CHAPTER ELEVEN
As silently as possible, Amelia crawled toward the rim of this wide ledge, determined to follow Gray Falcon and add her own self-defense to his. She heard voices, and it was with an overpowering sense of relief when she heard Gray Falcon laugh. Then, when she heard him say aloud, "My friend, you have startled me," she began to tremble. She took a deep breath and shut her eyes.
Good. There would be no fight this night.
She had come up onto her knees when she heard Gray Falcon laugh again, and then came a reply. "I am seeking my sister-in-law at the request of my wife. I have tracked both her and you to this place."
Amelia recognized Eagle Heart's voice at the same time she heard Gray Falcon say, "And, so you have found us.Póóhsapoot,come with me, and I will take you to her."
"Is she well?" asked Eagle Heart.
"She is well. But, follow me, and she will tell you herself how she is."
No further words were spoken, but Amelia came up onto her feet and straightened her hair and her clothing. Then she waited where she stood, there on the brim of the ledge.
She didn't have long to wait. Only a few seconds might have gone by before she saw the two men come into sight.
"Hello," she said, welcoming them. "It seems I have created a kind of incident by simply wishing to be alone for a while. I apologize to you both for the trouble. I came here, away from the sounds of the dancing and drums, so I might think."
Both Eagle Heart and Gray Falcon nodded.
"It is good for you to do this. I have often come to this very spot," said Eagle Heart. "I am glad to find you well and safe. And, now I will leave you with my friend, who I am certain can defend you if the need arises." Eagle Heart nodded toward her and turned to leave.
But, Gray Falcon held him back by simply saying, "I have brought food with me, my friend. Would you like to share it with us?"
"I would be honored to eat with you, since I do not turn down good food. Perhaps I should have brought my woman with me, also. But, we have only returned from ministering to a young boy, and my wife was tired and wished to sleep."
Gray Falcon nodded.
"But," continued Eagle Heart, "when she went to her sister's lodge to bid her goodnight, my wife found no one about and became concerned. And now, as you can see, I am here."
"Okí, come, the night is still young," said Gray Falcon. "Why do we not retire to my lodge where the three of us and your wife might enjoy good companionship and food? Unless you wish to stay here. But, we might be more comfortable in my lodge."
"Or perhaps in mine," said Eagle Heart. "In this way, my wife would feel more relaxed, since she wouldn't be required to find someone to sit up with our boy."
"Your words are well taken. Shall we leave the choice up to the most beautiful one of us all?" asked Gray Falcon. "What do you say, A'sitápi? Do we go to my lodge or to your sister's?"
"I think to my sister's," replied Amelia.
And, as easily as that, it was decided.
****
They found Laylah awake and holding her young son in her arms. As each one of them came into the lodge, Laylah greeted them one by one with a smile. Looking up at her husband as he entered, Laylah said, "Our son woke up shortly after you left, my husband. And, now I see we have the pleasure of my sister's and Gray Falcon's company." Turning to her sister, Laylah continued, "I am sorry to send my husband looking for you, Amelia. I was concerned when I didn't find you at home. Sharon was not there, either."
"Yes," replied Amelia with a grin. "But, Sharon and David are in love and are soon to be married. It is, therefore, not too unusual for her to stay out until very late in the evening." Amelia smiled.
"I believe you are right," answered Laylah. "Please, sit anywhere you like. It doesn't matter where you decide because, even though the women are traditionally supposed to take their seats on the left, I do not keep this rule within my home. Besides, unless it is an important meeting, I would rather my husband and I should be seated together."
Amelia watched as Eagle Heart smiled at his wife and, taking the hint from her, chose to sit next to her. Wistfully, Amelia also observed Eagle Heart affectionately reach out to take his wife's hand into his own and bring it up to his lips. Then, grinning at her, he asked, "Would you like me to hold him?"
"Saa,I do not. Soon our son will be going with you and his uncle to learn how to hunt, to shoot and to go to war. I would like to keep him with me for as long as possible."
Eagle Heart merely smiled.
After a moment, Gray Falcon removed the parfleche bag from around his shoulders and, placing it before him, said, "I have brought food for us all to enjoy." Opening the pouch, Gray Falcon took a bit of the dried meat for himself, as was traditional, then he passed the bag to Eagle Heart, who did the same, and then slowly the bag made its way to the women.
"Is something wrong, Amelia?" asked Laylah.
