"About ten miles down the road. She's a widow woman, lived alone out there for about fifteen years. They never had any children, so I worry over her."
"Maybe I could visit her. What is her name?"
"Cora Williams, she'd like that I imagine."
"Then I will visit her. Do you think she'd mind the fact that I'm a breed?"
"Not Cora, she's quite an independent thinker." He smiled at her. "I'll come back next week to check on Charlie. But maybe another time I'll eat with you. Keep an eye on Charlie, don't let him overdo." The doc winked at her.
"Thank you, doctor." She told him with a smile. "And thank you for understanding the truth."
"You take care Willa." He smiled.
He waved her goodbye.
She went in to see about Charlie and Elan. Elan was playing patty-cake with him now and Charlie was smiling ear to ear as he took his hands and clapped them together and sang the song.
"He is a nice man." Willa told him.
"Yes, one of the best in town." Charlie looked up at her.
"He did not think Elan was Clay's child."
"No, he wouldn't think such a thing. You know Willa when it comes to being a Christian some aren't too good at it, but the doc, he is real. He understands things that others don't. I guess because he is more educated and worldly than some."
"Even with our tribe the wise ones were always healers." She nodded, then looked at him with a smile. "I did not know you taught Elan to say 'Papa'. It is his first word."
Charlie eyed Willa for a long moment. "Willa, I've grown close to you both, so has Clay. And I may never get to see a grandchild, so humor me will ya. Elan is all I got now."
Willa smiled with understanding, "I understand Charlie."
"I been kind of hoping you and Clay would get together. You'd make him a fine wife." Charlie told her.
Willa's eyes widened, "It is not possible, Charlie. Clay is a friend, a good friend, but that is all. I would never presume anything like that between us. People would really think the rumors were true, then."
"But if you were married, it would all be legal and what could they say? Who would care what they say, we know the truth?"
"No, it is not right." Willa protested. "Marriage is for two people who love each other. It wouldn't work."
He
r words were hollow though, as her heart was not in them.
"Why not?"
"I'm Indian for one."
"Only half."
"Still, it is enough to cause problems."
"Is it just the problems that keep you from falling in love with my son?" Charlie asked, as he took Elan into his arms.
Willa wanted to confess her feelings, but she feared he'd already guessed them. It was better left unsaid. Unsaid things couldn’t be taken back.
Seeing he knew the truth she blurted, "I cannot speak of such things. It is not my place. I am a breed, and a breed does not allow what you speak of."
"I gotta feeling Clay likes you more than he's letting on. Just from the look in his eyes when he looks at you. And he does look Willa. Have you thought about wearing white women's clothes? I mean it would make it easier. People around here are slow to learn things, but if you wore a white woman's dress, they might be able to accept you more easily."