Wild Embrace

by Cassie Edwards

  “We won’t bother with cross-examinations nor such bunk as that today.” Judge Cline said, causing a stir in the courtroom which the judge ignored. He leaned to one side, eye to eye with Elizabeth as she turned to him. “Young lady, just tell me everything you know about what has brought Strong Heart to this courtroom. You are speaking on his behalf. I, as well as everyone else in this room, am prepared to listen. Begin speaking and you won’t be interrupted until you are finished.”

  Elizabeth was amazed at the generosity of this judge, having feared the day that she would have to face him. The authorities whom she had already had dealings with in Seattle had neither been respectable nor honest.

  But again, this man made her feel as if there was some hope—some reason to believe that justice would be served, and her love would be set free so that they could resume their lives together.

  “Your Honor, I have never met a kinder or gentler man than Strong Heart,” she began softly, fighting back tears as Strong Heart gazed devotedly up at her. She wiped her hands on her skirt and continued. “This man has saved my life not once, but many times. He did this at the risk of losing his own life. But do not get me wrong, I do not sit here testifying in his behalf because I feel as if I owe him for his kindness. It runs deeper than that. I testify for him because I know him to be innocent, and very wronged by the white community. This man, who will one day be a great chief, has been humiliated before the whole town, and made to sit in jail beside the most degenerate of criminals.” She cleared her throat, then looked over at the judge. “Your Honor, I was also wrongly jailed and placed with hardened criminals. The sheriff and deputy treated me as less than a lady by . . . by . . . trying to rape me,” she said, her voice growing in strength as she spoke. She aimed her speech solely at the judge. “Strong Heart knew that I was innocent. He released me. It was after we fled Seattle that someone else went to the prison and set it on fire. The deputy and sheriff both died in the fire. So as you see, he is innocent of that crime.”

  The judge found her story plausible. For years, he had known Sheriff Nolan’s wicked reputation. He was surprised no one had torched the prison before.

  Elizabeth looked over at Strong Heart. “He released Four Winds from the prison because of loyalty to a friend he did not believe was guilty of any crime. This man, whom some would relish seeing hanging from a noose, has a big, kind heart. There is surely no one else quite like him on the face of the earth. Because of his beliefs and loyalties, he has risked his life over and over again these past weeks.”

  Again, she looked at the judge. “And for this he might be condemned to die,” she said, her voice breaking. ”And, Judge Cline, if you need proof of his whereabouts on the night of the fire and deaths of the sheriff and deputy, I can vouch for him. After he released me from the prison, we traveled quickly into the forest where we camped, so that we might rest before traveling on to his village. And by a campfire I made love with this man who will soon be my husband.”

  The shock of this statement registered and the whole room seemed to reverberate with the gasps and exclamations of dismay.

  Judge Cline’s eyebrows shot up in amazement at Elizabeth. Then he picked up his gavel and slammed it against the desk. “Order in the court!” he shouted above the clamor. “We . . . shall . . . have order in this court!”

  Everything became quiet, except for a few whisperings. The women’s eyes rested accusingly on Elizabeth, apparently appalled by the thought of a white woman stepping forward and brazenly admitting to having slept with an Indian.

  Yet she held her chin high, her eyes unwavering as the judge looked at her again.

  “Continue,” Judge Cline said, a quiet smile pulling at his lips.

  “Judge Cline, I believe I have said my piece,” Elizabeth murmured, smiling back at him.

  “A testimony like I have never heard before, and perhaps won’t hear again,” Judge Cline announced, laying the gavel aside. He sat back in his chair, rocking slowly back and forth as he placed his fingertips together before him.

  Then he leaned forward, his elbows on the desk, and began to speak again. “Never have I seen such courage as you have portrayed today, young lady,” he said. “I’m inclined to believe you, for you knew the repercussions before speaking up—the way people would react to such a statement as this. That you could be shunned by the white community. Yes, young lady, it must be true, or you wouldn’t have taken the chance of harming your reputation by telling a story like this—”

  A sudden commotion at the back of the room made Judge Cline lose his train of thought. He stared at an Indian who was making his way down the aisle. A ripple of excitement flowed through the crowd at his presence.

