Whatever he was going to say, was gone. He stopped. Elizabeth had more clothes on, than he had seen on her several times before when younger, but somehow at that moment, in her room, the woman blossomed and a hunger in him was difficult to contain, and threatened to burst free. He could not help but take in the loose hair, the half-undone clothing. And what stirred him most, the obvious presence of what was very lightly and only partially concealed beneath. Elizabeth was a full bosomed woman under all that western clothing. She could have been there waiting for him. Only he reasoned, she wasn’t, and he was here for another reason.
He looked down at the parcel in his hands and regained some composure and cleared his throat.
“I cannot take this.” He told her handing her gift back to her. “It means too much to you to give away.”
Elizabeth looked at the gift he was holding out. It was the gift she had given him earlier.
“Is it not our custom to give something of equal value when giving a gift? You gave me your horse. There is not much, more valuable in our ways, except maybe a wife or daughter or son.” Elizabeth answered, she shook her shoulders and smiled, “And I have no sons to give you.”
She said it half-jokingly. But the look he gave her made her think again. She realised her mistake.
Trying to think of a way out of this, Red Wolf told her.
“This is the only image of you and your parents that you have.” He whispered looking away from her. Elizabeth smiled, she did not have to answer him, there was no point. The house had become quiet and it felt as if they were the only two in the world. What he told her was right. Which made it the perfect present.
She would not take it back and what she’d said was true. Giving of a horse was one of the most precious gifts in tribal life. It was a bride present. A treaty gift. Their highest reward. She was right. A Red Wolf accepted defeat and slipped the gift inside his waistcoat. As he did so, he heard something from below the window and signalled to Elizabeth.
He walked to the dresser and turned out the light, walking round the bed, he stopped in front of her. Putting his arms around her and guiding her to the wall. As they reached it, he passed her her shirt and whispered.
“Stay here.” He let go of her and walked to the open window and settled himself in the corner. Elizabeth held her breath and didn’t move.
It seemed that they stood like that for an age and Elizabeth was just going to call to Red Wolf that he must have been mistaken – although that was unheard of - when she heard it too.
Scrambling along the roof edge under her window. A tile came loose, and someone swore quietly. Elizabeth took a sharp intake of breath, she recognised the voice and was surprised for the second time that night. It was the older brother. He’d come back. All Elizabeth could think of, was that Red Wolf would kill him. Not once did she consider, why he’d come back and was trying to gain entry to her room. The older brother pushed open the window more and came in.
Behind him was his younger brother, trying it seemed, to stop him. The older brother kicked him off his leg and came towards Elizabeth’s bed with a knife in his hand. He looked like he was going to stab the bed. He lunged and found it empty. At the same time Red Wolf dragged the younger brother through the window and was struggling with him. He had his back to the older brother, who took the opportunity of Red Wolf being distracted to lunge at him.
Red Wolf turned at the last moment getting caught on the arm. He struck again at his side. Red Wolf dropped the younger brother, who was now trying to stop his brother from the floor, by grabbing his legs. Red Wolf fell back against the wall holding his side.
At that precise moment the older brother kicked off his brother again and lunged. This time he was aiming higher. Elizabeth wasn’t sure how the gun came to be in her hand. She only realised it at that moment, as it looked like the older brother would kill Red Wolf, she didn’t hesitate and fired.
CHAPTER FOUR
At the sound of the shot all hell broke loose, staff were running in the yard below. The house coming alive instantly. Elizabeth lit the lamp and rushed over to Red Wolf. She touched his side and his face, desperate to make sure he was ok. She dropped her forehead to his.
“I thought he was going to kill you.”
Before he could reply, the bedroom door burst opened and in rushed Ben, White Dove and several of the hands. The men had guns.
“What the hell’s going on here.” Shouted Ben, as he took in Red Wolf being in Elizabeth’s room. Elizabeth’s state of undress and at the same time, the younger hand who had been fired, holding his older brother who was now very dead.
“Someone had better tell me what the hell is going on here and fast.”
Elizabeth answered quietly. “The older brother must have felt I had shamed him in town. He came looking to put the score right. Came in through the window with a knife. Red Wolf heard them and was here first. He held him off, but he attacked him again while distracted. I grabbed the gun to stop him killing him and fired.”
Ben turned to look at the younger brother. “Is that what happened son?”
He rocked his brother back and forth. “Jack had a hateful nature. He couldn’t help it. Things happened when we were younger. He did what he had to for us to survive.” He nodded. “He was gonna kill her. He just wouldn’t let it go, I tried sir, but he wouldn’t. I thought that if I came along, I could stop him, but he wouldn’t listen to me. Knocked me down out there, so I couldn’t hold on to him. I’m real sorry miss.” He said crying and rocking his brother.
“Take em out.” Ben ordered. “You can take your brother or bury him here son.” Ben said kindly.
“I’ve nowhere to go sir, Jack was all I had, I’d like to bury him here if that’s ok.” Ben nodded and dead brother was carried out.
