Love by Dawn (25 page)

What a mutton head!
Casey grumbled inwardly.

“Is white girl all right?” asked Laughing
Tree. “You mumbled something about Blake. He nincompoop. What is
strange word?”

“He’s a jerk! An ass! A fool! A real dope! Oh
and a few other words I cannot say.”

Laughing Tree tried to hide a smile, but she
didn’t pry further, although she did mutter, “Lovers,” as she
walked away.

Casey piled up a few furs and sat in the
corner to dwell on her self-pity. She was so irked she wanted to
clobber that idiot! What nerve! Well she’ll show him!

How?
Needled her smart side. Oh, Phooey! She’d think of
something.

She fell asleep with a pout on her lips and
Blake on her mind.

Blake flew into the night in a neck-breaking
run. He shouldn’t have taken Checkers out so soon, but he had to
get away. His head ached and his spine complained every time his
rump hit the saddle. He was as miserable now as he had been in the
days spent looking for Casey, when he fretted that he had lost her.
Once again he feared he had.

Checkers ran full speed for a while then
laboring, slowed his pace. He was being unfair to the animal and
brought him to a slow trot. “Sorry boy,” he patted the horse’s
neck. “I’ve been pretty hard on you lately.” The steed seemed to
have snorted in agreement, causing Blake to bark, “Women! Stay away
from them, fella, they only cause you pain and trouble.”

Checker’s ears perked up never having heard
his master so upset.

It was late by the time Blake returned. He
dismounted and walked his horse back to camp, needing to exercise
his stiff legs. The village was asleep with the exception of a few
guards. Promising him a good rest, he rubbed down Checkers. For the
second time that day, Blake headed for the pond.

The desert can get quite
chilly at night and the water was cold, but did little to cool his
temper. Lying on the bank to dry his skin in the balmy breeze, his
head told him to go back and talk to Casey, but his heart was
afraid to hear what she might tell him.
She wanted the Indian
. He slept
another night under the moon and stars and rose before the camp
stirred. Feeling foolish now for his actions, he decided to go back
and ask Casey for an explanation. He must be fair and give her the
chance. If she wanted the brave, he would stand aside.

Like hell you will!

He wouldn’t give her up easily and this time
the fight would be to the finish. His heart was sad for the way
things turned out. He loved Star Gazer like a brother and he was
right to warn Checkers that women were nothing but trouble. But
then trouble was his middle name.

Blake entered the dwelling but it was empty.
His heart sank and he turned on his heels and stormed from the
shelter, silently admitting how much he loved her. No explanations
were needed, if she wasn’t there, she was with her lover. His
foolish heart splintered into a millions of pieces. Life had
ended.

Calm down you fool.

Why did she turn his reasoning to mush? He
had been so sure she had felt the same for him. No one could fake
such emotions, her eyes shone when they had made love. He wouldn’t
believe she loved another until she told him to his face. Without
thinking, he barged into Star Gazer’s wickiup. This was something
an Indian would never do, enter into someone’s home uninvited.

The noisy entrance by someone roused Star
Gazer abruptly, not giving him a chance to fathom that his domain
had been disturbed rudely. His irate friend pulled him quickly to
his feet. “Where is she?” Blake demanded.

Still groggy, he let himself be pulled off
his mat but now, coming fully awake, he shook the angry man’s hands
off of him. “You not welcome in my lodging. You dishonor yourself
and insult me. Go! You are making a fool of yourself. Come back
when you can control your emotions and you know I am right.”

Blake ran his hands through his unkempt hair
and Star Gazer sensed his apprehension and confusion. His friend
was so in love and he hated to see them lose something special. He
had promised not to tell Casey’s secret, Indians never interfered
when asked not too, but Blake had saved his life. It was his turn
to repay the dept and he touched Blake’s shoulder.

“Your eyes saw only what your head wanted to
see. You must look with heart. We are good friends; Casey was
sharing a moment of sadness with me. Nothing more. Go to her, she
is in Laughing Tree’s dwelling.”

“Damn, I’ve caused her nothing but pain,”
Blake chided himself and Star Gazer would have agreed but he
remained quiet. His friend continued his self-loathing, “If it were
possible to kick myself in the ass, I would. God, I’ll never
forgive myself if I’ve lost her due to my own stupidity.”

