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Feeling deliciously drained from making love, Lauralee rose shakily to her feet. Laughing softly, she began dressing. “If you had the energy to last through making love three times today, I am positive that you can endure a day’s travel on horseback,” she teased as Dancing Cloud moved into his own clothes. His shoulder was stiff and painful as he raised it to slip on his shirt.
“Tomorrow,” he said thickly. “We shall leave tomorrow. Nothing will stop us from starting our journey to my home tomorrow, my o-ge-ye. My people beckon me home. They grow weary of not having a chief to lean on for true leadership.”
Completely dressed, her hair thrown over her shoulders, Lauralee leaned into Dancing Cloud and clasped her arms around his neck. “No,” she said, smiling up at him. “Nothing or no one will stop us, darling. Yes, I feel sad leaving my aunt and uncle, but I am anxious to travel to your village to make an acquaintance with your people. Do you truly think they will approve of me? Or will they see me as an interference in your life, and also theirs?”
“When they see you and get to know you how could they not see the goodness and sweetness that I see in you?” he said, drawing her into his tight embrace. “Do not worry over such things. Enjoy life. Together, life is filled with much meaning, hope, and promise.”
Lauralee closed her eyes, blocking out her fears and doubts, at least for now. Dancing Cloud had a way to make her forget.
He was good for her.
He was her promise of all tomorrows.
* * *
Supper had been eaten. Lauralee had helped her aunt with the dishes. Her uncle was in his office, going over the day’s events in his mind. Dancing Cloud had taken a walk to commune with the Great Spirit.
Laying her apron aside, Lauralee hugged Nancy, then stepped back and gave her a pensive smile. “Is it truly all right if I go and knock on Uncle Abner’s door?” she asked softly. “I do so badly want to talk over something of importance with him.”
“Honey, Abner will welcome your interference tonight,” Nancy said, patting Lauralee on the arm. “Go on. Talk to him. He’ll enjoy having a few private moments with you.” Tears sprang into Nancy’s eyes. “We’re both going to miss you so, Lauralee.”
“I will miss you, as well.” Lauralee flicked tears from her eyes. “But I shall return and see you from time to time. I promise.”
“Honey, don’t make promises so quickly that might be hard to keep,” Nancy said, wiping her eyes with a lacy handkerchief that she had taken from her dress pocket. “The Great Smoky Mountains is far from Mattoon, like a foreign country across the ocean, to me.”
“But I truly shall try to come back and see you as often as I can,” Lauralee persisted.
Nancy took Lauralee by an elbow and led her out of the kitchen, down the dimly lit corridor, and to the foot of the staircase. She nodded toward the stairs. “Go on,” she murmured. “Go and have that talk with your uncle. I’ll wait in the parlor. I have some embroidery to do.”
Lauralee gave Nancy a warm hug, then scurried up the steps. When she got outside her uncle’s study, she stopped and inhaled deeply.
Then she knocked softly on the door.
“Come on in,” Abner said, smiling at Lauralee as she stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. “Lauralee. I hoped you’d come. I’d like some private time with you.”
“Oh?” Lauralee said, raising an eyebrow.
Abner gestured with a hand toward a chair that sat opposite his desk. “Come,” he said, his voice drawn. “Sit. Tell me what’s on your mind.”
Lauralee’s heart beat rapidly as she eased into the leather chair. She placed her hands demurely on her lap, her back straight, her knees weak. “Sir, today, while Dancing Cloud and I were sightseeing, we found the most beautiful horse at The Stables,” she said softly.
She continued to recount the experience of the day, and how rudely Dancing Cloud and she had been treated by the owner.
She proceeded to tell him her wishes to have the white stallion for a special gift for Dancing Cloud.
“Please do this for me, Uncle Abner,” she pleaded. “You are a man who is surely quite practiced at making business dealings. If I give you the money, will you please go and purchase the white stallion for me? I would so appreciate it.”
“You say that Kevin Banks was quite brash to you and you’re Cherokee, eh?” Abner said, as he placed his fingertips together before him. “Seems I’ll have to have a talk with that man.”
He frowned over at Lauralee. “Do you still insist on leaving tomorrow with Dancing Cloud?” he asked, his voice breaking.
“I love him,” she said, lifting her chin proudly. “I plan to marry him. So, yes, Uncle Abner, I plan to leave with him.”
“Then, dear, knowing that my arguments would be in vain, I give you my blessing,” Abner said, inhaling a quavering breath. “And I will do as you ask. I will go and purchase the stallion for you. It’s too late tonight to take care of the transaction, but I’ll be up at the crack of dawn to see that it’s done.”
“But Dancing Cloud said that he will be leaving that early,” Lauralee fretted aloud.
“Just tell him that you have reasons to wait for me to return once he sees that I am gone,” Abner said, smiling over at her. “He would not deprive you of a last farewell to your uncle, now would he?”
