by Rita Karnopp
Summer slipped into the soft, white fringed garment. It smelled of sweetgrass and Nah’ah. “I think Running Crane will try to get us out of here tonight. Are you up to escaping, Nah’ah?” Summer worked each tiny button…it somehow comforted her.
Nah’ah handed Summer several cheese and cracker packages and a bottle of water. “You must be hungry, dear.”
“You have no idea.” Summer quickly tore open the first package and devoured the snack. The water slid down her throat like a fine wine. “This tastes like a high-end steak dinner. You never answered me. If Running Crane shows up—will go you with us?”
“I would only hold you back. Maybe it would be a better strategy to leave me here. Some of the men would have to stay and watch me, instead of all of them chasing after us. Besides, the longer I stay here, the more information I’m gathering.”
“What do you mean, Nah’ah?” Summer never stopped being impressed with her grandmother.
“Well, they’ve put me up here in this small bedroom, but they don’t realize it’s a very old place. The heat vents are piped from the main room downstairs. I hear everything they say. I won’t remember any of it, so I’ve been writing their conversations down in a small notebook I found. I’m hiding it under the mattress…just so you know.”
“You’re something else! I’m not convinced leaving you here is the best idea. He just might put a gun to your head and threaten to kill you if we don’t come back. If that were to happen…you can be sure he won’t be bluffing. I won’t take that chance with your life.”
“But the choice is not yours to make. This Worthington knows I have many connections. He will not get away with killing me and he knows it. I have told him I am not the only one who knows he is stealing that land from the Blackfeet. He has tried to get me to tell him who I told…but I won’t.”
“Nah’ah, did you really tell others?” She worried more and more about her grandmother’s decision to confront Worthington. The man wasn’t above anything when it came to saving his own skin.
“I did tell others, but they are not safe if I tell who they are. You would be better off if I told you nothing.”
Her grandmother was right, the less she knew the safer she was. If Running Crane came to get them out of the house, how would Nah’ah begin to keep up with them? “Get some rest. I’m sure this will all work out in time.”
Nah’ah smiled and laid her head onto the pillow. “If Running Crane comes for you…go with him. You must bring back help. If you take me with you, we will all die.”
Summer fought back the tears that surfaced. So Nah’ah wasn’t blind to the truth. She knew Worthington would never let them leave StoneHouse alive. An accidental fire, exploding stove…the possible accidents were endless.
Nah’ah quickly fell asleep. Summer moved around the small space, checking for possible weapons. A twelve inch pair of scissors gave her a sense of security. She moved to the small sliding glass door and realized it opened to the second level balcony. One of Worthington’s men, gun in hand, paced back and forth the length of it. In the distance she spotted Running Crane moving along the bushes, getting closer to the building. She had to do something.
Briefly closing her eyes, Summer listened to the soft chanting and the jangling of metal bells clicking together. Drums and rattles set the tempo for the harmonizing singers. It didn’t seem real; yet there was no denying she could hear it. What did it mean? Were her ancestors really trying to talk to her as Nah’ah had said? Sweetgrass floated on the air and a whiff of campfire smoke mingled.
Summer slid the curtains open, unlocked the hinge, and slowly opened the door. Cool evening air freshened the small, stifling room. She adjusted the lamp light on the night stand down, creating alluring, soft shadows. She stood back and slowly worked the buttons on Nah’ah’s sweater. She hummed to the chanting she heard and moved her hips in rhythm.
Within seconds she had the attention of two guards: one on the far balcony and one just outside the door. She did her best to appear unaware as she swayed and chanted her song. A quick glance told her the guard toward the back no longer gawked her way.
“My, don’t you paint a pretty picture, dancing in here all by yourself? Appears to me you’re a bit lonely and could use some company.”
The big man sported a tight ponytail and his thick muscular neck broadcast massive shoulders. He had a square cut face and a stubble beard. “What are you doing in here?” She did her best to fake surprise at his sudden appearance. “I’m not alone, my grandmother’s in here sleeping.”
