Free Westward Holiday by Linda Bridey Page B

to exist but she and the music.  There was no pain, no shame, and no turmoil.
                  He hated to, but when her second song was over, Jake had to go back to serve drinks again.  However, the bar was quiet enough that he could hear her other songs.  When she stopped playing and sat quietly, the bar was hushed for several moments before whistling and claps broke out.  Rebecca sat as the applause washed over her and smiled because she could tell that they truly appreciated her performance. 
                  What Joe had said to her about getting to know these people came to her then.  That these people living in a remote part of the country where lives could be very hard and dangerous at times could be touched by the kind of music she played drove his point home to her better than any words ever could.
                  She rose and turned and gave them a deep curtsy.  Then Rebecca was once again plied with drink offers and surrounded by men.  Suddenly the wall of well-wishers parted as Luke and Seth pushed their way through to her and made the rest back off.
                  “Give ‘er some room, you idiots,” Seth shouted at them.  “How do you expect her to breathe?”
                  Rebecca smiled up at Seth.  He said, “Sorry about that, Miss Walker.  The guys don’t mean any harm.  They just get a little excited.”
                  “I understand.  It’s all right,” Rebecca said.
                  “Lordy, listen to that accent,” Seth said.  “You know, you could probably get any guy to do anything you wanted to just by askin’.”
                  She laughed and said, “Well, I don’t know about that.”
                  Luke said, “We do.”
                  Seth laughed.  “That’s about as much as you’ll get out of him when he’s around women he doesn’t know.”
                  “Shut up,” Luke said and shoved Seth roughly.
                  Seth just laughed.  “See.  Two word sentences.”
                  Rebecca took pity on Luke.  “Don’t listen to him, Luke.  We women like the strong, silent type.”
                  Luke grinned and said, “That’s what my wife tells me.”
                  “Your wife is a smart woman,” Rebecca said.
                  Seth said, “I was wondering if you’d play with Luke and me sometime.  I know you don’t need it, but I’ve got some sheet music I’ve been wanting to try out that’s along the lines of what you play.  We could practice some Sunday night if that would be good for you.”
                  Rebecca was flattered to be asked.  “I would enjoy that very much.”
                  “Great.  How about next Sunday night?  I know you just got to town so we won’t impose on you right away,” Seth said.
                  Suddenly Seth lurched backwards, but he was able to keep upright.  “Damn you, Owl!”  The Lakota brave enjoyed playing pranks on Seth and had tried to kick Seth’s left leg out from under him.
                  Laughter sounded behind the big, blond man and Owl came around him to wave at Rebecca.  “I enjoyed your music very much,” he said.
                  “Thank you,” Rebecca said. “Are you going to walk us home again tonight?”
                  “Not tonight.  I think Jake is going to do that,” Owl said.  “But I will other nights.”
                  “Good.  I want to hear some stories about you growing up with Marcus,” she said.  Hannah had told her what a close relationship Marcus had with all of his brothers, both white and Lakota and she was curious.
                  Owl smiled.  “I have a lot of them.”
                  Luke rolled his eyes.  “Yeah, we know.