by Linda Bridey
“That’s why they were here. They took the ones I had stashed in the bank. I was gonna publish them after the war was over. I was stupid and sent a last letter home to Skip telling him not to tell anyone about them and they confiscated it even though I had it in a green envelope.” Sawyer let out a long string of swearwords, venting his anger and frustration, before he broke down.
Dean put a hand on his shoulder, rubbing and patting it as Sawyer cried. It wasn’t long until Sawyer composed himself, though. “You can’t tell anyone about this, Grandpa. Only my parents and Skip know about it. I don’t want anyone to get in trouble because they’re overheard talking about it.”
“I understand. I won’t even say anything to Tessa,” Dean said.
“Thanks. I hate keeping secrets,” Sawyer said.
“Me, too,” Dean said. “But you have good reasons for keeping all of this a secret,” Dean said.
“So now, I’m trying to decide what to do with myself when I’m better. I need work, but doing what? I can work stories here and there for the paper, but I need something full-time so I don’t have to register as a vagrant.”
During the war, the Montana Council of Defense had decreed that any man who wasn’t working full-time had to register with the local authorities as a bum or vagrant. Their sheriff, Mitch Taylor, hated doing this, but he had to make it look good or risk being removed from office and Dawson didn’t want to lose their excellent lawman. Joe tried to create jobs around town so that men didn’t have to be registered.
Dean said, “We could just say that you’re working for us ; no ; no one could prove that you aren’t. It’s a good thing that Switch works a couple of different jobs so that he doesn’t have to register.”
“Right. I appreciate the offer, Grandpa, but you don’t need any more ranch hands,” Sawyer said.
Dean said, “Well, you’re a photographer, do something with it. Open a studio or something.”
“I’ve considered that, but I need startup capital to rent a space in town and I just don’t have it. I sent some pay home, but it’s not much to live on,” Sawyer said. “We don’t know how long this war is gonna go on, so I didn’t want to ask Mama and Pa since they’re trying to save money,” Sawyer said.
Dean said, “What would it take for you to start up?”
“I don’t know without looking at a shop and seeing what it might cost to renovate it to suit my needs,” Sawyer said.
Dean said, “You find out and your grandma and I will give you the money to do it. Don’t argue with me. Your great grandpa did the same thing for your pa, Aunt Katie, and J.R. when they wanted to start the newspaper. No reason we can’t do the same for you.”
Sawyer grinned. “You would do that?”
Dean smiled. “Sawyer, don’t you know that we would give all you kids the moon if we could? Of course we will. No sense being well-off if you can’t use it to help your family.”
Leaning towards Dean’s horse, Sawyer hugged him. “That’s why you’re one of my heroes. You’ve always helped anyone whenever you could,” Sawyer said, letting him go.
Dean grinned at him. “That’s what family is for.”
“Let’s go back so I can tell everyone.”
A gleam entered Dean’s eyes. “I got a better idea. Come with me.”
Chapter Fifteen
Devon and Sawyer sat down at camp, off to themselves, at a small fire that evening. He reclined with his head in her lap.
“So Mr. Samuels’ better idea was to play hooky from work and go fishing.” She laughed. “He surprises me sometimes when he does stuff like that.”
Sawyer said, “From what everyone tells me, he’s mellowed a lot over the years, especially since he had meningitis. He says a brush with death will teach someone what’s really important and that life isn’t always about work.”
“He’s a smart man.”
“Yeah, he is. And you are a smart woman,” Sawyer said, pulling her down for a brief kiss. “How’d you like to help me pick out a studio space?”
“I’d love to,” she said.
“Good. Pick me up tomorrow at nine and we’ll go looking at some places.”
“Say please,” Devon said.
“Pardon my bad manners. Please?” he asked
Devon leaned down, brushing her lips against his. “Ok. On one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“We go to the Sweet Spot afterwards,” she said.
The soda fountain and ice cream parlor had opened a couple of years ago and was very popular. Devon loved their vanilla milkshakes and it was one of Black Fox’s favorite places.
Sawyer grinned. “Done.”
Her soft kiss set off flames of desire and Sawyer hooked a hand around the back of her head so she couldn’t get away as he deepened the kiss. It wasn’t just the physical desire that drew him to her. She was kind, supportive, and fun. He’d wanted a private place for them to talk so that he could tell her everything about the whole mess with the army. He knew that he could trust her with the information.
She’d listened quietly but had quietly exploded with anger once he was done. It had been both touching and amusing to hear her swear and go on about it. Having Devon back in his life was a miracle, and he thought that maybe losing all of those pictures was worth it if it meant he could be happy with her. He’d just risen up on his good arm to embrace her when a commotion at the other side of the camp interrupted them.
Reckless, who was a talented storyteller, had been sitting at the central fire, telling a large group of children one of the Lakota creation stories when a bunch of men rode into the clearing, pointing guns at the people gathered there.
He jumped up, sending the children running for the orphanage with a quick word in Lakota. A few of the women and men ran with them, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the kids in case they were fired upon.
“What is the meaning of this?” Reckless demanded.
