Westward Moon (13 page)

              “No, Marcus.  What if they’re not really gone and they all get jumped?  Jack’s better to stay in camp right now until they make sure that everything really is ok,” Dean protested.

              “Jack wants to be with his family over the holidays.  They don’t celebrate Christmas there and he’ll be missing out on it for the first time in his life,” Marcus said.

              Dean hated feeling torn between two of his children.  He knew that Mike was on the cusp of manhood, but there was still a lot of boy in Mike despite his high intelligence.  He didn’t want him put in danger needlessly.  On the other hand, they all wanted Jack home for Christmas. 

“Ok, fine, but I’m goin’ with him,” Dean said.

Mike wasn’t happy at first about Dean going along, but then thought maybe it would be fun to show his pa one of his favorite places.  Dean watched Mike start walking nimbly on the ice and wondered how he was going to do it.  It had been years since he’d played around on ice.

Mike turned back to Dean.  “C’mon, Pa.  You can do it.  If you fall and break anything, we already have crutches,” he said with a laugh.

              “Smart ass,” Dean said and stepped out onto the ice.

              “Don’t try to walk, Pa.  You have to slide your feet.  If you walk like normal, you’ll fall for sure.  Like this, see?”  Mike demonstrated.

              The hours he had spent doing the same type of thing came back to Dean along with the technique Mike used.  “Yeah, I got it.  Get goin’,” Dean said with a smile.

              Mike had one of the most fun times with his father that he could ever remember.  They slid and raced each other down the stream.  Dean’s playful side surprised Mike because he didn’t see it much.  He and Dean had started a good slide and when Mike had started pulling ahead of Dean, Dean pushed Mike off the ice into a deep snow drift.

              “Cheater!” Mike had yelled after his father who just laughed and kept going.

              Mike caught up with him easily and they arrived at the camp soon after that.  Both of them were out of breath and laughing as they walked through the tipis.  Dean took the crutches from Mike and started swinging along on them.  Mike laughed at him and watched Dean greet the Lakota he knew.

              Jack was sleeping when they entered their tipi.  Dean smiled at Sparrow who was very surprised to see him.  Dean nudged Jack’s good leg with one of the crutches.  “Jack, time to get up for school.”

              Jack groaned put a hand over his eyes.

              Dean did it again.  “Jack, you’re gonna be late for school and there’s gonna be hell to pay with your Mama if that happens.”

              “Pa, just let me alone a little while longer,” Jack mumbled.  Then it registered in Jack’s mind that he no longer went to school.  Everything came back to him and he sat up suddenly.  “Pa?  What are you doing here?”

              Sparrow laughed at his grumpy question.  “That’s not a nice thing to say to your father, Jack.”

              “How did you get here?” Jack asked.

              “Mike and I came down the stream,” Dean said and held up the crutches.  “These are for you.  You’re gonna have to adjust them a little.  I think you’ll need to shorten them about an inch or so.”

              Jack looked at Dean.  “You slid down the frozen stream?”

              “I did and I did it quite well.  I didn’t fall once, did I Mike?” Dean said. 

              “Nope, but he cheated at sliding,” Mike said.

              Dean said, “You’re brother exaggerates.  I accidently bumped him and he might have sort of landed in a snow drift.”

              “Not sort of; did.”

              Once again Jack thought that their father became a totally different person once he was off the ranch.  Watching Dean and Mike together gave Jack a better perspective of what his father and Uncle Seth must have been like growing up together.

              “All right, Dr. Samuels,” Dean said.  “Let’s get a few horses ready and then get your brother home.  Sparrow, you wanna come with us?”

              “Sure,” Sparrow said.  “I’ll be right back.”

              Jack leaned back against the blankets and waited for them to return.

              “How’s he doing?” Dean asked Sparrow.

              “He’s worried,” Sparrow said.  “He and Black Fox are worried that this isn’t over yet.  So am I.”

              Dean nodded.  “I think we’re all thinking the same thing.  That’s the reason I want to get you two home with us.  I don’t like the idea of us being separated like this.”

              Sparrow nodded and helped them catch some horses.  She, too, felt an urgency to get Jack home. 

              Sparrow rode double with Jack to help hold him on the horse since he couldn’t grip a horse correctly with his bad leg.  Jack felt the pain of riding was offset by the fact that he got to hold onto Sparrow the whole way home.  They took the trail that was the most level.  It led to the main road and they could get to the ranch from there.  They’d borrowed a rifle from He Who Runs and they had Jack’s gun, too.  Dean kept the rifle across his lap as they rode and kept an eye out for anything suspicious.  They stayed silent because they didn’t want to draw attention to themselves.  Mike had made sure to bring medical supplies with them so he take care of Jack’s wound.

              They safely gained the ranch and Seth rushed out to help get Jack off the horse. 

              “Good to see you, Jack,” he said as he helped support his nephew until Jack steadied himself on the crutches.

              “You, too,” Jack said.

              Tessa waited until they were in the door and had Jack seated before hugging him.  “We have been so worried about you and Sparrow.”

              “It’s been rough, but we’re here, Mama,” Jack said.

