Two weeks later: Ft. Peck Indian Reservation

Rainhorse wrapped his arms around Neha’s naked body. He had not been in bed with her since he went to prison and it seemed like an eternity ago.  She felt so tiny, soft and warm to his touch.

He smothered her face in kisses and used his hands to explore every inch of her body, gently, taking his time. For three hours they lay there, making love to each other. He orgasmed twice, her three times, taking breaks in between to catch a breath.  They spent hours kissing, holding and caressing each other.

They fell asleep, or at least Neha did. Rainhorse had not had time to shake his habit of waking each hour to listen for potential intruders, killers lurking in the night. It would take months for him to adjust to a life where no one was coming after him. Barnabas was dead; Tony Apollo and Hank Rattling Thunder were in prison. All his other enemies were long since gone, either by his hand or someone else’s.

When Rainhorse woke in the morning Neha was up, showered and dressed, “Good, you’re up.  Come on. I’m hungry.”

“I’ll fix breakfast,” he said.

“No, I’d like to eat out for breakfast,” she replied. “Get that tight butt out of bed and get dressed. I’ll meet you on the porch.”

“Where is the fire?” he asked.

“In my belly,” she said. “It’s empty. Move it.”

Twenty-minutes later Rainhorse appeared on the porch. His hair was still wet from shampooing it. He wore the same tattered jeans from the day before and a t-shirt with a cartoon picture of a dog holding a bone emblazoned across the front that read, I found this humerus.

“You look like a lost dog I brought in out of the rain,” Neha said. “I laid out clothes for you. They are on the bed.”

“These are more comfortable,” Rainhorse said.

“And they are just fine for chopping wood or deer hunting, but for taking your fiancée to breakfast, I expect better from you.”

“We are going to IHOP,” he shot back. “The place is filled with elderly Sioux and Dakota. Most of them cannot see past three feet.”

“Don’t care,” Neha barked. “Move it—change. We have to go.”

Rainhorse grumbled under his breath.

“What did you say?” Neha asked.

“Nothing. I will be back in a moment.”

“I’ll be waiting in the car.”

Neha waited, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel and checking her watch.  Ten minutes later Rainhorse hopped in on the passenger side of Neha’s Jeep Cherokee. She smiled at him, looking ever-so-fine in the white cotton button-down shirt and pressed jeans.

“Where are we going?” Rainhorse said, when Neha turned right, instead of left out of her driveway. “IHOP is the other direction.”

“We’re not going to IHOP,” she said. “We’re driving into Plentywood.”

“What’s in Plentywood?” Rainhorse asked.

“The Blue Buffalo,” Neha said.

“Vernon Gill’s tavern?”

Gill was a crusty old tavern owner, a former Marine, and a retired Brotherhood Protector. He met and watched over Lindsay when she first arrived in Plentywood two years earlier. He had supplied the initial information to Rainhorse where Tony Apollo and Hank Rattling Thunder could be found.

“Some things have changed since you went to prison,” she replied. “Vernon turned around the Blue Buffalo. He bought the convenience store right next door to his tavern and turned it into a diner. They have great breakfasts.”

“So, he is doing well.  I like that. Gill is a good man. He deserves to be happy,” Rainhorse said. “I also like the sound of what you said back at the house.”

Neha smiled.

“You mean when I said, get your ass in the house and change?” she asked.

Rainhorse returned the smile, “Well, that, but I was referring to when you called yourself my fiancée.”

“It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” Neha said, beaming.

He reached over and squeezed her hand, “I like it.”

When they arrived at the Blue Buffalo, Rainhorse noticed Vern Gill taking the trash to the dumpster. He looked the same as when he had last seen the former Marine.

“You are as old and ugly as ever,” Rainhorse said, on his approach.

Gill turned to him and smiled, “You could use a nip and a tuck yourself big fella.”

The two men laughed and embraced each other.

“A little birdie told me you are now a full-fledged member of the Brotherhood Protectors,” Gill said. “Congrats. That’s quite an honor.”

“Thank you. I see your fortunes have changed as well,” Rainhorse said, looking at the remodeled Roadside Diner.

