“I will do no such thing!” Officer Raleigh said fiercely. He tried to stop her as she made her way into the constable’s office, but she pushed past him. The constable was enjoying a glass of rum when she walked in.
“Ah! Ms. Thornton, just the person I wanted to speak to. I want to ask some questions about the chief. He’s well known, and holds a lot of power in these parts,” the constable said with a kind smile, but she knew otherwise.
“I’m not going to help you constable,” Hannah said firmly. They were not going to use her to hurt Bear Claw or any of the chiefs. He looked up at her sharpness, the smile dropping.
“You should understand that we have to know the people better, especially those who are hostile to us. It is just for the betterment of our goals,” the constable said.
“I am leaving. I would appreciate if I get a horse,” Hannah said.
The constable looked completely shocked. She would have laughed if the situation wasn’t so serious.
“Are you crazy?” he asked.
Why did everyone think she was crazy? She rolled her eyes. “No, I am not. I don’t belong here. I belong with him.”
“Do you know how stupid that sounds? They are barbarians! They—”
“With your clean clothes and manners, you think you are any different from them?” Hannah scoffed. “You came to their lands, killed those who resisted, stolen what they have, and yet you call them barbarians? How ironic.”
He looked away, embarrassed for a moment. “I do not think this is the right thing to do. It is unheard for a woman of a good upbringing to belittle herself to lay with those men.”
“I think it is. I just came here for a horse. And directions to find my way home. But if you cannot be of help, I will figure it out,” Hannah shrugged. She would buy someone’s horse and be on her way.
“Saddle a horse for her,” the constable said.
“But sir—”
“Do as I say,” the older man snapped.
Hannah returned home with a small wagon. It was shabby with a tired looking horse but it would do. At least she hoped so. She heard raised voices as she got into the house. The conversation between her mother and Samuel ceased.
“You are a disgrace! An embarrassment!” Samuel spat.
She forged on, ignoring him. The hate she felt for him had developed into pity. Now she saw him for the bitter man that he was. One who was angry at the world and at himself.
“Hannah.”
She turned to her little sister and hugged her.
“Please don’t go,” Mary cried.
Hannah ruffled her hair. “I have to go Mary. But I will never forget you. I will come visit.” If they remained here, she might visit them, and on one visits bring Bear Claw over.
“You will never step foot in here again!”
Samuel threw.
The females ignored him as they helped Hannah take her things out to the wagon. After two trips, all her things were well tucked in the wagon.
“Mama!” She cried as she said goodbye. May God keep her, she prayed silently. The woman deserved happiness and even though she knew he would never change, perhaps Samuel would make her mother happy.
“You are making the right decision,” her mother said, her eyes filled with tears.
“Am I?” She was giving up her life here to go be with him, but what if he turned her down? What if he wanted nothing to do with her? Or he had found another woman? She might just be returning home in a few hours, back to this town and to Samuel’s torment.
“Yes you are,” her mother smiled.
Her younger brother stretched out his chubby arms and she carried him to her chest. He giggled as she kissed him on the cheek. “I am going to miss you Joseph, but I know mama and Mary are going to take good care of you.”
