Cheyenne Moon (6 page)

“We must say nothing of our love until after Yellow Dove’s wedding tomorrow. I do not wish to over shadow her and Gray Wolf’s day.” Shadow Spirit said as he held Abby close.

Abby sat up panicking.  “Oh Shadow Spirit what if someone finds out what we have been doing in here? I couldn’t look your mother in the eye if she were to find out.”

“Calm down Sweet One no one will know. We respect other people’s privacy here. No one will even think anything of it. If my mother did know, she would think no less of you. She would blame me for taking your innocence. She thinks you are a very special person,” he finished.

“I think she is very special also. She has built a life with your father that few women ever have. Oh Shadow Spirit I do love you so. Do you think I can be the kind of wife you will need in the years to come?” she asked.

“I think you will be perfect and if you are not I will love you anyway.” he teased as he pulled on his breechclout.

“I must go before someone misses me and starts asking questions.” Abby said. The sun had set and the moon had replaced it some time ago

They stood beside the fire pit. Shadow Spirit took Abby in his arms and kissed her gently. “I will not see you again tonight. I will not eat at my parents lodge I do not think I could have supper with my mother and her not see the changes that have taken place between us. She is very observant and knows me very well.  I will see you at the wedding tomorrow,” he said.

“Goodnight.” Abby said as she walked out of Shadow Spirit’ lodge. As she was walking away from Shadow Spirit’ lodge, she caught a glimpse of Lone Raven’s back as she sneaked away.

The day dawned bright with the sun putting on a spectacular light show, as it slowly rose above the hills. The radiance of the sun peaking through trees that were all shades of gold and red made for a breathtaking view. Where the sun could penetrate through the trees the ground was shinning with light, more dense areas were still dark.  Abby felt as if she could never tire of such an incredible vista.

Last night she had returned to Chief White Feather’s lodge in time for the evening and had received some questioning looks from Green Eyes and Yellow Dove, but no one asked where she had been, for that, she was thankful.

The time she spent in Shadow Spirit’ arms the afternoon before had been magical. Abby never dreamed being with a man could be such ecstasy. He had taught her that making love could be just as wonderful for the woman as for the man, contrary to what some of the women in White Oak had told her. She didn’t feel that this was chore that she had to perform.

Abby’s thoughts were interrupted by Yellow Dove. She was standing before Abby a vision in white doeskin and beads, her hair was braided with stripes of rawhide that had been whitened to match her dress. The stripes were interlaced with beautiful yellow ribbons that Gray Wolf had bought from traders that came around ever so often.

“Yellow Dove why didn’t you come and get me, I would have helped you dress for your wedding,” Abby said.

“Gray Wolf’s sisters helped me,” Yellow Dove said. “It is the custom of the Cheyenne that the female relatives of the groom, ready the bride.  I have been scrubbed and oiled since the sun overtook the horizon. I feel like I have had no privacy for days. I have not been allowed to see Gray Wolf all morning.”  Yellow Dove said.  She noticed that Abby was smiling rather sheepishly.  “You look different this morning, more content, maybe even happy to be with my people. What has happened to cause this change in you?” She asked.

“I… I,” Abby stammered. “Nothing has changed”

“I know what it is. You are leaving. Shadow Spirit has agreed to take you back. Has he Abby? You have to tell me,” Yellow Dove pleaded.

“I am not going to leave. I no longer wish to return to my home. I would have to leave this wonderful place.” Abby stated, realizing that she really meant it.  She didn’t want to leave. She just wanted to see her father again so that she could let him know that she was safe and happy.

“What has changed your mind?” Yellow Dove asked.

“This is your time and I want you to have the most wonderful day of your life, and night.” Abby added with a sly grin.

“I will have a wonderful day but I still think you should tell me what has changed about you. You are very different this morning. Please tell me what has changed. I will not say a word to anyone if that is what you want.” Yellow Dove said.

“I just had a goodnights sleep that’s all.” Abby replied hoping Yellow Dove would accept her answer. She didn’t feel like sharing her newfound happiness with anyone right now. She wanted to enjoy each new memory of her time with Shadow Spirit. “Come on lets finish getting you ready for the ceremony.”

