Page 37 of Shoshone Sun

She had been so scared—scared for her family, for little Petey, and yes, for herself. She’d never forget the frantic moments when Flying Arrow and Great Bear had arrived, their warriors’ faces determined as they pulled everyone from the rising flood. But after the storm, after the rescue, they had disappeared just as quickly as they came, returning to their village to get more help. Flying Arrow had saved them, but then left abruptly. She had barely had the chance to thank him, never mind have a meaningful conversation with him.

Then, just as the sun was sinking behind the distant hills one evening, Jane heard the sound of hooves—a steady, rhythmic beat against the earth. Her heart skipped in her chest, and before she knew what she was doing, she had crossed the room and thrown open the door.

And there he was: Flying Arrow.

His presence was as commanding as ever, his tall frame silhouetted against the fading light, sitting tall and proud upon his horse. As their eyes met, there was no hesitation, no distance between them. For a moment, neither of them moved. The world seemed to pause, as if allowing them both a chance to breathe in the truth of the moment. He had come back. He was here, standing in front of her once more.

“Jane,” his voice, low and steady, reached her ears, and she could see the weight of the journey in his eyes, the exhaustion mixed with something else—something she could not quite name.

She didn’t say anything at first. Her chest tightened, the flood of emotions surging in her throat. She didn’t know how to express the gratitude she felt, the overwhelming relief that swept through her. She had feared this moment would never come again.

And then, before she even realized what she was doing, she was moving toward him, her feet carrying her faster than her mind could catch up. Flying Arrow dismounted swiftly, and she found herself wrapped in his arms, the warmth of his body grounding her, steadying her heart.

“I was so afraid I had lost you again,” she whispered into his chest, her voice thick with emotion. She could feel the thrum of his heartbeat against her cheek, steady and strong.

His arms tightened around her, as if he, too, was trying to hold onto the moment, trying to make it last. “I’m here, Jane,” he said, his voice low, almost as though he needed to convince himself of the truth as much as her. “I’m not going anywhere. On their way about an hour behind me are my brother five other braves from our tribe. We will build your new homestead as quickly as possible!”

Her hands found their way to his chest, fingers splayed wide, as if she could imprint the reality of his presence into her soul. She wanted to say so much—how she had missed him, how she had thought of him every single day since he left. But the words didn’t come. She didn’t need to say them. He already knew, didn’t he?

Flying Arrow pulled back just enough to look at her, his hand brushing the stray hair from her face. “You’ve been through so much, Jane,” he said, his brow furrowing with concern. “Are you all right? Is your family well?”

She nodded, forcing a small smile, though her heart was still racing. “We’re all safe, thanks to you. We—” She paused, suddenly overwhelmed by the weight of her gratitude. “You saved us, Flying Arrow. I don’t know how to thank you for that.”

“You don’t need to,” he said simply, his expression softening. “You’re safe. That’s all that matters.”

She nodded, feeling a tear slip down her cheek, despite her best efforts not to cry. She was so glad to see him. So glad that he was standing here with her once more.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The silence between them was comfortable, a shared understanding, a wordless connection that had always existed between them. It felt like everything was as it should be.

But Jane couldn’t bring herself to tell him everything—not yet. Not here, in this moment that still felt too fragile, too new. She wanted to be with him again, to hold onto the love that had blossomed between them, but the weight of her secret—of the life growing inside her—kept her silent.

Instead, she looked up at him, her eyes searching his, a question lingering in her gaze. “You’re staying?” she asked softly, almost afraid to hear the answer.

Flying Arrow smiled, his eyes softening with something that felt like hope. “I’m staying. I’ve come back to you, Jane. I will never leave you again. Not now. Not after everything we’ve been through.”

Her heart fluttered in her chest, a rush of emotions she could barely contain. The relief, the joy, the love, all mixing in a wave of warmth. She wanted to tell him everything—tell him about the tiny new life they had created—but for now, she just wanted to stay in this moment, to savor the fact that he was here, and he wasn’t going anywhere.

She nodded, her throat tight, unable to say the words, but somehow knowing that he understood.

As the sun sank lower, casting long shadows across the homestead, Jane found herself wrapped in Flying Arrow’s arms once more, the world around them fading into the background. For the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to believe that everything could be right again.

Chapter Twenty: A Promise in the Sunrise

- Paul Jacobs Homestead, Late Spring 1867

Eighty miles west of Fort Laramie –

The morning sun stretched its fingers across the plains, casting the landscape in soft types of gold and orange. The air was warm, a gentle reminder that summer was close. Jane stood at the threshold of Paul and Mary’s cabin, her eyes lingering on the distant hills. The familiar scent of pine and fresh earth filled the air as her heart swelled with a mixture of gratitude and anticipation.

Peter, Paul, and the men from the Shoshone tribe had worked tirelessly over the past month. Just four miles east, a new cabin had been built for Peter, Susan, Petey, and Jane. To one side, a barn stood tall, its wooden beams fresh and clean. The paddocks had been set up for the horses and cattle, all part of the plan to build a homestead that could support the family.

Their vision had become reality, a testament to the hard work, the cooperation, and the bond that had formed between the settlers and the Shoshone. The days had been long, filled with labor and friendship, but now they were standing on the brink of something new. The move to their new home would be the conclusion of all their efforts.

Jane’s thoughts drifted to Flying Arrow. The way he had worked tirelessly alongside Peter, Paul, Great Bear, and the other braves to ensure that the new homestead was not only functional but also beautiful. Every step of the process had felt like a dream—his quiet presence, his strength, his unwavering devotion to her and her family. But despite the closeness they had shared, there were things left unsaid, feelings she had not yet fully expressed, and the knowledge of a life growing within her that she had kept hidden.

She had not yet told Flying Arrow about the child.

The realization of her pregnancy had first come to her like a sudden rush—something she had never expected. In Flying Arrow’s absence her mind had spun with questions, doubts, and a deep longing for him. But now, with the new cabin built and her future so full of promise, she knew it was time to let him in. She had to tell him soon.

---