Gabriel Bishop Winter

The family were waiting fer 'em when Nicholas showed up in the early afternoon settin' Candy in a well-oiled saddle n matching saddle bag: his carbine were sheathed in the same worn leather next to them. Gabriel had sent him ahead to let 'em all know it mite be near dark before they arrived. He felt what a conquerin' hero must feel like in the books he read back east. He saw relief in their happy eyes, Teena's damp one's searchin' far behind him.

They all wanted to know everything...

It was several minutes before Nicholas got to his mother and father waitin' quiet outside their now heavy doored home. After handin' his younger brother Candy's reins he went n hugged his mother first, then brushet by his father's extended hand to share a hug with him too.

"You are well my son?"

"I am Papa."

He hugged his mother again n then reached for his sister Faustina. Taking both her hands in his, he looked first at her n then around to the rest of the family.

"We are having a Indian girl join us..."

He thought of the words Gabriel had asket him to share.

"...She is here to help our family. She will teach us things we ALL need to learn. Her name is Little Flower."...

*

Gabriel walked next to Little Flower, Acorn replacing Candy tied to the back of the buckboard. Touchin' her hand, he lifted his hand to 'is forehead ta look as if he were searchin' in the distance.

"Look."

He pointed to his mouth n acted like he was chewin'.

"Eat."

Little Flower never slowet leadin' the ox n buckboard. She reached out to touch Gabriel Bishop's arm.

"I-I teach... Thins w-we need... Eat..."

Gabe was gob smacked.

"T-thank you Little Flower."

The deep copper skinned face n high cheek bones smiled softly.

"Y-you - are - w-welcomed."

"I-I did not know..."

He pointed at her.

"... you speak English."

The smile grew as she spread her fore finger n thumb a touch.

"S-some."

She pointed at him.

"You say..."

She sucked at her thin lower lip, her hand waving close between them.

"...W-we c-close home."

The smile widened when he noddet his head.

"Yes, of course."

He saw the question in her eyes. He nodded his head.

"Yes, Little Flower."

They walked the rougher, newer trail in silence. When the near hidden entrance to the valley opened, he stopped.

"We are close now."

She nodded her head n pullei the ox to a stop. With out a word, she handed him the long-folded reins. Takin' 'em, Gabriel watched as she went to the back of the buckboard, patted Acorn's shoulder n reachet for the only thing she had brought with her: a rolled-up tite n tied buffalo hide.

Spreadin' it over the opened back of the buckboard, she took what turnet out to be a rolled-up sky blue dress, a carved bone comb and two matchin' shiny blue ribbons. Spreading her few possessions, she undid her wide, lightly bead decorated belt n loosenet the ties on each side of her buck skin dress.

In a quick move that near startled Gabriel Bishop, the soft tannned leather were raiset up n off the now near nude girl. Gabriel quickly noted this was not a girl at all, but a young n very well shaped woman. He stared as she shook out the dress, her nicely shaped breasts n their dark tips wobblin' ever so slightly. A touch smaller then his wife Teena's, they were every bit as beautiful. Her narrow waist topped her slender hips n soft lookin' thighs, the thin wispy hair twixt 'em hair barely coverin' the dark edged entrance to her body. The openet back gate hid the rest of her legs n knee high, knife holdin' moccasin's.

When the sky-blue material were smoothet to her liking, she slipped the cotton material over her head n once again coveret her slender copper shaded body. She now looket at Gabriel n smiled as she reached for the bone comb n slippin' it down the middle of her head, separated her hair into equal shares. The comb slid slowly through her hair until she took a blue-ribbon n gathered the unbraided pig tail before tyin' it in a small, long ended bow. Her smile only widened as she repeated the same chore with the other side of her head. The slack jawed Gabriel were watchin' a bit closer then he probably should've. After rerollin' the hide, buck skin dress n comb inside, she walket back to the unblinkin' man.

"I-I mmm... r-ready..."

She passet her hands over her before taking the long reins back.

"O-okay?"

It took Gabriel Bishop a moment before slow noddin' his head.

"Y-yes Little Flower. You are very p-pretty."

She smiled again before tuggin' at the ox's reins...

*

The family chattered, Nickie tryin' to answer their questions whilst they went about fixin' the supper that'd been planned fer their return. He noticed Faustina kept at her hair with the worn brush they all mostly shared. His father paced, stoppin' every now n then to ask this or that; more n one question about the comin' new arrival. Nicholas answered what he could, but truth be told it, weren't much.

