“Thank you for the meat…” she smiled, “…and for your help.”
He nodded and, spinning around, disappeared into the night.
Chapter
Nine
I had heard and I had thought that they were the savages. What a shock it was to discover that it was I, after all, who was the uncouth one, the unlearned…
—ANONYMOUS
Fort Leavenworth, Several Days Later
Crickets serenaded the countryside, locusts adding a constant accompaniment to the chant, while an occasional nighthawk contributed a squawk to its audience below. In the distance, a wolf howled and a band of coyotes added their high-pitched yips to the music of the West. Scents of campfires, as well as the aroma of supper and coffee, filtered through the air in an atmosphere that was already fragrant with the smells of grass and pure oxygen. The temperature was still warm, even though night had fallen several hours ago.
The grassy earth felt solid and firm beneath Swift Hawk’s moccasined feet, the hard feel of that dirt a sharp contrast to the softness of the woman who sat across the campfire from him. Her voice, high and sweet, spoke to him while he took note of the rhythm of her speech, the sway of her body, the scent of her skin.
In truth it was difficult for him to focus his attention on the matter at hand, when one so lovely delivered that message. However, Swift Hawk did all he could to contribute to these lessons, giving her as much heedfulness as he could.
“Well, Mr. Hawk, I think we’ve covered enough American history, and tonight we’ll progress onto something else. Butbefore we leave history completely, let me ask you again, who was the greatest American leader during our country’s early years?”
“I believe that would be Little Calf of the Blood Tribe in the North.” He smiled slyly.
“No, no, I mean anAmericanleader.”
“Is not Little Calf American? Was he not born here? Does he not call this land his home?”
Angelia sighed. “Well, yes, but?—”
“Or do you mean a leader of the whites?”
“Ah…” She stared at him, as though she weren’t entirely certain how she should answer that. After a slight hesitation, she voiced a single word. “Yes.”
Swift Hawk’s grin became more noticeable. “That would be He Goes Before, who was always so friendly with the whites, that he took their side in their fights.”
The angel didn’t say a word at first. She simply glared at him. At some length, however, she picked up a book at her feet and opened it to the beginning pages. “Yes, well, that’s fine then. Perhaps we should move along to mathematics, shall we?”
His eyes lit with delight.
“Very well. We’ll start at the beginning.” Bending down, she scooped up two plums and held both out toward him.
He ignored her outstretched hands. “In the short time I have known you, I have heard you talk of your father and your brother.”
“That’s right. Now…” she jiggled her hands, “…can you tell me how many plums I have if I have one plum, another, and then add two more?”
Swift Hawk was barely listening. Instead he was attempting to unravel the puzzle that was this woman. She seemed soft and delicate, yet for all her daintiness, she bossed her brother around mercilessly. Even in these lessons, she tended to try to take command overhim, a thing he would never allow. Hesquinted his eyes at her and studied the angel’s features carefully. In a hushed voice, he asked, “But what of your mother?”
“My mother?”
“Haa’he.Yes, your mother.”
The angel sighed and drew her hands back toward her, laying the plums in her lap. She didn’t utter a sound at first. At length she collected herself. “I really didn’t know my mother. She died giving birth to my brother.”
Swift Hawk gave a slight nod of understanding. “And what of sisters or aunts or a grandmother? Was there no other female in your life? One to give you guidance?”
The angel’s expression stilled, and a cloud seemed to pass over her features, causing Swift Hawk to wonder if he ought not to have asked the question. At last, she took a deep breath, and stated, “My father’s parents live in Ireland, a land very far away from here—across an ocean, and my mother was an orphan.”
“There was no one to attend to you? No female relative?”
