“I don’t know what you could possibly be talking about.”
Takes Many Horses took hold of her arm. “Then come see for yourself.”
He pulled her through the kitchen and past the dining room and sitting room until they stood in the front entryway. “There,” he said, pointing toward the front sitting room.
Dianne gazed into the small room and saw nothing amiss. “What are you talking about?”
Dianne looked around the warrior and froze in place. Cole stepped out from the doorway that led to the large gathering room. The look on his face was one she would remember until her dying day. There was such joy—such hope in that expression.
“Cole.” Her voice barely croaked the word.
He stepped forward and Dianne did likewise. “I thought you were dead,” she whispered.
He nodded. “I thought so too.”
She reached up to touch his face. He was warm . . . alive. A sob caught in her throat as she reached up to take hold of him. “I . . . oh . . . Cole.” She fell into his arms, feeling the despair of long months fade away.
They embraced, holding each other as if they would never again allow anything to separate them. Dianne felt her heart pounding in her ears, blocking out all sound. He’s here! He’s here!
Her thoughts tumbled over each other. What happened to keep him so long? How did Koko’s brother find him?
Does he still love me?
CHAPTER 24
EVERYONE REJOICED AT COLE’S RETURN. A VERY PREGNANT Faith insisted on creating a celebration supper, and they all pelted Cole and Takes Many Horses with questions while enjoying her fine fare.
“How did you recognize Cole?” Koko asked her brother as dessert was served.
As the conversation swirled around her, Dianne wondered what Cole had endured at the hands of the Sioux. Had his encounter with the Indians added that new harder look to his face—the loss of his boyish charm? Of course, Cole had always been on the serious side, she recalled. He’d always seemed angry when they were coming west on the wagon train. But even then, despite the anger, there’d been a gentleness to him. Just as there was now.
“It seems to me,” Koko was saying, “Cole passed into true manhood on this journey.”
“There’s always one event in the life of a man that changes everything,” Gus said knowingly.
Dianne could scarcely eat for all the excitement, but the warm apple pie sent a marvelous aroma into the air, making her instantly agree to the piece Faith offered. Still, she drew Takes Many Horses back to Koko’s original question. “But how did you find Cole? How did you recognize him?”
“When I returned from hunting,” he began, “the council told me of this white man they had found. They knew he’d been taken by the Sioux, because the buffalo robe had Sioux markings. He had been seriously wounded, and his injuries were not healing properly. He had a high fever and was near death when a hunting party found him. They asked me to speak to him because they wanted to know who he was and why the Sioux had kept him alive.”
“So why had they kept you alive?” Gus asked, completely caught up in Cole’s story.
Cole shrugged. “I’m still not sure; it certainly wasn’t their usual way. They took four or five of us from the wagon train. At least two died, and I don’t know what happened to the others. I was so sick while with the Sioux, I don’t remember a great deal. They treated me decent enough. I suppose if I had to guess, they were planning to trade me, just like the Blackfoot thought to do.”
“Is that why you were so delayed in returning Cole to us?” Dianne asked.
Takes Many Horses met her eyes. His expression seemed almost pained, but he quickly covered it by looking back to his dessert. Dianne wondered what was going on inside his head but decided against questioning him here in front of the others.
“Yes, our people planned to trade him. They were working on negotiating with the army, explaining that they’d found a wounded white man of some importance. Of course, they didn’t know if the man was really important or not, but they were very impressed with Cole because he carried a book with him and in it he’d written a great deal. They’d seen important men with these kinds of books in the past and figured he might be someone who could help us.”
“They were always good to me,” Cole added. He sat next to Dianne and slipped his hand in hers to give it a reassuring squeeze. “They kept me under guard but fed me well and treated my wounds. I have no complaints, except that they kept me so long.”
Takes Many Horses shrugged. “I tried to get them to release you. They wouldn’t hear me. They were convinced that because they had the attention of the white seizers, they would make their trade for our holy man.”
“What happened?” Dianne asked. She felt so blessed to have Cole back, but it all seemed so unreal. She had pretty much convinced herself that Cole was dead, and then just as she was beginning to accept his death, here he came back into her life.
“I’m not sure, but apparently the soldiers got tired of negotiating. They killed two of our men, then sent the third man back to explain that they were coming to wipe out the village and take any whites they found. It was then that I was finally able to convince the leaders to let Cole go.”
“But you didn’t answer our question,” Koko interjected.
“How did you know it was Cole? I don’t remember you ever meeting him.”
“I hadn’t met him before, but I knew the name. I’ve talked to Dianne enough about him.” Dianne felt her cheeks grow warm as Takes Many Horses stared directly at her. His expression almost challenged her to deny his words, but she had no desire to refute his statement.
“Then,” he continued, turning his attention back to his apple pie, “I read Cole’s journal. If I had doubts about remembering his name correctly, they were all put aside with that. He spoke of his life here at the Diamond V and of . . . Dianne.”
Koko nodded. “I see.” She shook her head and turned to look at Cole. “It’s a miracle that you survived. There have been so many losses—so much pain because of the warring between the two peoples. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive.”