“I am ready but we do not have a ceremony like the white people have.  We have a celebration; it is a continuation of last night. The Shaman will bless our joining but it is not like what my mother has told me of a white man’s wedding, sometimes I think I would like to be married in the white way also, for my mother.  When the celebration is nearly over we will go to the lodge that I have prepared for us, away from the village. We will stay there a few days.  Then when we return we will go to my husband’s lodge,” Yellow Dove explained.

“But if there are no words spoken by a preacher or anyone how is it that you are married?” Abby asked.

Yellow Dove thought about what she should tell Abby.  She needed to make her understand that in the eyes of the people she would be Gray Wolf’s wife in a matter of hours.  “When two people wish to be joined, the man asks the woman’s father for her. Then the father sets the bride’s price. My price was ten horses. Gray Wolf had no problem. He is very brave and has gained many horses through raids on enemy tribes.  He will make a good husband,” Yellow Dove stated. “My brother will also make a good husband, are you in love with him?” She asked with the straightforward approach that Abby had begun to expect from Yellow Dove.

“I haven’t been in love before. I have no way of knowing for sure if what I feel for Shadow Spirit is love or not.” Abby said. “I believe that I am”

“Do you feel that when he is away from you that you are not a complete person and that the sun shines more brightly when he is in your sight? Do you feel that without him in your life, you would have no life?” Yellow Dove asked.

“Yes that’s how I feel. I also feel that sometimes when he looks at me, that my heart will burst from my chest. I first thought that meant fear. I have had no fear of Shadow Spirit in a long time though.”

“What you feel for my brother is definitely not fear. I think he feels the same way, even though you are white. He has tried not to let it happen but he has fought a losing battle. This brother of mine has fallen hard. I have a feeling that the next to join will be you two, am I not right?” Yellow Dove asked.

“Oh Yellow Dove I hope so, but you mustn’t breathe a word of this to anyone, besides like I said, this is your day. You must make the most of it.  Come on let’s finish up in here. I hear the drums starting.”

The day was filled with laughter and celebration. As with all the festivities held by the Cheyenne, the people danced and enjoyed each other’s company. Abby sat in a circle with the other women. She was in awe of all the gaiety involved. She had not known that these wonderful people had so much love in their hearts. From the youngest child to the oldest adult were included. At dusk, Yellow Dove and Gray Wolf left for their lodge away from the village. Yet close enough to be protected by the village in case of an attack.

Sometime after the wedding couple had left, Abby felt the need to take a walk.

“Hello Abby,” she didn’t need to turn around to know that it was Shadow Spirit who spoke from behind her.

“Shadow Spirit, I have missed you!”  They were standing in the shadows of his lodge.

He swept her into his arms.  “And I have missed you my dear heart.  Soon we can tell the world of our love.” Shadow Spirit held her as if he thought she would disappear if he turned her loose.

Abby felt as if her body was weightless. His lips slowly descended toward hers.  With the union of their lips, the sky exploded with a thunderclap and jagged streaks of lightening illuminated the midnight sky.

“You had better go to my parent’s lodge before you are caught in the rain.  I would not want you to get sick and my mother will wonder what has happened to you.”

“I know but I don’t want to leave you,” Abby said. She clung to Shadow Spirit as if he were her lifeline.

He kissed her gently. “Soon we will let everyone know of our feelings for each other. Then we can begin our life together as the Great Spirit has shown me in my vision. We will have many strong sons and perhaps we will have a daughter with eyes the color of the summer sky, just like yours.” Shadow Spirit said as he stared longingly into her eyes. “You must get back to my father’s lodge. It is not proper for you to be out alone this time of night,” he stressed.

“I’m not alone Shadow Spirit, you’re with me.” Abby teased.

“You know what I mean. There are several warriors who would like to claim a woman as beautiful as you as their own. They do not realize that their Chief’s son has already done so,” he said.

“Okay,” Abby said.  “You win.  I’ll leave you for now but soon I’ll stay with you forever.”

