Sweet Savage Heart

by Janelle Taylor

  “Are you, Rana?” he asked, gazing into her liquid blue eyes.

  She looked deeply into his before replying, “If not, he would not have found me and I would not be going home. The Great Spirit works in mysterious ways. He sent Grandfather to your side and sent you to find me to bring me home. All is as it should be.”

  “I’m glad you see things that way. I must admit you had me worried for awhile,” he confessed, grinning at her.

  “As you had me worried,” she playfully retorted. “Have I not proven the bad tales about Wild Wind are false, or too great? The Oglalas did not understand how important it was for me to be as I am, to be all I am. You and Grandfather understand and accept me as Wild Wind or Rana. This makes me happy and thankful. You are good for me.”

  “Does this mean we can become friends now?” he hinted, allowing his appreciative gaze to wander over her from head to foot.

  “We are friends, Travis Kincade, and more,” she added. “I am sorry you suffered so much before meeting Grandfather, but it has made you as you are, a very special man who warms my heart. You carry the best of two bloods; be proud of both, for they are you. Promise you will never leave Grandfather and the ranch. They need you, as I need you. I will never reject you or scorn you. I am yours by choice. Lone Wolf was wise to make us join before releasing me to you.”

  Their gazes met and they exchanged smiles. Nathan joined them then and asked, “We ready to ride? I’m anxious to get home.”

  “So am I,” Travis cheerfully concurred.

  Rana smiled at her grandfather and nodded her agreement.

  When they approached the ranch two days later, it was dusk, but they were filled with energy and anticipation. Travis and Nathan had been away for fifty-seven days; Travis and Rana had been joined for thirty-three, a fact that neither could ignore or wanted to forget.

  Rana’s eyes darted back and forth as the two men filled her ears with information about the ranch. As they rode under the arch, from which a large C resting on a rocker was suspended from a crossbar, her eyes grew wide with disbelief. Nathan claimed ownership for land as far as she could see and more. Fences snaked along the dirt road for miles, restraining many animals. She wondered how anyone could go hungry or be cold with so many animals, or fear any foe with so much power. It was difficult for her to comprehend the extent of Nathan’s wealth and ranch. As they neared a large wooden dwelling, Nathan told her it was her new home and that he was eager to show it to her.

  Not far away, she could see more wooden dwellings, which Travis told her were barns, work sheds, and bunkhouses, and he explained how each structure was used. The closer they rode to the neat settlement, the more noises she heard: men’s laughter and singing, strange music, the lowing of cattle, and the neighing of horses. Travis related how Saturday and Sunday were the days the hands could relax from the week’s work, with half of the men taking off Saturday and half taking off Sunday; this schedule was switched the next week, for there were chores to be done every day and the ranch could not be left unprotected. If a man had special plans, he could usually find another hand with whom he could swap days off or he could pay someone to work in his place. Usually the men would use the time to play cards or games or make music, and some would sing or dance. On Saturday, many would ride into town to visit and drink with friends who worked on this or another ranch. He did not tell her that many of them would go there to spend time with the women who worked at the Silver Shadow Saloon, as he had done on occasion. On Sunday, some would go to church or simply rest. Because it was now supper time, most of the hands had returned and were enjoying their last few free hours before preparing for the new week.

  They dismounted near the house and Travis collected the reins to take the horses to the stable. Nathan instructed genially, “See if you can locate Cody while I show Rana inside. I need to know what’s been going on during our absence, but I don’t want the men crowding my granddaughter tonight. I’ll introduce her around later.”

  Travis nodded, then smiled encouragingly at Rana before he walked toward the two men who were heading their way at a rapid pace. Out of her hearing range, they met and halted briefly as Travis spoke with them. The two men gazed past the handsome foreman to stare openly at the flaming-haired beauty who seemed a ghost to them. Travis chuckled as he led the men away and answered some of their questions. All he could think about was being alone with Rana, but he knew privacy would be difficult, for they would have to keep their love affair a secret for awhile. He knew he would have to settle this matter with the Caldwells before he could claim her. Travis asked the whereabouts of Cody Slade, the man they had left in charge of the ranch during their long journey; he and Nathan needed his report as soon as possible.

