by Sara Orwig
“We could have a good marriage, Vanessa. It would be better than being locked away in a convent. I saw how you love the little girl. Think how it will be with your own children.”
She gazed up at him, thinking that at one time she would have accepted his proposal. He was handsome, young enough to suit her, probably of high enough rank in the military to suit Papa. But all she could see now was Lone Wolf’s dark eyes.
“I’m thirty-one. I have savings and I can provide for you quite well. My family lives in Illinois and my father has his own saddlery shop, a successful business.”
She didn’t love Dupree Milos and didn’t want to marry him, but she was afraid to tell him until enough time had passed that Lone Wolf would be safely beyond his reach.
He slid his arms around her, pulling her to him. This time his kiss was less passionate, far more gentle. She was afraid to annoy him, so she stood quietly in his arms while he kissed her.
When she stepped out of his embrace, Dupree gestured toward the table. “We’ll eat now.”
He took the covers off the plates to reveal thick slices of roast beef, potatoes with brown gravy, green beans, biscuits.
He pulled out a chair for her and sat down facing her. “If you’re Abbot Sutherland’s daughter, you’re accustomed to living on a post.”
“Yes. That’s where I’ve spent a lot of my life. We’ve moved constantly.” As he started to pour brandy into her glass, she waved her hand. “No, thank you. I’ve had enough.”
He smiled and poured the brandy. “You might change your mind, Vanessa.”
She realized he was trying to charm her and she tried to reciprocate, wishing she hadn’t had the brandy to drink, knowing she should try to keep her mind clear. He would find other quarters for her and she would be alone, but she suspected he would post a guard so she couldn’t try to leave again. Now, even if she had a chance to escape, she couldn’t leave when the soldiers might be returning with Belva. And when a few days had passed and she told the captain she wouldn’t marry him, would he try to force himself on her? Then he would have Belva to use as a threat.
She smiled at him, only half-hearing what he was saying as she studied him in the golden glow of the lantern. Once Belva was with her, they would have to get away from Fort Bascom.
“I’d like to go into Tucumcari and get some material to make a dress. I don’t have anything to wear besides this, and it doesn’t fit me.”
“It looks pretty on you, but you should have something else. I’ll return your gold—your father’s gold, actually, to you and take you to Tucumcari tomorrow.”
“May Belva go along? She won’t have anything to wear either.”
“Of course. Whatever you want,” he answered cheerfully.
She ate slowly, wanting the evening to be over, knowing he would kiss her again and wishing she could eat and go to her quarters without touching him. She wondered how far away from the fort the others had gotten?
“What if your men can’t find Belva?”
“They’ll find her. There’s nowhere they can hide.”
“How soon do you expect them back?”
He shrugged. “My men may have to wait until daylight to look for them. I’d guess they would be back midday or the middle of tomorrow afternoon. The Indians are on foot, so they can’t have gotten far.”
She looked at the curling flames and thought about Lone Wolf and the others walking away from the fort. How bad were Lone Wolf’s injuries? She remembered that last moment when she had looked into Lone Wolf’s dark eyes, and pain stabbed through her.
“After being dragged behind your horse for miles, Lone Wolf may not be able to walk far.”
“He’ll survive. You saw him leave. Tomorrow he’ll be stronger and better.” He glanced at her plate. “You should eat.”
She shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”
“You pine over the Indian,” he said with contempt in his voice.
“I was where I wanted to be when you brought me back here. When my father learns where I am, he’ll take me to Denver.”
“You have another choice and a damned good one.”
She looked again at the flames, her thoughts constantly returning to Lone Wolf. Would he try to fight the soldiers to keep Belva?
“Have you thought about a home or children?”
“Not often,” she answered, studying him. “What do you want in the future?” she asked, curious what he hoped to get from her father. “An Army career?”
“Yes. I want to make general. I want a good command. I want out of this godforsaken territory and back where there are more amenities. But right now, I’m missing a war and I don’t mind that. I’d rather face the redskins than Rebel cannons.”
