Courage to Love (Flynn Family Saga) (25 page)

“It was right after I left Jennie and went back to the fort.  They locked me up, but the 54th attacked us at dawn, and they needed every able-bodied man.  They took me to the catwalk that ran around the wall of the fort and handed me a rifle.”  He shut his eyes.  “I thought about trying to shoot my way out, even though I knew they’d kill me.”  He opened his eyes and smiled sadly.  “But I was young and I hoped that there was a way for Jennie and me to be together.”

“Even though she didn’t love you?”

 Flynn nodded.  “But I didn’t know that, yet.”  He drew a deep breath.  “As soon as I reached the catwalk, I looked over the wall.”  He shut his eyes again.  “A mound of dead lay at the foot of the wall, all of them wearing Union uniforms, all of them Negroes.”  He opened his eyes and met Maggie’s gaze.  “That’s when I knew I was fighting on the wrong side.  They were fighting for their freedom, and I only wanted revenge.”

Maggie nodded.  “I felt that way the night I saw Nick Vaughn torture you.  I wanted to kill them in their sleep.”

Flynn stared at her.  “Why didn’t you?”

Maggie looked away.  “It wasn’t virtue.  But you’re going to think I’m crazy if I tell you what
did
happen.”

Flynn laughed harshly.  “I thought the whole Union Army was camped outside my door, Maggie.  I’m the last person who would judge you.”

Maggie nodded slowly.  She shut her eyes.  “I smelled peppermint and tobacco.  My grandfather always smelled of peppermint and tobacco.”  She opened her eyes and looked up at him.  “I heard his voice, Flynn, as clear as I hear you now.  He said, ‘That’s not our way, Maggie-my-girl.’”

Flynn nodded slowly.  “Pathfinder came to me and led me to the village when I was trying to find you.”

Maggie smiled at him.  “Then either we’re both crazy or we’re both haunted.”

Flynn nodded and rested his chin against the top of her head.  “Your grandfather can haunt us anytime.”  She felt him grin against her hair.  “Except when we’re making love.”

Maggie laughed.  She buried her face against his chest.

He tilted her chin up and kissed her, and for the first time since her daughter was born dead, desire kindled within her, like a long-banked fire.  Slowly, carefully, tenderly, they made love.  And for the first time, Maggie understood what Flynn had said to her so long ago.

To the Lakota, everything is sacred, especially the love between a man and woman.

Maggie gasped.  “It
is
sacred.”

Flynn smiled at her and nodded.

And then, he worshiped her again.

*  *  *

Some nights, Flynn had terrible nightmares, and Maggie held him in her arms, held him in the present, and in the morning, the nightmares were gone.

There were good times, too.  They went for long walks in the snow.  And they made love.

And Flynn began to teach Maggie the Lakota language.

Then, on the second day of March, Flynn lay beside Maggie, watching her sleep.  He brushed a tendril of hair back from her face.  She opened her eyes and smiled at him.

Flynn smiled back, but his smile faded swiftly.  “It’s time, Maggie.”

Maggie got up.  She wrapped the quilt around her shoulders and went over to the window.  Only a few patches of snow remained beneath the trees.  Tears filled her eyes.

“What is it, Magpie?”

Maggie turned to him.  “I’m afraid.”

He strapped on his leg and walked over to her.  He took her hands in his.  “Of what?”

Maggie looked away.  “Life.”

“Me too.”  He took off his necklace and put it around her neck.  “Here.  Whenever you’re scared, touch it.  There is strong medicine in it.”

Maggie touched the bear claw necklace reverently.  “I can’t.  Woman Who Dreams gave it to you.”

“You are my wife,” he said in Lakota.  “Whatever is mine, is yours.”

Tears glistened in her eyes.  “Thank you, Eagle Heart,” she said, also in Lakota.

“You’re welcome, Fire-haired Woman,” he replied. 

Together, they left the shelter of the cabin.  Outside, the air was crisp and cold.  Wakta whinnied in greeting.  Laughing, Flynn patted his neck.  Lady, as befitted her rank, waited regally to be petted.  Maggie obliged her.  Flynn held out his hand, and Maggie dropped a sugar lump into his palm, which Wakta nibbled delicately.  “How much sugar do I owe you now?”

Maggie shrugged.  “At least a hundred pounds.  But who’s counting?”

“I do not.”  Flynn threw Wakta’s saddle over him and pulled the cinch tight.

“Do too.”

“Do not.”  He mounted Wakta.

“Do too.”  Maggie vaulted onto Lady’s back.

Side by side, they rode out of the sheltered valley to face together whatever the future held.