Drifter – Part 15

By D

Chapter XXIX

"This bed is very decadent, warrior," Donoma commented when they were curled up together later that evening. Koko had been as good as her word and she had taken Donoma around the small meadow and down along the small creek that ran behind the cabin. Donoma took great delight in watching Black and Dapples chase up and down the wide prairie. She idly wondered what determined the boundary they seemed to respect, but it was only a passing thought. Mostly, she was simply enamored of the beauty surrounding her – surrounding her being quite literal in her case.

Donoma leaned back into the strong body wrapped around hers as they watched the sun set. Only when the sun dropped below the horizon did they head back indoors, leaving the horses to play. It was then that Donoma sat down upon the featherbed for the first time, a look of shocked pleasure crossing her face. Koko just grinned at her, sitting down and pulling Donoma into her arms before laying them down together in the middle of the bed.

"You did not try the bed when you came in earlier, ka'eskone?"

"I was waiting for you, warrior. You promised me a tour – I expected that to include the bed." Koko laughed and Donoma smiled at the joy that spread throughout her at the sound. "Instead, I emptied out the saddlebags and put things away. I probably did not put things away where they belong, but for the time being they are put away."

"You did not need to do that, Donoma."

"I know," came the reply. "But it gave me a chance to look around a little, Koko. You are very skilled, my warrior. You have created a lovely home here... very pleasant."

"I have had time to make it comfortable – to learn how to create the things I needed to be so."

"You have been happy here then?"

"I have been... content... here." Koko sighed. "I expected this to be my home until I died, Donoma. I never thought I would ever go back to the People... not for any reason. When I was not out hunting bounties, I was here, and you know I was never one to sit quietly."

"Unless you were listening."

"Unless I was listening," Koko agreed. "But I could not sit and listen all the time. So I had plenty of time to build this place and to make it a comfortable place to be. I discovered I am not fond of unexpected storms if I have no where to escape to. Denim does not dry well and it chafes."

"Do you like it here?" No accusation, just curiosity.

"I like parts of it," Koko said honestly. "The peace, the privacy, the featherbed," she added with a sly grin. Donoma chuckled. "I would have remained content, Donoma, but I never would have been happy."

Donoma listened to the words and the tone and snuggled further down into Koko's embrace. "I could be happy here, Koko. The bed is very comfortable and I like the cabin. But I will be happy anywhere we are together."

"As will I, beloved." A beat. "What would you like to do tomorrow?"

Donoma shrugged. "I do not know, Koko Kanti. I have never been away from the People like this before. I have never had to think about it... never had to choose. What do you usually do?"

Koko squeezed Donoma gently. "It depends," she answered truthfully. "Some days I would go into town... for supplies or to check in with Stephen or just for a break from my own company. Most days, though, I would stay here. There are always things to do, especially with the garden patch at this time of the year and throughout the summer." Donoma nodded, remembering the small bit of cleared land. "And there are always repairs and upgrades to work on – my next project was actually to make a workable tub for that space over there," pointing to indicate the area of the cabin she meant.

"Why would you want a tub, Koko?"

"For bathing in, ka'eskone... to get clean."

"But why do you need one, warrior? You have a perfectly nice stream right outside your door... literally."

"Ah, Donoma... one day you will have to let me introduce you to the pleasures of a hot bath." Donoma's brows furrowed and she sat up to look at Koko Kanti.

"Why one day, Koko? Why not now?"

Koko chuckled. "Well, mostly because I have not built the tub yet and the only other place to get a hot bath nearby at the moment is at Miss Kitty's place in town."

Donoma scowled. "Who is Miss Kitty and why does she have the only place to get a hot bath?"

"I promise I will introduce you if and when we ever go into town. She owns the local saloon and brothel and she already knows all about you. She's the one that looked after me when I first came to town – gave me a place to sleep and taught me who and what to look out for. She has spent many nights listening to me talk about you."

"And why does she have a tub? Are they not common for the white man?"

"No... they are considered a luxury. It seems that more folks back east have them... you know, where the big cities and the wealthy are. White men that travel out west though, they tend to have little room or regard for items that are deemed luxuries. So Miss Kitty is quite proud of the fact that she has one; besides, it brings in quite a bit of business for her."

