A Native Love for the Lonely Bride – Extended Epilogue

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 Two Years Later

Letitia sat in a rocking chair on the front porch holding Bernadine. She looked into the baby’s dark brown eyes, and her heart filled with a happiness that she could never put into words. The baby had her father’s bronze skin and black hair, but Letitia’s facial features. Letitia and Ezra had agreed to honor the man who’d brought them together when she was born.

Kasi lay at her feet. She had gray hair around her muzzle, but still ran around with the other dogs like she was a young pup. She’d also decided that Bernadine was her baby and didn’t let very many people come near the child.

The smell of roasting meat and corn filled the air. All of their friends from Dry Creek and most of the Newe people had come to celebrate life. There was no special occasion. It was only a rare meeting between people who might look different and have different ways of life, but were still brothers and sisters under God or Tam Apo.

As Reverend Adams had said earlier, in the Old Testament, God had told Moses, when Moses had encountered the burning bush, that He had a thousand names. The reverend reasoned that Tam Apo was one of those names.

All of the children were running around playing tag, ball, and racing. Wame was holding court under a large cottonwood tree, telling a group of younger kids about how the coyote, who was a trickster and teacher, found a bunch of newborn babies. He washed them and told them that they were his and that he would stay with them. However, before he could wash all of them, the women came and washed the rest of the babies themselves. Only the babies who were touched by the coyote became Newe. The other babies became different nations.

Folks were visiting and chatting about farming, hunting, and the weather. No one ever talked about Eli anymore.

Martha sat down next to her, holding her swollen belly. “This baby is about to kick me to death.”

Letitia laughed. “You only have two months longer.”

“I might not have any insides left in two months. Everything is going to be smashed.” Martha groaned as the baby kicked so hard that Letitia could see her entire belly move.

“Sam seems to be very excited. He showed Ezra the beautiful cradle he’d made for the baby the last time Ezra went to town.”

Martha chuckled. “Sam is beside himself, always running around grinning like a possum.” She patted her belly. “I just hope the baby has red hair like him. I love the color of his hair.”

“Whatever color the baby has, it’ll be beautiful and you’ll love it.” They both looked over at Sam, who was playing a game of horseshoes with Fred, Chris, and Ezra. “He’ll be a great father.”

“Yes, he will. He’s the sweetest, gentlest man in the world.” Martha tilted her head to one side. “Although lately, he’s about to drive me to distraction. He barely lets me do anything anymore. The only reason I’m still allowed to cook is because he says my cooking is better than his.”

They looked up as Cora joined them.

She sat on the step, petting Kasi. “You need to pass that baby right on over here.”

Letitia carefully placed Bernadine in Cora’s arms. The baby quickly reached up and grabbed a handful of Cora’s hair.

“How’s the school going?” Martha asked. “I still can’t believe you decided to turn your boarding house into a school.”

“Well, not as many people are traveling through Dry Creek these days, so those rooms could be used to benefit the community. I’ll still be able to earn a good living from the eating house.” She ticked Bernadine under the chin, causing the baby to giggle loudly. “I’ll have at least twenty kids enrolled next fall, ages six through sixteen.”

Cora fixed Letitia with a serious look. “You’re still going to teach reading and history for me, right?”

“Yes, of course.” Letitia grinned. “If for no other reason than the fact that you got your hands on all kinds of books that I’ve either read and loved or want to read. I can use the salary to buy more books, which I’m using to teach the Newe children how to read English. They’re teaching me how to speak their language, so it’s a win-win situation.” She nodded to Ezra, who’d chosen that moment to look up from his game and smile at her. “He says we’ll have to add on an extra room just for the books.”

Martha put her finger on her chin. “You’ll have your own private library. Nothing wrong with that. Maybe I’ll have to talk Sam into one, as well.”

Wenapa joined them. “As long as you’re passing around my granddaughter, I should have a turn.”

Letitia started to stand, but Wenapa waved her back down in the chair. “I’m not so old that I can’t sit on the porch steps, too.”

“You aren’t old, Grandmother. You’ll never be old,” Letitia said.

“Tell that to my bones on those cold nights when the wind is carrying icy knives.” She carefully took Bernadine into her arms and cradled her.

The baby instantly started babbling as though she was telling a story and was excited to have a captive audience. Wenapa responded with “Is that so?” “Are you sure?” and other such phrases. Bernadine apparently thought this was funny, because she burst out in laughter each time Wenapa spoke and babbled even more.

As the sun began to set, everyone packed up their dishes and their families. Some headed for Dry Creek and the others toward the village, which would soon be packing up to follow the bison herds.

Once they were alone and Bernadine was asleep in her crib, Ezra pulled Letitia close to him.

“Today was a good day,” he said. “I don’t know how long peace will last between the Natives and the white people, but today was good.”

Letitia looked into his eyes and gently touched his cheek. “I think I know how to make today even better.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “How’s that, my love?”

“By letting you know that Bernadine is going to have a little brother or sister in about seven months.”

His eyes widened. “We’re going to have a baby?”

“Yes.”

“That’s terrific. I love you so much.”

He lowered his head and captured her mouth with his. The familiar aching need and overwhelming love for this man welled up inside of her. She wrapped her arms around him and once again, their hearts beat as one.

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