Free Westward Dreams by Linda Bridey Page B

You seem to have a knack for languages,” he said.  “I returned the things that I borrowed from you,” he said.
                  “What things?”
                  “Your basket, cups, plates, and utensils.  And your pans.  I washed them all, too.  Did Jack tell you about my date?” he asked as he began walking with her.
                  Tessa didn’t catch everything he said, but she got the gist.  “Thank you.  Yes, he tell me,” she answered giving him an annoyed look.
                  “Don’t be mad because I wouldn’t tell you.  It was just a joke,” Owl said.  “It went really well.”
                  “I am glad.”  Tessa gave him a questioning look.  “What you do?”
                  Owl smiled.  “I took her to our camp and we ate supper.  I’ve never cooked before.  I was relieved that the food turned out well.”
                  He saw Tessa’s confused look and knew that he’d spoken too fast.  He repeated his answer in English. 
                  “I’m very happy for you, Owl,” Tessa asked.  “Are you going to see her again?”
                  “Yes.  I go after a while.  Let me know you need anything from town,” Owl said as he jogged off to the barn.
                  Tessa shook her head and smiled as she imagined what his date had been like.  Apparently Hannah had liked it if they were going to see each other again.
     
                  Owl’s little brother Marcus ran across the Rush College campus at full speed.  He wasn’t late but he was trying to stay in good shape.  There was so much sitting around in classes that he was fearful he would get soft.  He was used to much more physical exercise than he got there. 
                  When he’d first started attending the school, he’d been self-conscious because he was older than most of the students.  He’d cut his long hair again and it only touched the collar of his shirt now.  Not everyone would be accepting of his Lakota heritage and when he kept his hair shorter, it wasn’t nearly as noticeable.  Marcus hated having to hide the Lakota side of him, but he didn’t want any trouble.  He needed to get these classes and clinicals over with so he could get back home to his family.
                  As he ran, he wove between other students.  He took pride in knowing that he was in better shape than a lot of his younger classmates.  Marcus wasn’t oblivious to the admiring looks some of the women in the city gave him, but he always made it clear that he was taken.  He’d made some good friends while he’d been there.
                  One such friend was Chase Burke.  He was a big guy who reminded Marcus of Luke.  Marcus heard his name called as he ran across the front lawn of the campus.  He looked over to the right and saw Chase waving at him from atop the main flight of stairs leading into the school.  Marcus changed directions and leaped up the stairs.
                  “How the heck do you do that?” Chase said with wonder.
                  “Practice,” Marcus answered with a grin.
                  “Look at you.  You’re not even breathing hard,” Chase said.
                  Marcus patted Chase’s slightly pudgy belly.  “If you got rid of this, you could do it, too.”
                  “Ok, Dr. Samuels.  That’s enough of that,” Chase said with a laugh.  “Here’s your mail.  I just picked up mine and thought I’d get yours, too.”
                  Chase and Marcus were roommates and were always doing favors for each other.  “Oh.  Thanks.”  Marcus flipped through the mail and laughed when he saw a letter from Claire.
                  “Good news, I take it?” Chase said.
                  “Letter from my