Savage Autumn (29 page)

“Take my heart and flee, Joanna. You care not that you break an old woman’s heart.”

Joanna kissed the wrinkled face that was wet with tears. “Not so. I will always remember you gave me back my life.”

Gray Fox and his two wives wished her happiness, and Joanna kissed the cheek of the baby boy whose life she had once saved.

Amanda was crying so hard that after she hugged Joanna, she ran to her tipi and threw herself down on her bed, sobbing uncontrollably. Tall Bear knelt down beside her, giving her comfort.

Joanna had said her good-byes to Sun Woman and Morning Song before she left the tipi. She was glad she wore the blindfold, because it hid her tears from everyone. She held her head up proudly as Tag took her hand and led her to her horse. No one would know, she thought, that her heart was breaking into a thousand pieces.

Windhawk did not speak to her as he lifted her onto her horse. When they rode out of the village, Joanna could tell
they had been joined by many other riders. Evidently Windhawk was taking a small army with him.

When their horses entered the river, Joanna could hear the sounds of the village fading into the distance. She felt as if she were leaving her true home behind and riding into the unknown.

Joanna had changed. She no longer wanted to be Joanna James. She only wanted to be Windhawk’s woman!

At any other time, Joanna would have enjoyed riding Fosset. The animal was his old self again. Joanna had to pull back on the reins several times to slow Fosset’s swift pace.

Tag rode beside Joanna. He was ever-watchful in case she should need him. They had been riding all day and she had been strangely silent. Windhawk rode just ahead, and Tag would see him glance back at Joanna every so often to make sure she was all right.

Tag found himself torn between two loyalties. He wanted to see his father, yet he hated the thought of leaving Windhawk. He wondered if Joanna was feeling much the same. He could tell by the set of her chin she was not very happy. Sometimes he just didn’t understand grown-ups. He knew that Joanna loved Windhawk, and Windhawk loved Joanna. Why couldn’t they just tell each other how they felt and have it done with? he wondered, puzzled.

The snow was falling heavily when they stopped that evening to make camp. A tipi was quickly erected to accommodate Joanna. Later the others would raise their own shelters, but Windhawk had ordered Joanna to be out of the biting cold weather as soon as possible.

Tag led her into the tipi, and Joanna felt around until she
found the buffalo robe. Easing herself down she could feel the tiredness creep into her body.

“Did Windhawk tell you where he was taking us, Tag?” Joanna inquired. “All I know is he is taking us to a fort.”

He sat down beside her, noticing how pale and wan she appeared. “Yes, he is taking us to Fort Union, which is about a week’s journey from here. It’s not an army post. Windhawk told me it had been established by the American Fur Company, so they could organize trade with the Indians.”

“A week,” she whispered. She would have only seven days to be with Windhawk. She had the strongest urge to go to him now and beg him to hold her in his arms. How would she ever be able to go on without him?

In her world of darkness, Joanna cried out for the only ray of light in her torment. She would be able to bear her darkened existence, if only she had Windhawk to share it with her.

“I’m going to get you something to eat, Joanna. You just lie down and rest until I get back,” Tag said, standing up and leaving quietly.

When he was outside he saw Windhawk and walked over to him. “I think my sister is very tired. She doesn’t seem quite herself.”

“Do you think she is ill?”

“No, it’s nothing like that. It’s as if she is just deep-down tired and doesn’t want to go on. I’ve never seen Joanna like this before.”

“I will talk to her,” Windhawk said, walking toward the tipi.

Joanna knew Windhawk had entered the tipi, even though she hadn’t heard him. Turning her head in his direction she waited for him to speak.

“Little brother has told me that you are not feeling well, Joanna,” he said, dropping down beside her.

She sat up and folded her legs back behind her. “I am fine, just a little tired, that’s all.”

“If you think the trip will be too hard on you at this time, I will take you back to the village until you are more rested.”

If she told him yes, perhaps she would get to be with him
for a few weeks longer. No, she thought, it would be better to get the painful ordeal over as soon as possible. It would be just as hard to leave him later on.

She could not see the hopefulness in his dark eyes when she answered him. “No, I want to go on. You probably have many things you need to do without chasing after the whims of a woman.” She was not aware of the bitterness that had crept into her voice, nor did she realize that she had spoken to him in English.

Windhawk stood up and quietly walked away. He had felt like taking her into his arms and making her want him. He knew that in the past he had easily awakened her desire. But Joanna was different now. Too many things had gone wrong between them. He had once thought that their love could overcome any difficulty, but it had not.

