Chapter 75

On the way back to the farm, I rode with a happy but confused couple trailing horses after them. Their joy rubbed hard against the hollow misery I nursed. It seemed as if my heart had been ripped from my chest and left bleeding on the floor of James’s office. A mile into the journey, Andre cleared his throat.

“Did the major give you leave to spend his money on us? I know he’s a fine man and all, but he doesn’t even know us.”

I fixed my eyes on the trail ahead. “It was not his silver I spent.”

“It was yours?”

From the corner of my eye, I saw him flush, no doubt chagrined he had discounted the idea an Indian could have funds of his own. “Billy died a wealthy man, and he saw to my future.”

Andre was quiet for a moment, apparently digesting this information. “So, it is you we are indebted to. We will repay you, Otter, I swear.”

“Every penny,” Bella said emphatically. “I don’t know what we would have done without you.”