“Thanks to my silent partner,” Gill replied.

“What silent partner?”

“Lindsay Vanderbilt,” he replied. “She loaned me the money to build the diner, and it’s a good thing, too. I make more profit with the diner than I ever did with the tavern, but the tavern’s coming on well, too. The diner pulls in the traffic.”

Rainhorse smiled and nodded, “Well, I am happy for you.”

Gill greeted Neha with a hug and a peck on the cheek and looked back at Rainhorse, “I was sorry to hear about you and Lindsay falling out.”

“Me too,” he said.

Gill looked at Neha, “She’s already moved back in with her mother in Livingston?”

“That’s what we hear,” Neha said.

“Well, I wouldn’t worry about it too much,” Gill said. “I know Lindsay. That girl is crazy about you, Rainhorse. She just needs time to come around.”

“Not this time,” he said. “I really blew it.”

“Well, enough of that,” he said. “Go on inside. Breakfast is on me.”

“Thank you, my friend,” he said.

 A giant blue pergola equipped with ceiling fans and heaters fronted the outside of the diner for those who preferred to dine outdoors. The feel inside the place was vibrant, with a tasteful western décor that included Native American artwork.

There was a long Formica bar with chrome and red stools anchored to the front, along with over two dozen booths and tables, also chrome with red leather bench seating. The tile was caramel colored with a pattern designed to resemble straw. It was impressive and Rainhorse saw Lindsey’s influence throughout. He realized she did more for Gill than loan him money. She had a hand in the design.

Rainhorse was checking out the lighting fixtures, which looked like lanterns, when he heard a voice from behind him.

“Hello Uncle.”

Rainhorse turned to see Red Feather, standing behind him.

“Nephew,” he said, smiling. “Stand back. Let me see you. You have grown into such a fine man. I have missed you.”

“Thank you, Uncle,” he said. “I have missed you every day.”

The two men embraced.

Neha’s eyes moistened, and a tear slipped down her cheek as she saw the two men reuniting. Rainhorse was a good three inches taller, more muscular and broader at the shoulder, but she was looking at two magnificent specimens.

“You look well, Uncle,” Red Feather said. “Come, let’s sit.”

Rose Red Feather smiled and waved from her seat as they approached.  She stood and hugged Rainhorse.

“Thank you for all you have done for me, Rose,” he said.

“I rather enjoyed it,” she answered. “Your plan worked well. When I stepped off the plane, I saw that I had missed three calls from Chief-of-Staff Kelsey.  Whatever was on that thumb drive scared the bejesus out of him.”

“I have been saving that for a rainy day for many years,” he confirmed. “It was the perfect time to play that card.”

“What is Operation Wounded Falcon?” she asked.

“It was an operation gone wrong. News and details of it would give the American government a black eye that might never heal.”

“Well, it worked. You are a free man and the FBI has expunged your record. The US government now considers you a decorated retired Ranger with no criminal history. Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” he said. “And Andrews?”

“Restored to active duty,” Rose responded. “He got his letter of commendation and a little more publicity than he cared to get.”

“I heard,” Neha said. “CNN is calling him the Savior of Seattle.”

“They are,” Rose affirmed. “He hates it, too, but somehow I didn’t think Uncle would mind.”

“He can have all the publicity he wants,” Rainhorse affirmed. “I’ll make the announcements myself.”

“Speaking of announcements,” Red Feather said. He paused, looking at Rose, who was grinning from ear to ear.

Rainhorse looked at her, “Are you...?”

“I am,” she said. “I’m five months along. We're having a boy.”

Neha smiled at him.

“You knew of this?” he asked her.

She shrugged.

 The elder Cheyenne reached across the table and squeezed her hand. He then smiled at his nephew, “Congratulations. You will be an incredible father.”

Rose smiled, “We're naming him Elias, after my grandfather, Eli.”

Rainhorse looked at her seeming to consider the name. “That is a strong name, a good name.”

“Elias... Rainhorse... Red Feather,” Red continued, “with your permission, Uncle.”