She stood up, pulling on her cape. “I’m exhausted. It’s been a long day and I’d like my own room.” She wondered whether he would let her go. To her relief he stood.
“Certainly. I’ll show you to your quarters. Right now, there are no families here as there have been in times past, so we have some small houses available.”
Stepping into the cold night, he escorted her a short distance to a small frame house. He opened the door and went ahead to light a lamp.
She entered a furnished one-room house that was slightly dusty and held only a table, bed, desk, washstand, and chairs.
“There’s a privy in back and I’ll post a guard. You won’t have another chance to escape.”
The lamp gave a golden glow that bathed him in its light, catching glints in his thick yellow hair. They stared at each other, and his gaze went over her in a quick assessment.
“Think about my offer.” He moved close to her and tilted up her chin. “I let him live so I could have you in my bed tonight. I still want you, but I want more from you. You’ll never get back to that Indian, so face what lies ahead. You’ll see I’ve made you a generous offer.”
She nodded, determined she would try to get back to Lone Wolf.
“Think about marriage, Vanessa. I can make you happy,” Dupree said, as he placed his arms around her and pulled her to him to kiss her long and passionately. She slid her arms around his neck and stood still, aching for Lone Wolf, wanting to push Dupree away, yet wanting to cooperate until she saw a chance for escape.
Finally, Dupree released her. “We’ll breakfast in the morning before I have to start the day. I’ll come wake you.”
She nodded, following him to the door and closing it. Putting out the lamp, she moved silently across the room to the front window. A lantern burned on a post outside, and she saw the guard standing with his back to her.
The guard could see the gates and anyone who tried to go through them. Discouraged, knowing she couldn’t leave without Belva, she stood at the window, staring in the direction in which Lone Wolf had walked away. She glanced at the stars, thinking that Lone Wolf was under the same stars. How badly had he been hurt? She reminded herself how tough he was and of the terrible wounds he had survived before. He should survive this.
The next morning she washed, combed, and braided her hair, and then waited for Captain Milos.
Within the quarter-hour, he knocked on the door. She swung it open, realizing again that he was a handsome man. His blue eyes swept over her, and he smiled with a flash of white teeth. “Good morning!” he said cheerfully, coming into the room. “I thought perhaps I would have the chance to wake you.”
“I’ve been up a long time.”
“So have I. So we’re both early risers. Something we’ll have in common. I thought we might eat breakfast together, and then I have work to do. This afternoon, I’ll accompany you to Tucumcari, and you may get some material for a dress.”
“I’d like that. I need clothing,” she said, her spirits soaring because in Tucumcari she would have a chance to get away from him. “I want Belva to go with us.”
“Of course she may if she’s here.”
“I’d rather wait for her. If she doesn’t come until late, we can go tomorrow.”
“Fine, Vanessa. Whatever pleases you. I have another surprise for you.”
She felt cold, looking into his blue eyes. Surely he wouldn’t harm Lone Wolf and then tell her with a smile. “What surprise?” she asked, afraid to hear.
“Just before I came here, I sent a telegram. And I’ve received an answer.”
She stared at him, her blood like ice.
“I sent a telegram to your father that you’re here and you’re just fine and Belva is with you. I’ve received one back from him. He’s on his way to Fort Bascom now.”
“No!” she exclaimed. “He’ll take me to Denver to the convent.”
“No, he won’t. I’ll ask for your hand in marriage, and if you cooperate, you won’t ever have to think about a convent.” Dupree draped his arm around her shoulders. “Let me handle your father. You’ll see. I think I can get him to accept me as a son-in-law.” Dupree turned her to face him and placed his hands on her shoulders. “The real question, Vanessa, is—will you accept me as a husband?”
“I told you I wanted to give it thought. You did little yesterday to endear yourself to me,” she stated bluntly. Anger flared in his blue eyes and then was gone.
“Think about the advantages of what I’m offering. Now let’s go to my quarters and have breakfast.”
