by Paty Jager
Unable to wait any longer, Wade slapped his hat on his head and strode to Gibbon’s quarters. He pound on the door. Gibbon’s aide drew the door open dressed in trousers pulled on over his red flannels.
“I have to see Colonel Gibbon.” Wade pushed his way into the room.
“He’s sleeping. Like you should be.” The man’s usual curly mustache stuck out all askew.
“I can’t sleep until I get out of the cavalry.” Wade paced the room. He hadn’t thought this move through. His tormented mind compelled him to confront the colonel.
“Sylvester, go back to bed.” Colonel Gibbon stepped into the room, a night wrap drawn around his body, his underdrawers showing below the wrap. “This better be damn good, Watts.”
“Sir, I can’t wait for my release orders. I’m leaving tomorrow. I can’t shake the feeling something is wrong with Sa-qan. I’ve read the papers and know the army is scuttling the Nez Perce all over causing them more grief than anyone deserves. I need to find her.” He stared the man straight in the eye. “I’m petitioning for personal time and would request you grant it until my orders come through.”
“What if I say no?” Gibbon settled his body onto a straight-backed chair at the table.
“I’ll leave anyway.” Wade dropped in a chair across from the colonel. “Sir, I’ve followed orders my whole adult life. Now I have to follow my heart and my gut.”
The colonel stared into his eyes and grunted. “I’ll not waste men chasing you around God knows where. But if I get wind you’re causing trouble for the army I’ll have you slapped in prison and disregard any release orders that come through my hands.”
“I only want to be with my wife and child.” Wade stood.
The colonel’s eyebrows shot up. “You didn’t say you had children. How long have you and this woman been married?”
“We’re married through the eyes of her people, but I plan to make it legal as soon as I catch up to her. And the child has yet to arrive.” He extended his hand. “Thank you, Colonel.” They shook hands, and Wade hurried back to his quarters. He had packing to finish and a dress to purchase.
The last he read in the newspaper the Nez Perce were wintering in Fort Lincoln. He’d hire a mackinaw to take him down the rivers to the fort. Anticipation of holding Sa-qan in his arms before the week ended sent his heart thumping and spurred his packing.
Mita áptit
(30)
Sa-qan and the other Nimiipuu gathered around Joseph waiting for his words to soothe their tattered hearts. They’d been herded off the train at yet another fort and stood at the edge of a flat expanse dotted with soldier dwellings between a swamp and the river. She shivered. The moist cold seeped into her bones.
Joseph ordered them to retrieve their belongings and set up camp. She and Silent Doe put their blankets and few personal belongings in a so·yá·po tent. By the end of the week, they had taken down the so·yá·po dwelling, using the canvas to build a teepee. The Nimiipuu dwellings worked better for inside fires. The woman and children fell into the regular routine of village life while the men spent hours in council, talking over their bleak future.
Sa-qan spent her days tending the ill. Many did not handle the new country they lived in well. They had lost several on the journey, and she knew there would be many more deaths. Seven suns after their arrival, the local so·yá·po visited the village, walking among them, whispering and pointing. The boys cajoled nickels from the visitors, tossing them in the air and shooting them with their bows and arrows.
As the days passed she gave up hope of seeing Wade. They had traveled too far for him to find her. He had promised his heart to her, and she kept that promise tucked in the recesses of her heart, but her logical head told her he would not be able to follow her trail. She would be lost to him.
Soldiers stood guard around their camp. A reminder they remained prisoners even though the townspeople came and went as they wished bringing food, medicine, and goods to exchange for bead and leather work.
Sa-qan held a dipper of water to a child’s mouth when Girl of Many Hearts skidded to a stop beside her. Sa-qan glanced up into the girl’s smiling face.
“He is here!”
Sa-qan stared at the girl. “Who is here?” She could not comprehend who would make the child so happy.
“Your man.” The girl’s eyes danced with merriment.
