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  Mikey let out a shout of happiness and then asked, “When?”

  “Tomorrow I come get you and we will get it. Today have to move tipi back to camp,” Owl said.

  Mikey’s eyes filled with tears. “Why can’t you stay here?”

  Owl said, “Because I belong with them. Do not cry. You still see me all time.”

  “But I won’t be able to come sleep with you when I want to,” Mikey said.

  “Sure you can. You come stay at camp,” Owl said. “Ok?”

  Mikey said, “It won’t be the same.”

  “I know,” Owl said.

  Mikey didn’t want to cry in front of everyone so he said, “I have to go to the outhouse,” and ran from the cookhouse.

  Owl sighed and stood up again. When he looked around at everyone, he was surprised to see that a few of them had tears in their eyes.

  Jack came and hugged him. “We’re gonna miss having you right here. That’s what Mikey was trying to say. We know we can come to camp, but it’s been great having you so close. I can see your tipi from my room. Not seeing it out there is gonna be sad for me, uncle.”

  Owl hadn’t realized how much he’d come to mean to them all. It brought tears to his eyes, too. “You all very kind to me. Thank you very much,” he said and looked at each of them. “I will not be far. I will visit,” Owl said.

  Luke looked at him and said, “Owl, it’s that you’ve become family to us and we know you’re not gonna be far, but it’s like when a family member moves out of your house. It makes you sad. You’re not just Marcus’ brother anymore. You’re mine and Seth’s, and hell, even Dean’s.”

  Owl was shocked. “I am?”

  Dean surprised everyone by saying, “Yes, you are. You’re a pain in the ass, but I’m still going to miss you.”

  Owl smiled. “See? I grow on everyone.”

  They all laughed.

  Jack said, “Well, are ya eatin’ breakfast or what?”

  “No time. Brothers coming soon for tipi. Must go pack,” Owl said.

  Dean surprised them again when he said, “I’ll come help you.”

  Owl stared at him a moment before he said, “Ok.”

  Dean got up and gave Jack his empty plate. “Lead on, Owl.”

  They went to Owl’s tipi and once they were inside Dean said, “Owl sit down a minute with me.”

  Owl joined him in sitting on the floor.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  Dean was silent for a few moments while he gathered his thoughts. “Last year when you were too hurt to go with Black Fox and the rest, I wondered what it was gonna be like to have you here all the time. I’ve had a hard time accepting Marcus’ Lakota side and I know that I’ve not always been nice. I’m sorry about that.”

  “But getting to know you over all these months has been something I’ll never forget. Luke’s right. Somehow, some way, I’ve come to think of you as another little brother. You’re annoying as hell and seem to fight me about the kids at every turn, but you’re still family. You can set up your tipi here any time you want to.”

  Owl blinked back tears. “I do not know what to say.”

  “You don’t have to say anything. Now, because I’m now your big brother, I’ve got some advice for you,” Dean said.

  “About what?” Owl asked.

  “About Hannah,” Dean said. “You’re gonna have to watch what you’re doing there.”

  Owl’s brows drew together in confusion. “Why?”

  “Ok, you know how Marcus is married to Claire and she’s white,” Dean said.

  “Of course, I know.”

  Dean looked Owl straight in the eyes and said, “Marcus doesn’t go away for the winter.”

  Dean’s meaning became clear to Owl. Dean saw that Owl comprehended what he was saying.

  “Claire has work here and family and doesn’t want to leave for the winter. Marcus would probably have gone if it hadn’t been his responsibilities here. Now, he’s going to be a doctor and certainly won’t leave. It’s different for you. You don’t have anything holding you here in the winter. You’re free to go. Hannah has her work here, a career. She’s not going to leave, Owl. Do you understand what I’m saying to you?” Dean said.

  “I think so,” Owl said.

  “I know that you two seem to really like each other. If things get serious between you, you’ll have a decision to make. Being a cattle rancher, I understand about sometimes needing to be away from your wife for a month, but not for six months, Owl. So the question is, if you get serious, are you gonna be willing to stay here during the winters to be with her? Or is going with your family more important to you than she is? You’re going to have to think about that.”

