Page 19 of A Groom for Heather
“Nightmares?”
“Charity, hush. Mrs. Barnes doesn’t need to know our business.”
“Nate, if there is anything I can do for you. I can make a blend of tea that will help you sleep.”
“Ain’t necess—”
“That would be most appreciated.”
“I’ll stop by later this afternoon with a tin and some instructions.”
“Heard you were leaving,” Charity said.
“I guess good news travels fast.”
“I’d hate to see you go. The town needs you. Especially with all the babies coming.”
Heather lifted her reticule and pretended to rummage inside. “I’ll be here until after Millie’s baby is born.”
“Millie’s with child? That’s wonderful.”
“Yes. It is. Lots of babies to be born between now and then.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going back east to see my family. I’m just waiting for Mr. Cairns to get the paperwork together so I can officially adopt Cecily and Arthur.”
“Are you glad to be leaving?”
“I think I’m relieved that I won’t have Pastor Collins pestering me.”
Charity placed her hand on her husband’s arm. “I’m glad I don’t have to remarry now.” Heather saw Nate stiffen under his wife’s touch. She wondered if something else happened at the Indian camp that he wasn’t saying. “It is such a blessing that Nate found his way home.”
“Yes, it is.” Heather tried to be happy for her friend, but the ache in her heart just wouldn’t subside. Why couldn’t Jackson have been found and taken to the Indian camp?
Why. Why.Why?
She smiled at the couple. “I pray you feel better, Nathaniel. I’d like to visit with you sometime. I’d like to learn what happened.” Nate nodded but didn’t say anything. Heather gave Charity a little wave and headed down the road.
“He was a hero.”
Heather turned around. “Excuse me?” She hurried back towards her friends.
Nate took off his hat and ran his fingers across his head, wincing as he touched skin where hair should have been. “I said that Jackson was a hero.”
“What do you mean?”
“That snow came on so quickly we didn’t have time to react. We couldn’t see the wagon. Jackson told us to huddle close next to one of the buffalo. There wasn’t enough room around the buffalo, so he took some of the men and headed towards the next kill. That was the last time I saw him. He was trying to save those men. Jackson told us everything would be alright if we just stayed together.” Nate gave a sniffle. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Barnes.”
“How did you survive then?”
“I hadn’t been feeling well. I don’t do well with butcherin’. When the snow hit, he put me right up against one of the buffalo. We had already gutted it, so he shoved me inside. The men surrounded the belly. He saved my life. It was about six days until anyone found us. By that time everyone was dead. I was near death, but an Indian scout found me. He recognized Red Hawk and took me back to the camp.”
“Oh, my goodness.” Heather couldn’t say anything else.
“Red Hawk stayed with the first group of men. He was a fierce brave. He told us never to give up. That the Great Father in the sky would take care of us.” Nate gave a little bark. “It was alright for everyone else. They met their maker. I was the last one.”
“Otis arrived about four days after the blizzard. He said everyone was dead.”
