Free Cheyenne Moon by Cathy Keeton Page B

Hills. I would like the joining ceremony to be the week before we are to move to our winter haven.” 
    “That is wonderful son,” his mother said. “However, don’t you think it would be better to wait until we reach our winter camp? We will leave in ten days.”
    “I do not wish to wait. I want to make Abby my wife soon. I have never felt this way before.”
    Chief White Feather had remained silent through their conversation. He watched as his son confessed his feelings for the white woman. He coughed as he began to speak. “Our son is right my wife. I see no reason for him to wait to make this beautiful woman his wife. We will have the joining ceremony when they wish.”
    “Thank you Father. Your blessing means a great deal to us.” Shadow Spirit said.
    “Yes,” Abby agreed.  “I will do all I can to be the best wife that Shadow Spirit could have found.”
    “We have known since Shadow Spirit brought you to our village that you and he belonged together. We have discussed it at some length.” Green Eyes said with an affectionate look at Shadow Spirit and Abby.
    “What took you so long my son?” The Chief chuckled.
    “I have no idea Father.” Shadow Spirit replied as he led Abby from the lodge. “So you see they are pleased.”
    “I never had any doubt that your Mother would be. It was your Father that I was worried about.”
    The next couple of days passed in a flurry of activity. Abby was so excited that she could hardly breathe at times. Green Eyes had a dress that she had been making for herself. She quickly changed the dress to fit Abby. It was snow white with rows of tiny beads that ran from the neckline to the hem. It had a fringed v at the bust line much like Yellow Dove’s. It was the most gorgeous dress she had ever seen. Abby didn’t think she could have had a dress made in White Oak that would have been any more beautiful.
    The day of the joining arrived without mishap. Abby stepped out of the lodge to the sounds of the village coming to life after a nights rest. The dogs barked and children cried with joy at the antics of a raccoon family playing at the edge of the village.                           
    “Abby you must go back inside.” Yellow Dove said as she ran to the lodge.
    “Why?  What’s wrong?”  Abby asked with alarm.
    “There is much we have to do. This is your wedding day.” Yellow Dove said as she glanced around as if she were afraid. “ Is it not the custom of the white people that the man is not to see the woman the day of the joining.” She hurried Abby back inside but not before Abby saw the group of white men talking to Shadow Spirit beside his father’s lodge.
    “Who are those white men Yellow Dove?”
    “It is only peddlers who bring goods to the village to trade. They are of no importance to us. We have bigger things to do,” Yellow Dove replied.
    Shadow Spirit was looking over the peddler’s supply of knives when he saw them look in Abby’s direction just as Yellow Dove had rushed her back into the lodge.
    “Tell me Shadow Spirit, who is the white woman? She looks like that there schoolmarm that was taken by Black Heart over in White Oak,” one of the peddlers said.
    “I do not think so.” Shadow Spirit lied.  “When was this schoolteacher taken?”
    “Let me think,” the trader said.  “Hey Zeke, when was that teacher lady took from White Oak?” He yelled to one of his companions as he spit a stream of tobacco juice to the ground.
    “It was about a month ago I think.” Zeke replied.
    “Yeah that’s right Shadow Spirit.  I remember the towns people abringin’ her pappy into town in a wagon the next morning, peers he dropped dead when he seed his daughter kidnapped by the same thievin’ renegade who kilt his wife just months afore.
    “Her father died?” Shadow Spirit asked not to anyone in particular.
    “Yeah seems his heart just plume gave out. He jest about lost his mind when his wife was