Sa-qan nearly drowned the child, her hands shook so. Wade was here? He had found her? “Are you sure?” Her voice cracked as her heart thudded in her chest.
Girl of Many Hearts bobbed her head up and down rapidly.
Sa-qan stood, smoothing her newly-fashioned blanket dress. Silent Doe had chided her for wearing a buckskin dress while the other women wore the warmer blanket dresses. If her light-colored hair did not make her stand out, her dress only worn for ceremonies did.
“W-where did you see him?”
“Right here.”
Wade’s deep voice washed over her like warm sunshine. She spun around. Her gaze beheld a wonder she had given up hope of seeing. The man she dreamed of every night since their parting. His face remained as she remembered, but his strong body no longer carried the soldier clothing. His tall frame wore the clothes of a so·yá·po who raised food and animals.
He opened his arms, and she dashed into them, wrapping her arms around his solid frame still trying to believe he had come for her. His comforting embrace brought tears to her eyes. Often the past three moons she had longed for his warmth and strong arms to hold her.
“Angel, I’ve longed to hold you from the moment I watched the procession leaving Bear Paw.”
She thrilled at the rumbling of his voice in his chest. “Why did you not say good-bye?” She peered up into his eyes. The sorrow in their depths formed a lump in her throat.
“Abernathy threatened to cause you trouble if I laid eyes on you again. Riding away from you that day was the hardest damn thing I’ve ever done.” His arms tightened and his head lowered. “I’ve wondered ever since if he kept his word or if my not being with you left you vulnerable.”
Their lips met and her heart soared. He came for her! Ignoring the gathering crowd, she kissed him back, reveling in the thought he was her home. She could be anywhere as long as he stood by her side.
And arm wedged between them. Her eyes shot open, and she watched in horror as a soldier shoved a rifle against Wade’s chest.
“What do you think you’re doing?” The soldier snarled.
“I’m kissing my wife.” Wade shoved the man back. “Get the hell out of my way.”
“Your wife?” The soldier scanned her body and stared at her hair and eyes. “These Injuns kidnap her?”
“No,” Wade said at the same instance as she did. She smiled at her man and he grinned back.
“She is Nez Perce, and she is my wife. I’ve been detained, and she had to travel with her people. Now, I’m claiming her.” Wade stepped around the soldier, taking her by the arm. “Come on, I’m finishing my promise.”
“She can’t leave the compound,” the soldier said, moving back in front of them.
“As far as I know there isn’t a law that forbids a man to claim his wife.” Wade stared at the soldier.
“I-I’ll have to ask—”
“Go find your answer. I’m taking my wife home.” Wade tucked Sa-qan against his side and strode away from the soldier.
Sa-qan allowed Wade to lead her over to where a young boy held a horse. She spun as he put his hands around her waist. “Where are we going? I must remain here and help my people.”
“I have a preacher waiting to marry us. I promised we’d be legal by my people’s traditions. Then I plan to make love to you in a soft bed. We’ll deal with the rest tomorrow.” He placed her on the horse as Silent Doe approached.
“I see your man has come.” She smiled. “Do not worry. We will care for the sick until your return.”
Wrinkles furrowed Wade’s forehead at Silent Doe’s words.
He swung up beh
ind her. “We’ll discuss that tomorrow. She’ll be with me the rest of today and tonight.”
His soft words ignited her skin. They would be together, just the two of them. Her heart hammered in her chest as he reached around her, grasping the reins in one hand and placing the other protectively over her stomach.
She leaned back against his solid chest and sighed. “I had started to believe you would not find me.”
He kissed her neck. “Nothing would stop me from finding you. I read the newspapers. The public isn’t happy with our government over the treatment of your people. The newspapers have kept the plight of the Nez Perce in front of them.” He kissed her, again. “We’ll discuss that later, too. Right now I want to concentrate on making you my wife and showing you how much I missed you.”
