Restoring Hope Page 2

  Well, he couldn’t let this happen. It was chilly and the last thing she needed was to get sick. What would be the point of saving her from whatever it was those Indians had in mind if he let her get ill? He nudged her in the arm.

  She opened her eyes.

  He stood up and stepped toward the fire. “Come.” He waved her over and motioned to the spot where his bedroll had been.

  She did as he bid and carried the bedroll back.

  He picked up some more sticks and threw them into the fire. Another glance along the horizon showed they were safe. His gun was in his holster. He was prepared...or at least as prepared as he could be.

  She didn’t lie back down. Instead, she watched him, as if judging what he’d do next. It became clear to him that she wasn’t going to sleep unless she was right beside him. Seeing that he had no choice since he wanted her to sleep, he sat on the ground close to where she stood. She finally set the bedroll down, but she put it right beside him again. She must have been scared if she was willing to sleep right by a stranger.

  “You know, you’re lucky I don’t have a wife,” he told her. “She’d have a fit if she saw this.”

  She furrowed her eyebrows.

  He smiled to show her he was joking.

  Her body relaxed and she returned his smile.

  She was a pretty woman, he realized. Funny how all the commotion made him miss that little fact before. He shook his head and returned his attention to the land. He had more important things to think about, like Indians who might be making their way back.

  She settled into the bedroll and turned her face to the campfire, her back pressing against his leg.

  He shook his head again. She had absolutely no idea what something like that did to a man. Ignoring her soft body, he kept his focus on the horse and the surrounding land. It wasn’t until the moon started descending into the clear sky that he finally fell asleep.

  ***

  Woape woke the next morning to the sunlight hitting her eyes. She winced and rolled over. The ground beneath her was rough. Where was she? Images flashed through her mind. An axe.. blood.. Hothlepoya...

  She jerked up, gasping. She quickly examined her surroundings. Prairie land spanned as far as the eye could see. The campfire had gone out. The two horses munched the grass. Everything was peaceful, so she could relax. Still, the previous night hadn’t been a nightmare. What was she going to do?

  She looked at the man sleeping next to her. She was safe with him. He wouldn’t let Hothlepoya hurt her. She’d stay with him, wherever he went. He had a gun and he knew how to use it, so if Hothlepoya came looking for her, hoping she was alone and defenseless, she’d be better off if she was with someone who knew how to scare him off. She’d never seen anyone who could stand up to Hothlepoya before.

  She stood and quietly made her way to a remote area where she could relieve her bladder. When she returned to the bedroll, she saw that the white man was getting ready to get on his horse. She ran over to him. Did he plan to leave her behind?

  She grabbed the back of his shirt. “Please don’t leave. Let me come with you.”

  The white man turned and looked relieved. He motioned to the land around them and said something.

  Her only indication that he wasn’t intending to leave her behind was the fact that he seemed happy to see her. She relaxed.

  He took her by the arm and led her to where they had slept. She watched him as he dug out another tin cup and poured water for both of them. She accepted the cup from him and drank the refreshing liquid. She wanted to thank him, but she didn’t know how and even as she smiled her appreciation at him, it seemed an insufficient way to express her gratitude.

  He pulled out some pieces of the food he’d offered her the night before and held out a couple to her.

  Her growling stomach insisted she take it. She nodded and took them from him, no longer hesitant on accepting anything from him. If he wanted to hurt her, he would have already done so.

  She bit into the salted meat. It didn’t taste bad. In fact, it tasted pretty good. She wondered if this was what white people ate. She knew so little of the white culture since she’d spent her life among her tribe. A momentary wave of homesickness came over her. Her father, sister and brother must miss her. It didn’t matter now. She was long gone and would never return. For now on, her life would be in a strange new world, with this nice white man.

  After they ate, he got his things ready for his horse, so she followed suit. She joined him as he rode out along the prairie in the morning light. The air was still cool, but she knew by midday, the temperature would warm. Though the season was changing, summer was reluctant in leaving. Since she didn’t know his language, and he didn’t know hers, they remained quiet. She was content to listen to the melodic singing of the birds.

  As the distance from her home grew greater, the tension in her body eased. If the white man took her far enough north, then maybe she’d never have to worry about Hothlepoya ever again. That would be good. Then she’d be safe.

  She glanced over her shoulder. A couple of deer leapt across the land. It was peaceful. Just like her world had been a few days ago. She closed her eyes and sighed. She hoped her family would fare well without her.

  She wiped the tears away and forced her attention to what was in front of her. This was her future. She wondered where it led. Well, she was about to find out. She decided she wouldn’t look back anymore. All the wishing in the world wasn’t going to erase what happened. For better or worse, her course was set with this stranger. She didn’t believe in coincidences. Her parents taught her that everything happened for a reason.

  And so she set her mind on what was to come and followed the man. When evening came, she helped him with the campfire. By this time, she knew what to expect from him. He didn’t say much but he did say some words that were beginning to sound familiar, though she couldn’t remember what word meant what. She figured that such knowledge would come in time.

