Cheyenne Caress

by Georgina Gentry

  “Come in.”

  Johnny Ace came in hesitantly and stood with feet wide apart, his hand on the hilt of his knife. “I’ve come to say good-bye, Pani Le-shar.”

  “So you’re really going to go?” He asked automatically although he and the scout had already talked. He had been unable to dissuade Johnny. “You’re leaving before the stage comes through?”

  Johnny stared at the floor. “You know why, don’t you?”

  “I can guess.” He closed the book. “Did you ever even ask her, Johnny? Give her a chance to make a decision?”

  “She’s made her choice. You were there last night. Didn’t she look like a princess in that dress surrounded by all those slobbering young officers?”

  “I noticed that she kept looking out the window.”

  The big Pawnee shrugged. “Wishful thinking on your part, Major. You’re trying to find a happy ending to that story.” He nodded toward the book in North’s hand.

  North sighed. “I suppose you’re right. Maybe I’ve seen as happy an ending as a Cheyenne and a Pawnee can handle. At least you’re both alive, which is more than Romeo and Juliet got.”

  He laid the book aside, thinking he was a little bit disappointed in Luci. Maybe he had expected too much of the girl. It was absolutely insane to think she might throw all that money away to go into the arms of a penniless enemy.

  “Good-bye, Johnny, keep in touch.” He stood up and came around to shake hands.

  “Sure.” The hand that held North’s trembled slightly. They both knew they might never meet again. “I’m sick of killing, Major. When I kill a Cheyenne now, I see her face and I hesitate. I think of them as people, not just enemies.”

  North turned away. “That haunts me, too, but I’ve got my orders. Maybe someday when peace finally comes to the plains . . .” He shrugged, pulling at his mustache. “I’m not sure what Luther and I will do; maybe go into business. Some fella who was in here early this morning wanted to write me into a book as the hero of Summit Springs.”

  “You’re too modest for your own good, Pani Le-shar.” Johnny grinned. “That must be the same man who just found Cody asleep under a wagon out there, and says he can write books about him. Fella’s name is Ned Buntline.”

  “Yeah, that’s the one.” North laughed, eager to avoid the tension of two comrades about to part forever. “That Cody! He’ll probably end up the most famous of us all!”

  “Knowing Cody, that’s just what he’d like. Buffalo Bill Cody, Hero of the Old West.” Johnny stood there and the silence felt heavy and awkward in the early heat.

  “Well”–Johnny turned toward the door–“I’ve got to saddle Katis and leave. The stage will be here soon. I–I don’t want to see her go.”

  Romeo and Juliet, Indian style, North thought, but he only extended his hand again. “Good luck to you, Johnny. I hope you find peace and happiness somewhere.”

  A sadness crossed the handsome, dark face as they shook hands. “My happiness is catching the nine o’clock stage. Good-bye, Pani Le-shar.” He turned abruptly and walked out across the grass toward the stable.

  North’s heart ached for him as he watched the man disappear into the barn. He pulled out his watch. Given the choice, what would any ordinary girl take?

  He went back to his desk and picked up the coffee. It tasted cold and bitter. He slammed the cup down.

  Again, someone rapped on the door.

  Damn it, where were all these people coming from so early this morning when he didn’t feel much like carrying on business as usual? “Come in.”

  A sergeant entered and saluted. “This message came late last night for Mr. Starrett, but everyone was already asleep, so the operator hesitated to wake him.” He held out the paper. “He thought you should give it to him. I hope that was the right thing to do, sir.”

  North grinned and accepted the crumpled paper. “Knowing Mr. Starrett’s lovable disposition, I can see why the telegrapher hesitated. I’ll see that Starrett gets it. He’s due to catch the stage in a few minutes.”

  He glanced at the message and whistled low under his breath. “Well, I’ll be damned! You read this, Sergeant?”

  The beefy man colored. “You know most of us can only read well enough to sign our names, sir.”

  “The telegrapher show this to anyone?”

  “No sir. Like I said, everyone was asleep.”

  That meant North and the telegrapher were the only ones at the fort at this moment who knew this information.

