The Wandering One

Chapter 11

As they rode into town, Terrin couldn't help but notice all the stares directed at her. When they pulled up at the general store, Joe noticed them too. As Joe climbed out of the wagon, he noticed that Terrin was tense, and still mounted on Lash. He walked over to her. "Would you like a hand down? It might jar your ribs too much to jump or drop," he offered, unsure of how she would react to anyone's touch other than Ben or Adam. She gave a small nod and he reached up and gently lifted her to the ground, letting go as soon as she was steady. She draped Lash's reins over the hitching post and followed Joe into the store.
Fifteen minutes later, Joe was loading the wagon with the supplies, not letting Terrin help. As he put it, "Pa and Adam'll skin me alive if they find out I let you carry or lift anything heavier than a feather."
Terrin decided to go over to a Paiute woman who was selling her handmade wares out of a wagon. Terrin approached and instinctually greeted the woman with the Sioux greeting, "Hau!" followed by asking the woman her name in Numu. The woman stared at Terrin for a moment and then started chatting away in Numu, asking what Terrin wanted and where she was from. How had she learned the language of the Sioux and Paiute. Terrin chuckled and explained briefly how she had been adopted by Chief Otaktay and his tribe and how she had learned to speak Numu when her adoptive father had a powwow with some of the Paiutes.
Joe wandered over a few minutes later to find Terrin nodding and giving one-word responses as the Paiute woman, Pomahas, rattled off questions and showed Terrin her wares. Terrin eventually selected a new saddle blanket and a pair of moccasins from Pomahas and pulled out her roll of money, paying for the wares. She then turned to Little Joe who was standing there, looking both amused and confused. As they walked back to the wagon, Little Joe stated, "You know, I don't think I've ever seen a Paiute talk so much to someone with a smile like that on her face! How'd you learn to speak their language anyway?"
Terrin smiled slightly, "I learned when some Paiute met with my tribe."
Joe grinned and after Terrin had placed her things in the wagon, he ushered her over to the International House for lunch. After lunch, Little Joe told Terrin to follow him and brought her to a small store. The inside was filled with boots, belts, and a few guns hung behind the counter. Joe brought Terrin over to the counter where the owner was waiting.
"Howdy Joe, your Pa send you in or is today just for pleasure?" he inquired looking Terrin up and down.
"Pa sent me and Terrin here in. He also wants you to supply Terrin here with new boots and trousers and a proper belt." retorted Little Joe calmly, choosing to ignore the shopkeepers previous insinuations. The man nodded and started gathering the various items. After trying on a few pairs of boots, Terrin chose a pair of black ones and a matching belt. Her trousers were dark gray and black. After these selections were packaged up, Terrin went to pull out her wad of bills to pay. Joe's hand on her arm stilled her actions.
"Don't even think about payin'. Pa said he was paying for this," he stated. And when Terrin opened her mouth he quickly added, "and he also said not to listen to any arguments you might make about it." Joe paid and the two went back to the wagon, placing the packages safely in the back. Joe then helped Terrin onto Lash's back and the two began the trip back home.
They two arrived back at the Ponderosa right at suppertime. As they approached the house, Terrin saw that Adam was waiting on the porch for them. He crossed the yard to Lash and lifted Terrin down.
"How was town?" he inquired.
"Terrin made a new friend." Joe piped up. Adam grinned.
"Did you now?"
Terrin nodded and went to retrieve her packages from the wagon. Adam followed her and helped her bring her new things to her room. He noticed that Terrin was still somber, but she offered up a few small smiles throughout supper. Right after supper, Terrin excused herself and headed to bed.
She lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling for a few hours, unable to sleep. Eventually, around midnight, she wrapped a robe around herself and stepped out onto the front porch. She sat on one of the chairs and gazed out at the starry sky, listening to the sounds of the night.
She started in fright when the front door opened and relaxed once more as she recognized Ben's figure in the doorway. He closed the door behind him and sat in the chair next to hers.
"Beautiful isn't it?" He asked. Terrin nodded.
"Very," came the soft reply. "Mr Cartwright.."
"Please, call me Ben."
"Ben. Thank you for helping me, and letting me stay here."
"You are most welcome."
The two sat in silence for a few minutes before Ben spoke again, softly.
"You miss your tribe, don't you." It was a statement. One that rang true on the night air where it sat for a few moments.
"More than anything in the world. They were my family. The only one I can truly remember. They didn't care about my heritage. And now they're all dead." Ben saw her eyes fill with pain. "When I met Pohamas in town, it was like I got a small taste of that again. She didn't care about the colour of my skin, or my heritage either." She sighed, not liking the taste of her next words. "Ben, you must know what having me here and being seen with you or your boys in public will make people think. The townspeople won't like it. Ben I don't belong here. I will only bring your reputation down."
Ben sat for a moment, formulating his words.
"My dear girl. I have never, and will never have issue with someone because of the colour of their skin. You have brought light into my house, my boys all adore you. I have never seen Adam so excited to be around someone since we first met you. We all accept you, and you will always have a place here at the Ponderosa, and in our family. As for the townspeople, they can have all the issues they want, but they will still buy their cattle and timber from me. Eventually, they too will learn about what an amazing and strong young woman you are."
Ben looked into Terrin's eyes and saw that they were filling with tears. He stood and pulled her into a hug. "Welcome home, Terrin, welcome home."