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Several years later
Spring was sweet in the air. The snow on the peaks of the mountain was melting, filling the rivers and streams with freshened water.
Nicole sat outside her tepee beside Dancing Snow Feather, contentedly sewing new vests for their husbands as they watched their children playing.
Nicole could now proudly boast of three children, while Dancing Snow Feather had two of her own.
Altogether there were three daughters and two sons between them, the sons Nicole and Eagle Wolf’s. Her belly was big again, for she had been blessed with another child, who should be born in a matter of weeks.
It mattered no longer to Nicole whether or not she had a daughter or son. She had discovered that it was blessing enough to have a healthy child.
“Life is wonderful,” Nicole murmured, drawing Dancing Snow Feather’s eyes to her. “I could not want for more than what I have been given. I just wish my parents could see and enjoy their grandchildren. Mother couldn’t have more than one child.”
“I feel blessed, too,” Dancing Snow Feather murmured, giggling when the two new pups of the mother wolf came romping around the grown pups, teasing the older ones into nipping at them.
“Ka-bike-hozhoni-bi, happy evermore,” Nicole murmured.
When she heard horses approaching the village, she watched proudly as Eagle Wolf rode into view. A travois being dragged behind his steed was filled with pelts and meat for his family, while the other warriors followed, with their own trophies from the hunt.
Spirit Wolf rode beside Eagle Wolf, devoted to his brother as no other brother could be.
That made Nicole proud, for she recalled how it had been when she’d first met Spirit Wolf, and how jealousy had turned him bitter and vindictive.
The village remained hidden from the white soldiers. The Owl Clan was still safe.
There were new herds of horses on the mountain. And the large, communal garden had been planted and would provide food for all who lived there.
When Eagle Wolf smiled at Nicole from his white stallion, she melted inside as though it was the first time he had given her such a look.
She whispered the words “I love you” to him so that he could see.
He whispered the words back to her, then rode on with his warriors, so they could unload their prime catches, and divide them among the women.
Nicole could not be any more content than she was. Only occasionally did she allow herself to think about Sam Partain and what he had done to her parents. Although she could not help remembering from time to time, she never allowed such thoughts to ruin the happy life she had now with her husband and children.
She knew that her parents would bless this union between their daughter and the powerful Navaho chief who loved her. And they would absolutely adore their grandchildren!
