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“Five?” Hattie’s eyes rounded.
“I’m afraid I’ve kept my wife pregnant. What can I say? We are fertile people.” Chase chuckled.
“We are expecting our first,” Lee admitted.
Chase looked at him seriously now. “My friend, you have been busy too. I am glad you have found a good woman and made a family. Burning Tree is anxious to meet with you two and talk of the marriage vows between you. He’s said he’s seen visions of your coming and looks forward to learning more from you.”
Hattie’s eyes rounded. “I am so happy we can finally be married…”
“It is fitting. To love someone so hard and not be married is torture. But, rest assured, Burning Tree is anxious for you too and with us your life will be bountiful,” Chase promised. “The land is rich along the river, and I have set aside some just for you and your family. You will live abundantly and no one…no one will bother you here.”
“I look forward to that,” Hattie cried.
“Have you had any problems with the Comanche, or Apaches?” Lee wondered.
“Not for a while. They are concentrating on raiding the white settlements, b
ut the blue coats chase them and kill them too. They are a battle weary bunch. They have no sense when it comes to living. They war all the time, raiding, pillaging settlements. I scout for the blue coats again. They know we are here, and they will leave us alone as long as I scout for them.”
Lee nodded. “Seen anything of our Captain?”
Chase hung his head. “I am afraid he did not come back from the big war between the states.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Lee sighed heavily.
“Yeah, he had quite a commission in the service, for the confederates.”
“He was a good officer, but better after he learned a few things from you,” Lee said.
“And your brother, did you find him?” Chase asked.
“He didn’t make it either.”
Chase glanced around at the others. “I am sorry for that. But at least you have a new family now, and you will be an honorary Shawnee member now.”
“I’d like that. So, tell me, how is Katherine?” Lee asked.
“She’s fine, and can’t wait to see you. She said it will be so good to have Hattie with her too. Sometimes she misses the conversations…”
Lee chuckled. “I thought about the two of you for a long time. I wondered how she adjusted to the people, and how she became such a healer among your people too.”
“Burning Tree knew that if she came, she would have the powers. He also knew it had to be her choice to come. He was very pleased, and together they saved the entire village from being wiped out.”
“I’m glad.”
“Well, my friend, we should move along now, it will be dark in a few hours. And Katherine is waiting anxiously at home to see you all.” Chase smiled at them.
“Is it true…is she really a princess?” Lily asked.
“Yes, little one, she is, and you will grow to love her,” Chase said.
As they packed up to move on, Joe shook hands with Chase. “I want to thank you too.”
“Thank me for what, my friend?” Chase asked.
“Coming here means a new life for us all. Back in Alabama, just living became a struggle.”
“No more struggles, my friend.” Chase laughed.