“We all make mistakes. Her love is true; now
go eat, as Moon Glow would say, humble pie.” He slapped the foolish
man on the back unable to control his hearty laugh.

Casey awoke with swollen eyes. She must
apologize to Laughing Tree; she was sure she’d kept the old Indian
woman from her sleep. She opened her mouth to speak but Blake’s
voice bellowed from outside.

“Casey! I have to talk to you!”

Her heart stopped. She looked perplexed at
Laughing Tree. “What should I do?”

“You seek answers, I have none.”

“Casey!?” The impatient voice roared.

“Go away!” Her tone reached his level of
volume.

“Please… let me in. We need to talk.” Blake
toned down his voice a few octaves. “Honey, I’m not about to enter
the old woman’s lodging uninvited.”

“No!” she spat. Hers went up a degree.

“Aw, come on sweetheart. I know I acted
foolish and unfair but....Oh, for pity sake! Look, I can’t yell to
you through this buffalo hide door. People are gathering, staring
at me. I feel like a fish in a bowl!”

Casey looked at the woman and felt her face
heat. She was making as much of a spectacle of herself as was he.
“Go away and you won’t look so foolish,” she snapped in a small
voice.

“Laughing Tree…please grant me the permission
to enter… please,” Blake begged.

The flap opened shortly and Laughing Tree
came out. “I not stay, this not my fight.

Sorry,” she shook her head, sweeping her long
thin braids across her rounded shoulders. “That one is persistent,
but I cannot go against girl’s wishes.” Standing on her tiptoes,
she whispered into Blake’s ear. “You be as persistent, young
man.”

She winked and hobbled slowly away.

Blake let out a long, heavy sigh. This
wasn’t going to be easy, but he loved her and he’d be damned if
he’d lose her now. Humility was not an emotion that suited him, but
with hat in hand he tried again. “Casey, I’m sorry I acted crazy.”
He fidgeted, looking sideways at his audience. As much as he wanted
to kiss and make up, she put him in an embarrassing predicament and
he was trying especially hard to keep his temper in check. Right
now he so wanted to strangle her pretty neck.

“You acted like a jackass and a nincompoop,”
came the blunt reply making him wince.

“Well… err,” he cleared his throat wishing
that she wouldn’t catalog his faults aloud. “Yes, I guess you’re
right.” Completely uncomfortable at seeing many smiling faces, his
patience was dwindling but damn, he would humble himself just so
far. “Can I come in now?” he intoned meekly.

“No!”

“Damn!” He threw his hat on the ground, a few
chuckles rose from the crowd. This was ridiculous. “Casey, I’m
coming in whether you like it or not. You hear me, woman!? I love
you and I’ll not stand out here any longer with my tail between my
legs. And… furthermore… His words were cut short when a teary-eyed,
red faced, grinning girl tackled him. He was so taken back by her
sudden appearance, he almost toppled over taking her with him. Arms
whipped around his neck so tightly, he forgot to breath. She then
proceeded to place soggy kisses all over his stunned face.

“Say that again, you mule-headed, polecat!”
she cried with another hiccup.

Still unsure what had just happened, he stood
mute for a moment. He didn’t want to ruin this wonderful moment of
forgiveness and kissed her behind her ear whispering, “Say
what?”

Casey arched her brows and pouted. “Why must
you be so dense?” She pounded lightly on his chest, but a small
smile of enchantment touched her lips because she had to know how
much he loved and wanted her.

“Whoa! Take it easy, sweetheart.” He grabbed
her wrists and grinned. She was so small, yet so full of spirit and
his heart brimmed with love for her. He was tired of words and his
jealousy had almost destroyed their happiness. Picking her up
swiftly, he kissed her soundly on her moist mouth. Whoops and
cheers were heard all around as he carried her to their
wickiup.

She held tightly onto him, burying her face
into his chest. “Oh, Blake I am so embarrassed that my face feels
on fire from all the attention. But I am so happy and I love you
too.”

Now, he would show Casey how much he loved
her and he wasn’t playing on using any words!

