offered to let her go and take the child with her, which is not a custom for a chief. But he loved her. She loved him that much too. They have been very happy, and he has led our people to peace with the white man. Then their son grew up and he fell in love with a girl that had been raised as a white. Katherine did not know she was part Indian until Chase Rivers told her. She loved Chase, and they have made many children and lived happily here in our village.
“Then Chase’s friend, Lee, wrote a letter and asked to come with his black bride. Chase welcomed him into our village and they have been happy many years and had many children too. So you ask if a white and a black can live together in peace…I tell you, yes, here they can. But one must truly love the other and sacrifice to make this happy life. You must decide just how much you care for this girl and if she feels the same.”
“Would she be accepted here?” Sam asked. “I mean if I brought her.”
“As your wife…yes. I would marry you. Only as your wife,” Burning Tree said as he stirred his food over the fire. “In the eyes of our people, you would be married.”
“You would marry us?” Sam asked as though thunderstruck.
“Yes my son, it is the only way you could live here with us. As joined together.”
Sam smiled at the old man. “You are a wise man, Burning Tree, a very wise man.”
“You bring your young bride here and I will marry you.”
Sam nodded and left.
He had some serious thinking to do. Not once had he considered living here with the Indians again, but the chance to be with Riley every day made him see the village with new eyes. Would she be happy here though? It would be a different world for her.
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