They heard the buckboard 'fore seein' it through the towering ash n evergreen trees. They all quick looket at their mama before rushin' towards the slow coming sound.

It were Joseph that pullet up first, stoppin' when he first saw 'em. Gabriel looket the same, but the Indian girl they heard about looket nothin' like they'd all whisperet about n expected. Her long, dear skin colored hair were as straight as Acorns tail with bright blue ribbons gatherin' it in two halves over her ears. A pretty, long sleeved dress that reached near the top of her moccasin covered feet matched those ribbons. She looked to be quiet n shy, her eyes only liftin' as her n Gabriel neared.

Button broke first for her sister's husband (though she never really slowet trying to catch up with the rest of them). The others started to follow. A line formet to hug Gabriel as their eyes searched the new arrival. It were Barbra that moved closer to Little Flower while Teena steppet back a bit just lingerin' n watchin'.

"Welcome Little Flower."

She paused, lookin' at Gabriel. With a lifted hand from Buttons head, he motioned Barbra forward. Little Flower looket at the wide smiling man too. He winket n nodded. The nervous girl slid her hands around the slightly taller one who hugged her.

"My name is Bar-ba-ra."

"T-thank y-you."...

*

Salvadore Tarantella, sittin' the head of table with his wife Francesca on his left n Little Flower on his right, marveled at his returning son n Gabriel Bishop. His oldest daughter were finally settin' next to her man after Gabe had taken her hand to make her sit. His oldest had been flutterin' around like a bird with a broke wing, not sure what to do er how ta act. The newcomer on his right was' bout Nick's age. He wonderet about her smilin' green eyes as she looket at each n every askin' face as she answeret what she could understand. Sal had asked his more n once to slow down their words, but it only took minutes 'fore the fast askin' questions startet again.

It were quick past time they should've finishet their supper.

"Gabriel, what news do you have from the Fort?"

Mario started to ask Little Flower another question. A quick pinch from Francesca silenced the boy.

"Two more wagon trains passed through since we left fer here. There's thoughts that they mite slow a bit, even stop with the comin' new railroad."

"New railroat?"

"Seems their buildin' one across the whole country from the Mississippi River to California. They 're startin' from both directions: meetin' somewhere's in the middle I'm told. It'll take maybe less than a week after they finish to git from here to there 'cross that part of the country."

"I can not beelief that."

"Progress Papa."

"The country... It is gettin' better."

Gabriel looked at his father-in-law.

"It'll take some time. No tellin' 'bout the what's and if's. Seems to me we got lucky findin' this place n not havin' to cross the Rockies, us makin' our own lives here."

The older man nodded his head.

"That is true..."

Sal didn't like the shaded look that quick passed over Gabriels face.

"We need finish with supper. That buck board needs emptyin'."...

*

It were near two-weeks that things settled pretty close to what they were: less than that it were quietly thought that Little Flower would be stayin' even after the winter.

Like Gabriel Bishop, she just fit.

Her English was fast becomin' more natural, all the children helpin' 'er with it n Little Flower acceptin' their help, just like they were acceptin' her teachin's on things that needet to be done as the color started fillin' the trembling ash trees.

Gabriel spent a lot of his time huntin' after Little Flower makin' it plain they didn't have enough food to make it through a long winter. He were told not to bother with small game: deer n bear n elk bein' what was needed. Nicholas were happy cuttin' n help buildin' the large dryin' racks the mostly smilin' gal taught 'em to make. There were always wood cut to keep the low fires dryin' the thin sliced meats n collected berries set close on flat rocks. If you wanted Nicholas, you mostly looked for Little Flower.

Francesca took some convincin' that there'd be plenty of time for makin' the new clothes that family was needin' from the many supplies Gabriel had fetched back from Fort Laramie. She loved the new brush n comb set he gifted her: a small set of combs were gave to the girls.

Instead, she were renderin' the fat of the fresh killet game. By mixin' dried n crushed meat n sometimes berry's with the thick liquid n then let dry, she made Pemmican: a long lastin' Indian staple. Extra rendered fat were stored away in the dried bellies n such of those same animals. Little Flower made sum Pemmican from the liver of the fresh killet game n addet some dried herbs, storin' it away special for Teena n the growin' child inside 'er.

