“I don’t know. Why would we have to tell the soldiers?”
“We wouldn’t but there are those who would just love to. Mrs. Shaw for one. Charlie Staunton, Ida Hawthorn, need I go on?”
“God will look after them,” Wilma muttered causing the two other women to stare at her. “What’s the matter? I is only repeating what you always tell me.”
Laura clapped her hands. “I knew it. You do believe. I thought you did back in Boston but now you have said it yourself.”
“I think Wilma always had faith but it got shook up a little after the fire. That right?”
Wilma nodded. She didn’t want to get into a conversation about her beliefs. Not now when she wasn’t quite sure what she believed.
“We best get back. I don’t want to worry Mr. Samuel and Miss Ellen by staying out too long. Miss Ellen will be pleased to hear you and Victoria are doing so well, Miss Laura.”
“Thanks to you, darling Wilma.” Laura threw her arms around Wilma. Wilma returned the embrace before following Mrs. H back to Mary’s kitchen.
“Are you ready to go, Asha?” Wilma asked as she came in.
Asha had jumped as soon as she heard the door.
“Asha, please come again. We would love to get to know you better,” Mary said kissing the girl on the cheek. “Wilma, don’t be a stranger.”
“No fear of that, Miss Mary. I’d miss Mrs. H’s pies.”
Everyone laughed as they walked the ladies out to their wagon. Little Beaver mounted his horse.
“I escort you back to town. Too dangerous to be out this late.”
“Thank you, Little Beaver, we both appreciate that, don’t we, Asha?”
The girl didn’t reply but sent Wilma a look that would have killed her if she had a gun. Wilma smiled, taking up the reins and headed back into town.
Chapter 22
“Wilma, can I go out?” Asha pleaded. “I want feel sun on my face.”
“The sun might be out but it’s plenty cold out here. You have to wrap up warm.”
“So I can go?” Asha beamed.
“Don't see why not. Don't go outside the gate mind. But if you stay at the back near the trees, ain't nobody going to see you from the road. Mr. Davy, he done picked a good spot for our orphanage. The trees help keep the wind out and also nosy neighbors.”
Asha didn’t follow but she didn’t mind. All she cared about was Wilma had said yes.
She stepped out into the backyard, feeling the cool air on her skin, savoring the different smells in the air. It was great to finally be outside despite the white frost on the trees. She walked toward the area enclosed with a wooden fence, she guessed to keep animals away from the crops. She heard the dead leaves crunching under Samuel’s feet as he worked.
She pushed the gate open.
“Samuel, I help?” Asha hoped she wouldn’t offend the kind man who had offered her shelter but she needed to work outside. The walls of his house felt like they were coming in on top of her.
“You walk so silently, I never hear you, Asha,” Samuel smiled. “I don't think Ellen would like me making a lady in your condition work.”
Asha understood he said no but she wasn’t sure why. “I young and healthy. Indians grow crops too. I can help,” She insisted.
“You did? I thought Indians lived off plants in the woods.” Samuel was using a lot of hand gestures.
Asha tried not to laugh but it was impossible. He looked so funny. He laughed, too, which helped to break the ice between them.
“We grow what you call it? Thing you put in pipe.”
“Tobacco. Well, I don't have any call for that. Wilma would chase after me with her broom if I let that evil smelling stuff into the house.” Samuel mimicked Wilma’s accent and the actions of her chasing him. Asha laughed until her sides hurt. She was glad she had come outside.
“We plant beans you eat and also yellow ears”
“Yellow ears? Oh, do you mean corn? I don’t think I have space enough for corn. I have to get as much as I can out of this piece of ground.” Samuel leaned on his shovel. “Especially if more children come.”
“To feed big family? Miss Ellen have lots of babies. No?”
Asha realized she had said something wrong when the uninjured side of his face flushed red. She lowered her eyes hoping he wouldn’t send her inside.
“No, not Miss Ellen. Father Molloy might bring more children back with him on his next trip.”
“He not keep his own babies?”
