He watched her peruse the many approaching faces. There were about thirty adults, including old men and women, and at least a dozen children.
“Wow, they have a lot of dogs!” Aimee remarked. “There’s got to be at least twice as many dogs as people.”
“The Tukudeka don’t have horses. They use dogs to carry their belongings, and for hunting the bighorn. Those men,” he gestured with his chin, “on horseback call themselves the children of the large-beaked bird.”
“Large-beaked bird? I’ve heard of Crow Indians, but never large-beaked bird Indians.”
“I have not heard them call themselves that, but I suppose they could be referring to a crow. In their language, the word for their tribe is Absaroka.”
Remembering Aimee’s comparison of men to pigs from earlier, he couldn’t help himself, and added, “their women walk and carry their belongings.”
“Typical,” Aimee scoffed. He grinned.
“Why don’t you have a horse?” Aimee asked suddenly, watching the progression.
“My father takes our horses to St. Louis. He needs one to carry the furs. I prefer to be on foot, because I can go places where horses can’t.”
“I see.” Aimee nodded. “Oh, look, there he is!” She pointed to a man who broke away from the group and reached them before the others. He and Daniel clasped elbows in friendly greeting.
“How are you, brother?” Daniel asked.
“I am well, thanks to your woman’s healing,” Elk Runner grinned brightly, nodding to Aimee. She held up a hand in greeting.
“We are on our way to the summer camp further north, and my wife wanted to bring your wife a gift.” Elk Runner paused for a moment and gave Daniel a pointed look before asking, “She is your wife now?’
“Why are the Absaroka traveling with you?” Daniel asked instead of responding.
“Several of their men and women were killed by Blackfoot several days ago. They asked to travel with us for a while.” Elk Runner smiled knowingly and shook his head. “She is not yet your wife. You have more endurance than any man I know, White Wolf. Her man is not coming for her.”
Daniel wasn’t going to be baited by his friend. He greeted his foster mother, Gentle Sun, and the men from the group of Crow Indians.
*****
“Tell Elk Runner I’d like to look at the wound and take the stitches out,” Aimee called to Daniel, after he’d made his rounds. Daniel translated. Elk Runner held up his shirt to expose his abdomen. She touched and pushed gently against the incision, and seemed pleased with what she saw.
“I need to get scissors from my pack to remove the sutures,” she said, turning to Daniel. “I’ll be right back.” She hurried off and disappeared inside the cabin. She reappeared moments later, and slowly walked towards the group, and had an uncertain look on her face. She hesitated, her lips slowly forming a smile, and all eyes stared at her. Daniel wondered how she would handle herself, since he’d never seen her around other people. Would she be afraid of them?
Two small boys ran up to him excitedly, calling repeatedly, “Dosa bia’isa.”
“These are Elk Runner’s sons.” He laughed, and scooped the smaller boy up and hoisted him onto his shoulders. The little boy squealed with delight.
Talking ceased, except for a few whispers. He understood their curiosity. The only whites most of them had seen, other than his father and himself, were the occasional Frenchman who wandered through this region. None of them had ever seen a white woman, let alone one with yellow hair.
His insides warmed, and he smiled at her in encouragement. Her chest heaved in a deep breath, and she raised her chin and walked up to Elk Runner. She gestured for him to lift his shirt again, which he did.
“Ask him if it hurts when I press here.” Elk Runner shook his head when Daniel translated.
“She has a gentle hand.” Elk Runner grinned at Daniel. “But you would not know this, would you, White Wolf?”
Daniel’s eyes narrowed. Irrational jealousy swept over him, seeing her hands all over his brother’s stomach. His own gut tightened. She worked the tips of the sharp scissors under each of her stitching, and pulled the cut strings through the skin.
“There. Done. It looks really good,” Aimee said. Daniel clenched and unclenched his jaw when she favored his brother with a radiant smile.
“My wife would like to present a gift to Dosa haiwi,” Elk Runner said formally
after Aimee stepped away from him.
