Prologue
Two Guns, Texas
Young Wind Walker rode in silence beside his white father across the rugged Texas terrain. A sense of unease filled him as they neared his father's ranch, but he fought it down. Having lived his first ten years in the Comanche village with his mother, he knew true warriors never showed fear. He glanced over at his father, who was watching him.
"We'll be at the ranch soon," Paul Stevenson told him.
Wind Walker only nodded in response. Upon his mother's death some weeks before, he had gone on a vision quest in search of the strength and healing he needed to deal with his future. The message he'd received from the spirit had been powerful. A vision of blood had come to him, and the voice of the spirit had told him that he was to go and live with his blood father. It had warned him of the dangers he would face in the future, of betrayal and hardship, but it had also told him that there would be love and friendship in his life. As the vision had faded, a single eagle feather borne on the wind had drifted down to the ground beside him, and he knew it was a sign. He'd taken the feather and the small stone it had landed upon as his medicine, and he carried the charms with him now in the small spirit bag he wore for strength and safety on a leather thong around his neck.
Paul understood his son's stoic reaction to the news. He knew what a hard time the boy was going through. When word of Star Cloud's death had reached him at the ranch, he'd immediately made plans to bring Wind Walker there to live with him and his family.
As hard as he was trying to make things better for Wind Walker, Paul realized it wasn't going to be easy for any of them. His wife, Elizabeth, had known of the boy's existence when they'd married and had tolerated his occasional trips to the village to see his son, but she had not been happy with the prospect of having Wind Walker coming to stay with them. Only his young daughter Stacy had seemed open to the boy's coming to the ranch. In her innocence, she had loved the idea of having a big brother.
The thought of Stacy brought a half-smile to Paul's face, and he urged his horse to a quicker pace. There was no way he could make things easier for his son, but he was going to do all he could to help him fit in. With his mother dead, the boy belonged with him.
Wind Walker kept pace with his father, knowing that soon his life was going to change forever. His father had told him of the ranch during his visits, but up until now, he had never imagined a time when he would live there. He had always thought of himself as a Comanche, but now he was going to live in the white world.
Paul reined in as he topped a low rise. He looked at his son as he stopped next to him.
"We're here," Paul told him. "This is your new home. It's the Bar S-, but we call it the Dollar."
Wind Walker stared down at the ranch in the valley below. The two-story house and multiple outbuildings were an impressive sight, yet the idea of living in such a place was completely foreign to him.
Paul observed Wind Walker carefully. Though the boy's expression revealed nothing of what he was feeling, Paul could well imagine the turmoil within him. The inner strength he was displaying made Paul proud and even more determined to do everything he could to help his son through these difficult times. He was glad that he'd taken the time over the years to teach Walker some of the ways of the white man and how to speak English. It was certainly going to help him now.
"From now on, you'll be known as Walker Stevenson," he told him. "Are you ready?"
"I am ready, Father," Walker responded evenly, but in reality he wasn't. His father had warned him that not all white people would accept him, and he remembered the spirit's warning of what was to come. A part of him wanted to turn his horse around and race back to the life he'd always known, but he controlled the urge. Fiercely, he forced away the painful reality that that life was lost to him forever.
Walker followed his father down to the ranch.
Six-year-old Stacy Stevenson was currying her horse in the stable when she first heard one of the ranch hands call out that there were two riders coming in. She'd been anxiously awaiting her father's return and hurried to the doorway to see who it was. It didn't take her long to recognize him. Excited and more than a little nervous about what would happen next, she ran for the house to tell her mother.
"Mama!"
Elizabeth Whiting Stevenson had been hard at work in the kitchen when she heard her daughter's call. Wiping her hands on her apron, she went to the door to see what Stacy wanted.
"What is—?" She'd barely spoken when she caught sight of her husband and the boy in the distance, and she went still.
The moment she'd been dreading all these days had come . . . .
Paul was back, and he'd brought his half-breed son with him.
"Papa's here!" Stacy told her as she joined her there on the porch.
"Yes, he is," she said.
She had known about Wind Walker before she'd married Paul, but she had never imagined that she would meet the boy, let alone be forced to take him into her home.
Wind Walker had just spent the first ten years of his life living as a Comanche.
She shuddered inwardly at the thought, and wondered how he was ever going to fit in. Whatever happened, she knew it wasn't going to be easy for any of them to live together as a family.
Stacy watched as they rode in. It had been confusing and surprising to her when she'd first learned she had a big brother who was part Indian. Her parents had never mentioned him in her presence until just a few weeks ago, when her father had told her Wind Walker would be coming to the ranch to live with them.
Stacy studied her brother with open curiosity now as he drew near. His hair was long and black, he had on only a loincloth, leggings and moccasins, and he wore a small pouch on a leather thong around his neck. He looked every bit a Comanche, and though her father had told her there would be nothing to fear from the boy, she edged a little closer to her mother.
Paul drew rein in front of the house and dismounted, as did Walker.