Samuel burst out laughing leaving Asha confused again. What had she said this time?
“Father Molloy is a holy man. He doesn’t have a wife or children. He brings children nobody else wants, who have no parents, to live here. Like Rosa and John,” Little Beaver explained in their own tongue. Asha kicked herself for not noticing him arrive. It was a good job she didn’t have to hunt or track anymore if Little Beaver could creep up on her all the time. She was losing her skills.
“Samuel, I dig. You go rest. Asha can help me.” Little Beaver looked at Asha.
She saw the dare in his eyes. If she left now, she would lose face. But she didn’t want to be alone with him. She hoped Samuel would stay, too, but he didn’t.
“Thanks, Little Beaver. This is thirsty work. I fancy some coffee. Can I bring you out some?”
“No, thank you. We work first,” Little Beaver said.
Asha smarted. He hadn’t even looked at her never mind asked if she was thirsty. I hate coffee. That’s not the point, he doesn’t know that.
Little Beaver turned the soil over quickly as he worked through the little patch of grass. She took up a smaller tool and helped where possible. The ground was hard.
“You like living at the orphanage?” Little Beaver asked.
“Yes.”
She knew she was being rude answering with one word. She couldn’t help it. Her stomach turned over at his nearness and her brain ceased to function properly. His arms were muscular, his shoulders broad. She didn’t realize she was staring at him until he looked up and caught her gaze. He didn’t smile but stared back at her, his eyes full of questions and pain. She looked away. She couldn’t handle his pain as well as her own.
“Asha, please speak to me.”
“There is nothing to speak about.”
“Have you decided what you will do?”
“Yes.”
Little Beaver threw the shovel to one side and grabbed her by the arms, gently but firmly. He put a finger under her chin forcing her to look at him.
“Stay here, share my blanket. I will protect you.”
Asha wanted nothing more than to step closer into his arms, have him wind them around her and protect her just like he offered. But she couldn’t. There was no future for them. They both knew that. He would never live on the reservation and she wouldn’t be allowed to live here.
“I can’t. The baby...”
“I will take the baby as mine.”
Asha pushed against him. “No, you will not. The baby is everything I hate.”
“You don’t mean that. My Asha doesn’t have a hard heart. She wouldn’t blame an innocent child for something out of their control.”
Asha gulped. She didn’t dare look into his eyes for fear she would give in. He would lose everything if she was to say yes. He couldn’t stay here in Clover Springs and he wouldn’t be welcome at the reservation. Our people will not accept the child but it was more than that. Little Beaver would be like a caged bear and one day he would turn on their tormentors. The white man would kill him. She couldn’t have that on her conscious.
“I said no. Let me go.”
Asha got him off guard as she pushed him back. “Don't you understand? My life is over. It can never be as it used to be between us. Everything has changed.”
Chapter 23
Ellen had just sat down to have a quiet cup of coffee when someone banged on the front door. Opening it, she didn’t get a chance to speak. Mrs. Shaw pushed past her into the house.
&nb
sp; “Mrs. Higgins, I want a word with you.”
“Mrs. Shaw, it’s not convenient right now. Could you call into the school on Monday please?” Ellen said hoping Asha didn’t come downstairs.
"No, that won’t do. I must speak to you now. How dare you let my son go off with that savage? Alone. Heaven help me but he could have been killed.”
“Calm down, Mrs. Shaw. You know the sheriff ordered Bertram to work for us every Saturday until Christmas.”
“He didn’t say anything about going out in the woods. He didn’t mean my boy should be placed in danger. It’s not like anyone died in the fire.”
Ellen stared at Mrs. Shaw who had the grace to look away but didn’t apologize for her remark. The silence lingered until Rosa ran in.
“Look, Miss Ellen, Asha made them for me. Just like John’s. Aren’t they lovely?” Rosa waved the rabbit mittens and vest under Ellen’s nose. Then she spotted Mrs. Shaw. “Excuse me. I didn’t see you.”
“What have you got there?”
