Somewhere to Dream (Berkley Sensation) (28 page)

“No feast for me tonight. I gotta go to Adelaide.”

Soquili frowned, his gaze dark and assessing. “You will not come back to Tsalagi.”

“Says who?”

“Says me,” Soquili said, lifting his smile halfway. “You and Shadow Girl will leave us.”

Jesse shrugged. “I don’t know what we’ll do. But I have to make sure she’s all right before I make any kind of plans.”

Soquili nodded, his smile gone. “You fight like Tsalagi today, Jess-see. You make us proud.” He cleared his throat and nodded again, briefly. “You make my brother pleased. I hope you come back.”

Jesse nodded thoughtfully, strangely moved by the sentiments. He slapped Soquili’s back. “You have not seen the last of me, my Tsalagi brother.”

Jesse had never called him that before, and he was surprised the words came so easily to his tongue. They’d just felt right. Over the months he’d lived with the Cherokee, he’d come to accept that these people knew what they were talking about some of the time. That maybe something actually did exist between him and Soquili, something a little deeper than friendship. That perhaps some kind of connection did forge a link between their spirits.

He kind of hoped so. He liked the idea. And with the Cherokee’s belief that they always carried their ancestors on their shoulders, Jesse figured he’d never have to feel alone again.

“I think,” Soquili mused, “I will feast later. I want see Ad-layd. Make sure this Doc is good man.”

Jesse grinned. “I bet she’d be happy to see you.”

Nechama, finished with the wounded, waded through the grass until she stood before Jesse. She was a small, solid woman with silver-streaked braids that reached halfway down her body. Years had cut lines in the leathery skin of her face, but most of them swept away from the corner of her eyes. She smiled more than she frowned.

“I meet Doc now,” she said, beaming like a young girl.

CHAPTER
44

Confirmation

A respectable-looking group of town officials was waiting at Doc’s house when Jesse’s bloodied party rode in, confirming Jesse’s earlier suspicion: it had been Doc who had sent the armed white men to the battle before it had started. He had to smile. Little Adelaide had convinced him as well. Blue trotted in first, and the gruesome sight of the battle-worn riders held the white men still as stones. They clung to their rifles and held their ground, watching warily as the Cherokee drew closer. When Jesse and the others pulled their horses to a stop, the exhausted war party stared down at the white men, just as unsure.

Then Jesse slid off Blue and headed toward Doc, his broad grin the only bit of him not covered in filth.

“Jesse!” cried the doctor, rushing forward to embrace him. “You are well! You see, gentlemen? Your messenger brought you the truth of the matter. I said all would be fine and Jesse would be back soon, bearing only the best of news. Is it so, my dear boy? Have you come with glad tidings?”

“I have indeed, Doc. I have indeed. It wasn’t pretty, but the Cherokee came through,” Jesse said, holding the fragile old man against his grimy chest. When he glanced at the officials over Doc’s shoulder, a wave of nerves passed over him. He leaned down and muttered in Doc’s ear. “What are these gentlemen here for? They ain’t here to arrest me because of Thomas, are they?”

Doc Allen grinned and shook his head, stepping out of the embrace. “No, no, my boy. They’re here to see you all receive the gratitude which is due.”

“How is Adelaide, Doc? Is she gonna be all right?”

The smile remained. “She will be better when she sees you. But might I suggest you clean—” His words fell away as Jesse bounded inside.

She was propped partially up in bed, still pale, but alert. She had heard the indistinguishable rumble of voices outside and waited quietly for Doc, agitation flickering in her eyes. Then fear that filled them, panic at the sight of Jesse’s bloody face coming toward her. It wasn’t until he was close enough to see her worry that he grinned.

“Hey, little mouse. It’s me.”

“Jesse!”

He was beside her in a heartbeat and had to restrain himself from pulling the beautiful invalid hard against him. But he did wrap his arms carefully around her, pressing his nose to her hair and breathing in her scent.
She doesn’t smell sick,
he thought, relief flooding through him. Tired, needed a bath, sure. But Doc had done it. She would be all right. He closed his eyes, feeling like he’d come home, and he clung to the feeling.

“Oh Jesse. I was so—”

“Stop that, Adelaide.” He moved so they were eye to eye. “You knew I’d be all right. You sent me to do a job, and I did it. I always said I’d take care of you, didn’t I? You ain’t got no call to be scared no more.”

He kissed her, a gentle press against her lips. He didn’t want to hurt her. But she pulled away.

“You smell awful,” she said.

He didn’t let go, only pulled her back against him and chuckled into her ear. “So do you.”

