by Linda Bridey
Marcus
P.S. I take offense to being lumped in with all the men who think that women are possessions or only good for breeding. Women out here are valued for the work they do and aren’t held back from doing very much. As you know, in our way of life, the men are sometimes gone for long periods of time and the women have to be self-sufficient. I just wanted to be clear about that.
Claire laid Marcus’ letter down on her desk and rested her head on her forearms. The next morning after she’d written that horrible letter to Marcus, she’d regretted it. She’d gone to retrieve it from the mail basket on the table in the foyer, but the mail had already been collected for the day.
She’d fretted about it for a week and a half until his reply had come. Claire felt terrible that she’d taken things out on Marcus when they had nothing to do with him.
“I should have waited to answer him until I was calmer,” she mumbled into her arm. She needed to apologize to Marcus, but didn’t know how to begin. Claire raised her head. Perhaps a walk in the garden would clear her head and help her figure out what to say.
It was cold out and the early April breeze was brisk. She wrapped her cloak tightly around her as she strolled along the paths. The wind blew into her face and Claire thought about Marcus outside with their cattle during the frigid nights. She wondered how he kept warm. She smiled as she pictured him with his dark hair that he wore a little long and his mesmerizing gray eyes.
Claire had been struck by his dark, handsome looks and captivating smile the moment she’d first met him. She could tell that although he was pleasant with her, he did not feel the same way about her. When she’d overheard him say something to Seth about Maddie’s “kid sister”, it had stung to know that he thought of her as a child. That was when her antagonism towards him had begun.
He’d been working out in the barn the day after she and her parents had arrived for Maddie’s wedding. She’d gone out to see the horses and he was in the haymow. Claire had watched him climb part of the way down and then jump the rest of the way. His landing had been easy, his movements fluid and graceful.
Marcus had turned and startled at the sight of her. Then he’d laughed and the sound was rich and warm. Marcus had the kind of laugh that made people want to laugh along even if they didn’t know what he was laughing about.
“Morning, Miss Claire,” he said. “I didn’t know you were there. Did you sleep well?”
She nodded. “Yes. Very well, thank you.”
Claire had always been awkward around attractive men and Marcus was even more intimidating because he seemed a little more primal than the men she knew. He didn’t have Seth’s bulk and he wasn’t quite as tall as Dean, but he was a little broader in the shoulders than Dean was. As he’d climbed down the ladder, Claire had noted that his backside was perfectly shaped and his thighs were muscular and powerful. She told herself that her careful study of his physique was purely scientific in nature. The womanly part of herself called her a liar.
Marcus had taken off his hat and shaken hay from it. He also brushed some off his shoulders. Without his hat on, Claire could see his gray eyes better and thought them the most beautiful eyes she’d ever seen. His smile flashed and she’d been further entranced.
“Good. Glad to hear it. Hey!” he suddenly shouted, and leapt past her to swat at Nugget, who had been going after Claire’s hair.
Claire had jumped and Marcus saw her movement. He took ahold of her upper arms and moved her to the left, away from the stall in front of which she’d been standing. She could feel the warmth of his hands through her dress. They were strong, yet gentle.
“Sorry, but Nugget here has a special liking for hair. You’ll have to watch yourself around him,” Marcus said, scowling at the draft horse. “He’s not mean, just playful. He’s strong, though, and would hurt you without meaning to.”
He’d released Claire then and stepped away, and Claire had felt as if the sun had gone behind a cloud.
“So do you like to ride? We’ve got some good horses you could use,” he’d asked.
“No. Yes,” Claire said. She was flustered and couldn’t get the words out right. “I mean, I like to ride, but I’m not very good at it. I do like to pet the horses, however,” she answered.
Marcus had nodded. “Well, we can’t all be good at everything. Lord knows I’m not.”
Something wet and furry touched Claire’s hand and she squealed and jumped, banging into Marcus’ hard chest.
