White Heart, Lakota Spirit

by Ginger Simpson

  “Both,” she said with a grin, rubbing her wrists.

  Colonel Jamison scratched the back of his neck. “I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do with you.”

  “I think we should keep her under guard,” the captain offered. “Just in case the Sioux decide they want her back.”

  “I agree, but I hesitate to put her in the stockade. Perhaps we can lock her in the tack room until I think of something else.”

  Locked in the tack room? Fawn shuddered.

  A cherub-faced woman, clad in a blue gingham dress, swept into the group. Her brown hair, pulled back into a tight bun, made her sparkling hazel eyes stand out. “Parker, surely you don’t intend to treat this woman like a criminal. I think she should be our guest. After all, we do have an extra room.” She addressed the colonel with an easily detected trace of the South in her voice.

  The woman turned and faced Fawn. “Hello, I’m Eliza Jamison.”

  She extended her hand.

  Fawn nervously extended her palm. “I’m... Well, I used to be Grace Cummings, but now I’m called Dancing Fawn… Fawn for short.”

  “Welcome, Fawn. I imagine you must be exhausted from your trip and ready to clean up. Why don’t you follow me, and I’ll show you to your room.”

  Fawn trailed behind Eliza Jamison, leaving the colonel with his mouth agape.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “Here we are.” Eliza Jamison opened the door, revealing a beautifully decorated room. A patchwork quilt of fall colors covered a bed large enough for two people, and delicate lace curtains hung over a padded window seat. A large, white, porcelain pitcher and washbowl rested on a mahogany table, and hanging above, a large beveled mirror. The bedroom, much like the small parlor through which Fawn had passed, was a testimony to Eliza’s decorating skills.

  Fawn stepped inside. “Oh, Mrs. Jamison. This is lovely.”

  “Thank you, my dear. I hope you’ll be comfortable. I’ll have one of the men bring in some fresh water so you can get cleaned up. We’ll be sitting down to supper soon.”

  Fawn edged closer to the mirror. Turning to look at the other woman, she smiled. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen my reflection in anything other than the river.”

  Eliza’s brow arched. “So you’ve been a captive of the Indians for quite some time then?”

  Fawn wasn’t sure how to answer. Things had changed. “Well... I’m not... I...I’ve been with the Lakota for a year, but I haven’t been kept against my will. I married a very fine man.”

  Eliza gasped and covered her mouth. Her eyes widened. “Surely, not an Indian.”

  “Yes, Little Elk is Lakota, and I couldn’t be happier.”

  Her gaze lowered to Fawn’s stomach. “And the child…”

  “His.” Fawn cradled her stomach and smiled.

  “Well...I... I’ll leave you to your toilette.” Clearly at a loss for words, Eliza fled the room, closing the door behind her.

  Fawn turned to look at her reflection. “That went well, don’t you think?”

  She collapsed onto the bed and replayed the scene in her mind. She hadn’t seen anyone look that shocked since Rain Roman saw her in a doeskin dress for the very first time.

  At the thought of the kindly old grandmother, Fawn turned somber. If she didn’t escape, she’d never know if all her friends were safe… never know if Little Elk returned unharmed. She had to find a way home. She bit her knuckle.

  Would the worries never stop? Now she wondered if the colonel’s wife would throw her out. Being locked up in a smelly tack room didn’t hold much appeal, but she guessed she’d find out soon enough.

  Fawn’s breath hitched when someone knocked on the door.

  “I have fresh water here for you,” a female voice called out.

  Fawn released her pent up breath and opened the door.

  Eliza bustled in behind a uniformed man carrying a fresh bucket of water. He filled the porcelain pitcher then turned and left without a word. Eliza stayed behind.

  “Try not to waste a drop,” she instructed. “It takes at least ten trips a day for the water detail to keep the barrels filled, and that’s no easy feat. Did you see the road down to the river? That steep climb back up is really hard on the mules.”

  She giggled. “Here I am worrying about mules, and you, you poor dear, must be exhausted. I’ll leave you to wash up and rest a bit before supper.”

