Beyond the Dream Catcher Page 21

  "You are very angry. What is wrong, my son…?" his mother pouted playfully.

  "Part of it is Burning Tree himself. He sent magic that…well…that brought us together."

  His mother nodded. "Yes of course he did, and he had to keep you safe."

  "No mother…I took her in my dreams, twice, and I want to take her again…now. And just now, she practically rejected me in front of him. Then she says I must tell her I love her, like a white woman would say."

  "She is white; at least she has been for some time. She can't change over night. She can't learn our ways in a few days. She is confused and needs a woman to talk to," his mother explained.

  "She doesn't know I love her…" he wailed. "How can she not know it, when I made such…" he stopped and looked at his mother.

  His mother blushed. "You made love to her…twice…"

  "Yes, but I know it was through Burning Tree's magic that we did so. So does she. So now she thinks I don't love her….She thinks it was all just magic."

  "Then tell her you do…" his mother smiled. "White women need the words, my son. Do you know how patient I had to be with your father before he could loosen his pride long enough to tell me how he felt? It was long after you were born before he did. Like you, she wars with the white side and the Indian side. If she willingly made love, she had to have felt something for you too. Now she is afraid. You brought her here, and she doesn't know what to do. She's alone. You must tell her my son that you love her and ask her to marry, like the white men do."

  "I'm to marry her in three days, according to Burning Tree, and I can't speak with her or walk with her for three days."

  "It is our custom, yes." His mother laughed.

  "But three days. I won't be able to contain myself, already we have been on the trail that long and I have only held her once, only kissed her once. I cannot stand being away from her for three whole days. Burning Tree is torturing me…."

  His mother smiled. "Ah…yes, he is, but think what a wonderful moment when you carry your bride into your new home."

  "If I live that long…" Chase looked at his mother and smirked. "I'm so glad I have you here with me…"

  "And I you, my son. Now do not fret. You must make a respectable home for her…"

  Chase nodded and agreed. "Yes, you are right, and that's just what I need to tire me out for three days. Yes, I will build her a fine home and she will learn of her powers and help the sick here and all will be well."

  His mother smiled again and then turned to her cooking. "Supper will be ready soon, my son, then we can sit and plan. And I must go and meet her tomorrow."

  When he calmed down his mother asked him of his time to find her and he told her all the things that happened.

  "She has been through much. No wonder. But she still came. Will the bluecoats come here looking for you?" she asked as she stirred the rabbit stew.

  "No…the Captain will probably turn them in another direction. Someday I must go and thank him for all his help. And wish that I could I would find Lee and help him." He sat on the floor and waited for his supper. "Will father join us tonight?"

  "He has much work, but tomorrow he will probably help you find the right land to put your home on and help you design it. It must be grand for you are the son of the chief." She said, "I am very happy you are home. Will you stay this time?"

  "Stay? I have a wife now, I must provide for her, but we will live here, quietly." Chase said thinking of his bride and trying to keep his body from thinking.

  "And do you think she is beautiful, my son?"

  "Very beautiful, mother."

  "Oh…I am happy for you, soon I will have grandchildren to spoil and play with…" she laughed.

  Chase made a mock frown and then smiled, his own thoughts going to the woman he could not see for three whole days….

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  As his mother said, his father helped him pick the land to build his new home on. There was a stream not far that ran into the tributary of the river only a short walk away. His father made many suggestions on how to cultivate the land and blessed it for his son.

  "We are proud she is here with us, my son, we welcome her with open arms. I only hope she can help heal the sick as Burning Tree says. If we do not heal it soon, it might wipe us out."

  Chase nodded. "She will help, father, I know her spirit and she would not let innocent children die…"

  "That is good, my son," his father smiled with approval.

  But his father was a man of few words, and the words he spoke were wise ones. Chase felt honored that he came to help him and that he blessed his new home and family.

  Together they silently worked most of the day building the wigwam, making it special in every way for her. Chase did his best to block out all the thoughts of the night they would spend together but every time he closed his eyes, he saw her and she teased him. Was it magic? Or his own dreams?

  The first day there was no glimpse of her at all. He had not seen her and he missed her, especially as the night fell and he had no one in his arms to share it. But he knew he had to be patient. Soon it would all come together and be good.

  ***

  Katherine was introduced to so many people the next day. She couldn't remember all their names. But some of the young girls were her age and she wished she could just take the day off and get to know them. But the sickness was spreading fast and Burning Tree told her there was little time to prepare for this and have the wedding. So he tutored her in the magic ways after the evening of purification. He went through each ritual, performed the dance of the Spirits, and taught her of the Indian ways. She learned quickly.

  He taught her about the Dream Catcher and all the magic that he knew. It was a lot to soak in, but somehow Katherine began to understand. He taught her about the herbs and the medicines used for centuries by his people.

  Katherine pleased him with her growing knowledge. He taught her of the sweat lodge, and meditation, and the religion of the people. She listened intently.