  “In that case, that’ll be all, Sergeant. I’ll give this message to Mr. Starrett myself in a few minutes when he comes out to catch the stage.”

  The sergeant saluted and left. North read the message again, smiling a little. Across from his office, he saw Manning Starrett and his daughter come out of the guest quarters, with soldiers carrying all her trunks and baggage.

  North checked his watch again. It was almost time for the stage. He folded the message, put it in his pocket, and went out the door.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Johnny Ace riding from the barn. If the scout had hoped to leave the fort without running into Luci, he was in for a disappointment. Or had Johnny been unable to resist one last look at her?

  North glanced from one to the other as he walked. This was going to be the final scene of this little drama and he wanted to be right there to witness it.

  He patted the note in his pocket absently. This might affect her decision–if Johnny gave her a chance to make one–but North intended to hold on to the message until the very last minute. She’d have to make the choice from deep within her own heart.

  North walked up on the steps of the sutler’s store, nodded to the pair, leaned against a post, and waited to see what would unfold before him.

  Johnny acted almost as if he would ride by without speaking, but at the last moment, he reined in his horse and sat looking down at her. His face betrayed the fact that he was aware of nothing in this world but the slight girl in an expensive dress waiting for the stage.

  Luci felt as if her heart would burst as she stood looking up at the big man on the black stallion. What was it he wanted?

  “Good-bye, Johnny Ace. I–I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me.” She started to say something else in English, but was afraid she couldn’t without weeping. “Hahoo naa ne-mehotatse,” she whispered in Cheyenne, but she wasn’t sure he heard her. Thank you and I love you.

  He looked away. “Be happy, Star Eyes. I know how much being a rich, respectable white girl means to you. That’s why I told you, and brought you back here. I hope life in the city is everything you ever dreamed of.”

  She looked at him and had to blink back tears. Why was she crying? Wasn’t she about to realize the one dream that had sustained her all these years?

  True, Manning Starrett was a cold, selfish man, but someday, she would be his heir. And there’d be young white men in Denver who would want to marry the wealthy heiress. She could have her choice of all the men in Colorado.

  Starrett pulled out his watch and frowned, looking at the distant coach, visible with its cloud of dust, move through the fort gates. “Here comes the Denver stage. Let’s not stand lollygagging here with this Injun buck.”

  “I–I’m not sure . . .” In her mental agony, Luci didn’t move. She had eyes only for Johnny’s grim face.

  “Star Eyes, he’s right. Go on to Denver. You’ll have clothes and money, things I could never hope to give you.”

  Luci swallowed hard. “I don’t suppose we could have made a go of it. Maybe the gulf is too great, maybe our two tribes being bitter enemies was something that could never be overcome.”

  Johnny’s dark face contorted and he seemed to be struggling for control. He only nodded, then turned his horse slowly around toward the fort gates.

  Once upon a time . . . It seemed so long ago that she had dreamed of this. It was supposed to end: and they lived happily ever after . . . not with the girl going off to live in a fancy castle wi
th her selfish and evil father,

  She felt a terrible urge to delay Johnny. Luci ran and caught his stirrup, and looked up at him while the stage to Denver swung along the dusty road and stopped before the trading post. “I–you must come visit me some time.”

  He nodded, but she knew from his eyes that he wouldn’t.

  Behind her, her father yelled, “Girl, they’re loading our luggage! Come on!”

  Luci half turned, looking at the man who had deserted her mother, then back up at Johnny.

  Behind her, Manning Starrett grumbled again and the stage horses jingled their harness, impatient to be off.

  But she had eyes only for the face of the man in the saddle. “Johnny, do you . . . do you really think that love can survive anything?”

  He frowned. “What difference does it make what I think? Hurry! Denver and all it has to offer are waiting for you!”

  “I believe in love, Johnny.” The tears rolled unchecked down her face now. “I believe that real love can overcome any obstacle, no matter if it’s background, tribe, or anything else. Nothing–nothing endures forever like true love! Take me with you, Johnny Ace! We’ll turn our backs on it all–make our own little Eden–carve out a ranch someplace.”

