Westward Dreams (6 page)

There were two colorful woven mats lying on the ground.  Owl motioned for her to sit on one.  When she was seated, he sat Indian style on the other one.

“Something smells delicious,” Hannah said.  “What is it?”

“Roast beef, potatoes, and corn,” Owl said.

Hannah looked at the picnic basket.  It wasn’t big enough to hold all of that food.  “Where is it?”

Owl smiled at her inquisitiveness.  “You’ll see.”

He pulled the picnic basket over and handed her a plate and silverware.  Hannah watched him pick up a long forked stick and start fishing around in the hot embers.  Sparks flew up into the night sky as he moved them aside until he found what he was after.  Her mouth dropped open as a large roasting pan appeared.  He wasn’t done, however.  Owl poked around in the embers again until another, smaller pan was lifted from the fire.  He sat this one by the first and removed the lids with the stick. 

Owl peered into the pans and was happy with the way everything looked.  He smiled and said, “Be right back.”  He rose and ran off into the darkness. 

Hannah looked around.  She was anxious about being alone in the wilderness, but distracted herself by trying to imagine what the place must be like when the tribe was in residence.  Owl was back momentarily.  He held up a bottle of wine that dripped water from it.

“Was in stream to stay cold,” he said as he sat back down.  From the picnic basket he pulled two cups.  He had opted for the cups because he was afraid of breaking any of Tessa’s good wine glasses.

He pulled the cork and poured them each a cup.  Then he held out his hand for her plate.  Hannah gave it to him and watched him fill it.  Before he gave it to her, he picked up the empty picnic basket.  Owl closed it and put it in front of her and set the plate on top of it.  It made an effective table for her.

Owl didn’t get his food right away.  He put more wood on the fire and stirred the embers a little so that the new wood would start to burn.  Hannah couldn’t stop watching him.  She’d never seen anything like it.  Never had a man done anything as thoughtful and unique for a date with her as Owl had. 

Once he had put his food on his plate, Owl looked at her and found her watching him. 

“What?” he asked.

She cocked her head to the side and said, “Are all Lakota men as romantic as you?”

His smile made her stomach flutter.  “I don’t think so.  So you like this?”

“Very much,” Hannah said.

“Good.  Eat before gets cold,” he urged her.

Hannah began cutting up her food.  The meat was so tender that she barely had to chew it.  She wasn’t sure what it was seasoned with, but it tasted divine.  She closed her eyes and savored it.

It was Owl’s turn to be mesmerized.  The firelight flickered over her face and he thought she looked very beautiful.  When she opened her eyes, he smiled and said, “Good, huh?”

“Delicious.  I’ve never had such good roast beef,” Hannah said.  Suddenly she was ravenous and dug into the rest of it with gusto.

Owl was amused as he watched her cut more meat and put it into her mouth.  She was so entertaining that he almost forgot to eat.  As he did, he had to admit that it had all turned out very well.  Jack had said that white women liked it when men cooked because it was such a rare thing and his nephew had been right.  Owl was glad that he had cooked for Hannah.

“Owl, this is wonderful.  Do you always cook food in the ground?” she asked.

“Not always, but a lot,” he answered.  “Cook many different ways.”

“I’d like to see that,” Hannah said.  She was feeling very adventurous and knew that it was because of the man sitting by the fire with her.

“Ok.  When family gets back, you will,” Owl said.

“Will they mind me coming here?” she asked.  Thinking about meeting his family made her a little nervous.

“You mean because you are white?” Owl asked.

Hannah nodded. 

“No.  They not mind.  Marcus’ wife is white.  Not a problem,” Owl said.

It made her feel better to know that she would be accepted.  It also pleased her to know that Owl intended to see her again.  She took a couple sips of the red wine and enjoyed the fruity flavor.  Hannah looked up at the night sky.  The stars winked down at them and she smiled.  They were so clear and the night air was crisp and fragrant with the scent of pine.

Owl said, “If you come here a lot, you need know Lakota.  Not all speak English.”

“Oh, boy.  Ok.  I’ll try to learn,” she said.  “It’s only fair.  You learned my language.  I should learn yours.”

Her answer pleased him and he nodded.  “We will make fun.  A game.”

“That sounds good.  I’m stuffed.  It was delicious.  Thank you,” Hannah said.

“You are welcome,” Owl said. 

