She reached to lightly trace the outline of his rugged features. “Tell me a story of your youth.”
Grinning, his gaze locked with hers. “You know how to direct my thoughts.”
Smiling back, she whispered, “I’m very devious.”
His eyes sobered. “You are so beautiful. Like a firefly, lighting my life. You rest lightly on my heart.”
Color tinged her cheeks. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
He moved closer, hovering so near that she could feel the heat of his breath against her cheek. “May I kiss you, Joanie Jornigan?”
She had never been kissed before. Her heart skipped one, two beats, and she nodded. “After the story.”
Chuckling, he settled on one elbow, his gaze locked with hers. “What kind of story would you like to hear?”
“I don’t know. Is there one about creation?”
“Genesis.”
Grinning, she settled back. “I’m familiar with that one. What is the Cherokee belief?”
“Far too complicated to explain in one sitting, but there are legends…” He eased closer again. Steam rose above their heads. “I will tell you a legend my father told me many times.”
Joanie smiled and lightly touched his cheek.
He closed his eyes. When he opened them, he began.
“Earth is floating on water like a big island, suspended from four rawhide ropes fastened at the top of the sacred four directions—”
“Sacred?”
“Shh…do not interrupt. This is my legend,” he teased more than scolded, and then he continued. “The sky’s ceiling is made of hard rock crystal, and this is where the ropes are tied. When the ropes break, earth will come tumbling down and all living things will fall with it. Then it will be as if the earth had never existed, for water will cover it. Maybe the white man will be responsible for this act.”
When she was about to ask a question, he shushed her again with a finger to her lips. “Legend says that in the beginning, water covered everything. Though living creatures existed, their home was up there, above the rainbow, and it was crowded.
“‘We have no space. We need more room,’ the animals said. So after a while they formed a plan and sent Water Beetle to look around.
“Water Beetle searched the waters for days but couldn’t find any solid footing, so one afternoon he dived to the bottom and surfaced with a little dab of soft mud. Suddenly the mud spread out in four directions and formed this earth. Someone Powerful then fastened earth to the sky ceiling with ropes.
“The earth was flat, soft, and moist back then, and the animals were eager to live on it. They continued to send down various birds to see if the mud had dried and hardened enough to hold their weight. But the birds always came back to heaven and said that there was no place to land. They must wait longer.
“Grandfather Buzzard decided to go down and take a look for himself. Flying very close to the ground, he saw that the earth was still soft, but then he swooped lower over what would become Cherokee country, and he discovered that the mud was getting harder. By that time Grandfather was tired and spent. When he flapped his wings, they created a basin where the tips touched the earth and mountains in between.
“The animals watched from above the rainbow with amazement. Mother Blue Jay said, ‘If he keeps on, there will only be mountains!’
“‘Come back,’ the birds called. ‘Come back!’”
He smiled. “That’s why there are so many mountains on Cherokee land.”
“Gray Eagle…”
“Shh. There is more. Grandfather Buzzard flew back and told them of his amazing find. At last the earth was getting dry, so the animals descended. They couldn’t see very well because there was no sun or moon to light their way, and so someone said, ‘Let’s get Sun from behind the rainbow!’
“The animals used all of their might and pulled Sun down.
“Mr. Fox said, ‘Here’s a road for you to follow.’ He showed Sun the way to go…from east to west because Mr. Fox was very wise.
“Now the animals had light, but it was much too hot. Sun was too close to the earth. The Crawfish’s back stuck out of a stream, and Sun burned it red. His meat was spoiled forever, they thought.
“Together the animals pushed Sun up as high as a man, but the burning light was still too hot. So they pushed Sun farther, but it wasn’t far enough. After four times, they managed to get Sun up to the height of four men. Everyone agreed it was the best they could do, so they left him there.”
Joanie couldn’t keep quiet. “What about humans? Wasn’t it too hot for them?”
