Fated Memories (33 page)

“
I’ll go,” Jessie spoke up.

“
No, Jessie,” Eathen declared. “It’s too far out there and back for you to be ridin’ alone. I’ll take care of it.”

Without stopping to think, she asked him, “If Wolfer shows up, could I go with him?”

“
Why the hell would you wanta go to the reservation?” Eathen turned in his chair to gaze up at her. “It’s dirty and out in the middle of no where.”

“
I just thought it’d be interestin’ to go again. I had fun the time you took me.”

With a thoughtful grin, he looked at her. “I think the reason you wanna go, is so you can see ‘bout Two Spirits.”

Dropping her blue eyes, she replied, “Why would you say that?”

“
Because I know you, Jessie. You’re just like your mother. Always tryin’ to take care of everybody.”

“
Is that so bad?”

“
No, I guess it ain’t,” he laughed, pride for her filling his heart. “All right, I’ll tell you what. If Wolfer shows up, I’ll see if he minds your ridin’ along.”

“
Thank you, Daddy,” she whispered, hugging him close. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

***

A week later, Eathen walked outside to greet the man he had been waiting for. “I see you got my message,” he held out his hand.

“
I always have, Eathen. How you been?” Wolfer grinned.

“
Not too bad. Get down and come on in the house. I’ll pour us a drink and we’ll catch up on what’s been goin’ on.”

Dismounting, Wolfer wrapped his horse’s reins around the hitching bar, then removed a pair of long-fringed leather-saddlebags.

“
What you got in there?” Eathen laughed, slapping the other man on his broad back.

“
Somethin’ I’ve never seen you turn down.”

Within moments, the two old friends had seated themselves in front of the fireplace in Eathen’s den to share in the contents of Wofer’s saddlebags. “Here’s to good friends and old memories.” Eathen clicked his glass against the one Wolfer held out to him.

“
I understand you’re missin’ one of your ranch hands.” Wolfer set his empty glass down on Eathen’s large oak desk.

“
It looks that way.” Eathen leaned back in his chair. “I don’t know if he’s quit or sick or what the hell’s goin’ on. I’m in hopes you can solve the mystery.”

“
Two Spirits is at his mother’s lodge. I guess he’s in pretty bad shape.”

“
What’s wrong with him?”

“
Pehta said he got into a fight and someone stabbed him in the back.” Wolfer shook his dark head in refusal as Eathen made to refill his empty glass.

“
I’ll tell you what, he didn’t miss havin’ the same damn thing happen a while back. Jake, one of my ranch hands, before I fired the son-of-a-bitch, tried to put him away right out there in the breakin’ pen.” He gestured with his drink towards the window. “If Jessie hadn’t yelled, warnin’ him, he’d be six foot under right now.”

“
When I go back out to the reservation, what message do you want me to give him?”

“
Just tell him when he’s up to it, to come on back. His job’ll be here watin’ on him. Also, you can take his money to him. I’m sure he can use it, bein’ laid up and all.”

“
He could also use some bandages and anything else you can spare him. Things of that nature ain’t easy to come by on the reservation.”

“
Has he had a doctor out to check on him?”

“
Yeah,” Wolfer snorted, “the one already out there. I wouldn’t let that worthless bastard doctor my horse.”

“
Tell you what I’ll do.” The large chair squeaked as Eathen leaned forward. “I’ll have ole Doc Medlow, in town, run out and see him.” At the doubting look crossing Wofer’s face, he added, “I’ll make it worth his while. But just in case he does try’n stiff me, I want you to let me know and the next time I see him, I’ll take his fee outta his ass.”

At the quiet tapping on the door, Eathen called out, “Yeah, come in.”

“
Daddy,” Jessie peeked around the door. “Am I disturbin’ you?”

“
Not at all.” He waved her forward.

As the young girl walked into the room, Wolfer left his chair.

“
I don’t know if you remember my daughter, Jessie,” Eathen said, coming around his desk. “She’s grown up a lot since you last saw her.”

