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"Oh, what?"
"They might have Peggy choose between you and Red Feather. They say it is the truest way to end this kind of struggle. Let the child decide. And I must warn you, a child is not good at choosing sometimes. It would be hard for her I imagine. You see, the Indians know as well as the whites that a child her age needs love, and they give it freely. So, it will be hard to choose."
"Surely they wouldn't…."
"I don't know… it is possible."
"Well, of course she would choose me."
"I hope so, for your sake… but you must be prepared. A child that little has no sense of time, she only knows who cares for her. Sometimes, you feel abandoned, and although it isn't the parent's fault usually, it is still there. And you seek the one that shows their love."
Gloria studied Lucy a long moment. "What are you saying, you think she might not?"
Lucy's face screwed up. "I'll do everything to get her back for you. Believe me, it will be an emotional time and take much healing on your side and on Red Feather's. She has come to love Peggy too. Peggy accepts that love, it is so freely given. What I have seen before, is like a warning. Sometimes, when a child is taken, she feels her family has deserted her, and she clings to the love that is offered her. Some have come through the years to do just such as you. Most have stormed the place, demanding the child be released, and they were killed immediately. But I know the woman who mothers your child now. She is a good woman, and when she sees your love, she would not fight you for the child, I am certain, but you must have respect for her mourning time. If Peggy is given the choice, you must respect it and understand it. She understands as a child would. Not as an adult would. She loves you, but sometimes taken away from that love, makes a child forget that love and find a new one. It is survival. And I only tell you this to prepare you. Red Feather reaches out with love to your daughter. Your daughter accepts that love. You must understand it is not that she does not love you, but that she has found a new love. At three they only know what is given them, when it is given."
"Your trying to tell me that some children feel abandoned." Gloria bowed her head and considered her words. "I suppose you know more than I about how to handle it. I will do as you ask then. I will try to be strong for her and myself. You're saying a child that age wouldn't understand a love that is given so freely and taken away. I see your point, but surely what we had is stronger."
"You gave her the milk from your breasts?"
"Well, actually, no, I didn't have enough to feed her."
"What has that to do with anything?"
"It creates a bond, that is unbreakable."
"But I simply was unable to do that."
"I understand, but she won't."
"Are you telling me that because of that, I won't get her back?"
"I’m telling you that one that does give their own milk creates an unbreakable bond."
"I cannot say. At that age there is little understanding. But as long as you can understand her feelings It will all be well. I will pray for you and for Red Feather as it will be a day of mourning for one of you."
Lucy eyed Frank Winters. "How does your husband feel about all of this?"
Gloria shot her husband a glance. "Lucy, can we talk a moment?"
"Of course, Pumpkin, will you watch the food?"
Pumpkin nodded.
Lucy and Gloria walked off. Gloria wrung her hands, her face contorted into almost a vivid pain as they walked along the edge of the forest. "I suppose you are wondering about us, aren't you?" Gloria shot her a glance.
"He's been very silent. It's hard to understand why a man has nothing to say, especially about his child."
"He didn't want to come." Gloria blurted.
Lucy eyed her closely now, knowing there was something to this. "Go on."
"It's simple really. Peggy is not his child."
Lucy stared, "Oh… "
Lucy couldn't stop the blush that flushed her cheeks.
"I was married before." She explained. "I got pregnant and my husband died from the Cholera. Frank knew me all along and liked me, not long after Boyd died, Frank asked me to marry him. He was planning to leave within the next couple of years on a wagon train. I knew he had money to support me and Peggy. I knew he cared for me. He said we weren't strangers and he'd take care of me. It wasn't the most romantic proposal, but I was scared to try to raise a child alone. I made a mistake…"
