Free Bride of the Wild by Carré White Page B

throat, “took the daughter. They kidnapped her before we could stop them.”
    The unspoken lingered. “I see,” he murmured.
    “That could’ve been me. It was only one wagon ahead. I knew her . She was my friend. Her name was Daisy Wentworth. She was blonde and pretty and oh, so sweet with lovely hazel eyes.”
    “You’ve been lucky, Saffron.” He reached out to touch my face. “You’ve cheated death repeatedly.”
    “I don’t feel all that lucky.” His caress calmed me, soothing away the sharp edges of unpleasant memories. “I never talk about it.”
    “I’m glad you told me.”
    “I’m not sure why I did. I don’t even know you.” I yawned, as exhaustion settled in, along with the affects of the brandy.
    “Go to sleep.”
    “You’re lucky too.”
    “What?”
    “You’ve cheated death tonight as well.” He murmured something in a language I did not understand. “Pardon?”
    “It’s nothing. Go to sleep.”

Chapter Nine
     
     
    Things looked even worse in daylight. I sat up, brushing locks of hair away that had fallen free of pins. Streaks of blood had ruined ma’s wallpaper, the bear having left a bloody trail all the way down the stairs and into the kitchen. It stank of animal hide and dried blood; the metallic undertones made me want to retch.
    “Good morning.”
    I glanced at Micah, who had sprawled out beside me, his lanky body nearly a foot longer than mine. “It’s morning, isn’t it?”
    “Yes.”
    “Maybe we can take the boards down from the windows now. It’s dreadfully dark in here.”
    “I’m sure your pa will do that later.”
    “I wonder when they’ll come home?”
    He sat up, running fingers through his hair. “Soon, I suppose.” He pulled away the bandage, glancing at it. “I’m not bleeding anymore. You did a fine job with your sewing skills. Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome. I’ll make coffee.” I had a question. “You never did say how you knew Deer Runner. Was he a good friend or were you not well-acquainted?”
    “I’ve known him for some time. He worked as a guide for the wagon trains, because he could communicate with the natives.”
    “Oh, I see.” Then an unpleasant thought entered my mind. “I’ll have to write a letter to Lucy’s family.” I grimaced, hating that she had died in such a horrible manner. Her body and Deer Runner’s remained on the second floor. Their having perished in my bedroom, it would be difficult to sleep there. “I’ll make breakfast.” I had to take my mind off these troubling thoughts.
    “I’ll open the door and let air in. It smells bad.”
    “What?” asked Amelia, rubbing her eyes. “How did you sleep?”
    “Good morning,” I said. “I slept fine. My back’s a bit sore.”
    “I heard you talking last night.”
    “I’m sorry we kept you up,” said Micah.
    “No, it’s fine. I slept well. Is pa home yet?”
    “No, but I’m making breakfast. You can help me, if you want.”
    “What’s that awful smell?”
    “Blood and bear.” Micah strode to the door. “Let’s get some air in here.”
    I busied myself in the kitchen, percolating coffee, while stirring a bowl full of flour and milk for griddlecakes. Amelia joined me after returning from the privy.
    “We have to bury that bear,” she said.
    “Someone will skin it first.”
    “I’m not touching it.” She came to stand beside me. “Are you all right?”
    “No.” I could not lie about this. “I’m devastated Lucy’s gone. I can’t believe it happened in our house. First Wilber and Sky and now Lucy and Deer Runner. So many people we knew and adored are gone now.”
    “The bear’s dead at least. We can’t do a thing about what’s happened. It was God’s will, Saffron. I don’t know why He saw fit to take Lucy, but it’s too late now. If she had stayed with us last night, she’d still be alive.”
    “She thought it was safer upstairs. None of us could’ve known the bear would enter a window there.”
    “I want pa. I want to