Destiny's Bride (25 page)

Chapter Twenty-six

Cecile strolled to the stream for her morning toilette, humming a happy tune and enjoying the sweet smell of the morning air. Life was indeed wonderful. Two Clouds had been fed and she’d prepared a tasty morning meal for her husband. Now it was time to take care of her needs.

She exchanged greetings with those she passed, most busy at work. Their dedication to each other and the support they’d offered when Two Clouds was taken inspired her. She’d had so many doubts about the people when she first arrived, but she was wrong. They had become her family. Kneeling by the stream, she washed in water warmed by the new season and said a prayer thanking God for bringing her to the Sioux.

Her thoughts turned to the move and the buffalo that inspired it. Most of what she’d packed came from the animal: the parfleches, tepees, bedding, cooking pots, and even the tethers for the horses. Also the pemmican she enjoyed. Lone Eagle was right when he said the people couldn’t survive without the shaggy beasts. Now it was time to go where the herds grazed the green grasses of the spring—time to replenish the stores for another winter yet to come.

Cecile sensed someone watching her, and turned to see Little Elk. He had a strange, vacant look in his eyes and one hand was tucked behind his back. During all the commotion of Two Clouds’ disappearance, everyone had forgotten Spotted Doe was also a mother. Here before Cecile stood a newly orphaned son.

Surely he was devastated by the loss of his mother, and he certainly had to blame someone. But what was he hiding? She didn’t know whether to console him or run away. Deciding he was still a child, she stayed. Her eyes stung with sympathetic tears. “I’m so sorry about your mother. Is there anything I can do for you?”

When Little Elk brought his arm forward, Cecile cringed, but to her surprise, he offered a small bouquet of field flowers.

“My mother had many days of being a good woman, and that is the way I will remember her. I am sorry for what she did to you, and I pray she will not be denied entrance into the spirit
land of Wakan Tanka so she may once again know happiness.” His adolescent voice cracked with emotion.

His words and actions touched Cecile’s heart, and tears welled in her eyes. She accepted the flowers and took his hand in hers. “Little Elk, I didn’t know your mother very well, but was told she once had a happy heart. I hope she can find that feeling again where she is now.”

“Thank you, Green Eyes. I hope you will still consider me a friend despite my mother’s actions.”

“Of course we’re still friends. You will always be welcome in my home. You are family to my husband, and that makes you my family.”

Despite his attempt to put up a brave front, tears spilled down his cheeks. “I am happy you feel that way.”

Cecile brushed the wetness from his face and pulled him close in a maternal embrace. She tried to lighten the moment by playfully mussing his hair. “You know we have to stop dawdling and get busy. There’s a lot to do before we begin the journey back to the plains.”

Hand in hand they walked back to the compound. When they reached the lodge he had shared with his mother, he shyly leaned over and gave Cecile a quick peck on the cheek, then ducked inside.

***

Lone Eagle began carrying their belongings outside so  when Cecile returned from the stream, she and the other women could disassemble the lodge. He knelt to tie a stack of buffalo robes and blankets into a bundle and found a beaded pouch lying beneath them. He inspected it carefully, fingering the intricate work and wondering where it came from.

The beads resembled the ones he'd used to adorn the small tree Green Eyes erected to honor the white man’s Christmas, and the stitching was expertly done. Surely his wife had made this wonderful pouch, but why?

Rain Woman interrupted his thoughts by making her presence outside known. He invited her in, eager to brag about his newfound treasure.

Green Eyes returned to find him proudly displaying the beaded bag for Rain Woman, and he glanced at her with a boyish grin. “I believe this is the handiwork of my wife. I’m hoping it’s for me since I would be very jealous if she made it for someone else.”

Her mouth dropped open. “Oh, heavens, I can’t believe I totally forgot I made that for you. Do you like it?”

The pleased look on his handsome face was worth every bit of effort that went into the creation.

“It’s a beautiful gift, but when did you make it?”

“I wanted to give you something special for our first Christmas. I know it’s not your holiday, but it’s a custom I’ve always enjoyed.” She bent and lifted Two Clouds, thrusting him toward his father. “Something distracted me, and I believe this is the other part of your gift.”

The baby giggled with delight at being swept playfully into the air.

While Lone Eagle played with his son, he listened as Cecile took the opportunity to tell what had transpired between her and Little Elk. “I told him I knew you loved him and nothing his mother did could dim that. I also let him know he was always welcome in our home because he is family.”

Lone Eagle’s chest swelled at his wife’s warm heart. “I am very proud to have you as my wife. Not everyone would be so forgiving, no matter that Little Elk was not at fault. He will live with his grandparents, but I will continue to watch over him and teach him the things he needs to know about being a strong Sioux brave.”

Cecile nodded her approval. “That’s wonderful. Maybe if he needs a younger woman’s advice, he will come to me.”

***

Instead of playing, the children helped clear the village. Even Rain Woman, despite her advanced years, was excited and eager to begin the move. For her advanced years, she had the energy of someone half her age.  Cecile envied her organization and vigor.

“Un`ci, you amaze me. How do you remain so active, and why on earth are you looking forward to moving? It’s so much work.”

“Each change is like a new beginning and a time for renewal.” She reached around Cecile and lovingly patted Two Clouds’ cheek. “And if we want that, we have to earn it.”

Little Dove and a group of women appeared to help Cecile. She struggled, trying to tie two supporting poles to a horse, and wondered how others did it with such ease and speed. At Cecile’s apparent confusion, Little Dove stepped forward and offered instruction. “The ends not attached to the horse, form a triangular frame held together with ties made from buffalo hide, and will drag along the ground and carry your secured possessions.”

