by Linda Bridey
“Minx, do you really want to go to the reservation against your uncle’s wishes? Do you really want to have your baby there where medical care is somewhat lacking? Do you really want to leave Charlie?”
Minx opened her mouth, but Randall held up a finger. “Do not smart off to me, young lady, because unlike him,” he pointed at Joe, “I will not hesitate to take you over my knee.”
Minx shut her mouth and looked down at her plate.
Randall continued. “Joseph, you need to stop wallowing. It’s unbecoming and tedious. You did everything you possibly could and it is not your fault that you were not able to hold back the United States Army any longer. You are but one man and they are many, as my countrymen well know. Though they are now on the reservation, you continue to help them. Tell me, when you see Black Fox, is he wallowing like you?”
Joe scowled at Randall. “No.”
“Then he and the others are adjusting to the situation as well as they can with fortitude and perseverance? Is this true for both of your very brave braves as well?”
“Yes,” Joe said grudgingly.
“So then you must also face this with fortitude. At least you are able to see our tribe more than most, so be thankful. Also, regarding Minx; what good are you doing in not allowing her freedom? You are putting undue stress on her and in her condition that is not good. Not to mention that she has recently lost her parents. Let her have whatever happiness she can find. I understand you are trying to watch over her, but you are smothering her and for someone such as she, this is torture.”
Lacey nodded her agreement.
“I’ve been telling him the same thing,” Lacey said.
“Perhaps not forcefully enough,” Randall said. “You are being much too supportive and are allowing your husband to stay so miserable and neglect his duties as father, husband, ranch owner, and especially mayor.”
Joe took offense to that. “Excuse me? I’ve been doing what needs done.”
“Barely, sir, barely. You are spending too much time playing Indian agent. You need to choose one or the other; mayor or Indian agent,” Randall countered.
“Well, what am I supposed to do? Someone has to do it,” Joe said.
“You are a skillful delegator, Joe. Pick someone else to be Indian agent and recommend them,” Randall said.
“Like who?” Joe asked.
Randall’s lips twitched as though he was going to smile. “Rick. He speaks Lakota, knows the tribe well, has family of sorts within it, and will not let anyone run roughshod over him.”
“He already has two jobs.”
“Oh good grief!” Randall said. “Think! Shift some people around if you must. Think of it as musical chairs. The bottom line is; start using your brain again in order to accomplish what your heart wants. And you, Charles, open up your damn mouth and fight for the woman you love! Now, if you will excuse me now that I am done solving all of your problems, I have somewhere much more pleasant to be. Goodnight.”
Randall made a dignified exit, leaving them all looking around at each other. A slow grin began spreading across Joe’s face. “I guess he put all of us in our places, huh?”
Charlie looked at Joe and said, “Joe, if I want to see Minx, I will, so don’t keep trying to stand in my way. Randall’s right. I kept my mouth shut for too long because I was afraid of being fired, but if you fire me, so be it. What’s it gonna be?”
Joe respected Charlie for his new attitude. “What are your intentions towards her?”
Charlie smiled and looked at Minx before answering. “I’d marry her if she’d have me, but I think that’s something her and I should discuss, don’t you?”
Joe laughed. “I’d say so. Ok, Minx, you win. You are not going to live on the reservation, but other than that, your life is your own, except for work.”
Minx smiled and attacked her food again as she winked at Charlie.
“Darlin’, I’m sorry that I’ve been so miserable these last few weeks. Forgive me?”
Lacey smiled and said, “No. Not yet. Randall’s right. I’ve been too easy on you. No more.”
“I don’t think I like that part of his advice,” Joe said with a frown. He turned to Eddie and Deena who both stood up and went separate directions. He leaned back in his chair and sighed. “And we were doing so well, too.”
*****
Another week passed and still Eddie and Deena couldn’t make up. They tried, but always ended up arguing. Both lay awake at night, missing the other. Deena sometimes wished that she and Eddie hadn’t gotten together because the pain of being married to him and not being able to be with him was slowly killing her.
