Daughters of Harwood House Trilogy : Three Romances Tell the Saga of Sisters Sold into Indentured Service (9781630586140)

by Crawford, Dianna; Laity, Sally

  Because of the cold weather, all the fire pits along the length of the lodge were ablaze, and what smoke didn’t rise to the smoke holes above mingled with that coming from several long, decorative pipes making the rounds.

  It appeared every man in the village had come to the gathering, along with several women who sat on pallets behind the circle of men. Obviously everyone wanted to hear the latest news.

  Red Hawk motioned for Nate and Bob to be seated between him and another chief named Barking Dog.

  While lowering themselves down onto the packed earth floor, Nate tried not to show his amusement over the second chief’s name. He wondered if, as a boy, the chief had gone around barking like a dog, or had he merely teased the mangy camp dogs into incessant yapping? Judging from the rapid rate at which the man spoke, Nate guessed the first assumption was correct.

  A pipe came his way, and Nate took it and drew a few puffs then passed it on and settled into a comfortable position. He knew from experience he and his partner would be here for quite some time, with Bob doing all their talking.

  As always, conversation began with the polite blather regarding health, how the hunting and fishing had gone this fall, and the usual inane pleasantries. Then Bob’s expression turned serious, and he leaned forward. Nate knew the important subjects had finally come up.

  In seconds the men sitting around the circle began muttering in low tones to one another, their expressions sober, often bordering on sullen.

  Nate decided it was high time he started learning enough Shawnee to make out the gist of what the Indians were discussing. He elbowed Bob. “What’d you say to them?”

  He angled his head Nate’s way. “I told ’em about the scores of canoes we saw beached where the Scioto River merges with the Ohio. An’ that when we sneaked up on the camp, we saw almost as many French soldiers there as Indians.”

  Red Hawk frowned and said something to Bob.

  Nate managed to catch the word Miami.

  His pal gave a negative shake of his dark head and made a correction. “Mostly Seneca.”

  The others present relaxed visibly. Nate surmised it was because several of those gathered around the fire happened to be Miami braves.

  An interminable hour or so dragged by before Bob finally stopped conversing with the leaders and turned to Nate. “We can go now.”

  Nate resisted the urge to rub his numb backside as he stood with his friend to shake hands with the men nearby. Then, smiling and nodding, he and Bob took their leave.

  As they left the village and covered the short distance to the trading post, Nate drew in a deep breath of fresh air and let it slowly out. “Prob’ly if I took time to learn some Shawnee, meetin’s like that wouldn’t drag on so.”

  Bob laughed. “It would help, no doubt about it.”

  “Well, tell me. Did the Shawnees give you any idea of how they felt about the French movin’ south from Fort Ouiatenon?”

  His friend shrugged. “They weren’t concerned about it. They said the French tried to go that far down the Scioto a few years back, and the Shawnee chiefs at Sinioto told them politely but firmly that they weren’t welcome in the Ohio Valley. They kind of suggested they go back to their fort, where they’d be safe. What Red Hawk and the others didn’t like was those northern tribes coming south into their huntin’ grounds.”

  Recollecting their own recent experience in that area, Nate was thankful the two of them made it back in one piece. “Personally, what I didn’t like was all the time we had to stay hidden once the French found out we were tradin’ in those parts. We lost more’n a month before they finally moved on.”

  “Well,” Bob said with a grin, “beats havin’ our scalps hangin’ on some Seneca’s lodge pole, don’t it?”

  “Aye. That it does. I’m kinda partial to mine after all this time. I just hope them Frenchies keep themselves down that way, seein’ as how Rose has her heart set on bein’ a storekeeper. With me.” He grinned and looked up the hill toward her wigwam silhouetted in the moonlight.

  It was going to be a lot of fun getting that little gal off that high horse of hers.

  Rose awakened to a mild sunny morning, a rarity for late fall. Feeling gloriously alive, she gave a languorous stretch. Nate and Robert were back! If that weren’t bounty enough, she and Jenny now had the company of Shining Star in their wigwam, the baby slept soundly through the night, and by all calculation, today was Sunday!