“
Yes, she has,” he agreed, staring at the beautiful girl watching him. “She was still very young the last time we met.”

“
Have you asked him yet, Daddy?”

“
Don’t be rude, Jessie. At least tell Wolfer you’re pleased to make his acquaintance before you ask a favor from him.”

“
I’m sorry.”She held out her hand, her small face flushed with embarrassment. “I’m glad to meet you, Wolfer.”

Nodding, the big man reached out, taking her small hand in his. “What’s the favor?” Wolfer asked her, coming right to the point.

“
Daddy says you’re goin’ out to the reservation to check on Two Spirits. I wanted to know if I could ride along with you.”

She glimpsed a look of surprise on his face before he could hide it.

“
If you feel that’s what you wanta do,” he murmured, “I got no objections.”

“
I guess you got your answer, sweetheart.” Eathen shook hands with the somber man standing before him.

Wolfer started to say something then thought better of it. “When you’re ready,” he glanced for a brief moment at Jessie, “we’ll leave.”

Jessie walked outside. She could feel her spirits soar, knowing that at last she would be going to the man she loved with all her heart. He might refuse to see her, but at least she would be near him and that’s all that mattered. Looking up, she saw Sam leading her mount.

“
You be careful out there, Miss Jessie,” he told her, handing her the reins.

“
I will, Sam.” She stepped into the saddle. “Do you have any greetin’s you’d like me to give Two Spirits while I’m there?” She smiled at the closed-mouthed man staring at her.

“
None that I can think of right at the moment.” Sam returned her smug look.

“
Take good care of her, Wolfer,” Eathen called out, as he watched them ride off down the path leading from the ranch.

“
I’ll do my best,” he returned with a wave of his big hand.

For a long while, they rode without speaking.

Finally, Jessie broke the silence. “Thank you for bein’ so nice and lettin’ me tag along.” She flashed him one of her brightest smiles.

“
I’m surprised you wanted to,” Wolfer stared straight ahead, “after what happened the last time you went out there.”

Jerking her head to the side, her full pink mouth fell open in surprise.

“
There’s very little goes on out there I don’t know ‘bout.” His gray eyes slid over her, then away. “Yeah, you caused quite a stir. I’m surprised Eathen hasn’t heard ‘bout it by now.”

“
Oh God.” She gripped the saddle horn, bending forward.

“
If you’re plannin’ on bein’ sick, hurry up and dismount,” he told her, reining his horse. “I don’t want any of it sprayin’ on me.”

“
I’m not gonna be sick,” she murmured, hoping she told the truth.

“
Females in your condition usually are,” Wolfer growled. “I don’t care to take any chances.”

“
What condition are you talkin’ ‘bout?” Jessie lifted her head. “There’s nothin’ wrong with me.”

Without a word, he kneed his horse forward.

“
Wolfer, wait!” When she rode up beside him, she looked over at him in confusion. He sat on his horse in silence, looking straight ahead. Not wishing to offend him, Jessie also remained silent, watching him out of the corner of her eye. She found him to be a very handsome man, with his long dark hair pulled back from his face and tied with a strip of leather. But his eyes captivated her the most. Dark gray, almost the color of steel. He looked every inch the predator, the way his nostrils flared out each time he exhaled. His well-toned body sat straight in the saddle, attesting to the uneasy life he had chosen for himself.

They had ridden for some distance when he reined in his horse. He dismounted to stand looking up at her.

“
Are you gonna tell me what’s on your mind?” She glared into his face, no longer willing to indulge him in his callous treatment of her. “Or do I have to start guessin’?”

With a rough hand, he snatched her from her saddle to stand her on her feet. “If you’re wise, you’ll think long and hard before sayin’ anything right at this moment.” The ice in his cold gray eyes made her back away from him. “I’m tryin’, with everything that’s decent, not to turn you over my knee and wail the hell outta you!”

Seeing the stark fear widening her dark eyes, he nodded. “At least you have the good sense to know when you’re up against someone you can’t control.”