“Whatever you do, don’t refuse anything,” Daniel warned her. Her head tilted up, and she raised her eyebrows in a silent question.
Little Bird, Elk Runner’s wife, stepped forward next to her husband. She was a short, plump woman. His brother’s newest son rode in a sling at her hip, crying heartily. Unaffected by the screaming infant, Little Bird held out a large animal skin for Aimee. She smiled and gestured for her to take it.
Aimee’s face lit up, and she returned the smile as she took the gift offered to her. She stroked the fine sheepskin coat. Daniel knew it was of the finest workmanship. The Tukudeka were known for their excellent leatherwork, and their hides were highly valued.
“We are forever grateful to Dosa haiwi for saving my husband’s life,” the woman said.
Daniel translated, omitting the Indian name they had given her.
“It’s beautiful!” Aimee exclaimed. “And so soft. Thank you,” she smiled and nodded brightly at Elk Runner’s wife. Then she turned to him. “How do you say thank you in their language?”
“Aishen,” he answered.
“Aishen,” Aimee said to the Indian woman.
“Eh shun,” Daniel corrected her pronunciation. Aimee repeated the word again. The woman nodded and smiled.
Several of the children gathered around Aimee, staring at her in fascination, as well as some of the women. A few of the bolder kids touched the fabric of her pants, then shyly retreated.
“It’s okay,” Aimee smiled warmly at them. “You can touch.” She kneeled down and held out her hand, motioning the little ones back to her. Instantly, half a dozen smaller children encircled her. All of them touched her hair in wonder. Aimee took it all in with a smile. Little Bird finally shooed the children off. Her infant was still squirming and crying in his sack on her hip, and she finally took him out to hold him.
“We should speak with the Absaroka warriors,” Elk Runner said. “Hear what they say about the Blackfoot raid.”
Daniel glanced at Aimee. Elk Runner slapped him on the back.
“Little Bird will look after her. Come, White Wolf. Your woman is not a child that needs to hang onto your shirt tails.”
“If you were not my brother, I would slit your throat,” Daniel growled. When had he turned into such a fool? Elk Runner laughed heartily, and headed towards the warriors. To save face, he followed without a backward glance at Aimee.
*****
Aimee watched Daniel walk off. She realized he needed some time to visit with his friends. Why did he act so annoyed with Elk Runner? She shrugged it off. They behaved like true siblings, constantly bantering back and forth.
“May I hold the baby?” Aimee turned to Little Bird, and made hand signals indicating what she was asking. The young woman handed her the infant.
“I think he has a tummy ache,” Aimee cooed. Instead of cradling him in her arms, she held him face down, and gently swung her arms back and forth, and up and down. The baby immediately stopped his crying in this new position
She handed the infant back to his mother, showing her that by holding the baby this way and putting a little pressure on the stomach, it might soothe him. The woman smiled brightly at her, and nodded. Aimee looked up across the yard. A group of men stood together away from the women and children. Her eyes were drawn like magnets to Daniel, who stood out as the tallest in the group. He appeared to be in a lively debate with one of them. She inhaled sharply when Daniel suddenly turned to look her way. Her heart skipped a beat, and the smile froze on her face. She hadn’t se
en that look in his eyes since the day in the river.
*****
After the children lost their fascination with her, Aimee took the opportunity to retreat inside the cabin to attend to some bread dough she had completely forgotten about. After punching the dough down, and setting it back in the bowl, she went to her backpack by her bed to return the scissors, taking care that all her supplies were packed away properly. It wouldn’t do to have anything lying about, in case Daniel decided to enter the cabin. She had been trying hard to keep all her things hidden from view, to ward off unnecessary questions.
The cabin door creaked open and closed, and she straightened, turning her head. She held back a gasp of surprise as she came face to face with an Indian. She recognized him as the same man she had seen talking to Daniel earlier. He wore no shirt, only a breechcloth and leather leggings, and his weapon belt hung at his hips. His ebony hair was long and the braids framing the sides of his face were wrapped in fur. She realized she was backed against her bunk and couldn’t maneuver around him as she noted the man’s intense perusal of her. His gaze lingered on her hair.
