Chapter 26 - Two Hearts
Chapter 26
Two Hearts
Bear woke with the sun in full bloom. He growled like the wild animal he was.
He’d spent the night in the loft of the barn with his fairy. As always, he loved watching her wake. She reminded him of a swan taking flight.
Eliza would stretch as if reaching for the sky and then slowly she’d look at him like he was a surprise in her bed Christmas morning.
When he’d driven in last night, she wouldn’t let him talk. She wanted her Bear.
She’d always had a hunger for him. Bear figured the heavens gave him to her because she needed a man holding a ton of love.
They always made time to mention his daughters and the town and the crops, but their meeting was a silent time alone first, a treasure between lovers.
Bear knew he had a big favor to ask of his fairy. A favor she might not give.
He’d heard her say she’d never write or even whisper the secret. It was a pledge to her people, all who’d died.
He didn’t ask as he pulled her to him. Time was short. Lives were in danger, but he had to hold her as gently as he had that first day. They hadn’t said a word that first night he came to her. Emotion flowed too strong. He was afraid then also. He’d just held his arms out then and waited. She’d said she’d seen all his love in his eyes.
She’d run full out to her Bear and was in flight when he caught her.
The moment her heart rested against his he’d known he’d never love another.
Andi’s life was in danger, Danny’s love might be shattered, the sheriff’s men would fight for what was right. So would Bear, but he did not know if his fairy would be beside them.
And Bear knew he couldn’t demand she break an oath.
When he’d stretched out on his blanket and she floated her mother’s quilt over them, he knew something was different. She must have sensed it for Bear saw a drop of fear in her soft brown eyes.
“You know, my fairy, that you are the reason my heart beats. If you die before me, I’ll dig two graves up on the rim and lie beside you.”
She was still for a while with her hand holding two of his fingers, then she said, “Well, if you’re going to bury your big body on my land, I might as well marry you. My ancestors will not like it but you’ll grow on them in the hereafter.”
He burst out laughing and hugged her. “You mean it?” He howled.
For a while they didn’t think of anything but one another. She’d said yes.
Just after dawn, Bear stood at the doorway and looked up at the rim, hoping their plan would work. Only one piece was still missing, the most important one, and time was running out. No one but Eliza knew the way to the cave that passed through the rim.
He could see his fairy walking her land, thinking. She knew something was up but hadn’t asked him what. She was worrying about the unknown.
The silence was broken by the rattle of a pickup over a caliche road. About fifty feet out, the truck stopped, and one woman got out.
Dan stayed in his cab and Bear stood by his corner of the house. They knew what was about to happen needed to be between the two women.
Bear could tell that his fairy was uncomfortable with a stranger on her land, but she walked forward to meet Andi and asked, “How can I help you?”
Andi answered in short sentences as if she was reading a police report. Bear heard her say, “I need your help. I need to cross your land through the secret pass I’ve heard of, if it really exists. My life depends on it.”
Eliza shook her head. “Only Apaches know about that. Only a few told the secret and they’ve all died.”
“There must be another way out.”
“I can’t. I would be betraying my parents and my people and my oath. I promised to never tell that secret.”
The detective nodded and Bear watched the plan to get Andi out safely crumble. He looked to Dan, and the big man’s head was resting on his steering wheel. His future with Andi was slipping away.
She straightened, offered her hand, and said, “I understand and respect your decision. I’ll keep fighting. There’s bound to be another way.” She patted her pocket, searching for something, and slowly pulled out a small book. She handed it to Eliza. “I understand why you can’t help me, but this belongs to you. I found it taped to the bottom of an old desk for safety. I don’t know who hid it, but I’m guessing it’ll be safe with you.”
Tears began to fall down Eliza’s cheeks as she realized what a gift Andi was giving her. She clutched the book to her chest and turned to the rim. “Thank you, ancestors. You’ve shown me the way.” She looked back to Andi, pulling a ring from her finger. She handed it to the detective. “You are now my sister. I’ll take you up, through the rim.”
Andi said, “I have nothing to give you.”
Eliza smiled. “You’ve already given me back my lost heritage.”
Bear signaled Dan to follow him to the barn and called, “We’ve got to saddle the horses.”
The deputy stepped out of the pickup with a rifle in his hand. “We’ll stand guard. If anyone comes through the gate, they better be yelling who they are.”
Neither man looked at his woman. Bear couldn’t stand to see sorrow and fear in his fairy’s eyes. And he knew Danny wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the woman he loved.