Forever Ecstasy (63 page)

The Red Heart chief accepted the Great Spirit’s words and warnings. He closed his eyes and thought,
Good-bye, my beloved Morning Star…

“Morning Star, it’s me, Joe!” he called out to prevent startling her and getting shot in the process. “I’ve come to get you, love.”

The overjoyed woman tossed down the bow and arrow. “Joe!” she squealed and raced into his arms.

He covered her face with kisses and held her tightly. His mouth covered hers, feasting in delight as she responded and clung to him.

When their lips parted and he nestled her head against his chest, he murmured, “I’m here now, love. Everything will be all right.”

Morning Star leaned her head back, straining to see his handsome face in the light of a half-moon. “Why did you return early?”

In a hoarse tone, he related the grim news about his father and his decision to come for her before leaving the territory. “We have to get home fast, love. We ride at first light. I’ve seen your father; he told me what happened today. I’m sorry you had to face this alone. That won’t ever happen again, I promise you.”

“What did Father say? How was he?” she asked, worried.

Joe told her everything they had said to each other and his impressions of her parents’ feelings. “What about Clay, love? Why didn’t he help you? Why isn’t he here to protect you?”

“I told him not to speak or act. There is nothing he can do about our laws, except cause trouble for himself and Buckskin Girl. No one must look at me, speak to me, or help me. If he disobeys, he must be banished. That is how the law makes all obey it. He did as I asked, what was best.”

“Sometimes a person has to do what he feels is right, not obey unfair laws. I’m disappointed he would leave you in danger.”

“Do not be angry with him, my love. He seeks a new life with a mate and with our people. This is our decision, our problem, not theirs. Soon, we will be far away forever; they will not.”

“You’re right, but I can’t help feeling a little angry.” He changed the subject. “We’ll take a big boat, called a steamer, at Fort Tabor. We’ll travel down the Missouri River to St. Louis. We’ll buy horses and ride overland to my home. It’ll take a few weeks.”

“What will happen when we reach your home and family?”

“We’ll take care of my father until… For as long as he’s with us. I hope we make it in time. I want you two to meet each other. You’ll like him, Morning Star, and he’ll like you. We’ll get married as soon as possible; I hope we can do it at Fort Tabor before we sail. We’ll buy you some clothes there, so you won’t feel different from other women we meet along the trail.” The talk distracted and soothed them, so he continued with it for a while. “We’ll live at the plantation. It’s beautiful and quiet, and away from town. Mother and I will teach you all you need to know before we visit Alexandria; that’s where our shipping business is. With Father ill, you might have to stay with Mother at the plantation while I check on things at the firm. You’ll love her, Morning Star. She’s a wonderful lady. She’ll be so happy about our marriage. She’ll enjoy her lessons with you; it’ll take her mind off… Father’s loss. Then, there’s Sarah Beth, my sister, her husband, Andrew, who works with Father, and their little boy, Lucas. They’ll all love you and accept you. With me gone so much, at least Father had Andrew to run the business for him. If we’re lucky, we’ll give Lucas some
friends to play with real soon.”

Morning Star smiled, but knew from her woman’s flow last week that she carried no child at this time. Perhaps children, grandchildren, would be the path back to her family. How could anyone not want to see the continuation of their bloodline? Joe’s words about her laws changing one day gave her hope to pray for that occurrence.

As they snuggled on the buffalo mat and shared endearments, Joe murmured, “Do you want to be called Morning Star, or do you want to take a white name after we’re married?”

“I will live in a white land with whites, so I will follow your customs.”

Joe had pondered this several times and was ready with a suggestion. “What about Marie Lawrence? Marie was my grandmother’s name.”

Morning Star tested it upon her lips, “Ma-rie. Marie Lawrence. Marie Lawrence. Yes, it is a good name. I will take it.”

Joe embraced her. “I love you, woman. Don’t worry; everything will work out fine. Let’s get some sleep. We have a long hard trip ahead.”

They cuddled and closed their eyes, imagining what lay before them.

Light and the horses’ movements awakened Joe and Morning Star. Both instantly noticed the man sitting at the meandering stream: Clay. Joe tossed aside their cover, and joined him.

