by Verna Clay
Tears leaked from Amy's closed eyes and she said, "I don't want to be blind, Papa. I'm so scared."
He smoothed the waves of her hair and reassured, "You're not going to be blind." Even while he said the words, he wondered if they would prove to be false. He lifted his gaze to Tana who still stood in the doorway. She motioned with her head that she wanted to talk with him in private. He said, "Amy, I'll be right back with a glass of water."
Amy opened her unfocused eyes and said bravely, "I'll be all right, Papa."
Thomas gently closed the door and walked to the chair he'd toppled over. He righted it and then gave his attention to Tana. She stood beside a five-tier freestanding cabinet on the same wall as her sink and cupboards, and opened it. Inside he saw several jars, some with liquids and others with what appeared to be dried herbs or flowers, and still others with powders. She lifted a jar from the first tier and turned to face him. "This will help her relax."
Thomas frowned. "What is it?"
Tana studied his face. "It's an elixir that's been passed down many generations in my family."
Thomas didn't hesitate to ask, "What are the ingredients?"
Tana cocked her head and said, "The elixir begins by filling a jar with water from a spring not far from here. Into the water I immerse a crystal that's been in my family for over two hundred years and leave the jar overnight in the roots of a Spirit Tree, also nearby."
Thomas' eyes widened and he replied, "That's ridiculous."
Other than a momentary flash in Tana's eyes, her expression remained impassive as she turned to place the jar back in its place. Without a word, she lifted a basket off the floor that was filled with jars, bandages, crystals and other stones, and sprigs of flora he did not recognize. She paused in the doorway and said, "I'll be in the barn. I have a goat to milk, eggs to collect, and animals to treat." She softly closed the door behind her.
Thomas had never felt so conflicted. The elixir seemed harmless, but the idea that it could induce relaxation was bizarre. He rubbed his temples in an effort to ease a headache and eyed the cupboard. In a sudden decision that was probably foolish, he retrieved the jar and carried it to the sink, stared at it for a moment, and then unscrewed the lid, pouring two fingers' width into a glass. Before he could change his mind he gulped it down. Placing the jar back in the cupboard, he returned to the sink and poured a glass of water for Amy from the water pitcher.
Tana spent the remainder of the morning performing her daily chores. She treated the animals by removing old dressings and applying new ones, as well as pouring elixirs into bowls for them to lap up. She also spoke gently to her patients with encouraging words. While she worked she thought about her grandmother's message from the previous night's dream. You must be patient with him, Tana. Teach him.
Those simple words had kept her temper in check. Under normal circumstances she would have answered his skepticism with a retort, but his distress over his child was heartbreaking.
Kneeling beside Warrior, she patted the wolf's head and tested his leg. "My friend, soon you'll return to your pack and your ladylove." A sound distracted her and she glanced around to see Thomas standing in the barn's entrance. Backlit by the sun, his mahogany hair glowed in the morning light. Tana's heart expanded in sympathy for what he was going through. She returned her attention to Warrior.
"I need to own up to something, Tana," said Thomas.
She remained silent and ceased her ministration.
He said, "I'll not apologize for anything I do concerning my daughter, but I will tell you that I drank some of the elixir. I had a terrible headache and now it's gone." There was a long silence before he continued. "Amy hasn't improved. I'd like to administer the elixir."
Frannie's words drifted across Tana's mind again. You must be patient with him, Tana. Teach him. She gathered her supplies into her basket and said, "I'll pour some for her."
22: History
By mid-afternoon Amy's vision had cleared and she seemed perfectly normal. Thomas leaned against the outside of the barn and watched Tana. She was gutting and cleaning a wild turkey. She glanced up. "I hope you like turkey stew. The bird arrived early this morning but he was too weak to survive wounds from a predator."
Thomas said almost in jest, "So it doesn't bother you to eat one of your patients?"
Tana glanced up. "I would have preferred he lived, but he didn't. Have you considered that perhaps he knew he was dying and wanted to bring us sustenance? Perhaps we should be grateful."
"So now animals can reason and they have a desire to nourish humans?"
"By your tone, you seem to think that is absurd?"
"It is rather farfetched."
Tana began dissecting the bird. "Carrots and potatoes will make this stew delicious." She glanced at Amy sitting in Frannie's rocker on the porch and reading one of Tana's childhood books. With a hint of a smile, she replied, "Perhaps it's not as farfetched as you think and goes beyond reason."
Intrigued, Thomas said, "Please explain."
Tana turned her attention back to the bird. "You may not like what I have to say."
Thomas lifted an eyebrow and replied, "But then again, I might."
She glanced up and gave him a brilliant smile. Softly, she said, "True." She continued cleaning the bird while she spoke. "The Indians, of which I am a descendant through my grandfather, respected the land and the animals. They killed only that which was necessary and gave thanks to the Great Spirit. The animals, also children of the Great Spirit, gave their lives in the service of humanity, and there was harmony on earth." Sadness entered her eyes. "White man, of whom I am also a descendant, does not respect the land or the animals. He kills for sport and leaves carcasses to rot. In the name of greed, he destroys the land and takes what is not his–"
Thomas interrupted, "All white men are not like that."
