The Coming Storm

by Tracie Peterson

  Koko even gave Dr. Bufford a new pair of leather gloves. This had been her primary gift to most everyone on the ranch that year, and Dianne was touched that she’d found it in her heart to share her efforts with a man who had at one time been so rude toward her.

  Perhaps he is allowing God to heal his wounded heart, Dianne thought as she nestled Lucas in her arms. Perhaps in time the good doctor would be able to put the war behind him and let go of his ghosts.

  “He sure can raise a ruckus,” Trenton said, looking at his squalling nephew.

  Dianne laughed and finished changing her son into dry clothes. “He’s hungry. He’s no different than most of the men around here. When his stomach’s empty, he fusses until he gets fed.”

  Trenton shook his head. “Awfully small. Is he . . . well . . . are they supposed to be that small?”

  Dianne looked at her brother and tilted her head to one side. “And what size would you suggest they be when they’re born?”

  Trenton felt a rush of embarrassment. “I don’t know. He just seems small.”

  Dianne shook her head. “He’s just right. Someday he’ll grow as big as his uncle Trenton and papa, but for now, he’s just perfect.”

  Trenton nodded. “I reckon he is.” He felt overcome by the happiness and peace he’d known these last few years. “Dianne, thanks for asking me to stay.”

  She seemed surprised by his change of topics. Lifting Luke into her arms, she said, “You were always welcome here—long before you came.”

  “I know, but you could have sent me packing. I mean, I let you down when you needed me most. I should have gone west with you and Mama. If I had, the girls might not have—”

  “Stop,” Dianne said firmly. She shifted Luke in her arms and held up her hand as if to ward off anything more Trenton might say. “I had enough guilt for all of us. Mama was in my care when she wandered off. The girls were more or less my responsibility when they were taken from us. I could blame myself, but it wouldn’t change things. I’ve had to fight this a long, long time, so I know. Please don’t allow yourself to be caught in that trap.”

  “I’ve just never been the man I should have been. I know I’ve let everyone down. The past is . . . well, it’s too awful to talk about.”

  “Then don’t,” Dianne said, moving to where he stood. “There’s nothing to be gained by dwelling on what we should have done. I know you’re sorry for your wrongdoing. I know you’ve repented of anything that you should have. I was there when Ben baptized you, so I know you’ve made things right with the Lord. Don’t be dragged back down by ‘should-haves.’ It won’t do you any good.”

  Trenton saw the truth of it in her eyes. “You’re right. I guess I’m just afraid it will all catch up with me.”

  “Well, if it does,” Dianne said softly, “we’ll simply deal with it then. But for now, we lay the past to rest and look to the future.”

  Trenton nodded. It had been easy to give up gambling and drinking, but giving up the despair of his wasted years was something he hadn’t quite figured out how to do. Dianne might feel confident of being able to deal with his past, but she had no idea what his past represented. If she did, she probably wouldn’t want me here. If she knew what I was capable of, she’d tell me to leave.

  CHAPTER 31

  THAT YEAR THE MADISON VALLEY EXPERIENCED A MILD winter without too much peril or loss of animal life. Life on the Diamond V passed in ease and comfort, but it wasn’t to be so for other areas of the territory. To the east and south the winter was hard, with snows and low temperatures that threatened to destroy everything they touched. Across the northern plains native people moved with guarded caution to avoid being caught by blizzards or the government. With the ultimatum that all Indians be on their reservations by the thirty-first of January, tempers flared and conflict could be found at every turn. A kind of cat-andmouse chase was on, and no one could really hope to win.

  Rumors told of conflicts to the east. The Sioux and Cheyenne, who refused to return to their reservations, or who simply hadn’t heard the requirement due to poor communications, were immediately considered to be in violation of the order. War was declared on February 1, 1876, and the army prepared to deal with what they perceived as a direct defiance to the U.S. government’s authority.

