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  “You best ask Little Beaver. He’s in charge of today.”

  “Will do. See you later.” With that he was gone, riding ahead to catch up with the Indian.

  Ellen caught herself watching him, thinking how well he filled out his blue shirt. The fabric strained across his shoulders. Not surprising really given how hard he worked.

  “Miss Ellen, will we get to keep the horses like Ben did?””No, John. Ben’s pa gave him a horse but your one is on loan from Mr. Petersen, Jenny’s pa.”John’s face fell.

  “When you have been living in Clover Springs a while, we will see what we can do about regular riding lessons for you. In time, you could get a job and save up for your own horse.”

  “That would be fantastic, thank you, Miss Ellen. I love living here.”

  “We love having you.” “You won’t send us away will you, Miss Ellen?” “Of course not, John. You know we are building an orphanage here in Clover Springs for you and Rosa and any other children who need a home. In time, you may find parents who will adopt you.”The boy stared at her sadly. “I don’t think that’s going to happen, Miss Ellen. Not for me and Rosa.” He looked down at his horse as Ellen grappled with the lump in her throat. “It don’t matter though. Rosa and I are happy and nobody wants to hurt us. That’s good enough.”

  Ellen didn’t respond. It wasn’t good enough, not by a long mile. But who was she to tell the child? She couldn’t offer him and his sister a home. Not now, maybe not ever. What if Samuel wanted to get married? Would he take these children in? He would want children of his own wouldn’t he? Oh what’s the point in thinking like this. He hasn’t proposed. Yes, but he did kiss me.

  Samuel enjoyed his time with the children immensely. They were all eager to learn. Well, aside from Bertram Shaw, but that boy didn’t ever seem to find anything to smile about. Little Beaver was an expert at finding ways to increase each child’s confidence level. He didn’t tolerate any behavior that could hurt the animals though and was fast to take Bertram to task for kicking his heels into the horses side. The poor animal hadn’t spooked, although Samuel knew if he was the horse he would have been tempted to throw Bertram on his backside.

  Ellen had taken the girls off to use the necessary leaving Little Beaver and Samuel with the boys. They had shown them the places to use with a stern warning not to touch the poison oak trees.

  “What?” Little Beaver asked.

  Startled, Samuel realized he must have been staring at the Indian.

  “Sorry, Little Beaver, I was miles away.”

  “You were thinking of the pretty school teacher.”

  Samuel nearly fell off his horse.

  “Why would you say that?”

  “The great spirit blessed me with excellent eyesight. I saw you kiss her. Do not worry. Nobody else saw.”

  Samuel’s cheeks heated. He wasn’t sure what to say.

  “I envy you.”

  “Why?” Little Beaver couldn’t have feelings for Ellen. Could he? No, she was older than him for a start, and she wasn’t, well, she was a white woman. Shame made Samuel cough. He was glad the Indian couldn’t read his mind.

  “You have it easy. You can kiss your woman and make her share your blanket.”

  “Share my what?”

  “Share your blanket.” Little Beaver looked at him, a confused expression on his face. “You want to marry her yes?”

  “Oh, is that what share your blanket means?” Samuel wasn’t about to say yes. He hadn’t asked Ellen yet, and he wasn’t about to discuss this with the Indian or anyone else.

  “Do you have a girl in mind to share your blanket? But aren’t you a bit young?”

  “I am a man.”

  Samuel saw he had offended the younger man.

  “Little Beaver, I apologize. In my culture, it would be unusual for a man to get married at sixteen. My pa ran away with my ma when they were that age but now many men wait until they are older.”

  “Why?”

  Samuel wasn’t sure how to answer. “They are more mature, wiser and perhaps can provide better for their family.”

  “Many white men will never get wise. Charlie Stanton is old and he is stupid. He treats his horses very badly.”

  “Yes he does. Brian Petersen said he was tempted to shoot him when he saw the condition of his horses.” Samuel clapped Little Beaver on the back. “Do you have a lady in mind?”

  Little Beaver stared at the trees where the boys had gone.

