On the Wapiti Range by Paul Lederer

Author:Paul Lederer
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781480487918
Publisher: Open Road Media

SIX

The slender young woman did not resemble the Four Dove that Lee remembered, and yet she did. She was taller, of course, her figure fuller. She wore a white, fringed elkskin dress with beaded bodice. Her face was stern, but there was a sort of mocking laughter in the depths of her eyes. Lee struggled to get to his feet, but could not manage it. Four Dove went to her knees beside him.

‘It is you, Lee Trent,’ she said, lifting his chin to study his battered face.

‘Yes. And it is you, Four Dove.’ He shook his head. ‘I cannot believe what a difference four years can make. You were just a girl!’

But no longer, he thought. Now she was a self-confident, handsome woman. Her dark hair hung in a single braid down her back. She had scooted to the fire ring and begun heating water. ‘You are filthy, Lee. What has happened?’

‘Some men came upon my land … I’ll tell you all about it later. When your father is here as well.’ They settled into silent remembrances while the water she placed on the fire to heat boiled. She found a strip of clean cloth and began cleaning his face with small intakes of breath. ‘Your arm hurts – I can see by the way you move.’

‘Yes. It’s not broken, but only twisted.’ He watched her as she dabbed at his cuts, her movements as lithe as a cat’s, her face serious. He could not fail to notice her eyes, black as night, intense, and from time to time flickering to the bed where Lucinda lay.

‘She is your woman, this one?’ Four Dove asked abruptly, sitting back. Lee smiled.

‘No. The men who came had her held prisoner. Manassas and I planned to set her free and help her get home.’

‘I see,’ Four Dove answered with severe softness. ‘Remove your shirt, Lee Trent. I can tell that you have been badly beaten.’

‘Actually,’ he admitted, ‘I fell off a cliff!’

He thought the remark would draw a laugh from Four Dove, but she only replied, ‘It is the same thing.’

‘Do you have the time to tend me?’ Lee asked, unbuttoning his shirt.

‘I have the time,’ Four Dove said, wringing the cloth out in the pot. ‘Why would I not have the time to aid the man who once rescued me?’

‘That was so long ago.…’

‘Gratitude has a long memory,’ she said. Four Dove sat near to him, working on his scratches and bruises. Her breath was intent and warm.

‘I’m sorry,’ Lee said. His hand barely brushed hers as he spoke. ‘I only thought that maybe you should be home … taking care of your husband and your family.’

She did not seem to hear him. She had found the open wound on his back. ‘This will require a poultice. I will see to it.’ Then she held the cloth to the back of his neck where he had been clubbed down. Her touch was soothing. She was inches from him. Her mouth was still set; only her eyes smiled.

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