The guard at the edge of the camp between the encampment and the town started to raise his rifle to stop them. Wade’s arm around her stiffened and the man shifted his rifle to rest on the ground.
They continued into the town and straight to a white dwelling with a tall pointy top. Wade stopped the horse, dismounted, and raised his hands to her. The gleam in his eyes spread welcome heat through her body. She swung her leg over the horse and slid into his waiting hands. He lowered her to the ground slowly before his head dipped and his lips claimed hers.
She wound her arms around his neck and clung to him. Tears burned her eyes. Joy blossomed in her chest like a summer flower. She returned the kiss and broke loose from his lips to gasp for air.
“I’ve dreamed of that kiss so many times over the last few months.” Wade rested his forehead against hers.
“I have dreamed of you as well. I worried I would never see you again and held my memories tight in my heart.” She shuddered, cleansing her body of the anxiety she had harbored late at night.
“I’m here and don’t plan to ever leave you again.” He pulled a package out of his saddlebag and put an arm around her shoulders, leading her to the building.
At the door, he pulled it open and ushered her inside. The dark interior had candles lit at the far end. Many wooden seats like she sat on in the train lined the way to the candles.
“What is this?” she whispered, uncertain how she knew she stood in a sacred lodge.
“It’s a church. It’s where my people worship and talk to our Creator.” His quiet tone matched hers. “This is where my people get married. Once we’re married here no one can keep us apart. We’ll be husband and wife in the eyes of all our people.”
Her feet refused to move. What would the Creator think?
Wade tugged on her hand. “You still want to be my wife don’t you?” The worry in his voice moved her into his arms.
“Yes. I do not wish to walk this earth without you.”
He kissed the top of her head. “There’s a room over there. It’s small but will give you enough room to change. Take this and put it on. I’ll go find the preacher.” He handed her the parcel from his saddlebags.
“What is in here?” She squeezed the soft contents.
“A dress. I bought all the undergarments, but you don’t have to put them on. In fact, it will make things a lot easier later.” His eyes glittered with desire as his hand cupped her chin. “I plan to love you thoroughly as soon as this preacher declares us married.”
He said the last so quiet she had to lean close to hear him. He took the opportunity to steal another kiss.
He spun her. “Go, before I forget we need a ceremony.”
She walked toward the door in front of her. The small room had a bucket and a stick with grass on the end. A small colorful window up high on the wall provided the only light in the room. She unwrapped the package and discovered a so·yá·po dress. Small blue flowers scattered across the garment. She scowled. Why did she have to wear this to marry Wade? The soft cloth, while not as warm as the blanket dress she wore, did not scratch her skin. She raised it to her face. The smooth cloth skimmed across her skin.
Curiosity slipped her dress from her body. She ducked into the dress Wade gave her. It scraped the floor around her feet and caressed her skin. She stared down at the gapping cloth exposing her breasts. Gripping the cloth she held it together and frowned. So·yá·po women did not walk around holding their clothing together. She fingered the garment and found small round shell-like pieces sewn on one side. Memories of undressing Wade to heal him brought recognition of how to close the dress.
A light knock startled her.
Wade’s head popped in. “Are you ready?’ His eyes ran the length of her and ignited. “You’re beautiful no matter what you wear.”
“Why must I wear the so·yá·po dress?” she asked, fumbling with the next to last fastener.
Wade gulped the knot of desire rising in his throat at the sight of Sa-qan. He stepped into the room and finished the last button, enjoying the silkiness of her warm skin against his fingers. She had to see he wasn’t taking away who she was.
“You and I don’t care that you are Nimiipuu and I’m a white man. But there are others that are going to be harder to convince. By wearing this dress, the preacher won’t think twice about marrying us. I’m not taking away who you are. I’m making sure we’re together.”
His heart stopped and he held his breath as she contemplated his words. A sliver of a smile tipped her lips and she held her hand out to him.
“Being your woman brings me joy. We must be together to help my people.”
