by Vivi Holt
He kept off the main track, sticking to the woods, since he was traveling alone and had moved into Crow territory shortly after setting off. He hadn’t told anyone other than Mato and the children where he was going. The others might not understand, and most wouldn’t want their new chief marching into enemy territory by himself. He didn’t want to risk having them talk him out of it – or worse yet, come with him. It might spark division, and that was the last thing he wanted right now.
If he didn’t find her in Cutter’s Creek, he wasn’t sure what he’d do next. Where else could she be? If she’d moved on, he might never find her. He couldn’t think about that now. All he could do was ride on and hope his Angpa, his sunshine, was there. He’d tell her how he felt, how the children felt. Then it would be up to her.
A pheasant flew into the air beside him, startling Yarrow and making him prance sideways with a snort. Spring was on its way, and every now and then Bodaway saw shoots of green grass pushing their way through the last remnants of dirty snow. The sight brought him no comfort. Nothing did anymore. He’d loved two women in his life – one had been taken by death and the other had run from him. Was he destined to spend the rest of his days alone?
He knew the Great Spirit created everything and ruled over all. It was impossible not to believe when surrounded everyday by nature in all its beauty. He’d spoken of his beliefs with Mariya once when she’d asked him about it. She’d said that she too believed in Him, though she’d called him God. He cried out to God now, asking for his journey to be blessed and that it would not be in vain.
He couldn’t ask that she’d return with him. He wanted that more than anything, but it had to be her own will. He only wanted her happiness, even if her choices made him miserable. So instead, he asked only for guidance, for wisdom and to fill his mouth with the words he should speak.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Maria laid a hand against her abdomen and smiled. The pain had left entirely now and even the nausea that had plagued her for months was gone. Her belly was swollen, but she felt whole and healthy after weeks of rest and good food. Camilla, her ever-watchful nurse, had agreed to let her go outside, and she was taking the opportunity to walk as far as she could without losing her breath.
She bent to pluck some early blanket flowers to add to the bunch she was gathering to take back to Camilla. The yellow and burnt orange of their petals offset the lilac of the snowberries and the pale fronds of the bittercress already in the bunch. She held the posy up and smiled – she was sure Camilla would like it, and the vase on the kitchen table had been empty for so long. It would cheer the place up immensely.
The sound of a snapping twig caught her ear and she spun around, scanning the schoolhouse a hundred yards away and the edge of the town beyond it. She saw a figure beneath an ash tree in the distance, and she broke out into a cold sweat. Someone appeared to be hiding, watching her – and they were between her and the town. She pulled the fringed shawl she wore, more tightly around her shoulders with a shiver. Where could she go?
Then the figure cried out. “Mariya!”
She stopped and cocked her head to one side. Could it be …?
A man stepped forward into the sunlight, wearing a deerskin coat and leggings covered in intricate beadwork.
“Boda!” She dropped the flowers, lifted her skirts and ran to him as fast as her legs would carry her. When she reached him, she fell into his arms and he wrapped them around her as her lips pressed against his.
He let her go and ran a hand over her hair. “I didn’t know if you’d want to see me.”
She smiled at the sound of the Lakota dialect she hadn’t heard in months and lifted her hand to cup his cheek. “Oh, I do.”
“I’ve missed you.” He choked on the words and his jaw tightened. “Why did you leave us?”
She sighed and let her hand drop to her side. “Sheriff Brentwood came for me. I was surprised – I didn’t expect to see another wasicu again. I didn’t know what to do. For so long I’d wanted to escape and now I had a chance. I didn’t think, I just went with him. Does that make any sense?”
She glanced up to see his eyes, stormy but full of love, trained on hers. “Yes, I suppose it does.”
Maria kissed him again. “You’re alive,” she whispered with a smile. “Does that mean you’re chief?”
He nodded.
“Chief Bodaway of the Lakota,” she said with a grin, running her fingers through his hair.
He grimaced. “It’s not something I ever wanted, but I had no choice. I couldn’t let Anun be chief – he isn’t to be trusted.”
She pursed her lips. “Does that mean he’s …?”
“He’s alive, but can’t return to the village. I have heard he lives among the Otoe now, far to the east.” He pushed a stray strand of hair from her eyes and kissed her forehead.
“And the children …?”
“They’re well. They miss you too.” He smiled.
“Even Chepi?” She laughed and rolled her eyes.
He chuckled along with her, “Especially Chepi. She told me so herself.”
Maria’s eyes widened in mock horror. “No! Well, God does answer prayer after all.” Her eyes smarted with tears and she quickly wiped them away with her sleeve.
“Yes, I think He does. I asked Him to guide me to you, and here you are. I still can’t quite believe it. I was standing beneath that tree, wondering where I’d find you in the midst of all those buildings. And here you came, wandering alone as though we’d planned a meeting.” He scratched his head and blinked.
Maria listened, her eyes wide and her heart racing. God had heard her cries for help, had seen her tears, and had answered her prayers. Perhaps not in the way she’d thought He would, but in the best way possible.
“Now that you’re here, what shall we do?” she asked. “I could … invite you to tea? The family I’m staying with might have a heart attack, though.”
