“You're gonna brush the fur off that animal if you keep that up.” Gabe's voice startled her and Cheyenne turned glaring at him then returned to grooming her horse. “Jealousy doesn’t become you my friend.” Gabe smiled knowing he was treading on dangerous waters with the girl.
Cheyenne did not look at him when she spoke but kept to her task. “I am jealous of nothing.” She growled.
“You don’t fool me Cheyenne.” Gabe went on, “I saw the look in your eyes when Josiah returned with the saloon woman." He paused, “you still love him don’t you?”
“He’Kotoo’este!” (Be Quiet!) Cheyenne spat angrily throwing him another strong glare.
Gabe took in a deep breath and blew it out. “Why do you do this to your self Cheyenne? Why do you stay with this Ve’ho’e? (White man) I see your heart my friend. It breaks every time you look at him. It’s time to let it go. Time to move on. You have nothing to hold you now. I leave in a few days. Come with me.” He pleaded. “My mother would be joyful to see you once again. And, you and I, we make a good team no?”
Cheyenne set the curry brush on the shelf inside her stallion's stall then gave him a pat on his neck before she exited and shut the stall doors. She looked over at Gabe and sorrow filled her heart. She knew deep inside that Gabe had feelings for her. But she could not return them. They had been friends since they were children. And he was like a brother to her. But her heart longed for another, even though she tried to hide it even from herself. Cheyenne turned and walked out of the livery with out a word.
Gabe sighed once more in defeat. He knew he was pushing and he also knew that no matter how much he talked and tried to convince his long time friend, and the love of his life. He would never be able to change her mind. He knew how she felt. He knew that no matter what Cheyenne would always stay by Josiah’s side.
It was her destiny his mother had always told him. They had a bond, one that no man could ever break. No matter what.
“Well?” He spoke out loud looking at Cheyenne’s treasured stallion. “What do I do ‘eh Black wind?" He stroked the horses nose. “Leave? Or stay and see if I can change her mind when I know I can not?”
The horse whinnied and threw back his head when Gabe stopped stroking the animal as if he understood the man's words. Gabe chuckled. “You think I am crazy too ‘eh?” He gave the horse a pat then left.
Cheyenne made her way to the saloon. She stopped as she entered threw the bat wing doors letting her eyes become accustom to the dim lighting before she saw the seven men who had rescued her from her near hanging and protected her then stood by her at the hearing. Slowly she walked to their table and took a seat near the wall as she usually did. The men each greeted her and she gave them a small nod of acknowledgment. Josiah ordered her a beer and set it down in front of her.
“Wondered when you was gonna join us," Nathan said. “Spoilin' that horse of your again I suppose.”
Cheyenne gave him a short nod and took a drink from her glass.
“It’s good to have you back.” Nathan smiled.
“That it is.” Josiah chimed in tossing a wink to Cheyenne.
Cheyenne only looked at him briefly and gave him a small half grin. She sat quietly as she usually did as the men played cards and conversed. But she felt uneasy. She wondered how these men she had fought beside so many times now felt knowing about her past. Nathan had always known. But now Chris and Vin both knew. They had been in the courtroom. She wondered just how much Buck, Ezra and JD knew. Her eyes scanned the saloon. It seemed the other patrons were all looking at her and whispered amongst themselves. Cheyenne became even more uncomfortable. As she downed the last of her drink she noticed the oriental girl behind the bar helping Lily with clean ups and such. Their eyes met for only a second before Cheyenne abruptly stood and started for the door then stopped before she had gotten a foot from the table.
“You leavin' so soon Ani?” Josiah asked concerned.
Cheyenne nodded. “I came to,” she paused as she looked at each man. “To thank you, for, for helping me.” She finished in a low voice.
“No thanks nesassary.” Vin said tipping his hat to her.
“You backed us up plenty of times,” Buck chimed in. The others agreed.
Cheyenne looked at each of them again. And Chris gave her a nod. “Glad it worked out,” he said. Cheyenne thanked them again with a small nod then turned and left.
Molly sat at her desk inside the church grading papers as the children played outside. Recess was her quiet time and since she hadn’t gotten much grading done last night do to her disturbing dream she used the time to finish what she had started.
Cheyenne entered the church after her morning ride and she’d settled her horse back in the livery. Long rides alone seemed her only solace. Immediately after the trial the other day she had saddled her precious horse and had ridden off for hours. This had always been her way of working things out. Her way to forget and just run. Riding Black Wind on a full run she felt as if she were free, flying along the wind like an eagle soaring through the sky.