Windhawk gazed across the prairie to Fort Union in the distance. It was situated on the bank of the Missouri River. Just behind the fort was a chain of small mountains that were now snow-covered. Across the wide river was a heavily wooded area. The fort itself had been constructed of heavy logs around the outer stockade walls. Windhawk saw a number of Indian tipis scattered near the fort, and knew that they belonged to the Assiniboin tribe, who had been long-time enemies of the Blackfoot.

One of Windhawk’s warriors rode up beside him staring down at their enemies with a look of distaste. “I did not know the Assiniboin would be here, my chief. Will we ride down and surprise them?”

Windhawk glanced at Joanna thinking how strange she looked in her blue wool riding habit and high-top black boots. “No, I will take Joanna and Tag alone. I do not want any of you to show yourselves unless there is trouble. We have not come to war on our enemies.”

Windhawk motioned to Tag and the boy moved his mount forward, leading Joanna’s horse. As they descended onto the flat prairie, Windhawk’s senses became alert. When they drew
near the Assiniboin his eyes swept past them as if they didn’t even exist.

Several of the warriors stared at the Blackfoot chief in disbelief, thinking he was either the bravest man they had ever seen, or the most foolish. Not one of them raised his hand to stop him as he made his way to the fort entrance.

When they neared the fort the gates were standing open, so Windhawk boldly entered. Since it was not an army post, he was surprised to see several of the long knives eyeing him suspiciously.

Joanna heard voices speaking in English and she knew they had entered the fort. Was Windhawk still with her and Tag? she wondered. Since she couldn’t hear him, she feared he had left her without saying good-bye.

“Windhawk!” she cried reaching out her hand. “Where are you!”

Windhawk heard the unbridled panic in her voice, and knew it was because of her unfamiliar surroundings. “I am here, Joanna,” he said, dismounting and reaching up to help her from her horse.

Captain Harland Thatcher descended the steps from the wooden walk that ran the length of the stockade wall, two steps at a time. He could hardly believe his eyes when he saw Joanna and Taggart James. Running across the compound, he grabbed Joanna by the shoulders and spun her around. “Miss James…I…” He saw the blindfold on her eyes and lapsed into silence.

“Is that you, Captain Thatcher?” she asked joyfully, hardly believing he was still alive.

Windhawk’s eyes blazed when he recognized the man whom he had once seen Joanna dancing with. He did not like the familiar way the long knife touched her. He wanted to slam the man against the gate and plunge his knife into his heart.

Windhawk saw Old Farley limping forward and that didn’t improve his temper any.

“Yes, it’s me, Miss James. This is a strange coincidence. Farley came to Fort Leavenworth and informed the commander you were alive and living in the Blackfoot village. I volunteered
to take a company of men and try and res…” His eyes moved to Windhawk’s and he saw the murderous glare that chilled him to the bone. “We were sent to…rescue you,” he said hesitantly, pulling his eyes away from the chief of the Bloods.

“Joanna, you are surely a sight for sore eyes,” Farley said, coming forward and grasping her hand. “And I’ll declare ifen it ain’t Taggart, too.”

Windhawk stepped back a pace. He could see several long knives closing in on him with their hands resting threateningly on their sabers. Tag saw this too, and he moved to stand beside Windhawk. He could see that the soldiers were only waiting for the signal from Captain Thatcher to overtake Windhawk.

“Call off your men, Captain Thatcher,” Tag yelled. “Windhawk is our friend. If you lay one hand on him, my sister and I will…”

“Captain Thatcher,” Joanna intervened. “Windhawk saved my and my brother’s life. Let him go free.” She felt confusion, not being able to see what was happening.

Harland looked at the tall chief. Farley had informed him that Windhawk had forcibly taken Joanna back to the Blackfoot village after the old man had rescued her.

“Stand easy, men. Allow him to pass,” Harland ordered.

Windhawk looked at Joanna one last time. He turned slowly away, mounted his horse, and rode out the gate.

Joanna held up her hand in a beseeching manner. “Windhawk, do not leave me!” she cried in the tongue of the Blackfoot. But Windhawk did not hear her plea; he had already ridden away.

Joanna stumbled forward and fell to the ground. Tag knelt down beside her and hugged her tightly. “He’s gone, Joanna,” he said.

Joanna shook her head, crying softly. “He didn’t even say good-bye, Tag. He left without a word.”

“Miss Joanna, Master Taggart, I thought it was your voices I heard, but I couldn’t be sure.” Simon took Joanna’s hand and helped her to her feet.

By now Joanna was in total confusion. Windhawk had left
her, and she had heard the voices of three men she feared were dead.

