“Miss Su?” Timothy's weak voice drifted from the blankets.
A pang of guilt hit Soonie. She had almost forgotten her original mission. She hurried to the young boy’s side. “Hello, Timothy. I came to check on you.”
The boy's smile shone through the pain written on his young face. “I'm glad. I missed you.”
“I brought you something." Soonie pulled out a peppermint stick from her pocket. “It’s my last secret piece. Just for you.”
Timothy took it from her. “Candy.” He closed his eyes. “Thank you, Miss Su. I’m glad you are here.”
Soonie glanced back at Lone Warrior. He was watching them with that tiny smile of his.
She smiled back. “I’m glad to be here as well, Timothy.”
18 No Choice
“All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small
Brother Jenkins had chosen not to travel to Fort Sill, but instead returned to the settlement to make sure the girls and Isak had made it back. Since it happened to be Sunday, he decided to go ahead and hold a service.
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord, God, made them all.”
How could such a cheerful song sound so mournful? Soonie couldn’t bring herself to join in, although Darla, who stood by her side, sang with gusto.
Soonie hardly recognized the girl in the practical calico dress and collar she had lent her. But Darla's cheeks and lips were a tinge redder than a natural glow should be, and Soonie sent up a hasty prayer that Brother Jenkins wouldn't notice. He might pass out in front of the congregation.
The corners of Brother Jenkin’s mouth were pulled down, and his eyelids drooped.
Poor man, he’s probably exhausted.
Soonie checked over the children that stood around the room. Laura and Prairie Bird were right at the front, singing in their cheerful voices. The little ones stood with their mamas. Black Turtle, Hershel and Felix sat in the corner, looking lost without their leader.
Timothy had made remarkable progress in the last two days. He stayed in bed, but the angry red skin had mostly fallen off. Molly believed that when he’d healed, only thin white scars would remain.
Uncle Isak and Brave Storm had gone out that morning to speak to Captain Wilkerson about the issue with Hal and his men, and would return to address the camp after church.
A dark foreboding filled Soonie’s heart. If Hal gathers a large group of men who are convinced we are dangerous savages, how will we protect ourselves? Even if they did fight back, it would only bring more condemnation upon them.
The service ended after what seemed like an eternity. Soonie couldn’t have repeated three words of the message to save her life, she was so distracted.
She hurried to the door, but Brother Jenkins was right there, bobbing at her elbow.
“Miss Eckhart, I’m glad to see you returned safely. I had to make sure Doctor Early made it to the next town to meet her escort, or I would have come back with you. What a dangerous journey you made.” His eyes settled on her clothing. “I see you have chosen to adopt the local method of dress.”
“I have always dressed like this, Brother Jenkins, except for church and school. My clothes were ruined on the trip, and therefore, unsuitable.”
He blinked rapidly a few times. “I understand. Of course.”
“Excuse me, please. I must find out if my uncle has returned from speaking to Captain Wilkerson.”
She stepped away, but Brother Jenkins grabbed her elbow.
“Miss Eckhart . . . Susannah. I have something to discuss with you.” He drew her away from the crowd.
Darla came towards them, stopped, gave a little wave, and walked off.
Soonie was tempted to pull away from his grasp. No, I’ll go along and let him have his say.
Brother Jenkins led her around the building, and stopped beneath a tree. He tipped his hat back, and studied her with earnest eyes.
“You may think this settlement's customs are archaic, but it is far more civilized than many of the reservations I have visited. The women here are savage enough, but some of the places . . . there is little adherence to any sort of decorum. Many don’t even know how to use silverware properly.” His mouth pursed as though he’d tasted something sour. “They all jab with knives, even the children.”
“Brother Jenkins, I really must . . .”
“No, no.” He held up his hands.
“Please hear me out. I’ve given this matter much thought. I’m a man. These women won’t listen to me, even when I’ve tried to explain certain changes would be for the best. But you, my dear, you could be so much more persuasive.”