  Dianne received word from Zane sometime in February that he would move out with soldiers from Fort Ellis to go to the aid of Fort Pease. Dianne knew the fort was somewhere near the mouth of the Big Horn River. Her brother had no idea of when they might return to the Bozeman area but assured her they would be fine and that she shouldn’t worry.

  So despite her joy over being a mother and the blessings they’d enjoyed that winter, Dianne couldn’t help but worry about Zane. He was thrown into the middle of this entire war— not necessarily of his own doing, but certainly of his own free will.

  A letter from Morgan came near the middle of March. He told of joining up with a group of men who desired to explore the regions to the southeast of the Madison Valley and the Diamond V. Dianne had read in the papers that the government had set aside land for a national park. Apparently the territory was in need of mapping and exploration, and Morgan intended to enjoy a time later that year doing just that.

  “He sounds very happy,” Dianne said as she shared the letter with Faith. The ladies had joined together to work on their various mending and handcraft projects—a habit they had come to call their Tuesday morning sewing circle. Their children were busy playing or working all around them.

  “He’s been up to Canada and all across the northern parts of Montana. He says there’s a great deal of beauty to the northwest of us—a range of high peaks and deep mountain lakes.”

  “Sure sounds pretty,” Faith said, glancing over the masculine scrawl.

  “Will he come here before going south?” Charity asked.

  “I hope so,” Dianne said, rocking Luke’s cradle with her foot while continuing to stitch on the large blue-and-white quilt she and Koko were making for one of the guest rooms. “It would be nice to see him and sit down and hear what he’s been doing all this time. The letters are always so brief and so far between.”

  “At least you’ve had word,” Koko murmured.

  “I know.” Dianne immediately felt guilty for complaining. “I’ve worried over Takes Many Horses, just as you have. I can’t help but wonder if, with the government’s declaration of war on the nonreservation Indians, he’s caught up in that.” She paused long enough to meet her aunt’s gaze. “I pray for him daily.”

  “I know that much has been settled with the tribe, but I don’t see George,” she said, using her brother’s Christian name, “sitting within a fenced boundary, never roaming the mountains or valleys at will. He’d never be happy that way. Then, too, what happens when the game plays out and hunting is poor? How will the people survive? Government beef?”

  “I’ve wondered the same. I know George cares a great deal about the welfare of the Blackfoot. I’d like to believe he’d involve himself with the council and help lead the people in wisdom.”

  “My uncle is very brave,” Jamie declared. He’d been working quietly in the corner on his schoolwork, but mention of Takes Many Horses gave him reason to chime in.

  Dianne smiled at the boy’s fierce pride in an uncle he barely knew. “He’s one of the bravest men I know,” she agreed. Jamie nodded solemnly. “He’s very strong too.”

  Koko pulled her son close. “He is a strong and good man. But he also learned his book lessons and so, too, must you.”

  “I’m hungry,” Jamie protested.

  “Me too,” Susannah whined from where she sat at her mother’s feet.

  Soon the room resounded with chants from Faith’s children as well. Faith looked at the clock. “Well, it is almost noon. I should have been paying better attention. Good thing the men are off to roundup, or I’d be hearing from them as well.” She put aside her mending and got to her feet.

  “I’m sure we can have a fine dinner momen
tarily,” Dianne declared, peeking at her son before putting her quilting needle away. “While he’s asleep, I’ll come and help you,” she told Faith.

  “I can lend a hand as well,” Charity said, moving a little more slowly than the others. Her joints were stiff and sore most days, and today was no exception. Still, the woman managed to continue to do beautiful stitching.

  “Faith and I can manage,” Dianne said gently. “But I’d be obliged if you would keep an eye on Luke. No doubt he’ll wake up wailing and half starved before I finish.”

  They chuckled at this. Luke seemed to have a voracious appetite, something evidenced in his chubby body.

  “I’d be happy to care for Luke,” Charity said, easing back into her chair. “Nothing makes a body feel more useful.”