  Rana observed their expressions before taking Nathan’s arm to be escorted into her new home, a dwelling that now seemed vaguely familiar, though whether that familiarity came from her memory or from Nathan’s talks she could not determine. Turning her full attention to the house, she noted that it was white with a long porch spanning the front on which had been placed six rocking chairs. Inside, Nathan intentionally began his tour to their left. She was shown an eating area that Nathan called a dining room, and a kitchen with a large pantry and side entrance. As they walked down connecting hallways that formed a T, Nathan pointed out three bedrooms—his, Travis’s, and Marissa’s old room, which would be given to her. At the door to this room Nathan remarked about the need to get her proper clothing as soon as possible. Next to her room at one end of the second hall was a bathing closet, which had been built for his beloved Ruth; at the other end of the hallway and next to Nathan’s room was an office, where he did his bookkeeping. Lastly, they returned to the long front hall and entered a large but cozy sitting room with an enormous fireplace and decidedly masculine decor.

  Intrigued, Rana glanced around and her gaze halted on the stunning portrait over the mantel. Nathan needlessly told her that the woman was Marissa Crandall Michaels, her mother. As Nathan placed the two paintings of Rana on either side of her mother’s portrait, he murmured, “See how much you look like your mother? That’s how I knew Wild Wind was my little Rana from the moment I laid eyes on these pictures.”

  Rana went to stand before the fireplace to study the image that had filled her dreams many times. There was no denying the obvious resemblance. She could hardly believe that the large portrait was not a likeness of her. As portions of her nightmares flashed before her mind’s eye, she realized she had been dreaming about her mother; that the dark-haired villain had been attacking Marissa, not her. And if the woman in her nightmares truly was her mother, then the man must be… She forced such intimidating memories aside, for this was not the time or place to deal with them, and she hated to think that the cruel man in her nightmares had actually been her father.

  Nathan was saying, “Rachel Raines does the cleaning, washing, and cooking for me and Travis. She’s married to one of my best hands, Todd Raines. She comes in a few hours every day but Sunday to take care of us. It’s a shame those two don’t have any children; they’re good folk.” He shook his head and shrugged as he realized that Todd Raines could have been Rana’s father if Raymond Michaels hadn’t come along, or that he could have been his adopted son if Travis had not come upon the scene.

  “You don’t need a housekeeper asking you hundreds of questions and making you nervous, so I’ll give Rachel a week or so off while you get settled here in privacy. I’m sure she’s got plenty of canning and quilting to do; that’s how she’s helping Todd earn enough money to buy a little place of their own.”

  Nathan could tell Rana was nervous and that his chatter was distracting her, so he talked on. “Todd’s away on the spring cattle drive with Mace Hunter. I think I told you Cody Slade has been looking after things while Travis and me went after you. Travis is my foreman and boss, but Mace and Cody usually take care of things for him. I’ve got me some good hands, Rana; you’ll like my men. Only two of them are married; Todd and one of the D
avis brothers. ‘Course I suspect Cody will be getting hitched before winter. He’s been seeing Clifford Sims’s girl since summer last. Not many cowpunchers marry young. I guess because it’s a hard, busy life. About five miles away I have four small houses that I rent to married hands for a small amount. That’s where Todd and Rachel live, and the Davises, Darby and Lettie, with their passel of little ones. Darby’s brother, Bart, works for me too, but he lives in the bunkhouse with the boys.”

  Rana smiled and commented, “You love your land and people very much, Grandfather. It will be good living here.”

  “Why don’t you go to your room and get washed up and rested while Travis and me speak with Cody? We’ve been gone a long time and there’s no telling what’s been going on here. When we finish, we’ll join forces in the kitchen and rustle up some chow.”