He cleared their plates away and moved his mat over beside hers.  He lay down on his back and indicated she do the same.  Hannah lay down and looked up at the stars again.  “They’re beautiful.”

Owl made a noise of assent.  “I like sleep outside.  I know stars won’t fall on me.”

Hannah laughed.  “What?”

“I hate houses,” Owl said.

“Why?”

“I know it silly, but I am afraid they fall on me,” Owl said with a smile.  “People tease me about it.”

“Oh.  Are you claustrophobic?” Hannah asked.

“I do not know that word,” Owl said.

“It means afraid of small spaces,” she told him.

He thought about that for a moment.  It almost made sense except that he wasn’t afraid of tipis at all.  “No.  Just houses.”

“Oh, ok.”  She rolled over to face him.  “So, you’re very handsome, you cook, you’re kind, and can do all sorts of things I don’t know about.  How is it that you’re not married?”

Owl had been dreading this question.  He’d known the subject would come up.  He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment.  Hannah grew concerned as she watched him.

He said, “I was married.  We had son.  They died in Cherokee raid.  He was five.”

Hannah’s breath caught in her chest.  Her heart ached for Owl.  “Oh, Owl.  I’m so sorry.  You must have loved them very much.”

He nodded.  “Yes.  It was long time ago.  Ten years now.”

“I’m sure it still hurts,” Hannah said. 

“Not as bad, but yes, still hurts,” Owl said.  “I not talk about it much.”

“I can understand that,” Hannah said.

Owl was quiet for a little while and then said, “How come you not have husband?”

“Because I never found anyone special enough to marry,” she said.

Owl arched an eyebrow at her.  “Really?”

She laughed.  “Yes.  Really.  I don’t plan to marry until I know I’m marrying the right man.”  Her expression saddened.  “I thought Clive was that man.  His letters were wonderful and when I got here, he was very nice at first.”

She saw Owl’s jaw tighten at the mention of Clive.  “What happened?” he asked.

“He lied to me.  He told me there was a hospital here where I could work.  He told me his house was nice and he had a family business,” Hannah said.

“It was not true what he said,” Owl stated.

“No.  And then he became angry and said that I was here to marry him and take care of him.  His house is run down and his business is not doing very well.  So I left and walked into town.  I went to the sheriff’s station and Jack, the deputy, took good care of me.”

Owl smiled.  “My nephew is a good boy.”

“Jack is your nephew?” Hannah asked.

“Yes.  He is Marcus’ nephew by blood, but mine because is Lakota way with children,” Owl said.

“That’s really nice,” Hannah said.

“Yes.  You have no kids?”

“Nope.  Never married and no children,” she said.

“People have children and not married.  Ask Silver Ghost,” Owl said.

“Who?”

“Marcus.  That his Lakota name.”

Hannah laughed.  “Why?”

“He has silver eyes and moves silently even in boots.  Scary.  You never know he is there.”

“I can’t wait to meet him.  Doc speaks so highly of him,” she said.

“You will like him.  Everyone likes him,” Owl said.

“You said he had children without being married,” Hannah said.

“One.  Her name Aiyana.  Her mother killed in raid, also.  Oldest brother Black Fox take her to Silver Ghost to raise,” Owl said.  “She is beautiful and very smart.  Looks like him.”

“Oh.  I see.  Do you have any other children?” Hannah asked.

“No.  Do you want them?”

“Yes, I do.”

Owl nodded. 

Hannah reached out and touched his shirt.  “Your shirt is so soft.”

“It is tanned deer skin,” Owl said.

“It’s beautiful.”

Owl sat up and said, “Close your eyes.”

“Ok.”  Hannah smiled as she wondered what he was up to now.

In a moment, she felt him take her hand and place something in her palm.  “Open your eyes,” he said.

A small leather parcel sat in her hand.  “What is it?”

“Have to open to find out,” he teased her.

When she did, two small barrettes fell into her palm.  She turned them over and saw the pretty butterflies on them.  Looking at Owl she said, “You’re just full of surprises.  They’re lovely.  Thank you.  I’ll wear them tomorrow.”

It made Owl happy that she liked them.  “Good.  I come see you then.”

“You will?”

“Yes.  Is that ok?” Owl asked.

“Of course!” Hannah said.  “You can come see me as long as I’m not busy.  I’d love to see you.”