  Eliza didn’t appear upset enough to oust her. Fawn perched on the edge of the bed and heaved a sigh of relief.

  * * * *

  Seated at the table with hands folded in her lap, Fawn waited not only for the food to be passed, but to see what turn the conversation took. She hadn’t quite figured out Colonel Jamison. His uneasy glances indicated displeasure at having her share his table, but his manners were still that of a gentleman. He handed the mashed potatoes to Fawn. “I assume you are going to be comfortable with your accommodations?”

  Fawn spooned a large helping of the steaming vegetable onto her plate. “Oh yes. The room is quite lovely. Mrs. Jamison has a knack for decorating.”

  “Yes, Eliza has an eye for style. I imagine staying here will be much more pleasant than living with heathens.”

  Fawn sat straight and squared her shoulders. “I do not consider the Lakota to be heathens, sir.”

  “Well, then you’re too far gone for us to save if that is how you truly feel. I’ve never in all my days met a white woman who preferred a savage to one of her own race. If I had my choice—”

  Eliza Jamison cast a stern look at her husband then smiled at Fawn. “Care for a hot biscuit, dear.”

  After accepting a hot bun, Fawn reached for the gravy ladle and covered her potatoes with the rich brown sauce. She took her first taste. “Mmm. This is delicious. Sure beats the hardtack we ate on the way here.”

  The conversation ended. Fawn continued to eat but sensed the tension in the air. Except for the sound of eating utensils scraping against the plates, the room was totally quiet until Colonel Jamison pushed back from the table “If you ladies will excuse me, I’m needed at a staff meeting with my senior officers.”

  With his departure, a relaxed feeling settled over the room.

  * * * *

  Eliza finished the dishes and dried her hands. She hung her apron back on its hook and turned to Fawn. “Would you like to join me in the parlor?”

  “That would be nice.” Fawn followed her hostess.

  The straight back of the armed side chair left Fawn wishing for her comfortable willow backrest, and she struggled to get comfortable. She glanced around the warm and cheery room. Various pictures hung on the walls. One in particular caught her eye, a picture of the colonel and his wife with two children. Fawn looked to the settee where Eliza sat and pointed toward the photograph. “Are those your children?”

  Eliza smiled. “Yes. Our son, Thomas, and daughter, Sarah. Both grown of course.”

  Fawn warmed at the thought of being a mother herself and massaged her growing abdomen. “My baby will be born in a few months.”

  “So... I noticed. I’ll bet you’re excited.”

  “Nervous is more like it. I don’t know the first thing about being a mother, so I’m really glad that I have Green Eyes to teach me.”

  “Green Eyes?”

  “She’s my best friend. Her son, Little Cloud, is almost nine.”

  “My, my. What...what charming names. Although I must say, I am very unaccustomed and perhaps naive about Indian customs and such.”

  Fawn took a deep breath. “Mrs. Jamison—”

  “Please, call me Eliza.”

  “Eliza, I know you must have a million questions. Feel free to ask. I’ve nothing to hide.”

  Nervously wringing her hands, Eliza took a breath. “Well, if you’re sur
e you don’t mind. I’m dying to know how you ended up with the Sioux.”

  * * * *

  Eliza Jamison sat with her eyes wide and her mouth agape. “I would never have believed it possible to find love with an Indian. I’ve never known one, but I’ve always heard them referred to as savages. You paint a very different picture.”

  “I understand. When I first came to live with the Lakota, I never thought I would be the happy person I am today. I certainly never expected to fall in love with someone who was party to taking me away from my family, but after living with the Lakota, I saw what my friend, Green Eyes, had already discovered. Just like the white race, there are good and bad people.”

  “Your friend is white, too?”

  “Yes, she’s been with the Lakota for over eight years now and claims them as her people.”

  “But Indian war parties are killing the settlers left and right.”

  “When forced into a corner, wouldn’t you fight for what you love?” Fawn argued. “Wouldn’t you defend your children and what was rightfully theirs?”