              Then Tessa embraced Sparrow and said, “I’m so glad you’re safe.”  She was surprised when Sparrow began crying.  “What’s wrong?”

              Sparrow couldn’t speak.  Her guilt came back and she couldn’t fight it at the moment.  Tessa and Maddie got her sat down on the sofa and put their arms around her.

              Jack said, “She feels like everything that’s happened is her fault.  Me getting’ hurt, us being in danger.  All of it.”  He watched his fiancée with concern.

              Maddie took Sparrow’s face in her hands and said, “Sparrow, we knew when the men were going to get you that there was a good chance this would happen, but we couldn’t let you stay there any longer.  We’re going to get through this together.  We wanted you here with us.  This is where you belong.  You belong with Jack and with all of us.”

              Tessa agreed with her sister.  “Listen to Maddie, Sparrow.  She’s right.  Don’t cry, sweetie.”

              Sparrow took comfort in their words and began to calm down again.  She hadn’t meant to cry, but there was something about being in Jack’s childhood home with his family that made it hard to contain her emotions.  Their kindness and acceptance touched her deeply and Sparrow was thankful that Jack’s family thought well of her.

              Jack shifted his leg a little and grimaced.  Sparrow saw and said, “You should put your leg up and take more medicine.”

              Jack made a face.  “I agree with the putting it up part, but I hate the laudanum.”

              Seth chuckled.  “I remember those days.  I don’t want to go through anything like that again.”

              Maddie said, “I don’t want to watch you go through anything like that again.  Of course, the best thing to ever happen to me came out of it.  I met you and fell in love.”

              Seth hugged her and said, “Same here, good-lookin’.  Now we have J.R. and another one on the way.  I hope it’s a girl who looks just like her mama.”

              Sasha had been watching the various couples and other family dynamics since she had come to Dawson and she was envious of their close ties.  She was lonely in Nebraska and was not looking forward to returning there.  Even during their potentially dangerous situation, they had all made her feel welcome.  She also enjoyed the children.

              They moved Jack onto the sofa in the parlor and watched with curiosity as Mike changed the dressing.  All of the movement from getting Jack to the ranch had caused the wounds to bleed and Mike wanted to put more of the poultice on it and rewrap it.  Tessa had to leave the room because the sight of Jack’s leg bothered her for a couple of reasons.

              She went over to the kitchen sink and took some deep breaths to steady herself.  Sasha had followed her.

              “Tessa, are you all right?” she asked.

              “No.  I just keep thinking how right Dean was to have Jack and Sparrow stay here instead of at his house.  If they had been staying down there, they would be dead now,” Tessa said.  The idea of her boy and sweet Sparrow being killed was a torturous one.

              Sasha put a hand on Tessa’s shoulder and said, “But they’re here and they’re safe.  Jack’s injuries will heal and they’re going to have a wonderful life together.”

              “Thank you, Sasha.  I have a confession,” Tessa said.

              “Oh?”

              Tessa nodded.  “When Dean brought you here, I was not happy about it.”

              Sasha’s eyebrows rose.  “Why?”

              Tessa gave her a sheepish look.  “Because you are a beautiful, single woman and I was jealous.”

              “Oh, Tessa,” Sasha said and laughed.  “I’m sorry, but that is so amusing.  I have never had designs on Dean or any married man.  I think he’s a very kind man, and yes, handsome, but I have no feelings for him.  So please don’t be worried about that.”

              “I’m not now.  I trust Dean implicitly.  I’m sorry for having thought such a thing about you,” Tessa said.

              “Think nothing of it,” Sasha said.  Her gray eyes held amusement.  “It’s actually a little flattering that you think I’m attractive enough to sway a principled man like your husband.”

              Tessa chuckled.  “I’m so glad you’re not offended.”

              “Not in the least.  Would you like some help with making dinner?” Sasha asked.

              “Yes.  That would be wonderful.”

              The sound of hoof beats interrupted them.  Owl came through the door and was heartily greeted by everyone. 

              “I have news,” he said.  “Hannah had the baby early this morning!  It’s a boy!” 

              The house erupted in noise as everyone congratulated him and they urged him to give them the details.

              “His name is Bobcat because I saw one yesterday and it came quite close to me.  It looked at me for the longest time before running away,” Owl said.  “Hannah says we can call him Bobby.  It is a good name.”

              Maddie said, “Bobby Night Sky.  I like that.  I can’t wait to meet him!”

              “So everything went ok?” Dean asked. 

              Owl nodded and had to look away for a moment as strong emotion gripped him.  He had lost his first wife and their five year old son over ten years ago and had been very afraid of something happening during the delivery of his and Hannah’s baby.  Maddie hugged him and said, “It’s ok.  They’re both all right, Owl.”

              He said, “Yes, they are.  He has my hair, but I think he will have Hannah’s eyes.  He’s beautiful.”

              Katie said, “I want to see him!”

              Owl smiled as Maddie released him.  He knelt next to the child and said, “You will as soon as the weather is a little warmer.  Or after Christmas you could come visit him?”

              “Yeah!” Katie and D.J. said in unison.

              Seth said, “Speakin’ of Christmas, I’d say little Bobby is the best present you could ever get.”