She grabbed Simon and hugged him tightly. “Oh, Simon, I thought you had been killed. Thank God, you’re still alive.”

Joanna’s happiness at knowing Simon wasn’t dead was short lived. She felt such pain and emptiness in her heart. How could Windhawk have left her? He had ridden away as if he couldn’t wait to get away from her.

“Watcha wearing that thing on your eyes fer, Joanna?” Farley asked.

“Farley, I am so glad you are safe. How is your ankle?” she asked.

“I’m doing right nicely. Right after you and Windhawk left, Nate Boscow, the trapper whose trap I stuck my leg in, came by to check his line. He took me to Fort Leavenworth. You never did say why you have your eyes covered,” he added.

Joanna knew there would be many questions to answer before she could be alone with her broken heart.

Harland Thatcher looked at Joanna. He had grieved when he thought she had been killed by the Blackfoot. When Farley had told him she was still alive, he knew he wouldn’t rest until he had freed her or died trying.

“Take my arm, Miss James. I think you need to rest now,” Harland said. “After you are refreshed will be time enough to answer questions.”

Windhawk stared at the fort below. Joanna was back where she belonged. He had hated the way the long knife had touched her, but she was no longer his woman. Let her return to her meaningless white world.

Windhawk turned his horse and headed westward. The snow had begun to fall again and he felt the chill of the cold wind. His dark eyes stared straight ahead and his hands gripped the reins tightly. He felt as if his heart had turned to ice.

The common room was a huge structure with rough log walls and ceilings. There were several wooden benches and chairs, and a crude table. Many different kinds of animal furs were stacked against the wall, almost to the ceiling.

Joanna and Tag sat before a big roaring fire while Captain Thatcher and several other men were gathered about a table asking them questions. They wanted to know if there were any other captives in the Blackfoot village. They also wanted to know if Joanna and Tag could give them any details about the raid on the wagon train.

Joanna was strangely quiet, leaving Tag to answer most of the questions that were put to them. In truth, she paid very little attention to the proceedings. Her mind was on the tall Indian who had taken her to the gates of paradise only to cast her adrift. Joanna placed no blame on Windhawk. She was the one who had left him first. Of course if he had truly loved her, wouldn’t he have forgiven her and taken her back as his wife? she questioned.

Tag nudged Joanna and she was brought back to the present. “What?…I’m sorry, I didn’t…Did you ask me something?” she asked in confusion.

“Captain Thatcher said he has something important to tell us, Joanna,” Tag said, leaning close to her and lowering his voice.

Joanna heard the jingle of Harland’s spurs and knew he was standing next to her.

“I have sent the others out, Miss James, with the exception of your man Simon, and Farley. Simon is the one who has something to say to you.”

Simon knelt down beside Joanna, dreading what he had to relate to her and Tag. He cleared his throat nervously. “Miss
Joanna, Master Taggart, after I thought you had perished with the others on the wagon train, I hired a guide to take me to Oregon. It was rough going at times. After several weeks I reached my destination.”

“Did you see Papa?” Tag asked excitedly.

“I…” Simon paused. “No, that’s what I want to tell you. I don’t know any other way to say it except to just say it right out. Master Russell is…dead.”

The room became strangely silent. The only sound that could be heard was the crackling of the fire in the fireplace. Tag placed his hand in Joanna’s and she hugged him to her. She could feel his shoulders shaking and tears choked off her breathing.

Farley shook his head sadly, thinking the two of them had been through so much lately and this was just one more final blow.

Tag stood up and took Joanna by the hand. “If you will excuse us,” he said, pulling his sister to her feet, “Joanna and I would like to be alone.”

“Miss James, is there anything I can do?” Harland offered, feeling sorrow for her and her young brother.

“No, thank you, Captain. Tag and I will be fine. Thank you for your kindness.”

“When you feel up to it, Miss James, we will talk about what you should do next.”

“Yes…later, Captain,” she said, before Tag led her from the room.

Farley glanced at Simon, and then at Captain Thatcher. “Them there are mighty fine young people. Guess I admire them ’bout as well as anyone.”

“Yes,” Harland said, turning to Farley. “You did say that Miss James had been mistreated by Windhawk?”

“I said maybe he had taken her as his woman. I don’t know that for sure. I can’t think why he set her free after fighting to get her back when she run away. There’s something mighty fishy going on here,” the old man said. “It just don’t fit with what I knowed about him.”

“What do you think Miss James’s plans will be?” Harland asked, turning to Simon. “Do you think she will want to return to Philadelphia?”