  Thank You, dear Lord, for my many blessings. Please, please don’t give up on Nate. With both Robert and me pointing him toward You, he just might find his way.

  She raised her head and peered across the cold fire pit to the mound of fur where only the top of the Indian girl’s dark head was visible. And please open Shining Star’s heart and mind that she might see Your light. She seems like such a sweet girl. She reminds me so of Lily. And thank You for the safe return of the men. You know I’d all but given up on them.

  Easing slowly out of her bedding so she wouldn’t disturb Jenny, Rose used a stick to dig to the bottom of the fire pit. After finding some live coals, she blew on them and added wood shavings until enough of a flame sprouted for her to add some thin sticks.

  Movement across the wigwam revealed Shining Star beginning to stir. The girl opened her heavily lashed, doelike eyes. At first sight of Rose they registered panic; then she relaxed and smiled shyly as she started to get up.

  Rose gestured for her to lie back down. Then, hugging herself tight, she made shivering motions. “Cold,” she whispered.

  “Cold,” the lass repeated softly. With a soft giggle, she snuggled down once again into her lush coverings.

  Rose had to smile. Star truly was a joy, just as Robert had said. Perhaps with her around, Rose wouldn’t miss Lily so much…or the rest of her family. God bless Papa, Tommy, Charles and his family…and do keep after Mariah, since I am not there to do it.

  What a treat, having an extra pair of hands, Rose mused, as she and the Indian girl walked with the baby to the store. Getting herself and Jenny dressed and bundled for the day had been only half as much work with Shining Star a willing helper.

  They found a roaring fire already blazing in the hearth when they entered the trading post. Better yet, the water kettle already hung suspended above the heat. Emotion swelled within Rose at the touching surprises, but she reminded herself they were just small acts of kindness. Yet how she appreciated kind acts now…so much more than she had before Nate left with Robert.

  She carried Jenny closer to the warmth of the fire, noting that neither of her knights in shining armor was present in the store’s shadowy interior.

  Shining Star also glanced around, appearing frightened as she caught Rose’s hand. “Bob.”

  Knowing the men were most likely out tending the livestock, she smiled at Star. “Horses.” She cupped her hand and put it to her mouth. “Feed horses.”

  “Horse.” The girl nodded and turned toward the entrance.

  Rose caught her hand. “Shining Star watch Jenny.” She handed the baby to her then pointed to herself. “I cook. Feed bellies.” She rubbed her own midsection.

  An understanding smile curved Star’s lips. She patted her stomach then the baby’s. “Feed bellies.”

  Delighted, Rose laughed. They were going to get along just fine.

  At that moment, Nate and a blast of sunshine burst through the opening. He held his hat upside down in his hands. “Mornin’, ladies.” He flashed that infectious grin of his. “Fed your chickens and collected the eggs.” He tilted his hat slightly so Rose could see them nestled within what looked like some wilted weeds. “Loved the eggs so much last night, I sure hope you won’t mind cookin’ us up another helpin’. I pulled a onion outta the garden, too. Thought we could add some to the eggs.”

  “You did, did you?” She grinned at his enthusiasm.

  “Aye. Them biscuits were mighty good, too. An’ I dug up a turnip an’ a couple carrots an’—”

  Shining Star interrupted with a tug on
his sleeve. “Bob.”

  Nate gave a nod and pointed toward the entrance. “Bob come.” He switched his attention back to Rose. “He’ll be in soon as he finishes milkin’ the cow.”

  She shook her head in wonder. “The two of you are such a help. With my morning chores done, I can start on the biscuits right away, so we—”

  The flap opened again, bringing Robert, along with another momentary shaft of sunshine.

  “I’ll get those biscuits going,” Rose continued. “That way we’ll have plenty of time for a nice leisurely church service. ’Tis the Sabbath, you know.”

  “Church service?” Bob set the milk pail on a crate and walked toward Shining Star. “Now, that’s what I like to hear. We’ll have some Psalm singin’, too.” He smiled down at the girl.