“Hey, whoa,” he said once more, grasping her arms. “It’s just my dog, Roscoe, saying hello. Sorry about that.” Then he’d laughed and said, “You’re having a rough start to the day. You shoulda seen your face. Sorry, but it was funny.”
Claire felt like he was making fun of her and struggled out of his grasp. “Release me. I’m not another pet to be mauled,” she’d said as she looked down at Roscoe.
Marcus had pulled his hands back from her in a gesture of surrender. He clearly hadn’t expected that kind of response from her. “I’m sorry. I never thought you were a pet, and sure as heck wasn’t trying to maul you.”
“I’m glad you find this amusing. You have unruly animals. You should train them better,” Claire had responded.
Marcus’ left eyebrow had arched. “They’re trained well. Any animal can be mischievous and all Roscoe did was sniff your hand, something dogs are well known to do.”
Claire felt her temper ignite. “Do not condescend to me, Mr. Samuels.”
“Then don’t get your nose all bent out of shape over nothing,” Marcus retorted.
“You have very bad manners,” she’d told him.
“Me? You’re the one insulting my training methods and expecting animals to behave perfectly,” Marcus had countered. “That’s highly unreasonable.”
“Is there a problem here?”
Seth had come unnoticed into the barn. He’d heard loud voices outside and wondered what was happening.
Claire smiled at him and said, “Nothing I can’t handle, but I think I will go play with Mikey. He’s much better company.” She strode off without another word to Marcus. As she’d walked away, Claire had heard Seth berating Marcus and laughed softly.
*****
As she remembered the rest of that visit, she realized what a thorn in the side she had been to Marcus and while he’d argued many points of science and literature with her, he’d never been cruel. When his temper became too hot, he would simply walk away from her. That had happened at Maddie and Seth’s wedding reception. They were debating all kinds of things and she’d pushed him too far.
He’d thrown up his hands and walked outside to cool down. She’d followed and Marcus had turned to her with a fierce expression and said, “Claire, I’ve put up with all I’m going to put up with tonight and I’d appreciate it if you would allow me to enjoy the rest of the reception. Can you do that?”
Claire recognized that he was barely holding his tongue in check and that it was time to leave well enough alone. “Yes, of course. I’ve been thoughtless. My apologies.”
She’d gone back to the party and made sure to avoid him. The next day, however, they were back at it again and so it had gone until they’d left.
Claire thought about his last letter and she thought it must be true when everyone in Dawson said that Marcus was good-natured and caring. Even though she’d been rambling angrily in her letter, he’d exhibited kindness and had extended an offer of help. She debated whether or not she was going to write him back and couldn’t make up her mind.
Chapter Five
Marcus was once again playing short order cook for his family. He’d just fed Mikey when Tessa walked into the kitchen. She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him. Dean and Seth exchanged glances and Seth shrugged his shoulders.
“Thank you, Marcus. You are my savior,” Tessa said as she hugged him close. “Whatever that tea is that you make for me works wonders and has gotten me through that awful morning sickness period.” She released him and kis
sed his cheek.
Dean thought that Marcus blushed as he smiled. “You’re welcome, Tessa. Glad I could help.”
“Not only that, you took over my cooking duties and I’m not sure how I’ll ever repay you,” she said.
“I do. You make me one of your peach cobblers and we’ll call it even,” Marcus said. “I want it all to myself, too.”
“Done,” Tessa agreed, and sat at the table.
Maddie came into the kitchen and said, “Marcus, will you please make me some scrambled eggs?”
He laughed. “I think I need to open a restaurant. Of course I will.”
After he sat a plate of fluffy scrambled eggs and toast in front of her, Marcus set about mixing up another concoction of some sort. Dean made a face as it cooked and the scent filled the kitchen. “Good God, Marcus, what is that one?”
Marcus didn’t answer. He poured it in a cup and sat it in front of Maddie. “Let that cool a little and drink it.”
She sniffed it and wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think so, Marcus.”
He gave her a level stare and said, “If you want a baby, drink it.”