A short knock on the wall grabbed his attention, and Jesse drew reluctantly away from her. Doc stood in the doorway, grinning nervously.

“Em, Jesse, my boy, I do dislike the idea of separating the two of you, but would you mind terribly coming with me for a moment? It seems we have a slight language barrier with your friends, and some of the town’s gentlemen are a tad bit concerned.”

“Language barrier? The Cherokee are here?” she asked.

“Just a few of them,” Jesse replied. “I’m comin’ Doc. Oh, and Doc?”

“Yes, my boy?”

“That ol’ woman out there, she wants to talk with you. Her name’s Nechama. She’s their healer and wants to know what you did for Adelaide. I told her you’d be happy to tell her all about it. Shall I send her in?”

Doc brightened. He loved to teach. Jesse was always a disappointment in that department, and he was well aware of that. Just as quickly as he’d smiled, Doc’s brow furrowed, and he clasped his hands in front of himself, looking unusually nervous. He wasn’t used to visitors.

“Certainly. Certainly,” he said. “Should I prepare tea? I confess, I have not had a Cherokee in my house before. I’m not sure of the proper etiquette.”

Jesse snorted. “Don’t worry over that. Just set her beside Adelaide for now. So she can see for herself that you ain’t killed her.”

“Of course!” Doc exclaimed, mortified. “My manners are appalling.”

“I’ll be right back,” Jesse said, turning back toward Adelaide. She had relaxed, and he thought her cheeks looked slightly pinker than they had even a moment before. He leaned in and kissed one of those cheeks, savouring her soft skin against his lips. “You’re lookin’ better, you know.”

Her gaze was warm on his. “I’m getting better. Especially since you’re here.”

Jesse heard a voice raised, coming from outside, and he identified it as Soquili’s. “I gotta go,” he said.

“Jesse?” She reached carefully toward the table by her bed and retrieved a wet cloth. “Use this, would you? I think the men will be more likely to listen if you don’t look like a corpse.”

He used it to wipe the grime from his face, managing to clear away most of the war paint beneath, started to hand it back to her, then realized how disgusting that idea was and decided to keep it with him. He followed Doc outside and handed the filthy cloth to Soquili, who frowned and tried to pass it back. But Jesse stepped back, giving him a nod of encouragement. Soquili grudgingly used it to wipe his own face, then passed it to his friends.

“Gentlemen,” said Doc, addressing the townsmen. “This is Jesse Black, of whom I had spoken earlier. He will be able to tell you all that happened.”

Jesse nodded, but before telling them the story, he turned to Nechama and smiled. “Adelaide waits for you in house,” he said in Cherokee. “She is good.” He switched to English and spoke slowly. “Nechama, this is my good friend, Doc Allen. He is happy to teach you.”

Doc stepped forward, holding out his hands. She gave him one of her own.

“I come to thank you, Doc. And to learn,” she said, tentative with her English.

Doc closed his hands over her strong fingers. “It is my pleasure, madam. Please, allow me to present the young lady for whom we were all so concerned.”

Jesse turned back to the men of the town and explained everything that had happened, choosing to skip over the actual reason he’d known about the planned raid. When they asked, he said he’d simply heard through someone and left it at that.

“Does it matter?” he asked. “Your town’s still standin’.”

He introduced Soquili and the small group of warriors with him, and after an awkward hesitation, the townsmen held out their hands in greeting. The Cherokee stood stiffly, unfamiliar with the gesture. Jesse put himself between the two groups and shook the men’s hands, leading by example. He nodded to Soquili, who followed suit, along with the others.

Doc’s house was too small for him to invite them in. Jesse didn’t think his friends would be comfortable in the small space anyway. But it was inconceivable, after all they’d been through, for him to let them leave without at least offering something. Holding up one finger, asking them to wait, he ran inside and returned with some of Doc’s baked bread and muffins, which he’d known would be waiting for him. Doc always prepared Jesse’s favourite things, and since Adelaide was there as well, the old man had prepared extra. The Cherokee sat on the ground and ate as if they hadn’t seen food in a week. Jesse excused himself, saying something noncommittal, but Soquili knew. He smiled at his brother.

“I say
osiyo
to Ad-layd, yes?”

Jesse nodded.

When they entered the house, Nechama and Doc were sitting on two stools on one side of Adelaide’s bed. Doc chattered quickly, moving his hands in illustration while Nechama sat silently by him, her eyes slightly glazed, her jaw slack. Then Adelaide spoke up, stepping weakly into her role of translator. Nechama listened intently, nodding and asking questions. Doc glanced between Adelaide and the healer, obviously fascinated by the language.