“I already have,” Cole said softly. “I knew God had a plan even in my being taken. I knew He had a plan in the length of time and all the frustration it caused me. I’m troubled by all the hate that exists between Indians and whites, but I know it won’t be easily resolved.”
“Hard times are coming—are here even now,” Takes Many Horses murmured.
“Yes. It will only get worse. I even fear for what it will mean to us here,” Cole replied. “We’re so isolated; if the Blackfoot or any other tribe wanted to attack, we’d have very little defense.”
“The Blackfoot won’t attack,” Koko threw out. “They know I live here—that Bram lived here. Bram was good to them, and they honor that.”
“Things will change. Old agreements will be forgotten in the fight to survive.”
Dianne heard the sadness in Cole’s voice. It was true. Things were changing faster than she cared to admit. Every time she managed to get ahold of a newspaper she saw signs of the progress made in the territory. And with each step toward “civilization,” the Indians generally suffered.
Dianne no longer wanted to dwell on the sorrow of it all. “Faith, supper was wonderful. The pie was especially good.” Though, looking down at the crumbs on her plate, Dianne realized she had barely tasted it in her excitement.
Faith struggled to her feet. “I’m so glad to have Cole home. I’m mighty glad I could be the one to cook supper for him.”
“It was perfect, Faith,” Cole said, nodding. “Glad you’re back among us. You too, Malachi. I’ll always remember what a great help you were to folks on the wagon train—despite the way they treated you.”
Malachi nodded but said nothing. Faith began clearing the dishes, but Koko got to her feet and waved her off. “I’ll take care of cleaning up. Dianne and Cole have plenty to talk about, and I will be happy for the time to talk with my
brother.”
“I need to get back down and let the boys know what we’ll be doing tomorrow,” Gus said, pushing back from the table. “Cole, I’ll look forward to talking to you later.”
“Me too. I’ll find you tomorrow.”
Gus made his way to the kitchen door, carrying several plates with him. “I might as well help out on the way.”
Everyone began going their separate ways, leaving Dianne and Cole time to be alone. Dianne got to her feet, then turned, holding on to the back of the chair. “Would you like to take a walk?”
Cole smiled and nodded. “I’ve wanted that for longer than I can say.”
They walked in silence to the front door. Dianne took her shawl from a peg, then took down Uncle Bram’s holster and revolver.
“We might need this. You can never tell what varmint might decide to wreak havoc.” Cole nodded and strapped the gun on. It was plenty loose, but he managed to cinch it up enough to keep it from falling off his hips.
Dianne handed him a hat. “This is one Morgan left behind. You can have it.”
Cole took it from her, studied it for a moment, then planted it on his head.
“I’m going to have to get to town and buy a new hat—after I earn some money.” He shook his head. “I’ve lost everything.”
“Not everything,” Dianne said, shaking her head. “You haven’t lost me.”
They walked out into the chilled evening air, down the lane that led toward Dianne’s favorite hill. They held hands, each seeming at a loss for words. Dianne wondered if Cole’s time with the Indians had changed him—changed the way he felt about her and life on the Diamond V. Would he tell her now that he’d had enough of the barbaric West—that he planned to head back to Kansas?
“I know this must be hard for you,” Dianne finally said, her voice barely a whisper. “It’s been hard for me too.” She stopped and looked up into his eyes. “If you’ve changed your mind—you need to say so now.”
Cole looked down at her for a moment, then pulled her close. “You are all I thought of. You and God. I wouldn’t have survived those first few days if I hadn’t been determined to see you again. Even when I thought I was about to die, leaving you was my only regret.” He paused and studied her face. “I haven’t changed my mind.”
Dianne relished the feel of his arms around her, but she knew they needed to talk this matter through. She pulled back, breaking his hold. “I know you lost all of your possessions in the attack. I even know about the money, because I overheard you talking to Gus about it.”
“That was money to help us start a new life—a married life.”
“With Uncle Bram dead, I own the ranch,” she said matter-of-factly. It was difficult to see, even in the moonlight, but Dianne imagined that Cole’s jaw had tightened. “Cole, I don’t want to see us separated any longer—especially by things that shouldn’t matter. I need you, and I want to be your wife. Please don’t let your pride keep us apart.”
“What are you talking about?”
She turned away. She feared she might start to cry, and it was so important that she remain strong. “I know you’ve lost your personal possessions, but Cole, everything I have is yours. You don’t need to worry about saving up money for new clothes— we’ll just go to town and buy them. You don’t have to worry about restoring your fortune before we can marry, because I have more fortune than either of us will ever need. In the long run, you’ll earn every cent you make on this ranch—it has a way of demanding your all,” she said softly. “Just don’t put off the wedding . . . please.”
“What gives you any idea I would want to put off getting married?” He took her by the shoulders and turned her back to face him. “Dianne, I wasn’t suggesting that at all. I was just talking back there. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Dianne reached up to touch his face. “But I know the pride of a man. My brothers were very prideful—needing to have things a certain way. I know you want to do it all on your own. I don’t blame you, but I also don’t want to see that come between us.”