“You can call me Willie. And regarding your grandma, there, I’d say we’ll have to be quiet, won’t we?” His expression held a note of mockery. He took several steps her way.
“You’d better leave or I’ll just scream. I don’t think Worthington would be exactly happy with you coming at me like this.” She stepped back, encouraging him inside even further. She hoped Running Crane wasn’t going to be much longer.
“Honey, you scream and I just might have to toss my knife at your sleeping grandmother. You wouldn’t want that now, would you?”
“You even think of hurting Nah’ah and Worthington will shoot you himself.”
“And why would that be? You’re both going to die sooner or later.” Willie laughed as though he’d told a whopper of a joke.
“What she knows would die with her and your precious Worthington won’t be happy until he—”
“Enough talk, girl. I’ve got a hard-on that needs tending to.”
Summer glared at him with open contempt. He pressed a knife against her neck, just under the jaw. Summer considered kneeing him, then decided it might cost her life. He pressed his lips against hers and she pinched them tight, refusing his disgusting tongue entry.
He moved back slightly and glared at her. “Listen bitch, this can either be pleasant or miserable for you. It’s just a quick fuck and I ain’t had one in a while.”
“The way you look and smell…no wonder.” He moved his palm to her firm breast and she tensed.
“Nice, they ain’t had time to sag yet.” He slowly lowered his palm, pressing and feeling. In one quick motion he grasped her crotch. “I’ll just bet she’s tight and moist. I’m getting excited just thinking about it.”
“What the hell you doing in here, Willie?” Worthington pushed open the door.
“I…I caught this little tramp trying to leave. I stopped her and she tried seducing me.”
“Hah!” Worthington fired his gun and Willie dropped to the floor. “That’s what you get for lying. Tell me you got hot looking at the girl and that I can abide by. I don’t tolerate a bold-faced lie.”
Summer stared at the blood spreading from Willie’s head. Worthington just killed a man without hesitation. She shuddered inwardly at the thought. She rushed to Nah’ah’s side and pulled her shaking body against her.
“What is going on here? What are you doing?” Nah’ah glanced from Worthington to the two men with him.
“We’ve got interesting company and I thought the two of you might want to join us all in a conversation.” A muscle tightened on Worthington’s jaw.
“My grandmother is very tired. Why don’t we leave her here and I’ll join you and your interesting guest.” Summer pressed her lips together.
“Oh, I think grandmother here will find our guest of great interest.” Worthington turned around and stomped out of the room. “Bring them both downstairs, boys.”
Summer quickly buttoned the sweater, then grabbed a blanket off the bed and wrapped it around Nah’ah’s shoulders.
“Come on you two, stop dawdling.”
Summer wrapped her arm around her grandmother’s shoulders and guided her from the room. No doubt this wasn’t going to be a pleasant conversation. Had they caught Running Crane? Fear washed over her as they made their way downstairs.
“What have you done to Bradley?” Nah’ah cried out. “Is he dead?”
“Shh, Nah’ah,” Summer pulled her grandmother against her. If
Bradley Wild Horse wasn’t dead, he could very well be close to it. His face had been used as a punching ball. His hands were tied to the arm of a kitchen chair and his feet to the legs. His head dropped to his chest.
“You didn’t have to do that to him. He’s just a boy who wouldn’t hurt a mouse. You’re a monster, Mr. Worthington. I hope you never find that paper.” Summer moved Nah’ah toward a kitchen captain chair and helped her sit.
Worthington reached-out and slapped Nah’ah across the face. “Don’t push me old lady. If it wasn’t for you and your nosy disposition, Bradley wouldn’t be sitting there half-dead. Tell me where those papers are and you all can go free.”
She pressed her palm into her stinging cheek. “Wish I could tell you…and this would be over. But I don’t have a clue where those papers are. Just to save Bradley, I’d tell you. If Bradley knew…I’m sure he would have told you, too.”