Donoma cocked a questioning eyebrow at Koko. Koko smiled and smoothed it out.

"She runs a brothel, ka'eskone," she reiterated, then realized Donoma had no frame of reference for the term. "She keeps a house where women are available for mating for a price." There was a look of horror in Donoma's eyes. "I know, Nutta, but it is the way of the white man here. But," Koko continued, "Miss Kitty has a bathtub that she also rents out for a small fee and after I have been on the trail for days, it is a nice treat."

Donoma chewed her lip thoughtfully. "Then perhaps we need to make a trip into town. I believe I would like to meet Miss Kitty and see this bathtub."

"Are you sure, ka'eskone? I do not want you to be uncomfortable and people will stare. Not because you are of the People or because you are a woman, but because you are new and different. They will watch you to see if you can function in their society."

"Are you trying to talk me out of this warrior? I thought you wanted me to go into town."

"I do, Nutta, but I want you to go on your own terms... not because you feel compelled to do so."

"Will you be with me, Koko Kanti?"

"I will not leave your side, ka'eskone."

"Then I have nothing to worry about."

Koko smiled. It had been a long time since someone other than herself had shown such unwavering faith in her and she found she liked the way it made her feel. The fact that is was Donoma simply made it sweeter. "We can go into town whenever you want, Donoma. I told you that decision would be left completely up to you."

"Then let us go into town tomorrow, Koko Kanti. I believe it would be better to go sooner than to wait."

"And why is that, ka'eskone?"

"Several reasons, actually. One is because I cannot let this fear rule me; another is there will be little time for people to start talking... and we both know they will – it is the nature of things. But mostly because I could not find anything to make dinner with that did not come out of the saddlebags."

Koko laughed at the seriousness with which Donoma delivered her reasons. Donoma sat up and crossed her arms over her chest. Koko sat up behind her and embraced her, holding on when Donoma tried to shrug out of her grasp. "I am not laughing at you, Nutta... I am laughing at me."

Donoma turned and cocked a disbelieving eye in Koko direction. Koko leaned forward and kissed her nose. "Your reasons are well thought out and practical, and I agree with them completely. I just had not realized that I had neglected to show you the storage room."

"The storage room," Donoma repeated with a frown. "Is that not where we placed all the things we removed from the horses?"

Koko shook her head. "No, ka'eskone. That is technically the storage shed." She unwrapped herself from Donoma and stood, then offered her hand to help Donoma stand as well. They took the few steps required to get to the tiny area Koko had built as her kitchen, and she bent and tugged on a groove in the floor Donoma hadn't noticed before. When Koko pulled hard enough, the floor moved and revealed a cellar.

Donoma peered down and then looked back at Koko. "That is very clever, warrior, but is it not terribly inconvenient for you?"

"It could be if I did not have small containers up here that I refilled from the larger ones I keep down there. This is so I do not have to go into town for supplies except once or twice a year."

"Can we go down there?" For answer, Koko lifted the lantern from the wall and took Donoma's hand, leading her down into the cool darkness.

Donoma marveled at the cool, dark space – lined with shelves and containing large casks in the middle. Donoma did have to wonder how Koko had managed to lug them down the stairs safely, then took the time to look around. She found the casks contained dry staples – sugar, flour, salt and cornmeal. Another cask held a brine that Koko explained was salt pork and two smaller casks held hardtack and pickles. The brine made Donoma sneeze and wary of trying either the pork or the pickles.

On the ceiling against one wall hung a variety of smoke cured meats and two walls held a huge assortment of glass jars. Moving closer, Donoma could see that many stood empty, waiting to be filled while the rest held food products of some kind, though she couldn't readily identify them from where she was standing. There were also two large bins that contained some wrinkled potatoes and green-topped onions.

"This is amazing, Koko Kanti. Where did all the bounty come from? How did you manage...?"

"I have learned to do many new things since coming to the white man's world to live, ka'eskone. It was the only way to survive – they do not live as the People do."

Donoma looked around again. "I can see that," she acknowledged, looking around once more before turning to head back up the stairs. Koko followed her, snagging the lamp and closing the trap door when they were both clear. "The People would not know what to do with such bounty or such indulgence," motioning to the bed.

