Westward Moon

by Linda Bridey

  “No! No salamander.”

  “A snake?”

  “No! Hush!”

  Elliot grinned. “Ok. What’s your news?”

  “I have to quit work again!” she said and clapped her hands together.

  Sasha didn’t understand why this would be a cause for celebration, but Elliot let out a shout of laughter. He put Zach down, sat the salamander on the counter, and picked up his wife. They laughed together and kissed. Seeing that this was a happy, private moment of some sort, Sasha quietly left the store. She would go get something to eat at the Grady House a few streets over and then come back.

  As she walked up the street to the restaurant, she was startled when a man passed her. He nodded and smiled quickly at her. “Ma’am,” he said in a friendly way and continued.

  She’d only gotten a brief glimpse of him, but what she saw was extremely pleasing to the female eye. He was tall and lithe. Jet black hair and green eyes were a couple other standout features.

  Ben had noticed that the blonde woman he’d passed was attractive. He glanced behind him and saw that she was going into the Grady House. Instead of just going in, he waited by the door and opened it for her.

  Sasha smiled and said, “Thank you, sir.”

  “My pleasure, ma’am,” Ben said gallantly.

  Their eyes met and they both froze as something passed between them. Then Sasha blinked and the moment passed. She went into the restaurant and took a table near the door. Sasha was an avid people watcher and sitting there would let her glimpse whoever walked in.

  Ben placed his usual order with Alice and then waited for it to come up so he could take it back to the clinic. As he did, he glanced Sasha’s way and saw her looking at him. Ben pretended to look around at the pictures on the walls, but using his peripheral vision was able to see that she watched him quite a bit.

  Ben was a risk-taker and he figured the worst that could happen was that she would tell him to go jump in a lake. He went over to her table and asked, “Is this seat taken, ma’am?”

  Sasha heard the honeyed Georgia drawl and looked into his vivid green eyes and couldn’t speak. She shook her head “no”.

  “I see. Well, I’m waiting for Alice to bring my lunch, and I wondered if I might sit with you for just a few moments while I wait,” Ben said.

  Sasha cleared her throat. “I suppose that would be all right.”

  “Thank you. You are very kind to grant me this small favor,” Ben said as he sat. “Allow me to introduce myself so we are no longer strangers. Dr. Ben Walker at your service.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Dr. Walker. I’m Sasha McCall, a friend of Marcus’. He speaks very highly of you,” Sasha said. At once she was more comfortable in Ben’s presence since he was a friend and colleague of Marcus’.

  Ben grinned and Sasha was entranced. “Well, Ms. McCall, that ole boy is holding out on me. He’s mentioned you, but never said you were such a pretty woman. Pardon me for being rather forward.”

  Sasha smiled. She couldn’t help but be amused by his slightly rakish grin and flattery. It had been a long time since a man had flattered her and she enjoyed it. “Well, he didn’t tell me what a handsome man his colleague was.”

  Ben cocked his head at her. “It seems as if we have both been inadequately informed, Ms. McCall. I shall have to take Dr. Samuels to task for that.”

  Sasha hadn’t flirted in years, but it was coming back to her fairly quickly. Of course, Ben made it easy.

  “Please don’t be too harsh with him. He is a busy man, after all, who is desperately in love with his wife and no doubt just does not think of such things,” she said.

  “You are a most forgiving sort, something I like in a woman,” Ben said with a smile. Her smile was beautiful and her gray eyes were alight with amusement. He made light of Marcus’ omission about Sasha, but he really did intend to mention it to Marcus.

  “I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt. After all, we all have flaws,” Sasha said. She took in his jeans and blue western shirt. “Forgive me for mentioning this, but you dress unusually for a doctor.”

  Ben laughed and the slightly rough, warm sound pleased her ear. “Well, as I’m sure you’ve noticed Dawson is a little rough around the edges and most people around here don’t really care what I wear as long as I can help them or their loved ones feel better. Plus, if I need to go to the Lakota camp for something, it’s best not to go in a suit. So, I usually prepare for anything.”