“Put those fires out. The Defense Council said no campfires or public gatherings,” their leader said.
Black Fox came jogging over from the orphanage where he had been helping with homework. He’d heard the man. “This is private land and what we do here is no one’s business.”
“And who are you?”
Black Fox took on the warrior’s stance that made him look imposing when he wished to. “I am Chief Black Fox, and this is our home. I am also an administrator of the Hope House, the orphanage,” he said, pointing at the large structure across the clearing. “You are endangering innocent children by waving guns around and you are harassing us when you have no right to do so. Who are you to come on our land? Have you checked in with Sheriff Taylor?”
“I’m Len Washburn, head of the Loyalty Council around here and I don’t need to check in with him,” Len said.
Black Fox said, “You still do not have the authority to come onto our land. This is not public domain. You need to leave while you still can.” He gazed around at the group of fifteen men, meeting each of their eyes.
“Put the fires out or we’ll put them out for you,” Len said.
“Ready,” Black Fox said.
Len frowned. “Ready?”
Black Fox smiled as guns cocked all around Len and his posse. “Aim.”
As Len looked around, he saw both Lakota and white men and women train various firearms on them. They’d been so quiet that none of his group had noticed them. He looked back at Black Fox, who walked up to his horse, gazing coldly into Len’s eyes.
“You see, I have been chief for a long time, and I know as much about battle and fortifying a stronghold as any military leader today. I will give you some advice before you go. Before you attack, you should get to know your enemy. Assess their strengths and weaknesses and adjust your offensive accordingly.
“Your biggest mistake was underestimating us. We will protect our people at any cost against anyone who threatens them. Now, go, and do not come back or we will not be so peaceful next time.” When Len didn�
�t move, Black Fox thundered, “Go!” which startled Len’s horse into movement.
Several of Len’s men turned their mounts around quickly and took off the way they’d come, more afraid of winding up dead than of Len’s anger.
“This isn’t over,” Len said.
Black Fox smiled. “For your sake, I hope it is.”
His smile faded once the intruders were out of sight. In sign language, he ordered Reckless to trail them to make sure they completely left the area. He was in full chief mode now and reverted to his authoritarian role. His family knew him as a mainly even-tempered, loving man, but at the moment, that man didn’t exist. In his place was the war chief, the leader responsible for the safety of his people.
Giving orders was second nature to him just as it was second nature for his family to obey him without question during these situations. They did so now as he set up sentries and ordered that some of the outside fires be doused so that their enemies didn’t have as much light to see to shoot them by. He sent all of the kids to the orphanage, whether or not they were orphanage children. It would be easier to guard them if they were all in the same place.
Reckless returned a short time later. “They are gone.”
“Good. Go tell Mitch and then Joe what has happened. Also warn those at the ranch. I do not know if they know that we are family or not,” Black Fox said. “They may go after them.”
Sawyer said, “Uncle, I’ll tell them. I’m gonna have Devon take me home. If you need anything, send someone.”
“I will.”
“Reckless, I’ll tell Daddy and he’ll call Mitch. That’s one good thing about him being so stubborn about at least getting telephone and electric service for the town officials. It makes it easier to get important news to the people who need to hear it,” Devon said, hugging the chief. “Please be careful.”
He embraced her. “I will. You do the same.”
*****
As they began the drive home, Sawyer laughed.
Devon said, “What’s so funny?”
“Have you ever seen Uncle when he’s in action like that before?”
“No, I haven’t. It was impressive,” Devon said. “It gives me an idea of what it was like when that was a completely Lakota camp.”
“Yeah. I didn’t see it when it was like that, of course, but it must have been similar. If that Loyalty group is smart, they’ll stay away.”
“I’d say so,” Devon said.
Sawyer said, “I’m gonna write about this when I get home and leave it for whoever writes our history. I’m not good with fancy wording like Grandma, but I can get the barebones down.”
“It was an amazing thing to see and it’ll make a good story,” Devon said. “Daddy is going to be furious.”
“Yeah. He’s scary in his own way when he’s on the warpath.” Sawyer looked over at her. “I don’t like you driving home by yourself.”
“I’ll be fine. I doubt they noticed me. I didn’t have a gun on them,” she said, smiling.
“True. I wish we had a telephone. Then you could call me and let me know you got home all right.”
“If Daddy has his way, it won’t be much longer until more people around here have one,” Devon said as they pulled up to his house. She put on the parking break. “Do you need help getting in the house?”
“Nah. I’m getting pretty good at hopping around,” he replied.
“Ok. Why don’t you come to Sunday dinner tomorrow?” she asked.
“All right, I will,” he said, scooting closer. “Let’s try this again, ok?”
She smiled as he pressed a kiss to her lips and put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. His cologne was a pleasant, slightly musky scent that she loved and his stubble-rough jaw felt nice against the palm she laid against it. His strength was exciting to her and she unbuttoned his coat slightly so she could caress his strong chest.
He groaned and broke away from her slowly. “I would love to sit here with you all night like this, but I don’t want you to run out of gas.”
“Ok. Get out of my car then,” she said playfully. “I brought your behind home. What more do you want?”