“Ok,” he said as his eyes met hers.  “You have very pretty eyes.”

Hannah said, “Thank you.  So do you.”  She couldn’t look away from him. It was as if he held her in some invisible grip.

The smile he gave her made her blood warm and her breath came a little more rapidly.  Owl leaned forward and captured her mouth with his.  She tasted of wine and he liked the way she responded to him right away.  He cupped the back of her head and then released her hair from the ribbon she’d used to tie it up with.  The silky texture of it felt good against his palm as his fingers dove into it.

Slowly he lay her back on the mat and lay next to her.  Hannah ran her hand over his arm and squeezed his biceps.  Images of his bare torso and touching his smooth skin rose in her mind and she felt as if she was melting.  Owl found her lips incredibly soft and sweet and he wanted more, but knew it wasn’t proper.  He slowly ended the kiss and smiled down at her.

“I think should take you home,” he said.

Hannah said, “I don’t want you to, but I think you’re right.”

Owl laughed and rose from the ground.  He helped her up and said, “Be right back.”

He disappeared and Hannah used the privacy to regain her composure.  When Owl returned he held a bucket with water in it.  “Stand back.”

Hannah moved away and Owl poured water on the embers.  He ran back to the stream for a second bucket.  He wasn’t taking any chances of a fire starting.  Once the fire was out, he helped Hannah mount up again and jumped on behind her. 

Owl rode Hank right up to the hotel and helped Hannah down from the horse. 

“Thank you for a wonderful night, Owl,” Hannah said.  “I’ve never had a nicer first date.”

Owl smiled.  “I am glad.  It was very special.”

              His kiss goodnight was soft and slow and Hannah would have been happy to stand there all night with him.  When it ended he said, “You go in so I know you are safe.”  His voice was husky with desire.

              Hannah knew how he felt.  “All right.  Goodnight, Owl.”

              “Goodnight,” he said.

              Once the door shut behind her, Owl turned and leaned against Hank for a moment.  It had been a long time since he’d experienced passion like that and it was a heady sensation.  After a few deep breaths, Owl mounted up and rode through town towards home.

              “He went on a date?” Tessa asked Jack the following morning after breakfast.  She was helping Jack clean up the cookhouse so he could get to his deputy job on time.

              “Yep.  Said it was a big success, too,” Jack said as he put a stack of dishes on a shelf.  “Of course, I helped him with the menu and the little extras like wine.  He’s not used to dating white women,” Jack said.

              Tessa snapped Jack hard on his backside with her towel.

              “Ow!  What the hell was that for?” Jack said as he grabbed his rear end.  He didn’t normally swear in front of his mother, but she’d surprised him.

              “For not telling me,” Tessa said.

              Jack laughed.  “He swore me to secrecy, Mama.  You know I never betray a confidence.”

              “Yes, I know.  It’s very annoying,” Tessa said.

              “You crack me up, you know that?  So is Grandpa or Grandma nosey like that?” he asked.

              Tessa smiled and said, “Papa.  It drives him mad when people have secrets.”

              “I guess that apple barely got off the branch, huh?” Jack said and jumped out of her reach.  His rear still stung from her last towel snap and he didn’t want another one.

              Tessa laughed and said, “Go to work.  Don’t keep the sheriff waiting.”

              “Ok.  ‘Bye, Mama,” he said.  He kissed her and ran out the door.

              Tessa sighed.  She worried about him from the moment he left for his job until he returned.  There were times when she looked at him that she still saw the adorable little boy he’d been when she first met him.  Tessa shook off her musing and finished straightening the cookhouse.

              She left the building and was promptly enveloped in a hug.  Tessa cried out in surprise and then laughed.  Owl was always sneaking up on her.

              “Gotcha!” he said with a wicked laugh.

              Tessa switched to Lakota and said, “One day I get you back.”

              Owl’s grin got wider.  “Not bad, sister.  You seem to have a knack for languages,” he said.  “I returned the things that I borrowed from you,” he said.

              “What things?”

              “Your basket, cups, plates, and utensils.  And your pans.  I washed them all, too.  Did Jack tell you about my date?” he asked as he began walking with her.

              Tessa didn’t catch everything he said, but she got the gist.  “Thank you.  Yes, he tell me,” she answered giving him an annoyed look.