Eddie wasn’t any better off. He tried desperately to go out of his way to be civil to Deena, but one way or another a smart remark would slip out and ruin any goodwill he’d created. He wondered how they had been so happy just a short while ago and now they were so miserable.
One day, Eddie came downstairs from his apartment to discover a large wooden crate sitting by his office door. “What’s this?” he asked Charlie, who was walking by.
“I don’t know. Some guy dropped it off a little while ago and said it was for you. I didn’t open it,” Charlie said.
“Huh. Ok. I guess I’ll open it then,” Eddie said.
“Good idea, boss,” Charlie said smiling.
“Shut up, Charlie, and get back to work.”
“Yes, boss,” Charlie said, and went on his way.
Eddie got a claw hammer and set about opening the crate. Taking the top off he threw the straw that lay on top of whatever was inside out onto the floor. It was a saddle.
“I didn’t order a saddle,” Eddie said.
He got his hands under it and lifted it out. It was the prettiest saddle he’d ever seen. Black, satiny leather was trimmed in gold rivets the shape of stars. Eddie stopped looking at it long enough to take it outside and put it over the top railing of the corral fence so he could see it in the sun.
Running his hand over the leather, he found it soft and supple, yet he knew that it would withstand almost any work. There was a lot of hand-stitching on the piece and the stirrups and buckles matched the star-shaped rivets trimming it. There was a note attached to the saddle horn. It said there was more in the crate. He took the saddle back inside with him and fished around in the bottom of the crate. Eddie pulled a matching bridle from it.
Deena came into the barn and saw what Eddie was doing. “Do you like it?” she asked.
Eddie looked at her and said, “Hell, yeah. Who wouldn’t? But, I didn’t order a saddle or bridle. I have no idea where it came from.”
“I do. Happy Birthday, Eddie,” Deena said and walked back out of the barn as sobs shook her shoulders.
Eddie stood stock still for several minutes as he looked at the tack and put it together with Deena’s words. He hadn’t even remembered that today was his birthday. He carefully put the saddle and bridle back in the crate and ran after her. Eddie caught up to her as she was walking to the other barn.
He put a hand on her arm and stopped her. Just that simple touch set desire surging through his body. “Deena, you got me that saddle for my birthday?”
She didn’t bother to hide her tears. “Yes. That’s why I was in Wolfe Point. I bought it at Douglas’ shop. Haden is a very sweet man who had nothing to do with any of this. That’s when I had lunch with Carter. Just lunch. I had to pick it out and Haden wanted me to check it once it came in. It was good I did because it had to go back once.”
Eddie asked, “Why didn’t you just tell me that? Why did you have to hide that?”
“Because if I’d told you that I had bought it from Carter’s father, you’d somehow twist it around so that I was lying about something else to do with Carter and I didn’t want to hear it,” Deena said. “You think I’m such a liar anyway.”
Eddie closed his eyes a moment. “I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t have said that. You’re not a liar, Deena. At least not more than most people. You should trust me mor
e though, Deena. You could have just said it had something to do with my birthday and I would have let it alone.”
She gave him a look that told him she didn’t believe him.
Eddie rolled his eyes. “Ok. I would have mostly let it alone. Of course, I would have tried some very inventive ways to get it out of you.”
He smiled the smile she’d fallen in love with and she cried harder.
“Ok, that wasn’t the response I was looking for,” he said and put his arms around her. “I’m so sorry I’ve been such a jerk, honey, but you were driving me crazy with this.”
She leaned her head on his shoulder. “I should have just told you, but I wanted it to be a surprise and I was afraid you’d be even more convinced that I’d cheated on you.” She pulled away and looked at him. “Why would I ever cheat on you when it took me so long to get you?”