  “Yes, that makes sense.”

  “Take Marcus. What you see him in when he goes out to the family ranch is what he comes to work in. He sometimes forgets where he’s at and will ride into town in his Lakota clothing, which amuses all of the patients. Be prepared for him to show up at the ranch in a loincloth during the summer. He does it a lot if he’s coming right from the camp,” Ben said.

  “Really?” Sasha said. In Nebraska she had seen some Lakota men dressed this way, but hadn’t really thought about Marcus doing the same thing.

  “Yes. You’ll get used to it,” Ben said with a wink.

  Sasha colored and laughed.

  Alice came to give Ben his order.

  “Ms. McCall, it has been a pleasure sitting with you. I am grateful for your indulgence and hospitality,” he said as he rose from his seat.

  Sasha noticed that there was a restrained power to his movements that she found slightly unsettling, but exciting. “You are quite welcome, Dr. Walker.”

  “Ya’ll have a nice day,” he said and left the restaurant.

  Sasha watched him through the window and found herself growing a little warm as she did so.

  Chapter Eighteen

  News of Sparrow’s pregnancy spread through camp and eventually reached Marcus’ ears. The moment he heard, he sought out Sparrow. He found her down at the stream washing clothes. Marcus hadn’t seen her for a couple of months because of his anger with her for breaking Jack’s heart and all of her deception.

  Now as he watched her, Marcus was shocked by how far along she was. By the looks of it, Sparrow was at least six months into the pregnancy. Close to seven months, maybe. When he did the calculations in his mind, he knew that there was no possibility that the baby was Jack’s.

  “Sparrow?”

  She froze as she recognized Marcus’ voice and closed her eyes in dismay. She’d dreaded this day. Then she went back to washing clothes as she said, “Yes?”

  “When were you going to tell someone about the baby?” Marcus asked as he came to stand beside her.

  “I didn’t have to,” she said. “Everyone has eyes and can see.”

  “Don’t be smart mouthed with me, Sparrow!” Marcus said harshly. “You owe me an explanation. No, you owe Jack an explanation.”

  Her heart constricted with pain upon hearing Jack’s name spoken out loud. “I already gave him my explanation.”

  “Oh? And when did you know about the pregnancy?” Marcus said.

  Sparrow kept working so that her body language revealed nothing as she said, “About a week or so after I broke things off with…him. I started with morning sickness and feeling very tired. When I didn’t get my monthly, I knew I was pregnant. It’s not…Jack’s so why does it matter to you?”

  Marcus took her by the arm and dragged her to her feet. His gray eyes were stormy with anger as he gazed into hers. “It matters to me because you broke my nephew’s heart and hurt a lot of other people in the process, including me. So forgive me for caring whether or not this baby was his or whether it had something to do with your decision to end your relationship.”

  Sparrow said, “You’re hurting my arm.”

  Marcus let her arm go. “I would have never pegged you for being hard-hearted or such a liar, Sparrow. I guess none of us really knew you at all. At least you did the honorable thing in admitting it now instead of after you and Jack were married.” Marcus gave her look full of loathing and walked away from her.

  Sparrow held on until he was out of sight and th
en let the tears come.

  “What do I do, Claire?” Marcus asked his wife as they lay in bed that night.

  Claire sighed. Marcus’ news about Sparrow was surprising and upsetting.

  “Do I tell Jack or just let it go? If I don’t tell him and he finds out some other way, like from Mike or Raven, he’ll want to know why I didn’t tell him,” Marcus said.

  “I know,” Claire said. She, too, had been hurt by Sparrow. “I think you should tell him.”

  Marcus let out a sigh of his own. “Why can’t anything be simple? He’s just getting back to some kind of normalcy, Claire. I’m afraid this is going to throw him for another loop. I don’t know how many times he can bounce back from this.”

  Claire nodded. “I know. But he should know.”

  “You’re right,” Marcus said. He didn’t sleep well that night knowing what kind of news he had to impart to Jack the next day.

