Blackfeather
21 Courting
OF COURSE, we did get breaks, but not at the same time. I came down for an absolutely luscious week in the arms of Aubrey. My sweet, sweet girlfriend. I thought about how my attitude had changed about that. Yes, she was also my brother’s girlfriend, but now I thought of her as my girlfriend. It was fine that she was his, too, but my relationship with her wasn’t defined by that.
While I was down on my ‘vacation,’ Phile and Caitlin pounded on my door. I opened it and they held out their laptop to me. Damn! Another batch. I checked with Mom Mar and loaded the kids in the truck with me. We dragged the horse trailer to Valentine, Nebraska where there’d just been a rodeo. On the heels of the rodeo was a notice that the stock contractor was selling off four of their broncs. We got there in time to load them into our trailer before the company left town. The horses weren’t performing well and the contractor decided he needed better stock. They weren’t as cheap at $200 each, but they were never going to be pleasure horses the way they’d been trained. I wrote a check on our business account and they laughed all the way to the bank.
I cautioned the kids about how to treat these animals. I didn’t want them out there playing rodeo. The horses seemed gentle enough when we were loading and unloading them. Of course, we isolated the four of them in the paddock until the vet could come and check them out. I checked their papers, vaccinations, and Coggins test and figured they’d be okay with the herd. Unlike racing horses, bucking horses are all geldings but they can vie for dominance in a herd. Our Saddlebred stallion, Harley, pretty much ruled the rescues. We didn’t let him and Pa’s Bolt in the same field.
The night before I went back up to the range, I made slow, sweet love with Aubrey. I wasn’t satisfied with just having sex with her. We were both willing enough for that. But I wanted to show her how much I loved her. I could see the three of us being together for a long time—maybe forever.
It was important to me to explore everything about her, to let her know there wasn’t any part of her body I was afraid of or ashamed of. And I had to show her I was willing to share my body at the same level.
“Are you really satisfied with just me?” she asked as I was coming down from the massive orgasm she’d just delivered. She’d had most of her hand up inside me and it had been pretty intense. My hands are so big I didn’t try to get more than two fingers in her but that had been quite enough.
“What do you mean, honey? Of course I’m satisfied with you.”
“But are you really a lesbian then? You don’t want to have a guy?”
“Shit. I can’t say that for sure, you know. I’ve never been with a guy. I’m not repulsed by the idea of fucking a cock, so I don’t think I’m a lesbian. I’m just in love with you, sweetheart. You’re all I want,” I assured her.
“If there ever comes a time… You know, if you ever decide you need a man… I mean, I love Kyle and I love fucking him, so I know how good that is, and if you find a guy you want to go all the way with, I’ll understand, okay?” she was looking at me so intently that all I could do was kiss her again and try to assure her that all I wanted was her.
“I traveled again,” Kyle told me when we finally got some time alone together. “It was kind of vindication.”
“How do you mean?”
“I was sent to Omaha with dispatches and got called into the Colonel’s office. I was questioned about the massacre and he was livid. My Captain got recalled and a new order has been received to engage only when attacked.”
“That’s good to hear, Kyle,” I said.
“It is, but after what we did, we’re going to get attacked. I get so scared when I’m out there. I just know I’m going to die.”
“Well, you know what Pa says about opening a box? I guess one of the benefits of us not traveling at the same time is that I can tell you that you aren’t dead. I know you are all right.”
Kyle hugged me. He squeezed me so tight I lost my breath.
“Thank you,” he whispered. “By the way, I saw your stepsister—the little blonde? She was at the train station. She seemed to be doing all right.”
“Jason isn’t interested in her, is he?”
“No. He’s almost obsessed over finding you—I mean Miranda. I guess that little nudge I gave him got him started thinking of you. The girl—heck, she could be my sister.”
“First thing I thought when I saw her was that she looked like Caitlin.”
Before Kyle took his break to be with Aubrey, we found two calves that had their throats ripped out and had been gutted. The carcasses were about half consumed and our raven was sitting pecking at one with a bunch of other scavenger birds. We took pictures with our cell phones and cut the ear tags off to bring to Pa. If I ever saw one of those wolves… I touched my necklace. The teeth seemed hot against my skin.
“Ravens are called wolf-birds for a reason,” Pa said.
“They are?”
“They lead wolves to prey and feast on the kill. Well, that’s the Cheyenne legend, anyway.”
It was a week before I’d been able to ask Pa about my raven seeming to taunt me. He said it was outside his experience since he’d been called only by the redtail hawk and to his recollection had never heard one scream except when he called him. We were out on our patrol that morning. Mom Ash was in charge of breakfast and we’d risen before four to take the dawn watch. The cattle had begun to move.
“There’s your totem now,” Pa said, as the raven did acrobatics in the early morning light. I sat astride Pooky and just stared at the old bird. Suddenly, he swooped down and landed on my shoulder. He looked over at Pa and then hopped to the other shoulder.
Awkawkawkawk!
