Westward Dreams by Linda Bridey Read Free Book Online

said.
                  “What do you mean?” Owl said and took a bite of bacon.
                  Jack told him Hannah’s story.
                  Owl frowned fiercely.  He hated any kind of deception and to treat a woman in such a way greatly angered him.  “He must be the man we saw near the bank. I was talking to her about doing a massage for me again and she seemed a little frightened when she noticed him.  I made it clear to him that I wasn’t going to let him bother her,” Owl said.
    ”
                  Jack said.  “Yeah, that sounds like him.  His name is Clive.  Sammi said he was bugging her the same day she gave you your massage.  She’s a very nice woman and deserves better than him.”
                  Owl nodded.  “Yes.  She’s pretty, too.”
                  Jack’s one eyebrow arched.  “You think she’s pretty?”
                  “Yes.  She is.  Don’t you think so?” Owl said.
                  “Yeah.  She’s attractive, I guess.  I didn’t really think about it.  Of course, I’m not attracted to her, either.  Oh!  Do you like her?” Jack said.
                  Owl said, “Yes, I like her.”
                  “No,” Jack said.  “Do you like her like a man likes a woman?”
                  Owl said, “She’s white.”
                  Jack frowned at him as he made a plate and sat down with Owl.  “What’s that got to do with it?  My fiancée is Lakota, so what’s the big deal?”
                  “Yes and that is a difficult situation, Jack.  You do realize that?” Owl said.
                  “Yeah, I know.  But we’re gonna work it out.  Sometimes when you want something so badly, you’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen.  It’s like that with me and Sparrow,” Jack said.
                  Owl thought about that and could see Jack’s point.  “I hope things work out for you.”
                  “Thanks.”
                  Owl didn’t say any more on the subject but he did think about it.  It had been a long time since his wife and son were killed and there were times when it still pained him.  It was one of the reasons he’d never remarried.  He didn’t want to experience that kind of loss again.  The other reason was that he hadn’t found anyone with whom he could imagine sharing a tipi.  He knew all of the women in camp and none of them really appealed to him.  He could have taken a wife, but he was interested in more than just someone to take care of him. 
                  He smiled as he thought about Hannah’s massage.  He’d never had anyone do that before and it had been an extraordinary experience.  Obviously she was skilled at performing the treatment.  Thinking about Clive’s actions towards her made him angry.  He wondered if she’d had any more trouble with him.
    Owl made up his mind to go see her.  He finished his food and thanked Jack for the meal.  “I’m going into town.  I’ll be back later,” he told Jack.
    “Ok.  See ya.”
     
    Hannah finished helping Doc stitch up a local farmer after an accident with a plow.
    When Doc was done suturing, Hannah dressed the wound and sent the farmer on his way.  She walked out to the waiting room to see who was next and was surprised to see Owl standing there.  She felt her pulse rate rise at the sight of him. 
                  He smiled at her.  “Hi.”
                  “Hi, Owl.  How are you?” she asked. 
                  “Good.  You have time for massage?” he asked.
                  The waiting room was empty so Hannah said, “Sure.  Come with me.”
                  He followed Hannah into an examination room.  She placed a blanket on the table there and said, “Lie