“I can not let you destroy the girl I love and all I have worked for, Jake.” Two Spirits stopped walking, turned to face his attacker. “My family needs me to take care of them.”
“You shoulda thought ‘bout that ‘fore you started messin’ ‘round with Thornton’s little girl. Now start walkin’, cause I can take you upright or across the saddle. It don’t make a shit to me. One way or the other, you’re goin’ back with me.”
“No, Jake.” Two Spirits shook his head in refusal. “Just one of us will ride away this day. Do not force my hand, or I will kill you before I allow you to destroy everything I hold most sacred.”
“You dare to threaten me, you worthless son-of-a-bitch! I’m a white man.” Jake jabbed a thumb into his own chest. “You shoulda stayed penned up on the reservation where we put you, stead of comin’ ‘round tryin’ to be white and layin’ up with our women.”
“We did not ask to be put on reservations. The white man is the greedy one. All we want is to be left alone! To live our lives the way we have always lived, proud and free!”
“Proud and free my ass. You couldn’t even hold on to your land.” Jake flung out his arm, indicating the forest around them. “We came along and took it from you just like it was nothin! Which, by the way, it was, `til we made it livable. ‘Stead of bitchin’, you should be down on your knees, kissin’ our asses for putin’ food in your worthless bellies. If I had my way, state of Montana’d put a bounty on all you beggin’ bastards.”
“We are not animals!”
“Sure as fuck coulda fooled me! Even your clothes are made from their skins. Your women drop their whelps right out in the woods, just like a goddamn dog or cow.” Jake snorted with disgust. “Then you have the balls to stand there and tell me you ain’t animals? Shit!”
“The Holy Spirit provides for his children. He gives us the animals for our food. Their skins for our clothing. Their horns for our cooking and eating bowls.” Two Spirits’ voice softened as he spoke of all the blessings bestowed upon his people. “The animals we kill are not wasted. The white man kills the animal for sport. They throw away the hides, the bones, everything except some of the meat.” He ignored the sneering expression on Jake’s face. “The buffalo is killed for his hide, the meat left to rot out on the prairie. Our women give birth to our children in a birthing teepee. Do not call us animals.”
“Heathen, you wouldn’t know the first thing ‘bout God,” Jake growled. “Don’t go tellin’ me ‘bout what He does and don’t do. You pray to spirits. To animals. If not for us tryin’ to teach you ‘bout the Lord, you’d all burn in hell.”
“The Indian people know about Our Father. He is not someone who came with the white man. You take our land then destroy it. You take our food then waste it. You rape our women then call them trash for not having the strength to fight you. Now you try to tell me you own Our Father too? I pity you and your kind for your ignorance.” He turned to walk away.
“Stop right there, injun, or I’ll shoot you in the back. It don’t matter to me,” Jake said, his gun drawn and ready.
Two Spirits whirled, his leg catching the already cocked gun to send it flying from Jake’s hand. Stooping, he picked the gun up from the ground to stick it into the waistband of his jeans. In an instant, Jake’s hand unsnapped a leather sheath to draw out the thick-bladed knife he always wore. Holding it by the point, he hurled the weapon at his opponent’s back, where it struck Two Spirits between his shoulder blades.
“You’re done for, injun,” Jake snarled as Two Spirits fell to the ground. Dropping down, he pressed his knees into Two Spirits’ back, pulling the knife from his body. “I’m gonna make you a good injun,” he panted, grabbing a handful of Two Spirits’ hair.
Concentrating all his efforts on what he had to do, Two Spirits threw his head back hard, smashing Jake’s nose flat against his face. At the sound of breaking bone, the injured man screamed, rolling from his victim’s back and trying in vain to stop the flow of blood pouring from his fractured nose.
In an instant, Two Spirits jumped to his feet, the weapon held in a tight grip. “You bring too much evil into this world, Jake,” he whispered, straddling the injured man whimpering on the ground. Before Jake knew what to expect, Two Spirits yanked his head back and slit his throat.