“We’ll go for the Sheriff tomorrow son. You can explain it to him yourself. Find him a bed for the night boys.” The hands nodded and helped the young man out. The boys knew better than to leave him alone. Elizabeth rose from her position.
“Ben please.” Elizabeth sounded like she was on the verge of crying. “Red Wolf, he needs help.” White Dove rushed forward and helped Red Wolf to the bed.
“Does he need the doctor? Do you?” Ben asked her.
“I’m fine. Red Wolf saved me. Please he needs a doctor quickly. We need to send for someone.” White Dove looked at her and answered Ben.
“No Ben, its deep but it can be cleaned and stitched.”
Elizabeth looked at her like she was mad. No doctor!
“But we should not move him.”
Elizabeth was wringing her hands. The thought of him dying more than she could bear.
“White Dove, he needs a Dr please, Red Wolf can stay here, I’ll go.” Elizabeth offered.
“You should go with Ben.” White Dove told her. Elizabeth looked at her like she was insane.
“I cant leave him..”
“Elizabeth come down with me, White Dove can do this, I need to make a report for the Sheriff. Red Wolf will be just fine.”
Ben practically dragged her out of the room while Elizabeth continued to protest.
Down stairs Ben made Elizabeth sit and take a brandy. She was clearly in shock and agitated by what had just happened. She was also emotionally drained. This time Ben got the full story, and it shocked him. All the while, Elizabeth kept looking up the stairs, wringing her hands, watching the staff come and go.
Eventually White Dove came down. Elizabeth stood. Ben went to her and kissed her. She gathered that Elizabeth had told him everything. She smiled up at the husband.
Unable to wait any longer, Elizabeth moved nearer.
“How is he?”
“He’s a warrior and reminded me more than once. He will have stitches for a while and he shouldn’t move too much for a day or two.”
White Dove said the last bit directly at her husband who nodded his agreement.
“I’ll send word to Dull Knife and get the Dr to stop by.”
Elizabeth m
oved to go passed her, White Dove stopped her speaking gently to her.
“Esa, I love you like my sister, as I do Red Wolf a brother. Forgive me but I need to say something. You have been gone a long time. Things change. People change. What you knew as a child, is not who or what you are as an adult. The choices and decisions we make have far reaching consequences. You know how hard it has been for Ben and I. We choose not to live in that world because we would not be accepted. We are only now, because the Double T pays for the town. It would not be any easier for you and Red Wolf or your children.”
Elizabeth stood stunned. Visible shocked by White Doves outburst. She slumped back down in the chair and stared at her, open mouthed.
Incredulously, Elizabeth shook her head.
“White Dove, I love Red Wolf but he’s my brother.”
White Dove nodded. “Yes he is, but I fear, your heart and both your actions are saying something else.”
Elizabeth couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Had she behaved so poorly?
“Honey use the guest quarters for the next few days.” Ben told her as he bent and kissed her.
“Ben, is that what you think, that my behaviour is questionable?”
“White Dove did not say that. I think, both you and Red Wolf need to know your own minds.”
He put his arm around his wife’s shoulders.
“Good night Esa.” Elizabeth looked up. They were the closest thing she had to family.
“Good night White Dove and thank you.” Elizabeth felt an overwhelmingly sense of sadness.
Elizabeth got out her chair and walked to the fire place. She banked it up and decided she couldn’t face bed right now, it was the last place she wanted to be. Her mind to alive to switch off. White Dove’s words ringing in her ears. How could she think that? Elizabeth asked herself. Shaking her head.
Returning to her chair, she remembered what Running Elk had said to her on parting from the village. Was everyone going mad? she thought. Elizabeth leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes.
“I can’t think about all this.” Red Wolf and their children? “My god, children?”
Had the world gone mad? She’d only just got home. It was too much to take in. Even as she said it, part of her soul came alive.
Ignoring it. Elizabeth blew out a breath. “How can Red Wolf think of her as anything other than his sister?” she reminded herself. After all, he barely talks to her. He protects her. Knows what she needs. Is there for her when she needs him. Watches over her, just as he did when they were children. She shook her head. They have it wrong, he had protected her, been there by co-incidence and she had worried over him. They were family, nothing more.
Elizabeth took a huge slog of her brandy. She choked a little on it. Not such a good idea but it warmed her, and the sensation spread throughout her body, clashed with the fire already burning within. She closed her eyes and thought about the last couple of days.
Thought about Red Wolf. Every memory she had of the Indians since her parents died contained him and most of those since she’d come back. He’d been there every time she needed him.
“Doesn’t make any sense.” she murmured. Shaking her head again. Then she thought about the events of the night and took another slog of brandy and felt the familiar warming.
“Dear god,” tears threatened her, “he could have died.” And at that moment it hit home. She did not want to lose him. He was a part of her life.
