A few deep breaths helped. But, it did occur to him that he might be in trouble in regards to her…perhaps deep trouble.
****
"Where are you planning to stay tonight?" Gray Falcon asked A'sitápi, keeping his glance lowered and centered upon the ground as proper Blackfoot manners required of him. The age-old etiquette also had the desired result of keeping his attention off her womanly figure.
"I don't really know," she answered. "I suppose I might likely stay within the gates of the fort for the night, since it is where my trunk was taken. My sister, Laylah, however, tells me that she and her sisters-in-law have put up a tepee for me and my friend, Sharon. And, she has just told me she insists we stay there, for the tepee is pitched beside her own. But, for now, my things have been taken to the fort, and I think this is where Sharon and I might spend the night."
He nodded. Her voice tone was as he remembered it, but its quality had an even more feminine quality to it now. It was soft and husky, and even it was affecting him as though he had only this moment discovered the differences between a man and a woman.
"Gray Falcon?"
He brought his gaze up to look at her. She was smiling at him, and he couldn't remember when he had seen a more beautiful woman. Gazing into her warm, greenish-brown eyes, he felt almost drunk on her beauty. The feeling didn't help his strictly male problem, and he set his blanket into a more secure position directly in front of his "problem."
"I…I need to tell you something."
He didn't say a word. He looked directly at her, then dropped his gaze again to the ground as he prepared to listen.
"I…my mother…no, I mean my father…no, it's really something to do with my family. No…it's you, really, but… No, that's not right."
He glanced up at her and smiled.
She sighed. "There is another reason I am here, but I…"
"I am listening."
"I know. It's hard for me to talk about it, and I fear…I fear… Oh, no, I can't tell you. I thought I would be able to, but I can't."
He nodded, then, looking down at her, for the top of her head only reached up to his shoulders, he said, "Perhaps now is not the right time for you to speak to me of your deepest thoughts. It has been five winters since we last saw each other. Yes, we have used the spirit-talk to communicate, but it is not the same as seeing each other in person. Calm yourself. There will be a right time."
"But, it is important."
"If you wish to tell me now, I will listen."
"I can't," she said on a sob. She looked away from him and bit down on her lip before saying, "Outside of my family, you are the most important person in my life, and I…" Again she sobbed, and he watched in surprise as a tear trickled down her cheek. "I can't tell you. And yet, I must. Please, I must try, for, you see, it has to do with my father…no it's also my mother…no, I… Oh, what am I to do? I can't seem to say it to you."
"Do not be concerned," he counseled, attempting to bring her a little comfort. "No one here is requiring you to speak of matters of importance. Let us first talk and become acquainted again." He grinned at her. "I know you will tell me your concern when it is the right time to speak of it. Within my memory is the girl who has always been a little too familiar with me, who sometimes made herself into a pest and who refused to do as I often urged her to do. But, she is a girl who is unafraid to speak her mind when it is essential for her to do it, especially if it concerns a friend or a sister. Let us talk of unimportant things. How was your journey?"
"It was good, I suppose. It is a long trip from the town of St. Louis to here. But, it was a pretty voyage—at least it was once the river-of-sticks was no longer a problem."
He nodded. "I have heard the Big River can be littered with sand and logs and dirt." He paused. To his relief, his body had returned to normal and he was feeling again in control of himself. He said, "You look well. You have grown up."
"Yes, I have, as have you. You are no longer the boy who I used to follow around like a dog with its master."
He laughed. "I never thought of you as a dog. My uncle and my auntie, whom you know, are here. They will be pleased to see you again."
"And, how pleasured I will be to make their acquaintance again."
"Are you tired from your journey?"
"I am."
"Then, come, follow me to the fort. I will take you there, and perhaps you might rest."
She nodded. "I would like that." She paused. "Gray Falcon?"
He smiled at her.
"No matter what happens, please know this: I love you. I will always love you."
