Savage Summer (20 page)

It had never been in Skyler’s nature to allow anything to get her down for very long. She had been trained, as any young Blackfoot maiden, to hide her unhappiness from others. As the days of summer passed in rapid succession, she found it increasingly difficult to keep her heartbreak hidden from her aunt and uncle.

When Skyler was alone, she would often remember Morgan saying the only good Indian was a dead Indian. A part of her wanted to lash out at him for his cruel words, and another part of her wished she could make him understand
about her father’s people. How could he not love the Blackfoot children if he got to know them? How could he keep from respecting her father if he spent time in his company? She hadn’t seen Morgan in weeks, and she found herself wishing for the sight of his face. Priscilla had told Skyler that she never saw Morgan at any of the parties she attended. His mother and sister hadn’t even come to call since that first visit. Alexandria had been told by Jenny Prescott that Morgan had asked his mother not to pester Skyler. He must have finally realized that their love was hopeless.

Morgan came down the wide, winding staircase and moved into the dining room. In spite of the fact it was early, he knew his mother would already have eaten breakfast and would be working in her garden.

As he took his seat at the head of the table, Letty, the cook, placed his breakfast before him. “It sure is good to have you home for a spell, Morgan. This house just hasn’t been the same without a man in it.”

Morgan unfolded the crisp white napkin and placed it in his lap. His father had been dead for ten years, leaving Morgan head of the family at the age of eighteen. Like his father before him, he had always wanted to be a doctor. The Prescott family owned several banks in Pennsylvania, but Morgan’s uncle handled the business, leaving Morgan free to pursue a medical career. When the war had come along, he joined the Cavalry. Now he wasn’t sure where his life would take him.

“I see you have my favorite strawberry jam, Letty. You will spoil me, and then I will be dissatisfied with army cooking.”

“You could always give up your commission and stay home,” his sister said, coming up to him and planting a kiss on his cheek.

“Good morning, Funny Face.” Morgan winked at Jenny. “I am surprised to find you up so early. I thought you had decided it was fashionable to sleep late, since you got back from Europe and saw how the Parisians set the fashion.”

She tugged at a lock of his golden hair and made a face at him. “I don’t like to sleep late. I tried it, but I just lay there in bed, watching the sun come up.”

“I would imagine you were afraid you would miss something,” Morgan said, smiling. “What do you do for excitement when you aren’t bothering me?”

Jenny took the silver coffee server from Letty and poured her brother a cup of coffee. “There isn’t anything exciting happening in Philadelphia, and you have become positively dull. I could sleep for a week without missing anything interesting from you or Philadelphia.”

Morgan raised his coffee cup to his lips and studied Jenny over the rim. She was barely sixteen, but there was a promise of future loveliness. She was just past the awkward stage and was beginning to blossom. “What are your plans for today?” he wanted to know.

She smiled at him impishly. “Mama says we are going to a tea. Would you like to come along?”

“Spare me,” he said, laughing at the funny face she made at him.

Her eyes looked into his. “Why don’t you come? Skyler Dancing might be there. Wouldn’t you like to see her?”

He ran his finger around the rim of his coffee cup. “Don’t play with me, Jenny. I have no intention of satisfying your curiosity where Miss Dancing is concerned. Don’t pry into things that don’t concern you.” Standing up, he tossed his napkin on the table and stalked out of the room.

Jenny stared after her brother. What was the matter with him lately? He didn’t usually speak to her in such harsh tones. Lately he’d been biting everyone’s head off. She realized he was upset because of Skyler Dancing and he was handling it the only way he could. She wished with all her heart that Morgan and Skyler would overcome their differences. Her mother was positive Morgan and Miss Dancing would eventually settle what was wrong between them, but Jenny wasn’t so sure. Skyler had seemed very adamant that they would never be able to work out their problems, whatever they were.

The days of summer were quickly passing, and Skyler knew the time would soon come when she must think about going home. She was lonesome for her mother and father, but she also dreaded the time when she must leave. Once she left Philadelphia, she would never see Morgan again, because she would never return.

