by Linda Bridey
Hannah took his hand and smiled at him. “I already knew.”
Owl’s eyebrows rose. “Who told you?”
“Eagle Woman. She told me a couple of years before the army set those wildfires. She didn’t want there to be any secrets between her and I,” she replied.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Owl asked.
“Because she asked me not to. She didn’t want to upset you or He Who Runs.”
Owl laughed. “I wouldn’t have been upset. It would’ve been nice to be able to talk about it.”
Bear’s expression was stony, while Wolf’s was contemplative.
“So you are our grandfather,” Bear said.
“Yes.”
Bobby’s brow furrowed. “And Reckless is my brother? Our brother?”
“I know that this is very confusing,” Owl said. “I would have let it alone, but Grandfather Brown Stag wanted it known. He told Reckless, and we’ve talked about it. He doesn’t harbor any hard feelings against me about it. He understands why and how it all happened. I believe that Wakan Tanka wished for it to come out now because He wanted Reckless to have a father in this life as well as in the spirit world.
“I wanted to tell you all now so that there aren’t any confrontations about it in front of Reckless. He needs rest and peace, not arguing. You can be angry at me all you want, but please don’t act that way when you go to see him.”
All of them agreed to this and then the group dispersed, Brook and her children heading for Reckless’ room.
*****
Reckless was awake when they entered his room.
A big grin spread across his handsome face. “Hau. I am glad to see you, but I’m sorry you had to travel so far.”
Brook went to him immediately, kissing and embracing him gently. “It doesn’t matter. We would travel anywhere to get to you. How are you feeling?” she asked, stroking his hair, noting the white stripe on the right side of it.
“Tired, but I’m not in any pain.” Reckless frowned. “I cannot wait to get out of here. The food is terrible and the nurses are annoying. The doctors have been very good. Mike is pleased with them.”
Wolf and Bear greeted him warmly.
“You have to behave yourself, Father,” Wolf said. “You have to get better so we can get you home.” He touched the white streak in Reckless’ hair. “What happened here?”
Reckless said, “It’s from the vision. It was the strain of holding it for so long.”
Bear said, “You shouldn’t have done that. It almost killed you.”
Reckless took his hand. “Bear, it was very important that we all were able to spend that time with Grandfather. I do not regret it at all, so do not be angry about it.”
Bear nodded. “Ok. Speaking of grandfathers, we know that Owl is actually our grandfather.”
Reckless smiled. “I know that it’s confusing, but I am not angry with him. I’ve meditated about it very hard and I know that what was done was for the good of all, including us. My feelings for my parents have not changed. I still love them as much as always, and so should you.
“But I also love the man I’ve known as my uncle all my life, too. I have decided to call him Father since he is here with me in this life. Whether or not you continue to call him Uncle or want to call him Grandfather is your decision. You must do what you’re comfortable with.”
Wolf shook his head. “It’s too soon for me to make that decision.”
Reckless nodded his understanding and then sighed. “I wanted to see Buffalo Gap and Hot Springs. I feel their power. Every place here has power and it is so strong.”
Brook said, “You must let it go, Reckless. You are not strong enough.”
He squeezed her hand. “I know. I won’t do anything stupid.”
“You better not,” Bear said.
Someone knocked on the door and then it opened. Joe poked his head inside.
“Ok to come in?” he asked.
Reckless laughed. “Oh, no. They did not tell me that you were here.”
Joe said, “Well, when we got the news, I told your family that we’d pack up and leave right away. I have plenty of cars and we could get here faster than the train or by horse. Besides, I couldn’t stay away from my very brave brave.”
He came over and hugged Reckless. Images of Reckless as the seventeen-year-old kid he and Jake had hired rose in his mind and he had to blink back tears.
“So what are the doctors saying?” Joe asked as he released Reckless.
A sad expression settled on Reckless’ face. “It was a very bad attack, but I’m holding my own. There is most likely a lot damage to my heart and they don’t know how much will come back.” Tears filled his dark eyes. “I do not think I’ll be able to work for you anymore. I do not think that my heart will be able to take it. I am sorry.”