  And then on the second day he brought a sick child into the wigwam and put the child before her. The little boy was raging with fever. At first Katherine felt the old panic welling inside her. Just the word fever could drive her insane but Burning Tree took her hands and prayed and they danced and they used every magic trick. Then Katherine began to notice that he breathed much better when the air was damp, so she closed the wigwam tight and boiled water in the center of it and created a steaming room for the child. At first the child coughed and sputtered a lot, and it seemed not to work at all. But before nightfall the child broke into a sweat and the fever began to break.

  Burning Tree nodded his approval and smiled.

  Her medicine worked and everyone in camp knew about her success. So more and more were brought to her to cure.

  Katherine sat inside with them, breathed the same air as them, and didn't get sick, and broke their fevers.

  She mixed a few herbs with the steam and made it more pleasant inside. There was one girl who was pregnant and expecting soon, and her fever was bad. Katherine held her hand through the night till the fever broke. Roused from sleep, the entire camp celebrated.

  Chase smiled to himself when he heard the news.

  Katherine missed him. She was alone with a people she barely knew and was confused by their quick acceptance of her. Most of them spoke some English and that pleased her. For she knew very few words in Shawnee.

  When White Feather, Chase's mother came to see her, she felt shy at first.

  "I am so happy for you and my son…," she said, as she hugged her.

  "Is he happy?" Katherine asked.

  His mother laughed. "No man is happy when the woman he loves is kept from him for three whole days. He's miserable. But he is making your home, and it is beautiful and you will love it. It sits beside a stream and there is much that grows on the land. Chase has all kinds of plans for you."

  Katherine felt her own excitement building. But she'd have felt
better if she could speak to him.

  But on the third day, she got a big surprise, when she went to the stream for water; she found the words written in the mud by the stream. 'I love you, Katherine.'

  She looked about, but she didn't see him. She knew he'd been here, for who else could have written the words to her?

  Her heart skipped and she happily went about her work for the day with a smile on her face.

  Finally the day of the wedding came. Katherine was nervous as her mother-in-law insisted she bathe in the end of the river and then she brought the wedding dress. It was white leather buckskin, with fringe and beads all over it. It was so lovely, it took her breath away. The beadwork was something she had never seen before and she marveled at how well it fit her.

  "Who will marry us?" she asked shyly as his mother helped her on with the dress.

  "Burning Tree will marry you to my son, in about an hour," White Feather explained. "You are my daughter today. And I love you as my own. You have helped our people and learned so much in such a short time. You are a great medicine for our tribe. Before you came, there was little to celebrate, little to look forward to. The sickness had a grip on us. Now the village smiles and we look to the future."

  Katherine smiled. "Thank you for accepting me, so easily…"

  White Feather smiled. "It is my pleasure. Now, we must put a white band around your head with beautiful feathers."

  She gave her white moccasins and blessed her. "Are you ready to marry my son?"

  "More than ready…" Katherine smiled.

  White Feather led her to the marriage ground, where feathers of all colors and flowers were all over. It was a beautiful place and Burning Tree stood tall before her. Then she saw him, Chase was coming towards her and his face was solemn. For a moment she wondered if he was happy or not. But when he saw her, he burst into a grin.

  During the ceremony, they were silent and they barely looked at one another.

  When it was over, everyone wished them well, and he carried her to a pony, put her on it and led her away.

  The wigwam was a distance from the camp, but that gave them some privacy and she liked that. He carried her inside without saying a word and set her down.

  It was big and she noticed how he had placed many blankets for their bed and a warm fire to keep them comfortable. She turned to look at him and melted from his hot gaze.

  "Now you are finally mine…," he whispered.

  She smiled and agreed. "Yes…"

  "Do you like your new home?" he asked as he came closer.

  "It's beautiful, so warm and cozy," She said glancing around, but her eyes kept going back to him. He looked so handsome in his dark tunic buckskin.

  "Will we have company today?" she asked, trying to distract herself from him, and not doing a good job of it. Her eyes kept going over him, she was hungry for him.

  "No…just you and me…unless you want some…" he asked softly.

  "Uh…no…I don't think so…" she said the words in a whisper as he raised her hair from her back and ran his fingers through it.

  "Good, because I aim to take my time claiming you…"

  Her chest rose as she threw back her head. "I've missed you…," Katherine whispered.

  Chase kissed the side of her face; close to her ear so that when he spoke the breath rushed inside her and tickled her.

  "I love you…," he said slowly. "And I'm going to show you in every way I know how…"

  "It's warm in here, isn't it?" she smiled seductively.

  "Yes, too warm for clothes." He smiled back.

  "Yes…" she agreed as his lips touched hers tentatively at first, then almost in a fevered rush. He seemed to suck the breath from her, and then again he went back to being gentle.

  His tongue curved around hers, danced and let go, as his hands slid over her.

  "Beautiful dress…" he murmured.

  "I'm glad you…like it," she barely finished as he slipped it over her head and threw it in a corner.

  He smiled as he looked at her naked body, glowing against the embers of the fire. "You won't need it for a few days I'm afraid."