Soonie was too shocked to reply.
“Of course, it wouldn’t do for us to travel together alone. Not with our current relationship. But if we were partners, think of the good we could do. You are strong and brave. Would you be my wife?”
Soonie slapped a hand over her mouth, afraid to let out the gasp of horror or hysterical giggle, she wasn’t sure which would come. While struggling for a reply, she turned her head and saw Lone Warrior, sitting on a log a short distance from the school house. He was watching them, his face impossible to read.
A deep longing entered her heart. A sudden, striking wish that Lone Warrior would come, take her hand, and claim her for his own. She’d never met a man she trusted with her life, beyond her family.
But does he even feel the same way about me? He did say I was pretty.
“Susannah?”
She started. She had almost forgotten Brother Jenkins, who stared with the same limpid expression he almost always wore, except his eyes were just a little wider.
“Oh, Brother Jenkins, I couldn’t be your wife. You can’t possibly care for me. I’m—I’m just not refined enough for you. But I wish you all the best in your work and I pray that God will someday show you how to love people for who they are.”
She moved away from him then, but couldn’t help glancing back. He was rooted to the spot, his mouth hanging open.
Darla was waiting for her at the schoolhouse door. “What was that all about?”
“I’ll tell you later,” said Soonie. “Would you mind going on to lunch without me? I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Darla nodded and flounced off in the direction of the fire circle.
Soonie’s head warned her to follow Darla, but her heart had complete control of her legs. The betraying limbs carried her to the log where Lone Warrior sat. She sank down beside him.
“Hello.” He turned and gave her a true smile.
“Hello,” she answered, hardly able to look at him. I feel like a child. “How is Timothy?”
“Much better.” Lone Warrior stood up and reached out to her. “Will you come?”
“Come? Where?”
Lone Warrior took her hand, and hot pinpricks, like sparks from a campfire, tingled through her skin. He led her back to the stream by the clay copse.
The ground was covered with fallen leaves, golden and flaming red. “I haven’t been back here since, well, that day with the children,” Soonie said.
“Come and sit.” He brushed leaves off a rock.
“All right.” She perched on the edge of the stone.
He went over to a large tree stump. Reaching inside, he pulled out a cloth bundle. He brought it over and drew back the cloth to reveal cornbread and a steaming pot of beans.
“Lunch? Did you make this?”
Lone Warrior shook his head. “Molly.” He smiled. “She told me . . . you like surprises.”
He asked Molly what I would like. And she helped him plan this? Soonie was touched to her very core. “I do love surprises. This is very nice. Thank you. And I will thank Molly too.”
He shrugged and sat beside her. They ate in silence for a while, listening to the cardinals call through the treetops.
“The bird searches for a lover.” Lone Warrior said, pointing to the flashes of red feathers.
Soonie’s fingers trembled a
s she reached for the last square of cornbread. “Do you think he will find one?” she asked.
“I hope so.” He turned back and studied her with his eyes, dark as beaver’s fur.
The voices of children rang through the canyon from the schoolyard.
“Isak must be back.” Lone Warrior leapt up and held out a hand to help Soonie to her feet.
She stood, and he didn’t let go of her hand. He pulled her closer, and whispered, “I was wrong to say you were pretty.”
Her heart sank and she turned her head away.
“You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met.”
Soonie’s head swam, and a deep shuddering breath came from her very soul. She opened her mouth to say something, she wasn’t sure what, but before any words could come, he dropped her hand and ran off in the direction of the school house.
“Wait for me!” Soonie called. She picked up her skirts and chased after him through the rocks and trees. They were laughing and panting when they reached the school house door.
Lone Warrior put a finger to his lips and they crept to an open place against the wall. Everyone in the settlement seemed to be there, even Grandmother Eagle, who sat like a queen despite the rough wooden chair she was perched on.
