by Rita Hestand
"Pregnant? Oh dear! Those magicians aren't that good. What will I do?"
"I'd say close the place down for a while and reopen later, after Maggie has her baby. Unless you have some real talent around here. In that case, bring them on. Put out a sign that says closed for renovations. That way you won't be out for expenses for a while."
He nodded. "You're right about that. I'll consider it. However, they have a six months' contract, and I'll have to honor that, of course. I thank you for letting me know about this, Ma. And I'll consider what you said too. I think a lot of Maggie and Dakota. Maggie is so talented and everyone loved her so. And Dakota, well, he's never given me a moment's grief. Also, I have a pianist, the one that worked with Maggie, he's been wanting to play concert music. I might let him try and see how people respond to him."
"That must be Simon. Good, I'll get back to you later. And thank you for considering it."
"Of course."
Ma went home to prepare a meal for her guests.
Chapter Sixteen
There were at least twenty-five tipis in the camp. Maggie surmised. Dakota introduced her to the chief, an old man, skinny, and gray-haired but his face held volumes of hard times, and good times too. He smiled at her with a toothless grin.
"This is Chief Little Bear." Dakota introduced them.
Many gathered around in curiosity of bringing a white woman to their camp.
"Little Bear, this is my wife, Maggie." Dakota explained.
"You have taken a white woman for your wife. I was told by the Shaman. But what are you doing here?"
Dakota hung his head, "We have no place to go right now. The white people know our secret. They will not accept our marriage."
The old man stared at Maggie, he took her hands in his. "You are welcome as Dakota's wife. You carry his child, don't you?"
"How did you know," she smiled at him.
"A chief must know many things. You have married our son and you are family now. You are welcome here. Will you stay long?"
"I don't know for sure." Dakota told him.
"It does not matter. We are your people and you are welcome here, with your wife."
"Thank you." Dakota bowed to him. "You are very generous."
Maggie stared into the weary brown eyes and thanked him.
The old chief's wife showed them to a tipi that had been used for council meetings. "This is Little Foot; she is Little Bear's wife."
"My name is Maggie," she told her.
The old Indian woman nodded, but didn't smile. Maggie could see where must have been beautiful at one time, but age had caught up to her.
"Are they upset that I am here?" She asked.
Dakota took her in his arms and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Some may be. Just like the white's, they have opinions too. Don't let it hurt your feelings though. We won't stay here too long. It's too dangerous. I feel as though a big change is coming for the camp and there is nothing I can do to change it.
She nodded. "You are afraid for them?"
"In a way. Yes."
She nodded, kissed his jaw and smiled into his eyes. "Now, if you'll gather some wood, I'll make us a fire and see what I can rustle up for supper." She told him matter-of-factly.
He nodded.
She glanced around the tipi then went outside to the wagon to get some supplies for cooking.
When he came back with the wood, she turned to look at him, "Are you ashamed that you have married me now?" She asked softly as she came back inside.
He turned to her and took her into his arms. "No, I will never be ashamed of you. But proud. Are you?"
"No, I won't either," She smiled as he wrapped her arms around him. "I love you with all my heart."
"We are good together in many ways, Maggie. We will be fine." He told her. "We must look to the good things to bring us joy, such as our baby."
She smiled, "You're right."
He made a fire, then he told her was going for game and would return soon. She nodded and looked about the tipi.
It was primitive here, but there was also a sense of freedom that she'd never known before, and a strange sense of belonging. She'd married an Indian, and she knew she'd have some challenges to live with, but they would be worth it, because of her love for Dakota. With Dakota she could make her home here. It was an entirely different kind of experience. One where she would fend for herself and work each day, but in that she realized was the freedom to love, and to live. She had to start thinking of their baby now. Where would her child grow up and would he be accepted there?
She went to get water at the spring, bringing it back in a wooden pail she made coffee from what supplies they had brought and waited on Dakota to get back. Some of the Indians stared at her, but none approached her. Not until she had gone back inside at least.
An Indian maiden came in and gave her some food.
"My name is Maggie," she told the girl.
"White Bird," she pointed to herself. The girl smiled.
The girl was beautiful, with long black braids and shining black eyes that met hers clearly. "Friend." The girl said. The girl was pregnant with child and Maggie smiled, and told her, "Baby." She patted her stomach.
The girl nodded.
Maggie smiled at her and told her, "Yes, I am with child too."
The woman nodded and looked at her flat stomach.
"In the late spring, early summer." Maggie told her.
She nodded and smiled again, they held each other's hand for a moment and she knew a strange new bond was growing between them. Odd how easily the girl seemed to accept her.
"Yes, friend." Maggie smiled.
She made a friend. The girl left then. She had brought her eggs. Maggie was surprised. She didn't know Indians ate eggs, but she had seen some chickens scattering as they drove the wagon in. She'd started cooking them when Dakota got back.
Maggie laid the blankets down, side by side and smiled, thinking of the powerful love between her and Dakota.