“I didn’t expect to find you here, Joe,” Clay remarked. “I brought supplies and extra horses. I was planning to bring Morning Star to you at Fort Laramie. I figured by changing mounts back and forth, we could beat Sun Cloud’s party there and let you know what’s happened.”

“Sun Cloud told me last night; I reached camp late.” Joe explained why he had come, and he thanked Clay-Sky Warrior—Thorne for his help.

“I’m sorry about your father. I’ll help you two get
to Tabor fast.”

“You’re a good friend, Clay; thanks,” Joe said again. “But you’ll be in big trouble. I understand what an awkward position you’re in. If nobody knows you’re here, get back before anyone finds out about your action.”

“It doesn’t matter now. I can’t leave friends in trouble. I’m afraid I had to change my mind about joining the Red Heart Band. I don’t agree with their law that banished Morning Star, not after all you two have done for them and for peace. Since I look more white than Indian, it could give me trouble down the trail. I don’t want that to happen. I decided it was best to return to my family and people; the Cheyenne don’t have that law. Buckskin Girl is helping her parents move to the winter campground. When I return, I’ll take her home with me. She’s agreed it’s for the best.” Morning Star was relieved his change of heart didn’t include giving up her best friend. She did not defend or speak against the law in question that demanded so much from her. Though it seemed cruel, it protected her people against diluting their Indian blood. That was important and good.

“Sun Cloud is riding in an hour. The others are breaking camp today. Don’t worry about the treaty; it’ll be signed. You two did a good job, and I’m glad I got to help out a little. Be proud of yourselves. Don’t suffer over what it cost Morning Star. Get married, have a good life, and be happy.”

“That’s good advice, my friend. I hope you do the same. Let’s eat and get moving. We’ve got a long ride ahead.”

Five days later, the three entered Fort Tabor, having camped outside the previous night after a late arrival. Joe and Morning Star went to the sutler’s store to purchase her several white woman’s garments for their impending voyage and new life. Clay left them to check on the next steamer heading down the Missouri River. All three knew they must hurry, so tensions were high.

Fortunately the sutler’s wife, a kind and plump woman, was present. Joe explained their needs. The gentle-spirited female walked around Morning Star and eyed her up and
down to decide what sizes were best. She searched through stacks of ready-made dresses, undergarments, and shoes, then guided the Indian beauty into the back room to find her judgments were accurate. The two females exchanged smiles. Morning Star kept on the prettiest cotton dress and went to show it to Joe who was pacing nervously.

Joe’s eyes brightened as he gazed at the lovely sight. He noticed that Morning Star had released her braids and brushed her ebony hair to shiny free-flowing tresses. Her dark eyes glowed with excitement. Joe thanked the sutler’s beaming wife and paid the man. He lifted the three packages, wrapped in brown paper, and guided his love toward the door.

Before they could depart to look for Clay, their friend rushed to them and urged, “You two have to get moving pronto! The ship leaves in less than an hour. Here are your tickets. Your gear is already loaded.”

“We have to see the chaplain first,” Joe reminded. He hoped there was enough time to locate the man and persuade him to marry them.

“I just saw him leaving the jail. Guess he’s been ministering to those prisoners we sent here. Lot of good it’ll do them now!” Clay scoffed.

“I need a long bath and a shave before I see a preacher, but I’ll have to do in this mess,” Joe remarked with a wry grin as he rubbed the rough stubble on his face. “Let’s find him.”

They located the post chaplain in the small structure, the front of which was used for services, the rear, for his personal quarters. Joe explained his request and the rush for the ceremony.

The sympathetic man eyed both, then asked, “You two sure you know what you’re doing? A mixed marriage has lots of problems. You love each other enough to confront whatever comes your way?”

“Yes, sir, we love each other, and we’ve given our future together a lot of serious thought. We know what we’re doing. We’ll be fine.”

“What about you, young lady?” the chaplain inquired.

Morning Star glanced at Joe, then looked at the other
man. “Yes, sir,” she responded in her best English, “I love him and will be a good wife. If trouble rides after us, we will flee it or defeat it.”