"We're here, Elizabeth," Paul said, glad to finally be home. He could tell by his wife's serious expression that she was worried, and he planned to do all he could to make her comfortable with his decision to raise his son on the Dollar. He went up on the porch and kissed her gently.
Walker stayed back by the horses. He was aware that his father's wife was watching him carefully, as was the young, blond-haired boy standing at her side. His father had told him that he had a daughter named Stacy, but Walker had no idea who this boy could be. He saw no hint of welcome in their gazes, so he remained standing where he was.
"How's my girl?" Paul opened his arms to Stacy and she darted straight into his embrace.
"Fine, Papa," she told him, hugging him fiercely.
Walker was startled by the revelation that the child was not a boy, but his father's daughter. Dressed as she was in pants, a shirt and boots, Stacy looked like no girl he'd ever seen before.
Paul knew the time had come. He turned to look at Walker. "Walker, this is your stepmother, Elizabeth—"
"Hello." His greeting was awkward.
"Welcome to the Dollar, Walker." She tried to sound sincere as she managed a small, not-quite-convincing smile. It wasn't easy.
Walker made no move to join them.
"And this is your sister, Stacy," Paul finished.
Stacy looked up at her father and asked with childish earnestness, "Is he really my brother?"
"Yes, he is."
At that, she broke into a very real smile and left the porch to go to him. Remembering all the stories Stacy had heard about the Comanche, she had to admit she was a little afraid of him, but she wasn't going to let that stop her. She'd always wanted a big brother. She halted right in front of Walker and beamed up at him. "Come on. Let's go inside."
Walker was unsure of what to do.
"Come on, Walker," she insisted, not about to be put off. She took his hand and tugged him along with her. "You're home."
Glancing down at Stacy and seeing the purity of her innocence and the openness of her welcome, he allowed himself to be drawn into the house.
It was the beginning of his new life.
One Month Later
Walker was glad when Miss Lowe, the schoolmarm, finally dismissed class. Being in the small schoolhouse all day was testing his self-control, but Walker understood it was important that he learn how to read and write. He was slowly getting used to dressing like a white man and having his hair cut short, but he knew it would take much longer for him to adjust to being around the white children, especially since most of them made it a point to let him know he was not welcome. Walker left the building alone and headed over to where the horses were tied to wait for Stacy so they could ride out to the ranch. He still hadn't come to think of it as riding home yet.
Eight-year-old Veronica Reynolds was delighted that school was out, and she was just starting her walk home when she heard a dog's tortured howl coming from somewhere behind the schoolhouse. As the daughter of the town's only doctor, she knew the sound of pain when she heard it, and she immediately ran around to the back of the building to see what was wrong.
Roni was horrified by what she found. Lee Martin, one of the bullies from the class, had just hit Jim Geitgey, the son of the town's banker, and knocked him down. Jim's dog must have gone after the bigger boy, wanting to defend Jim, but Lee was kicking it savagely. The dog yelped and crawled away, struggling to hide in some low-growing bushes nearby.
"Don't hurt Tiger!" Jim yelled, wiping blood from his mouth as he tried to get up. He was the smartest boy in school, but small in stature. He was no match for the stronger, meaner boy. Roni knew why Lee was after Jim today. He'd refused to let the bully copy his answers during the test that had been given that afternoon and she figured Lee had probably flunked.
"Why?" Lee sneered. "I'm having fun!" It looked like he'd broken the dog's right leg.
"Lee! What are you doing? Stop it!" Roni shouted as she ran toward them to try to help. Jim didn't seem too badly hurt, but Tiger looked as if he might be seriously injured.
"Get out of here, Roni!" Lee turned on her.
Roni refused to be intimidated by the likes of him. She kept going, determined to help Tiger. Jim's dog always waited faithfully for him outside of school, and it didn't surprise her to find that he had tried to defend his master from Lee's attack. She knew how mean Lee could be.
Lee looked furious when she didn't leave. He grabbed her by the arm just as she'd almost reached the mutt. "That dog doesn't need any help."
"Yes, he does!" she insisted.
"Let her go!" Jim demanded, getting to his feet.
Walker had been getting ready to mount up when he heard a girl shout and wondered what was going on behind the schoolhouse. Stacy had just joined him, so together they went to see what had happened. They'd just come around the corner of the building when Lee grabbed Roni. Walker watched her struggle for only a moment before speaking up.
"You heard him. Let her go," Walker ordered as he watched Roni put up a good fight. He found himself impressed by her daring.
Lee looked surprised to see Walker and Stacy standing there. Roni was still trying to get away from him, but it was obvious he wasn't about to let her go. He glared at Walker with a look of hatred.
"You think you can make me since you're such a brave warrior?" he taunted in a nasty tone.
"That's right." Walker faced off with him, ready for whatever might come next.
"This is my fight, Walker," Jim spoke up, coming to stand at his side.
"Walker, don't do anything! Wait—I'll get Miss Lowe!" Stacy called, looking amazed by the change in her brother. Walker knew she had never seen him like this before.