Miranda paused at the door.
“Demon Ramie! What do you want?”
What? I’m a demon again? What did I do?
“I apologize, Friend Ramie. You come at a most inopportune time.”
Why? What’s hap…
I was flooded with Miranda’s memories.
Jason is here? That’s wonderful.
“Behave. He is a gentleman and I am a lady and we are attended by our chaperones.”
Sure. No problem. This is great!
Maybe I’d get to see my brother in this other timeline we flitted in and out of. Miranda opened the door and there stood the handsome young corporal. I couldn’t see Kyle in his eyes, though. Behind him was his Indian friend.
“Won’t you come in, gentlemen,” Miranda said softly. Her voice was scarcely above a whisper. I supposed at this register it did not sound as harsh. Jason and John Hamm stepped into the room and Miranda led them to seats near the fire where Theresa and Katie sat on cushions. Jason immediately took a seat while John stood. There was another chair.
Tell John to take the other seat.
“He is a savage!”
He’d like to sit down.
“But where will I…?”
Grab a cushion. It will endear you to your suitor.
“John Hamm. You are a guest in our home,” Miranda said graciously. “Please take the chair next to the corporal.”
“Thank you, Miss Lewis.” His voice was also soft and cultured. Where had this man learned English? “I would not take your seat, though your offer is kind. I assure you that if I may sit, I will be more comfortable on the floor.”
“As you wish, sir.” Miranda handed him a cushion. “You sound… unlike what we are taught the…”
Native Americans, I supplied.
“…the Native Americans sound like.”
“Would you prefer that I speak only in sign language or grunts?” he asked. There was a note of humor in his voice.
“No. Of course not. You were schooled in the East?”
“Indeed. I received my education at The Brick School in Boston.”
“However, did you come to be at Harvard?” Theresa asked as Miranda settled in the chair and faced Jason.
“I was adopted as a child by a trader who took me to the East. It was quite a shock. I rather prefer life on The Plains.” Theresa continued to engage John as we turned our attention on Jason.
“I am pleased that you were able to entertain us on such short notice, Miss Lewis,” Jason said. “Sadly, I am not told when I will be called upon to deliver dispatches back to Regimental Headquarters.”
“This is your third visit, Jason. Please call me Miranda.”
“I do not wish to presume upon your favor.”
Ha! I barked so loud in her mind that it came out her mouth. Miranda was so taken aback that she did not stop me when I took over her voice.
“That is indeed kind for a man whose first words to me were to call me a three-penny whore,” I laughed.
“I… Madam, I would never do such a…” He paused and looked intently at Miranda. “Ford’s Theater,” he whispered. “You spoiled my attempt to save the President.”
“And you spoiled mine,” I added. Theresa, Katie and John laughed at some private joke. They were paying no attention to our whispered conversation.
“Why were you there?” he asked.
“Like you, a friend told me of the plot and I thought I could stop it by tackling the assassin outside the theater. Unfortunately, he was already inside and you strode up to the door with murder in your eyes,” I said. Miranda was appalled but too shocked to attempt to say anything.
“A friend,” he continued to whisper as if they were words of endearment. “Does your friend visit you often?”
“I never know when or for how long. We have so much in common, Jason.”
“Yes, Miranda. And it is such a relief to know that we do. I will make no secret of the fact that I have grown fond of you. Perhaps even before our chance meeting at the cattle yard.”
“That is something else that we find in common,” I faded back and Miranda stuttered a bit as she found her voice.
I found myself completely enamored of Jason. What a kind and gentle soul. So like Kyle in many ways, yet so different. I don’t know if it was all Miranda or if I helped to light the fires that were definitely kindled in them this night. When the night was over, we stood staring into each other’s eyes.
“Please call again whenever you are in town, Jason. Do not be concerned that you have not given notice. I receive no other gentlemen callers,” Miranda said.
“No army or renegade party could keep me from you if your words call me hither,” he said. I swooned.
“And where are you off to next?”
“The rails have just reached Laramie City, in the Wyoming Territory, and we have been assigned to Fort Sanders. We will be scouting over the mountains this summer.”
“My stepfather has already established a presence there. I am certain he will move westward with the rails.”
“I don’t know that,” Jason said. “The way westward over the mountains has almost no population other than that we bring. The train runs daily now to our supply houses bringing ties, gravel, and merchant’s wares. No one returns to the city at night once the rails are ten miles beyond. He may stay there until we near the Mormons at Salt Lake.”
“I pray daily for your safety, Jason. Hurry to return to me.”
“Why did you tell him of our first encounter?” Miranda demanded.
He’d have found out soon. Now he knows.
“But why?”
Miranda, Jason has a friend, just like you do. A friend like me.
Miranda was silent as she tried to comprehend what I’d said. I’m sure she thought she was the only person in the world with a time traveler in her head.
“And you know this friend?”
Yes. We are very close.
“Are you manipulating Jason and me together so that you and your friend can be together?”