Skyler was riding in the cool of the afternoon. She was accustomed to riding across rivers and valleys with a freedom she didn’t have here. She was beginning to feel confined behind the iron gates of the James estate. She was also not accustomed to riding sidesaddle, and wished she could rip the constrictions of civilization from her and fling them aside. She longed to feel free again.

As Skyler topped a small grassy hill, she saw a rider coming down the tree-lined road. Her heart soared as she saw the man was riding an Indian pony and was dressed in buckskin. She recognized the dear old trapper, Farley!

Urging her mount down the hill, she rode toward him, waving and calling his name. When she drew even with Farley, she bounded out of the saddle just as he did, and he lifted her off the ground to give her a tight hug.

“Farley, I am so happy to see you. Have you come to take me home?”

He didn’t answer right away, and she glanced up to see the troubled expression on his face. “Has something happened to Mother or Father?” she asked hurriedly, feeling fear in the depth of her heart.

“I left your ma and pa in good health, but I have grave news. Come on up to the house, so I’ll only have to tell it once.”

Skyler nodded, and he picked her up and placed her on her horse. As they rode back to the house, she watched his face. “How is my grandmother?”

By now they had reached the front yard, and Farley stopped his horse and met her inquiring glance. “I ain’t happy about being the one to tell you, but your grandmother walks in the spirit world.”

A sob escaped Skyler’s lips, and she reached out her hand to the old trapper. “I should have been with her at the end,” she cried. “I cannot believe my sweet, gentle grandmother is gone. I will never forgive myself for not being beside her.”

Farley dismounted and lifted Skyler from her horse. He held her closely as she cried out her misery. She was so deep in misery, she wasn’t even aware when the groom led the horses away.

“You gotta get hold of yourself, Sky Dancer. Sun Woman wouldn’t want you to cry for her.”

“I cannot help myself, Farley. I loved her so much. It will never be the same without her.”

“You best be strong, ’cause I got more bad news. Your aunt and uncle are going to need you to be strong for them.”

“Farley,
no!
Has something happened to Danielle?”

“Is Tag and Alex at home?”

“Yes, they are in the morning room.”

“Come on in the house, and I’ll tell you all at the same time,” he said, leading her up the steps.

Tag knew the moment he saw Farley that something was amiss. Alexandria placed her sewing aside and clasped her husband’s hand. They could both see that Skyler had been crying, and they waited for the old man to speak.

Farley ambled over and sat down in a chair. He was thoughtful for a moment before he spoke. He decided it would be best to blurt it out and get it over with. “Windhawk sent me to fetch you. Danielle is missing.”

“What do you mean Danielle is missing?’ Tag’s voice boomed out and he rose to his feet quickly. The color drained out of his face, and his eyes were probing Farley’s, trying to read the truth.

“She was sitting with Sun Woman while the women were berry picking. When they got back to the village, it was as if she just disappeared.”

Tag started pacing the floor, and Skyler went to Alexandria and gathered her into her arms to comfort her. She
knew her aunt loved Danielle as she would her own daughter, and Skyler feared the news of her cousin’s disappearance might cause Alexandria to lose the baby.

“How in the hell can someone just disappear?” Tag demanded. “What has been done to find my daughter? Has there been an extensive search?”

“You know Windhawk has left no stone unturned. As we talk, warriors are out looking for Danielle.”

“I have to go to the village immediately,” Tag said, looking like a wild man. “I should never have made her spend the summer with her mother’s people. I forced her to go when she didn’t want to. It’s all my fault.”

“I don’t rightly seed that it’s anyone’s fault. No one could have knowed this was gonna happen.”

“I will leave first thing in the morning. You and Skyler must stay with Alexandria, Farley. I don’t want her left alone right now.”

“I’ll stay, but Joanna wants Sky Dancer home. You will have to take her with you.”

Tag turned to Alexandria, who was crying softly. Taking her in his arms, he gathered her close to his heart. “It will be all right. I’ll find her, I promise you—I will find our daughter.”

“Go quickly, Tag. I don’t want you to lose any time getting to the Blackfoot village,” Alexandria cried, laying her head against his shoulder.

“Come, I want you to go bed right away. The doctor said you weren’t to get upset.”