“
Why…are…you…treatin’…me…this…way?” she stammered. “I can’t believe my father let me leave with you!”

“
Eathen’s a very trustin’ man.” He positioned his wide-brimmed hat down lower over his forehead. “You, of all people, should know that.”

“
Why shouldn’t he trust me?” Jessie dragged nervous hands down the sides of her jeans. “I’m his daughter, for God’s sake.”

“
Yes,” Wolfer growled, “you are.”

“
And that angers you too?”

“
I have a lotta respect for Eathen Thornton. He helped me when no one else would. I don’t like seein’ him hurt.”

“
I don’t like to see him hurt either!”

“
But you have hurt him in the worst way a daughter can.”

“
What are you talkin’ ‘bout?” Jessie screamed at him, her patience at an end. “I would never hurt my father!”

“
Don’t even take that attitude with me, young lady!” he told her, his deep voice low and lethal. “Your father might let you get away with everything, but you’re not dealin’ with your father now.” Without looking away, he walked towards her.

“
You stay away from me!”She put up her hands, backing just out of his reach.

“
There’s nowhere for you to run, Jessie. For the first time in your life, you ain’t the one controllin’ the situation.”

“
You’re crazy! You, Pehta, all of you!” Jessie squealed, spinning away from him. “Crazy!”

“
You can’t hide, Jessie.” She heard his calm voice calling after her, pumping fear through her veins.

Jessie swiped a hand across her eyes, trying to rid herself of the blinding tears streaming down her face. “Oh, God, he’s gonna kill me!” she panted, then squealed as a covey of pheasants, startled from their coverage, flew up in front of her, their flapping wings almost touching her face as she spun around in the tall grass, flailing her arms in terror.

She screamed as she felt herself snatched off her feet and slung over a broad shoulder. “How dare you put your filthy hands on me, you son-of-a-bitch!” She tried to free her legs, but his arm held them pinned against his chest.

Ignoring her, Wolfer kept walking towards a tree stump. Before Jessie could catch her breath to begin a new tirade, he had flipped her around and in one fluid motion laid her across his lap.

“
You better let me go, if you know what’s good for you!” Jessie warned through clenched teeth.

Holding her legs caught under his knee, with one hand pressing into the small of her back, Wolfer raised his free hand, bringing it down again and again on the seat of her denim-clad bottom.

“
You animal!” she screamed, trying to squirm her way free.

At last he released her legs and, grabbing her by the back of her shirt, jerked her off his lap and onto her feet.

“
You’re gonna die.”She rubbed her bruised backside. “When my father hears about this, he’ll hunt you down and kill you.”

“
Thanks to you, someone may die.” He sat on the stump, watching her. “But it won’t be me.”

“
Would you please tell me what I’ve done to anger you?” Jessie tried to keep the anger out of her voice, fully realizing the peril she now found herself in.

“
You’ve brought danger to the people I care about, Jessie.” He stood, satisfied to see fear leap into her eyes at his movement. “Did you really believe no one would know about the meetings between you and Two Spirits?”

At the mention of Two Spirits, her blue eyes widened in alarm. “How did you find out about us?”

“
Jessie,” he couldn’t believe her utter naiveté, “when more than one person knows a secret, it’s no longer a secret.” His deep voice took on a more gentle tone.

“
Pehta told you, didn’t he?”

“
We’re very close, Pehta and me. When somethin’ involves the safety of the Blackfeet, it’ll never be kept silent.”

“
Why should our relationship involve anyone else?” Her voice took on a sulky tone. “What Two Spirits and I do is our business.”

“
That’s where you’re wrong, Jessie. You’re a white girl. Two Spirits is a Blackfeet Indian. Everything the two of you do reflects on others.”

“
But, Wolfer, it don’t have to be that way.” Believing what he said, about having feelings for the Blackfeet, Jessie took one of his large hands in hers. “We should have a right to be happy, too.”

“
It’ll never work.” He withdrew his hand. “Not in this day and time. And for certain, not in Montana.”