Koko smiled. "I think they would adjust if they had to, ka'eskone, just as I did. But I would not change the old ways; they have served the People well for many generations. I would not want them to be like the white man. Too many white men remind me of my Neho'e's tribe – disregarding the welfare of those they perceive to be weaker or less than they are and abusing the Mother that provides us with life and sustenance."

"Then why do you stay, warrior?"

"Because in some twisted way, ka'eskone, I fit in here and I have a purpose."

"You *had* a purpose with the People, Koko Kanti."

"But until just recently I thought that purpose was lost, Donoma Chepi. And it was good to know I made a difference in the white man's world. The name of Reb Stone is feared throughout the territory by those who would break the law."

Donoma shook her head. "I cannot believe I had never heard that name before."

"That is because the People have stayed off the path of destruction the white man has carved for himself across the west. I fear that that will not always be the case. There is much greed here – they covet our horses and our land... land that we have respected for ages. That greed is behind the attack that was perpetuated against you."

"Will that cause problems for us if we go into town, Koko?"

"No, ka'eskone. I told Stephen I would allow him to handle things for now; I will not go back on my word unless Washburn is stupid enough to try to start something with me. But I imagine Murph will be surprised to see us so soon."

"Probably, given my hesitation this morning, but I think it is best to get it over with. Besides, I am somewhat anxious to meet this 'Miss Kitty' and discover the apparent joys of a hot bath." She yawned widely and tugged on the hand that Koko still held within her grasp. "However, first I would like to sleep on this soft bed."

Koko grinned and drew Donoma down to the bed, seating her and then kneeling in front of her to remove the soft hide boots she wore. Then she stood and began disrobing, nostrils flaring at the look of desire that burned from Donoma's eyes. She had a feeling sleep might be coming for them later rather than sooner tonight.

************

Reuben Washburn sat at his desk rereading the telegram he had received from his father.

Cast the first Stone. STOP. (it read) Vengeance is ours. STOP. Time for payment. STOP.

Washburn scrubbed a hand over his chin, the buzzing sound a loud rasp in the otherwise quiet room. Telling his father about the death of his younger brother hadn't been pleasant, and from his response, Mordecai Washburn hadn't taken the news well.

Reuben moved his hand to his eyes, trying to rub away the headache he could feel forming behind them. Although he absolutely wanted revenge against Reb Stone for any number of things, he was not ready to make her pay for his brother's death yet. For one thing, he had no way of knowing where she was – the last he had heard was that she was chasing Hobbs' gang and the men that had returned from the first expedition hadn't seen her when they'd stumbled across the big black stallion. Worse, he had no way to collect the horses Leroy had been after... not the black or any of the horses they'd actually been sent to recover. The colonel had put a moratorium on rounding up any more animals until they could determine what had happened to Leroy. He wasn't convinced of Stone's guilt.

The problem was that men who had been part of Leroy's scouting party were unwilling to disobey the colonel's order. It had been different going out under orders and culling the best of the herd for selling before the army got their hands on them. It was something altogether different to directly disobey an order. Most of the men appreciated the security being part of the army gave them. Now Reuben had no other recourse for finding either Stone or the wild horses ranging the prairie than to turn to some of the same outlaws he was supposed to protect the masses from.

Not that that particularly bothered him really, except as it affected his bottom line. Mercenaries and outlaws tended to want a larger cut of the profit than soldiers he could order to do his bidding. However, at this juncture, he really didn't have much other choice – his father would just have to understand... or not, as the case may be... that his profit margin was fixing to drop significantly.

His other problem... finding Stone... that was more a matter of patience on his part. If she was still alive, and he had no reason to believe otherwise at this juncture, he merely needed to wait until she made her next trip into town. Then he could make his move to exact revenge. If she had been killed by Hobbs' gang, word would reach him sooner or later and though not as satisfying as destroying her himself, it would serve its purpose.

