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Now with three cabins built, all the furniture, a corral the lean-to and the barn started, things were starting to look like a real community.
As Christmas came, the kids were excited. Eve and Fawn popped popcorn and strung it around a tree that Hawk chopped down for them. They had many evenings when they'd all sit around sipping hot chocolate, and listening to some tale from a book. It was a new experience for some and they all seemed to enjoy it.
Living together, yet separate was great for all concerned. They'd play dice games and cards, or just sit and talk bout the next days' work.
Eve tutored the kids, and life was good again.
It snowed again after Christmas and this snow was lighter, not icy, it was easier getting around.
Jinx took sick that winter though and Eve was determined to nurse him well. She stayed at his side almost constantly. It was too soon for him to die, she decided. He hadn't seen Hawk's first blood child yet. He had to survive that.
Eve set up a steamer in the spare bedroom and gave him medicine that the Indians had used for many years to cure consumption.
Jinx did get better, slowly.
It was a cold winter evening when Matthew didn't come back from his trip to the barn. Eve was worried, he'd been gone at least an hour.
"I'll go look for him," Hawk assured her.
"Thank you…" She smiled. "Hey Hawk, did you feel anything when you were hanging up there in the Comanche camp?"
"Yeah, I knew you were coming. I'm glad you finally forgave me. You never did tell me what changed."
"Matthew…he's really got a good head on his shoulders, you know. He pointed out that I had been killing Comanche and thought nothing of it, because I was protecting my children and home. That day I was protecting Fawn and the baby, and myself. Self defense. I wonder why I didn't see it before. And I'm ashamed of how I treated you."
"I survived, and I’m glad you did too. I love you woman. There will be a lot of rough times, honey, but we'll make it." He smiled. "I'll go see what's holding Matthew up."
But it was real plain to see. The reason Matthew hadn't returned, was that a bear had cornered him. He stood almost frozen at the edge of the barn, unable to move.
The bear was only a few yards away, growling and making noises to scare him.
Everyone came out to see what was going on. Yet no one got close once they knew where the sound was coming from.
Eve stepped out on the porch, saw it, and nearly screamed.
She held Jane Ann as she almost ran off the porch at Matthew.
Hawk stood behind Matthew a ways.
"Easy son," Hawk cautioned.
Matthew felt in his coat pocket. It was there. He sighed. He pulled out the slingshot and the rock. Slowly he began to swing it, but the bear just roared at him. The first time he tried the rock fell to the ground in front of him.
He bent to retrieve it. He loaded it up again, and this time he got a shot off at the bear. It was a direct hit between the eyes and the bear whined and scampered a way. Matthew stood, his legs shaking his heart pounding and turned to look at his Pa.
"I got him Pa!" He said and ran to Hawk to hug him.
"You sure did son. I never saw anything like it, right between the eyes." Hawk hugged him.
Everyone let out a breath and they all rushed to congratulate him.
That night they had a big supper and celebrated his facing up to a bear.
"It sure shows how you are growing up and learning to fend for yourself, son." Hawk declared.
"I gotta admit, my legs were shaking." Matthew said with a laugh.
Bear looked at him and smiled, "I think I might have peed my pants, if I was you and that close…"