While the idea of Reckless no longer working at the Watering Hole greatly saddened Joe, he knew that Reckless had to do what was best for his health.
“There ain’t nothin’ for you to be sorry for, buddy. You’ve done a lot of excellent work for us. You know how much we love you. And that’s why I want you to take care of yourself. That’s the most important thing to me. We all want you around for a long time, so getting better is your job now,” Joe said. He gave Bear his crocodile grin. “I know another very brave brave who would be perfect for the job, though.”
Bear laughed. “I don’t know about that. I’m needed at camp.”
Brook said, “We will be fine. You should do it.”
Wolf nodded. “You have the right personality for it.”
“You know I pay real well,” Joe coaxed. “C’mon, now. Please?”
“Ok, I’ll do it,” Bear said, honored that Joe wanted him to take over his father’s position.
Joe looked Bear over. His build was slightly bulkier than Reckless’ and with his six-foot-two-inch height, he was an imposing figure. Since coming back from the war, Bear had elected to keep his hair in a short brush cut that suited him well. His light blue eyes, which he’d inherited from Brook, contrasted attractively with his dusky skin and chiseled features. Yes, Bear would make a very good bouncer indeed.
“Fantastic,” Joe said, grasping arms with Bear. “I appreciate it. Now, you take time to be with your daddy. Don’t think you gotta rush back or anything. Of course, I’m your ride, but I’m not in a rush, either.”
Reckless chuckled. “You are always in a rush and you are hardly ever still.”
Joe said, “Smart ass. I’m gonna go for now, but I’ll be back to see you. There are a lot of people here who wanna see you. Boy, you should’ve seen Black Fox’s face when I hollered at him when we spotted all of them coming into town.”
Reckless scowled. “They are here? He promised me that they would go on to the other sites.”
Brook rested a calming hand on his shoulder. “Reckless, can you blame him? What would you do if it was him and not you?”
Reckless’ mouth thinned in annoyance. “Yes, I would come see him, too. I have ruined everything for them.”
Wolf said, “That’s not true, Father. Look what you did for them. I’d say that alone was worth the trip.”
“I suppose,” Reckless said.
Joe squeezed his hand. “I’ll see you after a while. Behave.”
“I will. Thank you, Joe.”
“You’re welcome,” Joe said.
He hugged Brook and the twins and left the room.
Chapter Fourteen
After being turned away by two different hotels because they were Indians, Black Fox’s group didn’t bother trying another one. Instead, they camped right outside of the city on a little farm where the owner gladly rented them some space. He was sympathetic to their plight and the extra money was welcome.
The second night they were there, Skip and Peanut walked along, holding hands while a strong wind blew, cooling them down after another day in the nineties. Skip detected much-needed rain on the breeze and was glad that they’d set up two larg
e tipis that would shelter them from the storm. They’d bought some canvas and long two-by-fours to make the structures since they’d needed them in a hurry. They would give them to the farmer when they left.
“I’m so glad Reckless is getting better,” Peanut said as they followed the fence line of a pasture in which Holstein dairy cows grazed.
“Me, too. He sure gave everyone one hell of a scare,” Skip said. “It’s not surprising with how powerful that vision was.”
“Yeah. I never used to believe things like that were possible. It was all so real,” she said. “I thought that herd of buffalo was going to run us over and that big white one that blew his breath on us scared me to death.”
Skip put an arm around her. “Don’t worry. Reckless and Runner would never take us on a dangerous vision. I know that Runner still feels responsible for Reckless having a heart attack. He shouldn’t, though. He did everything he could.”
Peanut kicked a stone along. “I know how he feels. I still feel responsible for what happened to us. I should’ve seen how rotten Claude was.”
Skip stopped and made her face him. “You’re not responsible. You had no way of knowing that Claude was so devious. Stop blaming yourself.”
He wrapped his arms around her and she laid her head against his chest. “How do you do that?” she asked.