“I am fine. I don’t want to lie down.”

He helped her to her feet. “Nonetheless, Alexandria, you will do as I say,” he said firmly. “I shall sit beside you while you rest.”

Skyler watched them leave the room, sharing their fear for Danielle. When they were out of sight, she leaned her head back against the settee and allowed the tears to flow freely. “This is a dark day, Farley. I hope we all have the strength to get through it.”

For the first time in his life, the old trapper had no ready remark. He just nodded his head in agreement. He had been with this family through happiness and sadness. He supposed he must be getting old, because this trouble had taken a lot out of him. “A black day indeed, Sky Dancer. This has just ’bout done your ma in, and your pa ain’t had much rest either. I think he blames himself for what happened.”

“I had better go and pack my belongings. I know Uncle Tag will want to leave first thing in the morning,” Skyler said. She stopped in front of Farley and bent to kiss his cheek. “I am glad to see you, even if you are the bearer of ill tidings. I wish you were going home with us.”

The old man watched her move out of the room, thinking she had changed, and it had nothing to do with the news he had dropped in her lap. It wasn’t even the way she was dressed, all fancy like. He wondered what had happened to turn a happy carefree girl into a sad-eyed woman.

Skyler packed very little. Most of the gowns, bonnets, and shoes she was leaving behind. She would have no use for them in the Blackfoot village. She had been able to pack her meager belongings in one leather satchel. At the bottom of the satchel, she placed her doeskin gown, knowing she would change into it once they left civilization behind. When she was finished packing, she placed the satchel at the foot of the stairs to be loaded onto the carriage in the morning.

The house was unusually quiet and everyone had retired to their rooms. Skyler had already dressed for bed but felt a restlessness within her as if the walls of the house were closing in on her. Feeling the need to be under the stars, she slipped on her robe and went downstairs quietly and out into the garden, hoping she wouldn’t wake anyone.

Tomorrow she would be leaving the white world behind, and Skyler knew she would also be leaving a large part of herself. Her heart was heavy for many reasons. She was worried
about Danielle, she felt grief for her grandmother’s passing, and she knew she would never see Morgan again.

When Skyler reached the summerhouse, she stood with her face pressed against a white supporting post and allowed her mind to wander. What would Morgan do when he learned she had gone? Would he put her out of his mind and find someone who would willingly give him the love he deserved? He was a fine man, and he would make some fortunate woman a good husband, she thought painfully. He was kind, sensitive, and so loving. The only fault she could find with him was his attitude toward her people. For some white women that would be nothing at all, but for Skyler it was everything.

She wished with all her heart that she could see him just once more. She wanted to tell him that she loved him…that she would always love him.

All of a sudden Skyler felt as if she were reliving her dream. Her heart was thundering within her body. Now she knew what the dreams had meant. The dreams had been a warning that she would have to give up the man she loved. Hearing footsteps behind her, she knew it was Morgan. Tonight she would see him for the last time. She had lived this scene before and knew what his first words to her would be…

“Do you wish upon a star, Skyler?” he asked.

Turning, she found Morgan standing just behind her. It seemed the most natural thing in the world that he had come to her on her last night in Philadelphia. “No, I was thinking about you,” she freely admitted. “What are you doing here, Morgan?”

“I come here almost every night on the off chance that I might see you,” he said, moving closer to her. “Tonight I was lucky.”

“I am glad you have come. I didn’t want to leave without telling you good-bye.”

He gazed up at the night sky, while she watched him, trying to fill her heart and mind with his nearness.

“When are you leaving, Skyler?” he asked at last.

“In the morning.”

“So soon. If I hadn’t come tonight, you wouldn’t have said good-bye to me, would you?”

“No.”

“Tell me what madness is this to cut me from your life? I know you have deep feelings for me. Tell me about this thing that stands between us.”

She closed her eyes. What she really wanted to do was be in his arms and pour out her heart to him, but her secret must never be told. It would only make him turn from her in contempt. If she just went away, without revealing her secret, perhaps he would remember her sometimes with love. Now she understood her dreams. They had been a warning to her. She could never reach out and take the love he offered.