Daniel touched his hand to his brother’s shoulder, and grinned. This was, by far, a better plan than finding some poisonous plant or kidnapping the woman.
“Let’s go hunting, then,” he said with a smile, and led the way from camp.
Chapter Six
“You did well, Brother. When you present her family with the meat from this ram you killed, Little Bird will look on you with favor,” Daniel called over his shoulder when he and Elk Runner walked into their camp three days later. The carcass of a mountain sheep was strung by its hind legs on a pole the two of them carried between them. “All we need to do is find out which direction the Akaideka traveled, and we can follow them. Then you can present your gift, and make your intentions known to her father.”
A look of uncertainty passed through Elk Runner’s eyes. Daniel chuckled. If his brother didn’t find the courage to talk to Little Bird soon, he would pine away for this woman all winter.
“Your spirit guardian would tell you to be brave,” Daniel prodded. “You must follow her family, and make your intentions known.”
Elk Runner nodded. “You are right, White Wolf. I’ve spoken to the spirits, and they tell me the same thing. I will not let another day pass without speaking to Little Bird. As soon as I butcher this ram, I will be on my way to follow her family and seek her out at their winter camp.”
They’d reached the village, and Daniel stopped in his tracks. He held up his hand. There were no cheers of greeting from the children as was customary when hunters returned with game. Only a few dogs barked and ran up to them. Many of the villagers looked to have gathered around another group of people.
Daniel turned his head and met Elk Runner’s stare. His brother lowered his end of the pole, a frown on his face. Daniel followed suit, setting the carcass on the ground.
“The family of Akaideka have returned,” Daniel said, his eyebrows drawn together.
“Perhaps they never left,” Elk Runner said hopefully.
“Something isn’t right,” Daniel mumbled. “Let’s find out what’s going on.” They picked up the pole, and carried their kill toward the gathering.
Several heads turned in their direction. Morning Sun moved toward them, a false smile on her face.
“It is good to see my sons return,” she said, relief in her voice.
“What happened, Mother?” Elk Runner asked, gesturing toward the family of Akaideka. The women huddled together, the older woman holding the younger sister of Little Bird in a protective embrace. Little Bird leaned her head in toward her sister, who looked frightened. She glanced up. She looked toward Daniel, then her eyes moved to Elk Runner, where they remained for a moment before she gave her attention back to her sister.
“They were on their way south, when thieves came and robbed them of their winter furs and supplies, and all of their hunting weapons,” Morning Sun said harshly. “All that remains of their possessions are the clothing they wear.”
“Who did this?” Elk Runner asked, anger blazing in his eyes. He darted another quick glance toward Little Bird.
“They are not sure if it was Blackfoot, or the thieving Absarokas,” Morning Sun answered. “The raid occurred at night. With winter approaching quickly, the cold would claim them before hunger does. They did the only thing they could think of, and returned to us.”
Daniel and Elk Runner exchanged a quick glance.
“Blackfoot would have killed them,” Daniel said quietly.
“Come, White Wolf.” Elk Runner reached for his end of the pole on the ground, and lifted it. He stared from his brother to the unfortunate family, resting his gaze on the woman who’d had him so enamored that he’d been afraid to speak to her all this time.
Daniel grinned at the determined look on his brother’s face, as if he’d finally found his true self again, after acting like a fool for nearly a week.
“This family needs our help.”
Daniel nodded, and helped carry the sheep carcass toward the group of people. Elk Runner stopped in front of Little Bird’s father, and waited. The older man turned to him, an expectant look in his eyes.
“My brother and I gift you this ram from a successful hunt,” Elk Runner said. “The meat will ease your hunger, and the hide will provide clothing.” He swallowed visibly, and looked at the women, his eyes resting on Little Bird. She stared at him, wide-eyed, and a slight smile formed on her lips.
“The hunters of the Tukudeka are generous,” the older man said, and clasped Elk Runner’s hands in his. “This kindness will not be forgotten.”
“We are happy to help,” Elk Runner said. “It is, after all, the season for giving.”
Daniel ran a hand over his mouth to cover the smile he couldn’t suppress.
“This thievery will also not be forgotten,” Elk Runner continued, raising his chin. He turned to look at Daniel. “My brother and I have decided to go after those who have robbed you. Like the coyote, the Absaroka are opportunists, and preyed on a peaceful, helpless family. We will bring back all that was taken from you.”
All eyes were on Daniel and Elk Runner. Daniel cocked an eyebrow at his brother. It seemed that he’d more than found his voice again, after having been unable to speak at all over the course of the last week. Now he was making bold statements he may not be able to keep.
“You do not know which enemy you face,” one of the men of the village said. “The Blackfoot are skilled warriors.”
“White Wolf and I believe it was Absaroka who did this. The Blackfoot show no mercy, and you would not be alive, had it been their war party. If you sit by and let the Absaroka rob you once, they will do it again.”
Daniel nodded in agreement. Even if Elk Runner’s words were fueled by a need to impress Little Bird and her family, he was right. “My brave brother, Elk Runner, and I, will go alone. It is not the way of the Tukudeka to make war on anyone, and we don’t want harm to come to any of our family members. If my brother and I succeed, we will bring back everything you have lost, and no one will be harmed.”