Glancing quickly in all directions, she found nothing that was within reach that she might use in her defense. He moved to stand closely in front of her, his hand reaching out and fingering her hair. He spoke, his voice quiet but demanding, and she only shook her head, not understanding what he wanted. She motioned with her hand and head towards the door.
“I need to go back outside now,” she said firmly. When she tried to move past him, he blocked her way and his words became more forceful.
“I don’t know what you’re saying, but you need to let me pass.” Her gaze didn’t waver from his eyes, and she held her chin up, hoping she projected bravery even as her heart raced nervously. She tried to push past him, only to have his hand snake up and encircle one of her wrists. Just as she tried to pull away, the cabin door swung open forcefully, and she sighed in relief when Daniel’s large frame filled the entry. The Indian released her, but after a quick glance at Daniel, his stare returned to her face.
Daniel’s voice was calm and quiet when he spoke to the other man. Slowly, the Indian moved aside.
“Come over here,” Daniel commanded, and she quickly complied. Daniel’s face was hard and unreadable, but she knew him well enough by now to recognize the seething anger in his eyes. “Leave the cabin,” he told her, as he moved to stand between her and the other man. She took a step towards the door, then turned back.
“He didn’t do anything, Daniel. It’s okay.” The last thing she wanted was a fight between these two.
Daniel ignored her comment and spoke again to the Indian, who hadn’t moved. With hand gestures and firm words, the two men conversed, and Aimee was relieved to see that no one made a move to reach for their weapons. Finally, the Indian pushed his way past Daniel and left the cabin.
“The next time I tell you to do something, I expect you to obey,” Daniel growled, facing Aimee now.
She was taken aback for a moment by his harsh words, but recovered as her temper flared. “Oh, do you now? Since when do you have the right to order me around?” Were they back to that again?
“Since you are my responsibility,” Daniel said heatedly.
“What did he want, anyways?” She was in no mood to start this old argument again.
Daniel’s eyes traveled up and down her body, making her shift from one foot to the other.
“You.” His eyes burned holes right through her.
“Oh.” She had already guessed as much. “So, you explained that I’m not available?”
Daniel’s face actually lightened, and his lips curved in a grin. “He made me an offer for you that I had a hard time refusing.”
“He what?” She stared at him in stunned disbelief. “So, how much am I worth?” she asked angrily.
“He offered three ponies, two buffalo robes, and various other pelts,” Daniel answered casually. “I told him I wouldn’t take less than seven horses and six buffalo robes.”
“I can’t believe you think you can just barter me away like that. I don’t belong to you. What if he meets your price?” She stated heatedly.
Daniel’s grin widened. “He won’t. No woman is worth that much, and this was the only way to peacefully settle this situation.” He paused, and all humor left his face. His eyes turned even darker as he stared down at her. “Understand this: you will know when I consider you to belong to me.” With those words, he left the cabin, leaving Aimee to ponder his meaning.
Chapter 13
Aimee left the cabin a short while later, observing the hustle and bustle of camps being set up. It had been decided that the travel weary group of Indians would rest in the valley for a day and resume their journey north in the morning. It felt strange, having so many people about after weeks of solitude. Instead of feeling lonely, she had embraced the peacefulness of there being no other people around. Odd, since she was considered quite the socialite back home.
She spotted Daniel among a group of men, inspecting hunting bows and lances and various other weapons. The sight brought a smile to her face. Some things were just timeless, she mused. Men apparently had been forever comparing their toys with one another, to see who had the biggest and best. The only thing that changed over the years was the type of toys in question.
Longing for some peace and quiet, she found herself following the Madison, staying clear of the banks, as Daniel had warned her several days ago. Recent thunderstorms in the higher mountains had caused the water levels in the rivers to rise. What had been a peaceful river a week ago now had areas of whitewater and spots where the undertow was dangerous.
