CHAPTER EIGHT
As Sharon placed the last of her own belongings onto the two-pole travois attached to her mare, she straightened up, stretched, then wiped her hand quickly over her forehead, swabbing the perspiration from her hand onto the dust-colored cotton dress she wore, marveling how slim it looked from the waist down. This was because she wore no petticoats, no corset, no stays. Indeed, she had decided they were cumbersome.
No one here wore them; why should she?
All she had on now beneath her dress were two items: her knee-length chemise and her ankle-length drawers. In truth, she would be leaving her summer dresses in storage at the fort since there was no need to drag them into the winter camp.
Of course, she had packed her hooded, green velvet cloak, it being a necessity during the winter here in Indian Country. Two different pairs of boots, as well as those on her feet and several pairs of woolen stockings were all she would take with her; her slippers, stays, garters, petticoats and hats would remain here. Indeed, since arriving in Indian Country, Sharon had even taken to letting her hair fall freely down her back, parting her long tresses in front and fastening them away from her face with a simple and beautifully beaded clip in back.
The lovely Indian hair ornament had been a gift from Little Dove, and Sharon had taken to wearing it in place of a hat. Her friend Amelia also clipped her long hair back from her face, although lately she had taken to wearing the traditional two braids at each side of her face. Even Amelia's sister, Laylah, wore the traditional braids, as well as dresses made of elkskin. But, Laylah had been here for five years, much longer than Sharon or Amelia.
Sharon had also made a silver necklace from the two earrings Strikes Fast had given her. Because she only possessed the one chain, she had fastened the two earrings onto the same band where hung her birthstone. And, to avoid losing the earrings, she wore the necklace always, even when she bathed.
Only a few days ago, Strikes Fast had noticed the jewelry and had given her a brief nod. But, he hadn't smiled, nor had he voiced a single word about it.
Looking around, Sharon glanced casually at the fashions of the Pikuni women, their dresses often beautifully beaded or sewn with porcupine quills. Given time, she might eventually wear the Blackfoot style of dress. But, for now, her eye had not adjusted to the look of the loose-fitting elk-skin dress.
Looking quickly around her, Sharon realized she had a great deal more work to do in order to leave along with the others; she had best get to it.
To her left stood one of Strikes Fast's mares, another Paint; she was already loaded with Strikes Fast's possessions. Looking closely at the animal, it appeared the filly was waiting patiently for whatever was to come next. Upon further inspection, Sharon decided the pony must have been trained for the exact task of moving camp. Indeed, she seemed to be a gentle soul as she stood with her head down, munching on the long brown grass growing prominently upon the prairie.
Looking at her own mare, who was taking advantage of the same treat, Sharon said to both ponies, "It's up to you both now to join the line of the others who are probably only a little bit ahead of us. It's taken me longer than I would have thought to get all of Strikes Fast's belongings onto the travois. Then there was all the time I lost in having to put most of my own things into storage at the fort. Thank goodness both Amelia and her sister, as well as Little Dove, helped me. But, when they left to attend to their own homes, I was left alone to load you with the possessions I'll be taking with me into the winter camp. And so, I fear the time has come for us all to join the great march to our winter home. I hope you are both ready for a very long walk."
Black Slippers lifted her head and glanced quickly at her as if to say, "You are in charge, not I."
"How true," answered Sharon as though the mare had spoken her thoughts. "Come on. Let's find Amelia and Laylah. They told me they would wait for us at the end of the Pikuni's thrilling and happy parade."
She had just picked up Black Slipper's buckskin reins, as well as those of Strikes Fast's mare, when she heard a man's voice shouting out the words, "Hold up there, Sharon!"
It was David calling her, and she was not pleased to discover he was seeking her out. In truth, she cringed inside.
She had hoped David and his new wife might join a different camp. Thus, they would spend their winter apart from her. But apparently, it was not to be.
And, though she wished she could simply ignore the man, she knew it was impossible. Already she beheld her ex-fiancé approaching her in a quick gait.
"Don't leave so fast!" he called. "My wife, Pretty Woman, needs your help!"
Sharon didn't reply; instead, she turned her back on him. She had to. She wasn't certain she could be civil to the man. Hadn't he hurt her enough?
"Don't you dare turn away on me!" came David's order, his voice stern, uncompromising. "Where were you this morning? We have been looking for you, and since you are my second wife, you are needed to help my first wife, Pretty Woman." He came to stand to Sharon's rear as he added, "It is your duty to help her."
Sharon didn't turn toward him. She dared not. Indeed, she didn't say a word as she slowly led her mares in the direction of the others.
"Did you hear me?"
Sharon bit her tongue so as to remain civil. She was not beholden to David in any way, and she continued to lead the ponies forward. Where were her friends Amelia and Laylah? Were they too far ahead of her so they were not aware of the dilemma she was facing with David?
"You dare to ignore me?"
Suddenly, David grabbed her by the shoulders and, none too gently, turned her around. Although she gazed up at him with what she hoped was disdain, she still didn't speak. Rightly, she didn't trust herself to do so.
Looking away from him, she tried to brush his hands away. But, he was stronger than she, and when at last she realized she wouldn't be able to simply walk away from him, she uttered quietly, "I am not your wife. Not your first wife and not your second. God forbids this, and you know it. Now, please take your hands off me."
"Youaremy wife. Do I really need to remind you of the night we spent together?"
Again, quietly, she said, "I would forget it if I could. However, it was also the night of my abduction, and, after that, I realized I had other problems. Besides, what happened between us does not make us man and wife."
"This is not true. Not here in the Blackfoot camp. Here all it takes for a man to claim a woman is to have martial relations with her."
