CHAPTER SEVEN
"If it is in your mind to climb the bluffs, I know a good place to go. It is on a high ledge overlookingÁashisee."He said the word aloud, then continued in sign. "It is private. After we return the ponies to the rest of the herd, you can stay there for tonight, if you wish. I will guard you. Tomorrow will be soon enough to go back to camp and make your plans."
"Yes," she said in English. Then she signed, "I have many arrangements to make. But, what does the word 'Áashisee'mean?"
Strikes Fast pointed toward the Missouri River."Áashisee."He switched to sign language. "Come, follow me."
He was already striding away from her without even looking back to see if she were following. Watching him pace away, however, caused her to take a few steps, and, running a little, she caught up with him, following along behind him as was Blackfoot tradition. Oddly, although she wished to be alone, she didn't object to Strikes Fast's company. It kept her from thinking, from feeling.
Of course, she would soon have to decide what she was to do. She couldn't, of course, become a second wife. She was Christian, and God forbade the taking of more than one wife or husband. Indeed, she would be one man's woman and his only wife, and he would be her only husband. Goodness, what woman in her right mind would want two husbands?
The thought caused her to smile a little. Men and women were so different. For a man, perhaps more than one wife might be good in his estimation. Not so for a woman.
Her speculations caused her to recall Pastor James' words of wisdom from so long ago; she even remembered the light in his eye when he'd said,"Men are different creatures from women. Men tend to use war or violence as a means of ending arguments, and they can, therefore, be sometimes problematic and rude. But I think you might find them worthwhile, nonetheless. Yet, however different they might be, these two, a man and a woman, complement and attract each other. God has made it so. Therefore, it is Godly and good, the love between a man and a woman. When love comes to you—and I daresay it will—rejoice in it and let it enter your heart."
These were truly beautiful words, and she had let David into her heart. But, now what was she to do? Indeed, her world felt topsy-turvy, as though she were standing on nothing but air, the rug having been pulled out from under her.
How long would she have to wait until there was another steamship returning to Fort Union? It was her only option—returning to St. Louis. Truly, it seemed to be the best and sensible thing to do, since there was nothing here for her now. Not only didn't she belong here, but the idea of remaining in a place where David and his new wife would set up their home… It would be impossible.
But, what was there in St. Louis for her now? Her best friend, Amelia, was here in Indian Country, and she would be staying in Indian Country since she was now married to her Blackfoot sweetheart.
There was also the matter of finance. Although Amelia had paid for her own and David's passages here and back, once Sharon was back in St. Louis, she would need to quickly find work and a place to live.
Also, there was the problem of making the journey alone: simply, she didn't wish to do it.
Could she stay here?
Not and remain happy. Seeing her fiancé in the arms of another woman was unthinkable.
Glancing ahead, she noticed Strikes Fast was too distant from her. Should she try to catch up to him, or should she fall behind and make her own way into the sand bluffs?
As though she had spoken her thoughts directly to him, he looked over his shoulder, and, seeing she lagged behind, he turned and crossed his arms over his chest, preparing to wait for her. Despite the turmoil of her emotions, she smiled slightly at the sight of him.
In spite of the Indian penchant of separating the men from the women and disallowing them to even become friends, she had somehow managed to befriend this man. At least she had this.
And, although she knew Strikes Fast had stated he would like for them to be more than mere friends, she knew he wouldn't cross the boundaries she had set as long as she wished those boundaries to remain. For now, she and he could enjoy the comfort of being almost brother and sister— a relationship, apparently, which allowed for conversation between a man and a woman.
Despite the horrors of her discovery this night, the thought of being part of a family, even an adopted one, caused a ray of light to blossom within her. Perhaps the bad were to be tempered with the good; at least it was this once.
****
"Would you like to spend the night in my lodge instead of being out in the open on the cliffs?"
Having released her pony back into the Blackfoot herd of thousands and thousands of ponies, Sharon hesitated a moment before answering Strikes Fast's question with one of her own, and she queried with sign, "Would you be sleeping in the tepee, as well?"
Strikes Fast shook his head, saying, "Saa, no," at the same time.
The night was now awash in the darkened colors of black and navy blue, for a cloud cover had moved in overhead, temporarily obscuring the moon and many stars. How strange it was that the darkened atmosphere accentuated this man's masculine beauty.
Sharon sighed. It was a grand offer, yet she knew she couldn't accept it. She was already becoming greatly attached to this man, and being in his lodge, amongst his belongings, and being surrounded by the scent of his presence might overly tax their friendship.
Besides, she didn't wish to become involved in another relationship with a man after being abandoned by her fiancé. It wasn't fair to her…or to Strikes Fast.
She signed, "I cannot. It wouldn't be right."
"It would be right," he signed, "because I will stay away from my lodge and let you have possession of it."
"Yes," she gestured, "I know you would, and it is a kind offer. But, I wish to be out amongst the stars and the moon. I long to wash away the images of tonight, and this cannot be done if I am closed up within a tepee. I…I feel urged to climb up into the sand cliffs and stay there tonight."
