by Karen Kay
While Tahiska’s look at her clearly stated that he would reserve judgment, Kristina stared at the beadwork and porcupine quilling on his shirt, his leggings, his moccasins. Who had cared enough to ornament his clothing in such an intricate fashion? Was he married? Disappointed, Kristina remembered that marriage would not rule out an Indian male’s flirtation with others. They were allowed more than one wife.
Kristina watched the Indians enter the small, one-room building. And though one of Tahiska’s friends turned around to motion her after them, Kristina’s heart was not in it.
Nanny was wrong, she said to herself. My future cannot lie with these people. I could never follow my husband around like a puppy and I could never share him with another. And with this reluctant self-revelation, Kristina followed her guests into the store.
“Hello.”
Kristina smiled at her friend, Julia, who stood behind the store’s counter. “How are you, today, Julia?” Kristina inquired, glancing around the store. Color filled her cheeks. There were three other people in the center and they were all women. “Where is everyone?” she asked of Julia, ignoring Tahiska’s glare which clearly said, I told you so.
“Are you here with these Indians?”
Kristina swung a quick glimpse at her friend. Was Julia prejudiced like most of the others at the fort? The two had been friends only a few months, and Kristina couldn’t be sure of her friend’s views.
“I’m acting as their interpreter. They are guests of the fort.”
Julia smiled, her gaze focused on the three Indians. “They’re exotic. How did you manage it, Kristina?”
Kristina regarded her friend cautiously. Had she detected a note of irony or was Julia’s question truly innocent?
“Apparently there is no one else available today to translate. The colonel summoned me to their council and now I have been officially assigned to accompany them.” Kristina paused, watching her friend closely, but there was no distaste, no condescension to be witnessed in Julia’s behavior.
“Why are they staring at us, Kristina?” Julia nodded toward the Indians. “Aren’t they interested in what we have here to trade?”
Kristina glanced up quickly. None of the three Indians had moved from their position just inside the door. Tahiska’s arms were folded over his chest and his feet were planted firmly apart. He stared at her, and once again Kristina’s stomach fluttered as though it contained a million fireflies.
“Are you not interested in the store?” Kristina signed.
He didn’t reply. He stood rigidly, his arms tightly closed over his chest.
“There are many things here that are worthy of trade,” Kristina continued, ignoring his lack of response. “There is cloth here for clothing, many beads, guns. There are pots and pans.” She picked up a delicate, silken scarf, her fingers gliding over the soft material before she signed, “Perhaps your woman would like a pretty shawl?”
“My mother has no need of these items.” Tahiska unfolded his arms to make the gesture, then just as quickly returned to his former position.
She glanced at him shyly. “Then perhaps your wife has need of something.”
“I have no wife,” he returned.
“I see,” Kristina said aloud. She suppressed the urge to smile. She felt elated, yet if she were truthful with herself, she knew his single status should not elicit such relief from her.
“We will not trade with women.” He made rapid signs. “Where are your men?”
The sound of boots echoed at the threshold.
“Hello, Julia. Hello, Kristina.”
Saved a response, Kristina glanced up quickly to acknowledge the newcomer. She smiled, then replied, “Hello, Mr. Wilson.” She knew she was blushing, but she couldn’t help it. It wasn’t that she harbored a crush on Kenneth Wilson any longer. It was more that the comparison between the two, the white soldier and the Indian, had left her stunned. The Indian was by far the more handsome of the two. In fact, Kenneth, the most sought after bachelor at the fort, looked pale and slight beside the Indian. Was it just her, or was there truly no comparison?
Tahiska felt as though he might burst. He had so far today suffered insults, bad manners, stupidity, and now this. The jealousy he’d experienced earlier was nothing compared to this.
She had blushed at the mere presence of the young soldier. Yet Tahiska was more than aware of the young woman’s reaction towards him. Was she flirting with them both?
With a quick motion to his friends, Tahiska marched from the store. He could abide the white man’s fort no more. He would return to his camp. He would make preparations to disabuse himself of this woman, perhaps even to fast until she was washed from his mind. Once again he reminded himself of his purpose in being here. He would not forget it again.
Kristina stood, agape, unsure whether to follow the Indians or remain where she was. They strode away so quickly, with no salutation at all, that she remained fixed.
One of Tahiska’s friends turned. He motioned her to follow and Kristina, with a quick goodbye to her friends, hurried after them.
She puzzled over the Indian’s quick departure and something else. Tahiska’s friend had smiled at her. Why?
Kristina dashed down the steps of the trading center in time to catch the backside of Tahiska as he rounded a corner. Quickly, she lifted the front of her skirts as she ran toward the road, the Indians just barely in sight. Normally, she would have glanced both ways before crossing, but traffic on these grounds was so occasional that Kristina hurled herself forward without thought.
She didn’t see the team of horses galloping full speed toward her. She hadn’t heard them either. So when she whirled around to see the herd charging at her, she froze. She couldn’t think. Throwing her arms up in front of her, as though this would ward off the danger, she screamed.
Tahiska glanced over his shoulder to see if the white woman followed. Even through his anger, he hoped to see her there, keeping pace. But he saw nothing, no one. He quickened his step. It had been a silly thing to do. He would look back no more.