Grinning, Jesse stepped to the other side of the bed and took Adelaide’s hand while Soquili waited in the doorway, soaking everything in. Doc launched into more explanations, so Adelaide paused in her translation just long enough to glance up at Jesse with a tired but warm smile.

When the next round of translations had been completed, Nechama nodded and spoke directly to Doc. “I thank you for your teaching,” she said. “I would like teach you. You come to village?”

Doc’s mouth opened and closed a few times. He rarely left his house, let alone travelled as far as the village. Jesse waited, one eyebrow raised.

Finally Doc smiled, and Jesse could see how hard he was trying. “It would be my great honour.”

Grinning, Adelaide interpreted again.

“Nechama,” she continued, reaching for the older woman’s hand. “Wah-Li saved the town today by believing Jesse’s thoughts and my dreams. How can we ever thank her for this?”

Nechama’s eyes almost disappeared, swallowed by the grin she gave them both. “The Grandmother has only one wish. She told it to me two moons ago.”

Adelaide and Jesse exchanged a glance, then nodded. “Anything,” Jesse said.

Grinning, Nechama clapped her hands together, obviously pleased to share Wah-Li’s words. “She wishes you to name your first daughter after the Cherokee.”

Jesse swallowed, surprised, then glanced at Adelaide, who had turned a healthy shade of pink. Their first daughter. Jesse’s heart got so big in that moment that he was afraid Doc might have to fix it later. He leaned down and kissed his girl, then walked around and kissed Nechama as well.

He grinned. “Nechama,” he said in careful Tsalagi, “please take this message to the Grandmother. We will name our first daughter after the Cherokee, and she will name her first daughter after the Cherokee. We will continue this for . . .” He glanced at Adelaide for help.

“For many generations,” she said for him. “To thank the Cherokee.”

The old woman smiled. “And the Grandmother wishes you to know, Tloo-da-tsì, that she hopes you understand now. We are your family. You are our son and brother. You have shared your spirit with us, and we give ours to you as well. She wants to tell you it is time for you to trust. That you have done right and well, and you will get the happiness you deserve. She has seen it.”

“Thank you,” he said. “And yes. I understand now.”

“Be well, Jes-see and Ad-layd,” the older woman said, getting to her feet. “I must go now. There will be a big celebration tonight. Especially when I tell them you are both well.”

While Doc showed Nechama to the door, Jesse and Soquili took their places on either side of Adelaide. She was pale, but her lips seemed less gray now. Jesse took that as a good sign.

“Soquili,” she said quietly. “You are well?”

He grinned. “It was a good day. And I have decided you, Ad-layd, must change your name.”

“Oh?”

“You cannot be Shadow Girl. You stepped from the shadows today. Once the Cherokee carried you from the white people. Now you bring the Cherokee and the white people together. The Cherokee nation is proud of you.”

There was another flash of pink in her cheeks, and Jesse squeezed her hand, thinking he’d missed that sweet reaction of hers while he’d been away.

“I’m proud of you, too,” he said. That’s when he remembered the little shell he’d found in Thomas’s bag. “Hey, I brought you something you might like.”

He fished in his sack, which lay on the floor by his feet, then handed her the shell.

At first, she didn’t move, just held the little thing on her palm, staring at it with a wide-eyed expression. She brought it closer, then turned it over and rubbed her thumb over the carving.

“You like it?” he asked, grinning at her stunned reaction.

Her breath hitched. The girl was crying. What the hell? Jesse looked to Soquili for help, but Soquili was also staring at the shell, his own expression incredulous. “Where you get this?”

“It was in—”

“Look, Soquili,” Adelaide said. She sniffed and handed the shell to him. “Where did you find that, Jesse?”

“It was in Thomas’s haversack. I was looking through his stuff and found it. I thought you might like it. But hey, if it’s gonna make you cry—”

“Your father carry this?” Soquili demanded, eyes sharp.

Jesse shrugged. “Yeah. I don’t know—”

“This belonged to Soquili’s brother,” Adelaide explained quietly. “I made it for him. He never took it off. When they brought his body back to the village, it wasn’t with him.”

“Oh, Jesus. I didn’t know—”

“Of course you didn’t. Jesse, this must mean your father killed Soquili’s brother and took this as a trophy.”

Jesse frowned, suddenly nervous. “Yeah. I guess it might mean that. But on the other hand, Soquili took me. Kind of works out in the end, don’t it?” He watched Soquili closely, wondering what was going through the warrior’s mind. Did this mean it was time for “an eye for an eye”? Was he going to die because of Wahyaw’s pendant? Had Thomas managed to kill Jesse in the end, like he’d said he would?

“Listen, I’m sorry that—”