  The colonel’s wife nodded. “Of course I would. I love my children very much.”

  “As the Lakota love theirs. There is no difference between you and an Indian except the color of your skin and your beliefs.”

  Eliza covered a yawn. “Please excuse me. I’ve enjoyed our talk, but it must be very late.”

  No sooner had the words passed her lips than Colonel Jamison walked through the door. “Well, I expected you ladies would be asleep by this late hour.”

  Eliza stood and brushed a kiss against her husband’s cheek. “We were just on our way to bed. We’ve had quite a nice visit.”

  “Yes, we did,” Fawn agreed. “But, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll bid you good night.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Fawn stared up into the darkness. The downy featherbed provided a welcome respite from the rough army blankets she had been forced to use on the trip to the fort. Her mind filled with thoughts of her husband and if she would ever see him again. Her best chance for escape would be Eliza. Fawn hoped their talk tonight had helped Eliza see things differently and understand how deeply Fawn felt about her relationship with the Lakota people. She curled on her side and cradled her growing stomach. She hoped she carried a son and that he would be just like his father.

  * * * *

  Traces of dawn barely filtered through the lacy curtain when a trumpet blaring reveille outside jolted Fawn awake. She crawled to the end of the bed and pulled the window covering aside to peer out. Her warm breath created a foggy haze on the glass, and she reached to wipe it away.

  The heavy footfalls of soldiers hurrying to join muster vibrated the wooden walkway and caused the window to shimmy. Even the bed shuddered from the movement. A passing soldier glanced in her direction as he rushed by. Embarrassed to be spying, Fawn dropped the curtain back into place and sat back on her heels. In a few moments, she peeked out again.

  What did soldiers do at this ungodly hour? Like a colony of ants, they formed a continuous line across the parade ground—at least that’s what the colonel had called the area.

  A knock on the door drew her attention away from the window. “Fawn, are you awake yet? Breakfast is ready,” Eliza’s voice called out.

  Fawn scrambled off the bed and cracked the door open, then peered through the slit. “I’m starving, but give me a few minutes to wash up.”

  The wonderful aroma of brewed coffee wafted through the crack under the bedroom door and reminded her of her last breakfast with her parents. She hadn’t thought of them in quite a while, and the memory made her sad. She pushed the recollection aside and dried her face and hands.

  A glance down at her dress left her feeling dirty from having worn the same garment for so long. What she wouldn’t give for a clean one. Maybe Eliza could loan her something to wear while Fawn washed her dress.

  * * * *

  After breakfast, Fawn sat enjoying a second cup of coffee when Eliza appeared holding a cotton wrapper. “Here, my dear. If you’ll slip into this, I’ll have your dress laundered for you.”

  Fawn accepted the garment. “That’s very nice of you, Eliza, but I can do my own laundry.”

  “Don’t be foolish.” Eliza insisted. “We pay people to do those things. I’ll have someone tend to it right away.”

  “Honestly? I never thought I’d enjoy such a luxury. I’ll go change.”

  She came back into the parlor and handed Eliza her soiled dress. Eliza took it and started out the door, but turned. “Maybe later we can visit the trading post to see if they have any ready-made dresses. I know they have lots of yard goods. Sit tight and I’ll be right back.”

  Fawn walked to the window and stared out at the compound. People, looking much the same as her family, traveled in and out of the fort, probably to take advantage of the trading post. With this being such a busy place, crowds could work to her advantage. Maybe she could sneak out in one of the many wagons. First, she’d have to find a way to get out and look around. But how?

  Eliza swept into the room. “Your dress is on its way to be washed. Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll fix us a pot of tea.”

  Fawn sat but remained at the window. A constant stream of conveyances created swirls of dust that barely had time to settle, and in the midst of it, rows of soldiers, three across, marched in formation to the barking orders of a rough-looking man. Another wagon passed by, this one a large Conestoga drawn by six horses. The occupants looked much like Fawn’s family had when they embarked on their journey—settlers searching for a dream. Why had her family’s turned into a nightmare?

