“Of course, my sister has to have a child who is going to draw as much attention as she does.” Mason ran his finger over her little arm. “Those big blue eyes.”
Stephan nodded. “We’re all going to have to make sure we have enough bullets in our guns.” He smiled, though. “I heard you’re going to buy a car when you leave here?”
Kizzy laughed. “Let me introduce you to the car junkies of our family. You name it, they have driven it. Just make sure it’s four-wheel-drive and an automatic. I can’t drive a stick.” She took Miranda back and burped her.
“Nope, it’s Uncle’s turn to hold this beauty,” Mason said, taking Miranda. “She’s big for a preemie. Our little girl was only three pounds.”
“She wasn’t really a preemie,” a nurse said, coming into the room. “Her mother was due in a week’s time. I need to take the little one to see the doctor. She’ll get her first set of vaccines today. You’ll be able to pick her up tomorrow around ten.” The nurse handed her a folder with a vaccination schedule. “Her pediatrician will take over from here.”
“Running Wolf, how are we going to work with medical aspect? What if she gets sick or gets something from other people, children?” Kizzy’s stomach knotted as her brother handed Miranda to the nurse.
“We have Red Hawk, but we will need more healers. Add that to your list, Little Gypsy. We’ll also need to start growing herbs for Red Hawk. It might be time to start going back to natural healing because we don’t know what is going to be left.” He moved to her side, staring down at the list. “But most of these she’ll have before then. We need to have that copied and given to Red Hawk, so he can start planning also.”
For the next couple of hours, they went from dealership to dealership while Dark Horse, Running Wolf, Mason, and her uncles compared the cars until she was ready to go crazy. Tapping her foot in impatience, she noticed a Babies R Us across the street from their current location.
Yep, time to do some shopping while they argue over the car. Kizzy was inching toward the door, when Soaring Eagle blocked her path. “Going somewhere, dear?”
“Why yes I was. Would you like to accompany me to the baby store across the road to do some shopping? I think it’s about time we chat, don’t you?” She hooked her arm through the old man’s.
“Kizzy, we’ll be done here in a few minutes,” Running Wolf said.
“Let’s see....” She tapped her lips and cocked her head to the side. “I do believe he’s said that three times already. It’s eight o’clock and most stores will be closing in an hour. We haven’t eaten yet either. So, you buy the car and meet us across the street when you are finished. I’m sure Soaring Eagle and I can do just fine.”
“I suppose you already know which car we should get?” Running Wolf asked.
“Why, yes I do. The blue Hummer. One, it’s built like a tank for added protection. Two, good off-road, and three, I like the color.” She flashed him her biggest smile.
He waved the salesman over. “Start the paperwork. We’re buying the blue Hummer. I’m going to take my wife across the street. When you’re ready for me to sign papers, Dark Horse, come get me.”
“You’re going to let my sister pick the car?” Mason gaped at him.
“She has the main points down, and I was leaning toward a Humvee anyway, so why not give her the blue one? Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to help my wife pick out stuff for our daughter.” Running Wolf took her other hand, and the three of them headed outside.
“So how was this place the judge is setting up?” Kizzy asked. “I’m really worried about them staying here.”
Soaring Eagle patted her arm. “Rest assured, he has done well for a white man.” The old medicine man laughed. “I actually teased him about it, too. He kept threatening to throw me in jail for contempt of something.”
Running Wolf and Soaring Eagle went to step off the curb, but she stopped, jerking them to a halt on either side of her.
“Running Wolf,” she murmured, a shiver running up her spine. “Someone is watching us.”
He whistled loudly, and she jumped.
“What the hell?” She dropped his arm and smacked him in the stomach. “Don’t do that. You almost gave me a heart attack.”
Sun Bull, Penn, Dark Horse, and Red Hawk all came out and surrounded them.
“Well damn, that was fast.” She tilted her head to toward the west. “Killers are still in the area.” Kizzy checked both ways and proceeded to the store. “To the left of us, I do believe near the grocery store somewhere, but that is all I can get.” She strolled along, acting like nothing was wrong. “I would really like them taken care of before we get on the road. It would give the town some peace.”