  "A few days…"she muttered as he reached for her hand.

  Gently he pulled her down onto the blankets, and he sat beside her staring at her. "I've been thinking about this day for three days. How perfect I would make it for you."

  "Oh Chase…my love," she murmured as he smothered her with a kiss that lit the fire between them.

  "I love you body and soul. From the moment I saw you in my dreams," he whispered as his lips ran slowly over her nose, and lips and cheeks, and eyes. He buried his tongue in her ear and she squirmed.

  She threw back her head and raised her body to meet his, throwing her hips hard against his. "I'm sorry, I wanted to hear you say the words…from your lips…Not magic, not dream catchers, but you…"

  "From mine to yours, my love," he murmured, as his lips curled around her ear lobe, tugging with his teeth gently, and then sucking. She squirmed again and again threw her hips up to meet his. She could feel the throbbing within him there, and knew he wanted her.

  His lips led a slow trail down her shoulder, down her arm, and then he lifted her arm and ever so gently put his lips to her puckered nipple, first one then the other, teasing and wetting them, claiming them as his own. She writhed with desire for him, and he smiled against her skin.

  "Good you want me as bad as I want you…my sweet Katherine."

  He suckled her for long drugging moments, and she moaned aloud as her own hands explored him, playing as she went.

  Then his head went down further, against her flat stomach to her navel where he lapped at her, and she smiled, her hands grazed his nipples and he jerked up. "Easy my sweet, I want this to last a while. Our coming together as one now should be mind shattering."

  "Yes," she sighed against him, her teeth nipping him.

  His head went lower, and he parted her thighs, his finger delving inside the warm moist welcoming. She gasped.

  He smiled against her curls and began to taste her, his tongue doing exquisite things to her, as it went deeper and deeper into her. When she wreathed with desire, he smiled gently, and slowly he pressed himself into her. She let out a short moan, and pulled at him, her fingers digging into his back as he plunged into her, then settled gently with a soft rocking motion. As she trembled in his arms, he kissed her lips, hearing her low moans and sighs.

  But before they could climb the inevitable mountain of love, he pulled out, kissing her into distraction, as his hands played against her breast. She grasped his shoulders and threw her hips up to meet him, and he plunged into her soft welcoming womanhood.

  Each time he pulled out and waited till his breathing returned to normal, then kissed her hard on the lips.

  "You taste like heaven. You are better than my dreams, my sweet," he smiled.

  "Take me…please…"

  "Oh no, my sweet, we are going to wear each other out before I take you," he chuckled.

  He let her rest and began again, his lips always busy on her, from her head to her beautiful toes.

  On fire for him, she thrust herself up and on top of him, and then leaned her head back and with a happy smile she bucked against him as he teased her nipples and grasped her sweet curls in his hand.

  "I never dreamed loving a man could be so wonderful," Katherine panted as he took her almost to the brink again, but this time she wouldn't get off and she rode him until they both peaked.

  As he collapsed with a satisfied smile she fell against him, her breast meshing with his.

  "Can we do this every day?" she asked as she curled into his arms like a kitten.

  "For as long as I live," Chase promised.

  She laughed. "Then I'm going to make sure that you live to be a very old man…"

  They were happy for many days. And as they wintered they had many splendid days together. Even when she realized she was pregnant he kept taking her. He apologized but he couldn't help it, he want
ed her.

  She agreed.

  ***

  Three years later, they returned to the burnt out station. It had been a long trip, but she wanted to visit the graves again. No matter how long she lived, she would still pay her respects to her white family who raised her. It had crumbled to nothing. The barn was still there and of course the big oak tree. According to the town's people the money had never been recovered.

  Katherine got down off her horse, carrying her two year old and her baby on her back in a cradle.

  She wandered around the yard, and then went to visit her folk's graves. Someone had erected a cross for Josh.

  She cried as she stood in front of it. "I still miss him…." She said as she sang to her baby.

  "What is that you sing?" Chase asked as he came to stand beside her.

  "Some silly song, my daddy used to sing, about this old tree."

  Chase smiled, "How does it go?"

  As she hummed the music to it, she sang the words and danced with her two year old as she sang.

  Ben, her oldest boy laughed when she turned him around.

  "It's just a silly old song…."

  Chase listened to the words, and then glanced around. "It's under this tree somewhere."

  Katherine looked at him strangely, "What is?"

  "The money," he said walking around the area as though he had suddenly found the key to it all. "Do you know more words?"

  She tried to think, and a few came back to her.

  "He hid it out here, somewhere, I’m sure of it." Chase laughed.

  "Oh honey, if it was here, someone would have found it by now." She laughed at his silliness.

  "I'm going to dig a while, you go ahead and sing…" he insisted.

  "Honey, you are wasting your time." She chuckled as she proceeded to nurse her baby. He came up to her, kissed her breast and watched as the baby suckled.

  "Sometimes, Lee Rivers, I envy you." He chuckled and kissed his baby's head and his mother's breast at the same time.

  "Behave, dig if you want to…"

  "I will." He laughed.