  Nathan filled a pitcher of water from the pump in the kitchen and carried it to her room, then showed her where the washclothes were kept. “If you need anything, Travis and me will be outside. Rest, or look around all you want. I love you, girl, and I sure am glad to have you home,” he stated hoarsely, then embraced her tightly before rushing out the door.

  Soon after, Travis entered Rana’s room to find her standing before a closed window. When he called her name, she immediately whirled and looked at him as if she had been doing something wrong. “I brought your saddlebags and parfleches so you could unpack and get settled while we talk with Cody. He escorted Rachel Raines to church and stayed over for Sunday dinner. I sent Bart Davis to fetch him.” He glanced at her pitcher and noticed it was full of fresh water. “We’ll have supper as soon as we finish our meeting with Cody. You need anything else before I leave?” he inquired, wanting nothing more than to remain at her side during this trying period. He wondered if memories, good or bad, were surfacing to haunt her. He knew about her past visits to the ranch, though she had been only a small child then.

  While he was speaking, Rana picked up her parfleches and placed them in the corner of the room, as she had done in the tepee. To him, she appeared timid and apprehensive, and perhaps a little lost in the big room that he suspected she could not quite remember or did not wish to recall. As a baby or a small child, she had visited here only a few times, and many things had changed over the years. Progress had transformed much on the ranch and in the white man’s world.

  Travis wanted to pull her into his arms and cover her face with kisses. This privacy was too stimulating and tempting, and he was too cognizant of her allure and the big bed nearby. He dared not touch her in fear of losing his control, when someone could arrive at any moment and catch them. Here, no one knew of their Indian marriage, a union not recognized under white law. He could not tell anyone she was his wife, or be discovered treating her as such. Yet he no longer felt guilty about their involvement, even if he knew it was best to keep their relationship secret for awhile. He could not bear the thought of anyone thinking badly of her, or of Nathan believing he had taken advantage of his young granddaughter. Twice he had made love to Rana behind Nathan’s back, and he was not sure his friend and adopted father would understand his weakness. If it were another woman, perhaps; but Nathan’s grandchild… Nathan would have expected him to have had the respect, loyalty, and strength to have waited. “Why don’t you put your things in the chest?” he inquired, trying to stall his departure and help her relax.

  “Chest?” She repeated the confusing word, then looked down at her own body, for she had forgotten the use of such furniture over the years. “I do not understand. Is it wrong to place them there?”

  Since she seemed so nervous and sincere, Travis suppressed his amusement and retrieved her leather pouches. The room was almost as large as the entire tepee in which she had lived for ten years, and without furniture. No wonder she was baffled, he decided, certain that she would learn or recall such things. He placed the parfleches and saddlebags on the bed and opened them. Removing several items, he walked to the chest, opened the drawer, put the items aside, and closed it. Rana watched him quizzically, then her eyes grew wide as if she believed the wooden chest had devoured her belongings.

  He patiently showed her how to use the chest and closet, promising to get her enough clothes to fill them, then explained about the bed and its covers. He refreshed her memory on the use of chairs, how to open and close windows for fresh air, the use of doors and curtains for privacy, the use of safety matches and lanterns for light, and the purpose of the chamber pot beneath her bed. Since these last instructions appeared to embarrass her, he quickly returned to the lantern to caution her about its safe use and to warn her about hot chimneys and broken glass, which reminded him to explain about the fireplace in her room, although it would not be needed until winter.

  Rana followed Travis around the large room, watching and listening as he instructed her about her new surroundings. “It is easier to live in a tepee or outside,” she remarked mirthfully.

  Travis chuckled. “I’ll show you how to use the bathing closet and kitchen later. We don’t cook over open fires or fetch water from a stream, or wash our clothes and bathe in rivers. You’ve got lots of things to learn or remember, Rana, but Nathan and I will help you, so don’t be intimidated by all these differences. Be patient with yourself; it’ll take time and work, but you can do it,” he encouraged confidently.

  Her gaze softened. “You judge me very highly, and I am pleased. Your friends will wonder why Rana does not know such things. Will they laugh at me and tease you?” she asked worriedly.