He laughed, then took her face between his hands. “I will go wherever you wish. But after, will you come home with me?”
“What?”
“I love you, Angpa. You’re my wife and I want to be with you. Ever since you left, I wander around, my heart heavy, and everyone asks me ‘what is wrong?’ ‘can I help you?’ And I shake my head. No one can help me, because I want only you. And it’s you I can’t have. So there is nothing left of joy for me in this life. Until this moment.” He paused and kissed her upturned nose. “So come home with me. I need you. The children need you.”
Tears fell slowly down her rosy cheeks. “Boda, there’s something I have to tell you.” She took his hand and placed it on her belly. “I’m having a baby. We’re having a baby.”
His brow furrowed for a moment. Then he laughed and swept her into his arms. “We’re having a baby?”
She chuckled. “Don’t shake it out of me just yet.”
He released her quickly, his eyes wide. “Sorry, I was just excited.”
“I’m so glad you’re happy about this. I wasn’t sure …”
He pulled her close and cradled her against his strong chest. She could hear his heart thumping loudly and felt his warmth envelope her. “Does this mean you’ll come with me?” he asked hopefully.
“I … I don’t know. It doesn’t make any sense. We come from such different worlds – how can it possibly work between us? How can two such different people be in love?” She sniffled, and rubbed her nose against her sleeve with an embarrassed laugh.
“Oh, my Angpa, the only thing that doesn’t make sense is a life without you.”
***
Maria hurried into the house and ran to the den. Where was Camilla? She poked her head into the kitchen and found her friend there, frying pancakes for supper. “There you are!” She pressed her hands against her stomach and waited for her breathing to slow.
Camilla flipped a pancake over on the griddle and looked at her in alarm. “Have you been runnin’? I said you could go for a walk, not a run, dear. Please do be ca
reful.” She frowned, lifted the pancake onto a plate and poured another helping of batter onto the griddle.
“Yes, I did run. But don’t worry, I feel wonderful. I have something to tell you, though I think perhaps we should sit down first.”
Camilla raised an eyebrow and quickly moved the griddle from the stove top with a towel. “If you like. Let’s go into the den.”
The sat opposite each other and Maria wiped her sweaty palms down her skirts. She knew Camilla wouldn’t be happy with what she had to say, but there wasn’t much she could do about that. She’d just have to dive in and tell her everything. “Do you remember when you said that it was my life and I had to figure out what to do with it?”
“Yes, I do. Have you come to a decision then?”
Maria swallowed. “I’m leaving.”
Camilla drew back and rested her hand against her throat. “What? Where will you go?”
“Boda is here.”
Camilla looked around frantically. “He is? Where?”
“No, silly, not in the house. He’s waiting for me at the edge of town by the schoolhouse. I’m going home with him.” She chewed her lip nervously.
Camilla’s eyes widened and her eyebrows arched. “But … isn’t this your home now?”
“Oh Cammie, you and Clifford have been so kind. You welcomed me into your home and showed me so much love. I’ll be forever grateful to you for never giving up on me, and I hope I’ll always be able to count you as my friends. But this isn’t home, not anymore. I belong with Boda and the children – they’re my family, as strange as it might sound. And I don’t want to raise this child alone and have him or her not even know their own father. I want to be with Boda.”
Camilla drew a deep breath and stared at her hands. “This is truly what you want?”
“Yes.”
Camilla patted Maria’s arm lovingly and looked her in the eye. “Then you should go.”
“What about Clifford?” asked Maria, a tremble in her voice.
“I’ll talk to him. He might not understand, but he won’t come after you, I’ll make sure of that.” She smiled.
“And you’ll talk to Charlotte and Harry?”
“Yes, I will. And I’ll let everyone else know.”
Maria sighed and stood. “Tell them all goodbye. And I do hope to see you again – if that’s all right.”
Camilla pulled her into a quick hug. “Of course, that would be wonderful. Please stay in touch, else I shall worry endlessly.”
“Thank you, dear friend,” Maria sobbed against Camilla’s shoulder.
“Never mind that. Let’s fetch you a carpetbag, so this time you can at least take a few things with you.”
Camilla helped her pack a few meager possessions and some food for their journey, and Maria clutched the small bag in one hand as she set off back through Cutter’s Creek. They waved farewell for as long as they were within view, and Maria’s heart constricted in her chest. It was hard to say goodbye, even when so much joy awaited her.
She pulled her shawl around her shoulders and ducked her head, hurrying into the crisp afternoon breeze. Past the red chapel standing a bright guard over the town, its small spire keeping vigil and providing hope to all who saw it. Past the schoolhouse, now quiet and dark, with smoke curling from the small chimney in the teacher’s quarters.
Finally, she reached the clearing. Bodaway stepped from the shadows when he saw her and she ran to him. He encircled her with his arms and held her tight against him for a moment. “I was afraid you’d changed your mind,” he whispered against her hair.
“Never,” she said. “I’m sorry I took so long. I had to explain everything to Cammie and say goodbye.”
“Are you well, my Angpa?” he asked.
