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“Twila,” she whispered.
Yes, Twila had saved her life, and now Lavinia hoped to repay her by seeing that she was free and happy for the rest of her days.
Dorey was with Twila already this morning, having found many friends among the children. They seemed especially fond of the two young braves, Running Bear and Deer Shadow.
“So young,” she whispered, smiling. “Puppy love.”
She found it amazing that the girls could forget so quickly what the two young braves had done to Dorey. But the aftereffects of Dorey’s misadventure had benefited them all.
And Joshua!
Even Joshua was happier now that he and Twila were reunited.
He had a home of his own now, which he shared with his daughter. And he was free. He rose early from his bed each morning now and joined the others in the garden, helping with the harvest, which would be completed soon.
Lavinia could hear him now as he sang while working, his deep voice carrying in the wind to her open window.
Yes, he enjoyed working in the garden, for he was doing so as a free man, not a slave! No one was forcing him to do anything. No one stood over him with a pistol holstered at his waist, or a whip in his hand.
“Yes, Joshua, you are free forevermore,” she whispered. When a familiar voice spoke her name from the other side of her closed bedroom door, she felt a strange giddiness.
Wolf Dancer.
Everyone had shared the morning meal already, and when the girls and Joshua had left, and Wolf Dancer had been called from his home by one of his warriors, Lavinia had taken the time to go to her room and tidy her bed.
She found the pallet of furs surprisingly comfortable. And she loved the soft mats that were spread across the wood floor.
In fact, she enjoyed everything about this house that was made so differently from any other she had ever seen. It was constructed mainly from palmetto leaves and other things brought in from the forest, and she found it was actually cooler than the plantation house had been.
It was not a huge mansion, but it did have two stories, and the upstairs was so beautiful at night with the stars overhead.
“Lavinia? I would like to take you for a ride in my canoe,” Wolf Dancer said as he stood waiting for her to open the door. “Are you well enough?”
“I am very well, kind sir,” she said, smiling. She opened the door and found herself being gazed upon by the most handsome man she’d ever seen. Today he wore only a breechclout, and his usual moccasins.
This brief attire made her blush, yet she could not help admiring the muscles it revealed.
His body rippled with lean strength, and his smile almost melted her as he gave her his own look of admiration.
“And, yes, I would love to go with you in your canoe,” she finally blurted out. For a moment she had been rendered speechless by the sight of him. Sometimes she still couldn’t believe that she was with this man she had admired from afar in those days when she had seen him sitting casually in the tree or paddling down the river in his canoe.
But this was all real enough, and she felt more alive now than ever before in her life.
And she did feel strong today, even almost totally well, thanks to Wolf Dancer and Shining Soul.
“I would like to show you why the river was named Bone River long ago by the people who settled here before we Seminole,” he said. His eyes took in just how beautiful she looked in the doeskin dress, which had beaded designs of forest flowerssewn across the front. “Also I would like to show you where my people go to collect shells to make wampum.”
“It all sounds so interesting, and, yes, I would love to go,” Lavinia said, stepping out of the room and walking with Wolf Dancer through his house and outside into the sunlight. She gazed up at him. “I have heard the term ‘wampum’ used, but have no idea what it means.”
“The word wampum actually refers to strings of special shells which are found along the shore here. They are used to finalize agreements,” Wolf Dancer said. “It is the same as white people’s currency and is very valuable to the Seminole.”
He walked with her through the village, where many people were busy with their chores.
Lavinia caught sight of Dorey and Twila as they played with several children, a mixture of girls and boys. They seemed to belong now, having been accepted by the Seminole adults and children as a part of the community.
She looked far to her left and saw Joshua gathering corn in a wicker basket along with others working alongside him.
“Tonight Spirit Talker, our people’s storyteller, will tell stories of our people’s ancestors. We will all gather beneath the stars beside the large outdoor fire,” Wolf Dancer said, smiling down at Lavinia. “Spirit Talker is my people’s spirit guide to th
