Providence
Page 26
“Kate, hush now, you need to rest. I’m here. You’re going to be all right now.” Once again his voice had the power to still her restless mind. She wanted to see him, to know that he was here. Willing her eyes to open, she searched for his familiar face. There is was, she wanted to reach out, to feel his firm jaw beneath her fingers, but she was too weak. A movement behind Luke caught her eye. Dark haunted eyes in a sun-bronzed face appeared from the shadows. Her heart beat faster as she saw the longing in Tochoway’s face, a yearning for something that could never be. Closing her eyes, she sank into the pillow and surrendered to a fitful sleep.
Kate’s slumber was filled with dreams of voices, white horses disappearing in a silver mist, the agonized wail of a hawk who’s breast is pierced by an arrow shot from a bow she found in her own hand. During brief bouts of wakefulness, the Comanche woman tended to her needs, fed her strong broths and herbal teas. At times she was aware that Tochoway sat beside her. Other times she would awake to find herself utterly alone.
Gradually, she became aware that she was in Tochoway’s cabin. Her faithful companion was named Weakeah, and she now knew that she was gaining strength rapidly.
“Tochoway?” Kate said.
“You are awake.”
“Yes,” she answered. “How long have I been here?”
“Three days.” Tochoway said.
“Luke was here.”
“Yes,” he nodded.
“Where is he?”
“He returned home, to let your family know you are safe.”
“Oh,” Kate said, struggling to sit upright.
The door opened and Weakeah entered carrying wood for the stove. Kate smiled at her, wanting to get to know this quiet women better.
“You are Weakeah, aren’t you?” Kate asked. “Thank you for seeing me through this.”
“You heal well,” Weakeah answered.
“Only from all your good medicine.” Kate smiled. “Can you tell me what some of those herbs are?”
Weakeah smiled as she stacked the wood. Retrieving her deerskin bag she carried it over to sit beside the white woman and show her the secrets it contained. The women sat together with their heads bowed over the treasures displayed from the bag as Tochoway returned to the leather he was working.
***
The morning dawned with a promise of warmth. Kate sat in the bed gazing out the small window watching for Weakeah to appear. She drummed her fingers against the woolen blanket impatiently, knowing that the day had finally arrived when Tochoway would take her home to Providence. She was still weak, but Weakeah and Kate both knew that Kate’s heart was with her child and her family. Her strength would grow more rapidly there, surrounded by those she loved. Her wounds were healing well, and she had managed to eat several small meals over the last two days. It was time to go home.
The door opened, Kate turned in surprise. Tochoway entered carrying a small bundle.
“Is Weakeah not coming?” Kate asked.
“She will come,” Tochoway answered, setting the package on the table. “Are you hungry?”
“Not really, but I suppose I should eat something.” Kate smiled.
Tochoway nodded, turning to the stove and dishing up two small bowls of the venison stew Weakeah had made the evening before. Handing a bowl to Kate, he retrieved two spoons from the cabinet and sat at the table facing Kate. As Tochoway asked the blessing on their small breakfast, Kate added her silent thanks for the care and comfort she had received from these wonderful people.
As she was finishing the stew, Weakeah came in. Tochoway spoke to her in their native tongue, then left the room abruptly. Weakeah shook her head, and began cleaning up the dishes. “Your clothes are clean. The blouse could not be well mended, but there is another shirt there for you to wear over it if you like,” Weakeah said, indicating the bundle Tochoway had placed on the table.
Kate walked to the table holding the blanket around her as she had for the last two days when Weakeah would let her stand and move about. Taking the clothes, she unfolded her riding skirt and drawers, both clean and fresh. Her jacket was next, washed but still bearing the telltale rust colored stains of blood. The white shirt had been washed and mended, but had been so shredded by her ordeal that even with Weakeah’s careful attention, it was little better than a rag.