Maria leaned back and studied his chiseled features, sparkling eyes and long black hair pulled back by a beaded headband. It was the same question he’d asked so many times before, always with such tenderness, so much love. Those words, that had once set her teeth on edge, now warmed her heart to its core. “I am well.”
Epilogue
October 1873, Lakota camp, Wyoming Territory
Maria squatted by the fire, stirring a pot full of bison stew. Hunting had been good in recent weeks, and the villagers were stocking up on cured meats, nuts, dried fruit and seeds in preparation for the long winter ahead.
Little Wiska, squeezed into a contraption on her back, began to fuss. She stood to her feet and rocked back and forth, and the baby was soon calm. The device swaddled him close to her body, but left her hands free to work. A bit more rocking and he’d soon be asleep, since he’d already had his morning meal.
Impeme played with a set of smooth rocks by her feet. The girl looked up at her and smiled. “Mama, is it nearly time to eat breakfast? I’m starving.”
“Almost ready, my darling. Not long now.”
She stared out over the river as it snaked dark and silent past their cozy tent. It was the same river they’d camped beside when she’d first come to the People, and the sight of it brought her comfort in a way she’d never thought possible four years earlier. A fish leaped into the air, likely chasing an insect dancing on the evening air, then splashed back into the muddy waters.
Tomowa waved to her from the adjoining fire circle. She too had a babe strapped to her back and Shiriki stood close by, staring out into the dawn. She smiled and returned Tomowa’s wave. They planned on picking fruit and digging roots later along the riverbank and on the prairie, and would dry them together to pack away with the rest of their supplies.
Since she’d returned to the People, the villagers’ attitudes had shifted. Previously, they’d been guarded with her, keeping their distance. Now they were warm and accepting. They welcomed her into their homes and their daily activities and rituals. She’d chosen to come back, and that convinced them that she was one of them – she loved them enough to give up all she’d ever known to be there with them. It made all the difference, in their eyes.
Tomowa had explained it when she’d asked – her friend told her that to the villagers, she was no longer a captive, but a friend, a member of the tribe. Even Waneta showed her a certain amount of grudging respect and shot her the occasional gummy smile.
She heard the chatter of voices and turned to see Bodaway striding toward her, flanked by Chepi and Lonan. The two of them were bickering, no doubt over something trivial. Bodaway caught her eye with a wry smile, and she laughed and went to meet him. He wrapped his arms around her and Wiska as gently as he could so to not wake the child, then whispered in her ear. “Save me, please.”
She chuckled. “Come now, surely you don’t need to be rescued from your own children?”
He grimaced. “You know I do. They’re worse than the Long Knives.”
She kissed him gently and he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. His lips explored hers and she gasped inwardly at the passion he still awakened in her every time they touched.
“Papa, please – not in front of us!” Chepi griped, rolling her eyes dramatically.
He laughed and kissed Mariya again in defiance. Impeme grinned, Lonan stormed off in disgust and Chepi disappeared into the teepee. “You did it. You saved me,” he said with a laugh.
“I’m glad I could help. Happy to assist you anytime you need it.”
He nuzzled the tender hollow between neck and shoulder.
She moaned and closed her eyes. “That feels nice.”
“Oh yes? How about we go inside …?”
“Chepi’s in there,” she said with one eyebrow arched.
“Hmm. I was thinking – we haven’t been riding together since the baby came. Maybe it’s time. What do you say?”
Her eyes widened and her heart leaped. “That’s a wonderful idea. I can leave him with Tomowa. She won’t mind.” She hurried off to find Tomowa while Bodaway fetched their ponies.
When she returned, he handed her the reins and she leaped onto the animal’s back with a smile. How she’d missed their outings tog
ether. But she hadn’t been apart from Wiska since he was born, and she shuddered a little at the thought of it.
“He’ll be fine,” said Bodaway, anticipating her thoughts. “Let’s go.” They took off together, riding side by side over the prairie.
The wind caught her blond pigtails and they flew out behind her. She laughed out loud and closed her eyes for a second, drinking in the smells and sounds of the spectacular landscape. When she opened them again, the morning sun raced over the prairie grasses toward them in a flash of gold and yellow. A coven of pheasants took to the air, startling her pony for a moment, and drawing a smile to her face. The pounding of wings on the still morning air filled her ears, and momentarily obscured her view of the prairie. Her mount galloped steadily beneath her and the sun warmed her face. She glanced over at Bodaway and caught his eye.
In that moment, Maria knew she was where she belonged. Wherever her family traveled, she would go with them. And be that where it may – it was home.
THE END
***
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Keep reading for an excerpt from my bestselling novel, Of Peaks and Prairies…
Excerpt: Of Peaks and Prairies
(Paradise Valley, Book 1)
Chapter One
2nd August, 1867
Fort Worth, Texas
Genevieve Waters-Ewing walked from the church with her hand resting lightly on Quincey Ewing’s raised arm. He’d shaved for the first time in months, and she glanced with distaste at a scratch on his cheek where the blade had nicked his weathered skin. Her whole body trembled and she fought hard to push down the sobs that threatened to escape her aching throat at any moment. He turned to face her with a grin, his ten-gallon hat perched unevenly on his square head.