Already, Dark Horse was on the phone, speaking urgently.
Running Wolf nodded. “We’ll try. Let’s get some shopping done while my men handle this.”
“They’ll kill the assholes, and we need answers, plus the town needs closure.” Kizzy grabbed a cart. “I’m so going to tell their wives.”
Soaring Eagle let out a belly laugh.
His wife was a vindictive one, but Soaring Eagle had taken a liking to her. The two of them were driving Running Wolf nuts and freaking the crap out of others in the store.
“Okay, stop,” he said as he placed a car seat into the basket he had collected since they already filled one cart. “You two are starting to draw attention to us every time you say something about everyone that passes us. Not everyone thinks your gifts are special.”
“Really? I thought it was the fact we are buying up a storm and holding the store open,” she teased. “But I do believe we have enough for our little princess. We have two cases of formula, three packages of cloth diapers, and one of the disposable even though I don’t like the idea of using them.”
“They are biodegradable. I made sure. We’ll use them only in emergencies, but I have to agree the cloth will do fine, and we have glass bottles so we can reuse these also. I think we did quite well today. Plus, we’ll have the bundle the nurses are giving us.” Kizzy ran her fingers over the portable bassinette.
He patted her hand. “I’ll make her a bed when we get where we are going, but, for now, this will have to do.”
She smiled. “I’m fine. I was just remembering the one Mason has that was ours. I think your building her one will be perfect.” Kizzy pulled out her wallet at the checkout lane.
“What do you think you are doing?” He pushed the second cart up to the register.
“You bought the car. I want to buy this load of things we’ll need. It will be as if her grandparents helped.”
He tucked a piece of her hair back. “This is important to you?”
“Please, I want to keep them alive in my heart, and knowing their money helped with our child would mean a lot.”
He kissed her cheek. “You pay for the stuff, and I’ll run over and sign the papers for the car. They should be ready now. But do not leave this store till I get back.”
“I’ll stay with her,” Sun Bull told him. “One of the Irons men is already sitting in the local jail.”
“Do you think we could hit Red Lobster? I mean I know we are meeting everyone, but I would so love some fish right now, my treat. . And they have those amazing biscuits. We can get a doggy bag of those for breakfast.” Kizzy bounced on her heels, her eyes got big, and she licked her lips.
“Sun Bull will let the others know where to meet us.” Running Wolf kissed her again because he had to. “Red Lobster, here we come. You coming?” he asked Soaring Eagle.
“I’m with her. The biscuits are to die for,” he teased, and she laughed, hugging the old man.
“You remind me of my father,” Kizzy said.
The old man hugged her back. “It’s my pleasure, and you remind me of the daughter I lost so long ago. So full of life and love.”
Running Wolf slipped out the door, shaking his head. Soaring Eagle never mentioned his daughter to anyone, and his wife already had the old med
icine man telling jokes.
“What’s so funny?” Dark Horse asked as he entered the dealership.
“Kizzy has Soaring Eagle over there, laughing, telling jokes, and they’re testing each other on their gifts. Do you believe that?” Running Wolf sat down and signed all the papers, and the salesman left them. “Not only that, he’s talking about Crystal.”
Dark Horse jerked his head up. “Really?”
“He’s comparing Kizzy to her.” They strolled outside and accepted the keys from the salesman.
“You have a magical person in your wife, my friend. She heals the souls of those most affected by past tragedies.” Dark Horse popped the hatch when they parked in front of the store.
“I know, and I have a feeling our daughter is going to be just as powerful as Kizzy.” Running Wolf got out of the car and grabbed the cart from Kizzy while Dark Horse took Soaring Eagle’s.
After the items were loaded, Running Wolf drove to the Red Lobster he had seen, Sun Bull and Dark Horse following. “Neil and the Judge are meeting up with us, while we eat. His honor is bringing his wife, too. She’ll have all the lists she’s put together for you.” Running Wolf pulled into the packed restaurant. Half the parking spots were filled with bikes from his group.
“What did you do, call everyone in?” she asked.