At the bottom of the pile lay a pale, creamy leather blouse. Kate’s fingers ran over the deerskin, marveling at the soft texture. Holding the shirt up, Kate’s breath caught in her throat. The front of the butter-soft leather blouse was intricately beaded with brilliant blue beads and ivory quills in the shape of a jay’s feather. The work was skillfully crafted, and matching fine leather fringe draped from the shoulders and sleeves.
“Weakeah, this is so beautiful. Did you make it?” Kate asked.
Weakeah shook her head. “Tochoway.”
As though summoned, Tochoway entered the cabin. “I’m sorry. I thought you would be ready. I will be just outside, waiting for you,” he said as he disappeared again.
“I can’t accept this, Weakeah, he’s already done so much for me,” Kate said.
“You must, it is our way,” Weakeah said, taking the blanket and holding Kate’s underwear out to her.
Kate dressed quickly, putting her own tattered muslin shirt on before taking the beautiful leather blouse and slipping it over her head. The soft leather fell in graceful folds over her body, the blue beads glittering in the morning rays. Weakeah brushed Kate’s hair and tied it back with a matching leather thong, fixing two perfect blue feathers at her temple.
“I will miss you, Weakeah.”
“Do not be sad. You will always carry a part of me in your heart, as I will carry your memory with me.”
Kate hugged Weakeah, and hurried from the room.
Tochoway stood outside holding the reins of a sorrel and white pony. His face softened at the sight of her. Kate smiled, lifting her arms so he could see the beautiful shirt, the fringe blowing gently in the morning breeze. She walked over to where he stood holding the horse.
“I don’t know how to thank you,” she said.
“It is my wedding gift to you.”
Kate’s eyes filled with tears at the plaintive sound in his voice.
“Come, it is a long ride,” he said gruffly.
Tochoway lifted Kate onto the pony, who wore only a blanket. Kate had never ridden a horse bareback before and the feeling was a bit insecure at first. Mounting skillfully behind her, Tochoway reached around, holding her securely as he took the reins and urged the pony toward the north.
They traveled at an easy walk through country unfamiliar to Kate for over an hour. Tochoway’s arms holding her securely, the warm sunshine upon her face, and the gentle swaying of the pony combined to work their lulling charms on her tired body and she dozed intermittently.
Starting awake, Kate’s heart leapt within her as she recognized the road they traveled. Tilting her head back and to the side, she smiled into Tochoway’s eyes. He dropped his gaze to her, his eyes smiling softly. Here and there among the green leaves Kate saw flashes of red, amber and yellow as the leaves responded to the shortening days and the cooling temperatures. Squirrels chattered and dashed from branch to branch, busily storing away their bountiful harvest of pecans and acorns. A distant honking alerted to her to vast flocks of geese winging their way toward southern climes. She could feel Tochoway look to the skies as the trailing vees of plump grey and white birds filled the blue expanse, and she knew he was thinking of roast goose dripping fat over an open fire.
As they approached an open meadow only a few miles south of Providence, Kate felt Tochoway’s arms tighten around her, his gaze urging her attention to the west. Looking in the direction he indicated, Kate caught her breath at the sight of a small herd of bison grazing in the golden sun. Perhaps fifty cows and half as many calves shuffled through the deep grass. A great bull lifted his head and stared directly at them, his horns curving in a graceful, deadly arc above his head, a massive
hump rising from his shoulders covered in tattered shreds of brown wool. Most of the vast herds were gone now, only scattered remnants traveling in family bands like this one still remained on the southern plains. Kate’s heart ached for the vanishing life and the lost culture of the people left behind.
