by Ron Schwab
"Tomorrow. Judge McMullen, the circuit judge, is in town, and he has agreed to stay over a day and come here to do whatever he has to do to make us legal. He is going to marry Jeb and She-Bear at the same time. Two o'clock tomorrow afternoon. I trust you will be there."
"I have no choice given the location."
"After we're married, I hope we can sleep bare-skinned. You look absolutely ridiculous in a night shirt."
He finally could not resist a grin. "I'll sleep any way you want, as long as we're together."
She kissed him on the lips, passionately this time. "That's going to be for the rest of our lives, Puma. And I'm planning to raise a litter of our kittens."
43
After supper, Dr. Weintraub gave Ethan a thorough examination while Skye stood nearby. The physician's wife had taken Running Fox into the kitchen to teach him the game of checkers and thereby give Skye some time alone with Ethan.
When Weintraub was finished, he told Ethan, "You're a miracle man, Ethan. You should have been dead before you got to my office. There is very little indication of infection. No sign of the wounds putrefying. I can't explain it. Must be something this Bear woman gave you. I may have to have a word with her."
"When do I get out of here?"
"I'd like you to stay another two or three days, so I can keep an eye on things . . . and I'm concerned if you leave that you'll try to do too much and tear open the wounds."
"Am I well enough to get married?"
"I'd be afraid to say no. But, frankly, if Miss dePaul is going to stay here with you, I would be more comfortable if you were married." He nodded at Skye. "Ruth said you have some things to talk over together, so I'll turn the law wrangler over to you, ma'am"
After the physician left, Ethan turned his head expectantly to Skye. "You said we had things to talk about."
"First, the wedding. As I said, Judge McClellan will officiate. I have invited Will Bridges and his wife and Joe Hollings and Rachael Cooper, who are becoming something of a couple. Bear Killer and Otter, of course. They're my only living relatives. The Weintraubs will be hosts. I hope it is okay that I asked your secretary, Katherine. Is there anyone else you wish to invite?"
"I don't have any family, but I'd like to invite Enos Fletcher. He's an ornery cuss, but he's always got my back. And this spectacle should give him something to talk about the rest of his days. With that in mind, do you think you can persuade She-Bear to keep her scalps at home?"
"Jeb has already spoken with her about that."
"I will speak to Mr. Fletcher in the morning. Ruth and I will be working on a cake and refreshments when you and I are finished here. Next item."
"We have an agenda?"
"Of sorts. Running Fox is next."
"What about him?"
"Would you be willing to adopt him?"
Ethan knew the boy was something he would have to deal with at some point. Could he just send him away? It would break the boy's heart—his own as well.
"That's a decision we both have to agree upon, but, of course, I would be willing."
"Done. I guess the lawyer can work out the details. We have ourselves a son."
"Is that all?"
"No. While you were unconscious, we learned that all Sioux have been ordered to the reservation by January 31st. I do not want Lame Buffalo's band to go there, if they choose not. Some will likely be drawn to the security they think is there. But I want those who wish to be free to remain."
"It might be doable. I'm somewhat familiar with the laws and regulations in this area. I'd have to look at the recent order, but generally there are exceptions for those married to U.S. citizens . . . which, in light of Jeb's military service, should cover She-Bear. The tribes are generally treated as separate nations, but I would think Indians would be natural born citizens and entitled to the rights of any individual. The Supreme Court has not yet made that decision, though. Therefore, they are considered foreigners under the law. Anyway, proof of individual self-sufficiency is generally an exception."
"What does that mean?"
"That the Indian has a way of making his living independent of the tribe. For instance, perhaps she or he has settled in a community and offers valuable services to the public. In the end, as a practical matter, I think the government will round up those who are living in significant groups and pose a threat of waging war. I would certainly use whatever legal skills I have to keep those who do not wish to go to the reservation from going there."
"That takes me to the final matter: the gold."
"I somehow had a notion we'd end up there. I've told you, I think we should notify the military authorities. I'm not certain it's yours."
"It's not. It belongs to those who recovered it. I have given one-fourth each to Jeb and She-Bear. I am claiming one-fourth. You can give your share to the government, if you wish."
With this one, she got under his skin. "You can't do that. It's not yours to give away."
"But I already did. I suppose you could sic the government on your friends who saved your life . . . and your wife, if you still want me. Three of us have agreed to donate our shares to a worthy cause. We do not see the government as worthy. We need to find a lawyer who is smart enough to set up an organization that would take the funds and help our tribesmen become independent. It might buy land and parcel it out to those who would establish small ranches or farms . . . like the Homestead Act. After they operated the land successfully for five years, it would be deeded to them. For those who wished to establish other enterprises, the organization might make loans. The possibilities are unlimited. We would call it the 'Lame Buffalo Association.'"
"What are you doing to me?"
"You're the best lawyer in Wyoming . . . probably the whole United States. I know you could figure out how to do this."
"Oh, hell. I'm checkmated."
Afterword
Thank you for purchasing this ebook. If you enjoyed reading it, please consider leaving a review at your favorite online retailer or Goodreads. For more information about Ron Schwab and his books, you may visit the author’s website at www.RonSchwabBooks.com.