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"No, I have no regrets at all with him. We lived like we wanted to. We both cared a great deal, but just not like that. I was angry for the white soldiers killing him. Very angry. He was such a good man. I left the camp because the warrior that wanted me, still wanted me, and when Claw Hand died, he asked my father for me in marriage. I told him I did not love him. My father said I would grow to love him. But I wouldn't. For two reason, one I was raised with him, he was like a brother. And two, he was not a good man. He was mean, and I knew it. There was so much difference in he and Claw Hand."
"Oh my, did he scare you?"
"I told my father I would run away if he insisted. Which he did. So, I ran away."
"I'm sorry… I'm very sorry. Then maybe you do understand my marriage to Frank in some ways."
"I didn't have enough time with Claw Hand to learn to love him in that way. But it would have taken years to grow that close with him. I just didn't have the time with him. You do. Don't waste it. If he loves you and will support your child, then love him for that… " Lucy turned to look at her, "Yes, I do understand. And I do not worry about you or your husband, but about the child."
"But I love Peggy… " Gloria insisted.
"Yes, I believe that. But your husband does not. Your husband doesn't trust you. And your baby will suffer from your lies."
"You have no right to judge me!" Gloria snapped.
Surprised at her quick anger, Lucy stared now. "I'm sorry, you are right. And no, I don't." Lucy hung her head. "You are right. I have no right. But there is a big difference in you and I. You married your husband to father your child and support you. I married mine because I knew him well, I grew up with him, and I truly liked him. Love might have grown between us had we been married long enough. He was a good man. As I grew up, I wondered about my white side. I wondered how I might fit it. But I wouldn’t fit in, I know that now. Have you had relations with your husband?"
"Of course, I have…"
"And you still don't love him?"
"I-I don't know. It's his lack of understanding of Peggy that is between us. Perhaps if he could let go of the lie, then we could go on."
Lucy bowed her head. "In your book, the bible, it says to leave thy mother and they father and cleave to one another, does it not."
"Yes, of course. You know the bible?"
"Aiden taught me to read by the bible. Yes, I know it. Anyway, I hope you can work it out. I truly do."
"And this Aiden…. How do you feel about him?" Her brow rose with the question.
Lucy studied her a moment, wondering why she was asking such a question, but then smiled warmly, "I love him. I always have."
"And you laid with him, didn't you?"
Lucy went pale now, the way she put that. The insinuation was plain. It felt like a slap. And something in Gloria's expression changed. As though she had slapped her and was satisfied with the results. As though she wanted some revenge for her lack of understanding. Lucy shrugged, and decided maybe she deserved it.
Just then Aiden stumbled onto them and obviously heard what Gloria said. His face was a wad of frowns.
"What's going on here?"
"Nothing," Lucy stalked off.
"You want to explain what you meant by that last remark ma'am?" Aiden stared at Gloria.
"I'm sorry, I had no right."
Aiden came up to her close now, his eyes going over her. "You're right about that! But you should remember something. She's the only link you have of getting your child back alive. If I was you, I wouldn't rile her." Then he stalked off too.
The blood drained from Gloria's face, she fisted her hands at her side and stomped a foot into the hard-crusted snow. Her victory was short lived.
Chapter Six
"You want to tell me what that was all about, back there?" Aiden asked as Lucy hung unto his waist and rested her head on his back that day. The snow was so thick it tossed them back and forth as they rode onward. Lucy hung on tight to Aiden. It was much colder now and only their body heat seemed to warm them.
The wind began to pick up and the cold was unbearable. Lucy pulled her hood closer to her face and held Aiden tightly. Aiden pulled his coat collar up around his face and chin, and his hat lower. He had leather gloves on to protect his hands from freezing.
"Well," he asked when she didn't respond to his question.