Rainhorse froze as if paralyzed by a stun-gun. Neha took in a breath, watching as the man she loved struggled to fight back tears.

“I am honored,” he said.

“We also want you and Neha to be little Eli's godparents,” Red added.

Rainhorse took in a breath and held it, “Are you certain of this?”

“We've never been more certain,” Rose replied.

“Can't you think of anyone better to protect our child if we could not?” Red asked.

Neha shrugged, “The man makes a good point. What do you think?”

Rainhorse smiled, “We are honored.”

Rose and Red Feather beamed. Neha fought back more tears.

“You folks gonna order or what?” Gill said, approaching the table. He wore a wide grin on his face, “In case you haven’t noticed this place is busy. What’ll it be?”

“Good question,” Rainhorse said. “Is there anything edible in this dump?”

He shook his fist at Rainhorse, “The only dump in this place is the world of hurt I’m gonna dump on you if you don’t order something soon.”

“Easy cowboy. Neha will go first,” Rainhorse said.

“I’ll take a ham and cheese omelet, with wheat toast,” she said.

“How about you, Rose?” Rainhorse asked.Ow

“Oh, we are not staying,” she said. “Red and I have to go.”

“Go? You just got here,” Rainhorse objected.

“And we will see you tonight,” Rose added, “at the party.”

“Party? There’s a party?”

Rose took in a breath, “Oh dear, did I speak out of school?”

“That’s ok,” Neha insisted. “I was going to tell him soon, anyway. We are throwing a little get together tonight.”

Rainhorse grimaced.

“What’s wrong?” Neha asked.

“I dislike parties,” Rainhorse said.

“You’ll like this one,” Neha insisted. “Just hush up and go with it.”

Rainhorse grunted but said nothing.

Red Feather cackled, “Finally! The lion meets his tamer.”

Rainhorse mumbled under his breath, again.

“What did you say?” Neha asked.

“Nothing. I guess I will see them at the... party.”

Red and Rose stood to leave. “It’s fantastic to see you again, Uncle,” Red said. “We'll have lots of time to catch up later.”

Rainhorse stood and embraced his nephew again, “And you, too. Both of you.”

“We’ll see you tonight,” Rose promised.

“Rainhorse,” said Gill. “What will you have?”

Rainhorse opened his mouth to speak when a soft voice called out from behind him, “He wants three eggs, scrambled and runny, with red peppers and onions.”

Rainhorse turned around.  Standing behind him was his daughter, June Ann.  She was not smiling. The former Ranger stood, not knowing what to say. She stared at him. It wasn’t cold, but it wasn’t warm. He couldn't read an emotion into it.

“How well did I remember?” she asked.

“I no longer eat onions in my eggs,” Rainhorse said, nodding toward Neha. “Otherwise, perfect.”

“May I sit?” she asked.

“Please,” he replied. “Would you like to order?”

“Nothing for me,” she said.

“I'll take my coffee at the counter and give you two some privacy,” Neha offered.

“Thank you,” June Ann replied.

Neha stood to leave and noticed Gill standing there. He had an awkward expression on his face.

“Vern, don’t you have an order to put in?” Neha asked.

“Oh yeah,” he said, shuffling. “Get the order in. Good call. I’ll be back.”

Gill left. Father and daughter sat in the booth, across from one another, looking at each other for the longest time saying nothing.

“I am so glad you came,” Rainhorse said, after he could stand the awkwardness no longer. He studied her. Her face was lovely, but careworn. Her eyes bore the sadness of one who carried the weight of the world on her shoulders.

She reached into her purse and pulled out a photo. She placed it on the table and pushed it across to Rainhorse.  It was the photo of her when she was a child, the same photo he had given to Chuck to give to her.

“Is it true?” she asked.

“Is what true?”

“Chuck told me you said you carried this with you always,” she said. “Is it true?”

“It is,” he confirmed.

“He said you pulled it out and looked at it every day,” she continued.

He nodded, “Also true.”

