by Zina Abbott
Sidney stared at Sugarcone as he considered Kizzie’s words. “It’s a good plan. But, as much as I appreciate you considering me an honorable man, Daughter, you should trust me better than that. We’ll say nothing for now except to your mama. After Sugarcone drops her foals, if both of them make it all right, we’ll choose which one goes to the Army and which one Jesse keeps. But by then we need to bring the whole family and Shorty Sanders in on our scheme. It may take all of us to keep Jesse’s horse from the requisitioning grasp of the good captain.”
Leander smiled and shook his head at the exchange. What a family—people after his own heart.
Chapter 11
SALINA, KANSAS –1863
The weather had the feel of late winter the early morning before breakfast when, on her way to gather eggs, Kizzie stopped by the barn only to discover Sugarcone in hard labor. She ran back to the house hollering as she burst through the front door. “Sugarcone is getting ready to foal. Mama, can you please ask Meredith to gather the eggs today? Tell her I’ll make it up to her.” Kizzie ran up the stairs to change into her trousers.
On her way back to the barn she shouted the news to Jesse who carried a pail of fresh milk into the house. By the time she returned to the stall, she found her father leaning over Sugarcone feeling the contractions on her belly. Kizzie fell to her knees by Sugarcone’s head and stroked her neck. Soon Jesse joined them.
Making an effort to keep tension from her voice, Kizzie shot an imploring look towards her father. “It seems sort of early for her to foal, Papa. Do you think everything is all right?”
“Sometimes a smaller horse won’t carry as long as a bigger horse. Plus, with carrying two, she may have run out of room. Double births like this sometimes come sooner. Expect the foals to be smaller than usual, Daughter, but that won’t mean they aren’t healthy.”
Mima peeked over the top of the stall door. “I suppose this means breakfast will be delayed.”
Kizzie looked up. “I don’t want anything right now, Mama. I can fix something later.”
Sidney spoke without looking up. “You and Meredith go ahead and eat, and Jesse, too, if he’s hungry. I’ll wait until we’re done here.”
“I’ll stay. If one of the foals is going to be mine, I want to see it right away. I hope it’s a colt.”
Mima sighed as she turned to leave. “I’ll make biscuits with bacon so they will be ready whenever you’ve finished with Sugarcone. Just don’t let yourself get chilled.”
Within two hours the three stood against the side of the stall and watched enraptured as Sugarcone nudged the filly to her feet to stand next to the colt that already stood on shaky legs. Both had the black coat of their sire, although the filly showed a sprinkling of white brindle along her sides and haunches. The colt had a blaze, but a beautiful, well-balance star graced the filly’s forehead.
Jesse turned to his father. “Papa, can I keep the colt? He’d make a fine stallion.”
Sidney considered his son’s request before he shook his head. “As much as he would make a fine stallion, we will geld him and sell him to the Army.” At the start of Jesse’s protest, Sidney turned to his son and looked him in the eye. “Either way I will have him gelded. You are too young for a stallion.” He turned his focus back to the newborns who now both nursed greedily. “I want you to keep the mare and I’ll tell you why. We don’t know how long this war of rebellion will last, or how long it will take to settle things with the hostile tribes to the west. Until that happens we are at risk for having our livestock requisitioned for the needs of the Army. We have a long time to keep your horse hidden from Captain Prescott. If the filly gets close to breeding age and gets discovered, we can try to convince the good captain that, like Sugarcone, she would be better off as breeding stock than a cavalry mount. I don’t want you to go to all the work of raising and training a horse only to have the Army take it away.”
Jesse huffed in resignation. “Can I at least name her?”
At his father’s nod, Kizzie turned to the pair. “May I at least name the colt? Since his sire is Thunder, I’d like to call him Lightning.”
Sidney offered a half-smile. “We can call the colt Lightning. But, I warn you, Daughter, you need to stay away from him as much as possible. If you don’t, you’ll get too attached and it will break your heart when he has to go.”
With her winter cloak wrapped tightly around her so that only the bottom of the skirt of her navy dress with is pink and white blossoms peeked out, Kizzie sat on the porch churning butter, not her favorite task. Her mother had suggested she do it in the house. However, even though the wind blew chill off the damp ground, the bright spring sun, green grass and sprouting daffodils her mother had planted several years before lured Kizzie outdoors. Everything put together had given Kizzie a strong case of spring fever. That, along with a bad case of cabin fever had been her motivation. She would brave the cold to accomplish her chore as long as she could be outside.
Kizzie sighted riders coming down the lane towards their house. She started to panic in fear for the foals gamboling around Sugarcone in the corral on the far side of the barn. What if it was someone from the Army? Only when she recognized Thunder did she sigh with relief. As the two horses and their riders approached she also recognized Charlie Gray Cloud.
Kizzie set aside the churn and walked to the middle of the yard to greet them. Before the pair could dismount, she was joined by Jesse.
Her eyes shining, Kizzie offered her most dazzling smile. “Welcome. Papa’s out in the field to check the dampness, trying to figure out how soon he can plough. I’m sure he’ll be back shortly.”
