Destiny's Bride (36 page)

***

Cecile came downstairs expecting to engage in a verbal battle again. She was surprised to find them all at the breakfast table having coffee and hot buttered biscuits. They chattered like nothing at all had happened. She sat down with some trepidation, but she was famished. With all the turmoil last night, dinner had been totally forgotten.

It seemed that no one wanted to steer the conversation back to the inevitable topic, but finally Walt cleared his throat. “Cece, I spent most of the night thinking. In fact, I’ve spent most of the time since you came back doing nothing but that, and wondering how to get past all of this. Although it hurts me more than you will ever know, I finally realize we can’t go back to the way things were. I will always wonder about our child, but as you pointed out, he wouldn’t know me as his father anyhow. Most likely he would just be a constant reminder of what was, not what could be.

Tears blurred her vision. She never meant to hurt him—or her parents.

“I regret what  happened in the first place; I feel totally responsible. After all you’ve been through, you deserve to be happy,” he continued, “and if Lone Eagle is where your happiness lies, then that’s where you should be. How can I help?”

Cecile couldn’t believe her ears. She rose, walked around the table and kissed his cheek. “You already have. Thank you for understanding.”

Her mother and father continued their breakfast in silence, but she had noticed her mother nod in agreement while Walt was speaking. Cecile understood any decision independent of his input would be hard for her father to accept. Perhaps, one day he’d understand. She took a deep breath, finding this a perfect time to make one last announcement.

“Please don’t forget how much you all mean to me. I will never be far from you and always with you in spirit. I will send you my love on the wings of the wind, and you will know that we are okay.” When she said we, she positioned her hands lovingly around her stomach, revealing her secret.

Tears once again streamed down her mother’s cheeks. Cecile wasn’t sure if they were happy tears or sad ones…perhaps they were a combination of both.

Despite the staunch front her father hid behind, he lost the battle to hold back his emotions. Tears rimmed his eyes and he removed his spectacles and wiped the wetness on his sleeve.  He’d never shown that side of his emotion for as long as she recalled.

Making such a happy announcement when they all felt so sad niggled at her gladness, but didn’t dim her inner glow. She’d soon see the husband of her heart and her beloved baby boy.  She thinned her lips to match the mood. “Being away from Lone Eagle and my child has made me feel like an empty shell, so I understand how you all feel. I’m happy you respect my decision, since I plan to leave tomorrow. I’m confident I can find my way back to the tribe.”

Her announcement etched a horrified look on her parents’ faces. “Travel alone?  Her father’s mouth gaped.

Walt braced the edge of the table. “Cecile, you can’t be serious. Remember what happened to me?"

“I’ve learned from Lone Eagle all I need to know about finding my way by looking at the sun, the stars, and the moon.”

Still, the other three insisted they would not allow her to put herself in jeopardy by being alone on the prairie for several days.

Their argument held logic, but determination squared her shoulders.

“Can you describe the general location of the Sioux camp?” Walt asked.

“The camp is next to a river. The trip to Castroville took us four or five days, so I imagine it will take me eight to ten days to get back to the village. I know the direction we traveled. I can do this.”

“I have a fair knowledge of the area,” Walt said. “Just give me some time to take care of a few things and I’ll take you home.”

Home. How strange the word seemed coming from him; he was taking her home. Cecile agreed. “I appreciate and accept your offer, but if you aren’t ready to take me back to the village by the end of the week then, I’ll leave without you.”

She wouldn’t endure missing her Sioux family one minute longer than necessary.

Chapter Forty-four

“I’ve decided I’m going to stay with Aunt May,” Walt announced. “It will give you three some time together without the added stress of having me underfoot.”

Mrs. Palmer smiled. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Walt, but you do know you’re more than welcome to stay. I can fix you a bed in Harve’s study.”

“No, thanks, Mrs. Palmer. I’ll feel more comfortable at Aunt May’s.” He picked up his pack and left, but not without a glance over his shoulder at his wife. “Cecile, I’ll be in touch.”

Watching from the front porch, Cecile’s gaze followed his tall muscular form down the street until he disappeared around the corner.  She harkened back to the first time he'd come for dinner, recalling how much she hated to see him leave that night. How could such intense feelings change in so short a time?

There was little said the rest of the day and evening. Her father, in his business-as-usual demeanor, had gone to the bank early to hide himself in his daily routine. Her mother tried to make small talk, but choked up with emotion every time the subject of Cecile’s leaving came up. Cecile’s attempts to make her mother see how wonderful life was with Lone Eagle were fruitless, especially when trying to explain using utensils made of buffalo parts to someone who bought everything she needed at the local mercantile. The life her mother led was a world apart from the Indian’s existence, and Cecile no longer fit the role of the pampered and spoiled child she’d once been.

A lull in the conversation prompted her mother to stand and head for the kitchen. “Is there anything you need, dear?”

Cecile’s insides warmed with excitement. “Everything I need is waiting for me at home.”

***

While enjoying breakfast with her parents, Cecile heard the front gate open. She leaned over and peered out the window at two horses tied to the front fence and Walt walking up to the door. He was still every bit as handsome as the first time she saw him. Knowing it wouldn’t be long before someone else would one day feel the same about him eased her mind. She dropped her napkin on her plate, stood, and greeted him at the door. “Good morning.”

“I have some good news for you.” His spirits seemed improved, but she still detected sadness in his eyes.

“Well, are you going to tell me or not?”

“Last night a new boarder checked in at Aunt May’s. You’ll never guess who it was.”

She didn’t have time to respond.