Dakota returned mid-morning with a wild turkey and wild onions he'd found.
Maggie saw them and was delighted. "Those onions will go well with the potatoes we brought from Ma's."
He grinned. "Eggs, where did that come from?"
"White Bird brought them." She told him.
His grin faded. "So you've met her?"
"What's wrong?" She asked looking at him for an answer.
"It is nothing. I have known White Bird," he said in a strangled voice.
The meaning didn't hit her until she poured him some coffee.
"Oh, is there a problem?"
He came to her side and smoothed her hair, "No my love. A long time ago, she thought herself in love with me is all."
"Oh my then there could be trouble." Maggie asked.
"No, no trouble. But…I think I should explain, I don't want you worrying. I explained long ago, that there could be nothing between us. However, you must understand, I have had her before."
"Had her?" Maggie's expression sobered.
"Yes, she gave herself to me."
"Then there was something between you?"
"No, only on her side. I was young and she offered." He shrugged.
Maggie thought about that a minute, "I can understand that."
"I tried to protect her from any scandal. She was grateful." Dakota told her. "She married soon afterwards."
Maggie seemed to let out a breath.
"She will be your friend now as I befriended her."
Still something lingered in his eyes and she looked straight at him, "but there is more?"
"Yes," He came closer to hug her to him. "Not long after she married, she had a child."
"Your child?" Maggie gasped.
Dakota stared into her eyes now, as though it were very important to be completely honest. "Yes."
"Oh…" Maggie sighed with confusion now. Dakota had a child.
"How old is the child?" She asked after a long silence.
His eyes pinned
her, "She is three."
"You do not claim her?" Maggie's eyes narrowed on him.
"No."
Maggie's mouth flew open to say something but he went on. "You must understand. It is important." He stood up and walked about then knelt down in front of her. "If I claimed the child, White Bird would be shamed and probably removed from the village. But by holding my silence, her and her husband now share in the loving of the child and all is well. Can you understand that?"
Maggie thought about it. As a saloon girl, she could have gotten pregnant at any time, had she not taken every precaution she could. She could have several children walking around now. So how could she judge him for this. He had done the honorable thing for the girl and all was well, and the girl was grateful for his silence. And strangely Maggie was proud that he had protected the girl from shame. It was the very thing Maggie loved most about him, his protective nature.
Maggie nodded slowly, "Yes, my love. I can understand it. But, do you wish it had been different now?"
"No." He took her face cupping her cheeks, his thumb absently stroking her there. And a proud smile lit his lips. "She is very happy with her husband. They love each other now, very much. You see he was silent too and loved her that much. She understands that now and appreciates him for it. He cares for them both and they are happy. So I am happy for them."
"Doesn't it ever bother you when you see the little girl?"
"No, at first, yes, but now, no. They are happy. The little girl is happy. He is her father, and she loves him. I gave up the right when I turned the girl away. I did not love her. But she wanted to be with me. So I took her. I am only ashamed of my youth that I took her. But your God has worked it out so that everyone is happy." Dakota explained.
He studied her now, and when she went to start his breakfast he pulled her to him. "How can you be so understanding of such a thing? I expected you to be mad and throw a fit."
Maggie kissed his jaw. But Maggie had a forgiving heart and always had. How could she possibly judge him, after all she'd done?
"Because I could have been in the same position several times. I wasn't. I'm thankful that I wasn't. But I can understand because of my being a saloon girl. How can I judge you, when I have done the same?" Maggie declared.
He hugged her to him and whispered, "You are more precious to me than gold, Maggie. I love you with all my heart. And I pray that we may always speak the truth to each other, so our love is pure. And I am glad you were a saloon girl, because to do so gave you a heart."
She kissed him wildly and after they made love, she got up and made breakfast. So happy she sang a song for him, his song, Shenandoah. He listened, watched her and smiled.
Deep down, she was so happy that he had told her everything. They shared so much of themselves with each other, that's why she knew this love would work. They truly loved each other and communicated that love.
The song had put him to sleep with a smile on his face. She looked at him sleeping now and smiled. They both had a past, and to be able to be honest about that past and talk about it, made Maggie love the man even more. Had it been a white man, she feared he would never have told her, and they would never have shared so much of themselves. This was part of why she loved him so. He was honest and she could be honest with him if the time ever came. The freedom to love without shame would only make their love grow stronger through the years. She knew she could tell Dakota anything, and he would be able to understand it. And that realization made her stronger and made her understand that this was what true love was built on, honesty, trust, and love. Yes, their love was passionate, wild even, but their love was true too. She rubbed her tummy and smiled, "You have a wonderful father." She whispered to her unborn child with a smile.
No matter the hardships, she would never leave this man!
Chapter Seventeen
When Dakota went to speak with Ma, she told him that Nadine and Gabe were trying to work something out for them.
"You mean to live among the black people?" Dakota asked.