  The journey took a total of three days before they ran into another human being. And as soon as there was one, there came another and another until they entered a place he called “town”. She examined the buildings that lined the dusty road. A quick scan through the unfamiliar faces revealed that there was no one like her. Everyone around her was white, just like the man she was with. They studied her, but she didn’t sense any animosity in their stares. They were curious. She wondered if they’d ever seen a Mandan Indian before. Maybe they hadn’t seen Indians at all.

  She moved her horse closer to the man, finding his presence comforting in the sea of unfamiliar faces. The people spoke in tones she recognized as questions. They were probably wondering where she came from, who she was, and what she was doing with one of their own. Though she was now surrounded by people, she never felt more alone in her entire life. She was different. Would she ever fit in? This was her new home. She hoped she could find a place here, among these people.

  The man said something to her, directing her attention back to him. He pointed to a house on the corner lot. It was a small house with a post out front for them to tie their horses to, which was what they did. He gently took her by the arm and led her forward.

  She wondered who lived here, but she couldn’t ask him, at least not in a way he’d understand. When they reached the front door, she stepped closer to him.

  He shifted a step away and opened the door. He called out a greeting and an older woman who looked old enough to be his mother ran out from another room. She shrieked and hugged him.

  Surprised, Woape stood back. Another woman came running down a narrow staircase and took her turn hugging him. Woape bit her lower lip. This woman looked close to his age. Perhaps he was already married? Maybe he was married to this one.

  He gave both women a big smile and turned their attention to Woape. They looked startled, as if they hadn’t noticed her standing right there watching them. He spoke to the women and gestured at them with excited movements. When he stopped speaking
, they all looked at her.

  She took a deep breath and smiled. She greeted them in her language and waited for them to respond.

  Finally, the older woman smiled in return and walked over to her. She wrapped her arm around her and led her to a place to sit. The cushion was soft and comfortable. The woman said something to him and then turned back to Woape and patted her hand.

  The woman’s kindness assured Woape that things would be alright. Woape tried to decipher what the woman might be saying and what the man answered, but none of it made any real sense to her. She just smiled and nodded whenever the woman asked something. She hoped she was acting appropriately.

  The younger woman held back. She crossed her arms and didn’t speak.

  Woape wondered if the white woman was married to the white man. That would explain the tension Woape felt when she looked at her. Woape glanced at the white man who continued speaking to the woman sitting next to her.

  Suddenly, the woman next to her stood up and took her hand.

  Woape also stood and followed the woman up the steps until they reached a small bedroom. Woape heard the woman downstairs and the man talking, but the tones were hushed so it was hard to determine if the woman was mad at him for bringing Woape there or not.

  The older woman exited the room, so Woape began to follow but she shook her head and motioned for Woape to stay. Woape nodded and stayed in the room. She glanced around the room, noting the bed and other furnishings. The window overlooked the town where several people rode on their horses. She sighed. This was her new home. The white man had brought her here. She wondered if this would be her new room or if she might sleep somewhere else in this home. Whatever the situation would be, she’d be glad for it and do whatever they asked her. She’d earn her keep.

  She turned at the sound of voices and watched as the older woman pointed to the center of the room. The man came in with a tub. They left and returned with pails of water which they dumped in the tub. The woman motioned for the man to leave so he did. Then the woman turned to a dresser and pulled out the drawer and took out a dress.

  As she spoke, she went up to Woape and held the dress up to her and nodded. She rambled on as she grabbed a towel and set it by the tub. Woape got a warm feeling about the woman. The woman was one of the friendliest people she’d ever met. She set the dress on the back of a chair before she handed Woape a bowl with a bar of soap in it. She turned to the door and held up a brush, spoke again, and set the brush back on the dresser. Giggling, she waved and closed the door behind her.

  Well, that was simple enough. The woman wanted Woape to take a bath. Woape could do that. She dipped her fingers into the warm water. Setting the bowl down next to the tub, she took off her dress, realizing she’d be putting on a white woman’s dress once she was done bathing. She realized this was more than changing clothes. She was about to change her entire life.

  As she settled into the tub, she gave the matter no more thought. The future was ahead of her, and she was safe. Hothlepoya wouldn’t find her here. Now, she could relax.

  Chapter Three

  Gary glanced out the window and saw that the horses were doing fine.

  “What were you thinking?”

  He took his time in facing his older sister who came into the room. Her arms were crossed and a look of disapproval was on her usually pretty face. Leaning against the window, he shrugged. “What do you mean, what was I thinking? I already explained it to you.”

  “Right. You found her on the run from members of her tribe.”

  “No. I didn’t say that the Indians were members of her tribe. I just said they were Indians. There is more than one tribe in North Dakota.”

  She shook her head and walked over to him. “Indians are savages. You’re lucky they didn’t scalp you alive.”

  “I have a gun and I know how to use it, Julia. It wasn’t me I was worried about.”

  She rolled her eyes as she smoothed her blond hair. “It’s not a smart move to bring her here. What if the savages come for her?”

