Free In a Broken Dream (The Broken Series Book 4) by K.S. Ruff Page B

Brady teach in your conflict
analysis and resolution trainings?”
    I
grinned, thoroughly excited by Lexie’s innovative solution. “Well, for one
thing, they could teach students how to read body language. Non-verbal
communication is just as important as verbal communication when you’re
negotiating. They could also teach students how to assess the conflict
environment, de-escalate a conflict, reduce risk, and improve personal
security.”
    Lexie
shoved her chair back from the table, folded her arms across her chest, and
settled back into her seat. “Dang. I am brilliant.”
    Rafael’s
gaze flitted between the two of us. “I think you two may actually be on to
something.”
    I
jumped up from my chair.
    Rafael
looked surprised by the sudden burst of energy. “Where are you going?”
    I
yanked on the sliding glass door. “I’m going to call Paul and offer this hybrid
team up as a potential solution to our security problem.”
    Lexie
laughed. “There’s no stopping that girl when she’s got her heart set on
something.”
    “I
know,” Rafael groaned. “I just wish that something was me.”
    *
* * * *
    I
dropped down next to Lexie in the grass. Rafael and Nate were standing in line,
waiting to order our fry bread and Indian tacos. The Little Shell Chippewa were
forming a circle in front of us. “You truly are brilliant,” I remarked.
    “Do
you think he’s enjoying the pow-wow?” she asked. Bells jingled softly with
every step the dancers took.
    I
glanced over at Rafael. “Yes. He’s thoroughly enjoying this. I’m so glad you
suggested coming out here.” A chill shot down my spine when one of the dancers
cried out. The drums sounded, and the dance began at a slow, methodical pace.
    We
had spent the past two hours touring the First Peoples Buffalo Jump. It was
windy, but the copper colored sandstone that formed the barren cliff was
breathtaking. We were sitting on a patch of wild grass among a handful of white
teepees. A bunch of sticks were poking out of the top of the teepees, but that
wasn’t what I was looking at. I was admiring the miles and miles of golden
wheat that was rippling in the wind.
    “When
I think about what these people went through,” Lexie said, shaking her head. There
were a few drops of Native American blood coursing through her veins, and she
was keenly aware of the hardships her ancestors had faced.
    “I
can’t even begin to imagine,” I replied. I studied the Chippewa’s regalia… the
colorful feathers, ribbons, beads, and fringe that flowed from their headdress and
clothes. They’d been persecuted, slaughtered, and stripped of most of their
land... land they’d held sacred. They looked so proud. I wondered if they ever
felt broken.
    I
closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly released it into the wind. I
could feel the Chippewa’s drums and the tapping of their feet in my legs, back,
and chest. They beat in time with my heart.
    “What
you went through makes me very mad,” Lexie confessed. “When I learned what
those Russians had done to you...”
    “We
have to let it go. It will kill us if we don’t,” I whispered numbly. “Do you
think that’s what they’re doing?” I nodded toward the dancers. Their heads were
thrown back and then down as they poured their grief into the sky and ground.
Their haunting song was tugging tears from my eyes. I couldn’t understand the
words, but it was clear they were mourning something.
    Lexie
stared at me, then burst into tears.
    *
* * * *
    “What
happened last night?” Rafael asked. We were driving through Wolf Creek Canyon
on our way to Helena. I could tell he was missing his Enzo with the way he was
hugging the twisting road.
    I
was staring out the window at the canyon walls and the large battalion of trees
guarding the river down below. “The Chippewa made us cry.”
    He
glanced at me. “Seriously? You’re going to blame the Indians for that?”
    I
chuckled softly. I tore my eyes from the breathtaking view so I