Scarcely breathing, Kaylene began slowly pouring the water into Little Sparrow’s ear.
After only a few moments, the spider appeared in the water that flowed back from the ear. It was not a poisonous species. It seemed shaken itself from the experience.
Fire Thunder plucked the spider out of the water, took it outside, and placed it on the ground. Then he watched it crawl away in a sodden, clumsy motion.
He went back inside and stood at the door that led into the bedroom, touched by the gentle scene that lay before him. Kaylene had Little Sparrow on her lap, cuddling her close. She slowly rocked his sister as Little Sparrow clung to her, her cheek against Kaylene’s bosom. It looked as though Little Sparrow had found a second mother in Kaylene. That gave Fire Thunder a choked-up feeling to know that he had chosen well in women.
Soon he would make her his wife.
He went and crouched before Kaylene. He placed a gentle hand on her arm. “Tu medicina muy buen,” he said thickly.
She looked quizzically at him. “What did you just say?” she asked, lifting an eyebrow.
“Your medicine very good,” Fire Thunder said, in his eyes a silent, intense admiration.
Little Sparrow eased from Kaylene’s arms and slipped from her lap. She thanked Kaylene in sign language, gave her another fierce hug, then ran from the cabin to play once again.
Fire Thunder drew Kaylene into his arms. He held her close and kissed her, then took her by the hand and led her to the door. He grabbed his rifle, that she had stood beside the door, then stepped outside.
Again they found someone there—but not just one person. Many.
Word had spread that quickly about what Kaylene had done for Little Sparrow. Little Sparrow had apparently run around the village, telling everyone that Kaylene had made her well.
People stood just outside the door, their eyes on Kaylene, smiling. Several came forth and embraced her and thanked her.
Kaylene was stunned to see how quickly they had accepted her. They saw her in a different light—as someone who cared, and someone who could be wholeheartedly accepted by them.
When they turned and left, Fire Thunder gave Kaylene a soft smile. “Now marrying you will be much easier,” he said, chuckling. “My people will even dance at our wedding!”
So happy, so relieved that things had changed, and that she could walk around the village without the glares and looks of condemnation, Kaylene flung herself into Fire Thunder’s arms.
“I’m so happy,” she said. “I do wish to be a part of your people’s lives. I wish to be your wife.”
She closed her eyes and squeezed out thoughts of her father, and the wonder of whether her mother was, in truth, her mother.
This was now, and nothing would be allowed to spoil the moment. She had found her rightful place on this earth and it would never be taken from her!
Over Kaylene’s shoulder, Fire Thunder saw Black Hair and several warriors leave on a campanas, hunting expedition, to get plenty of meat for the coming New Year celebration.
Fire Thunder’s gaze shifted and he frowned when he found Running Fawn standing in the doorway of her lodge, also watching her father. He could not help but suspect that she was watching for all the wrong reasons. Surely after her father was gone, she would do as she pleased.
If Fire Thunder had not had plans of his own, he would follow Running Fawn and see what she did when she went absent from the village. If there were young men involved, she was breaking all the rules and she could be banished!
And even if she was his best friend’s daughter, that would not stop Fire Thunder from sending her away. She had been nothing but trouble since the day of her mother’s death.
For certain he would make sure that she kept her distance from Kaylene, unless Kaylene told him that she truly missed Running Fawn’s companionship.
If he allowed them to be together, he would warn Kaylene not to be drawn into any of Running Fawn’s mischief.
A young brave brought Fire Thunder his white mustang and handed Kaylene the reins of a gentle mare.
Fire Thunder thanked the child, then helped Kaylene onto the mare.
He swung himself into the saddle and rode slowly through the village with Kaylene at his side, as the children, including Little Sparrow, came and ran after them—laughing, giggling, and reaching up to touch him and Kaylene.
Kaylene smiled down at them. She felt blessed to be among such gentle, caring people, no matter how she had been brought there. The word “captive” was no longer a part of her vocabulary.
Her father and Chief Fire Thunder finally out of sight, Running Fawn left her lodge. She lifted the hem of her brightly flowered cotton skirt and ran around behind her cabin. She rushed into the shadows of many trees, where her three best friends waited for her on burros. A burro stood aside from the others, waiting for Running Fawn.