Time passed incredibly quickly. When Mat brought home an elk carcass, she put into practice what she’d learned from Day Star about scraping hides. With Cameron’s guidance, she’d started the process of tanning the hide, letting it dry in the sun, scraping the hair from it until it was smooth, and soaking it in the river.
Soon it would be ready for the first application of elk brains to soften the stiff leather. After that, she’d have to pound at it with a rock, a process that would take the better part of a day; backbreaking work she wasn’t particularly looking forward to. After another soaking, the hide would be ready for a final scraping, and another application of brains to soften it into material that rivaled anything she’d worn in the twenty-first century.
Riley dried strips of meat in the sun, wove baskets from reeds near the river, and gathered seeds and roots. She’d had no time to miss her books. She was living them.
Evenings were spent relaxing outside her simple dwelling with the man she loved more with each day that passed. She and Cameron took long walks along the riverbank, talked about fond memories from the future, and spent a lot of time in each other’s arms.
Mat usually stayed by himself, and was often gone during the day. He ate meals with her and Cameron, but he was quiet and reserved around her. Riley had learned that he’d come from the 1970’s, which left him at a disadvantage when she or Cameron talked about computers and other technology.
Not that he liked to join in their discussions about the future. Cameron had told her that Mat had been more than happy to leave the future behind. His family had been into drugs and alcohol, and he’d been mostly neglected and on his own as a boy.
That same air of confidence drifted around Mat as what she’d always detected in Cam, but his eyes didn’t hold that same intense glare. His blue eyes were much softer. They didn’t harbor the anger and frustration that Cameron had bottled up inside for so many years. Mat appeared content with his life, and if she asked him, he’d no doubt affirm that he hadn’t held the same strong grudge against the Sky People as Cameron had done.
“Mat and I are heading out to look for suitable trees for when I build our cabin,” Cameron said on the morning of her fourth day in the valley.
She was still snuggled under her sleeping furs, reluctant to face the day after spending the night in Cameron’s arms. He leaned over her, his hands working their way under the covers to caress her bare skin. A satisfied grin spread over his face when his actions elicited a quick intake of breath from her.
“Don’t waste the day away in bed, or Mat will tell me my wife is lazy.”
Riley glared up at him. “If you hadn’t kept me awake half the night, I might not be so tired this morning.”
She worked her arms free of the furs and snaked them around his neck, drawing him down to meet her lips. Cameron’s kiss melted her into the furs, leaving her breathless and flushed enough to want to brave the cool early morning air.
“We’ll continue this later,” he whispered in her ear, then gathered his bow, and left their dwelling.
Riley pulled her dress on, and stepped outside. A warm broth with meat and roots was waiting for her by the fire, and she ate her breakfast while the sun rose in the distance, slowly lifting the veil of mist that hovered over the valley.
The next time her gaze drifted to the sun, it had traveled more than halfway across the sky, and the elk hide lay spread out at her feet, freshly coated with elk brains. Riley wiped the back of her hand across her forehead, smiling at her work. Soon, it would be ready and she could make a new dress.
“I’ll never complain about the price of a new outfit ever again.” She laughed at her own joke. A wave of pride and satisfaction passed through her at her accomplishments so far.
She glanced toward the river, where the outline of three people heading toward the cabin became visible. A surge of adrenaline shot through her, and she scrambled to find her knife. She didn’t have another weapon, and had been meaning to ask Cameron to teach her how to shoot the bow. Her body relaxed as the men came closer. She’d recognize one of them anywhere, by the way he walked and carried himself, and Mat’s figure was becoming familiar, too. The third man with them had to be Pikowan. He wasn’t as tall as the other two, walked with a slight limp, and had a pole he used as a walking stick. Slowly, she headed for the three.
Cameron walked faster, and met her before the others caught up to them. He pulled her into his arms, and kissed her in front of his friends.