  “You don’t have to answer.” Samuel said, the Indians face was like a mask. Completely unreadable.

  “I do. But it is not possible. Her father would not allow it.”

  “Why? You have a job and prospects.”

  “In the white man’s world.”

  Samuel didn’t know what to say to that.

  “Her father believes I have betrayed my own people.”

  “How could you do that?”

  “I live here. I do not live with my people on the reservation.”

  “You chose to live in freedom and for that you are criticized. I don’t understand that.”

  “There are many differences between our cultures. I do not belong in the white man’s world. My own tribe do not accept me either.”

  Samuel dismounted and tethered his horse to a tree. He had to take a couple of minutes to compose his thoughts. He hadn’t given any consideration to how difficult life could be for Little Beaver and the others who didn’t conform to what people thought of as normal.

  “Little Beaver, I wish I could change things for you. If I could, I would. Believe me when I say most people in Clover Springs value your input. You showed great courage when you helped rescue Laura Kelley. You are an asset to our town. I am honored to call you a friend.” Samuel held out his hand to the Indian.

  “Thank you, Samuel. Brian told me what happened to your father. I am honored you can look at me and see me for who I am rather than the color of my skin.”

  Samuel was too choked up to reply but was saved from doing so by the returning children.

  “Little Beaver, Bertram didn’t do what you said.”

  “Hush up you little snitch.”

  “What is wrong? What did you do?”

  “I didn’t do nothing. John just wants to cause trouble.”

  Samuel looked at Bertram’s exposed skin, it looked normal to him but the child didn’t. He looked guilty and more than a little scared.

  Samuel bent down so he was level with the boy.

  “What did you do? You won’t get into trouble.”

  “He picked up some leaves to throw them at us. He thought it would be funny.” John said when Bertram remained silent. “But Peter told him it was the poison Little Beaver said not to touch.”

  “I told you to shut up. Nobody’s interested in what a kid like you has to say. I don’t have to do what an Indian says neither. Ma said he’s a savage who should be locked up.”

  Samuel sensed Ellen had arrived back just in time to hear Shaw’s outburst.

  “Bertram Shaw, don’t you speak like that to Little Beaver or to John. Apologize at once.”

  “No, I won’t and you can’t make me. You shouldn’t even be here. You should have stayed in university. Bet they kicked you out. Why else would you come home during a school term?”

  Samuel balled his fists for fear he would give the child the thrashing he deserved. A quick glance at Ellen’s face showed Shaw spoke something close to the truth.

  “Bertram Shaw, so help me, you apologize to your teacher and Little Beaver this minute, or I will give you a whipping you will never forget.”

  “Why should I?” Bertram’s bravado slipped a little when Samuel took a step toward him. “If you touch me, I’ll tell my ma.”

  “If you don’t apologize this instant, I’ll tell your ma after I cane your backside.”

  Bertram took a couple of steps back.

  “Watch out, don’t take another step.”

  Bertram ignored Little Beaver’s warning but cont
inue walking backwards.

  “Stop. It’s the poison tree.”

  Bertram looked around him and in his haste to move, tripped and fell over right into the middle of a bunch of what looked like poison oak leaves. Without taking a breath, the Indian moved quickly, picking up the younger boy and throwing him fully clothed into the creek.

  “What you do that for?”

  “You must wash your skin now. Before the oil from the leaves goes into your skin.”

  Bertram started to cry. “It hurts. Make it stop.”

  “It doesn’t hurt now. Stop crying. In two days it will hurt a lot. The blisters will appear if you don’t wash your skin like this now.” Little Beaver mimed what he wanted Bertram to do. Then he left the creek and wandered over close to where the Shaw boy had fallen. Samuel wondered what he was doing until he saw him picking some leaves. He watched as the Indian mashed them up using two rocks before he walked back to the creek bank.

  “Come over here.”

  Bertram didn’t argue but walked slowly over to where the Indian stood. He stayed silent as the deputy sheriff covered his exposed skin in the mixture of leaves he had mashed together.

  “It smells awful.” John said causing some of the children to laugh.