She let out a barely audible sigh and looked away, “I’ve waited for this moment for a long time. I had a speech all prepared. I wanted to let you have it with both barrels and tell you off for how miserable you made my life by abandoning me. I wanted to yell and scream at you until I lost my voice, but...”

“But what?”

“But someone convinced me to remain calm until I spoke with you in person,” she said.

“Chuck did this... convincing?” Rainhorse asked.

“No. I got a call from Lindsay Vanderbilt,” June Ann replied.

“Lindsay called you?”

“Yes, she is a real piece of work, isn’t she?”

He chuckled, “She is that.”

“She’s damn convincing, too,” June Ann added, “for someone who is so upset with you. What did you do to her, anyway?”

Rainhorse shrugged, “The usual.”

“She told me the whole story,” June Ann continued, “about the kidnapping; the rescue; your trip cross-country; all the things you said about me. She convinced me you may have changed.”

“I have changed, June Ann,” Rainhorse said. “I’m not the horrible person I was when I left you, nor am I the even worse person I became after I left. I turned myself in to pay for my crimes, and now I’m free.  All the bad things are now behind me.”

“How do I know I could ever trust you again?” she asked.

“I would have to convince you... one day at a time,” he proposed, “if you will allow me.” 

“Well, it may take time, I won’t deny it,” she admitted, “but you saved my life in Seattle. Hell, you saved all our lives. Agent Andrews, Chuck Johnson, Neha and Lindsay... they all say the same thing about you, that you’ve changed and you’re an honorable person. I'd like to believe them.”

Rainhorse smiled, “When can I come see you in Seattle? We have much catching up to do.”

“There is no need to come to Seattle. I’m moving here to the reservation,” she said.

“You are?”

“Lindsay hired me to work in the rehabilitation center,” she explained. “I jumped at the opportunity. I thought I’d love living in a beautiful town like Seattle, but the thing is, I miss the space and the countryside... and I miss our people.”

“That’s great news,” he rejoiced.

“Neha said I could stay in your spare bedroom, the one Lindsay was staying in, until I found my own place.”

“That’s even better,” he said, in disbelief. “I don’t know what to say. I can’t wait.”

June Ann stood, “I hate to run, but I just got in this morning and this is all a bit overwhelming. Lindsay said she would take me shopping for something to wear to the party.”

“Lindsay is at home with her mother in Livingston,” Rainhorse said.

“No, she isn’t,” June Ann said. “She picked me up at the airport this morning and brought me here. Lindsay is outside in the parking lot, waiting... for you.”

“She's waiting for me?”

“Daddy, you have some serious making up to do with that woman,” she said. “I suggest you start right away.  Go ahead.”

Rainhorse stood and walked toward the door.  It was sunny outside. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the bright sun coming out of the diner.

Lindsay was leaning against her rental car, a cherry red Toyota Camry. Her arms were folded—not a good sign, he thought. She wore a pair of jeans and a plain yellow top, her hair bustling in the warm breeze. She was a vision of beauty, as he remembered her.

He walked toward her, pausing about three feet away. She looked up at him. For a moment, neither of them said a thing—they stood there looking at each other. Rainhorse broke the silence.

“You look well,” he said.

The wind had kicked up and jostled her hair. She used her right hand to pull it back behind her ear, looking up at the sky and allowing the sun and wind to warm her face.

“There’s a trail just off the main road. It’s shady, and it’s pretty,” she replied.  “Do you want to take a walk?” she asked. 

“Sure.”

They ambled toward the trail in silence.

“Thank you for speaking with June Ann on my behalf,” he said.

She nodded but said nothing.

“It means a lot to me to have the chance to be in my daughter’s life again,” he continued.

“I’m sure,” she responded.

They walked about thirty yards in silence.

“Remember what I told you about Matty?” she inquired.

Rainhorse bit his lip. He remembered Yellow Wolf as a mischievous youngster, always in trouble.  He hated the idea of Lindsay being with him—hated it, hated it, hated it.  But this was neither the time nor place to express those feelings.

“Yes, you told me you had met him and that you liked him,” Rainhorse replied.

