The Renegade's Woman by Nikita Black Page A

eat, and I do worry so about him. " She gave Sally a much-too-knowing look. "He hasn't been himself for the past couple of days. "
     
    "I, um... " She wanted to refuse. Needed to refuse. There was no way she could do
     
    this. But the appeal in his aunt's concerned gaze was impossible to disappoint.
     
    "He's that one, there, with the red striped war paint on his cheeks and the black spotted pony. "
     
    Like she didn't know exactly which warrior the woman meant. "I--" She sighed, knowing she couldn't say no. "All right, I guess I can do that. "
     
    "Thank you, my daughter. Sometimes men are too stubborn for their own good. "
     
    With that, the woman slipped out of line and walked over to join the circle of elders who, together with the leaders of the wagon train, were seated at the center of the goings-on.
     
    "She must be a captive, " Alyssa said in hushed tones of pity. "Poor thing. "
     
    Sally turned to stare at her sister. "She seemed happy enough to me. Didn't look the least bit like she wanted to escape. "
     
    "I've heard some white women choose to stay with the heathens, " Mrs. Tompkins confided in a whisper. "They say Indian men know things... " She glanced at Sally and Alyssa's astonished faces and cleared her throat. "Well, never you mind. "
     
    The rattled woman sliced off a piece of pie and handed the plate to Sally. "You be careful, hear? Isn't that the very devil who followed you the other day?"
     
    "I don't remember, " Sally stated flatly, then sucked in a fortifying breath and marched across the meadow to the cadre of warriors.
     
    "Your aunt wanted you to have this. " She thrust the pie toward Standing Bear and turned smartly, ready to flee.
     
    "What is it, Pale As Moonlight?" he asked, boring holes in her neck with angry eyes.
     
    Deliberately misinterpreting his question, she answered, "Pie, " and started walking away.
     
    "Wait. "
     
    At his sharp command, the other braves turned to stare. She recognized two of the men as his companions from that first day. Their eyes assessed her somberly.
     
    "Did you make this pie for me?" he quietly asked.
     
    Her heart trembled, wanting to cry out, Yes. I made it for the man I love. Instead, she said primly, "You flatter yourself, sir, " and bolted back to the table.
     
    The rest of the afternoon passed in a haze. Soon it was time to squeeze a blanket in amongst the others surrounding the central bonfire and watch the impromptu speeches and dancing which had been suggested by both sides of the happily stuffed gathering.
     
    The mood was festive, with laughter and much improvised sign language between new friends. The wagonmaster, Mr. Dexter, and the Arapaho chief gave long-winded orations on the benefits of a peaceful co-existence of their peoples, and a group of beautiful young girls did a haunting circle dance around the fire, accompanied by thundering drums and high-pitched singing.
     
    Sally noticed Standing Bear's aunt sitting behind the Indian chief, and wondered if he was her husband. She got her answer when, after the dance, the chief got up and addressed Mr. Dexter. It took him a while to get around to the point, but by the time he did, the large crowd was breathless with curiosity and anticipation of what he would say next.
     
    "In the old days, it was the custom for Indian warriors to take enemy women captive. " He looked around, and, next to her, Alyssa and Mrs. Tompkins shrank back nervously.
     
    He went on. "It was in this way I met my wife, White Lily. " He turned and smiled at her. His wife's returning smile left no doubt that the two were deeply in love. "In all ways, we are united. Our four children are the joy of our lives. " He paused again, looking affectionately at a group of youngsters who were off to one side on a blanket eating sweets that had been distributed earlier.
     
    "But there is one thing that troubles the heart of my White Lily. We were never married by one of your Christian preachermen. " His gaze swept the