BECCA Season of Willows (9 page)

Now for some points about River you might find strange or unsettling because of his heritage and upbringing.
He stares and growls at you to try to intimidate you to get his way.
He still eats with his hands and is uncomfortable with using eating utensils except for a big knife.
He wipes his mouth on his sleeve. (So does Harrison if he thinks you aren’t looking.)
He stuffs his cheeks like a squirrel to eat and then grunts or growls at you while chewing.
He still wears his buckskins and his loincloth. Yes, no underwear.
He will laugh at you if he thinks what you said is foolish. He isn’t making fun of you personally, he is just laughing at what you said.

All of these things used to bother me but now that I have gotten to know him, they are endearing little flaws I have come to accept as part of his personality. He really is a dear and just needs some training and tender loving care. He needs a very stubborn woman to stand up to him for he respects bravery.

Think about it. I await your decision.
Love,

Becca

P.S. If you come and decide against River there are plenty of other fine men here to see if they would suit you.
CHAPTER ELEVEN

Nola was sitting on the porch with her feet up drinking her lemonade when Auntie Marcie arrived back from her errands. She jumped out of the carriage waving a letter.

“We have another one from Colorado Territory!”

Nola almost wanted to scream. Becca had gone to Colorado Territory and married Harrison McGann and was so happy, Nola was feeling just a little jealous.

Why can’t I find a man that is interesting and handsome. Someone I really would be proud to have as a husband. A ‘real’ man that would appreciate me and still be a challenge!

“Another letter Auntie? Here. Let me have it. Let’s see what she says.”

She ripped open the envelope and two letters fell out. Nola recognized Becca’s handwriting first and read that one and then slowly opened the other and started to read.
Auntie Marcie was dying of curiosity.
“Well? What did she say?”
Nola grinned.
“I can’t believe it! Auntie! It’s a letter from Becca and another letter that is a marriage proposal from Becca’s neighbor!”

Auntie Marcie clapped and squealed.
“Is he rich and well off?”

Nola laughed and shook her head in unbelief.
“Yes. He is rich and well off. He is smart and Becca says he is very handsome! Although somewhat of a primitive man!”

Auntie giggled.
“He sounds too good to be true. What is wrong with him I wonder?”
Nola barked a laugh.
“Well The first thing is he lives in nowhere, Colorado Territory. And the second thing is…he is a Sioux Indian. His mother was white.”

Auntie went pale clasping her hands together.
“AN INDIAN! Nola you cannot take this seriously! AN INDIAN? NO! Nola! I will not permit you to marry an Indian man. They are savages!”
Nola sighed and gave her Auntie a droll look.

“Yes Auntie, you have met so many! Just listen to his letter, Auntie.”

Nola read the letter out loud and set it on her lap looking at her Aunt.

“Is that not the sweetest letter of proposal you ever heard?”

Auntie smiled.

“I’ll have to admit that it is very sweet and endearing. He seems like a good man. But Nola…a Sioux Indian?”
Nola giggled and picked up Becca’s note.

“Listen to this…” She read Becca’s note and both of the ladies laughed.
Auntie Marcie snorted and took a sip of lemonade.

“Well he sounds like a ‘real’ man to me. I know Frank is considered civilized and he does some of those things if I let him get away with it. It’s just the nature of men I guess.”
Nola laughed and folded the letters stuffing them in her apron pocket. Auntie looked at Nola and raised her brows.
“I see! Alright child. I guess what’s done is done.”
Nola looked very innocent.
“I don’t know what you mean?”
Auntie gave Nola a sly grin.

“I can already tell you’ve made up your mind. You’re going.”

Nola drank her lemonade and sighed looking very pleased with the whole situation.
She smiled to herself and her smile faded quickly seeing the carriage stopping in front of the house. Ernest Biggs stepped out of his closed carriage and walked up to the porch tipping his hat.
“Miss Marcie? Is Frank in?”

Auntie Marcie looked away from him answering.

“He is out for the evening.”

Ernest grinned in expectation.
“Well then, I should like to see Miss Becca, if I may.”

Marcie Hutchins stared right at him.

“She is no longer here. She has married and moved.”

At first he barked a laugh and then he realized what she said was true, Ernest’s face turned near purple in rage. He shouted at her gathering his fist to punch something or someone.
“MARRIED? SHE MARRIED? This is impossible! She is mine! I paid for her! She shall not marry anyone but me and if you doubt that, ma’am? Ask your husband what he lost at the gaming tables tonight? I will be back to discuss this in full and have that marriage annulled for…for breach of promise or something!”
Marcie stood glaring at him.

“You may leave now, Mr. Biggs. I shall tell my husband of your threats.”

Ernest grabbed his cane and put on his hat.
“You just do that! I would love to be there to see it!”
He turned without a nod and got back into his carriage and tapped the roof. The carriage took off like a shot.

Nola frowned as the carriage took off.