  “Come on children, we better head back to the ranch. We have had enough excitement for today.” Ellen said to the other children. She moved closer to Little Beaver and Bertram.

  The children, perhaps sensing their teacher wasn’t in the mood for any backchat, moved quietly to their mounts. Those that could mount the horses did so. Those that needed help, waited patiently for Samuel’s aid.

  “Will Bertram be alright, Mr. Higgins?”

  “Yes John, he will be fine. Poison oak doesn’t kill you. But he will be mighty uncomfortable for the next few days.”

  “Little Beaver is very clever isn’t he? He knows how to do everything.”

  Samuel ruffled the young boy’s hair. “That he is, John.”

  When they got back to the ranch, Wilma offered to take the children back to town with Little Beaver as an escort. Jenny wanted to go into Clover Springs as her family was having dinner at the Shipley’s.

  “You go on, Jenny, I will help Miss O’Callaghan take the horses back to your father.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Higgins. I can’t wait to hold Grace and Louis. They are even smaller than BJ and that’s saying something.”

  “My pleasure, ma’am.” Samuel bowed to Jenny causing all the children to laugh. Bertram even cracked a smile.

  “Bertram, tell your ma what happened. Make sure it’s the truth as I will call in to see her after I take the horses back.”

  “Yes, Miss O’Callaghan.”

  Ellen nodded to Wilma and Little Beaver before the group headed for town.

  Mary stood on the porch looking at Ellen and Samuel.

  “Will you two come in and have some hot coffee before you set off?”

  “No, thank you, Mary. I don’t want to delay too long. Goodness knows what Mrs. Shaw is going to say when she sees the state of her precious boy.”

  “You didn’t do anything wrong. That child is a menace. One of these days he is going to cause real harm to someone.” Mary said not bothering to hide her anger.

  “I will come with you.”

  “To the Petersen’s but not to town. I have to handle Mrs. Shaw alone.”

  Samuel stared at her willing her to change her mind, but she had a mulish look on her face.

  “Whatever you think is best.” He whispered before mounting his horse. He led the other two animals, leaving Ellen to say goodbye and follow him.

  Chapter 26

  They didn’t talk on the short ride to the Petersen’s for which Ellen was grateful. She was tired and upset by the events of the day. Any joy in Samuel’s kiss had been washed away by the incident involving Bertram Shaw. She was dreading the encounter with his mother. Mrs. Shaw simply couldn’t believe her precious angel could do anything wrong. Why didn’t the woman have ten children? Knowing your luck, they would have all turned out like Bertram.

  “Why are you frowning? Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you to see Mrs. Shaw?”

  “I am sure. Can you imagine what she would say? She is the biggest gossip in town.”

  “I don’t care what people say.”

  “Well, I do. I am the school teacher. My reputation means the world to me.”

  “More than I do?”

  Ellen stared at him in shock. She hadn’t expected him to say anything like that. She dismounted quickly, he followed suit.

  “Well? You didn’t answer m-me.”

  “What do you expect me to say? It’s not like we have an agreement…” Embarrassed she looked everywhere but at his face.

  He moved closer but this time she moved away.

  “Brian should be around here somewhere? Best call him to take the horses back. I need to get back to town before Mrs. Shaw tears Little Beaver to pieces.”

  “Ellen, I…”

  “Brian, we’re back. Thank you so much for the horses. The children had a fantastic time.”

  “Thought I heard you ride in. Afternoon, Samuel. Where did Little Beaver go? Has he gone for dinner at Emer’s too?

  Ellen quickly filled Brian in on what had happened with Bertram Shaw. The man’s face clouded when she detailed what the child had said. She saw Samuel’s face redden. Why is he embarrassed?

  “Young Shaw will be thankful Little Beaver knew what to do. Poison oak won’t kill you but sure makes you miserable for a few days.”

  “Will washing him stop the blisters?”

  “Doubtful, but they shouldn’t be as bad. He’ll have washed some of the oils off the skin. No doubt Mrs. Shaw will be showering him with thanks.”

