Wild Abandon

He even felt as though he was entering enemy territory by going to Mattoon.

One thing for sure. He most certainly did not look forward to meeting Abner Peterson whose heart could still be filled with venom for those he had fought against.

Dancing Cloud was guilty of the same sorts of resentments. It was the Yankees who had ravaged his village during the war. Now it would be especially hard for him to come face to face with any staunch Union supporter!

But for the moment, for Lauralee and Boyd, he would place those feelings aside.

And he would leave Mattoon as soon as he saw that Lauralee was safely with the Petersons.

There was no need in tempting resentments to flair up into something ugly between himself and Abner Peterson; or anyone else whose heart lay with the Union during the war, for that matter.

They rode awhile longer on Old State Road, then through a break in the trees at Lauralee’s left she got a glimpse of houses in the distance. If she stayed on this road she would bypass the city. She might even reach the town of Charleston.

After explaining to Dancing Cloud about the mistaken road on which they were traveling, they moved onto a narrow trail and went onward until they came to the edge of Mattoon. They turned onto a street named Broadway and soon found themselves directly in front of the Peterson House, seemingly the last house on the main street of Mattoon, on the east side.

Lauralee rode into the circular driveway and stopped when she reached the front of the house. She stared in awe at the grand, Italianate two-storied house. It was made of brick. Three tall windows looked down from the second floor at her, and a door flanked by two windows were on the first floor where a wide porch reached out across most of the front.

The house was landscaped beautifully with tall-timbered trees, a combination of oaks, elms, and maples. Flowers brightened circular gardens in the front lawn with their riots of color. Behind the house stretched a massive piece of land.

Her father had said that Abner Peterson had told him that one day he wished to see a park established on that land, with ponds, water fountains, and swings for children.

Abner had said that he wished to make sure picnic tables were placed throughout the park for family gatherings on Sunday.

She could envision such a place as that in her mind’s eye and hoped that one day his dream could become a reality.

But for now, she was anxious to meet Abner and Nancy, so much that she could hardly wait to leave her buggy.

Dancing Cloud dismounted, secured his horse’s reins on a hitching rail, then went and assisted Lauralee from her buggy.

“My heart is fluttering so,” Lauralee said, beaming up at Dancing Cloud. In preparation for her arrival today she had dressed in a lovely pale blue travel suit, the skirt flared at the hem, the waist tight.

She wore a straw bonnet with a blue satin bow tied beneath her chin, fine leather gloves on her hands, and glistening black slippers on her feet.

“Do I look presentable enough?” she asked, turning to gaze anxiously up at Dancing Cloud. “Do you think they will like me?”

“Perhaps too much,” Dancing Cloud said before he could stop the words from passing across his lips.

Lauralee’s smile faded. “Please understand why I must stay for a while with the Petersons,” she softly pleaded. “Just remember that I love you. It will not be long until we will be together forever.”

“That will seem forever,” Dancing Cloud said. He stiffened when the front door of the Peterson House opened.

He then gazed down at Lauralee again. “I will leave now,” he said, his voice drawn. “But I will return for you after I return home

to see to my father’s welfare.”

“Aren’t you staying to meet the Petersons?” Lauralee asked as he turned to walk away from her. She lifted the hem of her skirt and followed him to his horse. “Aren’t you going to even kiss me goodbye?”

He turned to face her, then looked quickly up at the woman standing on the porch. He then gazed down at Lauralee again. “I do not think Mrs. Peterson would understand a red man kissing her niece,” he said tightly.

Lauralee turned on a heel and her eyes brightened when she discovered a woman standing on the porch, who from her father’s description, fit Nancy Peterson. She gave Nancy a soft smile, then turned to Dancing Cloud again. “Please stay,” she pleaded. “Please let me introduce you to Aunt Nancy and Uncle Abner.”

“Abner would not appreciate offering me, a rebel, a hand of friendship,” Dancing Cloud said, swinging himself into his saddle. “As for Mrs. Peterson? She has the appearance of a sweet and caring woman. But I am sure she would share the feelings of her husband for someone who wore the uniform of a Confederate during the war. To them I may still be the ha-ma-ma, enemy.”

He gazed longingly down at Lauralee. “O-ge-ye, my woman, may the A-da-nv-do, Wah-kon-tah, Great Spirit, follow you in my absence and keep you safe from all harm,” he said thickly. “A-qua-da-nv-do, my heart stays with you, so that you will not forget this Cherokee who loves you.”

Tears streamed from Lauralee’s eyes. “I fear we may never see each other again,” she said, stifling a sob behind a hand. “Promise you will return for me. Promise.”

“Sometimes promises are foolish,” Dancing Cloud said, his voice grim. “Had you not promised your father you would come to the Petersons, would you have not then felt free to come with Dancing Cloud, instead?”