Ellis shifted uncomfortably.  “It is true.  And I suppose I do owe it to you.  I’ll give you what I can, but I have to start some time back.”  He turned his gaze away from Chace and Miller.  “There was a massacre of the People Touched By The River, committed by the military two years ago.  The three of us sitting here one way or another lost almost everyone we cared about.  My slain wife was a member of that tribe.  Her grandfather and the old ones of the tribe came to me when the wagon train was five days west of where I found Charlotte.  He asked that I go with him to Washington City to try and explain one more time how much his people had suffered.  When the old ones ask, you don’t refuse.  With me gone, the wagon train turned Charlotte out.  Grandfather met her and made his decision.  He handed the responsibility for her safety to Chace, his grandson, his namesake, my brother and Miller’s as well.”  There was silence around the table.

After a long moment, Samuel spoke.  “Where is he now?”

“Who?”

“Your grandfather.”

“He died before we could get back home.  He’s wrapped up in a tree in the valley, the way he wanted to be, with buffalo skulls to protect him on his journey.”

“I’m sorry for his passing.  I would have liked to meet him.”

Charlotte put a plate of greens on the table.  Keep eating.  Let’s not talk anymore.  But her father’s attention had turned to Chace.

“I have to ask.  And if this is the chosen forum, and you’re among those closest to you, then I’ll apologize for my bluntness and put the question to you now.  What are your intentions toward my daughter?”

Chace glanced at Charlotte and her color went even higher than was indicated by the warmth of the room.  She gave a barely perceptible nod.  “She’s my wife,” he said.  Ada dropped her fork.

“I assume there was an event that made it so.  When did that take place?”

“Two weeks ago.”

“May I ask who performed the ceremony, if that’s what we’re speaking of?”

“That is what we’re speaking of.  The fort chaplain.”

“And there were witnesses?”

“Father, stop,” Charlotte said.

“I need to know.”

“Sergeant Brower,” Chace said, “and I missed the other one’s name.”

Charlotte supplied the answer.  “Joseph Beacham.”  Ada’s mouth dropped open.

“So it’s irrevocable?”

“The words haven’t changed, Father.  They’re the same as when you said them yourself.”

Samuel was still directing his comments to Chace.  “Then I’m presuming you’re well enough acquainted with Charlotte to realize that not only were obligations attached to her, but those obligations went far beyond her personal situation or even mine.”