Read Online Bittersweet Ecstasy by Janelle Taylor - Free Book Online
Authors: Janelle Taylor
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father’s tepee next season,” Shalee retorted mischievously as she embraced Tashina.
Tashina’s smile faded. “He fills my heart with worry, Grandmother. He will not face the truth of mother’s death. He must look for another mate to fill his heart and life. I would risk all perils to return Mother to his side, but the Great Spirit has taken her from us. If Mother still lived, she would have returned to us by now or she would have found a way to send a message of her survival and location. I do not wish Father tojoin another, but he needs peace and help before I leave his side. He must face the truth; Mother is lost to us forever.”
Shalee advised solemnly, “Do not burden your heart and shoulders caring for your father, little one. When he is ready, he will cast his eyes upon another. Do not live your life as his. You are beautiful and your time for choosing a mate draws near. Perhaps your father would make his choice sooner if he did not have you to help him.” The moment Shalee said those words, she regretted them. She felt she must be honest, so she revealed, “I understand why he hesitates, little one; he does not believe Wahea is dead and lost to him forever, as I do not believe this to be true. No one has seen her or heard words about her since she vanished from our forest as Mother Earth renewed her face before this past winter. I do not understand why she was lost to us, but I pray for her safety and return. She is strong and brave; she will battle this defeat to be reunited with her loved ones. If only she had taken others with her to gather the medicine herbs so far from camp, then we would know what enemy captured her and we would know where to seek her, but we do not. It is as if Mother Earth opened her mouth and swallowed Wahea, for no trace or clue was found. A full span of seasons has passed since she was lost, but do not give up hope. Perhaps she will return as mysteriously as she vanished. Let Bright Arrow wait for your mother a while longer, but do not lose your dreams while he sleeps restlessly.”
“I am glad you spoke such brave words, Grandmother. The words in Tashina’s mouth do not agree with those in her heart. I fear if I chase my new life, Father will lose hope in a tepee alone and he will also pursue a new one for himself. I must not fail Mother and Father during this time of separation. Some bravesand warriors have come to me to seek a joining, but none who stir my heart and body to accept.”
“What of the son of Windrider? Is he not the one who brings that sparkle to your eyes? He is a good man like his father, and it is unwise to lead a rare man on a chase too long. Does his heart race and his eyes glow when he looks at Tashina?” the older woman asked seriously.
Tashina flushed and lowered her lashes. “I do not know, Grandmother. Is it wrong to say, I hope your words are true?”
Shalee’s green eyes softened with understanding and affection. “No, little one, that is how it should be between two special people. Go, serve them berry wine and fruit pones, then return and we will prepare the evening meal together. First, send your father to me. There is something I must tell him.”
A look of worry filled the young girl’s eyes. “Is there danger in the wind, Grandmother?” she asked as she watched Shalee intently.
Shalee smiled encouragingly. “No, little one. I have happy news which must be shared with my son before others. Stay with your guests until he returns to his tepee. I will tell you all while we cook.”
Tashina accepted the bag of wine and pouch of fruit pones, smiled, and left her grandmother’s tepee. Shalee sat down and waited for her eldest son. News of the man who had once almost ruined his life should come from her. How she wished Rebecca were here to meet this man whom her mother had loved so long ago, whose child she could have been. Again, she prayed for Rebecca’s safe and speedy return. If only this dark mystery did not surround Rebecca’s
Tashina’s smile faded. “He fills my heart with worry, Grandmother. He will not face the truth of mother’s death. He must look for another mate to fill his heart and life. I would risk all perils to return Mother to his side, but the Great Spirit has taken her from us. If Mother still lived, she would have returned to us by now or she would have found a way to send a message of her survival and location. I do not wish Father tojoin another, but he needs peace and help before I leave his side. He must face the truth; Mother is lost to us forever.”
Shalee advised solemnly, “Do not burden your heart and shoulders caring for your father, little one. When he is ready, he will cast his eyes upon another. Do not live your life as his. You are beautiful and your time for choosing a mate draws near. Perhaps your father would make his choice sooner if he did not have you to help him.” The moment Shalee said those words, she regretted them. She felt she must be honest, so she revealed, “I understand why he hesitates, little one; he does not believe Wahea is dead and lost to him forever, as I do not believe this to be true. No one has seen her or heard words about her since she vanished from our forest as Mother Earth renewed her face before this past winter. I do not understand why she was lost to us, but I pray for her safety and return. She is strong and brave; she will battle this defeat to be reunited with her loved ones. If only she had taken others with her to gather the medicine herbs so far from camp, then we would know what enemy captured her and we would know where to seek her, but we do not. It is as if Mother Earth opened her mouth and swallowed Wahea, for no trace or clue was found. A full span of seasons has passed since she was lost, but do not give up hope. Perhaps she will return as mysteriously as she vanished. Let Bright Arrow wait for your mother a while longer, but do not lose your dreams while he sleeps restlessly.”
“I am glad you spoke such brave words, Grandmother. The words in Tashina’s mouth do not agree with those in her heart. I fear if I chase my new life, Father will lose hope in a tepee alone and he will also pursue a new one for himself. I must not fail Mother and Father during this time of separation. Some bravesand warriors have come to me to seek a joining, but none who stir my heart and body to accept.”
“What of the son of Windrider? Is he not the one who brings that sparkle to your eyes? He is a good man like his father, and it is unwise to lead a rare man on a chase too long. Does his heart race and his eyes glow when he looks at Tashina?” the older woman asked seriously.
Tashina flushed and lowered her lashes. “I do not know, Grandmother. Is it wrong to say, I hope your words are true?”
Shalee’s green eyes softened with understanding and affection. “No, little one, that is how it should be between two special people. Go, serve them berry wine and fruit pones, then return and we will prepare the evening meal together. First, send your father to me. There is something I must tell him.”
A look of worry filled the young girl’s eyes. “Is there danger in the wind, Grandmother?” she asked as she watched Shalee intently.
Shalee smiled encouragingly. “No, little one. I have happy news which must be shared with my son before others. Stay with your guests until he returns to his tepee. I will tell you all while we cook.”
Tashina accepted the bag of wine and pouch of fruit pones, smiled, and left her grandmother’s tepee. Shalee sat down and waited for her eldest son. News of the man who had once almost ruined his life should come from her. How she wished Rebecca were here to meet this man whom her mother had loved so long ago, whose child she could have been. Again, she prayed for Rebecca’s safe and speedy return. If only this dark mystery did not surround Rebecca’s
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