  Owl nodded. “I understand.”

  “Good. I’m only saying this to you because I don’t want to see either of you get hurt. I’ve never met Hannah, but I understand that she’s a good woman. You both deserve to be happy and I hope it works out for you,” Dean said.

  Owl looked at Dean in a new light. “Thank you for help. You are wise. I have question.”

  “Ok.”

  “You lose first wife and child.”

  Dean nodded. “Yes, I did.”

  Owl continued before he changed his mind. “What was like marrying Tessa?”

  Dean smiled. “You mean what was it like falling in love again?”

  Owl nodded and watched Dean closely.

  “I never thought I’d find anyone again, but when she got here and we got to know each other a little, I just knew that she was right for me,” Dean said. “When I asked her to marry me, I knew it was meant to be. I’ve never looked back. I’ll never forget Sarah or stop loving her, but I’m in love with Tessa and I always will be.”

  “Ok.”

  Something dawned on Dean. “Are you saying you were married before?”

  “Yes.”

  Dean’s eyes grew big. “And you had a child?”

  “Yes. I loved them very much. Still hurts. Son, Wild Horse, was, um, five when Cherokee raid happened,” Owl said.

  Dean was stunned. His heart went out to Owl. His twins weren’t much younger than Owl’s son had been. He couldn’t imagine losing them. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

  “It’s ok,” Owl said with a dismissive gesture. “I do not like speak of it.”

  “I know what that’s like,” Dean said.

  Owl asked, “So you are happy you marry again?”

  Dean grinned and said, “More happy than I can tell you.”

  Owl smiled and said, “Good. Thank you for talk.”

  Dean patted Owl’s knee and said, “Anytime, little brother.”

  The two men packed Owl’s belongings. Dean teased Owl about some of the stuff he considered weird and they laughed as they worked.

  Owl’s family came to take down his tipi and it was a fun time. His new white brothers even came to help, which made things even funnier. They had no idea how to construct or tear down a tipi and got in the way more than they helped, but it made everyone laugh so much that the Lakotas didn’t really mind.

  All of the Samuels women stood and watched the proceedings and laughed along with the workers. They kept the children with them so they didn’t get hurt. When the job was done and the tipi tied up and hitched to a couple of Indian ponies, it was time for Owl to say goodbye to his new white family.

  Black Fox and He Who Runs watched in surprise as each person hugged Owl and made him promise to visit. This included Dean. Black Fox in particular watched the interaction between his brother and Dean with keen interest. When the two men shook hands, there seemed to be a new bond between them and Black Fox wondered what had caused it.

  The Lakotas started out towards home and Owl waved to Dean and company a couple of times as they went.

  Black Fox said, “You’re going to miss them, aren’t you?”

  Owl said, “Yes. They took very good care of me and we had a lot of fun. I wasn’t expecting that. In fact, I wasn’t sure what to expect when y
ou all had to leave. If it weren’t for Silver Ghost being here, I would have tried to come with you somehow.”

  He Who Runs walked on his other side and said, “Something changed in you over the winter.”

  Owl nodded. “I discovered that they have some strange ways about them, but they’re not really much different from us. They love their children and work to make a good life for themselves. And they like to have fun, too. It’s different fun than we have, but still fun.”

  He Who Runs thought about that. “What about Dean? You seemed different with him, too.”

  Owl laughed. “He and I are at odds a lot, but it’s more of a friendly antagonism. He was only truly angry with me two or three times and that got resolved quickly. We have different views on raising children and he can’t understand our way of doing it. It was very funny, actually.”

  Black Fox smiled. “I can only imagine.”

  Owl felt that he needed to tell them about Hannah since he wanted her to meet his family. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

  “Who?” He Who Runs asked.

  “A woman.”

  Black Fox said, “What woman? All of the Lakota were down south.”

  Owl raised his chin. “She is white.”

  He Who Runs stopped walking and looked at Owl. “Did you just say that she’s white?”

