Oklahoma's Gold (35 page)

They all just stood there, not saying a word. Then they turned back to stare at Jess as if she was some Madame Zorda incarnate. At least that's how she felt. Oh well, might as well run with it. "Oh, by the way. You might want to tell that detective Higgins to run some DNA tests on those bones over there. I have a very strong feeling they belong to Two Turtles' brother, Thomas." Now they
were
looking at her like she was crazy. She shrugged. It wasn't as if that notion had crossed her mind once or twice today. Yep. Crazy might be putting it mildly.

"Just how could you guess?" Daniel started to ask.

"Trust me. I know." She shook her head. "It's a long story and I'm too tired. Could we just save it for later? We've got lots of time, right?"

"You bet we do. You and I have forever," he replied, smiling warmly at her.

She knew he meant more, only this time she wouldn't fight it. Instead she reached up to embrace his shoulders. "Amen to that," she whispered and then kissed him long and hard, in front of everyone. She didn't care. She was ready. Ready to let the whole world know.

"I love you, Daniel Ross."

"Oh, and I love you, Jess Clinton." He returned the embrace.

"Okay, you two love birds. Let's get on home before it's too dark to find our way out," Emma scolded, trying to hide a slight smile on her face. She was anxious to see Fred. He was coming home today and she wanted to fix him a special dinner. Yep, she reflected, all was right with the world now. Finally, all would be back to normal. "About time, too," she grumbled.

"What was that, Miss Emma?" Jess asked.

"Nothin', child. Let's just get out of here. This place is givin' me the willies."

"Me too, Miss Emma. Me too." Jess looked around one more time. She was glad they were leaving. They needed to have the ghosts laid to rest. Thomas had done his job. He had let them know. Just like he said he would. And now it was finally over. It made Jess sad though to realize this horrible secret must have been what drove Martha away. What she'd had to live with. Torn between her love for both a father and a husband. More than likely she had hoped Emmit would figure it out. Those numbers in her diary were the clues. Sadly, Emmit never saw the diary. But it was over and the story now told. She shuddered to think of that dream.

As they left the cave and came out into the open, Jess heard the faint, lonely cry of the coyote. Strangely enough, she wasn't frightened. Not this time. Never again.

The End

Epilogue:  The Prayer

The yellow moon and stars lightened the sky with color. Alikchi gazed at the wonder of their beauty. It was all a part of the plan. The spirits created light to lead the way at night. He was happy. The heavens had opened up and answered his prayer. The spirits were healed now. A wrong had been made right. And now he must thank those who had answered him.

The coyote stood close by. He watched as the alikchi danced. A dance of hope. He wanted to join in, so he howled to the heavens. But this time it was a cry of happiness. Not lonely. Not sad. Just joy.

From below, far in the distance, Two Turtles stood by the Washita River. She closed her eyes tightly. The image was clear, the spirit of her brother, strong. He was dancing with a coyote. It was a beautiful dance. The beauty made her cry. Man and beast. A perfect harmony. Danced till they became one. And the heavens sang. All was right with the world, now.