by Abby Wood
After setting the painting on the table, he moved over and pulled Ana into his embrace, hugging her tightly to his chest. “I want you to live with me, Ana. One more day away from you is too many. I want you in my bed every night.”
“Are you sure?” She leaned her head back to gaze up into his eyes. “That’s a big step, and I have my job at Chum’s.”
“It’s not far. In the winter, I will drive you if the roads are bad.” He stroked her hair.
“Is it legal for me to live on Lakota land?” She frowned. “I don’t have to go in front of a judge or anything, do I?”
“No. My people will accept you.” He kissed the worries off her forehead and chuckled. “But you might want to have your mail forwarded to your new address.”
“That’s it?” She smiled, but quickly lowered her voice. “But I thought you were against having a relationship, especially since I’m not Lakota. That’s why we agreed—”
“Maybe I was wrong.” Kane couldn’t help smiling at the way her face lit up with hope. “Wasn’t it you who told me that I was a fool to think the only thing between us was the great sex?”
She nodded. “How will we—”
Kane pressed his finger over Ana’s lips. “One day at a time. Your wishes and dreams…your faith in us, is making me believe this will work out.”
“It will, Kane. I know it will.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Together, we’ll figure it out as we go.”
* * *
Kane’s front yard resembled a yard sale for cowboys. Saddles, straps and braided spools of rope littered the grassy area. Ana jumped over a pile of sharp, pointy tools and peeked inside the open door.
“Kane?” She elbowed the door. “Are you in here?”
A few pieces of furniture sat in a bare room. He came out of the hallway with a box in his arms. “This is your home now, Ana. You don’t have to enter the house like a stranger.”
“I didn’t know if you were in the stables or here, and I wouldn’t want to barge in when you’re not expecting me.” She set her armload of clothes on hangers over the back of the recliner. “It’ll take me awhile to get used to calling this home. This is only the second time I’ve moved. Once out of the house I grew up in and now here with you.”
“You beat my record. I’ve moved once. My parents lived about two miles from the lake we went to a few weeks ago.” He walked beside her outside. “This is your home now. The Lakota believe the home belongs to the woman, if that helps you feel more at ease. It’s what I believe.”
She slammed to a stop. “You’re kidding me?”
He shook his head. “Women are special. My woman is first in my life. It’s how I wish to honor you.”
She grabbed him around the waist and buried her face in his chest. She didn’t think squeezing him to death was the proper way to tell him thank you, but it was all she could do without sobbing. Maybe now she could put to rest the doubts about Kane only inviting her to live with him because he wanted her for sex. She rubbed her cheek against his chest. He wasn’t much for sharing his feelings with words, but if she listened closely, he spoke from his heart.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” He stroked her back and held her close.
“I haven’t heard someone tell me I was special since I was living at home with both my parents. I didn’t realize how much I missed having someone in my life who thought that.” She sniffed.
“No boyfriend told you how special you are?”
Ana shook her head. “I don’t know. If they did, it never meant anything to me, or I knew they were saying it for a reason. It’s different when you say it. You guard your words, and I’m not always sure where I stand. I’m different than you. You show me how you feel, and I end up talking too much.”
“I like hearing you talk to me.”
“You make me feel special.” She smiled. “Especially when I hear you say it.”
“I mean everything I say.” He kissed the top of her head. “Although, I didn’t expect this kind of reaction… Are you sure nothing else is bothering you?”
She rubbed her face against him, chuckled on a sob when it dawned on her he was bare chested. “Nothing. Absolutely zilch.”
“I don’t want to rush you.” He framed her face with his hands. “Physically or emotionally. I know it’s difficult to adjust to a different way of life, and at times it’ll cause a rift, but we’ll learn to deal with whatever comes our way. I’ll take my lead from you, okay?”
She rose up on her toes threw her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her height, and gave him a soul-searing kiss. “You are too nice to me. I can’t imagine anything coming between us. We’re too perfect for each other.”
“Do you think you don’t deserve everything I have to give to this relationship?” He set her back on her feet and continued to her car. “You need to believe in yourself more, Ana. You are worth more than my life.”
She helped him carry the rest of her belongings into her new home. Content and excited to share every intimate part of her daily life with Kane, she fairly bounced around organizing the place. After her father died and her mother moved away, she’d often believed a happily ever after was only found in fairy tales. Today she believed it happened in real life.
Chapter Eleven
Every last Tuesday of the month, George Talborn came to Lakota to haul the tribe’s art pieces to New York City where a gallery sold the authentic Native American artwork. With most of Kane’s income coming from the profit off his saddles, belts and custom-made leads, he looked forward to George’s visits.
Kane hefted the last item in the cargo box and waved to George. “You got a couple of minutes to spare?”
“A few. What’s up?” George swept his arm across his forehead.
“I have something I’d like to show you.” He motioned for George to follow him.
George removed the cigarette from his mouth, stubbed the coal off the end and pocketed the butt. “Your leather work is moving faster than I can pick it up. I should probably think about doubling up trips in the summertime next year or finding another truck driver for bigger loads.”