“Well, our relationship has... progressed in the last couple of weeks,” she continued.  She stopped and turned to face him, “We’ve spent every day together… and night, too. Jackson, I love him. I love Matty.”

Rainhorse took in a breath and gritted his teeth under stiff lips, doing his best to hide his feelings. He wanted nothing more than to grab her by her tiny beautiful shoulders and shake some sense into her.  Yellow Wolf was wrong for her, he believed.  He would screw up and break her heart.

The Cheyenne exhaled, “And he feels this way about you as well?”

“Yes,” she said.

Rainhorse turned his face toward the sky. Sunlight beamed warmth down on them, filtered through the thick branches of tall trees: Douglas-Fir, Lodgepole Pine, Thimbleberry... they reminded him of his childhood.

“And does he make you happy?” he asked.

“Very much,” she answered.

He smiled at her, “I want you to be happy.”

“I realize that,” she agreed, “and I know that you’ve made the decisions you have because you felt they were in my best interest.”

He nodded, “Even the bad ones.”

“But you’re wrong, Jackson,” she stated. “You are my family and I love you as much as I do my own mother. Families stick together through thick and thin, no matter what they face—no matter what the cost. They are there for each other.”

“I realize that... now.”

“I’m a grown woman now, Jackson,” she said. “I need you in my life, always—not just when it’s easy.  I need you to promise me you’ll never cut me out of your life again—ever.”

“I promise.”

“I also need your help,” she added.

“Help with what?”

“The rehabilitation center,” she continued. “The one we have in Ft. Peck is a non-profit center.”

“What about it?”

“A group of investors have taken notice of my business model and they want me to develop a ‘for-profit’ rehabilitation business in some major cities currently under served.”

“This is something you want to do?”

“The profits I make from this endeavor may allow me to open more non-profit centers on other reservations, so yes, I want to do it,” Lindsay replied.

“That would be a worthy cause,” he said. 

“So, you'll help?”

Rainhorse shook his head, “I know what you are doing and I appreciate it, but business is not my thing. You need someone else for that.”

“But clear and critical thinking plus good old fashion common sense is your thing,” she said. “That’s what I need.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Investors will tie me up for a while, ironing things out,” she said. “I’m bringing my mom on as an advisor.”

“Good thinking,” Rainhorse said. “That woman is a ball-buster.”

Lindsay smiled softly, nodding in agreement, “That she is. At any rate, I need someone to oversee the rehabilitation center here, in Ft. Peck. I need you to be my managing partner.”

“Lindsay, I appreciate all this but...”

“You can do this, Jackson,” she said. “The center has people in place with the technical expertise and the knowledge of the business.  We need someone I trust to exercise judgment. I never wanted this operation to be profits over people. You are Cheyenne and understand your people. You can influence them. I need you to be my voice when I’m not here.”

“Are you certain about this?”

“Yes,” she said. “You’re the best I’ve ever seen at...  cutting through the bullshit... and sorting things out.”

Rainhorse looked at her and smiled. She had grown into quite the woman, brilliant and beautiful. There was so much of her mother in her.

“This job... it comes with a salary and benefits?” he asked.

“Yes,” she reassured.

“How much?” he asked.

She told him the number.

“Hmmm,” he reacted. “Is that a lot?”

She shook her head, in disbelief, “I’m glad this position is not for Chief Financial Officer. You do need to learn a few things. The salary is generous. Between your income and Neha’s, you’ll be able to build a beautiful new home on a piece of property with a riverside view.”

“It does sound generous.”

“Oh, I almost forgot,” she said. “I needed to form an umbrella company for the new venture. I came up with a name.”

“What is it?”

“I’m calling it the Lindhorse Recovery Foundation. You know, it combines LINDsay and RainHORSE.”

“I get it. I like it,” he said. “I will try not to let you down.”

“Then you’ll do it?” she asked.

He nodded.

“Yes!” she exclaimed, jumping in his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist. She kissed his cheek and forehead, making him turn a little red. In a fraction of a second, she had gone from mature entrepreneur to a giggly teenager. He realized just how much he missed the sixteen-year-old Lindsay.