He paused, and glanced at the faces of the people among whom he’d been raised, and then at the newcomers. Morning Sun wore a proud expression on her face, and several members of the clan nodded in approval.
Elk Runner took a step forward, and raised his voice. “The Absaroka will know that the Tukudeka, and their cousins, the Akaideka, will not be robbed of their possessions. We protect that which is ours.” His eyes drifted back to Little Bird, who held his gaze.
Morning Sun reached for Elk Runner’s arm. She shot looks between him and Daniel. “You have been gone for three days. You will come and eat before you leave again.”
Her stern words left no room for argument. The slight woman marched toward her hut. Daniel and Elk Runner followed, and the group of people moved apart.
After a meal of turkey and cakes made from ground pine nuts and cooked in the coals, Daniel gathered his hunting knife and horn bow. He headed for the river to fill his water bladder, while Elk Runner spoke to his mother. Squatting at the river’s edge, he allowed the current to fill the skin. The sound of footfall on hard soil made him turn.
Daniel stood slowly. Two women stopped a short distance from him; Little Bird and her younger sister. He shot a hasty look toward the village and his mother’s hut, but didn’t see Elk Runner.
“White Wolf,” Little Bird said hesitantly.
Daniel corked his water skin, and pulled the leather strap it was tied to over his shoulder. Only then did he look at the women. He nodded wordlessly. Little Bird took a small step forward.
“You are not Tukudeka by blood, but you care deeply for your brother,” the young woman said.
Daniel frowned. “I do,” he said slowly.
Little Bird’s smile widened. “The way you spoke of him, and stood by his side, giving him courage to find his own words, was an honorable thing to do.”
“My brother is not normally so tongue-tied and silent.” Daniel chuckled.
Little Bird lowered her head,
then glanced up at him again. “I have seen him looking my way many times, and it makes me wonder why he has not come to speak to me.”
Daniel smiled. He ran a hand through his hair, and cleared his throat. He chose his next words carefully.
“There are men who are brave hunters. There are those who are fearless warriors, but certain things, or certain . . . people, hold a power over their heart that will make their mind go weak, and they might behave in ways that is not true to their nature.”
Little Bird’s soft smile widened. Her chin lifted. “I hope his mind will not be weak much longer.”
She held his gaze for a moment, then nodded, and hooked her arm through her sister’s. Together, the two women hurried off. Daniel’s eyes followed them until they reached their camp, then he headed for his mother’s hut.
“I hope so, too,” he mumbled under his breath. “For my sanity, as well as his own.”
Chapter Seven
“You never told me that Little Bird came to talk to you that day.”
Elk Runner glared at Daniel across the table, then at his wife sitting next to him. She smiled smugly.
“I knew it was highly improper for me to speak to a man alone, so I pleaded with my sister to come with me.” Little Bird glanced around the table. Her eyes fell on Daniel. “I was worried that, by approaching you, I’d leave the wrong impression, that perhaps I was seeking you out, White Wolf.”
Elk Runner laughed. “It took him months to notice Dosa haiwi, even though she lived in his lodge when she first came to him. I had almost given up hope that he would ever take interest in a woman. It was never a concern that he would show interest in you.” He patted Little Bird’s hand.
“And I didn’t think you’d be brave enough to ever come and speak to me,” she retorted. Her eyes narrowed on him.
“So, what happened?” Chase asked, pointing his fork at Elk Runner, and then at Little Bird. His brows raised, and so did the corners of his mouth. “Did you and Daniel get the food and supplies back?”
“Please, Grandpa, finish the story,” Emily pleaded from the other table.
Daniel glanced around the room. His mind had been lost in the past while he told the story, making him forget that he had such a captivated audience. He reached for his tin cup, and took a long swallow of his coffee.
Aimee pushed her chair back at that moment, and stood. Her hand rested on his shoulder, and she looked down at him, smiling. “I can’t believe that you played matchmaker, Daniel.” She leaned down, and kissed his cheek. “You were so adamant that you’d never have a wife of your own, yet you helped things along to get Elk Runner and Little Bird together?”
“Elk Runner finally found his confidence that day,” Daniel said, grinning at his brother. “There was no help from me.”
“But you stood by his side, and told everyone what a brave hunter he was, just to get Little Bird’s attention.”
Elk Runner scoffed. “I already had her attention.”
“But you weren’t brave enough to make your feelings known,” Little Bird croaked. “It took your brother, and me, to make you act.”
“Well, someone please tell us what happened next,” Chase said, louder this time.
“As soon as we clear the table and get the pies from the other cabin,” Aimee said, raising her hand. “They’re about done, and I’m sure no one wants burned pie.”
Chairs scraped against the wooden floor. Sarah’s daughters collected the empty dinner plates, and carried them to the workbench. Aimee, Sarah, and Little Bird left the cabin, and returned shortly with six hot and steaming pies.
After more wood was added to the fire in the hearth, and pies had been served, snow began to fall outside. Once everyone had eaten their fill of the sweet desserts, the sun had long sunk in the western horizon, and Chase lit lanterns throughout the cabin.