  With the promise of something to eat, the children calmed and Faith and Dianne left the others to see to fulfilling their pledge.

  “I’m pretty sure I’m going to have another baby,” Faith told Dianne when they were alone.

  “How wonderful!” Dianne gave her friend a quick hug, then pulled back to look at her trim waist. “When?”

  “Near the end of October, as best as I can figure.”

  Dianne reached up into the cupboard and pulled down two jars of canned green beans. “I’m so happy for you, Faith. I love that we have so many children here at the ranch. We seem just like our own little town.”

  “It’s a good life—hard, but good,” Faith agreed. “Malachi is happier than I’ve ever known him. He loves working with his hands, and now that he can read pretty well, he feels he can stand his own ground with some of the other men.”

  “We do have a good life here. I sometimes get caught up worrying about things to come, then Cole reminds me that either I trust the good Lord to work out the details or I don’t. I can’t bring myself to say that I don’t trust Him, so I always have to back down in my worries.”

  Faith sliced bread for sandwiches. “I’ve never known such peace. This valley just has a way of bringing peace to a body.”

  Dianne laughed and poured the beans into a pot to heat on the stove. “This valley brings a little bit of everything to a body. I know with the good times come hard times, but still I love it. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world.”

  Faith looked up and met her eyes. “Me either. Wouldn’t want to raise my babies anywhere but here.”

  “I can’t help but wonder about the Indians,” Dianne said, taking up some side meat to cut in with the beans.

  “No sense worrying. The government will do what it wants, when it wants. I’ve known that firsthand. You can never tell what the course of action will be. Things may smooth out and be peaceful. Then again, we may see a hard, long war ahead. Either way, we can’t forfeit the peace we have for what might come.”

  Dianne nodded. Faith was right, of course. Still, it was a fearful thing to ponder. Especially with her baby in the next room. When it had been her own welfare to consider, or even that of her adult friends, Dianne had felt certain they could face most anything. But now she had a baby, and along with her son there were four other children to consider. An Indian war or even a small skirmish could leave them all dead. She shuddered at the thought.

  Zane Chadwick showed up near the end of the month. The men were still on roundup, so seeing him was a welcome relief to all of the women, who’d had little news of what was going on in the world.

  “What have you been doing?” Dianne asked as she picked up Luke and brought him for Zane to see.

  “He’s a handsome boy,” Zane said, reaching out to take the baby.

  His action surprised Dianne. Zane handled the child with a familiarity that suggested practice. “How is it that you know how to hold a baby?”

  “There are women at the fort,” he said, smiling at his nephew. “I’ve done my share of baby handling.”

  Dianne laughed, as did Koko. “Well, brother of mine, you seem to manage the job quite well. I just might slip away for a ride and leave you to tend the baby.”

  Zane grinned. “Wouldn’t hurt my feelings none.”

  Dianne couldn’t believe his comfort with her son, but instead of taking him up on his word, Dianne sat down beside him. “Did you manage to get the folks from Fort Pease to safety?”

  Zane nodded but continued to watch the baby. “They didn’t want to go. They figured to stay on and fight off any attackers, but we held our ground and moved out everything but one cannon, a dog that managed to give us the slip, and the flag. The United States flag still flies over the fort.”

  “So will you be home for a time now? Cole said we’ll probably be coming up to Bozeman in a month or so. I’d love to have some time with you there.”

  “We’ll be gone. That’s the reason I decided to ride over and see you now. We’re heading back out again. There’s more trouble in the East. The Sioux and Cheyenne are causing more grief than the army knows how to handle. We’ve had folks killed and travelers attacked. The army feels it has to make a stand and push the Indians back to their reservations.”

  “Have you had any word from my brother?” Koko asked.

  Zane looked up and his face reddened. It was as though he’d forgotten her presence—or at least her heritage. “No, I’ve not encountered any Blackfoot tribes at all. I think most have gone to their reservations—the rest have traveled on up into Canada.

  We’ve got our hands full here and can’t very well go chasing after them.”