              “Don’t be mad because I wouldn’t tell you.  It was just a joke,” Owl said.  “It went really well.”

              “I am glad.”  Tessa gave him a questioning look.  “What you do?”

              Owl smiled.  “I took her to our camp and we ate supper.  I’ve never cooked before.  I was relieved that the food turned out well.”

              He saw Tessa’s confused look and knew that he’d spoken too fast.  He repeated his answer in English. 

              “I’m very happy for you, Owl,” Tessa asked.  “Are you going to see her again?”

              “Yes.  I go after a while.  Let me know you need anything from town,” Owl said as he jogged off to the barn.

              Tessa shook her head and smiled as she imagined what his date had been like.  Apparently Hannah had liked it if they were going to see each other again.

              Owl’s little brother Marcus ran across the Rush College campus at full speed.  He wasn’t late but he was trying to stay in good shape.  There was so much sitting around in classes that he was fearful he would get soft.  He was used to much more physical exercise than he got there. 

              When he’d first started attending the school, he’d been self-conscious because he was older than most of the students.  He’d cut his long hair again and it only touched the collar of his shirt now.  Not everyone would be accepting of his Lakota heritage and when he kept his hair shorter, it wasn’t nearly as noticeable.  Marcus hated having to hide the Lakota side of him, but he didn’t want any trouble.  He needed to get these classes and clinicals over with so he could get back home to his family.

              As he ran, he wove between other students.  He took pride in knowing that he was in better shape than a lot of his younger classmates.  Marcus wasn’t oblivious to the admiring looks some of the women in the city gave him, but he always made it clear that he was taken.  He’d made some good friends while he’d been there.

              One such friend was Chase Burke.  He was a big guy who reminded Marcus of Luke.  Marcus heard his name called as he ran across the front lawn of the campus.  He looked over to the right and saw Chase waving at him from atop the main flight of stairs leading into the school.  Marcus changed directions and leaped up the stairs.

              “How the heck do you do that?” Chase said with wonder.

              “Practice,” Marcus answered with a grin.

              “Look at you.  You’re not even breathing hard,” Chase said.

              Marcus patted Chase’s slightly pudgy belly.  “If you got rid of this, you could do it, too.”

              “Ok, Dr. Samuels.  That’s enough of that,” Chase said with a laugh.  “Here’s your mail.  I just picked up mine and thought I’d get yours, too.”

              Chase and Marcus were roommates and were always doing favors for each other.  “Oh.  Thanks.”  Marcus flipped through the mail and laughed when he saw a letter from Claire.

              “Good news, I take it?” Chase said.

              “Letter from my wife,” Marcus answered and ripped it open.

Dear Dummy,

              Marcus smiled at her use of her funny term of endearment for him.

              We miss you so much!  I know there’s only five more weeks before we’ll be coming for your graduation ceremony, but it seems like a lifetime away.  Everyone here is fine.  The children keep asking for you.  They will be so happy to see you when we get back from Chicago.  I’m looking so forward to watching you walk across that stage.  We’re all so proud of you.

              There have been some interesting developments around here.  We now have a nurse in town.  Her name is Hannah Fairbanks and she’s very nice.  I took Aiyana to Doc’s because she had a cold that wasn’t getting better and I met her then.  She’s very highly trained.  She attended the Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing in New York and graduated with honors.  Doc is thrilled to have her and I’m sure you will be, too.  It will be good for you to have help when Doc retires.

             
“Wow!  Bellevue, huh?  How’d she wind up in Dawson?  Poor Aiyana.  I hope she’s better now,” Marcus muttered to himself.  It was hard hearing that his child was sick when he couldn’t be there to tend to her.

              Everyone here seems to like her, especially your brother.  Owl seems quite taken with her and they have been out on a date, which went very well according to him.  This next part will crack you up.  He cooked for her.  Yes, you read correctly.  He cooked.  Jack gave him advice on how to date white women and he took it to heart.  He made her a nice dinner, which they ate at the empty camp site under the stars.  Your brother apparently shares your romantic streak.

             
Marcus laughed out loud.  He couldn’t believe that Owl had taken up with a white woman.  He was both amused and concerned.  He didn’t want Owl to get hurt.  It had been a long time since Owl had shown any interest in a woman and him seeing a white woman might get complicated.  He felt the same for Jack and Sparrow.  Marcus knew her father and was afraid of how the man would react when his daughter’s relationship with Jack was disclosed.  Marcus had been immensely relieved when Dean had taken it so well.  He wanted the young couple to be happy and hoped that Sparrow’s family would be accepting of Jack.