Staggering to his feet, Two Spirits walked the short distance to the lake, throwing his injured body into the cold clear water. The water soothed his aching wound and helped to stanch the flow of blood. As if in a dream, he felt himself being pulled from his relaxed state. The hands gripping him refused to yield their hold as they dragged him into the trees.
“You have done a very dangerous thing, Two Spirits,” he heard the voice of Pehta telling him.
“I had no choice. He tried to kill me.”
“You must lie still while I gather moss to pack your wound. When it is dark, I will take you to the lodge of your mother. She will see to your needs.”
“We do not have time for that,” Two Spirits moaned, trying to push himself to his feet. “The white man must not be found.”
“I have already thought of that, Two Spirits. After I take care of you, I will bury him. If it were not for the trouble his worthless carcass would bring, I would let the animals feast upon him.”
“How long have you been here?”
“I have been here but a short while. The spirits called me to help you. If not for their help, you would be walking beside them this night.”
“There is too much difference between her world and mine, Pehta. After my wounds have healed, I am going far away. The danger for us is too great. The white man I killed planned to tell her father about us. I must leave while there is still time to walk away from her.”
“It is already too late, Two Spirits. The white girl carries your child.”
Chapter Nineteen
Two Spirits’ absence from the ranch caught the attention of everyone but, most of all, the young girl who watched and waited daily for his return.
“I guess Two Spirits finally gave up on the crew around here. Thought since Jake left he’d be all right.” Eathen settled himself into a more comfortable position in his chair. “If he ain’t back within the week, I’ll ride out to the reservation with his pay.”
Jessie’s stomach plunged. If he went to the reservation, he could hear about her visit there a few months back. Somehow she had to stop him. Walking over to his chair, she bent down, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Maybe he’s sick or somethin’. Just because he ain’t been here for the last few days don’t have to mean he’s quit.”
“You could have a point.” Eathen rubbed a loving hand up and down her arm “It’s a long way out to the reservation and back. Maybe no one wanted to take the time to let us know he’s unable to come to work.”
“Eathen,” Charlotte spoke up. “Why don’t you have Wolfer ride out to the reservation? I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”
“If I can find him. He might already be out there. I know him and Pehta keep in touch and there ain’t much that goes on that Wolfer don’t know about.”
Jessie felt her pulse start to race. She had forgotten all about the man her father had hired to keep the wolves thinned out and away from the cattle. “Why would Wolfer know anyone on the reservation?” she asked, being careful not to mention Pehta.
“Pehta’s a Blackfeet. He’s the one who raised Wolfer after he found him wanderin’ alone out in the wild after his mother abandoned him.”
“This Pehta,” Jessie whispered, “must be a very kind-hearted man.”
“They don’t come any better.”
“You know this man?” Jessie swallowed deep against the fear rising in her throat.
“Hell, I’ve known Pehta for years.” Eathen folded the paper he had been reading to lay it aside. “Matter of fact, he’s the last survivor of that tribe of Blackfeet killed down by the lake all those years ago. His brother was the war chief.”
“Losin’ everyone all at once li
ke that could cause a person to go a little crazy, couldn’t it?” Jessie ventured. “I mean, you say you know this man and all but…I don’t know, Daddy.” She searched her mind for just the right words. “He sounds like a man who could be dangerous. I sure hope he never comes here.” She watched her father, trying to gage his reaction to what she said. “There’s no tellin’ what he might do.”
Withdrawing a cigar from his shirt pocket, Eathen stuck it partway in his mouth then withdrew it to do the same with the other end. “There ain’t a saner person on this damn earth than Pehta.” He bit one end off the cigar, spitting it into the fireplace. “You don’t have anything to fear from him, that I can promise you, little girl.”
“Do you see this man, Wolfer, often?”
Scratching his head, Eathen thought for a moment then grinned. “Come to think of it, it has been a long time since I’ve seen him. Frank’s the one keepin’ a tally of all the wolves trapped or killed. So it’s Frank who sees him the most, since he’s the one who pays him. Once in a while he’ll drop by for a visit.” He stretched his long legs out straight. “We’ve always enjoyed each other’s company.”