“We usually eat one meal together, and I have to admit we might as well enjoy what we can. Plus, we need to discuss a few things, so I had my men reserve the back room for all of us.” Running Wolf came around to open her door.
“Gentleman, after all,” Kizzy teased.
“In public only, baby.” He wrapped his arm around her. “Tonight, I’ll show you my true colors.”
“You mean these?” She traced the emblem of the White Buffalo on the back of his leather duster. “You are going to have to tell me the White Buffalo story.”
“I think it’s time all of us heard the story again,” Soaring Eagle said. He and Dark Horse accompanied them toward the entrance where Sun Bull and Penn waited.
“And let me guess, I get to tell it?” Running Wolf asked.
“You are the president, are you not?” Soaring Eagle didn’t even look back at him.
“Oh good, I love a story while we eat,” Kizzy said. “And you have such a deep loud voice, too, so everyone will hear you.” She shivered in his arms.
He slid his hand down to her ass, cupping her cheek, and dropped his voice another notch. “Tonight, Little Gypsy, I’ll tap this.”
If he hadn’t been holding onto her, she would have fallen flat on her ass. He wouldn’t trade his passionate wife for anyone or anything.
Chapter Nineteen
“The telling of a story, to us, is relaying our history, letting our children know who we are.” Running Wolf, President White Buffalo MC
Kizzy took a deep breath, sitting back and scanning around her. In a short time, all this would be gone. She might not get food like this again, unless she knew how to cook it. She would start gathering recipes that would be different and easy to make when times became hard.
“Looks like I’m not alone.” A tall, thin woman with long gray hair sat down across from her. “My name is Julie Anderson. I’m Judge Anderson’s wife.” She patted her husband’s hand while he spoke with Soaring Eagle and Running Wolf.
“I’ve been making lists all my life. Hello, my name is Kizzy. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The woman pulled a notebook from her bag and handed it to her. “I’ve made this for you. I’ll have three more for you to give out in the different towns that will be created. I want to help anyone I can survive. Why do I get a feeling it’s like a judgment coming our way?”
Kizzy took a drink of her sweet tea. “In some ways, I believe we are. How can we not? Look at our land and how we have destroyed it. The animals we’ve all but destroyed. It was only a matter of time before something happened.” She held up the notebook. “Thank you for this. I still wish you two would come up north with us.”
Julie sighed. “I’m afraid I am not well enough to travel. I’ve told my husband to go, but he’s bound to stay here and make this place a haven for strangers in need.” Tears shone in her eyes.
Kizzy reached over and squeezed her hand. “Be careful who you bring into your haven, Julie. Things will get bad and, in my experience, the worst of society always has a way of surviving while the good perish.”
“How can one so young be so cynical?” Julie asked.
“Seeing my parents murdered and knowing it was because of my gift. So, you see, Miranda couldn’t be in better care. I know what it’s like to be special, and I’ll be prepared.”
“What my wife forgets to mention is that her aunt was not at all in her right mind. Any parent would be proud of their child, knowing she was special.” Running Wolf kissed her cheek. “I’m going to keep saying it till you believe it. Put yourself in your mom’s place, with Miranda in yours. Would you regret your life?”
“You know it’s not the same, but no, never. In my head, I know I’m not to blame, but in my heart there will always be doubt. Now, sit and order your food so we can hear this story. I even have pen and paper ready to take notes.”
“You know our history has been handed down from one generation to the next through story telling? Why start taking notes now?”
“Because I always have and it would drive me crazy not to.” She frowned. “Paper. Lots and lots of notebooks.” She wrote that down.
“You should see the stock pile my wife has already.” Anderson chuckled, placing a kiss on the top of Julie’s head. “But then again, I’d be lost without her.”
“Ha, you wouldn’t be able to find your robe if not for me,” Julie told her husband as the waitress came to their table. “I’ll have the usual, Lisa, and his honor will have?”
“No respect whatsoever, I swear. I think I’m going to have the prime rib and lobster tonight, Lisa. Change it up a little.” He handed the waitress the menu. “But bring me my scotch and water please and my wife her red wine.” He took a sip of water “So what is this story your husband is going to tell us?”