  Judge Cline slammed his gavel down, causing a quick silence to ensue. He glared down at Four Winds as he came to stand before the bench, his jaw set with determination.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Judge Cline asked, leaning forward. “Do you not understand that you have just interrupted a court of law?”

  “Ah-hah, yes, I understand,” Four Winds said, folding his arms across his chest. “And that is why I am here—to speak for my friend, Strong Heart.”

  Four Winds glanced over at Strong Heart, relieved that he had not come too late. Then he smiled at Elizabeth.

  He turned and found Maysie in the crowd, the hurt in the depths of her eyes making his heart ache. The knowledge of what he had to do to guarantee his friend’s freedom had kept him away from Maysie.

  She had to learn to live without him, for he would not be free to love her. His announcement today would condemn him in the eyes of the white community, and even his own people’s eyes, forever. There would be no future for him.

  “Well?” Judge Cline said, a touch of impatience in his voice. “Speak up and say what is on your mind so that we can get on with the proceedings at hand.”

  “I have come to tell the truth about everything,” Four Winds said. “Strong Heart is innocent of all crimes. It is I who am responsible for everything that has happened—even my own escape from the prison.”

  He held his gaze steady with the judge’s, hoping that his lies would be convincing enough, for this was the last thing that he could do for his friend.

  Tomorrow, they both would probably be swaying back and forth on the gallows for all to see.

  “Continue,” Judge Cline said, finding this hearing very interesting.

  “When Strong Heart came to visit me in prison, I grabbed Strong Heart’s pistol and forced him to get the keys to set me free,” Four Winds said, knowing that his story would stand up because those who could refute it were dead. “I abducted Strong Heart and Elizabeth that day. Hang me, not Strong Heart.”

  Judge Cline leaned back in his chair, his eyes twinkling with amusement, for he could tell a lie when he heard it, and he knew damn well that Four Winds was lying to protect his friend.

  Yet, that didn’t matter. He had made his mind up already.

  “Are you finished?” Judge Cline asked Four Winds.

  “Ah-hah,” Four Winds said, nodding. “That is all I have to say.”

  Judge Cline leaned back in his chair for a moment, looking from Four Winds to Elizabeth, and then to Strong Heart. He smiled warmly at each of them. “You are all free to go,” he said finally. “I have witnessed something here today that is rare. Loyalty. An intense loyalty between friends, and loved ones. Although the law has been broken by first one, and then another of you, the reasons for these actions have not been selfish ones. It was always because each of you saw a wrong that was being done to the other.”

  Judge Cline rose from his chair and stood tall behind the bench. “And,” he said, his gaze moving about the room, silencing the commotion his verdict had stirred, “prejudices are more to blame for what has happened here than anything. Because of my decision, perhaps prejudice can be lightened in this city.”

  He grabbed up his gavel and pounded it one last time. “Court is adjourned,” he shouted. “Clear the room. And good da
y.”

  He picked up the stack of papers from the desk and paused to wink good-naturedly at Elizabeth. Then with long strides, he left the room.

  No one left the courtroom. Everyone was shocked by the judge’s decision. After a moment, the spectators stirred and began to leave. Some of them smiled and nodded at Elizabeth and Strong Heart, seeming more touched than disapproving of their love.

  Elizabeth ran to Strong Heart, flinging herself into his arms. “Darling, we’re free,” she cried. “Free! Our dreams are going to come true after all!”

  “Because of you,” Strong Heart said, framing her face between his hands, Then he looked at Four Winds. “And because of Four Winds. How will I ever be able to repay him?”

  “No payment is needed, I am sure,” Elizabeth said. turning just as Maysie stepped before Four Winds, gazing up at him with tear-filled eyes. Tears flowed from her own eyes when Four Winds suddenly grabbed Maysie into his arms and fled the courtroom with her.