All through a steaming breakfast of pink ham and hot biscuits, scrambled eggs, and hot coffee, he tried to charm her and she tried to respond politely.
As she drank coffee, she gazed out the window. “I think our wagon train passed close to Bascom, although the area was grassier than this. We were along the Canadian River.”
“The Canadian River runs hundreds of miles across western lands.”
“It’s just north of here, isn’t it?”
He raised his head, his blue eyes focusing on her with amusement as he lowered his coffee cup. “Yes, we’re beside the river, but it won’t do you any good to know that. I know you didn’t have a chance to make any arrangements with the Indian and they won’t stay around here.”
“So where we camped was farther west along the river,” she said, knowing it was east, but hoping he would continue talking about locations.
“No, it was east of here. You were probably fifteen or twenty miles west of where we fought. They won’t be camping in the same place now, so it wouldn’t do you any good to look there for him if you did get away. Which you won’t.”
“Actually, I was worrying about Belva. I don’t suppose she has returned?”
“No. You’ll know immediately,” he said. As soon as they finished eating, he escorted her back to her quarters and left to take care of military duties. She didn’t see him again that day. When late afternoon came and then early evening and there was no sign of Belva, Vanessa’s curiosity rose. That night when Dupree came to escort her to his quarters for dinner, his good spirits were gone and he seemed solemn.
“Where is Belva, Captain?”
“They’re aren’t back yet, but that doesn’t mean anything. There are hundreds of reasons why they could have been delayed. They’ll be here with her tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow you’ll take us to Tucumcari?”
“Yes. I told you I would.”
“You’re young to be a captain. You shouldn’t really need my father’s intervention.”
“He can speed things and he can help. A man can be forgotten out here. I would like to get back to Washington. I like the East.”
She nodded and hoped he thought she was listening as she wondered about Belva and why the soldiers hadn’t returned.
Finally that night, after a few goodnight kisses and caresses that she endured, she was alone in her quarters again. Standing in her darkened room, she gazed toward the gates. They were on the Canadian River. Tomorrow, in Tucumcari, she wanted to look at the town; and if any chance came to escape, she would take it. If he hadn’t found Belva now, she didn’t think he would. Vanessa stared into the darkness and wondered about Belva and Lone Wolf, Muaahap and White Bird. Where were they? Why hadn’t the soldiers returned with her sister?
Lone Wolf staggered and fell, sprawling on his face as dizziness overwhelmed him. Muaahap knelt beside him and motioned to Belva to sit down.
Muaahap saw the blood on his neck and frowned. She raised his shirt and drew in her breath as she looked at the lashes across his bloody back. She heard Belva cry out and turned to see her staring at his back. Muaahap motioned to her to take White Bird away.
Guipago could not go on in this condition. Muaahap stared at him, touching a leather pouch on her belt that held medicine. She needed water to clean him. She stood up, her gaze scanning the horizon.
Holding White Bird’s hand, Belva walked back to take Muaahap’s arm and point behind them.
Raising her hand to shade her eyes and squinting, Muaahap frowned. Knowing her eyesight was not as sharp as the girl’s, she saw nothing and she couldn’t understand Belva’s words or motions. Turning again, less than a quarter of a mile ahead, she saw a wash with a few junipers scattered down it.
Muaahap knelt beside Lone Wolf, patting his face. “Guipago! Guipago! Kai’wa! Aho,” she said loudly in his ear.
His lashes fluttered and he raised his head, focusing on her. She pointed toward the trees. She held her right hand out, motioning to go.
He struggled to get up and she reached beneath his arm to help him, calling to Belva, who came quickly with White Bird. Belva got on his other side, and the two helped him to his feet, staggering toward the trees. Muaahap caught White Bird’s hand, and the four of them slowly covered the distance.
Before they reached the trees, he sprawled again. Belva clutched Muaahap’s arm.
“Muaahap, look! Riders!” she exclaimed, pointing.