The sad thing, Reuben reflected as he sat back in his chair, was that Reb Stone would have been a fabulous ally had she been amenable to his suggestion that she join them, and Leroy would probably still be alive. Of course, Leroy would have had difficulties working with Stone; he made no bones about his hatred for 'the abomination', as he had been wont to refer to her. But Reuben could have kept him in line, even with Leroy's fierce covetousness of the black stallion. They'd have found a way to work around it, even if it had meant threatening Leroy with telling Mordecai.

That would have been effective, Reuben had to admit. He wasn't afraid of much, but his father did tend to scare the shit out of people... even him.

For that reason Reuben wasn't looking forward to relaying the news to his father about the current state of affairs, but better that than having Mordecai deciding he needed to investigate the situation personally. Not only would that go a long way towards exposing their activities, but it was likely to throw everything into chaos. Mordecai just had that effect on things he grew impatient with.

So he got up from his seat and went to the window, letting his mind wander as he tried to decide the best way to respond to his father's telegram. The bell announcing the evening meal rang and he turned back to the water bowl to wash up. Spencer required both officers and men to wash before meals while they were in the fort. Reuben had to grudgingly admit that it did make sense – even he had noticed the men tended to be sick less under this rule.

He wiped his hands on the towel kept beside the bowl for that purpose, then snatched up his hat and headed out the door. He had a little time to consider his answer to his father. Right now, he needed to focus on his duties. There was no reason to draw any more attention to himself at the present. Leroy's death had done more than enough in that regard.

Perhaps that is what he would tell Mordecai – that Leroy's death meant things had to go slowly for just a little while. Even Mordecai would understand the undue attention Reuben was under and not want him to do anything that would draw any more unwarranted scrutiny. That would naturally upset the entire operation, and no one wanted that.

With a sigh, Reuben entered the mess hall. He'd get it all figured out eventually – he just needed eventually to come sooner rather than later.

Then without any further ado, Reuben sat down at the officers' table and waited for the rest of the company to join him.

Chapter XXX

It was an odd noise that drew Donoma from the depths of sleep. She blinked open green eyes, causing the body beneath her to shift and tighten the embrace she was being held in. Donoma blinked again, this time eliciting a chuckle from deep within Koko's chest. Lips brushed over the top of her head.

"It is just the rain, ka'eskone," the low voice burred. "Go back to sleep."

Donoma shifted her head on Koko's shoulder, allowing her to listen to the strange sound of rain falling on wooden shingles. Her hands started drifting in random patterns over Koko's skin and Koko reciprocated by running her hands up and down Donoma's arms.

They basked in their shared warmth and the tingles their touches caused in one another, slipping into a comfortable place where only the two of them existed. Eventually, however, Donoma broke the silence.

"I guess this means we will wait to make our trip into town."

Koko smiled, and though Donoma could not see it, she did hear it in her voice. "I believe you are correct, ka'eskone. Somehow, I cannot garner much enthusiasm for being out in the cold rain when I can stay in this soft, warm bed with you."

"Never let it be said you are not a woman without priorities, warrior mine. Perhaps this is a sign from the Great Spirit that we should slow down and enjoy life together for a bit."

"And perhaps it is simply rain, Donoma, though I will never turn down any opportunity to enjoy life with you. I feel like we have so much time to make up for." A beat. "Do you remember the last time I held you in my arms like this?"

Donoma nodded her head against Koko's torso, her hair tickling the warrior and making her squirm. "Oh yes... it was right before you left. We had gone out to find some silence....

************

Despite the warmth of the day, the nights tended towards chilly, but made the sky clearer and brighter as the stars emerged from their daylight hiding place. Donoma and Koko had gone out into the vast prairie in the late afternoon, determined to find a bit of peace. The tribe had been celebrating some victory or other, but all Koko wanted was to bask in Donoma's presence in the quiet of a wide open sky.

When they were far enough away, Koko flopped down onto the ground and tucked her hands under her head. Donoma laid her head on Koko's belly and together they stared up the cloud filled sky searching for patterns in them. This was almost as fun as star chasing and Koko planned to stay out long enough to do that activity as well.

The sun went down, creating beautiful, colorful patterns on the western horizon even as the eastern sky darkened with night. Slowly, the stars began to peek and pop out and Donoma shifted her position to curl up in the warmth of Koko's strong arms.