Eddie got a sheepish smile on his face and he said, “Good point. I still can’t believe that sometimes. I’ve learned my lesson, though. No more accusing you of things and I’ll listen more.”
“And I won’t keep secrets from you and make you suspicious. If I do have secrets about presents, I’ll just tell you that you don’t need to know yet,” Deena said.
“It’s a deal,” Eddie said as he kissed her cheek. “So you still love me?”
“You know I do, Eddie.”
“Good, because I love you, honey.”
“Well, you know what they say. Seeing is believing. Show me,” Deena said and giggled.
Eddie didn’t answer. He threw her over his shoulder and marched all the way back to the first barn while she laughed and protested. As they entered the barn, Eddie saw Joe looking at the saddle Deena had bought for him and said, “Hands off, Tex. That’s one of my birthday presents and I’m carrying the other one. I’m takin’ the rest of the day off.”
Joe quickly put the saddle back in the crate and said, “Ok. You two kids have fun.”
Deena waved to Joe as Eddie carried her up the stairs to their apartment. Joe grinned back at her and thought that maybe things were falling back into line around the place a little.
*****
Eddie and Deena wasted no time in reacquainting themselves with each other. Their lovemaking the first time was raw and hurried, leaving them breathless and laughing.
“Ok, I don’t want to ever go that long without you again. I’m not just talking about this, either. I missed doing everything with you. You’re my wife and I love you. Don’t ever move out again, ok?” Eddie said looking into her eyes as they lie together.
Deena caressed his cheek. “I won’t. I missed you so much. I can’t go through that again. I missed doing all of those things with you, too. It was so hard not holding your hand at supper and sleeping alone again was torture. I love you.”
Eddie smiled.
“So you like your birthday present?” she asked.
He pulled her closer against him and said, “You bet I do.”
“Not me, the saddle and bridle!” she said and laughed.
He chuckled. “Yes. I love them. They must have set you back some, though. They’re really fine quality.”
“I had some savings,” she said. “Don’t worry about it. I wanted the best for you.”
Eddie said, “You’re what’s best for me. You knew it all along. I just didn’t get the hint when I should have.”
“Well, we’re together now and that’s all that matters.”
He kissed her and said, “You’re right. Now, it’s still my birthday and since you’re my birthday present …”
Deena kissed him and nodded as she wrapped her arms around him and they set about loving away the day.
Epilogue
Joe took Randall’s advice to heart and started switching people around, talking them into doing what he wanted done. Rick was thrilled to become an Indian agent and to act as a bridge for both his Lakota and white families. As a result, he had to quit both of his other jobs, but the vacancies were filled by a very brave brave who was only too happy to step into the roles.
Raven got a kick out of working as a deputy, especially because he could pick up where Rick left off in annoying Mitch and Jack. Mitch found Raven’s pranks a “complete pain in the ass” as he often put it. Raven liked to put things in the sheriff’s desk drawers, such as a garter snake one day or a mouse the next. It got to the point that Mitch dreaded opening his desk drawers. Sometimes there was nothing in the drawers except a note that said “Got you!” which seemed to anger him the most.
The brave might not have a ferret, but he did a good job of annoying Joe, too. At the bar, Caleb joked that when all three bouncers sat at their table, it was like sitting between Indian bookends.
Raven found that he adjusted fairly well to his new living situation. A second tipi now stood on the Samuels’ ranch, only farther away from the buildings to afford him privacy. It would seem that the handsome young brave was becoming quite popular with the females in the area and Raven had fun when they fought for his affections.
Raven had followed Rick’s advice regarding handling Pricilla Samuels. She was very leery of the brave at first because she’d never had much contact with the Lakota. However, she quickly warmed to Raven after he started complimenting her on her hair or whatever dress she wore. He also made sure that the pesky cat that enjoyed chewing on her rosebushes permanently stayed away. He simply relocated the cat to a home where it would be spoiled by an elderly gentleman. Mysteriously a kitten showed up at the door of the former home of the rosebush-eating cat.