  Jack took the information about Sparrow stoically. He had cooked breakfast that morning for the gang and Marcus had waited until after the meal to talk to Jack.

  “Ok,” he said after Marcus told him.

  Marcus eyed him waiting for a stronger reaction. “Ok? That’s it?”

  Jack laughed. “What did you expect me to say?”

  “I expected you to be upset.”

  “Uncle Marcus, I could care less anymore. I’m done with her. So if she’s having a baby by Panther, that’s her business. It doesn’t involve me anymore,” Jack said even though a part of him screamed in anger inside. “I can’t waste my time caring about someone who doesn’t love me back. Thanks for caring, as always, but I gotta get goin’ to work,” Jack said and walked away.

  Marcus watched Jack and saw his tense shoulders and stiff posture. Jack’s words might say he didn’t care, but his body language said differently.

  Night Wolf met with White Deer again.

  “She is definitely with child,” he told White Deer.

  “Panther will be pleased. Do you remember the plan?” White Deer asked.

  Night Wolf scowled. “Of course I do. I’m not an idiot. Just say the word and it’ll be done.”

  “Good. I’ll let you know,” White Deer said and slipped away.

  The two braves didn’t know that someone was listening to them. Mike waited for half an hour before he left the area. As he followed his stream to camp, he paused often to listen for footfalls, but heard none. He was in a predicament; his parents had no idea he’d slipped out of the house after bedtime. If he went to the camp and told what he knew, it would get back to them. If he went home and told no one about what he’d heard, it could mean danger for his Lakota family.

  Sighing, Mike started running onward to the camp.

  Black Fox looked at his nephew with admiration. The boy had risked angering his parents to bring him this news, vague though it was.

  “You did not see who it was?”

  “No, uncle. I didn’t recognize the voice, either, as I said. I must not know him very well, but if I heard him again, I would. They didn’t use names. All I know is that they said Panther would be happy that Sparrow was pregnant. They didn’t elaborate on their plans, however,” Mike said. “I’m sorry I don’t have more information.”

  The chief nodded. “You have done well, Mike. At least we know that we should still be on the alert for something. If you do hear this traitor, do not make anything of it. No matter where I am, come tell me and only me right away. Will you do that for me?”

  “Yes, uncle,” Mike said solemnly.

  “Thank you. You should go home now before your parents miss you,” Black Fox said.

  “They’re going to find out anyway,” Mike said.

  “Why would they? I am not going to mention it. I have not seen you for two days,” Black Fox said with a twinkle in his dark eyes.

  “Yes, you have—oh. I get it,” Mike said with a smile. “Thanks.”

  “Now, go.” Black Fox watched with affection as his nephew left the tipi.

  Mike hopped the paddock fence and knew his goose was cooked. His keen night vision let him see that his father sat on the porch swing. He couldn’t get past him without being seen and he was sure that his pa had already seen him. Squaring his shoulders, Mike walked over to the porch and dropped down in the swing with Dean.

  “Where ya been, son?” Dean asked.

  “Out in the woods, seeing if I could find any bobcat tracks,” Mike said. It had started out that way until he’d come across the two braves.

  Dean leaned closer to him and sniffed. “Hmm. Do those bobcats burn sage by chance?”

  Mike laughed. “No, Pa. I stopped by the camp.”

  “I suspected as much. Why?” Dean asked.

  “Pa, I can’t tell you,” Mike said.

  Dean frowned. “Why not? You know how I feel about keeping secrets, Mike.”

  “I know, but this is important.”

  Though the temptation was there to demand the truth from the boy, Dean knew he wouldn’t get anywhere and the rest of the house would be woken by their argument.

  “Mike, if this is important enough that you can’t tell me, it means that you need to tell me. If it’s something sensitive, I’ll keep it just between us, ok?”

  Mike was silent as he considered whether to tell his father or not.

  Dean passed a hand over his face and said, “Please don’t tell me you got some girl pregnant.”

  Mike covered his mouth and leaned forward over his knees to muffle his laughter. Dean began laughing softly and grabbed Mike’s neck and shook him a little.