  “Yes, I did. What of it?” Owl asked with a direct stare at He Who Runs.

  “It’s complicated,” Black Fox said.

  “Why? Fawn is white and there’s never been any objection,” Owl said.

  Black Fox said, “It’s understandable why Silver Ghost would marry a white woman since he’s half white and was raised as such. You are full Lakota and have been raised with our traditions and within our culture.”

  Owl’s eyes widened. “You love Fawn, right? So do I. You can’t love one white woman and object to another, Black Fox.”

  Black Fox sighed. “Is it serious?”

  “I’m not sure yet. I know that she makes me happy. You know how long it’s been since that’s happened,” Owl said. “I’m asking that you simply reserve judgment until you meet her. Her name is Hannah. She’s a medicine woman. She’s been helping me with my shoulder and back.” He smiled. “You should have her give you a backrub. It feels incredible.”

  He Who Runs saw his brother’s face light up as he talked about this woman and recognized that look. Owl was halfway in love with this woman and he didn’t know if Owl realized it or not. He wasn’t going to be the one to point it out, though.

  They started walking again and Owl tried not to be nervous about what Black Fox’s decision would be. Black Fox tried to look at the problem from all angles. Yes, it was true that they had accepted and had grown to love Fawn and the children. Silver Ghost’s situation was unique, however. Still, they had made an exception and Black Fox could see how Owl would view that.

  Black Fox thought about how unique the tribe’s position was, too. They had actually voted in a white community’s election for a leader. He smiled as he thought about Joe. It would be good to see him and hear about what he had been up to over the winter. Black Fox knew that there were many tribes that hated the whites and vice versa. He had to admit that it made him happy that they had such a good relationship with their nearby white brothers and sisters.

  Silver Ghost’s white family was a good example of that. He was grateful for the care they had given Owl during his recovery. Leaving Owl behind had caused Black Fox deep distress, but as chief, his first responsibility was to the tribe and he couldn’t stay in summer camp for just one person. Silver Ghost had come through on his promise to take good care of Owl. Of course, Silver Ghost loved Owl as much as he did, so it was no surprise.

  Black Fox saw Owl sneak a glance at him and the leader came to a decision. How could he say no without even meeting the woman in question when they were friends and relatives with so many other white people? He prided himself on being a fair, impartial leader and knew that a rush to judgment would cause discord between several different parties. Silver Ghost would take offense if Black Fox refused Owl’s request. His youngest brother would see this as an insult to his white blood and that of his wife and children. He had no wish to offend Silver Ghost or Fawn.

  His mind made up, Black Fox said, “Bring her so we may meet this woman who makes you happy.”

  Owl barely kept from jumping up and down with joy. “Thank you, brother. That means a lot to me.”

  Black Fox smiled. He could almost feel his brother’s happiness. “You’re welcome. Just prepare her so she’s not scared.”

  “She’s not afraid of me, so why would she be afraid of you?” Owl said with a grin.

  He Who Runs laughed. “Yeah, but you’re only one Lakota. Remember Fawn’s reaction when Silver Ghost brought her? Black Fox is right; prepare her to meet over a hundred Lakota.”

  “You’re right,” Owl said. He couldn’t wait to go get Hannah and smiled the whole way back to camp.

  Chapter Eleven

  It was early afternoon until Owl could get away to go to Hannah. He rode his favorite horse, Swift and led another horse for Hannah to ride. Owl just hoped that her legs wouldn’t be too sore to ride. His excitement about her meeting his family was powerful and made him impatient.

  He tied the horses outside the hotel and entered the building without thinking about it falling down on him. He waved at Jolene and ran up the stairs. His stomach filled with butterflies as he knocked on her door and Owl willed himself to calm down.

  Hannah’s hope that it was Owl knocking was rewarded when she opened the door. He said nothing to her, but smiled and pulled her close so he could kiss her. Hannah had no objection whatsoever and enjoyed every moment of the embrace.

  When he drew back, Owl smiled at her and asked, “How your legs?”

