Savage Pride by Cassie Edwards

Author:Cassie Edwards [Edwards, Cassie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-01-21T22:00:53+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Pretty Cloud had come early in the morning to teach Malvina how to prepare various Choctaw foods while Red Wing and several warriors scouted the land to make sure no white men had trespassed on their property these past days. They were going to make sure no more moonshiners placed illegal stills on land that was, by treaty, the Choctaws'.

A popular dish for the Choctaw called bunaha, cornmeal combined with boiled beans, cooked in a pot over the flames in the fireplace. Sturgeon, caught in the Arkansas River, sizzled in bear fat in a skillet on the outer edge of the hot coals.

"You are learning quickly," Pretty Cloud said, watching Malvina now wrapping the cooked bunaha in corn husks. She laughed softly. "Perhaps I am teaching you too well the art of Choctaw cooking. You will make both Red Wing and your children so fat they will not be able to move around except in a waddle."

The day was exceptionally warm and muggy. Malvina brushed a damp strand of hair back from her eyes, smearing flour across her brow. "I only hope that once I have my own family, they will appreciate my cooking," she said, laughing softly. "It isn't all that easy to stand here preparing food. I am used to being outdoors. When my mother was alive and tried to urge me to stay in the kitchen and learn to cook, I always sneaked out and rode away and enjoyed horseback riding with my brother Daniel."

Bringing Daniel's name into the conversation stung Malvina's heart. She doubted that she could ever accept that he was dead. Even if she knew for certain that he was, she didn't see how she could ever learn to live with it.

Not wanting Pretty Cloud to see the tears that were filling her eyes, Malvina went to a window and threw back the sash. "Let's get some more air in here," she said, her voice breaking.

Pretty Cloud went to her and placed a gentle arm around her waist. "Do you wish to tell me about your Daniel?" she murmured. "Will that help calm some of your pain at having lost him?"

Malvina turned and flung herself into Pretty Cloud's arms. She placed her cheek on her shoulder. "I miss him so," she sobbed, relieved after all to have the opportunity to confide in someone besides Red Wing. "He was such a sweet and lovable young man. He would have made a wonderful preacher. His heart was filled with compassion." She drew away from Pretty Cloud and wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands. "Why does someone like him have to die, when there are so many heartless, evil men roaming the land?" she said, imploring Pretty Cloud with her eyes. "It isn't fair, Pretty Cloud. Daniel could have spread the word of God to so many who hunger for it. God is needed in this land of killings and robberies."

"The Great Spirit, as well as your God, looks over us all," Pretty Cloud said, placing a gentle hand to Malvina's cheek.

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