Lee didn't seem to care if Stacy went for the teacher. He was completely focused on finishing what he'd started with Jim and his mutt.
"Here," he laughed. "You want her? She's all yours." He shoved Roni toward the two boys as hard as possible.
Roni was caught by surprise at her sudden release. She fell heavily to the ground as Lee turned to kick the dog again.
It was then that Walker made his move.
With perfect accuracy, he drew the hunting knife he kept hidden on him and threw it.
The deadly-looking blade pierced the ground right in Lee's path and stopped him cold.
"If you want a fight, pick on someone your own size," he challenged.
"Why you—!" Lee quickly grabbed up the knife and turned on him, weapon in hand.
"What is the meaning of this?" Miss Lowe asked. She looked horrified by the sight of Lee holding the knife so threateningly as she came hurrying around to the back of the school with Stacy.
"It wasn't my fault, ma'am. I was just defending myself!" Lee quickly told her. Accomplished liar that he was, he quickly wove a tale that she'd believe. "Jim and me were just horsing around, and then the half-breed, here, just showed up and threw his knife at me!" He handed the knife over to her.
The schoolmarm took the weapon from him. She paid no attention to Jim as she glared at Walker, her shock and disapproval over his actions obvious in the look on her face. She had made it clear that she didn't want the half-breed boy enrolled in her school for just this reason.
"You're nothing but a dangerous animal," she said to Walker. "I know now that I can't allow you to stay in school with the other children. Tell your father that you are no longer to attend classes here."
"Lee's lying, Miss Lowe! That's not what happened!" Stacy put in, defending her brother. "Tell her, Jim—Tell her, Roni—"
"Miss Lowe, it's not like Lee said—" Jim began.
"Miss Lowe," Roni quickly added. "Walker was trying to help me."
The schoolmarm silenced them both with her sternest, most censorious look. "Walker used his knife as a weapon. He could have killed someone," she said.
"This is your knife, isn't it?" Miss Lowe demanded of Walker.
"Yes," Walker answered.
"Leave the school grounds and do not come back."
She turned and walked away, keeping the weapon as proof of what he'd done.
Lee was smirking as he moved off. He'd certainly come out the victor in their confrontation.
Roni, Jim and Stacy looked shocked by the schoolmarm’s decision, but Walker wasn't.
"Walker," Stacy spoke up. "What are we going to do?"
He looked down at his little sister. "Right now, we're going to take care of the dog."
They all quickly gathered round as Jim and Roni carefully pulled Tiger from where he was hiding in the brush, cowering in pain.
"How is he?" Jim asked Roni.
"He looks bad," Roni answered, examining Tiger as best she could. "His leg is broken and I think maybe some of his ribs. We'd better take him over to my father. He'll be able to help him."
Jim carefully lifted his injured dog into his arms and stood up.
Roni looked up at Walker as she and Jim started toward her father's office.
"Walker—"
Walker was standing with Stacy at his side, watching them, and he met Roni's gaze across the distance.
"Thank you," Roni told him. "There's no telling what Lee might have done if you hadn't shown up when you did."
"Yeah, Walker," Jim said. "Thanks for your help. I'm just sorry Miss Lowe didn't believe us."
"So am I," he said tersely, unsure what he would face when he returned to the ranch and told his father of the teacher's orders.
He and Stacy turned away to go back to their horses and make the ride out to the Dollar.
It was much later that night when Paul returned from his trip to town to speak to the schoolmarm. He wasn't in the best of moods as he entered the house to find Walker and Stacy still waiting up for him.
"Why aren't you in bed?" he demanded.
"I let them stay up," Elizabeth defended them.
"What did Miss Lowe say, Father?" Walker asked as he came to stand before Paul.
Paul pulled Walker's knife out of his belt where he'd been carrying it. He handed it back to his son. "I tried to convince her to let you return to the classroom, but her mind's made up."
Walker was not surprised by her decision as he stared down at the knife he held in his hand. "I see."
"What are we going to do?" Elizabeth asked in a worried tone. "Walker's been having a hard enough time trying to fit in, and now this—"
"Well, I think I've got that worked out already. Dan Geitgey stopped me while I was in town, and he told me how much he appreciated the way you helped Jim out today."
"He did, Papa. Walker was real brave, standing up to Lee that way," Stacy put in.
"So I understand." Paul's stern mood eased and he smiled down at his daughter. He looked at Walker. "It seems you've made yourself a good friend in Jim, and, fine student that he is, he's volunteered to tutor you here after school."
"Jim is real smart," Stacy told Walker earnestly, sounding much happier now that things were going to turn out all right. "He'll teach you good—maybe even better than Miss Lowe!"
Walker nodded, almost relieved that he didn't have to return to the schoolhouse. "I do have one question, Father."
"Yes, Walker?"
"How is the dog?"
"According to Dan, Dr. Reynolds bandaged Tiger up and he should be all right."
Finally, Walker smiled.