"Of course not. In every race there are the giving and the greedy. But as a whole, the driving force of white man has been dominance and greed. Oh, he may paint it with words like: expansion, adventure, progress, new frontiers, but we both know what the outcome is—death—death to men, women, and children; death to animals; death to the land." She puffed a breath. "Someday the insanity will cease, but not in our lifetimes."
Thomas studied Tana, thought about her words, and said, "Tell me about yourself, Tana?"
She lifted her lashes to meet his gaze, appeared to come to a conclusion, and replied, "My great-grandparents, like so many, traveled to America from Ireland following the dream of working their own land and then leaving it to their posterity. They arrived around the turn of the century and after two years of toiling in textile factories in the east, my grandmother Frannie who was fifteen, had a dream about red rocks. In the dream, her grandmother, long dead in the old country, spoke to her. She said the red rocks existed in the unchartered lands westward. My great-grandfather and great-grandmother believed her. Led by her dreams they came to this place after many months. They were among the first white settlers, even before the land was a territory of the United States."
Thomas interjected, "But couldn't that be classified as expansion or adventure, characteristics you earlier berated as greed."
Tana's eyes twinkled. "Yes, Dr. Matthews. It's an irony, isn't it? However, I believe the difference is that they lived in harmony with the land and its inhabitants."
He quirked an eyebrow and said, "Continue."
She acknowledged his request by replying, "Because my great-grandparents respected the natives, over time they became fast friends; long before the Indian wars. My family and the Indians learned each other's languages, which allowed them to share healing practices and spiritual beliefs. My grandmother fell in love with the son of the medicine man and married him. My mother was their only child and she married a trapper in the area."
Surprised, Thomas said, "Didn't that go against your family's belief about animals?"
Tana's smile warmed Thomas' heart. "Of course. But the heart doesn't listen to the head.
My mother and father were deeply in love and she accepted him for who he was, as he accepted her." Her smile faded. "Sometimes lessons are learned in unexpected ways. My father got his foot caught in one of his own traps and after hours of agony, freed himself, but by the time he reached home, he had lost too much blood. He died in my mother's arms and his final words were, 'I understand.'"
Thomas released a long breath. "How old were you?"
"Ten."
He chanced another question, "How long have you lived here alone?"
Tana gave him one of her smiles that hinted of unfathomable mysteries. "Since I was twenty. My mother was the last to die. I'm thirty now."
Thomas stated, "Your mother seems to have died young."
Tana shrugged. "She was sixty. She married later in life. I wasn't born until she was forty-one. However, her death was more of a transition. My father had been visiting her in dreams and she simply did not wake up one morning. We had talked about her transition and I knew it was coming. She knew I would be fine."
Thomas scoffed, "Tana, what you're saying is hard for me to accept."
"Nevertheless, it's true."
"So you've been alone for ten years?"
Tana tilted her head and replied, "No. I've never been alone. The animals are always with me and watch over me." She started washing the blood off her hands in the bucket of water at her feet and finished with, "As are my ancestors."
Before Thomas could reply, she said, "I need to start the stew and then till my garden."
23: Meeting Again
A week after their arrival at Tana's cabin, Thomas remained confused by her care of his daughter. Other than dosing her with a small glass of the relaxing elixir each morning, she did not examine her or offer other concoctions. Mostly, she just talked to his daughter, read to her, or played the game of draughts with her. Amy suffered several falling spells, but thankfully her vision remained intact.
It was early morning and Thomas didn't expect Amy to wake for another hour, so he started toward the barn. Every morning Tana spent the better part of it doctoring and feeding her animals. When he reached the entrance he heard her speaking to Warrior. Thomas would have been lying to himself if he said he wasn't terrified of the wolf. He watched her stroke the animal's back and listened to her sweet voice.
"Soon, Warrior, you'll return to your family. They're close by waiting for you. You've been a good leader…" her voice trailed and she glanced up. "Hello, Thomas. This is a fine day."
"Yes, ma'am, it is. I was just going to lead my animals to the creek to water and graze." He walked past her and Warrior, but paused and turned, keeping a wary eye on the wolf. "Tana, please don't take this question the wrong way, but you're a long way from civilization and you don't seem to lack for supplies. How is that so?"
When she didn't immediately respond, he explained, "I just want to reinforce what I told you when I first arrived. I intend to reimburse you for any supplies I use and the food you've graciously served Amy and me, and, of course, your medical expertise."
Another long moment passed before she responded. "Over many years my great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, and myself, have helped all who come to us. Most continue on life's journey, but some, whenever they return this way, bring supplies as a way of thanking me and my family. My Indian family also gifts me with necessities."
Thomas stared at the wolf resting his head in Tana's lap. Once again he marveled at her uncanny ability with animals. What was it about her that made them so loving and docile? Were they reciprocating her love?
She laughed and joked, "And Thomas, I'm not completely backwards. I have been known to venture to the closest settlement to purchase supplies." Before Thomas could reply, she said, "And you will not reimburse me for anything."
He retorted, "If you don't accept payment, how is it you have money to purchase anything?"