"Yes. Nadine wants you to. I haven't spoken with Gabe yet, but she seemed to think they could work something out where you could live out that way. You see, the white community doesn't venture out there often, so you'd be left alone by the white community. What do you think about that?" Ma asked.
"I think," he mused to himself for a moment, "It could be a solution that maybe we could all live with. If the black community will have us. Maggie sees no color, and she has taught me the same."
Ma covered his hand with her own. "Bless her for that."
They drank a cup of coffee together as Ma went over what Nadine had told her.
"Nadine will call a meeting of the community if they can work something out, so that all will be aware of it and if they accept you inside their community, it could be that the two of you will have a life.
Dakota looked at her and took her hands in his and kissed them. Ma was surprised.
"I think you are a lovely lady to suggest such a thing for us. That you care about people more than anyone in this town. I think you are greater than the wise owl." He smiled.
"I'm flattered. Well, I'll let you know when things are more settled. Are the two of you all right for now?" Ma asked.
"Yes, we have settled in and things are going well. Maggie is welcomed into our tribe and she is meeting and getting along with my people. Your solution, if it works out is a good one. But we will wait and see. Thank you for your help, you are a most gracious lady." Dakota told her.
Ma looked into his dark eyes and smiled, "I can see now, why Maggie loves you so."
"When will we know?"
"I expect within the week."
"Good, because it won't be long before soldiers show up and we want to be out of there by then. Well, I should go."
"I spoke with Mr. Montgomery and informed him of the goings on. He's going to give the Campbell's an ultimatum. If they keep quiet, they have a job. If not, they must leave and never return to Vada. He's also thinking of giving Simon a chance to play for the house too."
"That is good. I will tell Maggie. Was he disappointed that she wouldn't be singing there?"
"Oh yes, he was. And I think if Vada can ever forgive and forget maybe she could sing again, but now is not the time with her pregnant."
"I agree; it could be too stressful for her."
Ma nodded.
"Oh, I made this apple pie for the two of you." Ma gave it to him and he smelled it.
"You are a blessing in our life, Ma."
"I like you calling me Ma." Her eyes twinkled.
"It is who you are," he nodded, and with a smile he was off.
Although Dakota was well known in town, he didn't want to linger at Ma's as some of her guests might not understand what he was doing there and he didn't want to cause her trouble.
Dakota smelled the pie once more though and smiled to himself. Ma was a special person in both their lives now.
***
However, three days later Harry came to see his mother with some startling news.
Ma had just began frosting a cake she made earlier that morning when he walked in.
"Well what brings my son home this time of day?" Ma asked with a pleasant face, after she gave him a big hug.
"I've got some bad news Ma." Harry looked almost a bit frazzled.
"Oh, sit down, have some coffee and tell me all about it." Ma told him not the least alarmed. Ma had a stoic way of taking news, after all these years she realized that what she couldn't handle, God would. She'd been like a substitute Ma for the girls and their husbands. But Harry had such a hard job, she always tried to help him cope with things and she began by being calm first.
"The Army is moving into Vada." Harry told her.
"The Army?" She questioned, her mind already spinning with that news. Her eyes widened. "Moving in?"
"I hadn't thought it would be this soon?"
Harry stirred a bit of sugar into his coffee and took a sip. "Can I have a pie
ce of that cake while I tell you?" He asked with a slight curl to his lips.
Ma almost laughed, "It wouldn't be you, if you didn't. It's still warm, I just made it. How is you know when I'm baking?"
"I've had years of practice Ma. They've heard that there are several renegade tribes of Indians still trying to co-exist and they've been ordered to take them to the reservations. Without exception this time."
Ma rolled her eyes.
"Not only that but they are building a fort about twenty miles from here, so that any tribes not cooperating will be moved immediately."
Ma shook her head. "I respect the army in most cases, but shouldn't they leave friendly Indians alone as long as they aren't causing any troubles?"
"Oh I agree Ma. You know that. But they have their orders. And they fully intend to carry them out I'm afraid. I guess this will affect Dakota and Maggie, won't it?"
"I'm afraid so, I'll need to talk to them and Nadine again then."
"Nadine?" Harry questioned.
Ma sipped her coffee and looked at her son. She put her hand over his. She loved Harry and she couldn't be happier for him that he'd settled down, and now had a wife and family of his own. It had changed him and for the better she was sure. Harry was a good Sheriff, a fair man, a good man. But his job sometimes carried a lot of problems with it that Ma had slowly learned to help him with.
"I went to talk to her the other day about finding a place in her community that Dakota and Maggie could live. White folks don't venture out that way much, so they'd have very little trouble if any."
"That's a good idea, Ma." Harry brightened.
"Well, it might be the only solution for them now." Ma told him.
"You're right. Can Nadine and them help?"
"I think they can, and it's more imperative now than ever."
"You gonna offer me some of that cake, or not?" Harry looked at her with a big grin.
She grinned mischievously, "I never could keep an uncut cake from you, could I?"
"Nobody knows how good your cakes are, better than me, Ma."
