At the sound of the door Cheyenne simultaneously yanked her hand from Josiah's and spun around. Her father had a puzzled expression on his face as his eyes darted back and forth between Cheyenne and Josiah. Deciding giving him her fabricated story now, no matter how unbelievable. Cheyenne believed it would, at the very least, take his mind off the scene he had just walked in on. "Father! Josiah was just bandaging my hand. I scrapped it on the washboard reaching for a shirt." Cheyenne's rushed explanation and eagerness to distract him made Jacques even more suspicious of the scene he had walked in on. There could be no denying that he had interrupted what was, or was about to become, an intimate moment between his daughter and his best friend. The way they had been looking into each other's eyes spoke volumes on the truth....even if his daughter's words did not.

Jacques emotions fought against one another. The protective side of him wanted no man to lay his hands on his daughter, no matter how well he knew and respected him. Yet, had he not wanted Cheyenne to find a good man and settle down? All this was too much to consider at the moment, especially standing in front of these two people. Jacques decided to play ignorant until he had better control of his emotions. "Your hand? How bad is it?" "Oh......not that bad." Josiah piped in, also thankful for the distraction. "It's torn up pretty good, but with time it'll be good as new." "That is good to hear....about it not being so bad......can you still use it Cheyenne?" Wanting to please her father she immediately replied, "Oh yes...I'm sure it's just......" "Now hold on Anni." Josiah interrupted. "It could have been worse, true, but it's still pretty bad. I think it should be rested for at least a day. You start using it too much and you're just gonna keep reopening those wounds." Jacques nodded his head and added, "Josiah is probably right, it should be rested. In fact, looking at you, you should probably rest along with it." "Oh, no, father I am fine. I don't need to rest." Cheyenne knew Josiah was leaving tomorrow afternoon and wanted to spend as much time in his presence as possible before he left. Josiah gave Cheyenne a once over. She did look rather pale, he thought. Probably due to the loss of blood. He was about to add his voice to Jacques suggestion when Cheyenne abruptly stood up from her chair.

Rising quickly, Cheyenne intended to busy herself in order to prove she did not need to lie down, but her body was not up to the task. Once she had taken her first step her head began to swim, her legs feeling as if they were rubber. Before she could steady herself she lost her balance and began to fall forward. Josiah noticed her unsteadiness as soon as she rose and was ready when she began to lose her balance. As she fell toward him Josiah extended his muscular arms and with one quick motion broke her fall and swept her up. As he cradled her in his arms he chastised her. "Your father has told you, I have told you, and now your body's telling you! So quit being so stubborn...you need to rest and that's what you're gonna do." With that he headed for her room to put her to bed.

Cheyenne flushed with embarrassment at having to be carried by Josiah to her room, and in front of her father no less. Yet, even in her flustered state, Cheyenne was acutely aware of Josiah's strong arms holding her against his bare chest. Under different circumstances this would have been her fantasy come to life. Cheyenne kept her emotions barely in check as not to become completely transparent to both her father and Josiah. As Josiah reached her bed he carefully lowered her on to it, making sure her hand was not jostled in the process. “There now Anni, you rest up and I will see you in the morning OK?” Josiah started to reach out to smooth her hair, but quickly pulled his hand back. The memory of the moment they had just shared was still fresh in his mind. Josiah was not entirely sure what had transpired during those few ethereal seconds, but something told him to hold back his affections....at least until he was certain of his own feelings. Cheyenne, still feeling light headed, gave Josiah a weak smile and replied, “Yes.....I will see you in the morning....and thank you....” Her eyelids suddenly feeling unbearably heavy, Cheyenne’s last vision was of Josiah standing above her, his beautiful blue eyes locked to her’s. As sleep quickly claimed her Cheyenne carried the image with her into the sweet slumber. As Cheyenne drifted off Joisah lingered a moment, his eyes taking in her delicate features. It was as if he was seeing her for the first time. What met his gaze was a truly beautiful young woman, her face that of an angel’s. A battle of emotions waged on as Josiah stood above this young woman. Like the proverbial devil and angel on his shoulder, Josiah sorted through this situation. True, she was a lovely young woman, and a dear friend who he enjoyed spending time with, but could he allow himself to feel more for her? She was, after all, the young daughter of a close friend. Josiah would rather cut off his right hand than hurt Jacques or the relationship between father and daughter. A solution eluding him, Josiah turned and left Cheyenne room.

Jacques had taken a seat at the table, patiently awaiting Josiah’s return. When he appeared from the doorway of Cheyenne’s room Jacques knew Josiah was a man in turmoil, it was written all over his face. Jacques knew then that he must speak to his friend of this matter. “Josiah,” Jacques said, pouring two glasses of ale from a pitcher that sat on the table. “come and share a drink with me....I believe we need to talk.” Josiah knew his friend was right. Best to air things before they turned bad. He took the seat opposite Jacques, and accepted the ale gladly. As he took a sip, Josiah tried to collect his thoughts into sensible words, a daunting task at best. Taking a deep breath Josiah started to speak. “Jacques...” Jacques interrupted Josiah and began to speak. “I have told you the story of how I met Cheyenne’s mother yes?” Not seeing the relevance of this question, but not wanting to offend his friend Josiah simply replied, “Yes, you have.” Jacques nodded his head and continued, “When I first realized my true feelings for her I was confused...and scared.” With a puzzled expression Josiah asked, “Scared? Why Jacques?” “I was scared to let her father know. Afraid he would be angry. Afraid I would lose his friendship.” Josiah nodded, knowing that feeling all too well as of late, but he said nothing. Jacques took a sip of his ale. “But you see, Josiah, father’s know when a man desires his daughter.....it is like a sixth sense I suppose. So, Raven’s father asked me a simple question. He asked me if I loved his daughter.” Jacques then looked Josiah straight in the eyes and said, “ It is the same question that I am going to ask you right now. Josiah, do you love Cheyenne?” For a moment Josiah could only stare at his mug of ale. How could he answer a question that he did not yet have the answer to? There was only one way, Josiah decided,...honestly. “Jacques.....I must be truthful with you. I am not sure of my feeling for Cheyenne. A part of me, a very newly discovered part, thinks I may indeed have those feelings for her. Yet,......” Josiah let out an exasperated sigh, “I cannot be certain how true these feelings are.....I’m sorry Jacques.” Jaques nodded his head slowly, then smiled, “You have nothing to be sorry for my friend. You were honest, that is all I can ask for. Perhaps I just asked you the question much earlier than Raven’s father did. You need time to know your feelings.” Josiah, with obvious concern in his features, replied, “And if I find out that I do have these feelings.....that I do love her......what will you say?” Again Jacques smiled. “I will say exactly what Chief Strong Wolf said to me those many years ago. If my daughter feels the same, then you have my blessing.”

For the rest of the evening the two men let the subject rest. They ate the rest of the left over stew, and enjoyed each other’s company in the same manner that they always had in the past. It was about ten o’clock that evening when the two men said their goodnights. Jacques had readied a spare cot for Josiah to sleep in, near the fireplace for warmth. As Josiah stripped his clothes off he noticed a deep red stain on his left pant leg. It was blood...Cheyenne’s blood. Josiah ran his fingers over the dried stain as his mind began to work. The image of her beautiful face surfaced in his mind’s eye, causing his emotions to stir. Could it be that he did love her and had not realized it until today? He knew she cared for him, as he did her, but something in her eyes told of much deeper feelings towards him. That revelation had not shocked Josiah half as much as how his own desires had surfaced at that moment. For those few glorious seconds, Josiah had become lost in her eyes. His body had ached to hold her, to kiss those soft, full lips. Also, the way she had spoken his name, just before Jacques had interrupted them, the had been a ring of longing in her voice. One had to wonder what all would have been revealed had Jacques only walked in a few minutes later. Was Cheyenne waging her own emotional battle? Josiah knew that dwelling on what if’s would not clarify the situation. He must concentrate on what he knew for certain. That his feelings towards Cheyenne may have grown into love and that she may well feel the same. Josiah finished undressing, laying his clothes in a neat pile beside the bed. As he slipped under the covers, Josiah paused a moment to ask guidance from the one who had helped him through so many difficult times in the past. “God,” He whispered, “I know you are a busy man....but I am in desperate need of some direction. I want to do what is right here, so if you could see your way to giving me some sort of sign....well......it would be much appreciated.” Letting out an exhausted sigh, Josiah’s head sank into the pillow and he let sleep take him.

While Josiah slept the most ethereal vision came to him. In his dream Cheyenne was slowly walking towards his bed, a delicate smile graced her lips. She stood watching him as he slept , her lips moving, but Josiah could not make out the words. All at once, her lovely face grew closer. With undeniable love in her eyes, she placed the tenderest of kisses on his cheek. Then, as quickly as she had appeared, she was gone again. As he watched her leave Josiah smiled to himself and thought, I believe I have just received my sign.

Cheyenne had awakened from her sleep, not knowing exactly why, but her first thoughts were of Josiah. She knew he laid sleeping in the main room, only a wall separating him from herself. Suddenly she was overcome by a powerful need to see him, if only for a moment. Not able to deny the urge, Cheyenne threw off her blankets and carefully made her way out to the main room of the cabin. She walked towards Josiah with the stealth of a cat, not wanting to wake him and be caught. As she made her way closer Josiah began to stir. Cheyenne froze in her spot, her breath coming in short pants. Her eyes adjusting more to the dark, Cheyenne could have sworn Josiah had a small smile on his face. No, she thought, her eyes must have been playing tricks. Once she was sure that Josiah was not about to wake, Cheyenne took one careful step, followed by another. Now she stood only inches from the side of his bed. Her heart pondered with such force against her chest she thought surely it would alert Josiah to her presence. As she tried to steady her breathes, Cheyenne studied the features of the man she loved. She was sure of this now, that she loved him. It was the only explanation for the feelings he provoked in her. Oh, how peaceful he looked, his face a mask of contentment......with a smile on his lips. Yes, her eyes had not deceived her, he was indeed smiling in his sleep. Cheyenne wondered what caused this. Was he dreaming, and if so about what......or more importantly, who. Cheyenne heard herself whisper, “Please be dreaming of the one who loves you Josiah. Please be dreaming of me.” She knew she must return to her bed, but could not resist one last daring move. Summoning all her courage, Cheyenne slowly bent down, and with the lightest touch, gently kissed Josiah’s cheek. The warmth of his skin against her lips felt like a fire, spreading throughout her trembling body. Not daring to stay another second, she silently turned and crept back to her room. Once in bed, Cheyenne slowly licked her lips, savoring the salty tastes left from Josiah’s skin. One day, she thought to herself, Josiah will know what’s in my heart. Cheyenne whispered to herself “ If only I had a way of knowing what was in his......if only I had a sign.”