“Sorry we were gone so long. I want you to meet someone.” He released her, his hand still at her waist, and stepped to the side to face Mat and the other man. “Pikowan, this is the woman I told you about, my wife, Riley.”
Riley’s gaze lifted to the elderly man wearing a fur cap with the ears of the animal it had once belonged to still attached. His silvery hair framed his face, and a bushy beard covered the rest of it from the nose down, leaving only his steely gray stare visible. Looking into those eyes, an inexplicable shiver passed through her. Somewhere, she’d seen those eyes before.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The old man stared at her. The corners of his eyes twitched slightly. A quick flash of surprise, and then uncertainty, were the only indications he gave that he might have recognized her, too. His beard moved slightly, revealing his lips and teeth, indicating he was smiling at her. The smile didn’t reach his eyes, however. Riley blinked. Had there been a brief spark of anger in his stare?
"Well, now, isn't this a surprise?" he said heartily, and she shrugged off her feeling of unease. He laughed and held out his hand.
Riley tilted her head. Where had she seen him before? No one she knew at the university had a beard like this man. She'd encountered plenty of men with beards but didn't know too many personally.
She slowly held out her hand, and he clasped it between rough fingers. He squeezed a little too tight, and Riley pulled her hand back. She shot a hasty glance at Cameron, who looked at her with pride.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Pikowan,” she said, shaking off her unease. She was better at remembering names than faces. He could simply look similar to someone she’d passed on the street or stood beside in line at the convenience store. Then again, she hadn’t been in the habit of looking at people close enough to remember their eyes.
“Cameron’s told me a lot about you.”
The man’s bushy brows rose. “Well, I hope he didn’t tell you any false tales about me.”
“Not at all.” She forced a smile, trying to act genuine. Her intuition hadn’t failed her often. “He holds you in very high regard.”
Pikowan looked at Cameron and Mat. “They’re fine boys,” he said. “Been through a lot, they have.” He scoffed. “The three of us have a kinship, what with them Sky People doing what they’ve done to us. I see that those bastards have been at it again, bringing you here.”
“The Sky People have explained to me why I’m here,” Cameron said calmly. “I won’t stop looking for Mukua, to help you find a way home, but Riley chose to stay.”
Pikowan laughed again. “I’ve told you for years, boy, those Sky People are nothing but liars. Whatever they’ve told you, don’t believe a word of it. Can’t trust any of them. You’re best to stay away from them. They don’t have your best interest in mind.”
Cameron and Mat exchanged a quick glance, but neither one of them spoke. Pikowan cleared his throat.
“Well, I’ve been gone too many days, and I’m tired. This old man needs to get some rest.” He turned his attention to Riley. “We’ll have a lot to talk about, I’m sure, but it’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”
He nodded curtly, then headed for the cabin.
“You’ll get used to him.” Cameron took her hand. “He’s been bitter with the Sky People for a lot longer than I have. I should have asked Naatoyita about him, if he knows why Mukua abandoned him in this time.”
“Where did he come from?” Riley asked, staring after the old man.
“He’s nev
er talked about his life in the future, even when we’ve asked.”
Mat shifted weight. “Now that Pikowan is back, I’m going to visit Naatosi. It’s a good thing I didn’t mention it to Pikowan that I plan to visit the Sky People.” He grinned.
“You’re leaving now?” Cameron led the way away from the river toward the cabin and their wicciup.
“There’s still some daylight left. It’s best if I go now, while Pikowan sleeps, rather than in the morning. That way, I avoid an argument. I can save it for when I come back.” Mat’s grin widened.
"I've got meat cooking, if you'd like to take some with you," Riley offered. Mat looked at her and nodded.
“As Cam says, don’t let the old man intimidate you. He might be gruff like an old grizzly, but he’s harmless.”
“I’m sure he is,” Riley said absently, staring to where Pikowan disappeared inside the cabin.
She grabbed a piece of hide, wrapped up some meat she’d been roasting over the fire, and handed it to Mat.