              He misses you and our Lakota family so much and so do I.  I’ll be glad when they’re back.  Dean says that I’m supposed to tell you that Owl is a pain in his ass.  He talked Dean into letting Owl give Mikey one of his ponies when they get back.  As usual he’s always protecting the children, which creates tension.  He doesn’t back down and that makes Dean even angrier.

             
Marcus smiled.  He’d seen Owl torture Dean firsthand and knew from personal experience what an instigator he was.  People thought he was annoying, but he had nothing on Owl.

              Owl’s English continues to improve and Tessa is catching on to Lakota fairly well.  Dean has even learned a few words.  It sounds very strange to hear him say them.  The school children are getting anxious for summer and it won’t be long.  Most of them are doing well.  There are only two that I am going to hold back.  I just don’t feel that they have mastered the current curriculum well enough to go on.

              Marcus was so proud of his wife for the fantastic job she was doing in teaching the children of Dawson.  It made him feel good to see her so happy.  She’d been fearful that she was never going to be able to use her teaching degree.  His wife’s mind was too brilliant to be wasted and he knew that she was providing a quality education for the kids.

              I will be so happy when I can hold you and feel your arms around me, too.  I think about you all the time and wonder what you are doing.  I’ll close before I depress us both.  I love you!

Yours always,

Claire “Fawn”

              He smiled at the use of her Lakota name.  Black Fox had given it to her moments after meeting her.  Marcus put the letter back in the envelope and looked at his other mail.  There was a letter from Joe and Marcus knew it would contain another check.  True to his word, Joe had paid Marcus’ way and continued to send money for his room and board.  He opened it and read:

Hey, Doc,

              I figure you might as well get used to people calling you that.  Here’s the next installment.  Let me know if you need more than that.  I’ll be happy to send it to you.  Hope all is going well there.  We need to get you graduated and back here with us.  You’re very missed, my fine friend. 

              I don’t know if anyone else has told you, but we have a nurse here now and she is a very talented masseuse.  She’s been giving Owl massages for his shoulder and he makes some very funny noises.  She gave me one and I thought I was in heaven.  I set up a regular weekly appointment with her.  You’ll have to have her give you one.  You’ll be hooked.

              The poor woman got hoodwinked by Clive Laramie.  I guess you put an ad in the papers for him and he lied to her about everything.  When she got here, he was a real jackass to her.  She didn’t have anywhere to go, either.  But Jack got her put up in the hotel and Doc was happy to take her on, so she seems happy.  Your brother is sweet on her.  It’s pretty cute.

              Guilt washed over Marcus as he read of Clive’s deception.  Marcus didn’t know the man well and at the time he’d placed the ad, he had no reason to suspect Clive of any deceitfulness.  Anger joined the guilt and he decided that from then on he was going to make it clear to whomever he wrote an ad for that he wouldn’t tolerate that kind of behavior.

              Well, I won’t take up more of your time.  Study hard and get good grades!

Regards,

Joe

              Marcus looked at the check Joe sent and groaned.  Joe always sent too much money.  Marcus would make a trip to the bank to deposit the check.  It always made him nervous to have such a big check sitting around and preferred to get them in the bank as soon as possible.

             
Chase finished reading his mail, too and said, “See ya later, buddy.  I’m off to work on that chemistry paper.  Unless you wanna do it.”

              Marcus said, “Nice try, Chase.  Sorry.  I’ve got my own work to do.”

              “You’re no help whatsoever,” Chase said with a smile.  “See ya.”

              Marcus stowed the letters in his bag and continued on his way to class.  Since he had studied so many books that Doc had given him over the years, Marcus knew a lot of the material being covered and was sometimes bored in class unless they had a discussion.  He was almost always called on to answer.  It got around that he’d actually been practicing medicine for a long time.  He didn’t disclose any of his Lakota medicine knowledge even though he ached to do so sometimes. 

              Marcus entered the auditorium and was surprised when he saw that there was some kind of presentation set up.  He smiled and settled into a seat near the front.  It looked like he wouldn’t be so bored after all.