Leander had eyes only for Kizzie. “Actually, we came to see you. I mean, you and your horse, of course.”
It was Charlie who observed the obvious. “I see your mare has dropped her foals. There are two as Leander told me.”
Excited, Jesse responded. “Yes, the filly is mine. At first I wanted the colt, but Papa said he wouldn’t leave him a stallion, but would geld him for the Army. I’ve gotten over my disappointment, though, and named the filly Windstar. I wouldn’t trade her for anything now.”
Charlie offered an appreciative nod of his head as the two dismounted. “That is a good name for a mare.” Then he nudged Leander with his elbow as he spoke to Jesse. “They are both fine animals. Your sister would do well to use Thunder as stud again.”
Kizzie only half heard the banter. With the two men standing side-by-side in front of her, she was able to study their faces up close. She felt her breath hitch as the realization struck her. Her Uncle Jefferson was right. Both Leander and Charlie had the same eyes. They probably were brothers—half brothers since Charlie was part Kaw and it was obvious Leander was not. Or maybe cousins. Kizzie felt curiosity well up within her. She knew there must be a story about their relationship, and she was determined to find out what it was.
Taking Charlie’s hint, Leander looked over at the two young horses. “They do look good from here. Perhaps we can go over and take a closer look.” He turned back to Kizzie. “If you are willing, Kizzie, I’d be amendable to letting Thunder cover your mare again.”
Feeling her face flush as Leander turned his attention to her, Kizzie cleared her throat in an effort to speak normally. “I’d be willing if you and Papa can work something out—maybe next year. I want her to have enough time to recover from birthing these two.”
Leander offered Kizzie his arm and hesitantly Kizzie took it. She wasn’t used to such formal shows of courtesy from a man. As the four made their way towards the near corral where Leander and Charlie wrapped their reins around the top rail, Kizzie turned to face Leander, concern written on her face. “I don’t mind that you told Charlie, but I hope you haven’t told anyone else about there being two foals. We still plan to try to keep Windstar hidden from the Army.”
Charlie flashed Kizzie his white man’s grin. “Leander and I are blood brothers, remember? We tell each other everything. Anything that is not to be known by
others we keep between us. Your secret is safe with me, Miss Atwell.”
“Good.” Kizzie sighed with relief as they walked over to the far corral. Her expression grew sad as she observed the twin horses. “I’m trying so hard to not get attached to Sugarcone’s babies because I know I can’t keep them. I feel good about the filly belonging to Jesse, but I hate to see Lightning be sold away.”
Charlie leaned his forearms on the top rail of the corral as he hooked his boot on the bottom one. “You have a tender heart, Miss Atwell. It is good for the horses that you care for them. You will sacrifice to see they are well taken care of. It will be hard on you when it is time for them to go out in the world.” He turned until he looked into her eyes. “Just as it will be hard for your mother in the next few years when you leave her home to go with the man you will spend the rest of your life with.”
Kizzie sensed Leander next to her shift his stance as she considered Charlie’s words. Then she laughed. “I don’t know. Mama sometimes says the house gets in such an uproar around me, especially when both Papa and I are home, she’s glad when at least one of us has somewhere else to be for awhile.”
Leander leaned over and whispered in her ear. “You are definitely full of spirit, Kizzie. But I’m sure your mother loves you for it.”
Kizzie spun around until she faced Leander. She studied his face as she tried to figure out what he meant. Other than to smile at her with a teasing look in his eyes, he offered no clue.
Kizzie turned back as Charlie chuckled. “Leander is not comfortable around most women. He does not know how to court them. He finds most of what they like to talk about of no interest to him.”
“But Mr. Jones is not courting me.”
Leander cleared his throat. “Charlie….”
Charlie held Kizzie’s gaze. “Perhaps not. But you have spirit and he finds your mare interesting.”
Soft footsteps alerted them someone approached. They turned to see Mima holding Meredith’s hand as the pair joined them at the corral. Mima smiled at the guests. “Hello, Mr. Jones and Mr. Gray Cloud. My guess is you have come to check on Sugarcone. My husband will return soon so I hope you plan to stay for dinner.”
Leander turned to her with a smile. “I wouldn’t want to put you out any, Mrs. Atwell. We are transporting freight again, this time headed down the Santa Fe Trail for the new Fort Union with adobe buildings the Army is constructing to replace the earthenworks star fort. We did want to stop by long enough to see how Miss Atwell’s mare fared.”
“You won’t put us out, Mr. Jones. We welcome your company. And if you are on the road again, this may be your last opportunity for awhile to enjoy freshly baked bread.” Mima paused and gave Kizzie a pointed look. “We’ll even have fresh butter to go with it if I can get the churning finished.”
Kizzie turned from the corral. “I’ll finish up the butter, Mama. But I’m sure you would have wanted me to greet our company rather than ignore them in favor of churning butter.”
Mima laughed and turned to her son. “Jesse, please help our guests put their horses up for the time being. Meredith and I will finish setting the table.”
The group walked back to the horses. Leander grabbed Thunder’s reins and Jesse took Charlie’s horse.
Kizzie called out to Charlie. “Mr. Gray Cloud, please come sit with me and keep me company. There is something I wish to ask you.”