  “I made sure to keep a lookout for them. I didn’t venture back to my camp until I was sure they couldn’t see me.”

  “I don’t know. They’re sneaky. They find ways to track people down.”

  He groaned. “Will you stop?”

  “Stop what?”

  “Playing big sister. We’re not kids anymore. I can take care of myself.”

  She didn’t look convinced, and that didn’t surprise him.

  “I knew there was a reason I left,” he muttered under his breath.

  She gave him a sharp look. “What was that?”

  “You heard me.”

  “I resent this, Gary. You left a year ago without giving us a real explanation-”

  “I wrote a note.”

  “A fine one it was too. ‘I have to discover who I am. I’ll be back when I figure it out.’ That could have meant anything.”

  “Well, I didn’t know who I was or who I wanted to be with you hovering around me all the time telling me what to do.”

  She gasped and pressed a hand over her heart. “Hovering around you?”

  “Yes. Hovering.”

  “I can’t believe this. I cooked your meals, cleaned your clothes-”

  “Fought my battles.”

  She blinked, as if surprised. “Fought your what?”

  “You always stepped in and interfered where you shouldn’t have.”

  “Are you talking about the incident with Harold?”

  He stood up straight and took off his hat. In all the commotion, he forgot to take it off. He ran his hand through his hair that was a dark shade of blond. The mention of Harold always irritated him to no end. “No one wants their big sister beating up his bully for him.”

  Her face grew red as she placed her hands on her hips. “I did no such thing!”

  “Really? I wasn’t the one who gave him the black eye.”

  “Oh. That incident.” She pressed her hand to her mouth and giggled.

  “It’s not funny.”

  “It was. Even today Harold runs in the opposite direction whenever he sees me.”

  “Yes. He does that. But he and his friends still laugh whenever they see me coming.”

  “You’re exaggerating.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  “Will you stop telling me that? I know when I’m being laughed at.”

  “You’re imagining things. You were always a dreamer who lived in another world.”

  “And it was up to you to keep me grounded in reality?”

  Their aunt cleared her throat.

  They stopped so they could turn in her direction.

  “What a shame. Here, the prodigal son has come home, and all I hear is a bunch of bickering down here.” She clucked her tongue. “May God help us all.”

  Julia stepped away from him and turned to their aunt. “She can’t stay here.”

  “And why not?” Gary demanded.

  “Enough,” Erin interrupted. “This is my home. I took you in when your parents died. I’ve raised you since you were ten,” she told Julia, “and you were three,” she told Gary. “I think of you as my own children. And ever since you’ve been here, you have been at odds with one another. I had hoped that when you grew up, the bickering would stop. Even with Gary gone for a year, the first thing you do when he comes home is criticize him.”

  “I’m not criticizing him,” Julia argued, looking exasperated. “I’m being logical. Can’t you see how dangerous this is?”

  “And what if that was you?” their aunt asked her. “Gary said three men were after her, and they had arrows ready to shoot at her. Don’t you understand that her life was in danger? Would you have preferred that she died?”

  “That’s not what I meant. You don’t understand what I’m talking about. I’m saying that he should have saved her but sent her somewhere else. Surely, there is another place she can go to.”

  Gary shook his head. “I gave
her food and figured she would find a place to go. I assumed that she would go back to her tribe. But she didn’t. She followed me.” Not only did she follow him, but she hadn’t allowed him to get out of her sight until his aunt took her upstairs. “I don’t know what happened to her. I don’t know why those men were chasing her, but she doesn’t feel safe out there. For some reason, she only feels safe with me. Maybe she’ll feel safe with Aunt Erin.”

  Aunt Erin approached him, a concerned look on her face. “Are you heading out again?”

  He shrugged. “I only came here because of her.” He pointed up the stairs.

  Julia huffed. “So you didn’t even care to come by here to see us.”

  “I was on my way to Bismarck, alright? My last employer said that he knew someone out there who needed a farmhand. I figured I’d give it a try.”

  “A full year you’ve been gone and you still don’t know what you want to do with your life?”

  His face grew red. “And you wonder why I don’t want to be here? You wonder why I left?”

  “Please,” their aunt began, groaning, “we have a scared young woman up there, and the last thing she needs is to deal with this. Let’s just look at what we can do for her now. Regardless of how you two feel about each other, it’s time to focus on someone else for a change.”

  Gary rubbed his eyes and sighed. “You’re right. Look, I didn’t come here to cause trouble. I didn’t know where else to take her. I made sure that no one followed us. I was vigilant.”

  Julia shifted from one foot to the other. “Well, I hope no one did follow you.”

  Their aunt nodded. “It’s good that she’s here instead of wandering around by herself out there. We don’t want anything bad to happen to her.”

  “What are we going to do with her?” Julia asked. She looked at Gary. “Are you going to run off again and leave us to figure out what to do with her?”

  “I haven’t thought about it,” he admitted. When he saw Julia’s lips form a thin line, he continued, “All I could think about was getting her here, where she’ll be safe. I didn’t think beyond that. And don’t say it. I know. How typical of Gary. Acting first and thinking later.”