  “Yes, we’ll sing, as well.” Rose glanced at Nate.

  His grin had flattened, but the second he noticed her looking at him, he propped it up again. “Singin’s fine with me. I like singin’.” But the dull glint in his eye matched his forced enthusiasm.

  Rose quickly pivoted back toward the flour sack. It wouldn’t do for him to see her smirk.

  “ ‘From all that dwell below the skies,’ ” Nate sang as he and his friends sat outside, his voice determinedly joyful and robust, “ ‘let the Creator’s praise arise: Alleluia! Alleluia!’ ” Truth was, he did love to sing, and it wasn’t as if he was a heathen. He’d been to Sabbath services every Sunday as a kid. “ ‘Let the Redeemer’s name be sung, through every land, in every tongue. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!’ ” Even as he belted out the words, he realized their little group truly had caught the attention of the villagers, since they, too, had come outside to enjoy the warmth of the winter sun.

  Nate could feel Rose watching him before they started into the next verse of the hymn, and that was the most fun of all. He knew she had to be flabbergasted that he even knew the song. She’d barely squeaked out her alleluias.

  He focused on the next stanza. “ ‘In every land begin the song, to every land the strains belong. Alleluia! Alleluia! In cheerful sound all voices raise, and fill the world with joyful praise. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!’ ”

  Rose finally caught the spirit of the hymn and raised her voice. She sang the chorus in a surprisingly beautiful soprano, the perfect blend with his baritone, Nate thought. Fact was, the two of them went well together in a lot of ways. They’d have a great time of it, if only she would quit insisting on being such a Puritan and admit it.

  As they started into the next verse, Nate feasted his eyes on her as she sat across from him on a crate with Jenny Ann in her lap, like a beautiful Madonna holding the babe. Then his gaze drifted to Bob’s Indian girl. If anyone was uncomfortable in this impromptu church service, it was poor Shining Star. With her dark head lowered, she darted glances around the group then out to the villagers down the slope.

  Nate couldn’t help feeling sorry for her. He knew her bewilderment must be acute. When she looked at him at the start of the final stanza, he sent her a reassuring smile. Her transition into the white world was going to be hard. Bob’s mother had never been accepted by the good people in the area where they lived. Lord, if Shining Star comes out with us, please make them so-called Christians in our neighborhood treat her with the kindness she deserves.

  Realizing with no little shock that he had actually said a real from-the-heart prayer, it dawned on him that he hadn’t joined in at the start of the third verse. So he jumped right in. “ ‘Alleluia! Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore….’ ”

  As the hymn came to an end, Bob held up Mr. Smith’s New Testament and bowed his head. “May our Father God bless the reading of His Word, and may He open the ears of understanding to all who hear, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.”

  He then drew Shining Star down on the sitting log beside him, opened the Bible, and began reading aloud. Nate recognized the first verse of the Gospel of John as one often read in his childhood home. “ ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ ” Marking his place with his index finger, Bob closed the Bible and turned to the lass, translating what he’d just read. She frowned in puzzlement and asked several questions.

  Nate noticed that Rose wore a soft smile as she watched the exchange between the couple. She didn’t appear to harbor even the slightest prejudice against the Indian maiden. She turned that lovely smile on him, and his heart grew suddenly warm. “I can see how confusing that first verse could be.”

  “Aye.” Standing to his feet, he reached over for the fidgeting Jenny Ann. “Even if I knew enough of her language, I sure wouldn’t wanna try and translate that to the girl. She wouldn’t have no problem with the idea of two gods, but”—raising the baby aloft a bit, he then brought her to his chest and nuzzled her neck till the cutie giggled—“Star’s problem’ll be with the Father an’ the Son bein’ just one God with one set of purposes. Wait’ll she hears about how we’re supposed to love everyone, even our enemies!”

