Hannah frowned. “What do you mean mother?”
“Go to him,” her mother said with a sad smile.
“No,” she shook her head. She had just come back home. “I can’t leave you with him mama. You need me.”
“You have always been there for me, but now is time for you to chase your happiness. I was happy with your father, but I settled for less. You deserve better. I will be okay. I am stronger than you think. Samuel has changed.”
Hannah scoffed. He was still an asshole.
“He's broken. Defeated. Thomas’ death has shaken him more than he admits. He feels guilt for Thomas' death, but he hides it with anger.”
“He hurts you mama.”
“I have spoken to him. Remember the fight I talked about?”
Hannah nodded.
“I set some rules. It is taking some time for him to fully change, but he will.”
True, she had noticed that he was more quiet than usual, and that he vented most of his anger on her. He simply just ignored her mother. Yet, she doubted he would change. She would not be surprised if he left one day and never returned.
“I know what you are thinking, but don’t worry about me Hannah. You have worried all about me your life. Now is the time for you to be happy. I don’t care wherever you are. As long as you are happy, I will be happy. And if things don’t work out, you can always come back home. I and your siblings will always be here for you.” Her mother hugged her and she cried in her arms.
Her mother wanted her to be happy, and that meant being away from her. Not getting to see her kid brother grow up. But all of her life, she had always thought of others. Perhaps now was the time to think of herself. She wanted to be with Bear Claw. If he would have her. Would he want her back after she had left him? Or had he turned his eyes to another woman with a more luscious body? Someone like him?
Doubts filled her. How would she survive out there?
“The same way you survived all these months,” her mother said.
She turned red as she realized she had voiced out her fears out loud.
“I know this is a great step to take. I am worried about you as well. But what do you want? Has he ever hurt you? Do you think his people will turn on you?
No, they wouldn’t. They had cultural differences but she knew they would not hurt her. To them, every life was sacred. She may not have been born one of them, but she had gained their respect. Bear Claw would never hurt her. He had always been gentle with her.
In her heart, she knew the right decision to make. A smile spread on her face, the first honest one since she had arrived at the town.
All night, Hannah thought about her decision to leave. By morning the next day, she began to gather her belongings together. As she did, she felt lightweight. There was no restrain or regret in her heart. it felt like this was the right thing to do.
The only horse they had had been taken by Samuel to god knew where. Until they had enough money to buy another horse, and for more, they were going to settle down here. The town had an old preacher who was sick, and Samuel was lobbying to take over from him when he died. They might never get to California, Hannah suspected.
“Ms. Thornton,” Officer Raleigh said when she walked into the constable’s office.
“Good day officer. I need a horse, and directions,” Hannah said. She could see the secretary listening. She had been the one to spread the rumor that Hannah had been in a harem for a chief, pissing Samuel even more. He had returned home drunk calling Hannah names.
“A horse? Where are you going to?” he asked confused.
“Home,” she said with a smile.
His confusion only deepened.
“I’m going back to where you met me. I never should have come back…” She was glad she had returned to confirm for herself that her mother and brother were alive. And to tie loose ends. If she had stayed back, she would have gone most of her life wondering about a lot of things.
He looked stunned, and the secretary gasped. “Have you lost your mind?” Officer Raleigh asked. “You want to go back… to that hideous place?”
Indeed, it seemed like she had. While the town was still in its early formation, it was more comfortable than the village, but she would choose the village over the town. Home was where her heart was, and it was with Bear Claw.
“Yes, I want to go back there. Can I get a horse?” Hannah asked.