Inhaling the scent of her hair, Skip asked, “Do what?”
“Make me feel better.”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
Since declaring his feelings for Peanut, not only to her, but to Raven, much of Skip’s shyness around her had faded. There were still moments when he became bashful, but they weren’t as often.
Skip ran a hand up under her silky red hair, playing with the soft skin at the nape of her neck. He was becoming more comfortable with touching her. “I’m so glad you’re coming back to Dawson with us.”
Peanut shivered under his hand and her skin broke out in gooseflesh.
“Me, too. I’m looking forward to meeting your family; they sound so nice.”
The desire in her eyes drew him like a hummingbird to sugar. “They are. You’re so beautiful.”
When their lips met, an explosion of desire hit them and Skip pulled her against him, immediately deepening the kiss. Peanut had enjoyed kissing Claude, but she’d never felt such consuming passion for him the way she did Skip. However, whenever things became too heated between them, Skip’s shyness would reassert itself and he’d stop. Peanut would tease him and they usually ended up laughing about it.
This time, the storm intruded on their private moment. Thunder sounded closer and it began sprinkling.
Peanut reluctantly drew away from him. “Let’s get back to Annie and get out of this,” she said.
Skip’s heartbeat in his ear almost drowned out the thunder as he smiled and nodded his agreement. Holding hands, they ran for the tipis.
*****
As rain drummed on the canvas tipi, Raven frowned up at it and shook his head. He, Eric, and Jaylyn were the only occupants in that tipi at the moment. Instead of trying to shout over the din, he signed, “This white man’s hide is too noisy and does not keep the lightning out. At least it keeps us dry.” Giving Eric a devilish smile, he signed, “When is the wedding?”
Eric blinked in surprise, sending back, “Wedding? What are you talking about?”
I am as bad as my father, but I cannot help myself, Raven thought. “You are attracted to her.”
Eric was glad that Jaylyn didn’t know Indian sign. Keeping a smile on his face, Eric signed, “I am not looking for a relationship. Not after what I have been through.”
Raven barely held back a sarcastic snort. “Just because things did not work out with you and Vicki does not mean that it would not with Jaylyn. I like Jaylyn very much. I did not like Vicki at all.”
Neither had Eric’s parents and some of his other family members. At the time, he’d thought that they’d been too judgmental of his ex-wife and hadn’t given her a chance. He’d found out that she’d been showing him one side and another to everyone else. He understood how Peanut felt about not seeing Claude for what he was because the same thing had happened with him and Vicki.
“Yes. I know,” he signed, annoyed. “You and everyone else have made that very plain to me. Many times.”
“I am not trying to make you angry, I am trying to make you see that Jaylyn could be right for you. Do you not feel it, too?” Raven asked.
Eric gave him a stony stare. “This conversation is over.”
Raven signed, “I will say one more thing and then let it go. Reckless’ almost dying has reminded me once again that we have no guarantees of how long we will live. Only Wakan Tanka knows how long we have in this life. Do not let what happened with Vicki sour you on the idea of happiness, cousin.
“And do not wait because you are too afraid of being hurt. I knew after only a couple of days that Zoe was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with and wasted no time in making that happen. You should do the same. You could learn from Skip.”
Eric wondered at Raven’s amused grin. “What do you mean?”
“Just that if Skip, who could hardly talk to girls before, has had the courage to get past his fear, then you should, too.”
Eric smiled as he thought about the way Skip and Peanut acted with each other now. “He is just a boy and it is the first time he has ever had a girlfriend.”
Raven sobered and gave him a direct look. “It is not a boy who declares his love for a woman and her children. It is not a boy who is ready to marry her and support her and those children. It is not a boy who decides that he would like to be the father of those children. Skip is Skip, but he is no longer a boy, Eric. And if Peanut agrees someday, he will marry her. He has not asked, but he will.”
Eric was stunned. “He loves her?”
“Yes, and the children. He told me so.”