Sarah settled in on a rocking chair next to the hearth, holding Kyle in her lap. The toddler had his thumb in his mouth, and his eyes drooped heavily. Hannah climbed on Chase’s lap, and rested her head against his chest. Aimee reached for Daniel’s hand, intertwining her fingers with his. He scanned the room, and everyone fell silent, looking at him with expectant eyes.
“All right, let’s finish the story,” Chase said with a grin. “Did you find the Crow who stole from Little Bird’s family?”
“Yes, we found them.” Daniel nodded, and glanced at his brother. “There were six warriors, camped in a small canyon not half a day’s walk away from our village. We found their camp after dark.”
“Eight warriors,” Elk Runner interrupted. Little Bird nudged him in the arm, glaring at him.
Daniel’s lips twitched, and he cleared his throat. “There were six warriors. They must have thought themselves safe and unwatched, because they didn’t post a sentry, and their fire was large. It gave off plenty of light to see. Several travois, piled with furs, had been left at the edge of their camp near their horses. It was obvious that these belonged to the Akaideka.”
“How do you know? Couldn’t they have simply been travois for their horses to pull?” Chase asked, and winked.
Daniel glared at his son-in-law. Chase might have asked such a question when he first arrived in these mountains fifteen years ago, but not these days. It was obvious he was prompting Daniel to add the details that the younger children might not know.
“The Akaideka, like the Tukudeka, did not own horses back in those days,” Daniel said indulgently. “Today, some of them might have adopted the ways of other Shoshone and taken to horses, but the Tukudeka, as you know, remain and live as their ancestors have lived since the spirits brought them here.”
“So, the travois would have been built for a person to pull, not a horse,” Chase added.
“You are correct, Wise One,” Elk Runner said sarcastically. “It is good that I encouraged you to go on a vision quest when you first came to these mountains, so you could connect with the spirits. Or you might, to this day, be a man lost and wandering without purpose otherwise.”
Chase met Elk Runner’s challenging stare, and smiled. He nodded. “Yes, good thing about that,” he said. “But right now, it sounds more like you were the one lost and wandering. At least I wasn’t afraid to talk to the woman of my heart, or tell her how I felt about her.” He looked toward Sarah, and winked at her.
“So, how did you get the Akaideka’s possessions away from the Absarokas?” one of Elk Runner’s grandsons asked, bringing everyone’s focus back to the story at hand. “Did you have to kill them?”
Daniel chuckled. “No. We didn’t plan on killing anyone. We waited until the Absarokas were asleep. We piled everything onto one travois so that we wouldn’t have to drag them, and carried it away.” He stopped, and looked at his brother.
“Did you steal their things?” the boy asked eagerly.
Daniel shook his head. “If we had stolen their belongings, we would have been no better than them. We only took back what was taken from Little Bird’s family.”
“It all happened very quickly,” Elk Runner chimed in triumphantly. “We spent the night concealing our tracks, and laying some false tracks to lead them astray. They never knew what happened.”
Daniel laughed. “No, and neither did you, when you scared up that bobcat, and it tore your arm to shreds.”
A collective gasp escaped from the children. “A bobcat attacked you?” several of them asked in unison.
Elk Runner coughed loudly. “Yes, and its pelt made a nice gift for my future bride.” He grinned at Little Bird.
“When you and White Wolf returned to the village, I thought you were near death,” Little Bird said, her eyes shimmering at the memory. “You were covered in blood when I saw you. I thought you had been shot with arrows.”
Elk Runner scoffed. “I have been shot with arrows, and that didn’t kill me, either.” He glanced quickly toward Aimee, then back at his wife.
“Even then, you couldn’t make your mouth work to talk to me,” Little Bird huffed. “You tried t
o hide in your hut, and I had to ask your mother to allow me to tend to your wounds. I knew then that I would have to be the one to speak to you first.”
“And then you married her, Uncle?” Rebecca asked, her eyes wide.
Elk Runner patted his wife’s hand. He leaned toward her, and touched his lips to her cheek.
“And then I married her,” he said, smiling brightly at everyone in the room, “after I asked her father’s permission. It was during the same season as now, when I received my most cherished gift.”
Daniel met Aimee’s gaze, and he reached his hand to her cheek. Their lips touched, and his chest tightened when she favored him with her smile.
“You will always be my most cherished gift, gediki. You, and our family, and the memories we’ve created during all our seasons of giving.”
The End
* * *
Thank you for purchasing and reading A YELLOWSTONE SEASON OF GIVING. I hope you enjoyed it.
To be the first to hear about new book releases, special announcements, and deals, please join my newsletter
If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a short review on Amazon.
Find all my books here: Amazon Author Page
Yellowstone Romance Series: (in recommended reading order)
Yellowstone Heart Song
A Yellowstone Christmas (novella)
Yellowstone Redemption
Yellowstone Awakening
Yellowstone Dawn
Yellowstone Deception
A Yellowstone Promise (novella)
A Yellowstone Season of Giving (short story)
Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series
Come Home to Me
Ain’t No Angle
A Yellowstone Season of Giving: Yellowstone Romance Series Holiday Short Story Page 4