"How is it you always manage to be so warm, Koko?" she asked shivering. "It is not even remotely warm out here now and yet you are toasty almost to the point of being hot."

"It must be the company I keep, ka'eskone. The Great Spirit has determined my sole purpose in life is to keep you warm – therein lies my skill as your protector. Hey!" jumping when Donoma poked her in the ribs. "What did you do that for?"

Donoma rolled her eyes and smirked. "Like you do not know, Koko Kanti. This particular skill may be exclusively for me, but it is certainly not the only one you possess. Ask any of the warriors who have sat under your tutelage or whom you have led into battle. I am fairly confident they would be happy to inform you of any other number of skills of which you are in possession of."

"Yes, but what are the skills of war worth when you so obviously do not require them as you do the warmth which I regularly supply you with? I believe the Great Spirit is showing me a new path," laughing this time when Donoma poked her.

"I believe you need to turn your attention to the stars, warrior and see if perhaps there is a message there. Although," Donoma continued with a smirk, "after the cloud chasing we did this afternoon, I fear for your eyesight. You have <ahem> interesting vision."

Koko poked out her lip so far, Donoma had to bite her own to keep from laughing out loud. Honestly... any farther and it would get stepped on. "You do not like what I see in the clouds?"

"I do not *see* what you see in the clouds, warrior, anymore than I see what you see in the stars." Donoma leaned up on her elbows and brushed the unruly hair back out of Koko's eyes. Then she cupped her face in one hand and rubbed against Koko's bottom lip until it retreated and feeling Koko shudder against her. "That is why I find them interesting."

Koko looked at her disbelievingly at the glib explanation, but Donoma's expression showed only sincerity. She tightened her hold on Donoma's body, forcing her to lie down once more, then she kissed the blonde head that tucked itself under her chin. Donoma angled herself so she could hear Koko's heartbeat beneath her ear, never realizing when the strong steady beat lulled her into sleep.

***********

"That was only a few days before you left," Donoma said softly. "I remember the feeling of completion and warmth and protectiveness that I felt that night – it is still one of my favorite memories." She paused. "I look back now and wonder how I could have missed what was so clear in your eyes and expression... what was so obvious in my own heart and mind despite my blindness to it. You never let anyone take liberties with you the way I did."

Despite Donoma's serious demeanor, Koko Kanti chuckled, causing Donoma to lean up until she could meet twinkling blue eyes. Koko struggled to bring her mirth under control and looked at Donoma seriously, though she couldn't quite hide the mischief that lurked in the back of her gaze. Donoma arched an eyebrow in question and Koko nearly lost it again; only superior warrior stoicism allowed her to keep a straight face.

"Ka'eskone... no one but you would *dare* take liberties with me, especially of that sort. They all like living too much. You, however, are the exception to that rule. With you, they are not liberties – it is your place... where you belong; therefore, they are simply your due."

Donoma didn't answer verbally – Koko had robbed her of thought, of speech, or her very breath. Instead, she leaned down and brushed Koko's lips, barely touching and causing Koko to follow her as she pulled away, seeking a deeper touch.

Donoma pulled back, teasing Koko, confident she would pursue. Not only did Koko pursue, but Donoma suddenly found herself at the bottom of a very warm, wonderful pile of focused warrior passion. It was a while before thought or speech or breathing were part of her processes again.

************

"I did not tell the truth," Donoma said some time later. "*That* is the most peaceful way to start the day," stretching luxuriously against all the bare skin she was tucked into and giving Koko a satisfied smile. She shifted until she was turned on her side, tracing the smooth skin beneath her fingers with the gentlest of touches, edging carefully around still tender skin. "I could stay here with you...."

A rumbling between them short-circuited Donoma's words and caused a chuckle to ripple through both of them. They caught each other's eyes and Donoma slid from her place at Koko's side, allowing Koko to get up with her. They slipped into the bare minimum of clothing they could manage to ward off the chill, and Koko made her way to the small stove to light it while Donoma started gathering supplies to put together a meal for them.

She decided she really liked the cellar pantry, despite the chilly darkness. She wondered if Koko would teach her how to keep things in the empty glass jars once the garden was producing. Donoma thought planting in the white man's world would have to be similar to what the People did – the only difference being that the People left it to grow on its own while they followed the herd and the white man tended to remain in one place to care for it.

