He nodded.
"You could help me make the decision on whether I should stay or go."
"I will not. It is your life and your decision to make, and I should have no part in it."
"Yes, you should."
He shut his eyes briefly before opening them to stare straight at her. He said, "Your father will shoot me on sight if I ever return to Fort Union. Your mother wants you to discover the Indian way of life is not for you so you will agree to marry one of those men in St. Louis or some other man of your own or your parents' choosing. If we were to ever marry, you would soon realize you might never see your parents again. I cannot easily go where they are. They cannot come here, and I would have to escort you there if ever you were to miss seeing them and wished to return to Fort Union. Once there, I might never again return to my country because I might no longer be amongst the living. A marriage between us would be difficult and perhaps painful for you and for me. But, simply because it would be difficult for me to marry you does not mean I do not hold you with favor within my heart. I do. I always have. Your daring five winters ago in an attempt to save your sister captured and secured a place for you within my heart. I say this to you: I would not have aligned myself with you if I did not hold you in high regard."
She frowned at him before saying, "Your words ease my fears, Mr. Gray Falcon, and I am happy to hear you hold a place for me within your heart. Tell me, is this feeling of affection you speak of the same as what you might feel for a wife?"
He sighed. "Saa, my feelings have not been in the sense of a man and his woman. And, again, you push me too far when you speak of this to me. It is a man's place to say this to a—"
"You could steal me. Indians are known to do this when the parents are not favorable. Then I wouldn't have to be accountable to—"
"I cannot act as you suggest. I walk a different path than many others. If we were to become married, you would have to come to me because you wish it. Not because I steal you away from your home."
"I'm here."
"But, you are not here to become married to me, a Pikuni man. This you have told me. And, since you are now here, you have to decide if you wish this way of life or not, especially because you have pledged your word to your mother to do this. And, I must take no part in your decision. I do believe you should decide this quickly, however, within a matter of days, and send word to your mother of your decision. I say to you: discover this now. Then either stay or go. But, do not linger once your decision is made."
"And, you do not care which way I decide?"
He didn't answer. Nor did he look at her. Instead, he came up to his feet rather quickly and paced toward the entrance flap. Then, still without saying another word, he stepped out into the night.
She sighed. It would appear their conversation was at an end.
And, although she saw he had merely gone outside to sit beside the tepee, his actions spoke for him: there was to be no more talk about this…at least there was to be no more said about it tonight.
Tomorrow, however, was another day.