Maddie stared at him for a moment and then picked up the cup and blew on its contents until they were cool enough for her to sip. She made faces as she drank, but downed every drop.
“Good girl. I’ll make that for you for the next three days and that oughta do the trick as long as you and Seth do your part every day. Understand?” Marcus said. “Every day.”
Seth and Maddie looked at each other. Seth got a big smile on his face and said, “I think we can do that.”
Maddie blushed and laughed. “Yes, I think we can.”
*****
May rolled around and Maddie and Seth left for Pittsburgh. Tessa was very disappointed that she couldn’t go with them to Claire’s graduation but she sent a present along for her, as everyone except Marcus did. As Dean began to drive away with her sister and brother-in-law, Tessa’s eyes welled with tears. She felt an arm settle around her shoulders and looked up at Marcus.
He reached down, rubbed her growing belly and said, “If ever there was a good reason to have to stay home, this is it. You’re taking good care of my niece.”
Tessa laughed. “So you think it’s a girl?”
“I do. Call it a hunch,” he said as he caressed her stomach.
Tessa didn’t take any offense at Marcus’ hands on approach. That was just the way he connected with people. Seth called him the touchy-feely type and it was true. Marcus wasn’t afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. Normally, you never had to guess where you stood with him. He kissed her forehead and left her then.
He spotted Mikey running through the paddock and sprinted in his direction. Jumping the fence, he grabbed Mikey and threw him in the air. Mikey let out loud laughter and Marcus threw him again and again until he was out of breath. Then he set him down and sent him off to Tessa, who’d watched the whole thing and laughed with them. Marcus was always able to cheer her up. Because of that, she hated to dampen his good mood.
Tessa walked over to the paddock. “Marcus, I need to tell you something.”
Marcus ambled over and waited for her to speak.
“When Maddie and Seth come back, Claire is coming with them,” Tessa said, and watched his face.
Marcus gave her an odd look and then said, “Why?”
“To visit of course, silly,” she said.
Marcus looked up at the sky and then down at the ground before looking into her dark blue eyes. “Has she said anything to you about me?”
“No, I’m afraid not. Should she have?” Tessa asked.
He pursed his lips and shrugged. “I haven’t heard from her recently, but I don’t know why.”
Tessa laughed. “Don’t tell me you’ve begun to enjoy receiving her letters.”
“Hell, no! It’s just that I don’t want her telling Seth I’ve done something wrong and getting me in trouble. He’s completely blind to your sister’s more negative attributes,” Marcus responded to cover his true feelings.
Tessa nodded. “Oh, yes. I’m well aware of Claire’s penchant for arguing and being an all-around pest. Try growing up with her.”
“I’m glad I dodged that bullet. Well, I’d best get to fixing that broken stall door. I want to have it done before your husband gets back,” he said.
“I’ll leave you to it, then,” Tessa said, and went to collect Mikey.
Marcus saw Jack riding up the lane and waved the boy down. “Come with me to the barn. I want to talk to you about something.”
“What about?” Jack said as he dismounted.
Marcus smiled. “Let’s go in the barn. It’s private.”
Chapter Six
Claire was nervous as she walked across the stage to receive her diploma. She walked slowly and carefully. If she tripped or fell, she would be mortified. Claire was not always graceful. As she accepted the diploma from the president of Chatham College, Claire turned and saw her family several rows back.
All of them were smiling and Maureen and Maddie dabbed at their eyes. Seth gave her one of the winks that he reserved just for her, and she smiled back at all of them. However, she missed Tessa and Dean and wished that Marcus could have been there to see it. That would have shown him, she thought.
Claire sat down and felt pride in herself that she had graduated earlier than some of the students with whom she’d started out her college career. She’d worked hard on a few subjects, but most of it had come easily to her. Dejection stole over her the next moment when she realized that she had earned a teaching degree that she might never put to good use.