“We’ve been having a bit of a chat with your young friend, here,” Worthington said, wiping his hands on a dishtowel. “Seems he insists he’s not spying for you, Morning Star. Should I believe him?”
Summer stared in disbelief at the barbarism before her. “You…realize if he dies, your daughter will never forgive you?”
“What would you know about that?” Worthington took several long steps and stopped abruptly in front of her.
“You forget she was here when I arrived. She didn’t appear to be bluffing when she warned you not to hurt Bradley.”
“No one tells me what to do or how to do it. That includes my daughter.” Worthington kicked at the counter island, chipping a piece of wood from the edge.
“It might be a good idea to have your men use that chopper and get him to a hospital as soon as possible. When she realizes it was you who rushed Bradley to a hospital in hopes of saving him, she’ll believe any lie you want to tell her.”
“Why would I do that exactly?”
“Because Bradley is telling you the truth and because your daughter loves him.” Summer drew in a deep breath and wished Worthington would back away from her.
“He survives and tells her I beat him. I like my odds of a car accident where he’s burned beyond recognition.”
“Really?” Summer moved around Worthington and over to Bradley. She pressed two fingers against the artery in his neck. “He’s still breathing. Make him understand he doesn’t know who really beat him. Tell him his life depends on it. He won’t say a word? If he dies and Domonique will know.”
“Why do you care?”
Summer turned and faced the window. Darkness enveloped StoneHouse in an eerie stillness. “I don’t care whether you and your daughter never speak to each other again. I do care if Bradley Wild Horse lives or dies. He’s been a friend of mine since childhood. We went to school and even a prom together. He’s one of the good guys. He doesn’t deserve this beating or your distrust. If he says he loves Domonique, you can be sure he loves her. If he says he knows nothing about your sordid business, then I’m sure he doesn’t. I’m surprised he’d get himself mixed up with your family, but a woman can cause a man make foolish decisions.”
Worthington’s course, loud laugh filled the room. “You always this blunt? It’s not an attractive attribute, but it’s funny as hell.”
“Hmm, a man like you talking about attractive attributes is like a rancher talking about ballet shoes. You going to get Bradley to a hospital or not?” She realized she pushed her luck with Worthington, but she had nothing to lose. She wasn’t going to let Bradley die without trying to help him.
“Charlie, you and Donnie better take Bradley here to the nearest hospital. Give Domonique a call and tell her where she can find her lover boy. Tell her he showed up on our doorstep a bit messed up. Don’t take off until I tell you. There, you happy?”
Summer whirled around and faced Worthington. “Why don’t you pack your bags and head back to Texas? This land isn’t worth going to prison over.”
“I don’t plan on going to prison. I plan on taking my gold to the bank. The only thing stopping me from making it happen is that piece of paper. So, here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going back to Missoula or Browning, I don’t care much which. You’re going to find that document and bring it back to me.”
“Why would I do that?” Summer glared at the over-confident, mafia-type man.
He took two steps and glared at her inches from her face. “We are keeping grandma right here. You want her to stay alive? Find that paper and make sure it has my signature on it. You have one week or you can say goodbye to Grandma Morning Star. You can get on that chopper with Bradley.”
“You’re an evil son-of-a-bitch, aren’t you?”
He leaned in with clenched jaw. “Is your jaw still sore from earlier?”
Summer rubbed her left cheek and jaw and nodded.
“Keep that in mind the next time you can’t control that mouth of yours. I’ve been more lenient with you than I have most. Why? I respect your gutsiness. I wish my daughter had some of your spunk and fearlessness. But stop pushing, girl.”
Summer wanted nothing more than to spit in his face, but refrained. She looked up, then unexpectedly noticed Running Crane inching toward the balcony. “I have one request, and if you say no, you’ll have to kill both Nah’ah and me, because I won’t lift a finger to help you.”
“I don’t like being threatened little girl. What exactly is your request?” Worthington moved back from her and walked over toward the windows. “If we weren’t here under these circumstances…I think I could almost enjoy myself out here in this wild Montana.”
