Page 38 of Shoshone Sun

But first came something else, something she hadn’t expected.

As she stood at the door, lost in her thoughts, she heard the soft tread of footsteps behind her. She didn’t need to turn around to know it was Flying Arrow.

She smiled, feeling the warmth of his presence before he even spoke. “You look lost in thought,” he said quietly, his voice soft but full of that comforting strength that always made her feel safe.

She turned, meeting his eyes, and for a moment, the rest of the world seemed to fade away. His dark eyes were steady, filled with that intensity she had come to love, and his hand reached out to gently brush her cheek.

“I was,” she whispered, her hand instinctively finding his, intertwining their fingers. “Just thinking about everything. About how much has changed. How much we’ve worked for.”

His smile was soft but full of warmth, the kind of smile that spoke volumes without the need for words. “And you are part of it all, Jane.”

His words, simple as they were, made her heart swell. The connection between them, the love that had blossomed so unexpectedly between a settler woman and a Shoshone warrior, had become the foundation for everything she had dreamed of—and so much more.

Flying Arrow took a step closer, his voice suddenly more serious. “I’ve been thinking about something too,” he said, his gaze fixed on hers, searching. “About our future. About what comes next.”

Her breath caught in her throat. She could feel the weight of his words, as though something was shifting between them, something she hadn’t expected but had always secretly hoped for.

Without another word, Flying Arrow reached into his tunic and pulled out a bundle of cloth and carefully unwrapped it. Jane’s eyes widened as he revealed a necklace made of pink and purple agate beads interspersed with smaller black beads. The design was simple but beautiful, the work of skilled hands. The stone in the center was a larger flattened bead, shining a deep polished purple, swirled with pink and black. The craftsmanship was unmistakable—this was something precious, something meaningful.

He held it out to her, his eyes never leaving hers. “Jane Ashton, I have never asked for much in this life. But I ask this of you—will you marry me? Will you make a life with me? Will you stand by my side, always?”

Jane’s heart soared. She had been waiting for this moment, hoping for it in the deepest parts of her heart, and now it was here—Flying Arrow, the man she loved, asking her to share her life with him.

Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at him, the question hanging between them like a dream come true. “Yes,” she breathed, her voice barely more than a whisper. “Yes, Flying Arrow. I will marry you. I’ve wanted this ... wanted you ... since the moment I first saw you.”

A smile spread across his face, and he slipped the necklace over her head, his hands warm and steady. The moment felt timeless, as though the world had stopped spinning, allowing them to share this fleeting instant together. Jane could feel the love and the promise in the necklace, in the touch of his hand, in his eyes.

All at once the weight of the secret she had kept so long pressed on her unbearably, and she knew it was time. The love they shared had always been strong, but now it had to grow even deeper, to accommodate the new life they would bring into the world. She couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Flying Arrow,” she said, her voice shaking with emotion, “there’s something I must tell you. Something important.”

He looked at her, his brow furrowing in concern, and stepped closer. “What is it, Jane?”

She took a deep breath, gathering the courage to speak the truth. “I’m pregnant,” she said softly, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and joy. “We’re going to have a child.”

For a moment, Flying Arrow didn’t say anything. His eyes searched hers, as if he were trying to process the words, trying to understand. And then, as if everything had fallen into place, a slow smile spread across his face—one of wonder, of tenderness.

“A child,” he repeated, his voice thick with emotion. “Our child.”

“Yes,” she said, nodding, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “Our child.”

Flying Arrow cupped her face in his hands, as though he needed to feel the reality of the moment. “This is the greatest blessing, Jane. The greatest gift I could ever receive.”

Tears fell from her eyes but they were tears of joy. She had feared this moment—feared how he would react—but now, as he held her, she knew that this was exactly where she was meant to be.

He kissed her then, softly at first, as though savoring the moment, before deepening the kiss, pouring all of his love, all of his devotion into the touch. The world around them seemed to disappear, leaving just the two of them, together, with their future unfolding before them.

When they finally pulled away, Flying Arrow rested his forehead against hers, a soft laugh escaping his lips. “I will be the best husband. The best father. I will give everything to you and our child.”

Jane smiled, feeling the weight of her own promise settle in her heart. “I know you will,” she whispered. “And I’ll give all to you and our child, Flying Arrow. Everything.”

They stood for a long time, just holding each other, letting the reality of their shared life take root in their hearts. A new chapter had begun, one filled with hope, love, and the promise of a future together—one they would build hand in hand, side by side.

As the sun continued its climb in the sky, they both knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, the promise of a future filled with love lay ahead of them.

Chapter Twenty-One: A Union of Hearts

- Shoshone Village, Summer 1867

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