“Safe journey.” Cameron clasped his friend’s hand. “The elders said our paths were linked. Perhaps Naatosi has a woman waiting for you when you get to their camp.” He grinned broadly, looking from Mat to Riley.
Riley rolled her eyes and stepped up to the quiet man. She embraced him for a quick hug. "If he does have a woman waiting for you, take my advice and make sure you do something about your hair," she whispered in his ear and stepped back with a smile.
Mat glared from her to Cameron. He stuffed the meat into his traveling pouch.
“Since I’m the son of a chieftain, as you told me, I’m sure I’ll be granted more than one woman.” He returned her smile by wiggling his eyebrows, nodded at her, and headed toward the hills in the direction of the canyon.
“Well, if he comes back with a woman on each arm, you’ll have gotten a raw deal.” Riley wrapped her arms around Cameron’s waist.
He pulled her to him and tilted her head up to meet his kiss. "There will only be one woman in my life. Besides, providing for two would be a lot harder, and much more work." He winked, and Riley swatted his arm.
“Tomorrow, I’ll take you along the river closer to the canyon. There are lots of downed logs that would be perfect for our home, and I’d like your help to pick out the ones we bring back. Once Mat returns, we’ll be ready to build the cabin.”
“Sounds nice. I’d like to see the falls again.”
Riley’s eyes drifted to the little cabin. Pikowan hadn’t come back out, and the valley was already bathed in the golden glow of early evening. No doubt he was tired, as he said, and would sleep until morning. Those gray eyes continued to haunt her, and the more she thought about it, the more it aggravated her that her memory was failing her, and couldn’t remember who he looked like.
“As long as you don’t plan on going for a swim.” Cameron’s words interrupted her thoughts. He pulled her fully into his arms, and dragged her toward their wicciup, leaving all speculation about the strange old man behind to ponder later.
* * *
Riley walked along the banks of the wide Yellowstone, mesmerized by the pull of the water as it flowed steadily toward the canyon. The river had looked almost still less than a mile further upstream, but here, where the forest grew denser along the banks, leaving the vast valley behind, the current swept quickly past her. The Upper Falls, the first plunge the river made into the mighty canyon, were at least another mile downstream, but the roar of the water was easily distinguishable from the rush of the wind through the trees.
Cameron had told her to sit and rest for a while, after she’d helped him for the better part of the morning, sorting and piling logs he’d deemed suitable for their cabin. It was backbreaking work, and would require everyone, including Mat and Pikowan, to pitch in once it was time to take them back to the valley, which was devoid of lodgepole pines. Aspen and cottonwood would not be suitable building materials.
Three pelicans floated past her, bobbing on the water. They simultaneously took flight, and headed upstream, only to land in the middle of the river again, and let the current sweep them away. They repeated their game several times before finally remaining airborne, flying in the direction of the valley.
“You guys look like you’re having fun.” Riley smiled.
She’d never noticed, much less observed, wildlife before. Here in the wilderness, it became a necessity to know the habits of all the creatures that inhabited the same space she did, and she marveled at how each animal adapted to its surroundings. Cameron would have to teach her to read animal tracks and other signs. With time and his guidance, she’d hopefully become adept enough to avoid encounters with dangerous creatures.
She leaned against a lodgepole, and closed her eyes, pulling in a deep breath of the fragrant air around her. The river had its own distinct scent, along with the pine-infused air of the forest. The valley smelled more of sage, mixed with the odor of bison, which reminded her of cows.
“Hello, Riley.”
Riley's eyes snapped open, and her heart hammered against her ribs at the sound of her name. She pushed away from the tree and turned her head in the direction from where the harsh voice had come. Walking toward her was the man Cameron and Mat had lived with for many years – Pikowan.
Her muscles relaxed slightly. She offered a welcoming smile.
“Sorry. You startled me,” she stammered. “I wasn’t expecting anyone. If you’re looking for Cameron, he’s somewhere in the woods.”
Her eyes darted around to look for Cameron. No doubt he was out of earshot.