“Tall, straight trees are scarce on the prairie,” Rain Woman interjected. “So, when we find ones that make suitable lodge poles, we treat them with great care so we can re-use them again and again. As you see, they serve more than one purpose.”

Cecile helped disassemble tepee after tepee, truly appreciating the versatility of her home, and even more the skills and abilities of her new people. If only her father could see her now. She pulled her lips into a frown. Maybe that wasn’t such a good thing to wish.

By the
noon hour, the entire village was packed and ready for the trip. Hard to believe that only a few hours ago, an entire village stood on what was now an empty spot.   Only someone with a trained eye could tell the tribe had lived there for months.

She sidled next to Lone Eagle. “I feel protected in the safety of the mountains. I worry about leaving here. Will it be as safe on the plains?”

Lone Eagle smiled, his eyes sparkling. “Don’t worry, you will love your home on the prairie just as here.”

His vivid descriptions of prairie wild flowers and cool, running waters of the nearby river caused her to flash back to her trip from
Silver City with Walt. The endless prairie. How could she forget the vastness of it? Its beauty swallowed up everything and in the end, left her nothing but pain. 

Bad memories dissolved, replaced by her reality. The prairie had also brought her Lone Eagle. She squeezed his hand, finding solace in knowing when winter returned they would seek the familiar shelter of the mountains once again.

Lone Eagle took Two Clouds from his mother, cradleboard and all, and helped fasten the baby on Cecile’s back. Helping her mount her mare, he gazed up at her when she was astride. “I cannot tell you how happy my heart is to have you in my life.”

She smiled down at his handsome face, knowing that another new chapter in her life was about to be written.

Chapter Twenty-seven

Everyone chattered in raised voices as the familiar journey to their summer home began. Some traveled on horseback while others walked. Smaller children rode on the travois with the supplies, while the older children kept pace alongside them. Cecile joined the long line, awkwardly trying to match her body’s momentum with that of her horse’s gait. Her riding skills were still dismal, but the cheerful sounds of her new people filled the air and warmed her heart. The mild weather promised a smooth trip.

The caravan stopped for their first rest in the same spot where Cecile and Lone Eagle had camped on the way up the mountain. He left the tribe’s herd in the care of others and rode up the line to help her dismount. “Does this place look familiar?”

“It looks much more appealing this time. I can’t believe how nervous I was about meeting your people. And now, I’m carrying my child in an entirely different way.” She swiveled, letting her husband glimpse the baby on her back.

“I guess all that riding lulled him to sleep.”

“I’m glad one of us enjoys it.” She rubbed her backside, searching for a place to sit and nurse her son when he woke.

Cecile removed the cradleboard and found a comfortable spot against a tree to relax. She wasn’t quite sure when she dozed off, but she woke with her head resting atop her child’s carrier and Lone Eagle staring at her. Behind him she saw their pallet ready for sleep.

“Aren’t we going on?”

He shook his head.  “This is a good spot to camp, so my father decided we would spend the night and start at first light.”

“How long have I slept?”  She craned her stiff neck from side-to-side.

“I tried to wake you for the
midday meal, but you and our son seem to be worn out. You said you weren’t hungry, so I left you alone.”

Something delicious still wafted in the air, but there was no trace of what it had been.   Between feeding and changing the baby, chatting with friends about the next leg of the journey, and helping Rain Woman search the area for abundant medicinals, the sunset came quickly.

Cecile eagerly helped herself to a bowl of communal soup and soothed her hunger. Although she offered to help clean and put away the utensils, the women in charge shooed her away, claiming they would handle repacking everything.

Despite her earlier nap, Cecile settled her baby near their bed, cuddled against her husband and fell asleep.  She dreamed of wild flowers and green grass waving in the breeze

***

By the time Cecile woke, most of the people had already packed for the next leg of the journey. Two Clouds fussed for his breakfast while she changed him and replaced the lining of his cradleboard. While he nursed, she listened to the hungry rumblings of her stomach and wished for something to eat. Her single bowl of soup had long ago digested.

In order to get an early start, no fires were built, and morning breakfast consisted of jerky and stone bread. Cecile was so hungry, anything sounded good.. She suddenly thought of coffee and how wonderful it would be to have a hot steaming cup with milk and sugar. It had been a long time since she’d had any and wondered what made her think of it. She shrugged the thought from her mind and gladly took the bread and jerky her sister-in-law offered. A drink of cool water would have to do.

With Two Clouds dry, clean, and fed, Cecile propped his cradleboard against a log, allowing him to watch her roll the bedding and repack the travois. His happy giggles were much more satisfying than breakfast had been.

After tying the last of their belongings onto the conveyance, she was re-braiding her hair when Lone Eagle walked up behind and gave her arm a quick squeeze. “I’m proud of you, my wife. You did a fine job of packing. Have I told you how much I love you?”

Well aware that public displays of affection between husband and wife were rarely witnessed, she resisted the urge to fling her arms around his neck. “I guess that quick hug will just have to convince me you do.”

Lone Eagle playfully smacked her saddle-sore behind and urged her to get moving. She stifled a painful cry and instead gritted her teeth. “I’ll get even with you later.”

Chapter Twenty-eight

The tribe traveled the same steep trail Cecile and Lone Eagle had traveled to reach the village—only this time on a downhill slant. Hating this part of the trail, she tried to keep her horse reined to the left, close to the safety of the mountain wall. Her mare’s hooves kicked up loose rocks and gravel that splattered over the cliff’s edge and tinkled to the valley below. She couldn’t help but wonder how sure-footed the animal was. Having made this seasonal trip for years, the Sioux navigated the trail with ease while she clung to her horse with a death grip. The steep drop to her right served as a grim reminder of Spotted Doe’s fate.