“Ah…before making humans, the Indians say that Someone Powerful created plants and animals and commanded them to stay awake and watch for seven days and seven nights. Our young men still do this today when they fast and prepare for a ceremony, but legend says that most of the plants and animals couldn’t do this. Some fell asleep after one day, some after two days.
“Only the cedar, pine, holly, and laurel were still awake on the eighth morning, and Someone Powerful said to them, ‘Because you were vigilant and stayed awake as you had been told, you will not lose your hair in the winter.’ So these plants stay green all year.
“Once Someone Powerful created plants and animals, He made man and his sister. The man poked her with a fish and told her to give birth. After seven days she had a baby. And after seven more days she had another and every seven days the family grew to be many. The humans increased so rapidly that Someone Powerful began to wonder if soon there would not be enough room on this earth for everyone, so He changed plans. From that moment on, a woman could have only one child every year. And that’s how it was.”
Settling into his arms, Joanie considered the legend. “It’s a lovely story.”
“It is said there is another world beneath us.”
“And how would one reach this other world?”
“You can only get there by going down a spring or a water hole, but you need underwater people to guide you.”
“And what is this world like?”
“Exactly like ours, except that it’s winter down there when it’s summer up here.”
He placed a hand on her shoulder as a glint filled his eyes. “Would you like to visit this world?” He pushed gently, as if to dunk her.
Squealing, she held tightly to him. “No!”
“Ah. Another day perhaps.” He sobered and drew her back into his embrace. “I have told your story, Joanie Jornigan.” He gently tilted her face to meet his. “And now I claim my reward.” Slowly he lowered his mouth to touch hers. He tasted salty and sweet, like summer air and water. His touch sent waves of warmth rippling up Joanie’s back.
The white man had his belief about this exhilarated glow that now coiled around her in a soft blanket of bliss. It was called love.
Thirty-Four
Beth paced beside her pallet. Joanie was off again with Gray Eagle, and the camp was quiet. Secretly, Pierce’s plan to force Uncle Walt’s hand scared the wits out of her, but she’d do anything to get this “war” over. She paused, noting her own reflection in the wavy-glassed mirror tacked to the lodge wall. Bending closer, she traced small lines around her eyes. She’d never been one to primp or even consider her looks, but lately she had a nagging desire for a pot of rouge or a touch of rose water to dab on her skin behind her ears.
At least a good scrubbing with scented soap and clean towels.
Irrational, Beth, her image whispered. You’ve been filled with nothing but fanciful thoughts since the captain rescued you. No matter how kind he is, he would never want a work-worn girl like you. All you can offer him is trouble.
Standing on tiptoes now, she smoothed tired lines with her fingertips. Would he notice her in her clean dress and the new yellow hair ribbon? The latter was a gift from Sister Mary Margaret for all her help in the garden. Preach had mentioned Pierce might have a girl waiting for him at home—how serious were they? Was this someone expecting to marry
him, live on his land, and have his babies?
Is that what I want? The thing Beth once found insufferable didn’t seem so bad at the moment, not when Pierce was the man she envisioned. He was gentle yet strong. Caring yet solid. Handsome but not pretty. He was rugged. He was tough as nails and soft as warm spring air when he wanted to be.
If a woman was looking for a husband, the captain would certainly exceed most expectations. After wearing trousers for several days, her dress was giving her funny feelings. She felt more feminine in it than she did in boy’s clothing. She wasn’t sure she was comfortable with that.
Beth stared at her image in the glass. Had Ma once looked at Pa the way she looked at Pierce? Sniffing the air, she half turned when she caught the brief scent of smoke. Eyes scanning the area she decided the smell must have drifted from a neighboring fire. Turning back to the mirror, she evaluated her features, examining her profile. Nothing unusual, yet nothing outstanding, either.
Switching positions, she lifted her nose and studied the opposite side of her face. It was a good thing she wasn’t in the market for a husband.