Abby returned to Chief White Feather’s lodge. All was quiet. She lay down on her sleeping mat only to lie awake for some time with thoughts of Shadow Spirit and her father running rampant through her mind.

“ Oh Father, I wish you had some way of knowing that I am alright and that I am happier than I could ever have dreamed of being.” Abby prayed.

The weeks that followed Yellow Dove’s wedding were a learning process for Abby. She learned how to do all the things that Indian women need to know to take care of a teepee and a family. She had a wonderful teacher in Green Eyes. She told Abby that if she remained with the people, she would eventually be asked by a brave warrior to be his wife and she would need to know how to take her place in his teepee as a wife and mother. 

Abby wanted so badly to tell Green Eyes that she had already been asked to marry and that she had accepted. Abby and Shadow Spirit planned to tell his parents about their love as soon as his father was recovered from his latest setback, but that didn’t look like it was anywhere in the near future. He seemed to weaken with each passing day. Shadow Spirit was very worried.

Abby was just finishing with her laundry at the stream when Shadow Spirit approached her very quietly from behind. He clasped his arms around her waist before she knew anyone was within a mile of her. She struggled with her captor for a moment before she realized who had accosted her.

“Shadow Spirit, what are you trying to do, give me a heart attack?” she yelled as she fell backwards on the hard ground when he let her go.

“If I had been and enemy, you would have been dead. I think I need to teach you to listen and beware like an Indian,” Shadow Spirit said.

“You need to stop sneaking up on me. You could have caused me to fall in the water and I can’t swim,” she cried.

“You cannot swim,” he stated with an air of disbelieve.

.“No I’ve never learned. I never saw a reason to learn,” she complained.

“Well it is now time that you had your first lesson,” he said.

“I don’t want to learn. I’m afraid of the water,” she protested.

He gently took her hand and pulled her to him. “There is nothing to fear if you put your trust in me, I will not let anything happen to you.”  His mouth leisurely came down to meet Abby’s anxious lips. The swimming lessons were forgotten.

The kiss took Abby’s breath away. It didn’t matter to her anymore that she was miles and miles from her home. She felt like she belonged where she was, this was home now in Shadow Spirit’s arms. When the kiss ended, Shadow Spirit sat down on the ground slowly pulling Abby down beside him.

“I have made a decision that concerns you. I think it is time to talk to my parents. We should be wed before we head to our winter camp. My Father is very ill and I think it would make him happy in his last days, to know that I am happy and truly in love and I do love you with everything that I am. The Great Spirit has seen fit to bring you into my life and I see no reason to wait,” he exclaimed.

“Oh Shadow Spirit, I will be so glad to be your wife. I think your mother suspects and I believe she’ll be pleased that she’s getting a new daughter.” Abby said.

“I do not feel as if you are my sister.” Shadow Spirit whispered in Abby’s ear.

He took her face in his hands and slowly kissed her. His tongue was playing over her full lower lip as if waiting to gain entrance and to taste the sweet delights that were hidden inside.  He released her face as she put her arms around his neck to draw him closer.  His greedy hands slid down to her luscious breasts.  Her creamy skin was as smooth and soft as velvet. He gently rubbed the bud of her left breast, feeling it harden in his palm. 

Abby felt as if she was going faint from pure emotion. She leaned even closer to Shadow Spirit. She didn’t feel shy at all. She pulled his face back to her and lovingly kissed him. He began to shower her face and neck with kisses.

He pulled back from her and could see the passion that she had for him on her flushed face. “We need to stop, this is not private someone could come to the stream at any time. I don’t want anyone talking about us. I love you and want you more than I thought it possible.”

“I want you also,” Abby said as she began straightening her dress. “I hope we are married soon.”

“We will be, just as soon as it can be arranged, my people can get a celebration ready quickly.”

“I’m one of your people now.”

“Yes my Love you are.” He kissed her once more before he stood, pulling her to her feet.

Little did they know that they were being watched?  Lone Raven stood behind a tree. She watched unashamed as they had spoken words of love.  Some day she vowed she would kill the white whore who had stolen Shadow Spirit from her.