              Owl said, “You’re right, Stone Face.  He is.”  Owl didn’t necessarily believe in the Christian holiday, but he thought that any chance to exchange presents was good.  He loved the secrecy and the joy of opening the presents.

              “I wonder when Jamie will have their baby,” Tessa said.  “She’s due anytime, too.”

              “Luke should be along soon,” Dean said.  “I told him only to come if everything was ok at home.  I’m glad they live fairly close.  It gives him a chance to go home and check on her.  Plus Lacey has been going over to visit almost every day.”

              “That’s good,” Owl said.  “I will see you later.  I’m going to the camp to tell them about Bobcat.  Marcus said the trails are clear now.”

              Jack said, “Yeah.  We came up one and there wasn’t any trouble.”

              Owl nodded.  “I am glad that you are both safe now.”

              “Thank you,” Sparrow said.  “It is good to be home.”

              “It’s good to have you home,” Owl said with a smile and went out the door.

              Tessa needed some things from the store and Mike volunteered to go get them.  Dean was hesitant at first, but Jack interceded on his brother’s behalf.

              “C’mon, Pa.  Uncle Owl just came that way and there was no trouble.  You can’t keep him here forever.  He’s gonna be sixteen soon,” Jack said.

              “Yeah, Pa.  Please let me go.  I want to see Jenny Cartwright, too,” Mike said.

              Tessa said, “Do you mean Jenny from school?”

              “Yeah.”

              Dean smiled.  “You like this girl?”

              “Yep.  I’m gonna marry her someday.  She just doesn’t know it yet,” Mike said.

              They laughed at that and Dean said, “Ok.  Go ahead, but don’t be longer than you have to be.”

              Mike said, “Thanks, Pa.  Mama, where’s the list?”

              Tessa took it out of her apron pocket and gave it to him. 

              “Ok.  See ya,” Mike said and hurried out to the barn.

              Dean laughed.  “How about that?  He’s already picked out his wife.  Sounds like me and Sarah.  So what’s this Jenny like?” he asked Tessa.

              Tessa smiled.  “She’s in his grade.  Hazel eyes, blonde hair.  She has a slightly ample figure.”

              Seth laughed.  “He likes his women with a little more meat on their bones.  Nothin’ wrong with that.”

              Tessa frowned.  “I feel so old.  Our children are growing so quickly.  Too quickly.”

              Jack looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes.  “I think Mama’s thinkin’ about having another one.”

              “I am not!” Tessa said.  “I love all of you, but I think I am done bearing children.”

              “If you say so,” Jack said with a yawn.  “Damn laudanum.”

              “Jack, there are children here,” Tessa warned.

              “Oh, sorry.  Darn laudanum,” Jack amended as he laid his head back against the sofa and closed his eyes.

              Everyone except Sparrow left the room so he could rest.  She sat in one of the chairs near the sofa and ended up nodding off herself.

              Sparrow was awoken by someone shaking her.  She opened her eyes and saw Katie standing by her.

              “Supper is ready,” Katie said with a smile.

              Sparrow reached out and enfolded the child in her arms.  “Ok.  I remember when you were little.  You grew so much.”  She kissed Katie who hugged her back. 

              “I liked it when you played with us at the camp,” Katie said.  “I missed you.”

              “I missed you, too.  Now we can play all sorts of games again,” Sparrow said.

              “Yeah.  Go wash up.  I’ll wake up Jack,” Katie said.

              Sparrow smiled.  Katie sounded a lot like Dean, which made sense since the girl thought the sun rose and set in her father.  “Ok.”  Sparrow said.

              Katie crawled up on Jack and kissed his cheek.  She adored her big brother almost as much as her father.  “Time for supper, Jackson.”  She liked his full name and used it often.

              Jack heard her and struggled to wake up.  He put his arms around her and said, “Give me five minutes, ok?”

              Katie laughed and said, “I can’t stay here.”

              “Sure you can,” Jack said and held her tighter.

              “No, I can’t,” Katie argued.  “I have to go to the outhouse.”

              Jack released her and said, “Well, that’s a different story then.”

              Katie was careful of Jack’s leg as she slid back onto the floor.  She ran off and Jack pulled himself up into a sitting position.  The smell of food turned his stomach.  Sparrow came in to see if he was hungry.

              “I just can’t eat, honey,” he said.  “I feel bad because they cooked a good meal, but I can’t put anything down there except maybe some tea.”

              Sparrow ran a hand through his hair and kissed him.  “It’s ok. I’ll make you some.”

              Jack encircled her waist and pressed his head against her.  “I could sleep just like this.”

              Sparrow laughed and Jack liked the way it sounded in his ear.  “Well, I’m not standing here like this all night.”

              “Ok.  Go ahead,” Jack said and sat back against the sofa again.

              Sparrow smiled and went to make his tea.

              Mike returned just as supper was starting.  He gave Tessa the items she’d wanted, but kept one of the bags.

              When Tessa looked at him, Mike said, “It’s for Christmas. Pa, after breakfast tomorrow, we gotta go get a tree.  I know where there are some good ones.”  He ran upstairs to his room before Dean could answer.