CHAPTER THIRTEEN
As their party of five—she, her father, Frederic, Maximillian and Sheila—were saddling their horses, preparing to hunt buffalo or some other game this day, they were soon joined by George and Red Fox. Upon risking a glance up at Red Fox, Briella almost burst into tears, and she looked away from him in reaction, raising her gloved hand to wipe away the moisture that had come quickly into her eyes.
Was this it, then?
Was this to be all they might ever have together? Friendship, partners in hunting? Nothing more?
It was hard to keep from bursting into tears, yet she knew she must regain her composure…and quickly.
Looking toward George only, she said, "I was hoping to see you here today."
Then, a little meekly and still without looking at Red Fox, she added, Welcome, Red Fox.”
He answered, “I am happy to be here this day.”
She glanced up at him swiftly, catching his wink at her as he smiled. Although she didn't return his greeting, she said, "We are all of us about to impart upon the sport of hunting buffalo. And, if not buffalo, we hope to find elk, antelope or perhaps even deer. Will the both of you join us?"
"It is why we are here, Sister. My partner here was certain you would be desirous of going on the hunt today. And, if this were to be so, how could we not be a part of it?"
"Indeed, how could you not?" she answered, looking away from them both.
"Well, then," said Briella's father. "Now that's settled, let's be on our way, shall we?"
No one, however, answered him. All seemed to be stunned momentarily.
For her part, Briella didn't say another word to Red Fox. How could she? Over these past few days, whenever she had thought of him—which was almost continually—she had cried. And, at present, her lips trembled at the mere thought of having to say more than a cordial greeting to him.
But, although she knew Red Fox was generally not inclined to speak up at occasions such as this, he did so now. And, he said, "You look very pretty today, Poka'aki."
She heard several gasps in the stable, but she gave no thought to the other people there. However, Red Fox's compliment was almost her undoing, and she found herself struggling to keep her composure. Even still, try though she might to avoid it, a tear fell down over her countenance, and though her lips quivered, she managed to say, "Thank you."
But, Red Fox seemed intent on speaking up this day, and even though he was usually inclined to remain silent when in such company, he said, "I believe you beaded the bands on your skirt and vest with your own hand, did you not?"
Briella looked down, trying to hide her tears. She, however, managed to say, "Áa,I did."
But, again, uncharacteristically, Red Fox continued to speak to her, and he said, "I like in particular your color choice in the beads you used; blue and white, Pikuni Blackfoot colors; red, the shade so favored by the Creator; orange, the exact hue of sunset; pink, a pale suggestion of red and last of all, white, for the clouds above us, so favored by the Above Ones whom we rarely see."
Once more she said, "Thank you," although she wasn't certain what Red Fox was about this morning or even why hewas here. Certainly, he hadn't come here to do little more than compliment her, even though she was happy he was doing so.
Red Fox said, "Your brother and I saw buffalo coming up from their morning watering hole. If we go there now, I think we might still find them there."
"Then, we should leave here at once and seek out the game," said Briella's father once more, speaking firmly and as though he were intent on separating her and Red Fox as quickly as possible. "Come, let us all saddle up and be on our way."
"I hope," added Red Fox, "you, each one, have a good buffalo horse, because there were many buffalo there today and our guns might cause them to run. Perhaps you would all like me to check your mounts and your saddles to ensure they will each one be a good horse to ride in case the buffalo stampede?"
"Are we to run the buffalo today, then?" asked Briella. "I had only thought to take a few of them—those whom we might find apart from the rest."
Red Fox shrugged. "Perhaps," he said.
Rather sternly, Briella's father spoke up and declared, "I think that we shall all be well mounted without having to obtain a horse especially trained for the hunt. After all, there will be two women with us today, and so a buffalo run is out of the question."
Red Fox nodded, then stated, "So I see, but only the Creator knows the minds and instincts of a buffalo herd when they hear the shots of the white man's guns. Still, as you say, perhaps they will stand meekly aside and allow themselves to be taken and killed. Shall we be on our way, then?"
Briella grinned. Goodness, what had gotten into Red Fox today? She had never heard him speak to her father in any other way but one of respect, as well as a little bit of subservience. Looking at George, she observed he was grinning, too.
It was only Briella who answered Red Fox's question. However, all she said was, "Áa,yes, as you say, so shall we do. Let us go."
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