Mitch found Raven invaluable in tracking and he was tall enough to be very imposing when he put on his serious face, which was a good crime deterrent. Though Raven was a good shot with a gun, he still preferred to use a bow and arrow or a knife when the need arose. He was as accurate with the bow and arrow as Jack and Mitch were with rifles and he could reload faster than they.
Rick made it his personal mission to either get Carter Douglas ousted from the military or make him so miserable that he would transfer. Captain Morgan came to be very fond of Rick and looked the other way on some things like the way Rick smuggled people in to see Black Fox’s band. Katie was one of the most frequent visitors and still small enough that Rick was able to hide her under his duster if she sat in back of him and pressed flat against him.
Black Fox thoroughly enjoyed pulling fast ones on the military and other authorities. They kept a black wig hidden that was fashioned into a Lakota girl’s hairstyle. When Katie visited, she adorned it so she blended in with the Lakota youth. The whole band played along so she could avoid detection. They too liked deceiving their captors and felt it was a small revenge that helped keep their spirits up a little.
At Thanksgiving, Rick pulled off the most daring trick when he smuggled out five of Black Fox’s band with the help of guards who were happy to take the substantial amount of money Rick paid them to look the other way. They were guards who were sympathetic to the Lakota. Rick had been able to discern which ones could be trusted and those who couldn’t.
The Dwyer and Samuels families decided to join forces and celebrate the day together at the Dwyers home since there was more room for everyone there. Joe’s heart wasn’t in throwing their usual bash and he would hide the fact that the small group was off the reservation at all costs. Keeping the participants to only the tribe’s closest family and friends did that. Black Fox, Wind Spirit, Winona, Squirrel, and her husband, Striking Snake, were overjoyed to be able to spend their day with all of them.
The Thanksgiving celebration was paired with a wedding that day. Charlie had officially proposed to Minx and she had accepted. The young couple was married by Pastor John while Minx’s family and friends were gathered at Joe’s. It meant the world to Minx that her uncles and aunts could be present. It helped ease the pain her parents’ absences caused her. Charlie’s parents were happy to welcome Minx into the family and never told anyone that the rogue Lakotas were in attendance at the ceremony. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Malone chose to
spend their honeymoon close by at Joe’s cabin.
When the time came for Black Fox and the rest to return to the reservation, it was hard to say goodbye to them, but Rick promised to bring them back again when he could. Rick was instrumental in getting Marcus appointed as personal physician to Black Fox’s band and Mike was allowed to come along as his assistant. Both ended up tending other bands while they were there and grew to be popular amongst them all. This gave Black Fox much status among them and he was often sought out for advice on many things. The money Raven and Reckless earned went a long way toward helping to prevent the malnutrition that often resulted in death, especially for children.
Unlike some of the Lakota parents who prevented their children from attending the reservation school as a sign of rebellion, Black Fox made all of their children go. He recognized that it would be better for them to have the necessary skills to get along in the white world when the time came, and he was sure it would.
His tribe had been very blessed to have the benefits of Marcus and Claire’s educational endeavors and he wanted that to continue for their children. He also felt that this would enable those who chose to, to educate others on the lives of the Lakota and keep their spirit and traditions alive through their writings.
*****
Deena and Eddie decided to build a house on a small parcel of land that Joe sold them. They wasted no time in starting a family and Deena was almost five months along by Christmas. By their calculations, she’d most likely conceived soon after they’d been married. As they walked around the pond hand in hand on a cold December night, Eddie and Deena talked about their future together.
“I am so excited about our house,” Deena said. “I can’t wait until it’s done.”
“Me, neither. I get a kick out of the way Joe mopes about us being farther away from here. He’s too used to us being right here all the time,” Eddie said, as they stopped on the far side of the pond. “Joe needs to put a bench over here. It’s a nice place to sit and look at the sunset and stuff. I’ll have to mention that to him.”