  Hannah laughed at his unusual question. “Better than I thought they’d be. I took your advice and had a nice hot bath.”

  “Good. We go for a ride then,” Owl said.

  Hannah asked, “Where to?”

  The smile that blossomed on his face stole her breath away. “My family has come back.”

  Hannah’s eyes widened. “Owl! That’s’ wonderful! I’m sure you’re so happy to see them again.”

  He nodded vigorously. “They want meet you.”

  “They do? Are you sure?” Hannah asked. Thinking about meeting his family made her anxious.

  “Yes, I am sure. You will like them. I promise,” Owl said. “Nothing bad happen.”

  His confident tone made her feel a little better. “Ok. I guess I’d better change,” she said as she gestured at her dress.

  Owl nodded. “Ok.”

  Hannah gathered her clothes and went into the washroom. She shut the door and took some deep breaths to ward off the panic that threatened to envelope her. Hannah knew that meeting Owl’s family was a no small thing, especially since his brother was the chief of their tribe. She didn’t want to do anything to embarrass Owl or offend his family.

  Owl seemed sure that they would like her, so Hannah decided to take a chance and see what happened. She knew that she cared for Owl very much and was happy whenever she was with him. He was in her thoughts much of the time when they weren’t together. Maybe it was a good thing to meet his family before things went any further. If there was going to be trouble because of their different ethnicities, better to find out now.

  Hannah emerged from the washroom and saw Owl looking out the window. He turned to her and smiled. “We get you leggings, I think.”

  “I’d like that,” Hannah said. “I wonder what I would look like in them.”

  Owl gave her a devilish smile. “Beautiful.”

  Hannah laughed. “You do, huh?”

  “Yes. You ready?” he asked.

  “Yeah. I think so,” Hannah said.

  Owl ran his hand down her arm and took her hand. “It will be ok. You will see.”

  Hannah nodded and followed him downstairs. She saw that he had two dif
ferent horses and that they only wore very simple bridles. “There’s no saddle.”

  Owl nodded. “Ride by balance, remember?”

  Hannah said, “But how do I get on?”

  “I will help you,” Owl said.

  Owl moved to stand by a chestnut mare and he made a step with his hands for her. She didn’t hesitate to put her foot in his hands this time. Her mount was slightly shaky, but still not bad, Owl thought.

  He mounted Swift and said, “We will go slow.”

  “Thank you,” Hannah said. She tried to remember everything Owl had taught her from the day before.

  They were almost out of town when Owl said, “You are riding well.”

  “Thanks. I miss the saddle, though,” she said.

  “You will get used to it,” Owl said. He could read the worry in her furrowed brow. “What is wrong?”

  Hannah knew there was no sense in lying to him. “I don’t want to embarrass you, Owl. Your brother is the chief and I don’t want anything I do to reflect poorly on you or him.”

  He rode closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder. “Hannah, will be fine. They maybe laugh, but not be mad. Um, we like have fun.”

  “Ok, good,” Hannah said.

  Owl wanted to distract her from her anxious thoughts. “We move my tipi back.”

  “You did? So I’ll get to see it?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  That thought excited her. “How many tipis are there? When we were there, the place looked really big.”

  “Hmm. Don’t know number. A lot,” Owl said with a laugh. “Wish English was better.”

  “Your English is much better than my Lakota,” Hannah said. “Does your family speak English?”

  “Yes,” Owl said.

  “That’s good.”

  Then turned into the woods and Hannah had to keep a tight rein on her nerves. They had to travel single file which bothered her. She tried to take comfort in the fact that Owl was right in front of her. They rode for quite a distance before she heard Owl let out a hoot owl call, which was immediately answered. She tried to see who had made it, but couldn’t see anyone.

  Soon they came out of the woods into the clearing and Hannah saw Lakota men and women everywhere she looked. It was a whole other world compared to when she’d been there last and it was impressive. Tall tipis stood against the sky and children ran everywhere. Most of the men wore their leggings and shirts since it was still cool, but a few wore only their loin cloths. Hannah tried not to gape at them.