“Him.  He lived as part of the tribe, that was common.  He came and went, brought food and trade goods, shared what he had.  I meant something to him so he had to make good on his promise.  There was confusion at first because he was teaching me French, but then we got the right language.

“After that, when my people went in and out of the agencies, I was the one who could talk to the soldiers, the missionaries, beg for food.  At the gathering of the tribes every year where the traders would be, I could speak for my people.  I went to Washington City the first time with my grandfather because of the English.  I became a soldier because of the English.”

“So he was right.  His name made a difference in how your life went.”

“He made a difference in how my life went.”  There was a long pause.  “He took my wife.”

She searched his face, not understanding.  “Your wife?”

“We’d been promised to each other since childhood.  And he wasn’t so old as he seemed.  None of that matters.  It was his right as a member of the tribe.  It was her right to agree to it.  I wasn’t there.”

“But you had to leave, didn’t you?”

“That doesn’t matter either.”

She waited, watching him.  “There’s more.”  She knew him in this way if no other.

“We had a son.”

“Oh please, no,” she said, staring at him.  “How old?  Where is he now?”

Chace took his time with it.  “He was small.  And he’s dead.  They’re all dead.  Even Chace Bridger.”

“Chace,” she said softly.  “What on earth.”  What were they to each other?  A convenience turned into a necessity that had become this never-ending pain.

“How did they die?”  Her voice was only a whisper.

“After this, there is no more,” he said.  “Ellis’s wife?  She was my sister.  She came home to our people thinking it would be for the birth of her child.  They all died the same way.”  She knew now what so often brought the trouble to his eyes.  She tried to hold back the tears but they spilled over.  “I want to show you where, it’s on the way.  Almost from the beginning I’ve wanted to do that because I saw that you would understand.”

“I hurt for you.”

“Don’t.  It’s not worth it.”

“I’m grateful that you told me.”  She wiped her face on her sleeve.  “I’m glad we’re here in this peaceful place.  I’m glad we have this.  Tell me nothing will change between us, not until it has to.”

“Nothing will change.”

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