After a long night of tossing and turning along with coughing several times and it didn't help when his father kept feeding him that awful medicine but Garrett had to admit that he did feel better. Looking around he saw that his father was still sleeping as well as Genisis. Getting up he put his clothes on as well as his moccasins then went to get his jacket so he could go to the outhouse. While he was out he decided to check on his horse and mules to see if they made it through the journey alright. Opening the barn door, the first thing that greeted him was the neighing of his horse which brought a smile to see face. Going to his horse he gave her a pat for he didn't want anything to happen to her and saw that his mules were alright too. On the way out he noticed that Red had hung the pelts up this time and not throwing them on the hay. Pulling the door closed behind him he walked back to the cabin and carefully snuck in removing his outer wear before any one saw him; as he didn't want or need another lecture from his father on taking care of himself.
Going to the stove he relit it to get some warmth in the cabin as well as get some coffee going for them. When he started to pump the water into the pot Garrett started coughing and trembling which woke Red up with a start. Seeing his son bend over the pump coughing he got up without dressing and sat him down at the table. Grabbing the medicine bottle he poured some in a cup then filled the rest with whiskey and handed to his son. No matter how much he told him that he was fine Red kept putting the cup in his face. Seeing that there was no way he could change his father's mind, he threw the contents down then went back to the settee grimacing the whole way for the stuff was awful.
Taking his moccasins off he laid back down again while his father got the coffee going and added more wood to the stove. Grabbing a log from the stack, Red put it in the fireplace to keep this section warm then he turned to where his son was laying and pulled up the blanket tugging it around his shoulder like he did when he was young boy. Without thinking he told Little Wolf that he'll take the pelts to the shack and sort them before going to do the barn chores. Returning to the kitchen he started to make breakfast when Genisis came in to help him. Giving her a smile he let her take over while he took his son some coffee with a shot of the medicine in it just to be on the safe side.
With the first sip of coffee he knew that there was some medicine in it because his father didn't want him to get pneumonia. Sighing he drank the coffee down as quickly as he could without making a face. Handed the cup back to him, Red went back to the stove to get another cup so he didn't see the face his son made after drinking the coffee. By that time breakfast was ready his plate was sitting on the table with his coffee cup. In her hands was Garrett's plate so he gave her the cup which she took to him while he laid on the settee.
“You didn't have to bring me my breakfast. I could have gotten up and come to the table.” said Garrett smiling at her.
“I know but your father told me that you are to stay in bed and the covers pulled up so that you don't get chilled. Plus you are to rest for the next few days because you were quite chilled from the snowstorm. And besides that I'm to make sure you eat all your breakfast even if I have to feed you.” said Genisis who gave Red a quick look. “You took care of me now it’s my turn to tend to you.”
“I feel better.” replied Garrett loud enough so that his father could hear him. “Besides, my father worries too much about me; so I am just going to humour him and stay in bed for now. But that doesn't mean you are to wait on me hand and foot. Where is your breakfast?”
“I'll have my breakfast after you eat yours. It feels good doing something then just sitting or lying around. Can I ask you a question.” asked Genisis as she fed him his breakfast. “You won't be mad at me for prying into your life.”
“No, what is your question. Sweet heart.” Garrett asked her. The name which he called her made her smile at being called that and Red whose head snapped up but quickly lower again so that nobody could see his smile.
“Why does your father call you Little Wolf?”
“Hmmph...” Garrett sighed happily. “My name is actually Garrett Starc. I dropped the Starc name a long time ago when I received a letter from an attorney. Upon the wishes of my father’s family as he was disinherit for marrying an Indian woman and didn't want to have any reminders of that affair. I was that reminder.”
“That is so cruel. How could they do that?”
“I couldn’t do anything about it because it was their wishes so I just moved on. Red saved me, took me in and raised me as if I was his child. Lot of times we would go to the Indian village on the other side of the mountain to trade for things. It was their chief who gave me the name Little Wolf in honouring Red for what he had done. Not everybody is willing to take a young child in that wasn’t their own and raise them.” said Garrett who wiped a tear from her cheek. “Don’t be sad Genisis, I don’t really remember my parents for it was such a long time ago that they and the entire wagon train that they were in was massacred by rouge Indians. I found my place here with my father and with you.”
“I don't know what to say but thank you for telling me. I'll go get my plate and come back here. Do you want more coffee.” asked Genisis who smiled at him. He nodded his head.
By the time she got to the table Red had her plate filled and was pouring coffee in to the cup when she reached the table. Placing his plate down she took the plate that he offered her then filled his son's cup for her. Picking up both cups she went back to sit beside Garrett and talk some more.