His eyes smoldered with desire. “You.” He gave her another quick kiss and got out before he grabbed her again.
She waved at him through the windshield when he looked back at her. “Me, too.” With a deep breath, she turned the car around and headed home.
*****
As she related what had happened at camp to Joe, Devon saw a storm brew in his eyes as they turned greener. However, he didn’t explode the way she’d thought he would. His face turned red and his eyes narrowed, but he didn’t move or speak. Devon knew that this meant that Joe was beyond anger. Fury surged through his veins and she pitied whoever Joe was going to go after.
Finally, he said, “So everyone down there’s ok?”
“Yeah. No shots were fired and there wasn’t any other violence, either,” she said.
He nodded. “Good. Thanks, sweetheart. I’ll take care of this. Go on to bed.”
When they rose from the sofa, Joe embraced her. “I’m glad my little girl is all right. I’m sorry you had a fright.”
She chuckled. “Daddy, I felt completely safe. You should have seen Black Fox. I’ve never seen him like that before.”
Joe thought back to a bloody battle fought between the chief’s tribe and the military that he’d come on the tail end of. It was the first time he’d seen Black Fox in battle and he knew how terrible a foe the Indian chief was. He prayed that this didn’t turn into anything like that. “I’ve seen him kill people, Devon. People who deserved it, and you’re right: if Washburn is smart, he won’t go up against our tribe because he won’t come out alive.”
Devon pulled back, looking into his eyes. “You don’t think—”
“I’ll do whatever I have to do to make sure that doesn’t happen. But if you hear anything around town against them, you need to tell me or Mitch or one of the deputies. You’re old enough to understand and deal with these things. We can’t be too careful. Ok?”
She nodded and he released her after kissing her forehead. “Get some sleep,” he said, sending her off.
Turning to Lacey, they exchanged silent looks. They’d been through stressful situations like this before and knew that keeping a level head was paramount. Joe did his best to put his anger on hold as he and Lacey walked to their office where one of the two telephone extensions was located. He tugged on the pull chain to the ceiling light and grinned when the room was illuminated by it.
There were only seven telephones in operation in Dawson at the time. Joe, Mitch, the sheriff’s office, the town hall, and two at the hospital—one at the front desk and one in the main office. The last one was located at the Dialogue along with the small switchboard that was manned round the clock along with the telegraph.
Joe had insisted on the switchboard because there were times when he didn’t want everyone listening in the way they could on a party line. All of the operators were sworn to secrecy about what was spoken about on the system and they all took it seriously.
Joe took the earpiece off the cradle and waited.
Switch’s voice came over the line. “Hi, Joe. Switch here on the switchboard.”
Joe chuckled at Switch’s standard greeting. “You mean I gotta talk to you? Don’t you ever sleep?”
“Yep. Just not tonight,” Switch said. “Who would you like, Mr. Mayor?”
“Get Mitch for me and don’t let up until someone answers. It’s important.”
“Ok. Trying it now.”
Joe loved talking on the telephone and often got into conversations with the operators, forgetting that he had actually intended to call someone else. “Thanks, Switch.”
The line went silent for a few moments and then Switch came back. “Ok, Joe. I got Mitch for you. Go ahead, gentlemen.”
“Is this a social call, Joe?” Mitch asked.
“Nope,” Joe said, and proceeded to tell him what
had happened in camp. After a fifteen minute conversation, during which they set up a time to meet the next day, they hung up. Then Joe picked up the phone again.
“Yeah, Joe?” Switch asked.
“Nothing. I just wanted to say goodnight and thanks,” Joe said.
He could hear the smile in Switch’s voice. “You’re welcome. Goodnight, Joe.”
“Did you listen to that call?” Joe quickly asked.
“Yeah.”
Knowing how close Switch was to Black Fox and company, Joe said, “Don’t you worry, Switch. We’ll get this settled, ok?”
Silence.
“Switch, I can’t see you, remember?” Joe said, knowing that Switch had been nodding.
Switch laughed. “Yeah. Sorry. I know you will, Joe. I have complete faith in you.”
“All right then. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Joe hung up and turned around to see Lacey grinning at him. “What?”
She laughed. “You’d talk on that thing with him all night.”
“I would not,” he responded even though he chuckled.
“You should be a telephone operator,” Lacey said as she turned out the light and they left the office.
“Yeah, but then I’d talk to all the pretty girls.”
“No, you’d talk to anyone and everyone.”
She teased him all the way to their bedroom about it, but when they settled in their bed, they lay quietly together as they mentally prepared themselves for whatever the fallout would be.
Chapter Sixteen
County Commissioner Thor Torrance was developing a headache from listening to Joe yell as he paced back and forth in Thor’s office. The big, gray-haired man had only been commissioner for two years, but in that time, he’d come to know Joe well. Everyone in and around Dawson knew how much respect Joe had for the Lakota tribe and those who ran Hope House. He also knew that Joe was a force to be reckoned with and that when the mayor went on the offensive there was usually a good reason behind it.
Thor cut Joe off in mid-sentence. “Joe! Sit down and we’ll discuss this. You’re killing my head.”