“What has Uncle Frank got himself into now, Auntie? He was telling the truth. I can feel it.”
Auntie Marcie ran onto the house with her handkerchief to her mouth sobbing. Nola stood and followed her not really wishing to know the truth but needing to know anyway. Becca was innocently involved and she wanted to know how.
It had been over a month now and Becca was missing Harrison. The children had been very good considering and River had held things together very well.
The days had rolled from one to another and the ranch never looked better. River and Becca had become quite good friends and Becca was continually surprised at how smart River was. They had many after dinner discussions about many things as well as played with the children. Becca really appreciated River staying on the ranch, for she felt very safe with him in residence or at least close.

Becca was actually learning some new skills from River. He was teaching her the Sioux language and also instructing her how to braid rope. She found it interesting and fun. Other than that…life went on with cooking, children and chores.

It was late June. Harrison had been gone for almost two months now and Becca was worried.

She stood at the window in the kitchen and saw a carriage coming from the direction of town. Becca was wondering who it could be and apparently so was everyone else. Mac and Mazie were out front gawking and right beside them was River. Mac came in screaming to high heavens.
“Mama! There’s someone coming! It looks like from town.”
He ran back out just to see the carriage come over the small crest in the fields.

It seemed like minutes ticked by as they stared off into the horizon and finally she saw River almost jump and gasp. He cursed and looked nervous swallowing hard while he was looking around. Becca thought he looked like one of his horses ready to bolt.
Becca tossed down the dish towel and walked out on the porch. River stood and stared at Becca biting his lip.
“It’s her, Becca. She comes!”

Becca looked surprised at his face. He looked almost frightened.
“Who River?”

He turned and pointed.
“Your other. Nola.”

Becca’s head snapped up and she stared into the coming carriage as recognition broke across her face.
“Oh my gosh! Nola? You’re sure?”
She used her hand to shield her eyes. She squinted trying to see and looked again at River. He was smirking at her. She knew what he was thinking.

I’m a damn Indian! I been trained see a hell of a lot farther than you can! Of course I’m sure!

Waving and clapping her hands with glee, Becca watched the carriage eventually made it to the porch and Nola waved yelling her hellos.
Becca ran to the carriage and they hugged before Nola could catch her breath and get out of the buggy. Mac stood before Nola to help her down. Mac looked up and grinned like an idiot at Nola.
She held out her arms to be helped down as she watched a tall Indian man run around the back of the house.

Mac smiled reaching for her and her driver spoke up.

“Hey! You got that damned filthy Indian livin’ here…he’s…”

Before you knew what was happening, you could hear the slap he got echo across the mountain range. Nola had swatted him a good one as Becca put her hand over her mouth in shock.
The man rubbed his jaw and grumbled at Nola.
“Now why did yah go and do that woman? I ain’t done nothin’ to yah!”
Nola opened her reticule and took out the coins handing them to him.

“Here is your money for bringing me here. Now you can turn around and take your little pea-sized brain back to Lamar…sir!”
She reached for Mac and wrapped her arm around his neck as he helped her five foot five frame off the buggy. Thank goodness Mac was big enough to handle her.
Nola touched ground and kissed his cheek as she smoothed out the wrinkles of her rather filthy traveling suit. Mac grinned pulling the trunks off the wagon and glared as the driver tipped his hat still scowling at Nola. “Suit yourself Lady.”

Nola straightened her spine and glared at the driver.

“Mr. Jones? I’m not just any lady. I’m the luckiest Lady on earth. I’m that Indian gentleman’s fiancé!”
She thumbed towards the place where River had taken off.

Becca saw River run and was shocked. He had apparently lost all good sense along with his nerve. He was obviously already having second thoughts.
Perhaps it is because of Sam Jones and his big mouth?

Jones grumbled, “crazy woman” shaking his head and the crack of a whip signaled the horses to take off. As he drove off Becca could hear him grumbling…
“Don’t even offer a white man a cup of God damned coffee!”
Nola glared at the wagon until it was far enough away that she couldn’t see it anymore.

Becca turned to Nola and smiled.

“Well, here I am. And already making friends. And I can see, Mr. Wonderful took off like his pants were on fire. That is if he were wearing any.”

Becca snorted. “He’ll be back. Don’t fret. It’s almost time for supper. I bet he went to wash up.” She hugged her twin again and motioned to Mac and Mazie.
“Children? Come here. This is Auntie Nola. Nola? This is Mackenzie or Mac and this is Mazie.”

Nola hugged them both and she got a wicked grin on her face. “I brought gifts.”
The children squealed with delight as she laughed.

“So this handsome young man is the family cupid, huh? The one who started it all with his advertisement.”
Mac blushed and bit his lip nodding.

“My Becca, he IS a handsome fellow. Tell me he is the spitting image of his father, please.” Becca giggled and smoothed Mac’s longish hair. Mazie stood in front of Nola and yanked on her dress. “Auntie? Mama made me a new dress. Would you like to see it?”
Nola chuckled smoothing the dark waves of the little girl.
“Of course dear. Shall we go inside and…”

Becca wrapped her arm around Nola’s waist.

“I’ll make some tea and slice some of the pound cake while you get a relaxing bath. Mac? Are you able to drag her trunks into the guestroom?”

Nola hugged her twin.