“What the white buffalo means to him and his people.” Kizzy ordered her fish, while Running Wolf order a steak medium well just like she liked it.
“We can share,” he said.
“I don’t know how you know what I’m thinking,” Kizzy said, kissing his cheek.
“That’s easy. He’s a Dom, just as Mr. Judge here is.” Julie poked her husband with her fork.
Her face heated, and she fussed with the notebook.
“You made her all embarrassed. Sometimes, woman….” Judge Anderson said.
Running Wolf dragged her chair closer to his. “I’m afraid with her life endangered, moving, and getting married, we haven’t really had the time to explore, but soon.” Running Wolf kissed her. “You want a story.” He brushed a finger down her cheek. “So beautiful, my Little Gypsy. A story before dinner it is.” Running Wolf stood and cleared his throat.
The room grew quiet as all his friends turned to listen to him.
“It has come to my attention that we need to be reminded of why we are here and what we do as a group. Why we call ourselves White Buffalo.”
All eyes focused on her husband. He stood tall, his long dark brown braid hanging down his back. His leather duster rested on the chair behind him. His voice was strong and powerful, perfect for storytelling.
Running Wolf had to take one more peek down at his wife, big eyes on him, ready with her little notebook and pen. He shook his head, getting those wayward thoughts out of his mind—that was for another place and time.
Right now, White Buffalo. He took a deep breath. “Long ago, before the invasion of others, our tribes were suffering. We needed food, game was scarce, so our warriors gathered to discuss what could be done. They have moved many times, only finding small game, not enough to keep them fed or clothed.” He paused, allowing Kizzy to write. He ran his hand over the top of her head, loving her even mo
re.
“I’m ready,” she said. “I taught myself how to do shorthand.”
“So did I, honey, so did I,” Julie said, taking notes, too.
The judge snorted. “Get used to it.”
“As we all know, the buffalo has always been a symbol of our sacred life and of abundance. Well, a white buffalo is the most sacred anyone can encounter.” He looked at Julie. “Each religion I have found has some symbolism in its beliefs. This is one of ours.”
This was the first time he had ever had to tell a story and explain it, but it was good. It felt right repeating this sacred story. “A white buffalo is born white. As it ages, the buffalo will change colors. In old times, our medicine man would know the meaning of this, as our Soaring Eagle does now. The sacred knowledge was passed down to him, from the medicine man before him. We are all very lucky to have him with us. Soaring Eagle is teaching Red Hawk the ways of our people, and in time he will take his place.
“Anyway, with the white buffalo, we were taught we don’t have to struggle, that if we carefully search around us, there will always be ways to survive. There are also a few prayers we sing and dance to, which we believe help us. As we teach ourselves the appropriate things to survive. For example, all of this.” Running Wolf waved at the comfortable restaurant they sat in. “Do we really need it? Can we survive without it? Yes, we can. We have lost our way, forgotten how our ancestors had to learn to survive. Well, guess what? It’s time to ask our older generation to help us. They will be leading us as we all learn to survive off the land again. By teaching ourselves, we will be able to witness all that the Great Mother has left for us.” Running Wolf paused to take a drink of water, allowing the women to catch up.
They signaled to him, and he continued. “I saw a white buffalo. It was in my vision quest. A sign that life’s sacred loop is beginning again. Once more, we finally have purity of the mind, body, and spirit. There will be no white, black, yellow, or red, but one nation of survivors. It is a sign, an omen for the poorest people who have given up hope that change is coming. That hope and good times will once more be strong in our people. The story goes like this.” Running Wolf moved through the tables of his men as he spoke. “One summer, a long time ago, our ancestors met and camped together in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The sun was blazing down on them that afternoon. People were starving. Children were too hungry to play or laugh. Two young warriors went out to try and find something for the children to eat, at least. The Lakota were a strong people, and proud. The two young warriors were hunting when a strong young beautiful woman dressed in all white appeared in front of them. ‘Return to your people and tell them I’m coming,’ she said.” Running Wolf stopped.
Hunger of the Heart Page 12