The stove was lit and Koko was doing the same to the fireplace when Donoma emerged from the cellar. She shivered and moved closer to the stove, greedily glad for the warmth it provided. After a moment, she felt the warmth of Koko's body against her and sighed in contentment.

"It is funny," she commented as she relished their closeness. "If I was outdoors with the People in this weather, I would not notice the cold dampness unless the fire was put out."

"That is one reason you felt it so much," Koko agreed. "Neither fire was lit and I have noticed the larger the space, the cooler the air when it is wet like this, no matter the thickness of the walls." She leered in Donoma's direction. "That is one reason it was so difficult to get out of bed this morning."

"Will it always be like this for us, do you suppose?"

Koko shook her head thoughtfully after a few minutes of silent consideration. "No, ka'eskone... I do not think it will. Our relationship has been evolving since we first met. It was always becoming more, better, different. I can see no reason why that would change now."

Donoma turned to face Koko. "I think I like that, warrior. Now, let me prepare us something to eat, then you and I need to do our exercises together."

Koko patted Donoma on the bottom and snatched up the pail closest to the door. This was going to be a whole new experience... for both of them.

************

Their meal was incredibly successful, especially when one stopped to consider that never before had Donoma attempted to cook on a stove or the enclosed fire that came with it. Koko was thrilled, comforted in a way she never expected to be in this place. Donoma was a little more frustrated, but knew that with time she could find the best way to make flatbread in that confounded stove.

At the moment, however, the two women were engaged in the defensive routine Koko had taught Donoma when she was seven. Koko was a little rusty, having very little opportunity to indulge in this sort of practice and being predisposed to reaching for her guns at this point in her life. They had saved her life many times in the five years she had been away from the People, and she didn't regret her efficiency with them. But she had missed this more than she'd allowed herself to realize... especially with Donoma.

Koko stood back at first, watching the beauty of the dance as Donoma made her way through the movements Koko had so painstakingly taught her years before. After the first circuit, Donoma stood back as well, pinning Koko in place with her gaze.

"Are you going to simply watch me, warrior, or do you plan to participate in this little exercise at some point?"

"I was enjoying the image in front of me, if you must know," Koko replied drolly.

"Uh huh... and it has nothing to do with the fact that you haven't done this in years."

A dark brow spiked into an equally dark hairline. "Are you saying I no longer remember how to defend myself against a lightweight like you? You think the ingrained habits of a lifetime simply disappear if they are not utilized properly every day?"

"I seem to recall getting a similar lecture many times during my training, warrior... something along the lines of needing to train every day to keep from losing my skills. Are you telling me that it is not true now?" stalking closer to Koko. Blue eyes widened comically – Donoma had never been so aggressive and there was something surprisingly appealing about it. Then Donoma was completely in Koko's space and poking a finger into her chest. "Tell me, Koko – were you lying to me then?"

"No, of course not, ka'eskone," holding up her hands in surrender.

Donoma grinned. "Defend yourself then, warrior," and she moved swiftly into a defensive position. Koko blinked then grinned ferally.

"Prepare yourself, ka'eskone. I may not have done this in years, but it is still a very real part of who I was... and who I am."

"Put your arrows where your bows are, warrior." Then there were no more words as they started the dance between them once more.

When they were done, Koko was smiling broadly. "You have done well, ka'eskone. You have far surpassed the skill you had achieved training with me. Did you practice with your hestatanemos while I was gone?"

Donoma shook her head. "No, Koko Kanti. When you left, I continued to work on my own. I could not allow anyone to take part in this... or anything else we shared. At first I was too hurt and then I was too angry. Honaw kept watch – there was never a day I was without protection. But he watched from a distance; it was all I would allow."

Koko nodded. She was well acquainted with Donoma's stubborn streak. She bit her lip pensively and took a deep breath. "Did you... did you ever consider leaving the People – coming to find me?"

Donoma stared into blue eyes for a long moment. "Not as a realistic path that I could follow, no. You must remember, Koko, that at first I believed you were only going to be gone for a few days and at that point, Neho'e would not have allowed me to go regardless of the circumstances. By the time I was old enough to choose the path best suited to me, I was too angry to look for you."