Looking at the two of them sitting on the settee talking and getting to know each other was the best thing to do. Putting his jacket on he told them that he was going to do the chores before it got too late and would be back in a couple hours or more. Opening the door a blast of cold air hit him causing Red to shiver and pull up his collar. Looking back he saw her tugging the blanket around him and closing the door on the way out. Walking to the barn he said a quick prayer to the heaven hoping Blue Dove would hear. Gazing at the sky, he figured another three days before the storm blows over but will be another three weeks before the pass be able to travel through and take Genesis home.
Opening the barn doors, the sound of horses and mules neighing was sweet music to his ears then lit the lantern to give some extra light for him to do the chores. Before he did anything he went to check his son horse and mules to see if there was any damage from that cold trip home. The mule had a few sore spots from the harness rubbing against its hide but nothing to serious. Grabbing one of the mule’s hoofs he checked to see if there was anything wrong but only found a few sores. While the mules were eating the oats which an extra scoop was added to the bucket, Red put some salve on the sores on his back and on his feet. Then he put extra hay in the corner as well as the water pail in the other corner. Shutting the gate he went to his son’s horse to do the same thing.
Picking up the oat bucket, Red threw an extra big scoop in then opened the gate and placed it in front of the horse. This was Reds way in thanking the horse for bringing his son home. Checking the horse he found a few sore spots also and put salve on them. Bending down he picked up the hoofs one at a time, there was no injures to the hoof but there were a lot of cuts from the knee down. This was probably from the breaking of the snow drifts for it had rained some before it turned to snow. Once again he put salve on them so it would heal for no animals were leaving this barn for a few weeks. Putting extra hay in the corner plus the water pail he closed the gate then looked after his horse and mules before leaving the barn.
Taking the pelts down from the hook, he blew the lantern out and replaced it on the hook by the door. Closing the down behind him so the heat would stay in the barn he made his way to the shack out back. Took him awhile to get there for the drifts were packed quite hard and high too. Leaning on the door of the shack to catch his breath for it was hard work walking through those drifts. After a minute he picked up the shovel that was beside the building and proceed to shovel some of the snow away so he could open the door.
Pulling on the door he managed to open wide enough so he could squeeze threw it. Taking the lantern from the ledge he lit it to begin sorting the pelts and putting them in the right place. For all the rabbit, beaver, cougar and deer hides were put in separate piles. So that when one pile was full enough they would pack it up and take it to the store. Finally all of the pelts were sorted and he was getting cold so he blew out the lantern and rehung it by the door. Closing the door was easier then opening it so he locked it up and headed to the cabin.
Walking back to the cabin he stopped to pick up a load of wood for the stove since the fireplace had enough logs for now. Opening the door to the cabin very quietly he peeked around the corner to see his son give Genisis a kiss while his arms were wrapped around her. Stepping back out he stomped his feet to get the snow off which there was another way to announcing that he was coming in. Once again he entered the cabin telling them he had sorted the pelts and did the chores for the day. He did mention that the mule and his horse had few sores which he put salve on but in a few days it would be all healed up. When Red enter the cabin, Garrett pulled away from her quickly and she slid further over to make it look like there was more space between them.
Taking a cup down from the cupboard he poured some coffee in it and when to the rocking chair to join the young pair. After a few minutes Red informed them that he was going to the native village for a few days to see Summer Wind. That he was taking some pelts over to her so that she could make them a few more shirts and get a coat for Genisis who would be needing it when the snow hits. That was why he was so long out there he was sorting the pelts that were supposed to go over there. He was planning on leaving in a couple of days just in case the storm decided to come back for a second hit. This had happen quite a few times over the years and he had been caught in one or two them when he was a young man. Heading to the kitchen he refilled his coffee cup then went back to his rocking chair to rest his tired body till it was time for supper.
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Ever since the storm hit that afternoon, the close sign has been on the store for nobody was venturing out in it. Nathan and his wife had been rearranging the store to make more room for the items that were coming in after the storm blows over. The mountain men claim that another three or four days the storm should pass but he was so tired of it right now. Pouring himself a cup of coffee he sat down at the table just as his wife came in carrying the dusting cloth and broom. She had just finished doing all the dusting of the shelves for the day. Taking a cup off the rack she poured herself some coffee then joined her husband at the table.
“Do you want to make up an order?” asked Louise who looked at him.
“Not at this moment, I'm so tired of running this business and living in this hick town. You know I actually miss the opera house, walking the streets at night and the parties that were held there.” spoke Nathan who had a faraway look on his face. “I never wanted to come here in the first place; I blame that daughter of ours for everything. Sometimes I wish we sent her away to boarding school or to her grandparents to raise.”
“My parents were too old to look after her and your parents didn't want to be tied down with a child. If only she had let the banker's son, if only…” said Louise as she trail off thinking about it.
“She has been gone for a month now almost two and you know I haven't missed her like I should have.” replied Nathan. “When we get her back, I plan to send her off either to Boston or New York.”
“Why don't we send her to Boston where your sister lives.” suggested Louise who looked at her husband to see him nod his head in agreement.
All while they plotted and planned the truth was starting to come out days away…
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