Twenty Four

Frank returned the stolen horses. I watched him ride out behind the bunch as they started eagerly for home, but I couldn't help feeling a twinge of melancholy. Wind Runner had worked very hard to impress me with his gift, and despite my shock, he had. Knowing Mamma would be home soon with Rose I left the house, heading out into the open land beyond the yard. I really did not want to face her right now. Meeting Wind Runner out here was a possibility but I recalled Frank's words...I could not avoid him forever.

He found me in the high grass looking over the yard, his appearance like that of a stealthy wolf. The look in his eyes was guarded, but gentle as he approached me, the golden grass silent against his tanned buckskin leggings. The fringed shirt he wore was decorated with paint, feathers, and pieces of bone. It reminded me of a war shirt, one that normally would have been decorated with scalps but the fierce fighting of the past was long over. He noticed my lingering gaze.