Ellen knew Rosa was uncomfortable although the little girl was too young to appreciate the danger Asha was in. She had been told not to mention Asha’s name in front of anyone. Ellen pulled her closer.
“A friend of Little Beavers made Rosa some things from Rabbit skins. She is excited as you can see. She is also hungry and dinner is going to be late,” Ellen said pointedly but it was no use.
“Little Beaver’s friend. Where is she? He isn’t here. I know as I called into the sheriff’s office before I came here to complain. I was told they were both out checking some allegations of cattle rustling.”
“Rustling, surely not in Clover Springs. Whose cattle went missing?” As a ruse it nearly worked. Mrs. Shaw stopped to think before her eyes narrowed.
“Don’t try to play with me, Ellen Higgins. Little Beaver is hiding one of those savages here in Clover Springs, isn’t he? You girl, tell me where it is.”
Rosa clung to Ellen as Mrs. Shaw grabbed her arm.
“Mrs. Shaw, let her go this instant. Get out of my home and don’t come back. How dare you lay a finger on my child,” Ellen said, trying to keep her tone civil when she wanted to grab the woman and shake her.
“Your child,” Mrs. Shaw sneered. “She ain’t likely to be anyone’s child. Who’d want a child with negro blood?”
“Did you call me, Mrs. Shaw?” Wilma walked into the room carrying her rolling pin. Paul Kelley had made her one just like the one Mrs. Higgins had. It was excellent for rolling pie crusts. Ellen thought it might make a good weapon too – it looked heavy enough.
Mrs. Shaw blanched.
“Mrs. Shaw was just leaving, Wilma. See her out, will you please.”
Ellen turned her back on her visitor and bent down to comfort Rosa. The little girl’s eyes were full of tears.
“She's right, isn’t she? Nobody wants me and John as their children. That’s why we got sent here.”
“Nonsense, darling. Anyone with a heart would love to have you and John as part of their family. Don't pay any heed to Mrs. Shaw. She doesn’t know what she is talking about.” Ellen took Rosa’s hand. “Why don’t we go wash your face and then see what Wilma has been cooking up for supper?”
“Yes, Miss Ellen.” The desolate sound hurt Ellen to the core. Why was there so much hatred in the world? Innocent children like John, Rosa and Asha’s baby didn’t deserve any of it.
Now Mrs. Shaw knew about Asha, things were going to get much worse.
Chapter 24
“Ellen, come quick. Soldiers are coming. We got to hide Asha.” Wilma’s voice was flustered as she came running into the house.
“Maybe they aren’t looking for her. They could be coming for a different reason.” Ellen didn’t believe that but there was little point in panicking. They had to keep a clear head.
“Yeah, they decided to play Father Christmas. You know as well as I do, they ain't here for any other reason than to take that poor child back to hell. That ain't going to happen. Not while I live and breathe.”
Ellen knew by the mulish expression on the older woman’s face she meant every word. From the second Wilma had seen Asha she had taken the young girl under her wing and made it her mission to bring her back to health. She had done it too. It was hard to believe Asha was the same girl as the one Frank and Nandita had brought to the Sullivan ranch only a couple of weeks back.
“Wilma, we have to be careful. We cannot do anything to make the men suspicious. They have no reason to believe Asha is here. They wouldn’t believe we would risk hiding her so near to town. They may not even check the building.”
The door nearly gave way as the soldiers hammered on it.
“Seems to me they know exactly what they are looking for and where, Miss Ellen. Someone must have told them.”
“Quiet, Wilma. We can do this. Get her out now. I will keep them talking. Quickly.”
Ellen waited for Wilma to leave.
Ellen smoothed back her hair checking it was secure. Rubbing her hands on her apron, she opened the door planting her hands on her hips.
“How dare you. What do you think you are doing frightening children with all that banging? Did your mother not teach you any manners?”
The soldier stood, mouth open staring at her in shock.
“This is a quiet town and we are not accustomed to anyone, let alone soldiers, behaving in such a fashion.” Ellen saw her best teacher’s voice was having the desired effect.