“Oh! It’s good to be here finally! I just love your pound cake! And Lord knows a bath sounds like heaven.”

Mac blinked at his mother. “The guest room Mama? But River has been sleepin’ in there.”

Becca rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know. But your Pa and I made a room for him in the barn loft before he left. A bed and everything, including a wash stand. Now he will be fine there while Nola is here.”

Becca led Nola into the large log ranch house with the Maize trailing behind. Mac didn’t know what to think of what River was going to say about sleeping in the barn.
 

River watched this new woman walk into the house laughing. Her smiles and laughter already brought joy to his aching heart.
She came for me. She came! And I didn’t even have to beg.

He would have to be careful now.

He couldn’t just steal her like she was from another tribe. He would have to follow white customs. But first he would get the gifts together for her. He had waited a long time for this.
He hoped she was just like her sister, Becca. The woman he wanted and could not have.

River washed in his new room in the loft and chuckled at the way Harrison had made it a room for him. A four poster double bed was set up on a huge knotted rug. A night table beside the bed and a dresser next to it. A water basin and pitcher sat on the top. Towels and washcloths were stored in the first drawer.

River opened the bottom drawer and pulled out his best jeans and white shirt. He filled the basin with water and used the mint soap he made. He scrubbed himself good. He washed his hair and rinsed it in several buckets of water. He dried it with one of the towels and then dried himself. He hung the towel on the loft rail to dry. He made up the bed to sleep in tonight and sat on the side dreaming about Becca and her hair of sunshine. He put on socks and struggled with getting on the jeans. Damn! He had gained some weight eating that good food from Becca’s table.

He slipped on the white shirt and smoothed it out tucking it in his jeans and buttoned them.
He pulled out the box with his cowboy boots in it. He only wore these for special occasions and this was most certainly one. River grunted hoping that his feet weren’t fatter. His deerskin vest was next to put on. And he looked at the image in the mirror on the wall and grinned. He was pleased with his appearance.

Taking up his bone comb he had made he combed out his hair and braided it down the back weaving strips of red cloth in his braids. He looked at himself again and nodded. That would have to do.
It was almost suppertime and he could smell the food cooking. He should get the gifts and make his courtship known now.

River opened the chest and pulled out his special occasion hat. A black wide brimmed Stetson had been a big expense and he took very good care of it. He set it on his head pulling it low to his brow. He grinned at his image. He was praying she would like him. He buttoned his sleeves noticing they were a little too short and groaned. He gritted his teeth and rolled his eyes at the thought of growing bigger still and rolled them up his forearms.

Opening the trunk lid he pulled out a beautiful blanket his mother had made for this occasion. He smoothed it in his hands thinking of his mother’s words to him.

“Do not forget your blanket my son. Your woman will always remember that you gave her a ‘wedding blanket’ no matter what else you pay for her. She will cherish it as I hope she cherishes you my fine son.”
River smiled and rubbed the blanket against his cheek. Then he remembered he must get the other gifts together.

CHAPTER TWELVE
Becca and Nola were getting the dinner in bowls and setting them on the table. Becca kept a look out for River. She still didn’t have a clue as to why he took off like a ruptured duck. Becca hoped he would show up. So far he hadn’t missed a meal.
Becca had just set down the corn pudding on the table when she saw Nola do a double take at the kitchen window. Nola gasped and put a hand to her chest.

“Oh my goodness! Look at him! What a handsome man! WOW!”

Becca rushed to the window and her jaw dropped open.

She was stunned as she gawked at a thoroughly handsome River all dressed up. He WAS gorgeous! She never noticed his shoulders were THAT broad or his arms that muscular!
He stepped up to the porch and knocked on the door stepping back off the porch by his gifts.

Becca grabbed hold of Nola and grinned.
“Oh Nola! Come on! Your intended is here! Your gifts are here and you get to meet your fiancé.”

Nola gasped again and wiped her hands off taking off her apron.
“My gosh Becca, that’s him? You weren’t kidding when you said he was handsome. He’s so big and tall!”

Nola was so glad she had taken a bath and washed her hair earlier. She took a breath and walked out the door onto the porch with Becca.

River took off his hat and nodded as they approached. Nola was beautiful, just like Becca.
River thought they both looked just like an Angels out of that book Mac had.
Nola had her hair down, tied back with a blue ribbon. It was the color of ripe wheat and the sun fed off of it gleaming around her head like a halo. Her skin was so beautiful and her breasts were high and rounded. He couldn’t wait to taste them.
He felt himself getting hard and almost cursed out loud.
I do not want to scare her.

“Becca. I bring gifts for the twin named Nola. Hau Nola. I am Still River. I was one who sent for you.”
Nola grinned at him.

She was finally getting to see the ‘real’ man Becca had written her about. And what a man he is. He was devastatingly handsome. He had broad shoulders and chest tapering down to a strong waist and hips with muscled thighs and long legs. His dark copper skin was unusual but beautiful and his hair was thick and the blackest she had ever seen. And that voice…that deep rumble in his chest set her heart fluttering. His blue eyes were beautiful and they sparkled with fun to come.