  “Don’t you laugh at me about that. Your sister Sadie wasn’t quite two years older than you when she told me she was gonna have a baby.”

  Mike straightened and said, “No, Pa. I am not going to be a father for a long time.”

  “Thank God. Please tell me, Mike?”

  “Ok, Pa, but you can’t tell anyone else. Not Uncle Marcus or anyone,” Mike said and looked at Dean. “If you do, I’ll never trust you again.”

  Dean could respect that. “I solemnly promise that I won’t tell anyone. It’ll stay between us.”

  Mike regarded his father for a few moments. Knowing his father didn’t lie, Mike decided to take a chance and tell Dean what had happened. As Mike recounted his story, Dean had to be careful to keep the anger out of his face.

  “So this Panther is up to something, huh? But you didn’t know who was talkin’ or anything?” Dean said.

  “Right. Pa, I know I wasn’t supposed to sneak out, but maybe I was meant to so I could hear that conversation and warn Uncle Black Fox. Do you see why I had to go tell him? If I hadn’t and something bad happened to them, I would never forgive myself,” Mike said.

  “Maybe you were, Mike. I don’t know. I would have done the same thing if I’d heard something like that. I’m glad you didn’t let them know you were there or something bad might have happened,” Dean said. “That said; I do not want you out in the woods at night from now on. Now, I’m going to tell you something and I need you to listen closely to me. Will you do that?”

  “Yes, Pa.” Mike said.

  “There are times when you have to follow orders. There are times when you do not have a choice about something. Like when you have a boss that you might not like, but if you want to keep your job and put food on the table, you have to follow orders. I think you’re probably going to go to college, so you’re gonna have teachers there who are going to give you orders and you’re going to have to follow them. Do you get what I’m sayin’?”

  “I do,” Mike said.

  “You can’t argue in front of the class or with the teacher because they’re going to throw you out or fail you or both,” Dean said. “So when I’m sayin’ to stay out of the woods, I’m not asking you, son, I’m telling you. I’m your father and my first priority is making sure you’re safe. You’re a strong, smart, young man, but if you come up against a large group of enemy Indians, you’re not gonna be able to fight them off. So until further notice
stay out of the woods at night. Understand?”

  Mike mulled that over in his mind a moment.

  “Mike? I’m waiting for an answer,” Dean said.

  “Yes, sir. I’ll stay out of the woods at night on one condition,” Mike said with a smile.

  Dean said, “What’s that?”

  “You go with me to talk to Jenny’s pa about courting her,” Mike said.

  Dean grinned and then laughed. “You drive a hard bargain, but it’s a deal.”

  He and Mike shook on it and went to bed.

  For several days, Jack went back and forth about whether or not to go see Sparrow. Try as he might to deny it, he still loved her, but he knew that it would be torture to see her again. Still, he had questions that needed answered. These questions were brought about by the news of her pregnancy. He’d tried not to care, but it was no use.

  When he could stand it no longer, he went home and then took the trail to camp. He let out his whistle and smiled when he was answered. He had missed camp and as he rode into the clearing, he had a sense of homecoming. Raven saw him and ran over to him.

  “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen you here, cousin,” he said to Jack.

  “Yeah, well, you know why that is, so we don’t need to talk about it,” Jack said as he dismounted.

  “Ok. Come say hello to everyone,” Raven said.

  “I will, but there’s something I have to do first, ok?” Jack said.

  “Ok.”

  Jack left his cousin and jogged through camp. Marcus had told him where Sparrow’s tipi was located and he quickly arrived at it. Since it was warm weather now, she had a fire going outside instead of in the tipi. She knelt, putting heating stones in a cooking skin filled with water and Jack’s breath caught at the sight of her. All of his love for her bubbled up and the scab was torn off his wounded heart once again.

  Sparrow sensed someone standing near the fire and looked up. At first she thought she was imagining that Jack stood on the other side of her fire, so she closed her eyes and opened them again. He was still there. She stood and couldn’t stop looking at him. His eyes looked more gray than blue in the firelight and his broad shoulders were tense.