  “No.” He shook his head, trying to pull away from her hand holding on to his stirrup. “I’m afraid that sooner or later, you’d regret your choice and want to go back to everything your father has. It’s hard enough now. I couldn’t bear to worry that someday you might want to leave me and return to Denver.”

  Starrett leaned on his cane and cursed. “Well, you can stop worrying about that! I wouldn’t give her a second chance!” Then to Luci, he said, “Girl, think hard before you make a loco decision you’ll regret. Love!” he snorted in derision. “Gold, power, that’s what counts, and that’s what you’ll have if you go with me! I’m warning you, you won’t get another chance! If you don’t go with me now, you can kiss my money good-bye!”

  Johnny nodded. “He’s right, Luci, you don’t love me that much.”

  But she had made her choice. “Oh, but I do!” She looked up at him now, her heart beating hard. “Tell me you don’t love me, Johnny Ace. Tell me I mean nothing to you and I’ll turn and get on that stagecoach! I love you, I’ll always love you! There’s no obstacle too big for love to overcome! Now tell me you don’t love me–you don’t want me!”

  His big hands clenched and unclenched on the reins. “It’s–it’s too big a sacrifice for you to make. I can’t ask you to give everything you ever dreamed of for a big, stupid Pawnee scout!”

  “Ask me! Oh God, ask me!” She wept openly now as she challenged him.

  He was the bravest of the brave in battle, but now fear and uncertainty etched the lines of his rugged face. He was afraid to believe she might really love him; afraid even to hope. She saw him swallow hard, Then his voice came in a ragged whisper. “Star Eyes, would you . . . will you be my wife?”

  “Beloved . . . enemy no more.” She held up one small, trembling hand and he reached down, took it, and lifted her up before him on the saddle.

  Starrett leaned on the head of his cane, glaring at them. “What the hell does this mean?”

  Major North grinned as he lounged against the hitching post. “I think it means that it’s come down between a choice of your money or his love. Looks like you lose, Starrett!” The delight in his voice was evident. He gave Johnny a casual salute. “Lots of luck to you both, scout. I hope you’ll be very happy!”

  But Starrett hobbled toward them, waving his cane. “Girl, have you gone mad? In a couple of years, I’ll be gone and you’ll have all my fortune and my fine house! You’ll have any man you choose! Why trade all that for a penniless Injun buck?”

  Because she loved him so. Luci buried her tear-streaked face against Johnny’s wide chest. He held her against him tightly, and she heard his heart beat hard as he embraced her. Whatever lay ahead, they would have each other and their love. There was no obstacle too great, nothing they faced that love couldn’t conquer.

  “Let’s go,” she whispered. “I’ve made my decision,” She had no pity for her father. Two women had loved him and he had broken both their hearts. To be alone now that he needed someone was all he deserved.

  The Pawnee kissed her hair and she heard the tremor in his voice as if he still not believe she cared enough to go with him. “Forever, Star Eyes?”

  “Yes, beloved, forever!” Luci didn’t look back as Johnny held her close.

  Then he urged the black into a walk toward the fort gates with Starrett yelling threats behind them.

  Major North grinned with pleasure, watching the pair ride toward the gates. He liked happy endings. Maybe he’d go back in his office and tear out the last few pages of Romeo and Juliet.

  Starrett cursed and waved his cane at him. “What the goddamned hell are you smiling about? That damned Injun savage is kidnapping my daughter and you aren’t trying to stop him?–I’ll see that my friends in Washington hear about this!”

  “It appears to me,” North said, watching the figures grow smaller as they approached the gates, “it appears to me she’s hanging on to him like she doesn’t ever intend to let go. I don’t think she’s being kidnapped. Oh, by the way, this wire came for you.” He held out the crumpled paper.

  He watched the angry face turn pale with fury as Starrett read, but of course, North had the message almost memorized.

  To Manning Starrett: Found the money hidden on stage like you said. Stop. Gave some to your housekeeper and old Josh who both left town. Stop. Kept the rest and used your power of attorney to sell everything you own. Stop. Lily and I are running away together with all of it. Stop.