They entered the house. Kane stopped in the kitchen, poured George a glass of ice water and excused himself. The past couple of weeks, he’d come to the conclusion it wouldn’t hurt anything to send one of Ana’s older paintings with George. She had set them in the hall closet, stating they could go toward the rummage sale next summer put on by the ladies of the reservation to help buy the school new play equipment.
That was after forbidding her to throw them away to make more room in the house. She’d laughed and called him foolish, with the reasoning the paintings were only for practice and never meant to be hanging on a wall. She didn’t even want them, but he saw them for what they were, beautiful works of art others would appreciate.
Kane returned to the living room and thrust two paintings down on the couch. “What do you think?”
George set his glass down and wandered over. “Jesus, Kane. I didn’t know you painted too?”
He shook his head. “Not me. My Ana.”
The art dealer picked up a picture of a dilapidated barn, deserted, crumbling and sitting out in an overgrown cornfield. The washed-out gray tones of the building should have faded beside the vibrant green stalks surrounding the abandoned farm, but the viewer’s attention focused on the loneliness of the building instead.
“It’s exceptional.” He picked up the canvas. “A little of Andrew Wyeth…but there’s something else in it. More color… I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Sell it.”
George raised his brows. “It would go for a pretty price, but are you sure?”
“Yes. Ana was going to throw it away. She’s never shown anyone her pieces before and views them as a hobby. She finds it hard to believe sh
e has any talent.” Kane stepped back and pointed at the picture Ana created of him. “This is her latest work.”
“Whoa…” George moved over and shook his head. “She captured your whole character in one picture, didn’t she?”
“Yes. This one, I would never sell.” Kane grinned. “I’m very proud of what she does. I want her to know others are proud of what she can craft too.”
* * *
The steam from the onions on the grill burned Ana’s eyes, and she quickly scooped them on top of the open hamburger. She slid the plate under the warmer and dinged the bell. “Order up.”
She scooted over, letting Judy take over the cooking. Her shift was officially over, and she had two days off before she was due back in to work. She paused, watching the older woman set the temperature on the grill to begin cooking the steak. The lines on Judy’s face gave her character, and Ana studied her. With the right tint, she would love to paint the contentment she could see in her friend’s wrinkles. Lines earned from working hard and laughing harder.
“Won’t be long and Chum will have you manning the evening crowd, girly.” Judy slipped on her apron.
“Three more weeks.” She grinned. “Working back here is much harder than I imagined, but I wouldn’t trade it back for pushing mugs and dodging hands out there in the bar.”
“I hear ya there.” Judy twitched and laughed. “I started out front too. I still have nightmares.”
“The cooking hours are much better too.” Ana carried the utensils over to the dishwasher. “On days when I get off earlier, I can finally spend some quality time with my boyfriend.”
“You’ve got a man?” Judy raised her brows. “Do tell.”
She couldn’t help smiling. Thinking about Kane always pleased her. “His name’s Howahkan, but most people call him Kane. He’s—”
“He’s an Indian?” Judy’s lip curled. “Why do you wanna be with some lowlife, when you could be with any number of men in Podunk?”
Ana stopped in the middle of the room, not believing Judy would talk about another person that way. “Excuse me?”
“I thought you had better taste than that.” Judy turned her back on Ana. “A white woman has no place walking the gutter of Lakota.”
After the shock wore off, Ana shed her cover, glanced at the clock and headed toward the door. She hesitated at the threshold before turning around. “Judy, please don’t talk about Kane or his people that way. They’re just like you and me. We’re all trying to survive one day at a time, and being judgmental only makes me feel sorry for you. It doesn’t change my mind about Kane.”
She waited for Judy to acknowledge her, but after a few seconds realized nothing more could be said. Exiting the back of the bar, Ana shut the door with a soft click. She’d lived here her whole life and heard prejudice first hand, but until today, she never realized how much it hurt when someone she cared about was the subject of that hate.
The outside breeze caressed her overheated skin. She hurried along the sidewalk. Her purse swung at her side. Things had finally settled down to a routine, and it seemed natural to head out of town after work instead of to the shabby apartment she’d had before meeting Kane.
A familiar truck parked in front of her car and she smiled. She jogged over. “Hey, gorgeous. What are you doing in town?”
His smile warmed her heart. “Hop in. I’ve got somewhere to take you.”
“What about my car?” She leaned through the window and kissed him. “Should I leave it here?”
“Sure. I’ve missed you. Ride with me. I’ll bring you to work next time, and you can drive it home afterward. It’ll be fine.” He started the ignition.
Not wanting to delay the surprise, she locked up her car and hurried back to Kane. She slammed the door, rolled down her window and buckled up. “What are we doing?”
“Welcoming Napayshni to the world.”
After driving back to the reservation and picking up the present Kane had made, they walked a quarter mile to the gathering hall. Ana pulled at her shirt. “I should have taken the time to change my clothes.”