  “If anyone makes fun of you, I’ll beat him senseless, or her. Just relax, ‘cause Nate and I won’t let anyone come near you until you’ve had time to learn your way around. We’ll decide at supper what we’re going to tell anyone who asks questions about you.”

  Rana’s thoughts now matched Travis’s earlier ones. She wanted to feel his arms around her and his lips on hers. She wanted to make passionate love and fuse their bodies into one. But this world seemed so strange and intimidating, and she needed to learn her way around it. She did not want to shame them with her ignorance or errors. She knew what whites thought about Indians, or people reared by them, or women enslaved by them. She was also aware that at any moment her grandfather or another could enter this wooden tepee and find them together, so she dared not reach out to him. She did not feel their relationship was wrong, but her grandfather might. She did not want him to become angry with Travis, or blame him. “Your sky is different,” she said aloud. “I cannot read the time and season in it.”

  Travis smiled and stroked her hair, aware of her trembling and loosely leashed emotions. “I will teach you to read the sky over Texas, and I will teach you to read the white man’s clock.”

  “Clock,” she echoed, recalling pictures of them in the books that the teacher had guarded with her life. There was too much to learn and her family had been too kind to be fooled any longer, so Rana told Travis about the captive schoolteacher and her past lessons. “If you help me, all the words and numbers will return. I will try to remember and speak as she taught me. It will be easier here where I do not have to go back and forth between English and Lakota. I wish you and Grandfather to be proud of me. I must stay in this… room until it is so.”

  Travis could not keep himself from embracing her. “You are a wonder, Rana Michaels. It’s nice just being around you. Be yourself and everyone will love you, no matter how much or how little you know about the white ways. But don’t rush things or they’ll overwhelm you. This is all new to you; take it slow and easy. I won’t let you suffer as I did.”

  Rana hugged him tightly. “Please help me not to shame my grandfather and my… you. Is it so that no one is to learn of our joining?” she queried, keeping her face nestled against his firm chest. His arms and words were so comforting, and his nearness tempting.

  He tensed slightly and took a deep breath. “It must be our secret, Rana,” he finally responded in a strained voice. “The whites do not accept Indian laws and customs; neither does Natha
n. To him, we aren’t married.” He leaned back and looked into her upturned face. “Perhaps I have too much Indian blood and spirit, for it is not true with me.”

  When Travis heard Nathan calling him from the front porch, he gently set her aside and told her he would return later.

  Rana cast a longing glance at his retreating back. She felt she could trust this man, and she hoped she could win his heart. She continued with her unpacking as he had instructed. In the bottom drawer of the tall chest she found her old doll, the one Marissa had hidden there before their fateful journey. She stared at it for a long time before lifting it and clutching it against her heart, as she had done that day long ago when Nathan had given it to her. Closing her eyes, she hugged the cherished treasure and rocked back and forth as several memories swirled around inside her head, and this time she did not try to halt them. Flashes of her last visit to the ranch, her terrifying travels with her parents, happy times with Nathan, and the receiving of this doll passed through her mind.

  As if it had been a real baby, Rana lovingly snuggled the doll in her protective arms as tears rolled down her cheeks, for she remembered her mother now, just as she remembered how intimidating her father had been. She grasped Marissa’s heart-shaped necklace and rubbed it between her shaky fingers. Because of Raymond Michaels’s wickedness, the two precious possessions had been left behind. She recalled crying for the doll and her mother saying, “Do not fret, little one. We will return for your baby very soon. Then we will be free and happy.” In light of the Kiowa attack, she was glad these treasures had survived.

  As with Travis’s parents, her father had been evil and her mother had married the wrong man. How she wished someone had rescued Marissa from her evil husband and had given her mother the happiness that she was experiencing with Travis. Marissa’s life had been so brief and painful, and she had caused her father so much grief. For some unknown reason, Rana was convinced that Marissa had not meant to do so. If only she could discover the truth…