  At the sarcastic remark, Ellen quickly mounted her horse. “Sorry, but I have to get back to town. I can’t let Wilma and Little Beaver deal with that woman alone. Thanks again, Brian. Bye, Samuel.”

  She raced off without giving the men a chance to say goodbye, not to mention follow her. She had to get her thoughts together before dealing with Mrs. Shaw and the last thing she did whenever Samuel was close was think clearly.

  Samuel watched Ellen tear out of the Petersen place. He didn’t make a move to follow her. It wasn’t far to town, so she would be safe enough. Given the mood she was in, anyone who tried to accost her was likely to feel the sharp side of her tongue.

  “That young Shaw deserves a whipping if ever any child did.”

  Samuel nodded in response to Brian’s comment. “Ellen won’t lay a hand on him though. She and Laura don’t believe in caning a child.”

  “Guess Mrs. Shaw don’t either. Shaw is so henpecked he won’t stand up to his wife never mind the boy.” Brian rubbed the stubble covering his chin. “I hope Nandita and Frank don’t hear what young Shaw’s been saying. They aren’t going to take too kindly to that type of talk. Both of them like Wilma. Frank is an ex slave too, you know.”

  Samuel knew that, just as he knew Nandita was Brian’s sister. His father having mated with an Indian woman during the years he was away from his family. He had heard Brian took some time to accept Nandita but you wouldn’t guess now. They were closer than most families.

  “I guess I owe Nandita an apology too.”

  Brian raised an eyebrow in response to Samuel’s remark.

  “I wasn’t right friendly to her and her young’uns when they first arrived in Clover Springs.”

  “She never said anything about you being rude.”

  “I guess I wasn’t rude as such, but I wasn’t welcoming either. I couldn’t see past the fact that her and Little Beaver were Indians.”

  “Indians killed your pa, didn’t they?”

  “Yes, when I was a bit older than your Meggie. I saw the whole thing too.” Samuel stared into the distance trying to get rid of the images crowding into his mind. The smoke, gunfire, the ax, his pa’s gun jamming…

  “Natural to hold something like that against the Indian
s. I wasn’t too welcoming either. Sorcha will tell you that.”

  “But she’s your sister.”

  “Yes, she is, and I love her like one now, but when she first came, I thought my pa had killed those Indians in Sand Creek. I was too embarrassed to face any of them.”

  “He didn’t though, did he? Kill any I mean?”

  “No, but it took a visit to the chief to prove that to me. I believed something different for so long, I took it be the truth. We do that to ourselves. Our mind plays tricks on us. Makes us believe stuff that didn’t happen that way at all.” Brian stroked his beard again. “Best I get back to work. Are you heading into town or back to the Sullivan’s?”

  “Sullivan’s. Thanks again for the horses.”

  Samuel rode back slowly. Had he misunderstood what happened to his pa? Maybe he wasn’t a coward after all? Yes, you were, you hid like a baby when your pa needed you. That’s the truth and it ain’t ever going to change. No wonder Ellen took off before you got to say anything. She knows you are a coward.

  Chapter 27

  Mrs. Shaw was even more annoyed than she had anticipated.

  “I am holding you personally responsible, Miss O’Callaghan. You deliberately placed my son in danger. For that, I am going to see you lose your job. You aren’t fit to be a school teacher.”

  “Calm down, Mrs. Shaw.” Ellen took a deep breath. “Bertram put himself and the other children in danger when he chose not to obey Little Beaver’s command.”

  “He’s an Indian.”

  “Yes, he is. He knows more about the forest and its inhabitants, both plant and animal, than anyone else in this whole town. Furthermore, he was in charge today.”

  “My son doesn’t take orders from a savage.”

  Ellen saw Little Beaver ball his fists. His rigid back and blank expression on his face told her he was close to losing his temper. She was tempted to let him. It would do Mrs. Shaw good to see the warrior in action, but it wouldn’t help Little Beaver be accepted in Clover Springs. Unfortunately, too many people shared Mrs. Shaw’s opinion about those they considered different.