“You’re fine.” He dropped her hand and swung his arm around her shoulders. “Everyone else will be wearing ordinary clothes. No dressing up is necessary. Tribal costumes are reserved for more formal celebrations and when we host powwows during the gatherings.”
“I smell of greasy hamburgers and onions.” She sniffed.
“And springtime.” He laughed. “All my favorite things.”
She slapped his stomach at the same time they came to the hall. She walked into the room in front of Kane and quickly found herself swallowed up in a hug.
“I’m glad you could come.” Sarah let go but pulled her arm. “You must meet Napayshni, and let me introduce you to the others.”
Kane held on to her hand for a moment longer, as if reluctant to turn her loose. He finally leaned down and whispered, “Go, Ana, the women will want to welcome you too. It is not my place to do the introductions.”
Unsure and a smidgeon intimidated, Ana allowed Sarah to lead her through the crowd. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure she didn’t lose Kane with all the people roaming around. He caught her gaze and winked. She relaxed and smiled back. Not wanting to disappoint him, she’d try her best to fit in with his people.
She appreciated Kane’s confidence in her. Although she had to admit there were times when she found herself lacking amongst his people. Some of the ways of the Lakota were foreign to her. Sometimes it seemed as if she’d taken on a new role and had to learn everything over again. Other times, a sense of deja vu came over her. She belonged here.
“Ana, this is Napayshni and his mother, Robin.” Sarah placed her hand on Ana’s back and urged her to step forward. “The two women beside Robin are her sisters, Faye and Aiyane. They are also your cousins.”
Without taking her attention from the black-haired infant bundled on his mother’s lap, she asked, “My cousins?”
“Yes.” Sarah giggled. “Once Howahkan took you as his woman, you became family.”
She stiffened, turned and stared at Sarah with what she figured looked like bug eyes. “Kane forgot to tell me moving into his house meant more than living together.”
“He can’t tell you.” Sarah grinned. “A female member of the family must announce you. We didn’t even tell Kane until today when we asked him to bring you to the welcoming party for little Napayshni. We thought it would be easier for you to handle the news if everyone else was focused on the baby…instead of you.”
Emotion clogged her throat. She kissed Sarah’s cheek. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Now I’m your sister.” Sarah laughed. “I can ask to borrow your clothes.”
“Yes. Of course. You can have anything of mine.” Ana nodded.
Sarah clapped her hands. “I’m teasing.”
“Ana, would you like to hold the baby?” Robin stood up and motioned with her head for her to sit down in her place.
“Oh. I’ve never held a child before.” She sat. “What if I do it wrong?”
“You won’t. Just make sure to support his head and you’ll do fine.” Robin placed Napayshni in her arms. “That’s it. Perfect. I am going to visit with the others. When your arms get tired, you may pass him to anyone you want. He is safe with everyone here.”
“Thank you.” She spoke softly.
Cradled in her arms, the baby slept without moving. The little brown nose and the dark eyelashes sweeping over kissable cheeks were the most adorable things imaginable. How incredibly small and fragile this little person was, and yet aptly named. Already he commanded everyone he met to love and protect him.
Getting braver, she shifted Napayshni to one arm and peeled the blanket back to peek at the precious bundle. She sighed. His little bare tummy rose and fell. His heart
visibly thumped in his small chest and every so often, a gurgle escaped out of his puckered lips. Oh, Robin, you are one lucky woman.
The contrast between the shade of her skin and the darker skin of Napayshni blended like the summer slowly melting into fall. She glanced up and searched across the room for Kane.
With his arms crossed showing his upper-arm muscles, Kane stood proudly, balanced equally on both feet, talking to another man on the other side of the room. While she ogled him, he turned his head and locked in on her. Flutters went off in her belly. He could give her a beautiful baby and be a kind, patient father. She glanced down, afraid he’d see where her thoughts traveled. A baby?
Of course, she imagined having a baby someday. Later. After she married and settled down. Sarah’s welcome-to-the-family message came back to her thoughts. She wasn’t positive, but she’d almost made it sound like everyone viewed her and Kane as…married.
Napayshni stretched and she snuggled him to her chest, rocking in her chair. “Sh, sh, little one. Your momma will be back in a little bit. She’s worked so hard bringing you into the world, don’t you think she deserves a little break to stretch her legs and talk to grown-ups?”
“He’s heavy, isn’t he? It doesn’t take long for our arms to start getting tired after holding such a big boy.” Faye, or maybe it was Aiyane, smiled at her. “If you want, I can hold him and you can go eat with the others.”
She nodded, shifted on her chair and handed the baby over to his aunt. “I think I could hold him all day and never get tired, but I’m afraid he’ll wake up and cry. I don’t want his first impression of me to be a bad one.”
“Crying makes babies healthy. This one, I’m afraid, is going to be spoiled.” The woman placed Napayshni on her shoulder and stood up. “I will go see if it is time for some of his momma’s milk. It was nice to meet you, Ana.”
“Very nice to meet you too.” She stroked the soft hair on top of Napayshni’s head before wandering back across the room to Kane’s side.