  “It seems all is forgiven between them, also,” Elizabeth said, laughing softly. She wiped her face as her parents and Frannie approached her and Strong Heart.

  “I . . . I . . . hope I didn’t embarrass you too much today, by being so open,” Elizabeth said, lowering her eyes.

  “We’re very proud of you, darling,” Marilyn said, pulling Elizabeth into her embrace, and then giving Elizabeth up to Earl as he also hugged her.

  For the moment Elizabeth relaxed in her father’s arms, then broke away from him. She looked from her mother to her father, knowing they had their own guilty secrets—especially her father. She felt lucky that Strong Heart would even accept her as his wife, with such a father as hers.

  She then gave Frannie an affectionate hug. “Thank you for so much,” she whispered, swallowing back a sob of happiness. “Had it not been for you, Frannie, I’m not sure what would have happened to me. You were all that kept me sane in my childhood. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

  Tears fell from Frannie’s eyes. “Honey chil’, you were my baby for so long, how can I say good-bye?” she said, clutching Elizabeth. “But you go on with that man of yours and Frannie understands. Be happy, Elizabeth. You deserves all the happiness in this world.”

  Elizabeth gave Frannie a kiss on her soft, round cheek, then stepped back and looked adoringly up at Strong Heart. “We really must go,” she announced. She kissed her parents, then left the courtroom with Strong Heart at her side.

  Once out on the wooden sidewalk, she laughed joyously as Four Winds rode past with Maysie sitting before him on the saddle. Two horses followed them. She waved at them. “Wait up!” she cried. “Wait up!”

  “Four Winds works miracles, it seems,” Strong Heart said, laughing. “He has brought my horse for me, and has also found one for you. Let us ride, my la-daila. We are free—free as the wind!”

  Feeling giddy with happiness, Elizabeth and Strong Heart mounted up and rode away with Four Winds and Maysie.

  They rode for a while, then wheeled their horses to a halt. “Four Winds, you are coming to my village?” Strong Heart asked, looking at Four Winds with the eyes of a boy, feeling humbled in his friend’s presence. “You can share in the wedding and potlatch. Friends should share everything.” He laughed softly as he glanced over at Elizabeth. “Except, of course, wives.”

  Four Winds burst into laughter, then stopped. “No, I have thought it over and it is best that I go to my village and make things right with my people,” he said seriously. “But I will ride with you as far as your village, then we shall say our farewells there.”

  Strong Heart nodded. “That is good enough,” he said. He turned to Elizabeth. “Come, my love. There will be no more looking over your shoulder. We ride on open land in peace!”

  Elizabeth inhaled a deep breath, loving the sound of those words, and how wonderful they made her feel inside.

  Chapter 35

  While we live, in love let’s so persevere,

  That when we live no more, we may live ever.

  —ANNE BRADSTREET

  The sun was setting in the west behind the distant mountains, sending off streaks in the sky that resembled streamers of orange satin.

  A damp chill suffused the air as the three horses rode from an open meadow into the forest where autumn blazed. Yellowed sycamore leaves dropped into streams and sailed away. Elizabeth smiled and gazed over at Strong Heart and Four Winds as they rode side by side. Maysie was now behind Four Winds, holding his waist.

  Strong Heart and Four Winds were lost to the world as they talked about their past—where they had gone on their childhood adventures, or had challenged each other in all kinds of games.

  It touched Elizabeth deeply to see them goodheartedly joking between themselves. Strong Heart seemed to have forgotten that Four Winds had for a while ridden with outlaws. Four Winds had redeemed himself totally by helping Strong Heart become a free man again.

  Elizabeth felt such tenderness toward Four Winds, for if not for him, there would have been no future for her and Strong Heart. To her it had looked bleak these past few days!

  But now, she sighed to herself, everything was all right and would soon be perfect, when she and Strong Heart joined their hands and hearts in marriage.

  She shifted her eyes to Maysie, glad that for her, life was finally going to be good. There was a look of peace and contentment in Maysie’s eyes as she sat in the saddle behind Four Winds, her lustrous long hair flowing in the wind.