Seth saw the look on her face and wondered what caused it. Claire had seemed so happy earlier before the ceremony, and she should be proud of herself. He certainly was and so was the rest of her family. Then she brightened again and seemed fine.
Geoff and Maureen threw a huge party for Claire and it was a very joyous event. Seth did his best to keep her laughing by dancing with her and teasing her about the handsome young men that were there and who danced with her. Claire had a good time, but throughout the entire evening, she kept picturing a dark-haired man with gray eyes and wishing he were there.
*****
It was a mild night towards the end of May when Marcus sat whittling on his porch. A lantern provided light so he could work on the piece of wood. It was almost done and he intended to finish it that night. He turned the piece of wood this way and that, examining it critically. It was a small model of an apple with a worm coming out of a hole in the fruit. He’d put a smiling face on the worm.
The apple and worm sat atop a small book that said “teacher” on the spine. With his small tools, Marcus had created the look of pages on the other side of the book. He hoped Claire would like it. She, Maddie, and Seth were due to be back the next day. He was just getting ready to paint it with the expensive paints that Tessa had bought him for his birthday in January when he heard a familiar hoot owl call.
He grinned and said, “Come, brother,” in Lakota.
Black Fox, one of the braves from the nearby Lakota tribes, leaped up onto the porch and dropped down in the chair next to him. He was a very tall, powerful Indian with obsidian eyes and a slightly sharp nose. Since it was such a warm night, he wore only his loincloth.
“Hello, brother,” he said to Marcus as he switched to English. “How are things?”
“Fine, and you?” Marcus said. He’d spent a lot of time with the tribe and had taught some of them quite a bit of English.
“Fine. I bring news and a present,” Black Fox said. He noticed Marcus’ project and held out a hand. He was always interested to see what Marcus was working on.
Marcus handed him the present for Claire and Black Fox inspected it closely. The brave handed it back and asked, “What does it mean?”
“It’s a present for my sister-in-law’s sister. She just graduated college and I wanted to make something special for her. This word says ‘teacher’” Marcus said. “Waunsp
ewichakhiye,” Marcus told him in Lakota.
“I see,” Black Fox said and laughed. “Is it for this Claire woman that keeps sending you letters?”
“It is.”
“If you are bothered by her letters so much, why do you make her something nice like that?”
Marcus said, “Because it’s expected of me and my oldest brother, Seth, will kill me if I don’t give her something.”
“Are you sure that’s the only reason?” Black Fox teased.
Marcus gave him an annoyed look. “Yes. So what’s this present?”
Black Fox let out a night bird call and another brave stepped into the light. Marcus recognized He Who Runs. He carried a large bundle.
“Welcome, brother,” Marcus said.
“Thank you, brother,” He Who Runs said. “We did not see you much over the winter.”
Marcus switched back to Lakota. “I know. It was a hard winter and there was a lot of work around the ranch to do.”
Black Fox snorted. “Your white family works too hard. They should try to have more fun like us.”
Marcus gave him a hard stare. “How many times have I told you that I do not want you badmouthing my family? Now what the hell did you bring me?” he asked, gesturing towards the bundle He Who Runs carried.
He Who Runs came up on the porch then and handed it to Marcus. It felt solid and warm and then it moved and Marcus almost dropped it in surprise. Black Fox laughed and quickly reached out his hands to keep it from falling. The blanket fell away, revealing a baby. Marcus gave both Indians startled looks.
“What’s going on?” he asked as he slipped back into English.
“Marcus, Silver Ghost, Samuels, meet your daughter, Aiyana,” Black Fox said.
“What?” Marcus yelled.
The baby jerked in surprise.
“Is this a joke? If it is, it’s a really bad one, Black Fox,” Marcus said. “She’s not mine.”
“Oh, but she is. You remember One Bird’s daughter?” He Who Runs asked.
Marcus smiled. “Yeah. She’s not someone you forget,” he said as he thought of Redtail, the beautiful Indian girl he’d spent so much time with the year before.