Eric glanced at Jaylyn, wondering what she would think about that. She looked back at him.
“What is it?” she asked loudly.
He leaned over and spoke right into her ear so he didn’t have to shout. “I think things between Skip and Peanut are getting serious from what Raven just told me.”
She pulled back to look in his eyes and then at Raven, who smiled at her.
“This isn’t funny!” she shouted.
Raven motioned for her to come sit by him. Jaylyn repeated her response and Raven leaned closer to her.
“No, it isn’t. It’s cute, but not funny. I’ve known Skip all of his life and if he says he’s going to do something, he does it. He is trustworthy, respectful, determined, and a hard worker. He has a job and he would be a good provider,” Raven said.
“You’re encouraging this? He’s just a boy,” Jaylyn said.
Raven arched an eyebrow. “Is Peanut just a girl?”
“Well, no, I guess not,” Jaylyn said.
Raven said, “I was a brave by the time I was his age. He is young, but he’s a man. He’s kind, generous, and he would treat her well. He already does and you have seen that.”
Jaylyn couldn’t deny that. Skip did things for Peanut all the time without her asking him to. He helped her with Annie, and if Peanut did ask him to do anything, he jumped to comply. It wasn’t because Peanut expected it, but because he wanted to make her happy.
“I don’t want her to get hurt, Raven. She’s been through too much,” Jaylyn said.
“Trust me,” Raven said. “He won’t hurt her.”
The tipi flap opened and Peanut and Skip came in. He’d held a deer hide blanket over her and Annie so they didn’t get wet. Skip dropped the blanket by the side of the tipi flap, took Annie from Peanut while she sat down, and then handed her back. Then he dried off with the blanket before he sat down by Peanut.
“I don’t think this is gonna let up tonight,” Skip half-yelled. Smiling at Peanut, he said, “No giggin’ frogs.”
Jaylyn smiled and watched the way Peanut’s eyes shined when she lo
oked at Skip. Did she have feelings for him? Her protective streak rose and she decided to talk to Peanut when she had a chance. For now, though, she moved back over to sit by Eric. They struck up a game of knuckles and played while the rain drummed down onto the canvas tipi.
*****
A half hour later, the rain let up enough so that the people inside the tipis could hear each other. Over in the other tipi, Joe was being his usual entertaining self. When he’d heard about the hotels in town refusing services to his friends, he’d told the hotel managers off, and had come to stay with them on the farm.
He took a long pull from a bottle of whiskey and passed it to Striking Snake, who sat to his right. Black Fox’s son-in-law, Brown Otter, made the moonshine and Joe had brought some with him from Dawson.
“I’m gonna kill Rick Westlake. Well, I almost did,” he said.
Squirrel grinned. “What did he do?”
“I’ll tell you what your favorite person did,” Joe said, chuckling. “Don’t think I don’t know that you have a crush on him, Squirrel.”
Her eyes glittered with amusement. “You are imagining things.”
Joe laughed and looked at Striking Snake. “Doesn’t it bother you that your wife has a crush on a former Mountie?”
Striking Snake laughed. “No. There is no harm in looking.”
Joe shook his head. “Anyway, here’s what happened …”
Joe went down the hall past the playroom on his way to the washroom. He stopped when he heard an odd squeaking noise, trying to figure out the source of it. Backing up, he listened, determining that it came from the playroom. Going in, he looked around, and then heard another squeak over by Percy’s cage.
He made a face of distaste, but he went a little closer, looking in the cage. Percy was bathing, which wasn’t unusual, but he seemed to be more aggressive about it than normal. The squeaks he heard reminded him of mice and he knew that Percy didn’t make those sorts of noises. Had a mouse gotten in with Percy somehow?
Joe couldn’t stand ferrets or any type of rodent, but he didn’t mind Percy as much as Rick Westlake’s ferret, Curtis III, who was trained to attack people and do other things that helped with law enforcement. Joe was fond of Percy in his own way and he didn’t like the idea of a mouse possibly biting Percy and giving him some disease.