“I don’t intend to let anything come between us. In fact, I wanted to tell you that I plan to ride into town tomorrow or the next day and bring back the preacher.”
Dianne laughed. “Oh no you won’t. I’m not letting you out of my sight for even a moment. Besides, Reverend Hammond is living right here now, and he can marry us. He and Charity have been away, but they’re due back tomorrow. I’ll talk to them first thing. I want to get married right away before something sours the whole thing.”
“Like what?”
“Who can tell? Forest fire, floods, Indian attacks, bandits . . .”
Cole chuckled. “If God brought me this far, do you really suppose He’d let something happen to ruin this now?”
She looked down and sobered. “I don’t want to take a chance.”
He put a finger under her chin and raised her face to meet his eyes again. “God’s already worked this out, Dianne. You mustn’t fear. It wouldn’t be trusting Him if we started second- guessing everything every time one of us needed to go somewhere.”
“I just don’t want to lose you again.”
“You’ve never lost me.”
Tears welled in Dianne’s eyes. “It was so hard. You said you’d be home in September.”
“I know.”
“I was absolutely horrified when I heard you tell what you’ve been through. I can’t imagine being the same person after all of that. You even look different.”
“I’m not the same,” he admitted. “But the differences aren’t all bad. In fact, I think they make me a better man, and that in turn will make me a better husband. Besides, you look different too.”
Dianne hadn’t considered this. “Are you displeased?”
Cole chuckled. “Hardly. You grew up while I was gone. You’re a beautiful woman—my woman.”
Dianne’s nerves felt raw with emotion. “So where do we go from here? Will you have a problem marrying me and running this ranch? Will you honor my word to Bram and allow Koko and her children to remain here—to help run the place?”
“This is their home. I wouldn’t think of putting them from it, and if Koko wants a say in the decision-making, I’m all for it, but I think Gus probably knows better than any of the rest of us. Bram probably should have left the ranch to him.”
Dianne couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve often thought the same thing.”
“But Bram probably saw the same thing in you that I do: determination, honesty, intelligence, and a willingness to learn.”
Dianne smiled at his compliments. “I love you, you know.”
Cole laughed. “I’m certainly glad to hear it. Especially since you keep demanding we marry right away.”
“I guess I just have so many unanswered questions in my mind,” Dianne began. “But then again, I feel like the only important questions have been answered. You’re here and suddenly the rest no longer seems important.”
Cole stroked her cheek, letting his fingers work into her hair to let loose the pins. “I’ve always loved your hair. Even when you were a little girl on the wagon train.”
Dianne laughed. “I wasn’t such a little girl. I was sixteen years old.”
He shook his head and continued stroking her hair. “Seems like a hundred years ago.”
Dianne hugged him close. “Yes. Yes, it does.” She wanted nothing but to go on holding Cole. To forget about the sorrows of the past year—to focus only on how wonderful it felt to be in his arms again. She might have gone on embracing him for a long, long while, but Cole broke it off this time. He pulled her along behind him and headed back toward the house.
“It’s getting late,” he said as she caught up. “I know you’re tired, and there will be plenty of time for this later.”
Dianne gripped his arm tight. “So will you talk to Ben about marrying us—or should I?”
Cole laughed and the sound filled the otherwise silent night. “Someday I’m going to tell our children about
how you forced me into marriage. Couldn’t even let the dust settle on my boots after being stolen by Indians before you had me off arranging for the preacher.”
“And I’ll tell our children how you fought Indians and bad weather and death itself to get back home to me.”
Cole stopped at this. They’d almost reached the house, but Dianne could see that he had something more to say. “I would have walked through hell itself to get back to you.”
“I think you probably did,” she whispered.
“Dianne, the days to come won’t be easy. I want you to know that here and now, although I figure you probably already know it even better than I do. There are going to be more Indian wars, more killing. We’re not in a good place, no matter what Koko says. There are plenty of tribes besides Blackfoot. Most would just as soon see us struck from the earth.”
“I know. And if not the Indians, I know the odds are against us with the weather and the land. . . . But, Cole, I’m not afraid anymore. The worst that could happen was losing you. Now you’re here and the rest seems so unimportant.”
“But it is important and we have to be prepared.”
She nodded, knowing he was right. It seemed a good time to hand the reins over to him. “Whatever you and Gus decide is fine by me. Just let us know what we need to do and we’ll do it. I want everyone to be as safe as possible. We’ve grown into quite a family here, and I’d like to keep everyone safe and healthy.”
Cole nodded and they continued walking until they’d reached the porch. “I’m going to go on down to the bunkhouse and talk to Gus.” He grinned and pulled her close once again. “But not before I have what I really came out here for.”
Dianne knew he would kiss her, and for the moment she thought her heart might actually stop beating. She lifted her lips to meet his and melted against him as the warmth of that kiss spread throughout her body. This was all she wanted—all she needed.
Takes Many Horses watched the couple kiss from the shadows near the side of the great house. A tightness in his chest spread fire through his body. There was a dull ache that wouldn’t leave him, even as Cole walked away from Dianne and headed down to where the rest of the ranch hands lived.
The Coming Storm Page 24
