Blind Fury (20 page)

“Are you still mad?”

He sighed and shook his head. “No, Wakara, I'm not mad. I was then. You scared the spit out of me!” He slapped the steering wheel. “I can't even tell you the thoughts that
were going through my head. Then I remembered what I learned at camp, you know, the bumper sticker on my truck?”

She nodded. “Let go and get a grip on God.”

“That's right. It works, Wakara. The hardest thing I've ever had to do was let you go that night, but I knew God could take care of you better than I could. It was the only thing that gave me any peace.”

He turned the corner onto Main Street, and Kara saw the sign for Mercy Hospital up ahead.

“I prayed for you all night.”

She sniffed. “Thanks, I needed it.” She thought about the cougar and shuddered.

“I know,” he said. “I saw the tracks.” His face hardened. “I thought you were dead.” He pulled into the parking lot and cut the engine, but kept both hands on the wheel. “When I came around the corner and saw you on Dakota, I almost fell off my horse.”

He opened the door, stepped out of the truck, and turned to face her. “I couldn't stand to lose you, Wakara.”

She felt glued to her seat. What could she say?
I thought you were dead too, or lost in the storm. I couldn't stand that, Colin. I couldn't stand to lose you either
.

He came around the truck, opened the passenger door, and helped her down. He didn't take her hand, but walked beside her across the parking lot and through the wide automatic doors.

Tia met them in the lobby. “Pops had some errands,” she said, “so I came along for the ride.” She handed Kara a bouquet of daisies. “I bought these in the gift shop. You can give them to Greg if you want. He's in room 402.”

“Thanks, Tia.” Wakara pulled her into a hug. “I hadn't even thought about flowers, but you give them to him.

He'll like that.” She stepped back and studied her friend's beaming face. “I'm sorry I didn't call you back.”

Tia linked arms with her and led her to the elevator. “No prob. I just want to know why you get to have all the adventures, and all I get is a term paper?”

Kara stopped in her tracks. “Your paper! Did you finish it?”

Tia grinned. “Oh, yeah.” She held up her book bag. “And wait until you read it. This is 4.0 material for sure.”

The elevator doors opened and they rushed inside. Kara heard Colin chuckle as he stepped in behind them. “Floor, ladies?”

“Fourth floor, sir.” Tia flashed him a huge smile and hung on to Kara's arm.

W
AKARA
WAS
NOT
SURPRISED
when Tia's history teacher not only gave her an A on her paper, but also encouraged her to enter it in a contest at the University of Oregon.

“First prize is a $2,500 scholarship,” Tia crowed. “Do you think I've even got a chance?”

“A chance?” Kara squealed. “I'd say you've got it locked!” She shifted the telephone to the other ear and picked up an extra copy of the manuscript Tia had printed out just for her. “This is good, Tia. You covered all the bases, and the writing is terrific. I bet you're going to get an A in English Comp, too.”

When her friend's mom had to make a call, Kara hung up the phone and scanned the pages for the tenth time. It was all there, the history of the Yahi-Yana people, including all Tia had been able to dig up on Ishi and the Lost Ones.

Wakara. Little Moon.

The name was right there on page eight, but it didn't prove a thing about her heritage. In fact, the dates and places where those tribes lived and died only showed that either she wasn't related to the Yahi-Yana people at all, or
for some reason Great-grandfather Sheridan had lied about where he found the Indian woman and the baby who would later become his wife.

“Dinner,” Dad called from downstairs. She sighed and put the manuscript in her desk drawer.

She was relieved to see Greg sitting next to Colin at the table. He'd come home a few days ago, but the head injury had impaired his hearing and speech and left him as wobbly as a newborn foal.

“We had a good report today,” Dad said after he had asked the blessing. “The neurologist says Greg should totally recover.” He put one hand over Greg's and squeezed. “It will just take time.”

Greg smiled and carefully nodded his head. She had expected him to be frustrated because he couldn't do more, but so far his attitude had been great.

“There is other news.” Anne pushed back from the table, limped over to the counter, and returned with a small, hand-addressed envelope.

“Anne, sit still. I could have gotten that for you.” Wakara was amazed at how well the Indian woman was getting around without her cast.

Anne handed the letter to Dad and plopped into her chair. “Ugh. With this leg, I have gained twenty pounds. Exercise is good, I think.”

Dad nodded. “Just don't overdo. We can't get along without you, Anne. You know that.”

He ripped open the envelope and quickly scanned the one-page note. “Well, I'll be switched.” He looked up into their expectant faces. “It's from my father, your Grandpa Sheridan.”

“From Ireland? Way cool—let me see!” Ryan jumped up and ran around the table, trying to snatch the sheet of paper out of his father's hand.

Kara tugged on his shirt. “Sit down, Ry; let Dad read it.”

Dad shook his head. “It's not very long. He just says he's coming to the States and will see us soon.” His brow creased in a frown. “No other explanation. I hope he's not ill; if I remember right, he turned seventy-five in June.”

“Yippee!” Ryan danced around the kitchen singing, “Grandpa is coming, Grandpa is coming! We're gonna get some neat presents from Ireland!”

“Ryan!” Wakara scolded, but she had to laugh along with everyone else. Grandpa Sheridan had moved to Ireland shortly after she was born, and he had only visited them twice—once when Ryan came along, and again right after Mom had died. That was only a year ago. Like Dad, Kara had to wonder why he was visiting again so soon.

But Ryan was right. Having Grandpa around would be cool. And maybe he could answer some questions about his mother, Wakara's namesake. She felt a surge of excitement as she finished her meal and asked to be excused.

She couldn't wait to call Tia.

Linda Shands
is a prolific writer of magazine articles and the author of four adult novels and one nonfiction book. She loves the Oregon wilderness and lives in the small town of Cottage Grove with her husband, a cat, two horses, and twin golden retrievers.

Also by Linda I. Shands

Wild Fire

Other titles in the

After her mom's death, Wakara Sheridan tries to enjoy summer with her horse, her best friend, and the cute new ranch hand. But just when her family is pulling together, disaster strikes, and Wakara must survive the
Wild Fire
.

0-8007-5746-7

Coming Fall 2001. . .

Wakara, Tia, Ryan, and Colin fall overboard during a rafting trip. Ryan is swept downstream and Wakara insists on going after him, in spite of all the dangers. When a black bear attacks, will Wakara lose another person she loves?

0-8007-5772-6