  Elizabeth shook her own hair so that it fell away from her face and shoulders. She had thrown her own bonnet into the wind shortly after their departure from Seattle. She lifted her eyes to the heavens where stars were just emerging in the twilight and the moon had risen over the mountain peaks to replace the sun. She closed her eyes, reveling in this new freedom which would last forever.

  Her peace was shattered when horses suddenly appeared from behind the trees a short distance ahead, plunging toward them. For a moment she was too stunned to think, for she had not expected anybody to try and stop their journey to Strong Heart’s village. He had been exonerated of all charges. She had thought they were free to ride without fear, or of having to defend themselves against—

  Elizabeth’s thoughts stopped still when she quickly recognized Morris Murdoch among those approaching.

  Four Winds, too, recognized the members of the outlaw gang that he had been part of.

  They saw that these men were not innocent passersby, but were intent on attack as they jerked their weapons from their holsters and opened fire.

  “Find cover quickly!” Strong Heart shouted, edging his horse back beside Elizabeth’s. He snatched her reins and led her horse with his into a thicket of trees. Four Winds followed and he and Maysie slid quickly from the saddle.

  Four Winds grabbed his rifle from its holster and tossed it toward Maysie. “I hope you know how to use this,” he shouted.

  Maysie caught the rifle, paling as she stared down at it. Then she positioned herself beside Four Winds as he started firing with a pistol at the attackers.

  Elizabeth stood bravely beside Strong Heart, firing a pistol he had given her, while he used his repeating rifle. The outlaws sought cover. The shooting did not slow as gunblasts erupted from both sides.

  Then there were the sounds of other horses coming, making Elizabeth and Strong Heart exchange worried glances. Elizabeth feared that this was the end, for surely those arriving were more outlaws. The attack made no sense to Elizabeth, unless it was revenge for Morris Murdoch on the Suquamish for thwarting his business plans. Or the attack could be for another reason—against Four Winds, for turning his back on the outlaws to live the life of an Indian brave again.

  But then the outlaws ceased firing and mounted their horses, fleeing in the opposite direction of the arriving horses. Elizabeth knew that whoever was approaching was not coming to help the outlaws.

  Lowering her pistol to her side, Elizabeth stepped out into the open with Strong Heart, Four Winds, and Maysie. The
y watched as several horsemen, the sheriff and her own father in the lead, rode on past. They heard gunfire erupt between the fleeing outlaws and the posse.

  “My father?” Elizabeth whispered. “Fighting alongside the law?” She shook her head, having never been as confused as she was now.

  She ran with Strong Heart toward the confrontation a short distance away. She paused to catch her breath, then saw the bodies that lay strewn along the ground, the stench of gunpowder lying heavy in the air—the fight was over.

  Jerkily, and with an anxious heartbeat, Elizabeth’s eyes moved from man to man on the ground, praying that her father was not among them.

  But before she could find out, there was a noise in the trees behind her. As she turned, she cried out a warning to Strong Heart. Morris Murdoch, on his horse, his eyes crazed, was trying to run Strong Heart down.

  Strong Heart heeded her warning. He turned on a moccasined heel and leveled his rifle at Morris and fired. His aim was accurate as Morris’s body lurched with the sudden impact of the bullet in his chest. His horse reared and threw him to the ground, where he lay, blood pouring from his wound.

  Elizabeth could not stop the tears of relief when she saw her father step into sight from some bushes. Yet she did not go to him. Even now she still could not go to him and throw herself into his arms, declaring how happy she was that he was all right—and to thank him for having come when he did.

  No. A part of her held back, while another part of her fought the stubbornness that held her there.

  Earl walked slowly toward Morris Murdoch, his pistol aimed at him, not trusting that even though he looked injured, he might not be.

  Earl glanced over at Elizabeth, so glad that she was unhurt. Yet he ached inside when she did not come to him and welcome him. He had to correct that. Now!

  Earl was going to see to it that Morris Murdoch cleared his name, or else. He saw that Morris was not mortally wounded, and that he would stand trial.