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Strong Wolf’s thoughts went to Bird in Ground and how he had been unmercifully attacked and beaten by interlopers on Potawatomis land. Bird in Ground still refused
to point an accusing finger at whoever was responsible.
This made Strong Wolf think that just perhaps it might benefit him and his people to have a road on Potawatomis land, on which white men would travel. Too often the white people used his land, anyhow, to get to the river. This often brought them too close to the village. His people needed their privacy.
“If I agree to a road, can I say where it will be built?” Strong Wolf suddenly said as he again rested the bowl of his pipe on his right knee.
“Most assuredly,” Patrick said, his eyes lighting up to know that Strong Wolf was seriously considering giving them permission.
“Then I will say now that it will be placed far enough from my village to ensure not only my people’s privacy, but also their safety from whites,” Strong Wolf said, laying his pipe aside. It had already been passed to Patrick and Claude, strengthening their bond of friendship with Strong Wolf and his Potawatomis people.
“Yes, I assure you that it will not interfere at all in your hunt, or your daily lives,” Patrick said, nodding.
“Then, it is agreed upon,” Claude said. “The council was good today, Strong Wolf.”
“It has been too long since you came and shared more than council with me and my people,” Strong Wolf said, smiling over at Claude. “You have not shared a meal with the Potawatomis for many sunrises now.”
He looked over at Patrick, then shifted his gaze back to Claude. “Will you both share food with me today?” he asked.
He nodded toward the fireplace, over which hung a piece of savory meat roasting on a spit. Coffee was simmering in a pot in the coals at the edge of the fire. “Does it not tempt you?”
“Yes, quite,” Patrick said, chuckling.
“I have the time,” Claude said. “How about you, Patrick?”
“My duties await me,” Patrick said, then laughed softly. “But don’t they always?” He nodded. “Yes. I could stand a bit of food before I return to the fort. Thanks for offering, Strong Wolf.”
They laughed and joked, enjoying one another’s company as they ate the roasted venison and unleavened bread, and drank the Potawatomis’s brand of dark, strong coffee.
“It has been refreshing being here today, away from the troubles that always await me at the fort,” Patrick said, setting his empty wooden platter aside. He chuckled low. “There is always something to add another gray hair to my head.”
“Should I be as lucky as you to have such a head of hair, I’d welcome a gray one or two every day,” Claude said, chuckling as he ran his hand across his bald head. “Damn it, I’m only thirty, and I’ve already lost my hair.”
The sound of a horse arriving just outside Strong Wolf’s cabin drew their conversation to a close. Strong Wolf went to the door and opened it. His eyes widened and his heart did a strange sort of somersault when he saw Hannah dismounting her pinto. He smiled a silent welcome to her.
She returned the smile.
“Good morning,” she said, her insides swimming with rapture when he reached out and grabbed one of her hands.
“You have come to my lodge,” Strong Wolf said thickly. “That is good.” He held her hand for a moment longer, relishing the feel of her flesh against his, then released it.
“Is this a bad time?” Hannah asked, looking over her shoulder at the two young braves holding the reins of two horses that stood as though waiting for someone just outside Strong Wolf’s lodge. She looked into his eyes again. “Do you have company?”
“Company?” Strong Wolf said, arching an eyebrow, unfamiliar with that word being used in such a way.
Understanding his confusion, Hannah worded her question differently. “Is someone here already?” she murmured. “If so, I can come back later.”
“Yes, there are people here,” he said, glancing over his shoulder at Claude and Patrick, whose eyes were intensely watching what was transpiring at the door. He stepped aside and smiled at Hannah. “Come inside. You can join our council.”
Hannah paled. “You are having council?” she asked, her voice guarded. “I’m sorry. I have chosen a wrong time to come and ask to see your horses. I can come later.”
“Horses?” Strong Wolf said. “Ah, yes. I offered to show them to you. You are to choose the one you wish to have as your own.”
“I haven’t come to take a horse,” Hannah quickly corrected, wincing when she saw an instant hurt in his eyes.
“Perhaps later, but not today,” she quickly interjected.
“Please do come inside,” Strong Wolf urged. “I do not believe that Colonel Deshong and Claude Odum will mind if you join our council.”