She’d walked quite a ways from the cabin when she first heard excited shouts. Several boys no older than seven or eight years old came running at her, waving their hands frantically. Instantly alert, she turned her head to see if anyone else was within earshot. Her head turned in the direction she’d come from, and realized she had walked further than she thought. The cabin and Indian camp was well around the bend.
The boys gestured frantically at her and pointed down river. She finally saw what appeared to be a body being tossed around in the turbulent water.
“Oh geez!” She kicked off her moccasins and sprinted barefoot along the shore of the river, trying to catch up with the child in the water.
“Go! Get help!” She waved her arms in the direction of the camp, hoping the boys understood what she wanted. Several boys took off in the direction she indicated, a couple followed her. When she caught up with the tumbling body in the river, she jumped into the fast-moving water without a second thought. Ignoring the bitter cold, she pulled herself through the current, while her body was churned and pelted by rough waves.
She continued to struggle through the current, her target bobbing out of the water then disappearing from sight time and again. She herself struggled to remain above the waves, swallowing and choking on mouthfuls of muddy river water. Her arms and legs felt like lead, but she finally caught up with the lifeless body of the child, and pulled him to her. Struggling to keep them both afloat, she backstroked towards what she hoped was the shoreline, trying frantically to hold the child’s chin up above water.
Exhaustion overtook her quickly as her arms and legs felt heavier by the second. She didn’t know how much longer she would be able to keep going. Strong arms reached out to her and a man called her name.
“Here, take the boy!” Aimee shouted. She passed the child over to the arms reaching for her.
“Give me your hand, I’ve got you both.” Aimee recognized Daniel’s voice.
“No, the current is too strong. Just take him.” She thrust the boy at him and with a final burst of adrenaline, kicked her arms and legs into motion.
She fought against the strong force of the water, knowing she wasn’t going to make it. She had no more strength left as she struggled to keep her head above water. Invisible anchors tugged at her legs, pulling her under. The thought to give up entered he
r mind, but strong arms encircle her waist and pulled her through the water. Moments later she felt herself being lifted onto dry land. She coughed and gagged for a moment, and forced herself onto her knees, where she coughed some more to expel the river water she had swallowed. Tentatively, she raised her head, and Daniel knelt in front of her, dripping wet. The look on his face was one she hadn’t seen before. Did he look…..scared?
“The boy?” she finally managed to choke out, remembering the child she had gone after to save.
Daniel shook his head. She found a renewed reserve of strength at his meaning.
“No! I know he was alive when I had him. He can’t be dead!”
She lifted her head and spotted a group of people around a lifeless little body on the muddy ground. A woman’s wailing spurred her to action. She stumbled to her feet, even as Daniel tried to pull her back.
“Let me go!” She pulled away from him and fell to her knees in front of the boy. With trembling hands, she felt for a pulse and put her ear to his chest.
“He’s not dead! He’s got a pulse!” She wasted no time. She started rescue breathing. One breath every five seconds. After several attempts, she started chest compressions. Thirty compressions, one breath, two breaths. She wasn’t sure how long she kept this up when the little boy gave a strangled cough. He coughed and sputtered some more, expelling river water from his lungs. She turned his body onto his side, slapping at his back. She was barely aware of the group of people around her murmuring, then shouting. The woman who had been wailing fell to her knees and hugged her child firmly to her. Then she looked at Aimee, her expression one of thanks and awe. Aimee nodded and smiled weakly in return, then slumped back on her rear. The full impact of her exhaustion finally overtook her.
“He needs to be kept upright, and warmed up,” she whispered weakly, hoping Daniel was close by to understand. She was about to collapse completely to the ground, her body shaking violently from the cold, when she felt strong arms pull her against a wall of warmth. She was lifted and held against a steely chest. Craving the warmth, she wrapped her arms around Daniel’s neck and laid her head against his shoulders as he carried her back to camp.
Yellowstone Heart Song Page 14