  He sat down on the log beside Rose and set Jenny Ann on his foot to give her a horsey ride. The little one laughed even harder. “Star is used to war gods an’ Mother Earth an’ spirits in lots of different forms, like the raven, for one. It has the spirit of a trickster. An’ the spirit of the bear? Now, that’s big power. Tobacco smoke, that can be real special. The Indian holy men use it to call in the spirits whenever they feel the need. Come to think of it, they’re a very spiritual people—in their own way.”

  The two of them glanced over at Bob and Star, who were still occupied with their discussion. Rose tweaked Jenny under her chin and gave her a motherly smile then looked up at Nate. “Robert has been praying that the Lord will give her understanding. And I know He will. The choice of whether to believe and, more important, to become a disciple, a follower of the Lord, is hers alone.”

  Nate knew inside that the disciple part was actually directed at him. But he knew something else, as well. If Rose wanted him to be one of those Christians who shunned anyone who came from another country or had darker skin, she was barking up the wrong tree. As far as he was concerned, his God didn’t mind folks having a little fun now and then either. He opened his mouth to tell her just that, when two musket shots in rapid succession came from across the river. He sprang to his feet.

  Rose stepped beside him. “What is it?”

  He shrugged. “Folks wantin’ some canoes sent over for ’em, I reckon.”

  “Most likely them fur company men,” Bob added as he joined them. He and Nate peered toward the opposite riverbank, where a party of men stood waving their arms.

  “Aye. Looks like.” Propping their little fluffy-haired cherub in his one arm, Nate slipped his other one around Rose’s waist and drew her close. “Just one happy family, right?” He glanced down at those blue-gray eyes of hers. “Time to start lyin’.”

  The scared-rabbit look on her face was priceless.

  Chapter 27

  Rose had been in Nate’s arms before, when he’d helped her down from horses or carried her to and from rafts, but this was nothing like those occasions. She knew he was in high humor watching the Shawnee paddle three long canoes across the river to fetch the officials from the fur company. She could see the mischievous gleam in his eyes and sensed his tightly contained mirth just begging for release. She also detected a certain possessive quality about the way he tucked her close. Of course, they were supposed to look like a married couple—after all, it was her idea. But why did her silly heart go all fluttery as if it was real? And to think this farce was right after their church service, for pity’s sake. He must think her a hypocrite.

  She inhaled a shaky breath and eased from his grasp, opting for the coward’s way out. “I’ll go kill and pluck a couple of young chickens. No doubt those men would appreciate a hearty Sunday dinner.”

  “I’ll kill ’em for you.” Nate offered the baby to her, but she quickly stepped back.

  “No. Keep J
enny with you. She looks perfectly happy, and I’ve become quite capable of doing a number of things since you were here last. You and Robert go down and greet our guests. ’Tis only right.” She arched her brows and smiled, hoping he’d agree.

  He did.

  On her way to the chicken pen, however, her conscience wouldn’t let her alone. Here she was, a stalwart Christian—so she’d thought—planning to deceive the fur company men. And much worse, enlisting the aid of the very person she was judging for his unchristianlike proposal! She truly was a hypocrite.

  A familiar Bible verse floated across her mind. “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Rose wished she’d never heard it.

  But Lord… She unlatched the gate and stepped into the small penned area. Surely You can see I’m trying to set to rights the suffering I caused my family last spring when I acted rashly and took matters out of Papa’s hands. Had I waited on You, Father, You certainly would have made another way for us. Just as You’ve made this way for me right now. She gave a righteous nod. Absolutely. I am doing the right thing. This small deception is for the greater good. And it’s not as if she and Nate couldn’t be married. It was a harmless lie, really.

  Having packed that irritating conscience away once again in its tidy little box, Rose started after a young red rooster.

  The usual crowd of inquisitive Shawnee lined the bank above the river, awaiting the arrival of the men being paddled across from the other side with piles of goods. Weaving through the bystanders with Bob a mere step behind, Nate realized he hadn’t informed his friend of his decision to help Rose out with the scheme she’d proposed. He shifted Jenny to his other arm and stopped, turning to face Bob. “I…uh…need you to go along with whatever I tell those company men.”