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“By God, Tiny wasn’t lying after all?” Colonel Deshong said, eyes widening.
“Not this time, Patrick,” Chuck said, nodding. “Nope. Not this time. And I feel lousy as hell for having shown that I don’t altogether trust Strong Wolf.”
“Chuck, I’m going to tell you what I told Tiny,” Colonel Deshong uttered. “I told him that if you did send him to me about your sister’s possible abduction, that you should not jump to conclusions so quickly. I absolutely knew that Strong Wolf wouldn’t abduct a woman, especially not your sister. You and Strong Wolf have a history of being friends. How could you accuse him of such a thing?”
“Well, now, Patrick, that is a good question,” Chuck said, scratching his brow. “One I thought I had an answer to.”
“And that is?”
“Strong Wolf threatened me, that’s what.”
“He threatened you?”
“About the dam that was built across the stream close to my ranch.”
“Then, Tiny didn’t lie about that, either?”
“No. Afraid not. You see, Strong Wolf did blow up the dam, and with dynamite he stole from my very own shed.”
“But this dam—” Colonel Deshong crossed his arms. “It’s against what is set down in law, Chuck, when treaties were signed with the Potawatomis. No streams, creeks, or rivers can be dammed up. You know that as well as I. I’m surprised that you authorized Tiny to do that.”
“I didn’t, Patrick,” Chuck said, his shoulders suddenly slouching.
“Then, I’d say you’d better get you a new foreman, or set the law down on the one that works for you,” Colonel Deshong said, placing his fists on his hips.
“Yeah, I see that some changes must be made,” Chuck said, nodding.
He reached over and patted Hannah on the knee. “Honey, take me home,” he said, his voice weary.
Hannah lifted the reins. “Good day, sir.” she said, smiling at the colonel as an ally, for it was obvious that he despised Tiny as much as she did.
Yet there seemed something else about the man that made her uneasy. It was the way he stared at her, as though he was trying to read her thoughts. And she had to believe that it was because of her obvious devotion to Strong Wolf. She knew to expect more questions from the colonel later.
“Come sometime when you can have that cup of tea with me, Hannah,” Colonel Deshong said.
She nodded, then slowly turned the buggy around.
“And, Chuck, you come, too,” Colonel Deshong said, giving them a half salute. “We’ve much to get caught up on.”
“I don’t get out much, anymore,” Chuck shouted back at him as Hannah rode off toward the wide gate. “But I’ll think about it. I’ll come if Hannah will.”
Adam followed on the pinto.
“I guess Tiny should be back home by now,” Chuck said, sighing. “I wish I hadn’t mistrusted Strong Wolf all that quickly. We’ve had such a special friendship.”
“He probably won’t even ever know about what
you did,” Hannah said, giving him a soft look. “And, Chuck, I’m so sorry that I gave you cause to worry. I know that I shouldn’t have taken off like that. I’m here to make your life easier, not to make more of a hardship on you. Will you forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive you for.” Chuck said somberly. “It’s me, I’ve got to relax more. I’ve got to quit being suspicious of everything everyone does. But when you didn’t come home when I expected you to and the dam had been blown to bits by Strong Wolf, I couldn’t help but think that just maybe he kidnapped you to spite me for having not removed the dam.”
Hannah swallowed hard and looked away from him. She knew that he didn’t see well enough to see her face, to see that she was uneasy every time he mentioned Strong Wolf possibly having abducted her. He had. But only she and Strong Wolf would ever know. She wasn’t about to tell anyone. Most certainly Strong Wolf wouldn’t.
He frowned over at her. “And, Hannah. I want you to listen to me, and pay attention to what I say,” Chuck said, his voice drawn and angry. “Patrick was right in telling me to warn you about the dangers in riding alone, especially for so long a time. You are too foolhardy. Too daring. I forbid you to go horseback riding again. I’ll send Adam with you. And don’t you argue, Hannah. After what happened today, my mind’s made up.”
“Chuck, I can’t do as you say,” she blurted, aware of him emitting a gasp of horror. “I just want you to be patient with me, to try and understand that I need to be alone. I need to go horseback riding. I need to feel free.”
Knowing that he had no choice but to sit back and allow Hannah to do as she wished, he sighed, then squinted over at Hannah. “All right, sis,” he said somberly. “I do understand. If you will recall, I used to feel the same as you.”