Captain Wilkerson was at the front of the room, with Uncle Isak to his right, and Brave Storm to his left. Brother Jenkins stood behind the three of them, shifting from foot to foot.
Captain Wilkerson cleared his throat. “I come before you today as a friend and ally. We have enjoyed an unlikely peace for many years. Mr. Isak has told me of your trouble with the trappers. I believe him. I would trust anything he says, for he is a man of his word.” He scanned the room, his faded blue eyes moist. “I assure you, my heart is heavy with the news I must share with you today.
“The sheriff of the border town rules with a renegade hand. I’ve kept tabs on him for a long time, but anyone with information that could send him behind bars has been silenced with bullets or bribes. Apparently, you folks have had some bad dealings with a group of trappers near here. And one of the men is kin to the sheriff. ”
Soonie’s heart thudded in her chest. This is it. I’ve sensed a change was coming. And now it’s here.
Uncle Isak stepped forward. “We must leave. Tonight.”
Murmurs filled the room. Uncle Isak’s eyes flashed, and he held up his hand. Everyone quieted.
“Word has come. The trappers are on the move, with a posse of two dozen men. They convinced the town that there’s a band of savages somewhere in these hills. We were hoping the rain had washed out our tracks. But Captain Wilkerson has received word they are headed in this direction. We can only guess the reason they haven’t found us yet is because no one would think we’d be so close to a government fort. But they’ll figure it out soon enough, and then the captain and his men will also be in trouble for aiding murderers and horse thieves.”
“Both of those things were done in self-defense,” Soonie whispered to Lone Warrior.
Lone Warrior nodded, and his jaw tightened. He slipped his hand over hers.
Warmth flooded through her, and her entire being filled with joy, despite the situation. She clawed her way out of the happy reverie, back to the dark mood of the schoolroom.
“We will pack what we can,” Uncle Isak was saying. “Our wagons will be loaded. We'll take the long path around, back to Fort Sill. Doctor Early told me that a better school has been established there, so the children are no longer being taken away. Yes, we will give up many freedoms, but it is good to live, and not rot in prison.”
Some of the women fell to their knees, moaning softly. Children stared at the adults with solemn, worried eyes and men's hands clenched into fists by their sides.
Gray Fox stepped forward. “We should fight. We have the right to be free, like all Americans.”
“No, we don’t,” said Brave Storm. “We have already addressed this matter. If we fight, we make things worse for the reservation. And Captain Wilkerson could never allow it.”
Captain Wilkerson rubbed his mustache. “I chose to help you hide away here for four years, since I owed a debt to Mr. Isak, and now, for my friendships with many of you. It is because of those friendships that I must ask you all to leave. It would pain me greatly to see one drop of blood lost from anyone here. All these young ‘uns,” he swept his arm out to indicate the children, “deserve to live and grow, to see what they can become.”
We cannot risk this good man’s reputation. Soonie squeezed Lone Warrior’s hand.
Uncle Isak saw her gesture from the front of the room and his eyes widened. His mouth twitched at the corners.
Brave Storm raised his hand. “Brother Jenkins will say a prayer, and then we will go and pack.”
Two wagons, three dozen horses. Twenty-eight people. How will we manage?
Brother Jenkins bowed his head. “Dear Lord, bless your children . . .” his voice wavered. Soonie peeped from between her fingers. Were those tears slipping down his cheeks?
“And may they reach their home safely. Amen.”
A silence followed, broken only by sniffles and stifled sobs.
Uncle Isak began to sing in a soft tenor:
Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound . . .”
Most of the crowd joined in. The non-believers stood in respectful silence. Even Grandmother Eagle bowed her head.
The beautiful words swirled with the melody, and a peace flooded through the room. The impossible peace Soonie had come to rely on throughout her life.
Everything will work out. Somehow, we will all be safe.
19 Packing
By the time Soonie filled her small carpet bag, Molly and Grandmother Eagle had packed up the rest of the house.