Puzzled at Kizzie’s request, Charlie followed her over to the porch and perched on the edge. Kizzie grabbed the butter churn and sat a couple of feet from him, placing the churn between her feet. As she started to work the paddle, she turned to Charlie. “I would like to ask you a question and I would appreciate it if you would be honest with me.”
“If I can, Miss Atwell.”
“You can. The issue is, will you? When Mr. Jones calls you his brother, he does so because you really are his brother, doesn’t he? Is your name really Charlie Gray Cloud Jones?”
Charlie turned to study Kizzie’s face. “What makes you think this?”
Because you two have a close relationship. He seems comfortable addressing you as his brother, but it is you who signals him to not say it around me. You may not have thought I noticed, but I did. Plus, I think my Uncle Jefferson was right. You two have the same eyes.”
Silence reigned between them as Kizzie watched his face, waiting for his answer. Finally he spoke. “When I met you, you and your family were running from hostile Indians who were massacring white people. How would you feel about Leander if you were to learn he has a half brother who is part Kaw?”
Kizzie shrugged. “Since it is you, it wouldn’t make any difference to me. I like you, Mr. Gray Cloud. You and Leander are very loyal to each other. You came to our rescue the last time you were here. And…” Kizzie swallowed. “…and when I told my family about the first time Tucker got his hands on me, and they were yelling at me, you came to my rescue by telling us about your wife and how she would fight to defend your family. You have no idea how much that meant to me.”
Charlie broke eye contact and stared at the barn across the yard. “Leander will want to marry someday. He may not always work for our father if the railroad replaces the trails. A wife from among the whites or the whites he does business with may not wish to associate with a man who has Kaw relatives.”
Kizzie leaned forward to catch his attention. “I can’t speak for business associates, but as far as a future wife goes, she needs to know ahead of time. If he doesn’t tell her before he marries, she’s bound to find out someday. Wouldn’t it be better for her to know before the wedding, so if she can’t live with the idea she can end the engagement? That would be better than her finding out after she’s already married, and then resenting him the rest of her life.”
Charlie turned back to her with a smile. “You are wise for one your age. Still, Leander and I have looked out for each other since we were young. He defended me against those who spoke against me being part Kaw. I defended him against the bullies who picked on him for having a Kaw brother. I am careful about who knows of our connection.”
“Thank you for admitting to me he is your brother. Tell me about your family, Mr. Gray Cloud. Or, Mr. Jones, if you prefer that.”
“Call me Charlie. It is easier for all whether I move through the white world or the Kaw world for me to be known as Charlie Gray Cloud.”
“When my parents and family are around I will still call you Mr. Gray Cloud, Charlie. Tell me about yours and Leander’s family. You’re the oldest, aren’t you?”
“Yes. By seven years. Our father was married to my mother after he started his trading post in what was then Kaw land. There were very few white men, and almost no white women. It was good for doing trade with the Kaw for him to take a Kaw wife. They were together for many years, although she quickly decided she preferred to live with her parents rather than the trading post where white men passing through sometimes tried to make trouble with her. I had two sisters, one older and one younger. Our father would come often to visit with us and bring trade goods to give to my grandfather and uncles in exchange for them providing meat and protection for our family.”
“What happened to them? Are they still alive?”
His face stoic, Charlie shook his head. “No. Disease took them. The Kaw were once a great nation with many fierce warriors to hunt for our families and protect our people. However, the diseases brought by the whites who crossed the oceans seemed to strike down the Kaw, especially our men, even more than most native tribes. Perhaps it is because our lands are where the Kansa River joins the Missouri and there has been trading between white men and the Kaw for many years. Often it is the children of those who have intermarried with the whites who have lived. It is why my wife’s father agreed she could marry me. It is her hope if another epidemic passes through the tribe, the white blood in our children will be strong enough to keep them alive. Because the Kaw are becoming so few in number, we are being pushed onto the same land in Indian Territory where the white
Americans brought the tribes from the east.”
“That’s too bad. And I suppose my family is part of the problem for the Kaw people. We have come and taken over what used to be Kaw land. I’m sorry, Charlie.”
Charlie shrugged. “Do not apologize, Miss Atwell. Keeping the white Americans like my father and your family from Kaw land is like trying to stop the flow of the Kansa or Missouri Rivers.”
“Will you tell me about Leander? How did he become your brother?”
“More white Americans came to Kaw land and brought their families. My father joined his store with another man who pressured him to marry a white woman to gain more business with the whites. Among the Kaw is it acceptable for a warrior to have more than one wife. My father knew this, so he did not feel he betrayed my mother when he married Leander’s mother. His new wife was happy to marry our father at first because she did not know about my mother or me and my sisters.”
Charlie offered Kizzie a sorrowful smile. “My father continued to visit and bring goods to provide for our family, but his visits became fewer and fewer.” He looked off to the distance again, his voice growing wistful. “Then disease swept through our tribe again. My mother and sisters died. I was very sick, but lived. It was many months, but finally my father came for me and brought me back to live in Kansas City. His white wife was not happy to learn of me.”