“Excuse me, miss.” The young soldier said, taking his hat off before glancing behind him. She guessed he was looking for his commanding officer.
“It’s missus. Mrs. Higgins. Now, if you don’t mind, I have children to see to. You scared the daylights out of them.”
Ellen went to close the door but it was too late. The commanding officer, a captain if she recognized his uniform correctly, moved quickly to block the door with his foot. She stared into his eyes before looking down at his foot, her meaning clear. She bit her lip trying hard not to shake. His cold almost colorless eyes scared her.
“We have information you are sheltering a savage. We intend on searching these premises.”
“These premises, as you call them, are the town orphanage. You cannot just barge in here. If you insist, I will call on our sheriff.”
“Your sheriff,” the officer sneered. “The US Army doesn’t take orders from a town sheriff. We are acting on information that you are sheltering a fugitive.”
“A fugitive. Are you mad? This is an orphanage for children who have seen more horror and evil than you and me combined. Do you believe I would put those I have come to love dearly at risk by hiding some outlaw? There are no men allowed in this house apart from my husband.” Ellen knew she was blustering but her heart was hammering so fast she had to speak quickly.
“It isn’t a man as you well know, Mrs. Higgins. It’s a girl. An Indian. She escaped from the reservation.”
The disdainful look she gave him had his men blushing although he seemed to be impervious. “You mean to say all of you…Men... have been sent to catch one lone girl? Just how dangerous is she? Is she a murderer?”
“No, ma’am. But she is a fugitive and will be returned to the reservation. You can drop the act now. We know she is here. She was seen in person by one of your neighbors.” The captain took a step forward but Ellen refused to be cowed.
“Your informant must need glasses. We have no fugitives living here. Rosa, can you come here please, darling?”
Rosa came out of the kitchen sucking her thumb. She sidled up to Ellen, wrapping her arms around her leg. Ellen put her arm around the child bringing her closer.
“This is Rosa. She and I were preparing some food in the kitchen. She is the only girl here. Now please leave.”
“I intend to search these premises. Stand aside, ma'am.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Don’t play with me, little lady. I don’t intend returning to camp without the girl – she calls herself Asha. Now move out of my way as
we wouldn’t want an accident to happen to the brat would we?”
The loud slap rang out. Ellen’s hand hurt but the pain was worth the look on his face.
“Her name is Rosa and the only brat in this room is wearing an officer’s uniform. Get out of my home now. I intend taking this matter up with your commanding officer.”
“You heard m-m-my wife. Leave.”
The officer sneered seeing Samuel limping to Ellen’s side.
“Who’s going to make me. A cripple, a negro lover or a toddler?”
“I will.”
Ellen sagged against her husband with relief as Sheriff Bradon Willis walked through the door, the other soldiers making way for him. “Ellen and Samuel Higgins are fine upstanding citizens of this town. I will not stand by while anyone insults them, especially someone of your ilk. You are a disgrace to the uniform you wear, soldier.”
“I have orders to search this property and retrieve the fugitive. As an officer of the law, you should be helping me.”
“As an officer of the law, I am the authority in this town. From where I’m standing, you are an uninvited guest. I suggest you turn about and march straight out the door and keep on going until you leave town. We don’t take kindly to bullies in Clover Springs regardless of what they are wearing.”
“You won’t hear the last of this.”
“Neither will you, young man. When you get back to camp please give my regards to the general.”
Ellen saw the surprise and was it fear flicker in the officer’s eyes.
“We fought side by side at Gettysburg, in a war that was supposed to give all Americans their freedom. Now get and don’t come back harassing these good people.”
The officer stared at the sheriff before turning to his men and ordering them sharply to leave.
“Make no mistake. We will come back. We will take the girl and any other stray Indians we find back to the reservation. Nobody…” He looked at Ellen and the sheriff, “will stop me next time.”
Ellen waited until they were gone before thanking the sheriff.
Thanksgiving In Clover Springs Page 8