Warrior suddenly lifted his head from Tana's lap and gave a low growl. She said, "Someone's coming. We'll have to continue this conversation later." She stood and walked toward the entrance with the wolf following.
Thomas ordered, "You wait in the barn while I see who it is." He eyed his belongings in a back corner of the barn with his rifle hidden behind them.
Tana ignored his order and continued outside. Over her shoulder, she said, "I have nothing to fear."
Exhaling an exasperated breath, Thomas moved to retrieve his rifle. If Warrior's leg was healed, he would have agreed with her, but a wolf wearing a splint probably wouldn't be much protection. He retrieved his rifle and stepped beside Tana, momentarily forgetting the wolf on the other side of her.
She glanced at his rifle and shook her head. "There's no need for that. In fact, I don't think our protectors much appreciate it."
Confused, Thomas said, "Protectors? What are you talking about?"
Tana held his gaze, gave him a smile that hinted at those unfathomable secrets, and nodded across the clearing. He turned and almost dropped his rifle. A pack of wolves had spread out in front of the tree line.
"How in God's name is that possible?"
Tana merely said, "It's not polite to swear."
Thomas turned incredulous eyes on her and she said, "If necessary, they will give their lives for ours."
Thomas' eyes widened and he said, "My God!"
Tana laughed softly and returned her attention to the narrow entrance to her property. A few minutes later a cowboy on horseback came into view. She said to Thomas, "He's been here before. He said he's a lawman, but it's a lie. There's a lawman after him. Something must have happened to bring him back here because Warrior and the wolves scared the daylights out of him."
The cowboy spotted them in front of the barn and slowly walked his horse forward. Tana said, "He's injured."
Stopping his horse several feet away, the man nodded and said in a raspy voice reflecting pain, "Howdy, ma'am. Didn't figure I'd be back here, seeins' as how you got a passel of wolves ready to tear me apart, but a bullet in my side made me rethink that. If I don't get it out, I'm a dead man." The outlaw moved his gaze from Tana to Thomas, then to Warrior, and finally to the wolves near the trees.
Tana asked, "Did the law catch up to you and shoot you?"
The man smiled. "So you didn't believe my story about being a lawman?"
"No."
"Yep, the law caught up with me, but I outsmarted Marshall Earp. He's probably not far behind, so I need to get fixed up and leave."
Tana replied, "Living an outlaw's life usually guarantees an early grave, but that's your choice, just as it's my choice to heal, as well as Dr. Matthews' choice." She motioned inside the barn. "Follow the good doctor to the back room and he'll see to your needs while I water and feed your horse."
Thomas frowned as he glanced from the injured man to Tana. She gave him that brilliant smile that made his stomach feel like it was tumbling down a shaft, and said, "There are plenty of bandages and supplies available. I'll check on Amy and fetch your medical bag."
24: Doctoring
Thomas finished wrapping the outlaw's wound after removing a bullet that hadn't imbedded too deep. Luck was on the man's side because the injury was treated before infection set in. However, the removal had been painful because the cowboy refused the laudanum Thomas offered. Thomas hadn't asked any questions while treating the man and didn't try to persuade him to stay.
The injured man said, "So, what's a doctor doing out here in the middle of nowhere? Are you and that witch woman together?"
Thomas frowned. "She's not a witch and I don't think our relationship is any of your business."
"True. But I'm sure you can understand my curiosity. A woman living in the wilderness with wolves protecting her, and God knows what else, is gonna get asked about."
Thomas shrugged. "I suppose." He finished tying the bandage. "Keep it clean and change the dressing at least every other day. I'll give you enough bindings for a week."
Tana stepped through the open door and held up a jar of something that looked
like mud, and instructed, "Tonight, and every night, you should spread this paste over the wound until it's healed."
The outlaw reached for his shirt and Thomas helped him into it.
Tana said, "Your horse is tired and weary, Mr. Clanton. I told you before that he needs rest."
The cowboy smiled slightly. "I suppose my horse told you that?" Before Tana could answer he said, "Since you know my name I'm guessing Marshall Earp was already here. Was it before or after I showed up the first time?"
"Before."
The cowboy nodded. "I'll need my gun and rifle returned."
Thomas interjected. "You'll get both, unloaded of course, when you mount your horse."
The man responded with a raspy laugh. "You folks got nothin' to fear from me. I got no desire to become the wolves' next meal. And besides that, I'm dead set on avenging my brother who was killed by Marshal Earp and his gang in Tombstone."
25: Soul Talk
Another week passed and Thomas and Tana sat in rockers on the porch after Amy went to bed. Gazing upward, Thomas picked out a couple of constellations, pointed toward them and said, "I've never seen stars so close you can touch them. This land is beautiful beyond description."
Tana sighed. "My grandmother always said our family and the red rocks have been woven together like a basket."
"Have you ever considered living anywhere else? I mean if you could choose any place."
"I've read books about faraway and exotic lands, but other than visiting them, my heart is here. When I was small my grandmother would tell me stories her parents told her about Ireland–" She grinned and added with an Irish accent, "–and the wee one fairies. My grandfather, being Indian, added his own stories about animal spirits roaming the red rocks."