Darla mostly stood by with the broom and poked at anything that looked like a dust bunny. “No one’s ever accused me of being a laze-around,” she said. “But I truly don’t know how to help. I might break something.”
“I’ve been here for three months, and I feel just the same way,” said Soonie. “Let’s go outside and see if we can find something to do.”
As she went to the door, Darla clutched her arm. “Where will we go?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps Bright Flower or Tersa has work for us.”
“No.” Darla shook her head. “I mean, what are you and I going to do when everyone else goes to Fort Sill?”
Soonie froze, her hand hovering over the latch. Where do I belong? If Hal or anyone from his group came to the reservation again, they would recognize her. Lone Warrior and Molly too, though Doctor Early would probably find a place to send Molly. The reservation had a school, so they would already have a teacher. She wouldn’t be of use. And Darla dreamed about a job in the city. Chief Quanah is already going to have a large group from the settlement to deal with. He won’t want two more people to feed.
“I’m sure Uncle Isak has already figured it out.” Soonie tried to brush away the sadness welling up inside of her. Everything is changing so fast . . . how can I bear it?
Soonie and Darla went outside and headed down the path. Tipis were already transformed into tight bundles of hide, their colorful designs hidden away. The long poles that had supported them were too heavy and cumbersome for the wagons, so they would be left behind for the fort soldiers to use as they saw fit.
People bustled around, faces filled with purpose. No tears or anguish were painted on these human canvasses. It was as though all the sorrow and shock of change were left in the school house, replaced with duty and the desire to move on.
Grandmother Eagle came down the hill, carrying rolled blankets and baskets packed with odds and ends. Soonie went over to take some of her burdens and help her load things into a wagon. The oldest adults and youngest children would ride in the wagon beds, along with some of the supplies.
After they arranged everything, Grandmother Eagle turned and patted Soonie’s hand. Her wrinkles softened and her eyes filled with peace. “Everything will hap
pen as it should. We cannot change tomorrow, or even the end of today.”
How can she be so settled? Here I am, a believer in the true and living God, and my heart quivers like a scared rabbit.
Up on the hill, Bright Flower was busy in the garden by her house. Soonie and Darla hurried to the fence.
“May we help?” asked Soonie.
Bright Flower looked up. Dirt streaked her forehead and settled into worry creases. “Yes. I am taking everything we can eat and burying the plants. Brave Storm wants to make it look like no one lived here for a long time."
Soonie surveyed the neat little garden in dismay. The pumpkins still weren’t all ripe, or the squash. Turnips would be half the size they should be. So much time and effort into planting these crops, all for nothing. A small cart sat nearby, already filled with uprooted plants. Her heart sank.
“We will keep what we can.” Bright Flower pointed to several baskets containing vegetables in various stages of ripeness. She handed Soonie a hoe. “If you can finish, I need to pack a few more things.”
“Of course. We’re glad to have something to do,” Soonie said.
Darla nodded. “My dad was a farmer, so I know what’s what.”
“All right.” Bright Flower went out of the garden and disappeared inside the tipi.
Soonie began with the pumpkins. She picked every fruit, from the largest, bouncing orange ones to the tiny green ones. Darla came behind her to pull up vines and pile them in the corner.
“Seems like such a waste, doesn’t it?” Darla wiped her hands on her apron.
“Every part of this day is filled with waste. If only those men hadn’t found Molly and me in the hills!” Soonie caught a wayward pumpkin as it rolled to the ground and placed it back into a basket.
Darla tugged on a strong vine. “Life is full of ‘if-nevers.’ If my dad hadn’t gotten blood poisoning from steppin’ on a rake, he would’ve never kicked the bucket. If he hadn’t of died, I’d never have had to become a saloon girl.” She squinted over at Soonie. “You must think I’m some kinda sinner, huh?”
The Comanche Girl's Prayer, Texas Women of Spirit Book 2 Page 13