The chaplain studied their pleading gazes, glanced at their clasped hands, and nodded. “I believe you. I just like to make sure couples don’t rush into something as serious as marriage without lots of thinking. You two stand here,” he instructed, placing them in front of him and opening his Bible. He found the place he wanted, then read two scriptural passages on love and marriage. He knew they didn’t have much time, but a religious service had to be done proper even in a rush.

“Do you Joseph Lawrence, Junior, take this woman to be your lawful wife in the eyes of God and man?” the chaplain asked Joe.

Joe gazed into Morning Star’s lovely eyes and replied, “I do.”

“Do you Marie Morning Star take this man to be your lawful husband in the eyes of God and man?”

“I do,” she responded, following Joe’s lead.

“Do you both promise to love, help, protect, and keep only unto each other all the days of your lives?” he asked.

“I do,” the couple answered at the same time.

“God being our witness in this holy place, I pronounce you man and wife. Let no man, other God, or trouble come between you or part you,” he advised in a grave tone. “I’ll fill out a paper to say you’re legally wed. You’ll both have to sign it, and your witness there, Mr. Thorne.”

Everyone remained silent as the chaplain wrote out a makeshift license, but Joe’s mind raced with thoughts. He wished his parents, sister and her family, Tanner, Stede, Sun Cloud, and Singing Wind could be present. He wished the ceremony hadn’t needed to be performed so quickly and with such a lack of romance. He wished he had a ring to slip on his love’s finger. He vowed again to himself to protect, love, and make this woman happy, as he had sworn to her parents a few days ago.

Morning Star’s mind roamed, too. She was bidding one life farewell and greeting a new one. She wished some things
could be different, but she had no regrets. She loved Joe and wanted to spend her life with him. It was as it should be.

The religious man turned the page toward Joe for his signature first, then to Morning Star, and finally to Clay Thorne. When all three had marked their names on the paper, the chaplain signed and dated it. He recorded the ceremony in his Bible, then passed the binding page to Joe.

It was obvious the couple loved each other. He smiled and said, “Good luck, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence. God go with you and protect you.”

“Thank you, sir.” Joe shook the man’s hand. He clutched the license in one of his hands and held his wife’s hand with the other. “Let’s go, Mrs. Lawrence.”

Morning Star smiled, and her fingers tightened around his. She thanked the chaplain and left with her husband and Clay.

At the ship, they bade farewell to Clay Thorne. Both knew they would miss their half-Cheyenne friend. Clay shook hands with Joe and embraced Morning Star, knowing, too, how much he would miss them. She and Joe sent messages to her family and friends.

The horse Joe had borrowed from the scout had been left with an officer at Tabor, who promised to return it to its owner at Laramie.

Joe asked Clay to take his roan and her Appaloosa back to Sun Cloud as gifts to Morning Star’s father, a small exchange for the treasure at his side. They waved good-bye and boarded the vessel. They watched Clay mount, gather the reins of their horses, the ones to the pack animal, then ride toward the Red Heart winter camp to claim Buckskin Girl as his wife.

A crew member showed the newly wed couple to their cabin, then left them alone. Their saddles and gear were stored beside the bed, as were their other possessions, including the new clothes Joe had purchased for her from the sutler at Tabor.

The cabin was small, so there was little room for settling
in comfortably. But the voyage wouldn’t take long. Their eyes met as a whistle blasted the time for departure had arrived. When the ship moved into the swift current of the Missouri River their new life would be underway.

Joe left his bride to rest and adjust to the new experience before her while he went on deck to calm himself and to view the beginning of their voyage.

After many questions to passing crewmen and the revelation that he was an ex-sea captain, Joe was invited to join the
Lucy Mae’s
captain in the pilot house. He learned that the first steamship, the
Yellowstone,
had been brought up the river to this area in the early thirties by Pierre Chouteau.

The captain of the
Lucy Mae
chatted about how buying and trading had increased over the years until steamboats worked this area frequently when the climate allowed. He told Joe that most captains quickly learned how difficult the “Big Muddy” was to navigate with her shifting, changing, and twisting channels and with her perils of snags, logs, sandbars, and mercurial currents. Even in the best boat and with the most skilled captain, it was a hazardous journey.

Joe smiled, observed, and complimented the genial captain on his skills, courage, and wits.