THIRTY

It was a dreary day all around. Casey kissed
Hunter and Summer Wind good-bye, wishing them both a happy and safe
future. She hugged her friends, Moon Glow and Blue Thunder,
thanking them for their hospitality and refuge when she and her
brother needed it. And she signed, “I love you,” to Laughing Tree,
feeling as if the woman was like an aunt to her. Both sadness and
excitement filled her soul leaving behind friends and loved ones.
She was heading for a new life with Blake.

At first, she was reluctant to leave so
soon, but Blake convinced her that traveling such a long distance
would be uncomfortable as her pregnancy progressed. Also, he wanted
to get home before it was too late. His mother was sick and he
regretted missing his father’s funeral; he wanted to be by his
mother’s side as soon as possible. She was a bit miffed that he
never mentioned marrying her, but she let it slide for now, his
mother’s health was the only thing he had on his mind and it was
sort of understandable. Sort of.

They spent three days on the trail. Blue
Thunder had sent two braves with them for protection but on the
forth day; they rode alone to the fort. Once inside, she received
many stares from both men and women, which she suspected was
because she had light hair and her skin had darkened considerably
in the sun. Her complexion was not peaches n’ cream and although,
Blake also was fair headed and dark skinned, no one seemed to give
him a second thought.

The Captain welcomed them and offered Blake
a cot in the barracks with the enlisted men, while she slept with
the Captain’s young daughter, Raini, who didn’t give her a moments
peace. She was full of questions and she pacified the teenager by
telling Raini about the White Mountain Apache’s and how people had
the wrong idea about the Indians. How kind they were to her and
some of their beliefs. She opted to keep her abduction to herself,
for Hawk Nose was an exception. Finally, the girl fell asleep and
Casey hoped she had planted a seed in Raini’s developing mind. The
Apaches need all the help they can get and maybe if the next
generation knew the truth, more lives would be spared. Maybe
someday the white man and red man could live together in peace.

Casey was glad she had saved her split riding
skirt and shirt. But the next morning she found that the waist band
was getting a mite uncomfortable so she purchased a simple cotton
dress at the trading post. It was another two days before a coach
arrived to take them to Phoenix which delighted Reini. They had
bonded and Casey promised to write to the girl and maybe in the
future, Reini would be able to meet Blue Thunder and the Apache
clan. The girl’s face beamed with delight and she knew she had
converted one soul.

It was three days on the stage and a day’s
lay over before they were on the road again, but not before the
driver gave his passengers a few hints. The two young men they were
traveling with said their goodbyes and a new passenger joined her
and Blake. Now the driver, who introduced himself as Gabby, might
have been speaking to everyone, but his gaze was on her.

The driver grinned at her and this didn’t go
undetected by Blake, but he believed the old coot was harmless.
This was something he had to get used too; she was a beauty, which
her sour disposition didn’t hinder.

“Now, when I ask ya folks to git off, do it
without grumbling.” Gabby chewed his words along with a wad of
tobacco. “I don’t request it unless necessary, but if the team runs
away, sit still and take yer chances. Don’t ya jump, ‘cause nine
times out of ten ya be hurt. Don’t’cha growl at food stations ‘bout
the food, don’t’cha keep the stage waiting and no swearing or
napping on your neighbor when---”

“Sir,” piped up a middle-aged, heavyset lady.
“I’d like to be alive by the time I reached my destination.” She
harrumphed making Blake chuckle. She gave him a look and he cleared
his throat. “Now, I’ve traveled stage coaches many times, I can
relay the important aspects of traveling in these uncomfortable
four foot boxes to these nice folks, mind you.” Another harrumph
and this time he turned to hide his mirth but Casey nudged him,
giving him one of her own-mind-you-own-business-glares.

Were all women so
grumpy?
he wondered and would her mood
swings cure him of more

children?
Be patient, you’d be in no better spirits if you
lost most of your food every morning
. His
inner voice was right and this bouncing wasn’t helping the
situation either.

The driver didn’t hide his annoyance at the
heavy woman and spat on the ground, but he nodded in compliance and
helped the ladies to climb up. A mail sack was put into the boot
along with luggage and as soon as everyone was seated, he shut the
door. The annoyed lady sat beside Casey was the first to introduce
herself.