Page 8 of Finding Her


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"You knew she was a woman, too?"

"Sure, seen her a time or two."

"She's a looker alright, and cunning as they come."

"Well, I didn't get that close, I guess you did."

"I suspect the Major is aware that I have an advantage, I know her." Aiden sighed. "Quite well, in fact, I taught her to read."

"Oh, well now that's different. You taught her to read? Why did she want to read?"

"She spoke English, but she couldn't read, and she wanted to read the treaties to the Indians, so they knew what they were signing. So, I taught her. She's a beautiful little gal, with a quick sense of humor and the sweetest smile this side of the Mississippi."

"Oh, why do you say that?"

"Say what?"

"Sweet smile?" O'Riley chuckled.

"She's beautiful. They also call her Spirit Woman. I haven't seen her since she's grown up. Major said she'd married, and her husband was killed."

"Sounds like you might like her."

"I do. Always have. She's had it rough from the beginning. She was captured when she was six. Typical story, a wagon train was raided, she was captured. She had no choice but to become one of them."

"You think she loved her husband?"

"I don't know," Aiden smiled as if to himself. "You can't tell about Lucy. She hides her feelings deep."

"Lucy?"

"That's her white name."

"Maybe you are the wrong man to go after her. Maybe you’re a bit too close."

"No, I'm the right man. The only man that can probably catch her and talk her into coming with me. Marsh says he just wants to talk her into helping him corral the Indians to the reservation and stop the Cheyenne from raiding. He doesn't realize she's one of them now. She won't do that willingly. And I'm a little afraid to bring her back here, because I know that. And I also know she'll be ridiculed by white women and even some men. But something is nagging me. I'm not sure I can trust Marsh."

"You think the Major might do her harm?"

"The Major, I think it's possible. Look, I know Marsh, we was a West Pointer too, like Gibbon and Custer. More like Custer than Gibbon. He's been overlooked too many times. He'd do just about anything for fame and glory. He's almost as egotistical as Custer. Marsh promised he'd do her no harm, and I just don't know how they'd treat her. He wants fame and it would be quite a feather in his hat."

The Sergeant was silent a minute, then he glanced at him. "Why ain't you never married, Aiden?"

"Who'd put up with me?"

"That's a fact. Who would?" But the Sergeant stared at him a long time.

"My job is to bring her in, that's all."

"And you don't want to?" O'Riley bellowed.

"I don't want to see her hurt anymore." Aiden t

old him. "If I don't do it, they'll put someone else on it, and I don't think it would come out well."

"Well," the Sergeant sunk down low in the tub and smiled as the warm water comforted him. "I'm glad it ain't me going up there."

"I'm not looking forward to it, myself." Aiden informed him. "Five or six feet of snow for the horses to trample through. Cold as a well digger's butt. No, I'm not anxious to do it. The weather alone is enough to keep me close to the fort all winter. But no such luck. And if anyone brings her in, it will be me, because I won't let them hurt her."

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