Air whooshed out of his lungs. He squeezed her hand. “After this ceremony, your people are my people.” He meant the words as strongly as he believed the vow he was about to make to her and God.
He led her down the aisle between the pews. The preacher and his wife stood at the altar. The woman’s eyes narrowed a bit. Wade glanced at Sa-qan. Her full breasts bounced with her steps, a movement the buckskin dress she wore when they first met had hidden. The curve-fitting dress she wore now revealed all of his angel’s attributes. He hadn’t realized the preacher’s wife would know Sa-qan didn’t wear the proper undergarments. Her beautiful hair also wasn’t pulled back by combs or piled in a neat bun. He couldn’t do anything about it now.
Wade tucked Sa-qan’s hand into the crook of his arm and continued forward.
The preacher cleared his throat when they stopped in front to him.
The vows were short and binding. Sa-qan’s eyes never left his face though they widened a bit when the preacher asked if he, Wade Andrew Watts took Angel Sa-qan for his wife. He’d had to give the man a first and last name for Sa-qan.
“You may now kiss your wife.” The preacher didn’t have to repeat the words he’d been waiting for.
Wade folded his arms around Sa-qan and kissed her with the reverence he held for their vows. He slowly released her, turned to the preacher and his wife and shook their hands. She also extended her hand to each one.
“Thank you, Reverend and Mrs. Mallory.” Wade ushered Sa-qan down the aisle only stopping long enough to pick up her discarded clothing in the broom closet.
Outside, he untied his horse as Sa-qan wrapped the Indian blanket around her body. The thin dress he bought wasn’t as warm as the blanket dress he’d stashed into his saddlebag. They’d buy her warmer clothing tomorrow. He had plans for her the rest of today and tonight. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders to help stave off the cold December air, he led her down the street to the waiting dinner, bath, and soft bed he’d arranged before riding out to the camp.
He stopped at the livery stable, paying the stable hand to keep his horse and grabbing his saddlebag. Wade held Sa-qan close to his side to help ward off the cold and walked quickly to Planters’ House, the best hotel in Leavenworth. He’d already secured a room right next to the bathing closet on the second floor. He’d instructed the clerk to have the boiler in that bath closet heating in an hour.
Wade led Sa-qan up the stairs ignoring the stares of the men loitering in the lobby. He had one thing on his mind—warm his new bride. He pushed open the door of the bath closet, leading Sa
-qan inside. She scanned the small room, her gaze lingering on the large brass tub sitting to the side of the room.
“What is this?” she asked, drawing the blanket tighter around her even though the room was warm from the boiler heating the water.
“We’re going to take a warm bath. The two of us, together.” Wade dropped the saddlebag over the chair in the corner. He unbuttoned his coat and hung it on a peg.
Sa-qan stood where he’d left her, her eyes wide, watching him. He stood in front of her and unclasped her hands from the blanket. The cold of her fingers seeped into his hands and chased a shiver up his spine.
“Don’t you want to get warm and clean?” He tossed the filthy blanket to the corner. He cringed thinking how many days and nights she’d been bundled in the dirty thing.
She placed her hands on his. “Nimiipuu bathe in cold water. It makes us strong.”
“Right now, you need to be warmed up or you’ll become sick.” He unbuttoned her dress, exposing her smooth skin and full breasts. With care, he slid the garment down her arms, over her hips, which looked narrower to him, and let it fall to the floor. Wade scanned her body. She’d lost weight since the last time he saw her naked. Her breasts were as full but her hips, legs and arms were decidedly thinner. His gaze dropped to her belly. The sight of a slight bump there expanded his chest. Their child grew in the woman he loved. He placed a hand on the bump and leaned down, capturing her mouth in a tender kiss.
Wade eased out of the kiss and started the hot water from the boiler flowing into the brass tub and pumped cold water to reach the desired temperature. Steam rose from the water. He skimmed a hand through the liquid and nodded. It would warm his angel without burning her.
