Free Another Chance by Janet Cooper

"She is our guest. You will answer the question, politely."
    "It's all right . Don't scold him," Sarah pleaded. "With all that has happened…"
    "Lenape children obey their parents and must never be rude to guests . I appreciate your understanding. However, such behavior is not acceptable."
    "Water, honey and blueberries," Little Turtle replied tartly, then glanced at his father .
    "Thank you for telling me . It is very good." Instead of breaking down Little Turtle's barrier of prejudice, she had created another wall. Sarah considered telling Silver Wolf not to blame his son, for the child only repeated the words and actions of his father. Instead, she remembered her status as a guest and remained quiet.
    Sarah reached for her drink, needing to create a facade of normalcy and give herself time to decide what to do or say next. In her haste, her hand brushed against Silver Wolf's. Electric current pulsed through her. She pulled back. Her cup tipped, and Silver Wolf steadied it. He examined her closely. Had he felt it too? Sarah swallowed hard. "Thank you," she squeaked. Unsure of what else to say, and sure her voice would not sound normal, she shifted her attention and focused on the other people.
    Silver Wolf pulled away . The heat that raced through him was reminiscent of the first moments inside the pimoa' kun , when blood rushes to the surface of the skin, an instant before sweat breaks out and drenches the body.
    Yet, he could not deny how soft the back of her hand had felt against his weathered one . His senses had responded to her the first time he had seen her appraising him; the thoughts and images Sarah created within him dismayed and discomforted him. He neither wanted nor needed any emotional involvement, either then or now. Being white made the situation worse. Hoping to dim or even dispel the sensations, Silver Wolf focused on the fire burning in the center of the circle. He tried to concentrate on things other than Sarah.
    Gratefully, his grandfather rose to speak, and all conversations ceased . Wolf focused his attention on his elder and away from the distraction beside him.
    Sarah had tried to observe all the Lenape sitting in the large circle, but having a handsome, compelling brave only inches away had made the task much more difficult. She hoped her interest in history would win the battle that warred with her attraction to the intriguing Lenape who sat by her side.
    When quiet reigned and White Owl stood before the assembly, his magnetism eased her problem . As he shed his blanket, the fragile old man Sarah had met fell away. In his place stood the warrior, straight and tall, the undisputed leader of his people.
    What type of eulogy will White Owl deliver? she wondered, trying to maintain a strictly scholarly interest.
    "We have witnessed and experienced many sorrows through the years," he said, his voice strong and firm . "When the white men appeared, our times of grief multiplied like the skunk cabbage after a heavy spring rain. Today, we share our land with those who cheated and lied to us."
    A rush of embarrassment flowed over her . Benjamin reached for her hand and squeezed it, briefly. His reaction surprised her. Except for his brief kiss last evening, Sarah had seen only the solemn and dictatorial side of him. Did his stern facade hide a softer, understanding man? Scarcely twisting her head, she sent him a tentative nod. He returned her gesture.
    White Owl continued, "For the last fifty years, our people have found a small parcel of peace here at Long Meadow . My wife and her English family, who purchased this property from our Lenape ancestors, took me in after many of our people were forced to leave their home."
    Sarah looked at Silver Wolf. This explained his lighter skin, but since his grandmother was white, why did he hate the race so much?  Having married outside his own tribe, his grandfather obviously did not share this feeling. From whom had Silver Wolf developed such a strong dislike? His