Striding through the camp, Pierce spotted Beth staring in the mirror just inside the open door to her lodge. His footfalls paused, and he grinned when he caught her assessing her looks. He didn’t figure her as the fussy kind, but then didn’t every woman want to look her best? Leaning against a tree, he crossed his arms and watched her as she turned one way and then the other. She was mighty fetching in that yellow dress, with her golden hair hanging to her waist. It was loose again today. He tried to imagine her in a satin ball gown and slippers, waltzing beneath a crystal chandelier.
He shifted stances.
Most men would find her feisty nature aggravating. He found it likeable.
Shaking the thought clear, Pierce realized he’d been without a woman’s company for too long. Beth came with a lot of complications—namely Uncle Walt and Bear. If Pierce was around either man any length of time he’d have to shoot him, and there would go his dream of a peaceful life. Shifting, his gaze caught a tiny wisp of smoke lightly drifting from the hem of her dress.
Immediately his arms dropped to his sides and his boots started to move.
Humming under her breath, Beth stepped away from the mirror, the words of the song she’d heard Joanie singing so often escaping her. “In the sweet by and by—”
Ooofff! The air left her lungs as someone pounced on her, knocking her to the ground. With a yelp, Beth grabbed hold of the beast’s hair and yanked. “Let me go!” she shrieked.
“Hold still!”
“Pierce? Get…off…me…you…big…oaf!” What on earth had come over him? Some evil spirit?
“Your dress is on fire!”
“My—what?”
“Your dress is on fire!”
Stilling, Beth tried to catch her breath. The stench of scorched cotton filled her nose. “Oh no!” She gazed down at the smoke rising from her feet, and then her gaze switched to the fire pit burning low. No wonder she’d felt so hot.
Pierce shook free of her grasp and took the rug he’d grabbed from a line and finished beating out the flames.
Glancing at her blackened clothes, she held back a scream. Her one dress, ruined.
Her eyes turned to Pierce, who was making sure the flames were extinguished. What was it with her and fire? The man must think she was a lunatic!
Grabbing her hand, he hauled her to her feet and made for the entrance. As they burst out of the smoky lodge, she realized the whole camp had gathered around them.
The children had dropped sticks in the dirt and run to watch the ruckus of the captain and Beth rolling on the ground. Preach stood to the side with his arms crossed over his thick chest and a grin planted on his dark face.
“Are you both all right?” he asked cheerfully.
Now that Beth was safe, Pierce went back inside to make sure no smoldering embers were outside the fire pit. He called over his shoulder, “Preach, check her to see if she’s burnt.”
Beth waved Preach’s attention aside. Other than her pride, she wasn’t hurt. Curious eyes peered at her. Clearly, the captain wasn’t the only one who thought she had a fire fetish.
Gray Eagle and Joanie were walking into camp. When Joanie spotted the spectacle, she ran to help. Bending beside Beth’s still-smoking skirt, she cradled her sister’s heaving chest. “Goodness’ sake. What’s happened?”
The cough was gone this morning. After every one of Gray Eagle and Joanie’s walks, Beth noticed, Joanie was visibly better. And wet.
Where did they go on these mysterious strolls? What occurred when they were there that would cause her life-long ailment to simply evaporate? Even more puzzling, why did Joanie refuse to tell her where they went?
“I’m not hurt.” Beth pushed away Joanie’s soothing hands. Smoothing her hair, she said quietly, “I’ll get your dinner.”
Pierce came back to stand beside her, grinning, and then he motioned for the crowd to disperse.
She could feel his laughing eyes on her back when she walked inside. She’d been so preoccupied with her appearance that she’d stepped too close to the fire and caught the hem of her dress aflame. Heat filled her cheeks. The man would think she was completely daft. Totally daft.
Turning, she tossed over her shoulder, “I wasn’t minding what I was doing.”
“I figured as much.” His grin widened. A bit of black ash fell from her hem.
She would do better to keep quiet and allow the humiliating moment to pass. Yes, that was the only sensible course.
“Want me to hide the matches?” Pierce called.
“That won’t be necessary.” Want me to hide the matches, she mouthed, mimicking.
She should have known he’d show his man side.
