Indecision gnawed at her.
The picture his words painted sounded wonderful. A quiet Indian village where she could live her own life. She could learn to hunt and cook the way his people did. It would likely be vastly different from what she was accustomed to, but if it allowed her a peaceful life where she was fully in control, it might be quite pleasant.
But... "Will your people accept me? A white woman? Or will they wish me to leave?" She wouldn't go where she wasn't wanted.
He nodded without hesitation. "They will see you mean no harm. My mother will embrace you as a daughter."
The longing his words released in her would make her too prone to emotion, so she pushed it away. His village did sound like a good place to start this new life.
But what if it didn't work out? What if she wanted to move on? "Will you make me stay there if I'm not happy? You say we would be married, but once we reach your village you won’t bother me. What if I don't like it there? Can I leave on my own?"
His brows gathered, and a line creased his forehead. Concern filled his eyes, but was that sadness too? She couldn't let his emotions manipulate her decision. Not like before. She had to know she would be free to make her own choices if she went with him.
At last, he nodded. "I think you will like the village of my people. But if you do not, you may leave. I only ask that you tell me if this is what you want. I will not stop you, but I will see you there safely and make sure you have all you need for your new life."
How could she say no to that? This man seemed noble, but Winston had spoken pretty words to convince her to wed him. They'd all been lies—some he’d likely believed himself. But every one of his promises had been trampled on, over and over, by his own polished boots.
This man would likely do the same. But if she agreed to marry him, that didn’t mean she had to submit to abuse from him.
In Savannah, Winston’d had all of society and the police department to ensure she remained securely in his grip.
In this vast Montana Territory, she could leave Two Stones in the night and disappear forever. She would still be married and certainly wouldn’t seek out another man. But she wouldn’t subject herself to constant demeaning and punishment for offenses she didn’t commit.
On the other hand, if he turned out to be speaking the truth now, she might reach a place where she could truly find the peaceful life she craved, a life where she would be free to make her own decisions.
He stood quietly. Not pushing. His presence solid, but not intruding while she worked through her decision. Was it because he believed he'd already won?
Either way, her chances were better with this man than if she stayed in Virginia City alone.
So she nodded. "All right. I'll come."
She could only pray she wasn't making the second worst decision of her life.
As dawn turned the horizon pink and orange the next morning, Two Stones knelt beside the cold creek, splashing the icy water over his bare chest and arms. He could do with a full washing on a day this important, but the biting chill of the water kept him at the edge. At least he would be wearing a new tunic and leggings.
He'd sought out Turner yesterday after Heidi agreed to the marriage, and the three of them decided to hold the ceremony just after first light this morning. Turner could start his work at the mine straight after, and Two Stones and Heidi could head southwest toward the Mullan Road.
And home.
Home.
He always felt a little empty when he tried to use that word, even though his people had camped in that quiet valley for five winters now. It was the place he came back to when he had a lull between trips, though not as often of late. Still, was it home?
He pushed to his feet and slipped the tunic on, pulling it over his damp skin. Did Heidi regret her choice yet? If he gave her more than one day before the ceremony, she surely would, just like the others had.
This would be his third attempt at marriage. Neither of the first two betrothals had reached the day of the ceremony. He'd thought he loved Standing Kettle, but when her family chose another over him, she'd withdrawn her affections without a backward glance.
That had been a good lesson for him. He'd learned not to allow his heart to enter friendship with a woman. So when hisparents tried to arrange a union between him and Yellow Mouse, he'd not been hurt when she refused to even look his way.
He'd made it clear to his father then that he would forge his own path, and that journey wouldnotinclude a woman by his side. What would they say now when he brought Heidi to them?
And she was a white woman. Seeing that she was his choice for a wife would surely strengthen his family’s belief that he was more white than Salish now. They’d not said such in several winters, but he could still see the truth in their eyes.
His chest tightened, but he scooped up his satchel and rifle and turned toward the shanties at the end of town. He’d given his word. He couldn’t turn back now.
Of course, she would only be with him for this week they’d be traveling. After that, she wanted her freedom. And he'd allow her to keep it. In a way, this truly was the best situation for both of them.
God must surely have brought them together for this reason.Thank You, Father.Maybe if he offered thanks enough, this marriage living apart would feel more like a gift and not just one more rejection.
