She had lost the faith she had in Hawk and felt a shame come upon her. For the truth was, his touch was gentle and his hands had explored her body blindly. His kisses were sweet and soft and left her wanting more. Dear God, what was she saying? She'd made love with an Indian.
She must have been insane. That was it, she was insane, and none of it was real! Perhaps she'd dreamed it.
However, one glance at the old squaw and she knew the truth.
She'd been with an Indian now, and that was a heavy cloud over her. If the white people ever found out, they would disown her. How could she ever hold her head up again? What would her people think of her now?
What people? She had no people.
Of course, in reality, the only ones that knew she'd lain with an Indian were here and they wouldn't be talking about it to the whites. Therefore, she had no worries there, but she would know and that was enough.
Still, when she recalled the moments between her and Hawk, she blushed at how alive she'd felt. What she was guilty of was enjoying it! Dear God!
She never reached such heights before. She never knew there were any. It seemed t
o change everything.
Determined not to dwell on what had happened, she took full charge of Jane Ann and looked at the maidens. She tried to make them understand they had no clothes to wear.
One maiden came up to her. "I will bring you some, they will not be women's clothes, but they will cover you."
"You speak English?"
"Yes."
"Does anyone else here speak English?" She asked.
"The young ones do we went to mission school on the reservation, until we left. We learned a lot about the white-eyes there." She said. "I will bring them, you wait here."
"Thank you!" Eve called to her.
The young maiden came back about a half hour later with leather pants and a leather-fringed shirt for her to wear.
"My name is Sootka." She said and smiled as she handed her the clothes. "And I brought your baby clothes too. When you dress, I will braid your hair, to keep it out of your way and clean."
"That's a pretty name."
"And yours?"
"Eve. And this is Jane Ann."
The maiden laughed. "She is beautiful."
"Are you married?" Eve asked.
"I was. Yes…"
"Oh…I'm sorry!" Eve saw the distress in her eyes.
"He was a good warrior, he died bravely." She said proudly lifting her chin.
Eve didn't know what to say, because there was a tear in the corner of the young maiden's eyes, but she would not let it fall.
When Eve was finally dressed, she dressed Jane Ann in a little buckskin dress. Eve had to laugh at how cute she looked. "You're a doll!" She said and hugged her.
Sootka helped her braid her hair and gave her a headband to wear. It was beaded and pretty. "Thank you."
Many of the warriors stared at her now.