By midday, they crested the rise that brought Kate’s home in sight. The carved wooden sign rocked in a gentle breeze on its posts above the road. The house lay in the distance, blue smoke drifting lazily from the chimney. As they rode on, the sound of voices carried on the breeze made her heart race. Rounding the bend, Kate saw Luke chopping wood in the yard while Jo played with her pup near the garden. Before they were sighted by the family, Tochoway reined the small horse to a stop, and Kate slid to the ground. Still holding Tochoway’s outstretched hand for support, she gazed into his dark eyes looking for some way to express the depths of her gratitude to this man who had touched her life in such a profound way. In another time, could things have been different for them? A single tear slipped down her cheek. Tochoway brushed his hand across her cheek, catching the glittering tear, and brushing it away to the wind.
“Do not mourn, I will be with you always,” he said, touching his hand to his breast. “Here will I carry your spirit.”
Kate nodded, unable to speak past the swelling in her throat.
“Your home is there. Your daughter needs you, and there is a man that loves you well. Go.”
Turning away, Kate went home to Providence.
***
From his vantage point, Tochoway watched as the little flame-haired girl ran toward her mother, nearly bowling Kate over in her joy. Luke dropped the hatchet near the wood pile, and gazed at Kate as though he had never seen anything so beautiful in his life. The blue feather so painstakingly sewn on the white leather tunic sparkled in the sun. Tochoway saw Luke’s eyes drawn to the symbol, then look up, searching the horizons.
Raising his arm in a final farewell, Tochoway turned the pony to the south.
Epilogue
“Momma, Momma, wake up.” The insistent voice cut through the hazy dreams in Kate’s mind.
“Jo, what is it?” Kate asked, opening one eye, annoyed to be awakened in the predawn chill.
“It’s Christmas morning, you’ve got to get up,” Jo said, jumping up on the big feather bed. “C’mon, Daddy, wake up!”
“Huh! What? What’s wrong?” Luke bolted upright.
“It’s Christmas morning, dear,” Kate said with a wry grin.
“Well, so it is!” Luke exclaimed. “Let’s go make your momma some coffee, maybe then she’ll be more cheerful.”
“Oh, yes, and see if there are any gifts in our stockings!” Jo added.
“I can’t believe you two,” Kate said. “It’s two hours till the sun will even be up.”
“But Grandpa Josey will be here soon, ”Jo reminded her. “He promised he’d be here in time for breakfast on Christmas morning.”
“So he did,” sighed Kate. “You know I still don’t think he’s forgiven me for wearing my leather tunic when he married us in Guthrie.”
“Oh, I admit, he thought it was a bit heathen,” Luke agreed. “But I think you won him over, when he realized it was because of you ‘I finally repented of my sinful ways, and fell on my face before the Lord! Hallelujah Brother!’” Luke spoke in perfect imitation of his father from the pulpit. Jo dissolved in a fit of giggles.
Kate punched him playfully on the arm. “You oughtn’t to joke like that, Luke Josey!” she admonished.
“And why ever not, Mrs. Josey?” he teased.
“Well, it has to be sacrilegious, don’t you think?” By now they were all laughing so hard, Kate knew they would never go back to sleep. “Well, as long as we’re all up, let’s get breakfast going so Nana doesn’t have so much to fuss over when she gets here.” Kate said. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she was overcome by a wave of nausea so strong she grabbed for the chamber pot next to the bed.
“Kate, what’s wrong?” Luke asked, worry creasing his brow.
Swallowing hard as the nausea passed, she shook her head. “Nothing really, this just confirms my suspicions.”
“Your suspicions?” Luke asked in a puzzled voice. His eyes grew huge as a look of joy and surprise suffused his features. “You mean....”
Kate nodded, smiling.
“Yippee!” Luke shouted, pounding his fist against the pillow.
“What?” Jo asked perplexed, looking from her mother to Luke and back again. “We’re going to have a baby?” She asked, eyes as wide as saucers.
Kate smiled, placing her hand over her mid section, feeling the first flutters of new life.
THE END
Table of Contents
Copyright
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter three
Chapter Four
Chapter five
Chapter six
Chapter seven
Chapter eight
Chapter nine
Chapter ten
Chapter eleven
Chapter twelve
Chapter thirteen
Chapter fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue