Sara hoped when she and Jared got back to the ranch, everyone would’ve been somewhere else, apart from where they were. Instead of having their evening meal, the three had been sitting in the living room, waiting.
Jared had been right, none of them said a word. Sara tried, unconvincingly, to hide her embarrassment. It wasn’t easy with her face covered with smeared warpaint and caked mud. She could hear Myra’s pent laughter when she stated the obvious. “Looks like you found him.”
She glanced at Jared and swallowed hard. “Yeah, I did.” She wondered if they could tell her natural complexion from the paint. She doubted it.
Jared glowered at Myra. “Was it your idea to send her out there after me?”
She held her hands up. “Hang on, big brother. I only did what I was told to do. I took her to the barn – not guilty of anything else.”
He turned on Nadine, his dark gaze full of accusation. He frowned and leaned forward. “Mother?” he prompted in a low rumble.
Tom stood and glared at him, muscles coiled and ready. Jared! Don’t, son!
He flicked his glare from his father, back to his mother. She swallowed hard and faked a smile. “Yes, it was me, but it was the right thing to do.”
“Right thing to do?” he ground through his teeth, his control barely at bay. The right thing to do, almost got her killed!
Sara watched them. She’d seen that look in Jared’s eyes before, at the hospital. Her heart raced. She drew in a quick breath and lightly touched his arm. “Jared, it’s alright,” she whispered, hoping her soft voice would calm him.
He relaxed his muscles and took a deep, calming breath. He glanced at Sara remorsefully. Sorry, Dad. I guess I gotta learn to control more than my eyes.
Tom let his breath out and sat back in his chair. He kept his gaze fixed on Jared and Nadine, still on his guard. You’ll learn, son. It takes time. I know it’s your protective side, but you have to learn to suppress the wolf’s spirit. It’s not always a blessing. You’re frightening Sara. Keep this vocal until you’ve explained everything to your mate. Mark my words. Do not threaten your mother or your sister again! Control, Jared, control.
Sara heaved an inward sigh of relief. “What happened?” Nadine gasped.
“She was nearly bitten by a rattlesnake. If I hadn’t been there, she might’ve fallen off the mountain. Mother, simply because something feels right, doesn’t always mean you should do it!” His voice was stressed again, but he was in control of his anger.
“I’m so sorry, Sara,” Nadine said, remorsefully. “Are you OK?”
“I’m fine!” she frowned. “Jared shot the snake as it was getting ready to, um, to strike.”
Her lips parted. “You must’ve been scared outta your wits.”
“She was as white as a sheet when I pulled her to safety.”
“Well, if you’ll excuse me,” Sara said, “I wanna take a shower and change.” She could’ve sworn she heard Myra snickering under her breath.
“I’ll join you,” Jared said and followed her upstairs.
~ ~ ~
Sara cornered him, next to her bedroom. She desperately wanted to ask what had happened between him and his father. She sensed the dark clouds swirling in Jared’s eyes and swallowed her question. She pressed her lips into a thin line, narrowed her eyes, and pushed her doubts aside. “They were laughing.” She kissed him. “You said they wouldn’t laugh.”
He sighed inwardly. Sara couldn’t hear his thoughts, which mildly concerned him, but she’d learned to read his actions. She’d sensed whatever had happened downstairs was something he wasn’t ready to tell her. He admired her for that.
“No,” he laughed. “I said they wouldn’t say anything. I never said they wouldn’t laugh. I mean, honestly, Sara, what did you expect? We come home covered in warpaint and mud. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what we’d been doing.” He gave her a gentle shove in the direction of the bathroom. “Get the water started. I need to get some clothes from my bedroom.” He kissed her and disappeared.
~ ~ ~
She felt a little apprehensive. When he said, he’d join her, did he mean in the literal sense? Or did he mean he would shower after her? Her question was answered when he entered the room, wearing a terrycloth bathrobe. He locked eyes with her, untied it and let it slide to the floor.
Unable to resist, Sara lowered her eyes and followed his happy trail. Despite wanting him again, and the fact that they’d made love on Mother’s Mountain, her butterflies were back. Before, when he’d made love to her, it had been spontaneous. This was cold calculated seduction in action here, and she felt trapped.
Unashamed, Jared strolled up to her and untied her robe. He eased it off her shoulders and let it puddle at her feet. Instinctively, she covered herself. He cradled her face and lightly brushed his lips over hers, teasing her. “Oh, come on,” he cooed and brushed her lips again. “You’re not gonna go shy on me now, are you?” His voice was low and sultry. Sara drew in a quick breath. “Not after the little Louisiana wildcat I played with earlier this evening.” Sara softly smiled. He grinned and held her hand as they stepped into the shower.
~ ~ ~
When they went downstairs, there was no one in the living room. He called out for his Mother. “In here,” she said. Jared led Sara to the kitchen. Everyone was sitting around the table, eating. Sara tucked her chin, realizing their shower had taken longer than expected.
“We got tired of waiting for you,” Nadine softly smiled. “Your father was starving. Sit down and eat before it gets any colder.”
Jared held a chair out for Sara. He picked up his plate and piled on the food, apparently ravenous. “Well, go on, get something to eat.”
“You must be hungry after all that, showering,” Myra snickered.
He turned his dark eyes on hers. Nadine shook her head. “Myra!”
She concentrated on her food. “Sorry.”
Jared tucked into his food; Sara picked around and prepared her plate. Apart for a couple, most of the dishes looked familiar. She took a small serving of each, hoping it wasn’t the thing Jared had shot off the ledge. The two mystery dishes were a little spicier than she was used to.
“Mother, can you put your finger on Grandmother’s ring?” Jared asked and glanced at Sara.
“Would you like me to get it for you?”
He reflected his mother’s grin and nodded. “I’ve found a place for it.”
She handed it to him. “Are you gonna add it to your Navajo room?”
He slid the ring on Sara’s finger. “I could, but I think it looks better here.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I asked Sara to marry me, and she said yes.”
Nadine’s mouth spread into a slow smile. “I don’t guess I should ask you whether you’re sure about this.”
Jared frowned. “Not likely.”
“Welcome to the Clan – I mean family, Sara.”
Jared cut a warning glance at Myra.
Did she have to mention the Clan? Sara had all but forgotten about the incident with the book; needling doubts pricked her protective bubble. She groaned inwardly and put on her stock smile. “Thanks.”
Tom shook Jared’s hand. “Congratulations, son.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
He hugged Sara and kissed her cheek. “Looks like I’ve got two daughters now.”
------------
Myra, Nadine, and Jared spent the rest of the meal discussing wedding plans. Sara spent her time worrying about how Kaye would react. She wasn’t sure how Lucy would react either. Sara was looking forward to a traditional Navajo wedding ceremony. With the amount of friction, this union would create, short and simple was best.
Since there was no rush to set a date, and she already lived with Jared, Sara didn’t want to cause her father more grief. When Kaye found out, she would make life miserable for James. She believed her father would be happy for her, but she couldn’t be sure. Being an only child had made life hard for her.
“Dad, I was hoping we could take a walk after our meal. There’s something I need to talk to you about.” All eyes and attention turned in their direction.
Tom’s expression was unreadable. He nodded. “It’s been a long time since you and I talked. I’d enjoy that.” He laughed. “Besides, it’ll give the hens a chance to cackle on their own.”
Myra put her plate in the dishwasher. “They can cackle all they want. I’ve got research to do.”
Jared glanced up. “Exam tomorrow?”
“No, but Professor Wright gives pop quizzes when the feeling hits him. I like to stay prepared. I’ll say goodnight now.” She hugged Jared and kissed her parents. “Night, Sara. Sleep tight. Watch out for rattlesnakes and Indian braves, especially my big brother.” She snickered.
Tom snorted. “Sara, you’ll have to excuse her. You’re Jared’s first serious girlfriend for years. She’s enjoying teasing you both. She doesn’t mean anything by it.”
“She’s not bothering me,” she softly smiled. She finished her meal quickly and helped Nadine clear the table. Jared and Tom sat and talked a while longer. He left the room and came back, carrying a long, thin leather pouch with fringe hanging from it, and a handwoven blanket. “I guess we’ll go for our walk now.”
Jared kissed Sara. “I’ll miss you.” He softly brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers.
“Me too – have fun,” she said and watched them leave. “Nada, I don’t wanna sound cynical or stupid but, that was a peace pipe Tom was carrying, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“But I thought tobacco.…”
“Old habits die hard, Sara,” she interjected. “Tom still follows some of the older traditions of our people.”
She wanted to ask Nadine, whom she was referring to when she said our people. Was it the Navajo as Sara had been told by all the Thunderclouds, Jared included? Or was she referring to the strange name in George Thundercloud’s book, the Dine'é Kay-Yah. Finally, she sighed and kept the conversation noncontroversial. “What does he put in the pipe?”
She laughed again. “It is tobacco, Sara, but don’t worry. Neither of them will actually smoke it. They’ll use sweetgrass and sage and cinnamon for their ceremony. The pipe is only a symbol now. We understand smoking is bad for our health, and we’ve adapted our ceremonies around that truth. Besides, Jared would never let Tom put his life in danger. Nor would he put Jared’s life in danger. He’s not only important to him as a son, but as a successor, as well. It’ll be up to Jared and Joe to carry on the bloodline.” She glanced at Sara; a smile played at the corners of Nadine’s mouth.
“There’s something else I wanted to ask you.” Nadine turned. “Jared told me, how his grandfather, supposedly, disgraced the family by publishing his book.”
“Theoretically, but Tom’s father tried to get the publisher to cancel it and remove his name from the publication. The book had already been printed and sent to the marketing department. Because George had signed a contract with them, he couldn’t force them to withdraw it without a legitimate reason, as they’d put it. In their eyes, his reason wasn’t legitimate.”
Sara frowned. “He also told me his grandfather’s brother was responsible for Tom not taking his place as head of The Council. Jared said your family was blackballed. Was there any other reason, his uncle would have for getting even with George?”
“Great-uncle, Sara, but yes. Seth, to whom you’re referring, wanted Mikah, Jared’s grandmother, my mother-in-law. He and Seth were both seeking Mikah’s favor, but for different reasons. George loved her because she was his perfect match. Seth convinced her he loved her but kept his real intent secret. Mikah had feelings for Seth, and because of this, it had caused her a great deal of confusion.”
“But you said she was George’s perfect match. How could she have feelings for Seth too? I thought when you met your perfect match…?”
Nadine smiled. “Sara, both people in a perfect match, don’t always realize their other half at the same time,” she broke in. “Sometimes they go through life and never find each other. Sometimes, even when they do, something goes wrong. When you meet your perfect match, in the land of dreams, there’s no assurance you’ll be together in the waking world or even meet, for that fact.”
OK, this is a do or die question. “Nada, when we first met, at the hospital, you told me there was one way to find out if I’m Jared’s perfect match.”
She stood and turned away. “Yes, Sara, there is, but I can’t tell you now,” she said, dreadfully.
“Why? At the hospital, you said you’d tell me later.”
“That was before George had died. Now that he’s gone, the birthright has passed to Tom. When he’s gone, it’ll be Joe’s. If something happens to him, it’ll be Jared’s. Before, I could’ve told you, but if I tell you now, Jared would know. To keep the peace between you and Jared, and between him and Tom, I must ask you not to repeat what we’ve talked about.”
Obviously, whether I like it or not, I might have to read more of the book. Sara sighed in exasperation. “OK, fine. Can we finish our conversation? Or can’t you tell me about that now?”
Nadine laid a hand on hers. “Of course, I can tell you. I don’t want you to be mad at me, but some things are kept from us for our own good. I’ll tell you the rest of the story if you still wanna hear it?”
Sara studied Nadine’s eyes. Finally, she smiled. “Yes, Nada – Mother. Please, tell me the rest of the story.”
She smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. “As I was saying, George knew Mikah cared for Seth, and because this would’ve created friction between him and his brother, he told her to choose between them. He told her and Seth, no matter who she chose, there would be no hard feelings between them. Seth was not as self-sacrificing. Mikah chose George because she loved him most. I don’t think Seth forgave him for that.”
“Has Tom mentioned reclaiming his right to sit as head of The Council?”
“Yes. Seth doesn’t always make the right choices. He’s tried to keep our family out of The Council altogether.” Nadine frowned slightly. “What are you getting at, Sara?”
“Jared said Mikah suddenly took ill and died before they could diagnose or treat her condition. He said they didn’t know what was wrong with her, only that it was some form of respiratory disease.”
Her attention piqued. “Yes, that’s right.”
“There are new methods of determining the cause of death. Jared knows someone in Shreveport who he believes can help. Have you ever considered having Mikah exhumed and tested for possible foul play? I mean, would Seth have been so dead-set on revenge that he would’ve hurt Mikah to get even with George?”
Nadine’s eyes lit. “Yes, I believe he would’ve, but Sara, Mikah’s body was burned. There’s nothing left to exhume.”
“That could pose a problem,” Sara exhaled, “but it couldn’t hurt to look into it. You said Seth wanted her for the wrong reasons. If he didn’t love her, why did he want her so badly? Was it because he was competing with his brother? You know, sibling rivalry?”
“Not entirely. You see, Mikah’s father had held a high position on The Council. He had a lotta pull as far as decisions were concerned. George knew this, but he didn’t care. He was hopelessly devoted to Mikah and only had her best interests at heart. Seth, on the other hand, wanted her for her inheritance and possessions. If it hadn’t been for George’s book, when her father passed, George would’ve had what Seth has now, and would’ve been head of The Council. Seth convinced them to remove George’s privileges, and the rest is history.”
“If Jared’s friend could help determine how she died, would Tom consider…?”
“I doubt it, Sara,” she interjected. “Tom would see it as disgracing his mother’s memory, as would everyone else.”
“I understand, but if proved Seth were responsible for her death, it would automatically put Tom as head of the Clan.”
Nadine frowned slightly. “Clan?”
“Oh, I meant, The Council.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Yes, but I doubt he would go for it. Besides, she’s been dead for over ten years now.”
Sara shook her head. That’s so unfair.
~ ~ ~
George Thundercloud had harbored this guilt for ten years. Everyone in The Council believed he was responsible for his wife’s death because of his book. If Seth was responsible, it meant there was a strong chance it hadn’t been George’s fault. Sara never believed it was his fault anyway. Even if Seth hadn’t killed Mikah, it didn’t mean George was responsible. Maybe there was another enemy. Someone standing in the shadows. Someone no one had considered.
~ ~ ~
“Jared and I have talked this over,” she said. “We’d like to help restore the family’s honor.”
Nadine hugged her. “That’s sweet, and I appreciate it. I’m sure Tom will too, but you don’t need to prove yourself to us. We love you, the way you are.”
“I know, and in this short time, I’ve grown to love you too, but this is a matter of family honor. If I’m ever gonna be part of it, I don’t want my children to be born under the same curse. Whether I believe in it or not, Jared does. Tom does and so do you. If we ever have any, I want our children to hear stories about their grandparents and remember them as heroes, not only to us, but to the rest of the people, as well.”
Nadine eyed Sara suspiciously. “Have you and Jared discussed your future?”
“Somewhat, but I don’t think he wants children with me. He says he won’t risk it because he won’t risk losing me. Nada, women give birth every day. They have for thousands of years. I don’t understand why he believes he’ll lose me if we have a baby.” Sara sighed. “There were no miscarriages in my family, and as far as I know, no one died in childbirth. Were there any in yours? Is this why he’s so concerned?”
She swallowed hard and concentrated on cleaning the kitchen counter. “Who knows what goes on inside my son’s head,” she tittered. “No, Sara. There weren’t any in our family either. What about you? Do you want children with Jared?”
“Yes, of course, I do. But, as far as he’s concerned, I’m not sure it’s gonna happen.”
“Even though you’ve only known each other for a short time?”
“Yes.”
“Be patient with him, Sara,” she chuckled. “He can be a little stubborn at times. He wants to do things his own way. I know he loves you. There’s no doubt in my mind about that. He was in love with the dream, long before he was in love with the woman. I’m sure he’ll feel the same way about starting a family with you.”
Sara smiled. “Nada, I love Jared too. Sometimes when we’re apart, I don’t feel like I can breathe. I feel so empty inside.”
She patted her shoulder. “I know how you feel, honey.”
“Think about what we talked about, Nada. Jared’s supposed to be talking to Tom about it now. If we all pool together, maybe we can convince Tom to go along, for the good of the family and your people. I’m sure, their lives would be better if Tom led them.”
She smiled and patted her shoulder again. “I’ll think about it, Sara, and I will try, but Tom is set in his ways, sometimes.”
Sara nodded, and they went into the living room.