Pikowan approached, his eyes traveling over her. A slight shudder passed down her spine in response to his perusing glare.
“Actually, I was looking for you.” He smiled.
Riley’s brows drew together. “I’m sorry, but have we met? You look very familiar, but I can’t figure out where I might have seen you before.” Her voice sounded even enough, while adrenaline made her limbs go weak. The nagging thought that something wasn’t quite right started to fester in her mind. She mentally shook her head.
"Is that so?" The old man stopped in front of her. "Maybe I just have the kind of face everyone seems to have seen before."
He moved away and lowered himself onto a fallen log with a loud groan. He patted the spot next to him. “Come and sit a spell.”
Riley hesitated. Her eyes darted into the forest again. There was nothing threatening about his demeanor, yet some inner sense told her to be careful. Cameron and Mat had lived with this man for years. Why did he give her such an uneasy feeling? She shook it off. This was silly. She lowered herself onto the log next to him and stared out at the river. The peaceful, steady flow of the water calmed her nerves.
Pikowan glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “Are you sure this is where you want to be, Miss Bernard? In this time?”
Riley blinked at the unexpected question. “What do you mean?”
“This is a harsh, and unforgiving life in an even harsher land and climate. Not really suitable for a woman like you.”
He stroked his beard, which reached well past his chin. "I must admit, Miss Bernard, you look a lot different than you did before, and you seem to have gained some confidence that you were clearly lacking in 2011."
Riley gaped at him. Butterflies churned in her belly at his use of her former surname. Her intuition hadn’t been wrong. She narrowed her eyes and studied him some more. Why couldn’t she place him? He obviously knew who she was.
“I don’t consider myself stuck here, as you put it,” she answered slowly, studying his reaction.
He shifted his body to look at her fully. Her gaze remained on his eyes. They were what she recognized about him. The rest of his features were out of place.
“By the way,” she added, shaking some hair out of her face, and forcing a nervous smile. “My name isn’t Bernard. I’ve taken my husband’s name, and Cameron has chosen to take his father’s name. You can either call me Riley, or… Mrs. Osborne.”
&
nbsp; The old man visibly tensed next to her. Something gleamed in his eyes, the icy stare turning hateful. In that instant, it came to her. Those same cold and angry eyes had glared at her the day this man had walked out of the Tower Ranger Station, and nearly collided with her. He’d been years younger then, well-groomed, and dressed in a ranger’s uniform.
“John Hastings?” she whispered. “What are you doing here?”
The man’s eyes widened, and a slow smile spread across his face that she’d finally recognized him.
“I could ask the same thing of you, Miss Bernard.” His voice was saccharine sweet. “I’m pretty sure Dan Osborne didn’t say anything to you about time travel.” He laughed. “Luckily, or maybe unluckily for me, after our encounter, I was approached by a Native American who called himself Mukua. He said he was an elder of the Sky People, and told me that he needed me to do something for him in the past.”
“And he sent you here?” Riley stood, and took several steps away from him. Her pulse pounded at her temples. What was keeping Cameron so long?
“Why would you want to take him up on such an offer?” Riley’s mind worked to remember the conversation she’d overheard between John Hastings and Dan Osborne at the ranger station. Hastings had been extremely angry.
She studied him. He was a lot older than when she’d seen him just recently. For him, it had been years since their encounter. How could he possibly remember her?
“You were already in the past once, before Mukua sent you,” she guessed.
John Hastings studied her through narrowed eyes. “You’re smart, Miss Bernard, and very perceptive. Yes, I was in the past with Dan Osborne, but he played dumb with me after we came back to 2011, as if it hadn’t happened.”
He scoffed, and shook his head, slowly getting to his feet. He came closer and leaned forward. Riley took a step back and pressed her back against the tree she'd been leaning against earlier. Her eyes darted around for any sign of Cameron.
Yellowstone Origins: Yellowstone Romance Series, Book 6 Page 24
