"And, did he say what he would like you to do?"
"No, he didn't," replied Sharon. "But, he did say he freed me from any obligation I might feel I have toward him. He also told me he is the opposite of a hero. Do you know why?"
Amelia shook her head. "I do not."
Sharon was about to reply when they heard Strikes Fast's voice in the camp calling out to both of them, asking them to prepare: their husbands were returning, bringing with them the parents of Amelia and Laylah.
Amelia immediately sat up straight and, grabbing Sharon's hand, exclaimed enthusiastically, "They return—my husband and my sister's husband—and they are bringing my parents with them. Oh, Sharon, I am so happy. But, they come so quickly, and I must change my clothes and wash my face and braid my hair. Would you help me?"
"Of course," said Sharon. "Of course, I will. Here, sit in front of me, and I will comb your hair and braid it."
Amelia immediately turned around, and, as Sharon braided her friend's beautiful brown locks, she could hear Amelia's random squeals of delight as they bubbled up right out of her.
Sharon smiled. Oh, to love another so deeply.
****
The next several weeks passed in a flurry of activity. Eagle Heart and Gray Falcon had barely returned when Gray Falcon and Strikes Fast determined to make another journey to Fort McKenzie, this time to settle the score with the evil merchant.
Of the three men, Eagle Heart alone had stayed in their tiny encampment after Gray Falcon and Strikes Fast had left to journey to the fort, and it soon became obvious to Sharon that Eagle Heart was attempting to bring health back to his father-in-law. Indeed, after only a few days of Mr. Eagle Heart's care, Mr. McIntosh left his bed and was walking around the camp and looking as though he had never been sick.
Then came the happy news about the entire matter: Gray Falcon, with the help of Strikes Fast, had settled the difficulty, and best of all, Mr. McIntosh's property had been restored to him and his family. Also, the evil one was gone, perhaps forever.
At last, the two men brought the happy news that everyone in camp had been waiting for: it was now safe for them to return to Fort McKenzie and they planned to leave for the fort in two days. Moreover, Sharon had discovered a way to fulfill her obligation to Mr. Strikes Fast. With the help of the other three women—Amelia, Laylah and Sweet Woman—she had been able to bead several different pairs of earrings, an item so necessary to an Indian man's apparel. She had also made a masculine version of a shell choker, had painted and beaded a belt made of tanned buckskin and, because the late summer sun was still high and hot at this time of year, she had made him a tanned leather eyeshade to help keep the sun out of his eyes.
She had avoided, however, even the thought of making the man a pair of moccasins. She had committed herself to David in many different ways…and some of those ways were not possible to break.
It was on the day before they were to arrive at Fort McKenzie when Sharon approached Strikes Fast again. Although she still felt a little intimidated by the man's overwhelming presence, she yet felt it was her duty to speak to him. Indeed, she had to let him know what was going to happen once they reached the fort. Despite her nervousness at having to talk to him again, manners and duty demanded she inform him that once at the fort, she could no longer speak to him or be alone with him. Although the reasons for her withdrawal were obvious, she owed her hero at least an explanation as to why it had to be.
Yet, he still frightened her a little, and not simply because he was the epitome of an Indian warrior. She also feared her reaction to him, especially because he had awakened a sensual awareness within her she hadn't known was a part of her. And, it was all out of place.
She was engaged—practically married to David—and she mustn't feed the passion for Strikes Fast by simply being in his presence. But, she had to talk to him—not about passion, but rather about her love for David and why she owed him her loyalty.
She found Strikes Fast alone at a stream with one of his captured horses beside him. As the pony reached down to take a gulp of water, she saw Strikes Fast turn to her. Briefly he acknowledged her with a nod. He then returned his attention to his steed and continued rubbing his pony down, starting with its neck.
Why did the man have to look so virile, so manly? And, why did his looks produce a physical reaction within her? Heaven forbid, she was almost shaking.
His long hair was mostly loose today, falling practically to his waist, although on the right side of his face he wore the traditional American Indian braid. He was fully dressed, both his shirt and his leggings were an off-white color, although his breechcloth was a deep tan. Beadwork and quillwork in red, black, blue and orange circles adorned his shirt in both front and back, with the same circle pattern and colors echoed on his leggings and breechcloth. Fringe consisting of white ermine fur and strands of black hair fell from the sleeves of his shirt, from his leggings and from the bottom of his shirt. Fringe even covered part of his off-white moccasins on the back of the footwear. Those moccasins were also beaded in a similar manner and with the same colors as his clothing. Shell earrings fell from his ears while his usual white shell looping necklace dropped down his chest, covering a part of his shirt.
Looking at Strikes Fast, Sharon felt suddenly small in comparison, the impression causing her to become tongue-tied. Worse, for a moment she felt utterly feminine—so much so she instantly forgot the words and signs she had rehearsed in preparation to speak to him.
Shaking her head as though the action might cause her to remember the right signs and words, Sharon took a few steps in his direction and, affixing a smile on her face, said in English to get his attention, "Mr. Strikes Fast?"
He turned around without smiling or otherwise acknowledging her. Then he crossed his arms in front of him and gave her his full attention.
Yet, she wasn't certain she wished to have so much consideration from him, and, becoming a little too self-aware, she stammered in English, "We…we will be reaching the fort tomorrow, and before we arrive there, I have brought some gifts for you as a way to say thank you. Although the other women have helped me to make these things, much of the work I did myself. I have done this to say thank you for your actions and your kindness toward me."
He frowned, uncrossed his arms and signed, "Tell me again what you said. But, this time will you say it to me in sign? I did not understand your words."
Sharon bit her lip, feeling extremely self-conscious, shy and out of place. She had rehearsed this speech over and over in the gesture language, and, instead of using it, she had made a fool of herself by speaking to him only in English, a language she knew he didn't understand.
Would he think she was rude or perhaps not too smart? She closed her eyes for a moment to gain control over the feeling of introversion. Opening her eyes fully, she smiled once again and said, "I'm sorry." Then quickly she stopped talking, and, using only sign, she said, "I have some gifts for you."
His answer to her was a question, and he asked, "You made a gift for me?"
"Yes," she signed. "Several." She glanced down, forgetting for a moment the large parfleche bag she held over her shoulder. Again she felt timidity overcome her.
He didn't turn away from her, however. Peeping up at him, she noticed he did nothing but gaze at her. In due time, however, he asked, "Would you like to help me rub down my mount?"