“At this point we haven’t made any plans. Let’s give them a few more days to adjust to their grief.” Simon had no idea what Joanna would decide to do. She couldn’t return to Philadelphia now that her father was dead, because that would mean that Howard Landon was still her and Tag’s guardian.

What Simon hadn’t told Joanna and Tag was what he had been told about their father’s death. Richard Land, who had been Russell James’s friend, had told Simon that there had been a strange man hanging around their father the day he died. He had still been bedridden with a broken back and it appeared someone had placed a pillow over his face, smothering him to death. Simon had his suspicions that Joanna’s Uncle Howard had something to do with their father’s death, but he hadn’t been able to prove anything.

“I would like to have a physician examine Miss James’s eyes,” Harland said. “I think we should convince them to go to Fort Leavenworth where they have a fine doctor who can treat her.”

“They ’bout as well go to Fort Leavenworth,” Farley said. “With winter coming on, they can’t go nowhere else.”

“That will be up to Miss Joanna,” Simon stated stiffly. He had always been close-mouthed about the Jameses’ affairs. He would never discuss their personal matters with anyone.

Farley crinkled his face up and looked at Harland. “You wouldn’t be sweet on our little lady would you? I seed the way you looked at her. Ifen I were to guess, I’d say you wanted her at Fort Leavenworth so you could be near her.”

Harland smiled. “Perhaps, Farley. It never hurts a man to hope.”

Farley turned his attention to Simon. “I don’t know why you come back here after you seed that Joanna and Tag’s pa was kilt. Did you have a hunch you would find them alive?”

“No, not at all. I came back because I wanted to see that my wife, Miss Joanna, and Master Taggart received a proper
burial. That’s when I ran into you at Fort Leavenworth and you told me that Miss Joanna and Master Tag were still alive.”

Joanna and Tag sat in the middle of the bed, talking quietly. They had cried out their grief for their father. Once again they had been called on to withstand heartache. The two of them had faced still another tragedy. Anyone with less fortitude would have given up long ago. Joanna and Tag seemed to have an inner strength that carried them through one disaster after another. They seemed to draw strength from each other. It was now time to put their grief aside and decide what was to be done about their future.

“We cannot go back to Philadelphia, Tag. You know what we would face with Uncle Howard and Aunt Margaret. What do you think we should do?”

“I’ve been thinking about that. What would you say if we went to Oregon as we originally planned?”

“I don’t know, Tag. We don’t know anyone in Oregon. We still have Mother’s jewels. They will bring a great deal of money if we need to sell them.”

“As I see it, we have to avoid Uncle Howard until I come of age. Then we can return to Philadelphia and claim what by rights, belongs to us.”

Joanna smiled to herself. Tag was becoming quite grown-up. It was a little sad that he had not been allowed to have a childhood like other boys did. Now he would miss growing up with a father to guide him. She remembered how he had admired Windhawk, making him the missing father-figure in his life. She didn’t know where the future would lead them, but she was grateful that she and Tag still had each other. The fact that they were now together was due to Windhawk.

Windhawk…he had touched their lives so briefly, yet both Tag and Joanna knew that they would never forget him. In Joanna’s world of darkness she would still see his face so clearly. She knew his image would haunt her for the rest of her life.

The two week journey to Fort Leavenworth had passed in comfort for Joanna. Captain Thatcher had procured a dog sled for her to ride on. She was not only able to stay snug and warm, but was also able to rest from her long ordeal as well.

Thirty-five cavalry men, Simon, and Farley also made the journey with them. At night a tent was pitched so Joanna and Tag were able to sleep in comfort with warm blankets to keep them snug.

Captain Thatcher went out of his way to see that Joanna wanted for nothing. She was beginning to think he was one of the kindest men she had ever known.

Joanna had very little hope that she would ever regain her sight. She had become resigned to her world of darkness.

In some ways it seemed as if Tag had assumed the role of head of the family. He was never very far away from Joanna in case she needed him.

It seemed that Joanna had many who were interested in her well-being. Farley had attached himself to her and Tag, and of course, there was the ever-faithful Simon.

Fort Leavenworth was in view when Captain Thatcher halted his troops. He dismounted and walked over to Joanna while the others looked on.

“Miss James, we are now ready to enter the fort and the terrain is too rugged for the dog sled. If you will allow me, I will take you upon my horse and carry you to the fort.”

Joanna offered him her hand. “That would be kind of you, Captain.”

He mounted his horse and Simon handed Joanna up to him. Harland carefully placed her across his lap.

Being in such close contact with a man brought back memories of Windhawk to haunt Joanna.