“I don’t see why.” Jessie stood up straight. “What I mean is how much could you and the rest of the ranchers have in common with a man who shoots wolves for a livin?”
“Jessie!” Charlotte spoke up. “Since when did you get so opinionated about what others do for a livin’?”
“Mama, please.” Jessie gave her mother an inpatient look. “Daddy and the other ranchers breed and sell cattle. They sure don’t depend on how many starvin’ wolves they can kill to earn a livin.”
“Miss Jessie,” Hattie spoke up, “it bes all well an’ good ter bes proud of yo’ pa, but kain eve’ybody bes rich lak dat. It ain’ good ter bes talkin’ bout po’ folkses needer.” Her voice lowered with disdain. “Maybe da kain he’p bein’ po’. At least Mist’ Wolfer works w’en he spos ter.” She fixed Jessie with a baleful stare. “Da’s mo’n Ah kin says fer you.”
The shocked look on Jessie’s face had Charlotte turning away to hide her laughter.
“I got news for you, little girl.” Eathen leaned forward in his chair. “Me and the rest of the ranchers around this county have seen a big profit, thanks to Wolfer. Before he came along, we probably lost anywhere from twenty to thirty head a winter, dependin’ on the severity of the weather. I, for one,” he tapped the ash from his cigar on the edge of the ash-tray, “am damn glad he came along. I’m sure the other cattlemen agree.”
“I didn’t mean to sound like such a brat.” Jessie slipped her arms around his neck once more. “I guess what I meant is I’m just glad my daddy makes his livin’ in such a respectable way.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” He placed a small kiss in the palm of her hand. “I’m glad you’re proud of your old dad. It does my heart good to be able to take care of my family and give them anything their heart desires. But, gettin’ back to Wolfer, I’ll see if I can round him up and get Two Spirits’ money out to him. If not, then I’ll send one of the hands out with it.”
“I’ll go,” Jessie spoke up.
“No, Jessie,” Eathen declared. “It’s too far out there and back for you to be ridin’ alone. I’ll take care of it.”
Without stopping to think, she asked him, “If Wolfer shows up, could I go with him?”
“Why the hell would you wanta go to the reservation?” Eathen turned in his chair to gaze up at her. “It’s dirty and out in the middle of no where.”
“I just thought it’d be interestin’ to go again. I had fun the time you took me.”
With a thoughtful grin, he looked at her. “I think the reason you wanna go, is so you can see ‘bout Two Spirits.”
Dropping her blue eyes, she replied, “Why would you say that?”
“Because I know you, Jessie. You’re just like your mother. Always tryin’ to take care of everybody.”
“Is that so bad?”
“No, I guess it ain’t,” he laughed, pride for her filling his heart. “All right, I’ll tell you what. If Wolfer shows up, I’ll see if he minds your ridin’ along.”
“Thank you, Daddy,” she whispered, hugging him close. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
***
A week later, Eathen walked outside to greet the man he had been waiting for. “I see you got my message,” he held out his hand.
“I always have, Eathen. How you been?” Wolfer grinned.
“Not too bad. Get down and come on in the house. I’ll pour us a drink and we’ll catch up on what’s been goin’ on.”
Dismounting, Wolfer wrapped his horse’s reins around the hitching bar, then removed a pair of long-fringed leather-saddlebags.
“What you got in there?” Eathen laughed, slapping the other man on his broad back.
“Somethin’ I’ve never seen you turn down.”
Within moments, the two old friends had seated themselves in front of the fireplace in Eathen’s den to share in the contents of Wofer’s saddlebags. “Here’s to good friends and old memories.” Eathen clicked his glass against the one Wolfer held out to him.
“I understand you’re missin’ one of your ranch hands.” Wolfer set his empty glass down on Eathen’s large oak desk.
“It looks that way.” Eathen leaned back in his chair. “I don’t know if he’s quit or sick or what the hell’s goin’ on. I’m in hopes you can solve the mystery.”