He heard the scream and knew at once that it was Kristina’s. His reaction was instantaneous. He fled back in the direction they had come in time to see the team of horses barreling toward the woman.
He didn’t stop. He didn’t think. He hurled himself toward Kristina, leaping at her as though his body were a javelin. He knifed straight into her, throwing her out of the way and to the ground just seconds before the horses stampeded past.
Stunned and breathing heavily, he lay atop her, shielding her with his body until the last horse sped past.
Finally, he pushed himself to his feet, but she lay completely still. Was she hurt?
He dropped to his knees beside her, and picking up her hand, felt for her pulse rate. The fast, steady beat reassured him and he breathed out a sigh of relief.
Still clutching her hand, he glanced down at her, catching her staunch regard.
“You saved my life,” she whispered.
Tahiska didn’t understand the words, but his heart beat quicker just listening to her husky voice.
He shook his head and with his free hand signed, “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine,” she said and smiled at him.
Her eyes shone with admiration, her mouth curved gently upwards, and her hand still clutched his. Tahiska stared back at her and knew in that moment that he was well and truly caught. He would do most anything, he thought, anything at all as long as she would smile at him, just like this, forever.
He didn’t return the smile. Instead, when the people came to see what had happened, he quietly disappeared.
Chapter Five
The afternoon was bright and cheery. Kristina and Julia sat on the ground, a blanket beneath them, the shade of a few trees protecting them from the sun. Their giggles mingled with the song of a dove overhead as it took wing on the breeze. Around them stretched the prairie, broken only occasionally by a tree seemingly misplaced by a trick of nature. Their hor
ses, securely tethered, feasted upon the lush grasses.
Kristina plucked the delicate wildflowers that were growing in profusion around the spot she and her friend had selected for their picnic. She posed with her legs to one side, leaning against her basket which she had earlier in the afternoon filled with strawberries. She plopped one of the berries into her mouth and lifted her face toward the breeze.
“What if he proposes marriage to you, Julia?” Kristina winked at her friend. “Do you want to be a soldier’s wife?”
“Desperately!” Julia dramatized and both girls laughed.
“I saw the way you and Kenneth danced at the Fourth of July ball.” Kristina stretched her legs out in front of her and lay back on the blanket. She stared up at the cloudless sky overhead. “I wished at the time that I were being held like that.” She smiled and extended her hands over her head in a lazy stretch.
“You didn’t try, Kristina. Many men wanted to dance with you, but you scowled at them so, they dared not ask,” Julia declared, also lying back on the ground. “You accompanied the band on the piano throughout the entire ball. And that’s not something you usually do.”
“I was still recovering from the accident. Besides, sometimes I’d rather just play the music,” Kristina said, which was partially true. She loved music. She played and practiced for the dances, for church, and other events. But it hadn’t been her love of music that had kept her from the dancing that afternoon. Her mind, her whole attention, had been filled with images of him, the Indian, showing his annoyance with her, smiling, even scowling at her. She felt haunted, haunted by a pair of black eyes that were always direct and, always looking at her as though he possessed some secret knowledge of her.
“Kristina, why do you think those Indians left so quickly? Didn’t you say they were here to investigate the trade? Yet they didn’t determine anything. They didn’t even learn our terms. And now it appears they’ve gone. Why, I wonder.”
Kristina examined the cottonwood trees above her in minute detail. It was the same question her father had asked her, and even the colonel. Kristina, herself, had no answers. All she knew with certainty was that the Indian, having saved her life and having invaded her heart, had just as quickly slipped away as though he couldn’t put enough distance between himself and the fort, and her.
Her father had been concerned that the three Indians were angry and would return shortly with a war party, but Kristina had disagreed. Deep inside Kristina knew that whatever was wrong with the Indian concerned the undefined relationship between them, Tahiska and herself. She alone had witnessed what had occurred between them. She alone knew that he might return, but when and if he did, she knew he wouldn’t be dressed for war.
“Perhaps, Julia, just maybe they left because they were so insulted they decided the long trip here would not be worth the effort.” Kristina sat up, and gathering her skirts to her, pulled her knees in close. She couldn’t be sure, of course, but Kristina didn’t feel the Indians had left at all. They were somewhere out here, encamped, biding their time. For what?
Julia was engaged in counting the number of branches on an overhanging limb and didn’t see her friend’s discomfort.
“Kristina,” she voiced. “Weren’t you upset that the new colonel employed you as interpreter? I mean, it’s not as though we don’t have enough half-breeds at the fort to do it. Did you know that even the women talked about it? I’m afraid the new colonel is not so popular anymore. Imagine assigning a woman to be in such close proximity to the savages. But, Kristina,” Julia said, rolling to her side with a look of expectancy. “Were you scared? Just you and the three Indians?”
“No,” Kristina stated, and glancing straight ahead, smiled. “I was excited. I never felt any danger. In truth, I wish I could have stayed with them longer. Did I ever tell you, Julia, that I once had an Indian nanny? She was like a sister to me and I learned much from her about the Indians. I wasn’t afraid at all, only curious and a bit confused. They have some customs that even I find strange. And, Julia, if I confide a secret with you, will you keep it to yourself?”