Whoa! Miranda! I haven’t really tried to manipulate either you or him. I have encouraged him to find you when we were lost, but our timing was off—just like at Ford’s Theater. I think it is partly because when I asked him to follow you from the train, it had already happened for us. He couldn’t get there to change you getting kidnapped. When he looked for you at St. Joseph, he was there nearly a year before you got there. But I have not manipulated his emotions, or yours, to get you together. And you have met him enough times without my presence to form your own opinion about him.
“I do have a favorable opinion.”
I can tell.
“What?”
Your privities are damp.
“Ramie, you are my friend, but sometimes you act the very demon I thought you were!”
The problem is that if I blush, she blushes. As a result, we both were embarrassed and then burst out in a fit of giggles. Miranda had a stray thought and quickly clamped down on it.
Wait a minute there, girlfriend. What was that about?
“Nothing!”
You know I’m going to find out.
“But… Very well. You will find out in a few minutes. Katie can be quite demanding. Especially after Jason has visited.”
Oh dear. I should have known. Is she jealous?
“I do not believe so. She seems… quite amorous.”
And you? Do you mind? I can tell her not to disturb you.
“No. I find her attentions quite… enjoyable. And now that Theresa has moved into Mother’s room—most of the time—I do not object to Katie’s advances. But what will happen if… if I should get married?”
Let’s play it by ear. For now, if you don’t mind, I’d love to have my little Katie.
“Drive.”
Almost on cue, Katie entered the bedroom. She wore her flannel gown and moved to sit on the bed, looking at me as I stared back at her.
“Wife, why have you bothered with clothing when it is time for bed?” I demanded. Completely taken aback, Katie jumped back to her feet.
“Husband Ramie. You have returned!”
“I have come to ravish your body, maiden. Remove your nightgown and then help me off with this. Are your privities as moist as mine?”
“They are, Ramie. They always are when…”
“Ah, you like our young corporal, I see.” I was playing with her breasts and she loosened the ties of my nightgown. I let it fall to the floor. Miranda had gained a few pounds since our long journeys and it felt good on her. God! I love her body. So lush. It reminds me of Aubrey. As soon as I was naked, I turned and took Katie in my arms, kissing her deeply.
“Oh!” Katie moaned. “Miranda kisses me, and she is very loving, but I always know when you are here my demon husband.”
“I have craved your kisses and your touch since I last held you in my arms, Katie. Sweet Katie, let me love you,” I said. I did just that. I’d learned a lot in nearly a year as Aubrey’s lover. She had taught me how to find places on her body that I never imagined were erogenous. I licked from the hollow of her throat up across her chin and kissed her lips a dozen times without letting her capture mine. I suckled her breasts and drew spirals around her nipples with my tongue. Katie rose rapidly. By the time I parted her bush and began licking at her clit, she was too far gone to care how much noise she was making. Poor Theresa. If she did not know before what was going on in this room she would know tonight.
Katie was desperate to return the favor and before long I felt her talented tongue parting my nether lips and drinking from my unending fount. She teased, licking all the way from my pucker to my clit and back again, as anxious to find and explore my body as I was hers. I rolled her onto her back and dove between her legs again, settling my pussy down on her mouth. To feel her tongue while I tasted her juices was too much and we both tipped over again.
“I love you, Husband Ramie. I love you,” Katie whimpered as I held her.
“Katie, dear,” I said softly. “Are you jealous of Jason?”
“Oh! Ramie. Miranda. Please do not think that. I find myself drawn to him like a moth to a candle. I revel in his presence, though I would do nothing to interfere in your love,” Katie sobbed.
“What would you wish, child?” I asked softly. “In the best of all possible worlds, what would happen?”
“Ramie, you always talk to me as if I were important. I love you. I love Miranda when she is alone, as well, but I fear she does not think well of me.”
“Not true! Not true!” Miranda broke in on my control. “Oh, dear Katie, I am so sorry I make you feel that way. Ramie is strong and confident and knows what to do about everything. I am lost and do not know how to tell you I love you, too.”
“Miranda, is it true? Are you fond of me as I am of you?”
“I am, dear girl. God help me, I am.”
“Then Husband Ramie,” Katie said, switching to me. I still wasn’t sure how she could tell when it was me and when it was Miranda. “You ask what the best of all possible worlds would be. My dear Miranda would marry the man she loves. She would be happy and bear him many children.”
“And you?” I asked.
“And I… I would be your mistress.”
A woman as a woman’s mistress? Miranda was confused.
“And his,” Katie finished in a whisper.
Can that be?
I let Miranda take over the conversation. She did so with a kiss.
As we drowsed in post-coital bliss, I continued to hold Katie’s nearly flat breasts—so much like mine in my other life. Her thumb casually stroked my left nipple, keeping me aroused all night. Perhaps in this life, we could have something similar to what we had in my own life. One man and two women, or one woman with a man and woman. Only in this life, I would have a man. That Jason really got my engines running.
That thought was washing over me when I heard the raven call.
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