going to be a warm day out here in the sun, but if itâs your choice â¦â He turned to Willow and waited. âWell?â
She realized she had been anticipating him putting his big hands on her waist, lifting her from the buggy, then she remembered it wasnât part of his culture. To put hands on a woman who was not related in any manner or who did not belong to him would be unthinkable. Willow managed to get down from the buggy with all the children clamoring to carry her books and slates.
The serious, chubby girl, Atsi, was back and this time, she had the toddler boy by the hand. âMay I bring Wolf to the lessons?â
The toddler looked up at Willow with big, sad eyes and began sucking his thumb.
âThe Wolf Cubâs really too young,â Willow said.
âOh.â The girl looked crestfallen. âThen I canât come today, my old grandmother is looking for my big sister and I must care for him.â As she turned to go, Willow caught her arm.
âWait, Atsi, Iâm sure heâll sit still for a while and maybe even go to sleep while we work. By the way, the Indian agentâs wife is going to see to it that thereâs finally some cloth for dresses brought out here.â
The girl grinned. âIâll keep him quiet, youâll see.â
The toddler looked up at Willow. âMama?â he asked in his own language.
Willow leaned over and picked him up, hugged him a little, looked at Bear. âWhere is she?â
Bear frowned. âProbably in town.â He seemed reticent with all the children gathering around.
Willow made a shooing motion. âEveryone go to the tree, Iâll be right along,â she urged.
The chubby girl took the toddler by the hand and led him with all the others running, shouting with excitement.
Willow waited, but Bear only looked at her. She began to walk toward the tree and to her surprise, he walked beside her, adjusting his long stride to keep pace with her small steps. âDonât ask about Rainbow again,â he said softly. âOften she is off drunk on the soldiersâ whiskey, or ...â
âOr what?â Willow demanded.
âThe Wolf Cubâs mother is very palojami ,â Bear said as if that explained everything.
âPretty? Whatâs that got to do with anything?â Willow demanded. âShe really ought to look after her child; it seems heâs being raised by everyone in camp but his mother.â
âThe Nez Perce take care of their own,â he said.
What was it about this big man that always rattled her? âThey didnât take care of me,â Willow snapped. âIf it hadnât been for the reverend and his good wife taking me in as an neglected and abandoned childââ
âIs that what they told you?â
She waited, but he said nothing more. She had forgotten how taciturn warriors could be; men of few words. âI canât be looking after small toddlers too young to be in school,â Willow said again.
âIf you want Atsi in class, you will often get him, too, because the old grandmother has work to do.â
âI should complain to someone about his mother.â
âLike who?â
âWell, I donât know,â Willow said, exasperated. âAll I seem to know is that his mother drinks and sheâs pretty.â
âSometimes Rainbow manages to bring home a little of the money and trinkets the soldiers trade her. Once our women would not have stooped to such shame.â
It dawned on Willow suddenly what the pretty Indian girl was doing to earn the whiskey and trade goods. âOh, my goodness.â She put her hand to her mouth. âWhy doesnât someone stopâ?â
âAnd what do you suggest, mission girl?â. His voice was scornful. âThe white piupsiaunat , the soldiers bring the whiskey to her.â
âThis is an outrage! I-Iâll speak to the town council.â
âSome