Muaahap peered behind them, now seeing the dust rise in the air, at last certain that someone was following them. She guessed the soldier had sent his men out to kill them. She looked at Belva, who, though still a child, was a female nonetheless, and Muaahap knew the girl would not be safe with soldiers.
She motioned to Belva to take Lone Wolf’s ankle. She picked up the other one and began to tug on it. Belva protested in words Muaahap could not understand, but it was obvious Belva didn’t think they should drag him.
Muaahap nodded vigorously and pointed toward the dust on the horizon and then toward the trees that were only yards away now. Belva clamped her mouth closed and took his ankle, tears falling as she helped pull him across the rough ground.
Muaahap knelt to motion to White Bird and talk to her in Comanche and, finally, White Bird nodded solemnly. Muaahap glanced at the dust again, judging the distance and the time it would take, and knew they would have to hurry to hide. She pulled a knife from her moccasin and hacked away a stout juniper branch, cutting two of them and giving one to Belva. She took the other and began to dig, scraping away the soft sand in the wash beneath the junipers, motioning to Belva to do the same.
With a perplexed look, Belva also began to dig beneath the branches, struggling as the bushes scraped her and pushed against her. Muaahap nodded and went back to the spot where Lone Wolf had fallen. With the juniper branch she brushed away their tracks, walking backward, sweeping the ground and then turning to dig.
They scraped out shallow indentations, and Muaahap rolled Lone Wolf into the large one, covering him quickly with the sand and dirt until only a round circle of his face was exposed and branches of a juniper hung directly over him. She stepped back to study the effect. If the soldiers looked closely, they would spot Lone Wolf; otherwise, he wasn’t noticeable because of the thick branches.
Belva dug quickly beneath another juniper, and Muaahap helped her enlarge the space near the trunk of the tree. Muaahap climbed the rise to peer over the bank. Eight soldiers rode toward them.
She brushed away her tracks and slid back down to help Belva. Finally, she motioned to Belva, who stretched out in the shallow space, and Muaahap hastily scooped the dirt over her until only her face was exposed and, like Lone Wolf, she was partially conceal
ed by juniper branches.
Muaahap took White Bird’s hand and went to the space she had dug beneath the other side of the tree. She scooted and crawled beneath branches, patting the ground beside her, talking again to White Bird, who nodded. Muaahap scooped dirt over her feet and legs and lap, turning to motion to White Bird, who nodded again and crawled under the branches. Muaahap spread sand and dirt over both of them and, as she worked, she heard the jingle of harness and the horses’ hooves, as well as the deep voices of several men.
She continued to cover herself as best she could, knowing she and White Bird were barely hidden except for the thick juniper. She held White Bird’s hand tightly.
“They have to be here somewhere,” came a deep voice. “The tracks stopped in the middle of nowhere.”
“They can’t be far. The tracks are fresh. He’s covered them, but they had to have come this way. Otherwise, we could see them.”
Scarcely daring to breathe, Muaahap lay unmoving, holding White Bird’s hand tightly, rolling her eyes as she heard horses within yards.
“I think they went the other way.”
“If they went any other way, we could see them unless they were hours ahead of us. But they can’t be far ahead. He said the redskin was almost beat to death.”
“We’d better get the girl. You heard the captain.”
“They had to have come this way. Head on up this wash. Toby, you and Will go on north for another hour and then turn east. The rest of us will head east. They won’t turn west because it would be back toward Bascom.”
Muaahap listened to them ride past. She lay still and felt White Bird start to move. Muaahap squeezed White Bird’s hand tightly, and White Bird became still.
Hoofbeats faded, and then Muaahap heard the jingle of a bridle. One of the soldiers had stayed behind; the horse walked slowly past and turned. Hoofbeats faded, but she continued to wait. Finally, she crawled out from under the juniper and helped White Bird to crawl out. Their faces were scratched by the juniper, sand and twigs twisted in their hair. Muaahap surveyed the horizon, then she hurried to Belva and helped her up. Together, they uncovered Lone Wolf, dragging him out from beneath the tree.