  Billy

  P.S. You’re right, Manning, I’m just like you. Stop. For that reason, you shouldn’t have trusted me. Stop.

  North had not known a sick man could curse and scream so much, but the two lovers were already too far away to hear what was going on behind them.

  Johnny could hardly believe he actually held her in his arms. He pulled Luci against him and reined in just outside the gate. “Where to, Star Eyes?”

  She looked up at him, tears making crooked trails down her cheeks. Luci reached to caress his face. “Anywhere you are is home to me, my love! You said something about a small ranch?”

  “With an ace and a star for a brand,” he whispered, and kissed her as if he would never let her leave his arms for a moment.

  Neither looked back as he nudged the big horse into a lope and they rode away toward the untamed frontier that waited for them.

  To My Readers

  The battle of Summit Springs happened much as I have described it. The battle is remembered not only because it was the last great Indian battle in the Colorado Territory, but because the circumstances were so unusual. The crack warriors of the Dog Soldiers were indeed taken by surprise and defeated in broad daylight when they should have seen the soldiers coming. The Cheyenne had fled from the southeast and expected the trailing cavalry to attack from that direction. Instead, the Fifth Cavalry circled around and came out of the north, taking the Cheyenne by surprise.

  However, as far as I know, no whites were guilty of gun running on this particular occasion. I added that.

  There was so much public interest in this battle, that Charles Schreyvogel painted the scene and called it “Rescue at Summit Springs.” That painting hangs today at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming.

  You have already met “Buffalo Bill” in my last Zebra Hologram romance, Nevada Nights, #2701-X. That novel told of the Pony Express and the Paiute Indian war. Cody actually was a Pony Express rider in its short eighteen-month existence.

  As legend has it, a writer named Ned Buntline did show up at Fort McPherson several days after the Summit Springs fight, met Cody, and decided to write dime novels about him. The young Chief of Scouts was on his way to fame and fortune both in books and with his Wild West Show. At one time, Frank North and his brother Luther, plus “Wild Bi
ll” Hickok and Sitting Bull, would be part of that show, playing to European royalty. One of the other stars was a sharpshooter named Annie Oakley. But then you know all that if you’ve seen the musical or the movie Annie Get Your Gun.

  Cody would make and lose a fortune in his lifetime. In 1914, he even tried his hand at silent movies, using General Miles as an actor. You’ll remember General Miles as the rescuer of the little German girls during the Red River Uprising of 1874 led by Quanah Parker, which I told about in my third Zebra Hologram romance, Comanche Cowboy, #2449-5. This novel was chosen by Affaire De Coeur Magazine in their annual Readers’ Poll as a winner in the list of Top Historical Romances of the year 1988.

  The giant Castle Rock actually exists in the town by that name, approximately thirty miles south of Denver. According to the U.S. Weather Bureau, this area draws the second largest number of lightning strikes in the country. The storms blow in from the front range of the Rockies. The area of the country that draws the most lightning strikes is the Florida coast, if you’re curious. In 1988, only 68 lightning deaths were reported in America, the lowest number in a decade. Nine of these were in Florida, six in Colorado.

  As far as the Morning Star, it’s not a star at all, but the planet, Venus. The Pawnees did have a star map painted on a buffalo robe, so accurate that present-day astronomers can tell by the positions of the major planets that it dates back to the time of Columbus. There is a photo of it in the July 1944 issue of National Geographic Magazine. That map is now in the Chicago Natural History Museum.

  I have walked the rolling hills of the Summit Springs battleground on a hot summer afternoon while a storm built up on the horizon. With a chill of foreboding, I realized that the day was almost exactly as it had been that fateful time long ago when a summer storm blew in as the soldiers attacked, actually killing a cavalry horse that was struck by lightning.

  There’s not much to see but a few cows grazing in that lonely, isolated spot, a few miles from the little town of Sterling. Susanna Alderdice was indeed slain by the Dog Soldiers as the troops attacked, and is buried somewhere on the site. The marking of the grave has been lost. I am sorry to say the Indians did kill three of her small children. The fourth survived his wounds.