  Looking away, she bit her bottom lip and fought tears. Life wasn’t fair sometimes. Her white family was dead, the army snatched her away from her husband, and even now, perhaps some of her friends lay dead at the hands of soldiers. Would the fighting ever stop?

  She turned her attention back to the happenings on the other side of the glass, scanning the armed guards who patrolled the plank walkway around the top of the walls. “Even if I come up with a plan for escape,” she mumbled. “I’ll have to be well-hidden to get past all the guards.”

  “Ahem.”

  She jerked around. Eliza held a serving tray with a teapot and two cups. From the stern look on her face she had overheard. Fawn swallowed hard. “Eliza, please let me explain.”

  The woman slammed the tray down on the side table so hard the cups clattered, and tea sloshed out of the spout and puddled. Red-faced, she turned to Fawn. “I can’t believe that after I saved you from being locked up like a prisoner this is how you plan to repay me. Do you have any idea how angry my husband will be? And at me. I vouched for you.”

  Eliza dropped down on the settee, her cold stare fixed on Fawn.

  Fawn rubbed her temples. “I thought you, of all people, would understand. Especially after our long talk the other night. I just want to go home. Is that so terrible?”

  Eliza’s gaze softened. “I do understand, but if you heard all the things people are saying about you, you wouldn’t be so quick to try to hightail it out of here. It’s not safe for you. Most folks are angry with you for turning into an Injun-lover. That’s not my word, it’s theirs. They would like nothing more than to get their hands on you.”

  Fawn came and sat next to Eliza and searched her eyes for compassion. “I understand your concern, but try to imagine what you would feel like being ripped from your home and brought to a place where you didn’t belong. No matter how hard it is for you and the others to understand, the Lakota are people just like you and me. They love, they laugh, they get sick, and they die just like everyone else. I adore my husband and his people, and I belong with them. Won’t you please help me?”

  Eliza bolted to her feet. “No, absolutely not. I’m the wife of the fort commander the head of the Seventh Cavalry.
How would it look to his superiors if word got out that his own wife conspired against him? I can’t. I’m sorry.”

  Fawn went to the side table and poured herself a cup of tea. She sipped the hot brew then sighed. “I understand your dilemma. You don’t have to do anything to help me. Just please, don’t try to stop me. Look the other way, and let me take the blame for my own actions. I’m willing to take the risk.”

  Eliza nodded. “I suppose I could do that. Just don’t tell me your plans.”

  * * * *

  Fawn paced alongside the bed. It had been over a week since she came to Fort Sully, and she still hadn’t found a way to move about without supervision. The foul-smelling, loud-mouthed private shadowed her wherever she went, even to the privy. She’d swear he’d come inside to watch if she didn’t lock the door.

  “There has to be a way to get out of here.” She verbalized her thoughts. “I just have to find a way to dispose of Private Riley.”

  She clenched one hand into a fist and pounded the palm of her other hand. “I refuse to give up. It may take time, but—”

  A pain shot through her midsection. Breathless, she clutched her abdomen and doubled over. “Ohhh. Ohhh!”

  Her first thought was of the baby. Fear clutched her heart.

  Oh God, please don’t let this happen. Her breathing was ragged, and her knees buckled. “Eliza! Help me!” she hollered.

  Without knocking, Eliza rushed in. “My goodness! You’re as pale as a ghost. Let me help you up onto the bed, and I’ll go for the doctor.”

  “No, you can help me.” Fawn clawed at Eliza. “You’ve had children. Tell me what to do. My baby can’t come yet. It’s too early.”

  She put an arm around Fawn, hoisted her up, and laid her atop the colorful quilt. “You lie still, I’ll be right back.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Fawn locked her trembling fingers around Eliza’s wrist. “No, don’t leave me. I’m scared.”

  Another searing pain shot through Fawn. She drew her knees up, rolled to her side, and curled into a ball.

  I’ll be right back,” Eliza promised as she ran from the room.