Julia nodded.
“I enjoyed myself.”
Kristina grinned when Julia gasped.
“Think of it, Julia. Didn’t they add a little excitement to the fort? In truth, I would like to see them again. But perhaps they have gone. It’s been a week since the accident.”
A week and two days, Kristina silently added to herself.
Julia grinned at her friend. “I’m not as scandalized as you might think. Why, after all, I thought them quite handsome and rather exotic. I can understand why you would find the whole affair stimulating.”
“Yes,” Kristina agreed. “But I really only noticed one of them. To be truthful, I barely glanced at the other two Indians.”
“Kristina.” Julia’s eyes gleamed and, smiling mischievously, she added, “Have you ever wondered at what’s beneath those breechcloths they wear?”
The two friends stared at each other, then helplessly broke into giggles.
Tahiska balanced the elk on his shoulders. They had enjoyed a leisurely hunt this day but were now anxious to return to camp. Wahtapah and Neeheeowee fell into step beside him, their hands full of small game.
They required the fresh meat, but they needed the skins as well for trade and for clothing should necessity demand they stay into the winter.
Though only at the fort a short time, Tahiska had scrutinized each soldier well. He now was certain that the two men he sought were not within the garrison. But Kristina had indicated that many soldiers were gone with the trade wagon. Perhaps the two he sought were amongst those men. He would wait. Being Indian, Tahiska possessed an abundance of patience.
On foot, they roamed soundlessly over the graceful swells of the prairie. They traveled in silence for a long while until, rounding a particular patch of trees, they heard the unexpected sound of laughter.
Tahiska’s stomach knotted. It was Kristina. He was sure of it. He smiled, then glancing sidelong at his friends said, “Let’s see who visits so close to our camp this day.”
Wahtapah grinned, but pretended no interest, while Neeheeowee openly scowled. Tahiska, however, ignored them both. Leading the way, he changed the direction of their path to intersect with the lively sounds of laughter.
The young women, unused to the silent approach of the Indian, didn’t notice the three men until they were right before them, and even then the Indians simply strode by, barely paying any attention to the two white women.
Tahiska, however, glanced at Kristina and smiled before disappearing from view beneath the swell of the land.
Kristina sat so perfectly still she might have been a part of the scenery. Julia, however, was not so set. She gave her friend a curious gaze. “It appears they haven’t left at all,” she said. “Did you notice that one of them smiled at us?”
“I know,” Kristina replied. “We’re acquainted. He appears to be the leader of the three. Do you remember I told you I barely noticed the other two Indians, but that I had spoken to one at length? He is the one. And, Julia,” Kristina endeavored to talk in calm tones while she struggled to bring her body under control, “I never did believe they were gone.” She didn’t really understand what was happening to her. She had merely glanced at Tahiska and her pulse raced, her heartbeat pounded, her stomach clenched tightly. Even her breathing was shallow.
“Kristina.” Her friend touched her shoulder. “They’re quite exciting, aren’t they? I’ve not seen anything like them. But do you think we’re safe here? Shouldn’t we return to the fort? After all, when we came out riding, we didn’t realize the Indians were still so close.”
Kristina released her pent-up breath, and shaking her head, glanced at her friend. “Yes, they’re exciting, though in truth, for the one I believe I would use the word ‘devastating’. Yes,” she said, rising, “that’s the correct word. And you’re right, we should be returning to the fort.”
The young women were gather
ing up the blanket, shaking it and folding it when Tahiska returned alone.
“Leci u wo,” he stated, smiling, then signed, “Come here.” “Leci u wo,” he voiced again, his arm outstretched toward them.
Kristina’s legs felt as weak as the wilted flowers at her feet, but she managed to nod her head toward him nonetheless. “He wants us to come with him.” She translated to Julia while she smoothed down her dress.
“Do you think we should?” Julia touched her friend’s arm, staying her. “After all, they’re savages. What might they do to us?”
Kristina grinned at the other girl. “Believe me, Julia, if they intended us any harm, we wouldn’t be standing here discussing it.” Kristina deposited the basket of berries on the ground, picked up the front of her skirt, and strode toward the Indian. “Come on, Julia,” she called over her shoulder, “we’re perfectly safe.”
They followed the Indian to his camp. Though it took only a few minutes, to Kristina the time was much too long, as she was tempted with a perfect view of Tahiska’s backside.
He had been bearing an elk around his shoulders when he had passed them earlier, but now all he carried were his quiver and bow slung over his back. He wore only deerskin leggings, breechcloth, and moccasins, and with his long hair falling over his bare back, she could see small patches of copper-colored skin. He strode with an ease and grace Kristina admired, but had never before noticed in a man, and she wondered how he could look so lithe yet masculine all at once.
As though he were aware of her study, he twisted halfway around to smile at her just before they reached the Indian camp. Kristina didn’t know what to think of that. Was he trying to put her at ease or was he telling her he knew of her intimate feelings, or was it both? Whatever the intention, Kristina blushed profusely. She couldn’t control her reactions toward him and worse, she was sure that he knew it.