  “Have most of the tribes complied with the order to be on their reservations?” Dianne asked.

  Zane shrugged. “It’s hard to tell in some cases. The Indian agents report in, but they can’t get accurate counts. They try to tie in the counts with food distribution, but it doesn’t always work well. I’ve heard rumors that tell of a great many marauding tribes, but it could just be rumors.

  “For instance, a while back we heard that the Sioux and Cheyenne had amassed some two thousand warriors. That seems hard to believe, but because folks are being killed and property is being destroyed, we have to check into it.”

  Luke began to fuss and Zane shifted the baby to his shoulder. Dianne smiled as her son calmed and nuzzled against her brother’s neck. “I hope it won’t lead to an all-out war,” she said quietly.

  “We’re expecting it to, unfortunately.”

  Dianne felt a hopelessness in his statement. She wanted so much to believe that war could be averted. “But can’t something else be done? Some other agreement?”

  “Too many agreements have already passed between the government and the Indians. They don’t believe in our agreements anymore, and frankly, who can blame them?” He patted Luke gently on the back and added, “That’s not to say that the tribes haven’t been to blame for their share of conflicts. The Sioux are convinced if they fight hard enough, their enemy will be defeated. What they can’t see is that they are limited in their numbers, where our numbers are definitely superior. Our methods of war are superior as well.”

  “So you will fight?” Koko asked.

  Dianne remembered the horrors she’d heard Zane describe when he’d witnessed the massacre on the Marias River six years ago. She looked at her brother, seeing the conflict in his expression. He lowered his eyes and took Luke from his shoulder. After studying the baby for just a moment, Zane handed the boy to Dianne.

  “I’ll do what I have to do—to keep him safe. To protect all of you.” He looked to his aunt. “I know you’ve always enjoyed safety because of your brother and the connection you have to your people, but it won’t stop what’s coming, and if the Sioux attack here, they won’t care if you are part Blackfoot. They’ll only want you to die.”

  Dianne swallowed hard and pulled Luke close. The thought of the ranch being vulnerable to attack was not one she allowed herself to consider very often. It terrified her. Cole had even asked her to stop reading the newspaper accounts of conflicts across the West. He believed the stories to be sensationalized and exaggerated, but here Zane was telling h
er otherwise—telling her that her fears were very real.

  “Do you believe we’ll be attacked here?” Dianne finally found the courage to ask.

  Zane met her eyes and she could see the concern in his expression. “I think we all must be very careful—prepared for the worst. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to talk to Cole before I have to leave. You did say he was due back any day, right?”

  Dianne nodded. “With new people coming all the time and the herd growing larger, roundup takes longer. I expect him, however, any day.”

  “Good. I’ll stay on a bit—I can do that much. I’ll talk to Cole about precautions you can take—just in case.”

  Dianne felt a chill run down her spine. Precautions—just in case. The words caused a deep dread to settle over her. It was as if the end of the world loomed just on the horizon.

  “When will you have to leave?”

  “I need to report by the twenty-eighth,” Zane admitted. “We’re waiting on some of Colonel Gibbon’s troops. Word has it they’re coming south from Helena. Should be at the fort within days if the wet weather doesn’t hold them up. I heard it was exceedingly muddy up that way.”

  “Then what?” Dianne asked, almost afraid to know.

  “Then we march out—hopefully on the first of April.”

  “And where are you headed?”

  “East,” Zane replied. “To find the Sioux and Cheyenne and force them back to their reservations.”

  Cole washed his neck and face with water from the river. It was icy from the snowmelt but it felt wonderful.

  “Sure glad you’re gettin’ the hang of this job,” Gus said as he walked up, leading his horse. “Not sure how many more years I’ll be good for this kind of thing.”

  Cole laughed. “You’ll be out there riding the herd long after the rest of us are dead and gone.” He knew the older man had at least twenty years on him, maybe twenty-five.

  “I seriously doubt that, my boy.”