She stopped after entering the church. She had been looking for Josiah thinking he was working on the renovations of the church and had been surprised to see the room had been turned into a sort of school room. Josiah had told her about Molly using the church to school the children. But she had forgotten until this moment. Cheyenne stood quietly watching as Molly worked. She wondered if she should approach her, maybe talk with her and try and clear the air between them. When from out side one of the children came running in threw the front door.
“Miss Gallagher!” She shouted almost tearfully. “Mark pushed me down.” The little girl sniffed looking down at her soiled dress.
Molly stood and immediately went to comfort the little girl crouching in front of her, brushing off her dress and assuring her she would have a stern talk with Mark. As Molly helped dry the little girl’s tears the child’s eyes suddenly became wide and a look of fear crossed her small features as she stared at something behind her teacher.
Molly snapped her head around to see what the child was seeing. She tried to not seem alarmed and turned back to the girl. “It’s alright Millie. You go on back out side now and I’ll have that talk with Mark when recess is over.” She soothed.
The little girl did as she was instructed but not with out first turning and looking again at Cheyenne with fearful eyes then turned and darted out the door.
Molly stood and faced Cheyenne. “Is, there something I can do for you?” She asked trying to be calm and hold back her own nervousness.
“You are very good with the little one.” Cheyenne commented.
Molly shrugged. “I enjoy children.” She said going back to her desk and trying to look as if she were unafraid while she absently looked through her papers.
Cheyenne nodded her head. “This shows in your gentleness with them. As does your fear of me.” Molly looked at her, evidently her ruse had not gone unnoticed by the half-Indian woman. “You do not need to fear me Molly. I am no monster.”
“I’m not afraid of you.” Molly snapped. “I, I just don’t understand how you could.” She stopped in mid sentence not fully comfortable bringing the subject up.
“How I could kill a man?” Cheyenne finished.
Molly only looked at her as if to say yes.
Cheyenne took in a heavy breath and let it out while debating if she should confide in this girl who had so desperately tried to be her friend. It was true what Gabe had said. She did have a soft spot for Molly. Something in her eyes told Cheyenne that she to had a dark secret that plagued her. If she was to help the girl, befriend her. Then she must ease the girl’s fears and share with her, her own dark secret.
“Come,” Cheyenne said pointing to the nearest pew. “Sit with me. We will talk.” Hesitantly Molly did as she was asked. Cheyenne took in another breath letting it out slowly before she spoke. “What I tell you must remain between us.” She said in a tone that seemed more a plea than request.
Molly nodded. “I don’t gossip.” She told her adamantly. Cheyenne almost smiled at the younger girl. Then her expression turned stone cold.
“Many years ago,” she began. “When I was not much younger than you." Cheyenne closed her eyes and gathered her strength as she revealed her haunting secret. “My father was killed and I, was, raped.” She paused not looking at Molly her eyes stayed focused on the floor as she spoke seemingly ashamed of what had happened to her.
Molly’s hand went to her mouth stifling a horrified gasp as tears formed in her eyes.
“One of the men that did this to me,” Cheyenne went on. “Was the man I killed. He, saw me two years ago. He,” she gritted her teeth and her anger and hatred flowed threw in her tone. “He caught me off guard and took me to, his ranch. He, wanted to, tried to.” She paused again fighting back tears that threatened to expose her emotion.
“I could not let this happen. I would not! I took my knife and I killed him.” Cheyenne swallowed and pushed back her emotions summoning her strength to look the girl next to her in the eye. When she did so she straightened her back and held her head high. “I am not ashamed of killing this man. I would kill him again.”
Molly sat speechless staring at Cheyenne. Her eyes held neither fear nor contempt. But sympathy and understanding. The two sat with out speaking for a moment until Cheyenne spoke again.
“I tell you this because you have been kind to me. You do not judge me as the other white women do. I see my self as a young girl in your eyes.” She stood and faced the girl. Unknowing if her revelation had eased the girl or made her more afraid or worse. Ashamed to be around her. “This is why I tell you what I have. Now you have your answer.”
Cheyenne turned to walk away. Molly’s tears ran down her cheek, She wanted to call out to the woman who had just bared her soul to her. She felt for her, she knew all to well the pain she must feel and how hard it must have been for her to reveal what she had. But something held her back and she fought it.
Suddenly she stood and called out. “Cheyenne!” Cheyenne stopped and turned toward her. “I, I’m so sorry, I didn’t...” Molly stammered.
Cheyenne said no more. She only gave her a small nod that she understood before she turned and walked out.