She paused a moment and straightened, crossing over to the half filled pail and scooped out a bit of still cool water. She swallowed carefully then met Koko's eyes again. "In some ways I wish I had; in others, I am glad I did not."

Koko cocked her head. "How do you mean, ka'eskone?" Her voice and expression were neither accusing nor judgmental – there was more curiosity than anything else.

"I wish I had in that we would not have lost so much time between us. I am glad I did not as I am not confident things would have worked out so well if I had forced the issue then. You would have been angry as well."

"That is very true, Donoma. I would have been defensive... moreso than I have been now."

"It would be nice, though, if the Great Spirit would be a little more exact when he shares visions," Donoma added ruefully. "It would make things a little less complicated and perhaps somewhat easier to figure out the interpretation of them."

Koko laughed heartily at Donoma's pronouncement. "Oh beloved," she gasped in English. "I do not think the Great Spirit or the gods of the white man have any desire or intention to make things less complicated for the creatures that call themselves human beings. There is no entertainment for them in making life less difficult for us."

"You believe that is why we are here, Koko Kanti? To entertain those who watch over us and provide for us?"

Koko took Donoma's hand and led her to the small sitting area in front of the fireplace. "I believe," she said as they settled together comfortably in a corner of the tiny couch, "that the Great Spirit offers guidance to those that seek it and that our Mother Earth provides for us as long as we do our part in providing for ourselves." She shrugged and shook her head. "I cannot say about the gods of the white man; there appear to be many."

"Do they not believe in the Great Spirit and Mother Earth then?"

"Not that I have been able to discover," Koko replied. "There is a man in town known as Reverend Hawkins – he is considered the shaman of the One God. Nice enough man, although some of his beliefs... well, it is no wonder there are so many other gods they look to... for whatever reason."

"Such as?" Donoma asked, cocking her head to one side.

Koko shrugged. "Hard to know for sure – for some it is money or drink or the pleasure of women as they can afford them. For others it is what they can claim... what they can own for themselves. Then there are a few who believe in only themselves or do not believe in anything at all – they are the ones struggling to get by." She shook her dark head. "I still do not understand much of their ideas."

Donoma blinked slowly as she pondered Koko's words. "I can understand your difficulty, warrior. I cannot comprehend that way of thinking."

"Good," Koko stated firmly. "I never want you to become like the white man is, Donoma. So many of them are cold and careless and unfeeling. I love your warmth and caring and passion – even when the passion is anger. I hope you never learn to understand."

Donoma curled into Koko's arms and laid her head on her shoulder. She smiled when Koko tightened her embrace and leaned her cheek against her blonde head. The next little while passed peacefully – until Koko determined it was her turn to cook for Donoma.

It was a most interesting afternoon.

************

The next few days passed in very similar fashion. The rain continued – sometimes heavy... sometimes barely misting. But Donoma and Koko fell into a comfortable routine, appreciating their time alone together in a different way than they had out on the prairie. Donoma didn't take time to analyze it – it was enough to simply enjoy.

Donoma was thrilled to find that Koko had added to her mother's somewhat meager collection of books and they spent evenings snuggled together reading new material and savoring old.

When the rain stopped, the ground was more than saturated and Donoma realized it would be even longer before they were able to take that trip into town. She found that didn't bother her – despite her enthusiasm for it before, she'd realized that it would happen in good time and for the time being, she was more than content with transitioning into the white man's world with only Koko for company.

With the return of the sun, Koko decided it was time to air out and clean the cabin and Donoma agreed with her. Soon they were cleaning floors and walls and clothes and bedding, opening the windows and doors to allow the air to filter through.

It was slow going, but they took pleasure in doing the task together and they took their time – enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. Finally, though, their home was sparklingly clean and fresh as were they and their clothing.

That evening, almost two weeks since they had run into Stephen Murphy, they curled up together again in the middle of their large, fresh bed. Too tired to do anything more than cuddle, they were almost asleep when Koko mumbled softly, "Do you want to try to go into town in the morning?"

Donoma nodded her head, and they settled down to sleep. Tomorrow would come soon enough.

Part 16

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