“It was Luke, the man who saved my life.” The sparkle returned to Walt’s eyes.

The lustful leers cast at her by the dirty, scraggly man replayed in Cecile’s mind. A shiver ran down her spine.

Walt nudged the brim of his hat upward. “Luke and I sat up most of the night swapping stories. When I told him about you, he remembered who you were. He described you perfectly.”

Her skin crawled just thinking about him. Of course he could describe her—he’d undressed her with his eyes.

“The best part, Cece, is when I told him I was going to try to help you find your way back, he offered to guide us. He knows exactly where the camp is. Isn’t that great?”

Of course Walt was impressed with the man who saved his life, but Cecile had reservations about Luke’s character. She chastised herself for judging him only by his appearance. Maybe he wasn’t as bad as he seemed that day in the village. She guessed she could put up with just about anyone or anything to get home. With Walt along, she’d be safe.

“So, when are we going?”

“Luke has to leave today. He’s loading up on the supplies and trade good he needs. As soon as he’s done, we can go. I can’t believe how lucky we are.”

“Today? We’re leaving today?” Cecile was so elated; she grabbed Walt around the neck and hugged him.

Clearly her gratitude sent the wrong message and obviously made Walt uncomfortable. He reached behind his neck, unclasped her hands and brought them to the front. He held them in his for just a moment before letting them go, that same sadness returning to his blue eyes. “I reckon we’d better get your things together and get going before Luke leaves us behind.”

Having Walt accompany her on the trip when Luke could clearly act as guide caused guilt to fester inside her, but there was no way she was going to be alone with that obnoxious trapper…trader…whatever title he claimed.

She had her things ready and stashed behind the chair near the front door. Anticipating leaving before the week was over, she’d packed only the few things she brought with her; but she needed nothing more. She’d discarded the clothes she wore there and replaced them with a pair of pants and a shirt that fit. She’d even bought a new pair of boots for the trip.

Her mother came from the kitchen, blotting her eyes with her apron.  “What should I do with all your things…the new clothes Walt bought you, your dolls…?”

Cecile needed no time to ponder.  “Donate everything to the church.  Certainly someone will put them to good use.”

***

Cecile’s father burst through the front door. “I saw Walt pass by the bank with an extra horse.” He breathed like someone who’d run a mile. “I left the bank as soon as I could to see you one last time.”

Having made the decision to return to the Sioux, Cecile considered the hardest part of leaving over, but saying goodbye to her parents proved far the most difficult. To talk about leaving forever and going through with walking out the door were two very different things.  Emotions choked her. “P...please, don’t make this harder than it already is by asking me to stay. Just know that I love you both, and like I said, I’ll send my love to you on every evening breeze. You will always be part of my heart.”

She hugged them both tightly and gave each one last kiss. Her father remained composed, but her mother sobbed uncontrollably.
Harvey put his arm around his wife’s shoulders while Cecile tied her valise to her saddle, mounted up, and rode away alongside Walt.  She gulped back tears and kept her gaze trained on the horizon.

“Luke is meeting us in front of the saloon.”  Walt’s voice barely caught her attention.

Her resolve not to look back weakened.  She glanced over her shoulder and swallowed hard. The image of her parents waving goodbye would be a memory to last a lifetime.

Chapter Forty-five

Luke appeared as dirty as Cecile remembered; he wore the same sweat-stained hat, and his beard had grown longer and bushier. From where she sat astride her horse, she smelled his disgusting body odor, even over the liquor and tobacco wafting from the saloon behind him.  His leering once-over stirred bad memories, and overwhelmed her with the urge to spur her horse into a run and leave him in the dust.  Instead, she held tight to her reins and forced a smile.

“Well, howdy there, little lady,” he said. “Nice to see you again.”

Cecile shivered.  Hadn’t Walt noticed the way Luke looked at her?  If he did, he didn’t make mention, but launched into planning the trip.

The two men discussed the route to take and where to stop for the night. When Luke mounted, Walt leaned from his saddle, drawing closer to the trader. “Luke, I expect you to behave like a gentleman as far as Cecile is concerned.” 

Clearly, her earlier assumption had been wrong.

“You don’t have to worry none about me,” Luke said. “I got mahself a little squaw woman awaitin’ for me, and she’d have my scalp if she even caught me so much as lookin’ at another woman.”

The thought of any woman waiting for Luke made Cecile queasy.  Who could be that desperate?

They rode several hours before making camp for the night. While they unpacked the horses, Cecile situated herself downwind of Luke. After only one day on the trail he smelled even more disgusting. Did the man ever bathe?

“I jes plan to ride with you for a couple of days. I have business to the east and if I go all the way to the village, I’ll miss my appointment. I figure it’ll only take four days to get back to Broken Feather’s village, you can make a couple on yer own. It’s a pretty easy trip.” Luke surprised them with his statement as they cleared the sleeping area of rocks and pebbles.

Cecile sensed the next four days would pass slowly; at least she wouldn’t have to put up with Luke the entire time. Hell, she’d endure him if need be. She was eager to get home.

Walt built a campfire and prepared a meager meal of coffee, bacon, and biscuits. “There isn’t much, but come and get it while it’s hot.”

Cecile sat cross-legged on her bedroll and munched on a biscuit. Thankfully, her nausea confined itself to morning.

Luke talked nonstop about his trading experiences and all of his close brushes with death the entire time they ate. “Why I once kilt a bear three times my size.” He kept glancing in Cecile’s direction as if trying to impress her.

When it was apparent his attempts fell short, he yawned and stretched. “Best turn in early. I want to leave at dawn’s first light.”