“If I’m going to find that paper you so desperately seek, then I’ll need Running Crane’s help. I want him to go on that chopper with me.”
“How the hell do I know where Running Crane is? The man shows up and disappears like that fog rolling in and out of this valley. If my men are right, he’s dead.”
“I know for a fact he isn’t dead. He’s…he’s right up there with a gun leveled at your forehead.” Summer pointed above to the balcony where Running Crane stood, his gun extended toward them.
“I’ll be damned! You have some Indian magic that keeps you alive or what, boy? Damn! Put the gun down or my men will shoot both your girlfriend and her grandma. If you think I’m kidding, look around.”
Summer glanced to her right and left, finding men pointing guns at them. She rushed to Nah’ah and stood in front of her.
“What’s it going to be, Running Crane?” Worthington shouted.
“Why don’t you let both Nah’ah and Summer go with me? It would weigh in your favor at the trial.”
“There’s not going to be a trial. What there’s going to be is someone killed if you don’t drop that gun and get your ass down here, now!”
Summer raised her trembling hands and quickly lowered them, hoping Worthington hadn’t notice. “Okay, let’s calm down. Again, I want Running Crane to help me. I can’t do it alone. You hurt Nah’ah at all and you’ll have the entire Blackfeet Nation coming after you.”
“You talk big for a scared, little girl. You’re out of your element, missy. You might consider yourself lucky I haven’t killed you already.”
“Then who would you blackmail into getting that document for you?”
“Running Crane, if you value this girl at all, I expect you to get yourself down here right now.” Worthington raised his hand, pointing a forty-five directly at Summer’s head.
“Okay, I’m coming down. This doesn’t have to go down like this. Let Summer and me go find that paper for you. You’ve got Nah’ah, so you know we’ll be back. We don’t have time to waste on all this shit. Bradley’s life is on the line and we’re here fighting over who can shoot who first.” Running Crane moved alongside Summer.
“Okay boys, lower your weapons, but keep them ready. Get your asses out to that chopper.”
Summer hugged Nah’ah. “I love you. Stay safe and don’t do anything to make that monster angry. We’ll be back for you.”
�
�I love you, too, Niipo. Hurry…it might save Bradley’s life. Please let your father know I am okay. Burn sweetgrass for me if you find time…and let your ancestors help you.”
“Enough of that shit! Go, before I change my mind.” Worthington shouted, swinging his arms around like a madman.
Summer kissed Nah’ah’s cheek. “I’ll try very hard to listen to the whispering spirits.”
The blades whirled as she raced to the chopper. Running Crane followed on her heels with great effort, limping with each step. They got buckled in when one of Worthington’s gunmen pulled himself alongside Summer.
“Name’s Elton Mosher. Looks like I’ll be helping the two of you and making sure you don’t go running off to the Feds.”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding?” Running Crane leaned over Summer. “You go back and tell Worthington we know what needs to be done and we won’t jeopardize Nah’ah in the process.”
“Can’t…he’ll shoot me if I go back.”
“I’ll shoot you if you don’t get off this chopper.” Running Crane pointed his gun at the man.
“Fuck!” Elton unhooked the seatbelt and jumped from the chopper.
“Get this thing in the air before any more idiots try to delay us,” Running Crane shouted.
The fog formed a daunting obstacle, yet they soon rose above the rolling mist. Summer glanced down and realized a blanket covered Bradley. He nodded at her and then Running Crane. She realized he wasn’t as hurt or unconscious as they all thought. “You think Bradly will make it?” She shouted loud enough for the men up front to hear.
“He’s not looking good,” Running Crane answered. He slid his arm around Summer’s back and pulled her against his side. “I missed you. I should have never let them get their hands on Nah’ah and you. I’ve failed miserably. I should never have let my feelings get in the way of my job. I’m not going to let that happen again.”
“What are you saying? I’m a mistake? If it wasn’t for me distracting you…Nah’ah would be safe? Maybe you’re—”
“That’s not what I meant at all. The thing is—”