“Two Spirits is at his mother’s lodge. I guess he’s in pretty bad shape.”
“What’s wrong with him?”
“Pehta said he got into a fight and someone stabbed him in the back.” Wolfer shook his dark head in refusal as Eathen made to refill his empty glass.
“I’ll tell you what, he didn’t miss havin’ the same damn thing happen a while back. Jake, one of my ranch hands, before I fired the son-of-a-bitch, tried to put him away right out there in the breakin’ pen.” He gestured with his drink towards the window. “If Jessie hadn’t yelled, warnin’ him, he’d be six foot under right now.”
“When I go back out to the reservation, what message do you want me to give him?”
“Just tell him when he’s up to it, to come on back. His job’ll be here watin’ on him. Also, you can take his money to him. I’m sure he can use it, bein’ laid up and all.”
“He could also use some bandages and anything else you can spare him. Things of that nature ain’t easy to come by on the reservation.”
“Has he had a doctor out to check on him?”
“Yeah,” Wolfer snorted, “the one already out there. I wouldn’t let that worthless bastard doctor my horse.”
“Tell you what I’ll do.” The large chair squeaked as Eathen leaned forward. “I’ll have ole Doc Medlow, in town, run out and see him.” At the doubting look crossing Wofer’s face, he added, “I’ll make it worth his while. But just in case he does try’n stiff me, I want you to let me know and the next time I see him, I’ll take his fee outta his ass.”
At the quiet tapping on the door, Eathen called out, “Yeah, come in.”
“Daddy,” Jessie peeked around the door. “Am I disturbin’ you?”
“Not at all.” He waved her forward.
As the young girl walked into the room, Wolfer left his chair.
“I don’t know if you remember my daughter, Jessie,” Eathen said, coming around his desk. “She’s grown up a lot since you last saw her.”
“Yes, she has,” he agreed, staring at the beautiful girl watching him. “She was still very young the last time we met.”
“Have you asked him yet, Daddy?”
“Don’t be rude, Jessie. At least tell Wolfer you’re pleased to make his acquaintance before you ask a favor from him.”
“I’m sorry.”She held out her hand, her small face flushed with embarrassment. “I’m glad to meet you, Wolfer.”
Nodding, the big man reached out, taking her small hand in his. “What’s the favor?” Wolfer asked her, coming right to the
point.
“Daddy says you’re goin’ out to the reservation to check on Two Spirits. I wanted to know if I could ride along with you.”
She glimpsed a look of surprise on his face before he could hide it.
“If you feel that’s what you wanta do,” he murmured, “I got no objections.”
“I guess you got your answer, sweetheart.” Eathen shook hands with the somber man standing before him.
Wolfer started to say something then thought better of it. “When you’re ready,” he glanced for a brief moment at Jessie, “we’ll leave.”
Jessie walked outside. She could feel her spirits soar, knowing that at last she would be going to the man she loved with all her heart. He might refuse to see her, but at least she would be near him and that’s all that mattered. Looking up, she saw Sam leading her mount.
“You be careful out there, Miss Jessie,” he told her, handing her the reins.
“I will, Sam.” She stepped into the saddle. “Do you have any greetin’s you’d like me to give Two Spirits while I’m there?” She smiled at the closed-mouthed man staring at her.
“None that I can think of right at the moment.” Sam returned her smug look.
“Take good care of her, Wolfer,” Eathen called out, as he watched them ride off down the path leading from the ranch.
“I’ll do my best,” he returned with a wave of his big hand.
For a long while, they rode without speaking.
Finally, Jessie broke the silence. “Thank you for bein’ so nice and lettin’ me tag along.” She flashed him one of her brightest smiles.
“I’m surprised you wanted to,” Wolfer stared straight ahead, “after what happened the last time you went out there.”
Jerking her head to the side, her full pink mouth fell open in surprise.
“There’s very little goes on out there I don’t know ‘bout.” His gray eyes slid over her, then away. “Yeah, you caused quite a stir. I’m surprised Eathen hasn’t heard ‘bout it by now.”
Fated Memories Page 24