He stood there, holding her. She squeezed him tightly. He wanted to never let her go.

“Come on, let’s head back,” she said. “I’m taking you and June Ann shopping at the mall. I’m buying you both something neat to wear for your party tonight.”

“You dislike what I’m wearing?” he asked. “Neha picked it out for me.”

“It’s great for breakfast, Jackson, but we will party like it’s 1999, tonight,” she said.

“I do not understand what that means,” he said. 

“Me either, but it’s a thing. Let’s head back.”

They ambled back. Lindsay was staring at him.

“What are you looking at?” he asked.

“Oh, nothing,” she said.

“Tell me.”

“It’s your eyebrows,” she confessed. “You haven’t touched them since I plucked them the first night I saw you in Ft. Peck.”

“Please, Lindsay,” he pleaded. “I do not wish to pluck my eyebrows.”

“Sorry, Jackson, it’s part of the price of admission today. Neha will thank me later.”

Rainhorse mumbled something under his breath.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing,” he said.

“Wait by the car,” she ordered. “I’m going inside to get June Ann and Neha. We’ll hit the road.”

“Hand me your phone,” he said. “I left mine at home and I need to make a call.”

“Sure. Give me five minutes.”

When Lindsay disappeared, Rainhorse looked up a number from Lindsay’s phone directory.  He found the number he was looking for and hit send.

A young male voice answered, “Hey baby doll,” he said.

“This is Rainhorse,” came the reply, “And I am anything but your baby doll.”

“Oh...  shit. I’m sorry. The caller ID said...”

“This is Yellow Wolf?” Rainhorse asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“I assume you remember me?”

“Yes, I do… sir.”

“Will you be at my party tonight?” Rainhorse inquired.

“I planned to be, yes,” he said.

“Good. Plan on staying on for a while after it’s over,”

“Why?” Yellow Wolf asked.

“Well, it seems that Lindsay is in love with you.”

“And I am in love with her,” Yellow Wolf assured him.

“Good. That’s why I want to talk to you.”

“What do you want to talk about?”

“I wish to explain to you in vivid detail what will happen to you if you ever disrespect or hurt her.”

“I would never do anything...”

“Oh, trust me, I will make certain of it.”

“Ok, I get it,” Yellow Wolf said. “How long should I count on for this... talk?”

“Sixty minutes,” Rainhorse replied.

“It's going to take sixty minutes for you to tell me what you will do to me if I hurt her?”

Rainhorse thought for a moment, “You’re right. Let's make it ninety minutes.”

Yellow Wolf cleared his throat, “Ok... uh... sir. I’ll be there,” he said, his voice cracking.

“Looking forward to it,” Rainhorse said.  He ended the call just as Neha, June Ann and Lindsay approached. He handed Lindsay her phone.

“What are you smiling at?” Neha asked him.

“Oh, nothing,” he responded. “Are we ready to go?”

“Hey, I got a text from Matty,” Lindsay said. “He says he's staying after the party so he can speak with you.”

“Aww, isn’t that sweet of him?” Neha said.

“I knew he’d want to reach out to you,” Lindsay said, hearing her cell beep. “Wait... I just got another text.”

“What does it say?” Neha asked.

“This is odd,” Lindsay said. “He texted me that if I don’t hear from him after he talks to Rainhorse, that I should check the morgue.”

“What does that mean?” June Ann asked.

“Jackson!” Lindsay barked. “Did you call him?”

“I did,” he said.

June Ann and Neha exchanged glances, smiled and shook their heads.

“What do you intend to do?” Lindsay asked.

“What I do well,” he said. “He and I will sit down together, smoke the peace pipe... and then we will cut through the bullshit… you know… sort a few things out.”

“John Jackson Rainhorse!” barked Neha. “You've scared the shit out of that young man. You call him back and apologize.”

“No,” Lindsay said, smiling. “I kind of like it.”

“You like Rainhorse intimidating the crap out of your boyfriend?” Neha asked.

She walked over to Rainhorse, hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.

“Welcome back, Jackson,” she said. “I’ve missed you.”