CHAPTER TWELVE
Under Strikes Fast's instructions, Sharon gathered up many dried branches, brush and the different kinds of brown grass that grew up tall under the park-like protection of the cottonwoods and pines. And, while she was engaged in doing this, Strikes Fast was busy putting together a temporary shelter made from several dead, yet sturdy tree limbs; quickly, he was putting together the framework of a hut. When Sharon could carry no more grass and bushes, she approached Strikes Fast with her findings.
He smiled at her and took the time to show her how to situate the branches, brush and grass over the limbs, and by placing them in between the framework of the poles, he demonstrated how these would keep the cold winds from blowing into the lodge. What was unusual to her was how little time it took to complete this sanctuary that would protect against the snow and the wind. And, as Strikes Fast paced around their new hut, he showed her how to landscape around the lodge so their home faded into the environment.
And, as though there weren't a war party on their trail, he explained and showed her further that if she were ever caught alone in the wilderness and was unable to return to camp, she could put together a temporary lodging that would not only keep the rain and wind out, but would be comfortable and warm.
Because it took only a little while to build the hut, situated and hidden as it was in this wild valley of tall trees, it seemed to Sharon as though it had been built by magic instead of by the quick work of Strikes Fast. Soon, however, Strikes Fast told her of his intention to care for the ponies, and, gesturing toward the newly built structure, he told her she could enter the hide-away and set about making herself comfortable within it.
She did so at once, and as soon as Sharon stepped foot into the little lodge, she found she was enchanted by how comfortable it was inside. Strikes Fast had already lit a fire within a circle of stones which were large enough to keep the sparks of the fire away from burning the occupants or their robes.
There were several robes set next to the entrance flap, and, taking them up one at a time, she set them out over the ground and decided it looked good. Already, they added warmth to the floor of their hut and Sharon heaved a sigh of relief, feeling warm at last. Sitting down with her legs to the side, she reached for one of Strikes Fast's bags and, inside it, discovered a treasure of dried buffalo meat.
No sooner had she accomplished the task of ensuring the robes were placed strategically around the small hut, but Strikes Fast entered their little haven. She looked up at him and grinned.
He nodded briefly in return and crossed to the other side of the lodge where she had placed the long grass she had collected. At the time, she had not known what the use was for the grass, and so she had simply set it aside.
She watched as Strikes Fast put together two grass couches, one for him and one for her, and, with a simple gesture, invited her to sit upon the couch next to his; she did so at once, finding it wonderfully comfortable. Still the wind blew into their tiny lodge, bringing the freezing cold with it. But, Strikes Fast reached up and made an adjustment to the top of the shelter, and, rising up to his knees, plugged up the other spaces between the poles with another robe, one which had been used as a saddle upon his horse.
At once, it became even warmer inside their little hut and surprisingly cozy. After a moment, Sharon offered some of the dried meat to Strikes Fast, which he accepted, and, as they munched on their meal, Sharon moved the position of her couch so she could look at him more directly, and she said, "I love you, Mr. Strikes Fast." Then, with sign, she continued and said, "Thank you for putting this shelter together so quickly. It is very comfortable."
He smiled at her and in return signed, "You are my woman now. This I would do for you and more. I would die for you."
"I know," she signed in return. "I saw your bravery at the fight. And, once again I know of no way to repay you for all you have risked on my behalf."
He shrugged, but said nothing. Yet, when he turned his head to gaze at her, he asked with sign, "Why would you need to repay me? Are you not my woman now?"
She looked away from him and whispered, "Yes, I am if you still want me. But, you still do not know about David and me. I fear if I tell you about us, you may not wish to have me."
Moving his own couch a little, he positioned it until he was sitting directly in front of her so that their knees touched. Looking up at her, he signed, "I do not understand your words. What did you say?"
She smiled and signed, "Are we safe here?"
He nodded. "We are secure against the storm and against the Cree war party, should they still be on our trail. The snow will cover the prints we have left upon the earth. It will be difficult for them to find us, and I think they may choose to go home. But, whatever they decide, they, like us, will have to wait out the storm."
"It is good it came upon us when it did, isn't it?"
"It is," he signed, "very much good. We will be comfortable here since there is enough food to last out the storm."
Strangely, although she had confessed her love for him, she felt suddenly shy of him. What would they do in these next few days as they sat out the storm? Would he desire to make love to her?
She hoped he would, but she also had no concept of how to encourage him to do it.
After a moment, he asked in sign, as well as words, "Why were you leaving? This one"—he pointed to himself—"thought you would like to be a part of my family."
"I was very happy about it," she signed, then in English she said, "It is what happened afterward that caused me to realize I had to leave."
He frowned at her briefly before he signed, "When you speak, could you also use the language of sign so I might understand you?"
She nodded.
"Why did you leave?"
She gulped. The question was direct and to the point, and she could understand why he would expect an answer from her. Yet, how could she tell him about what the real reason was for her departure? To do so, she would have to disclose to him the reason why David could threaten her.
Stalling for a little time, she asked, "How did you happen to be in the right place at the right time?"
It was evident he wasn't at all as reluctant as she was to talk about love or marriage, and he said, "I wished to ensure you came to no harm on your trip to the white man's fort. There are war parties who roam the prairie at this time of year, as you now have come to learn." Looking directly at her, he continued, "I care about you. I love you. I have come to love you since the time when I saw you in the path of a mad buffalo. However, I came upon these feelings for you slowly since I was not certain if you were the wife of the White-man-who-paints. The day on the cliff, when you said you were not yet married, put hope in my heart. Since that day, I have wished you to be my woman. I told you this then so you would know my intentions. But, when you informed me of your wish to marry the White-man-who-paints and nothing I said would persuade you to consider me, still I thought to keep you close to me because I did not then, and still do not, trust the White-man-who-paints. Twice you were in danger, and twice he did not act to come to your aid. If I made you my sister, I could still protect you without needing to explain myself to others."