Harland looked down at the beautiful face and felt an ache deep inside. Would her beautiful eyes never be able to see the light of day? He wanted to hold her and protect her from anyone who would ever try to harm her.

“Miss James, I don’t know if I told you or not, but Claudia Maxwell is at the fort.”

“How did she manage to survive? I feared she had been killed.”

“As you know, Simon and I were scouting on ahead when the Indians struck the wagon train. I blame myself for not being prepared for the attack.”

“It was not your fault, Captain. No one could have foreseen that the attack would take place.”

“I think I will always feel responsible for what happened. After all, I was in charge.”

“Had you been there, Captain, you would have been killed. I am glad you and Simon were spared. I am also happy about Claudia.”

“When Simon and I saw the smoke from the burning wagons, we rode back as quickly as we could. When we got near enough, he and I hid in some bushes. It appeared that everyone had been killed. We were outnumbered, fifty to one. It did not seem wise to make our presence known.”

Harland did not tell Joanna how he had returned later, searching for her body. Nor did he tell her how he had grieved thinking she was dead.

“I can see that you did the wise thing, Captain.”

“Simon and I decided the best course for us to take was to ride to the fort for reinforcements. On the way we came across Miss Maxwell. Her horse had thrown her and she was half out of her mind with fright.”

“Has she recovered?”

Harland thought of Claudia and how she was now the belle of the fort. She flirted outrageously with all the officers, including Harland himself. “Yes, I think you could say she is completely recovered. I don’t know what her plans are for the future, but like you, she is forced to stay at the fort until winter passes.”

Joanna was thoughtful. Even though she had never cared for Claudia, she was happy that her life had been spared.

Joanna could tell the moment they entered the fort by the sounds of activity. She detected the sound of the flag being lowered on the flagpole, and a group of soldiers marching in
unison. She felt momentary fear, knowing she was back in the so-called civilization. It seemed a whole lifetime ago since she had been Joanna James. Would she be shunned by the wives of the soldiers because she had been Windhawk’s woman?

Harland seemed to know what she was feeling. “Don’t worry, Miss James, there is nothing to fear. There are many here who will be your friend.”

Claudia was standing outside the post exchange, talking to Lieutenant Bryant, when she saw Captain Thatcher’s unit ride into the post. She searched the faces of the soldiers, looking for him. Claudia had decided that before the winter was out, Harland Thatcher would ask her to marry him. She flirted with all the other officers hoping to make him jealous. So far he had kept his distance from her. She knew he was from a very wealthy family and she could see herself as his wife, wearing silks and satins.

Claudia had not been told why Harland had left the fort but she was happy that he had returned.

Her eyes brightened when she saw his golden hair shining in the bright sunlight. Her eyes narrowed at the woman he held in his arms. Dear Lord, there had to be a mistake, that couldn’t be Joanna James. She was dead! Claudia saw Taggart James ride up beside Harland and knew that Joanna and her brother had somehow survived the Indian raid.

Once more jealousy burned in Claudia’s heart. The one female she despised most in the world had returned to stand between her and Harland.

Claudia ground her teeth together when she saw how carefully Harland lifted Joanna to the ground. It didn’t help her temper when Lieutenant Bryant stared in open admiration at Joanna.

“Who is that angel?” he asked. “It’s hard to tell from this distance, but I would venture to guess she is the most beautiful girl I have seen in a long time.”

Claudia gave Lieutenant Bryant a malicious glare. “Do you think she is prettier than me?”

Lieutenant Bryant’s face became flushed. “Present company notwithstanding,” he said hurriedly, trying to make amends for his
faux pas.

Joanna and Tag had each been given a small bedroom in Colonel Jackson’s, the commanding officers’ living quarters. His wife Katharine Jackson, was a kind, motherly woman. She felt pity for Joanna and Tag and had taken them to her heart.

Katharine entered her husband’s office and set a tray containing his dinner down before him. “Why must you keep these late hours, Richard? It appears to me that you could use the daylight hours to do the paperwork. I don’t know how many times I have had to bring your supper to you on a tray.”

He smiled fondly at his wife of forty years. “Kate, you have been an army wife long enough to know that when you’re in charge you don’t go by the clock.”

“I know, but you aren’t as young as you once were, Richard. I worry about you overworking.”

He caught her hand, “I may be getting older, but you are just getting prettier, Kate.” Kate’s hair was completely white and she wore it pulled away from her face in a bun. Her gray eyes held a twinkle as she jerked her hand away.

“That’s not true and you know it. I look exactly like what I am, an old woman.”

Richard laughed. “Not so, Kate, you are what keeps me young. How are our two young guests?” he asked, changing the subject.