Just how emotionally insecure that made her was telling. Tired of being rational and a little merry from the brandy, Elizabeth found herself dozing off. She awoke sometime later. The fire just embers. The house quiet in the lamp light. Elizabeth stiff from sleeping awkwardly. For a second she wondered where she was. Taking in the room, it all came back quickly.
From the darkness outside, sunup was still a way off, she thought. Looking around her, she registered the fire had died down and the embers just glowing. It was now the only light in the room. Someone had come in and turned down all the lights but not woken her.
Elizabeth had a blanket across her. She removed the blanket and stretched. She ached everywhere. Getting up she crossed the room and climbed the stairs wearily.
Without thinking. She walked to her room and let herself in. Red Wolf opened his eyes as she came in. He was propped up in her bed. She had seen him naked from the waist up many times in the Indian way. But somehow in her bed. He looked …more.
Gazing at him, her mouth went dry. Her breath caught in her throat. Realising her mistake the moment she’d walked in she tried to retreat.
“Don’t.” He called out as she’d turned to leave he spoke to her softly. Elizabeth was unsure of what to say.
She frowned. “I wasn’t thinking. I should let you sleep, are you in much pain?” She couldn’t help but ask. Red Wolf smiled grimly. “The warrior says no, the man says yes.” Elizabeth broke into a spontaneous smile at his honesty.
It lit up her face and pain or no pain, Red Wolf could not ignore his feelings for this woman. She was no longer the child he knew. “Come sit by me,” he asked. “Sleep comes hard, distract me and it might creep up on me.” He told her trying to keep the conversation light. Red Wolf winced as he tried to move to make room for her.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” She told him moving instinctively nearer the bed. “Don’t, you’ll make it worse, I’m so sorry, your injured because of me.”
He stared at her. “I’m alive because of you.”
“I’m not sure that’s true,” she said quietly.
“If you hadn’t been here,” he told her.
“He may have killed you.” She finished nodding. “And if you were not here, he would have tried to kill me.”
Elizabeth looked up at him. “Please - sit by me.” He pleaded. Red Wolf realised he wasn’t beyond begging when it came to her.
Elizabeth couldn’t ignore his plea and sat on the edge of the bed.
She sighed. “It’s hard to believe I’ve only been home for 2 days.” She told him swallowing.
“Yes, it is.” Red Wolf answered. He lifted his hand and covered hers. There was no pressure, no squeeze, no demand or expectation, the touch was enough. Elizabeth looked at both their hands. And smiled. They had done this many times in the years before she’d left. His so much larger and dark. Hers small and so light in colour. Having lost its childhood tan from playing in the sun, it was whiter now. But she knew the sun would change that now she was back. He was waiting, and she knew it.
Elizabeth deliberately and slowly changed the angle of her hand and turned it over under his as she had done many times as a child. He opened his fingers and she slipped hers through. They both closed them together.
“Look at me,” he asked. Elizabeth raised her eyes and thought the brandy earlier was playing games with her stomach. The fire in her soul sprang into life.
Elizabeth had to admit it. He didn’t look at all brotherly right now. In fact, he looked….., Elizabeth couldn’t quite express it and thought she was sitting all too close and looked away.
“Do I scare you Elizabeth?” he asked her.
“Scare me, of course not, why would you ask such a thing?”
“You look - nervous.” He said mischievously.
“For someone who hasn’t said two words to me for over 2 days, you’re doing a lot of talking.” She told him. Red Wolf smiled and leaned back against the head board. Elizabeth was trying to change the subject. “Besides, I should let you get some sleep, it will be dawn soon.” Elizabeth unhooked their hands. Rose and went to the window.
The morning chorus had started. She was reluctant to leave and leaned on the windowsill and sighed. And in doing so, realised she cannot stay there any longer. She turned to walk to the door.
“Esa?” Elizabeth turned her head back towards him.
“Yes?” Red Wolf looked at her long and hard. A clear hunger in his eyes. It was impossible for her to miss it. It held more than just her affections. Elizabeth swallowed.
Her fire continued to burn.
“You are not my sister.” He said quietly. Elizabeth stared at him. It wasn’t easy for her to acknowledge what that meant. Finally, she had to be honest with herself, as well as with him.
She took a steading breath and nodded. “We share a father,” she told him. “But no, you are not my brother.” And she walked through the door and closed it behind her.
Elizabeth went to her guest room, undressed and got into bed. She slept the whole next day. No one disturbed her and she hid herself away. The words Red Wolf had spoken and the one’s he had not, filtered through her mind. Eventually fed up with laying around and sleeping, she rousted herself to find it was nearly time for dinner. Starving she rose quickly and got out of bed. She was famished.
She washed and dressed quickly. Left her room and hesitated on the landing by her bedroom door. She didn’t go in. But headed down to the bathroom. It had the luxury of inside plumbing for a toilet and bath. She ignored the one on this landing. That belonged to Ben and White Dove as it had, to her mother and father.
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