Thirty-Five
Sister Mary Margaret?”
The nun paused in her work, glancing up. Beside her a pile of weeds lay upended. “Yes, Beth?” From her kneeling position on the ground she gave her young friend a quick smile.
When Beth lifted her face, she realized the nun was studying her. She cleared her throat.
“What did you want to know, my dear?”
Beth sat down alongside her. Though the nun’s hands were covered in dirt, a wedding band was still visible on her left hand.
“Have you ever been in love?”
The sister gave her a puzzled look. “With Christ…but I suspect that’s not what you mean.”
“No, I mean the earthly kind.”
The sister smiled to herself and pulled up another weed as she weighed her answer. “Once, when I was young, there was this boy in our church.” Mary Margaret sat back on her heels, lost in thought. “His name was Fred. He brought me a peppermint stick every Sunday morning. We planned to marry someday.”
“Really?” Beth glanced over. “What happened?”
“He fell from his barn loft. He was helping his father put up hay for winter.” The sister’s usually cheery voice grew tender. “His mother found him when she came in from milking. The good Lord took him quickly.” With a sigh the sister went back to work. “I decided then that God would be the love of my life. I joined the convent when I was sixteen and took my final vows two years later.”
Beth tried to imagine the stout, rotund woman with laughing eyes as a wife and a mother. She would have been a good one, so caring and kind.
“Why do you ask?”
Beth started, returning to the present. She paused before answering. “I never thought I would marry or have children.”
“Have you changed your mind?”
“No.” Her eyes rested on Pierce and Preach, who were working on a large tree across the meadow from the garden. The woodpile grew larger every day. “But I think I am starting to change my mind about men in general.”
“Explain,” the nun said, jerking a tenacious weed from the ground and adding it to her pile.
Smiling, Beth wondered what Mary Margaret had done for excitement before the Jornigan sisters cam
e around. “Pierce, Gray Eagle, and Preach have shown me that not all men are bad. Some are quite…admirable.”
Laughing, Mary Margaret straightened and shaded her eyes against the hot sun. “I should say so. Those three are the most pleasant men I’ve ever met.” Then she whispered, “I think Gray Eagle is sweet on Joanie. And if I’m not mistaken, Preach seems to have taken a fierce liking to Trella and Esther.”
Beth thought of all the good things that had happened since they had fled the shanty ten days ago. She’d met Mary Margaret. She’d come to appreciate the Cherokee and their kind ways. And truth be told, she was falling for the captain, though she dare not let anyone—even Joanie—know her thoughts. God had opened her eyes to many things during this brief time. To His love. To Pierce. To men in general. Right now she felt as though she could stay here forever in this peaceful world, but deep down she knew her past still waited for her. Walt and Bear. The inevitable showdown was bound to come soon, and then all of this would be over. She thought of her former plan to locate her land and start a new life. While that thought had once excited her, she now dreaded this blissful time coming to end.
“Oh my goodness.” Sister Mary Margaret’s hands paused. “I’ve been meaning to tell you something for days. My memory—it flitters away like a hummingbird. We found your Bible.”
“You did!” Beth’s heart leaped with joy. Joanie would be thrilled. And she would have the deed to her land again. What wonderful news. “Where? We thought we’d lost it somewhere on the trail.”
“Not at all. Sister Helen found it when she was cleaning. It’s been safe in the library where you left it that morning. I’ll bring it tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” Beth’s grin widened. “This has been the most perfect day.”
“Yes,” Mary Margaret said, laughing. “God gives us joy in small measure.” She grinned. “If He didn’t, we wouldn’t be able to take it all in.”
Thirty-Six
Bright stars twinkled overhead when Beth was caught up with the flow of Indians who moved to the council lodge Saturday just after sundown. All day an air of expectancy had hung over the camp. Beth wasn’t sure what was happening, but apparently the Cherokee were preparing for a celebration. The camp had been alive with preparations in anticipation of the event.
The One Who Waits for Me Page 19