Barbra n Little Flower had grown especially close, the fast learnin' sister often finishin' what they started when she weren't sheppardin' the younger children as they collected wild potatoes n gatheret berries outta eyesight of the homestead. Even bones were dried n saved fer makin' broth.

Sal made the long trips to gather clay n sand to mix with driet grass to seal every inch inside the stone-built house under the small cliff. He'd been waitin' on Nickie as they finishet the cross slotted windows. He still had things he could teach his neared growet son. Gabriel had to keep his sometimes wanderin' mind close, though the bad were slow bein' replacet by Teena... N memories of Little Flower's quick changin' her clothes: N his new family too.

The first lite snow followet the two weeks of sometimes frost becomin' regular. Most the fallen ash leaves were collectet, set here n there after squeezin' as much as they could into n around the shed. The horses n mule were smart enough to forage under the snow when the winds mite let 'em. The ox didn't share that gift. The first real snow brought their last efforts to cut wood n store what were left of the driet or still dryin' meat.

It were time to close up their home n settle inta the comin' winter.

*

Those first snows were wet, easy to pack to make paths to the shed n the privy. But it weren't long before the snows started growing. Wind set drifts here n there, coverin' the stumps of cleared trees. Gabriel took some time to learn to walk proper in one of the sets of snowshoes Little Flower made. The other ones were gifted to Sal n Nicholas.

Many of things the family learnet to do were now makin' sense.

The children were busy with their daily chores fore playin' with their hand made toys n Sal made Bilbo's. The hand carved cup on a handle had a fair piece of woved tite string pushed through the carved n smootht ball. They'd take turns swingin' the ball n catchin' it in the cup. Tiny sacks fillet with sand were tried to be kept in the air without using their hands: a favored game Little Flower taught 'em.

The ladies sewt, Button learnin' the task by makin' clothes fer her doll and one hand me down from her oldest sister. All the girls wanted the same knee-high moccasins as Little Flower weart. Layerin' clothes under animal hide kept 'em warm when need had 'em leavin' their warm home.

Nicholas regular checket several close by snares n tended the ox when wind n snow would allow it. Now were the time fer a food searchin' rabbit or a squirrel er two. Gabe were more then restless, bein' holet up in the house. Nickie always had the same answer.

"I'd rather it be you lookin' for me then me lookin' for you Gabriel."

Little Flower would sometimes follow Nicholas close when he did some things. No one said much, but the smilin' faces around 'em could turn Nickie's face near red. Gabriel Bishop would often wander a bit, layered clothes under the buffalo hide coat Little Flower made fer 'im. She'd taught 'im to read the Wyoming Territory skies, askin' him to repeat back to her when snow er worse were coming. Faustina would fuss when he'd go close huntin', him always promisin' to go no further than half a day's walk. He'd kiss her cheek n pat her ever growin' tummy.

"I'll not take chances Darlin'."

N he seldom did...

*

Though held close together inside their new home, the family always had somethin' to do, even if it were jist listenin' to the stories Little Flower told. It weren't long until Sal n Francesca startet with stories about their own histories: tales about Italy n their massive church's n stone streets n them crossing the wide deep blue Atlantic Ocean. Gabriel didn't have much to share 'cept a few tales of his mother, father n three sisters on the farm he growed up on...

It were accepted that Salvadore n Mama might huddle close er Gabriel n Teena mite go for a short walk when the weather were calm, though Gabe would make such a fuss over Teena it often brought out her sharp tongue. The children were always together when venturin' outside the adobe covered stone walls that were part of the carved out inside under the cliff 's overhang. Everyone tended the fire, keepin' it low but steady warmin' the inside.

It were during a six-day storm, the wind steady howlin outside, that Little Flower, sided by Nicholas n standin' in front of the fire, spoke to the family.

"I-I am wishing to stay with you, even after the winter... If y-you will have me..."

The low 'hushs' silenced the quick answerin' children.

"...I would l-like to take new name, as m-many do in our tribe, when life change."

She looket hard at Gabriel n then Salvadore.

"T-these things must bee... d-decidet... by the chief n elders."

She glanced at Nicholas. He put his hand on her shoulder.

"Little Flower would like to be called Violet, same as the purple flowers in the spring."

She gnawed at her lower lip as he spoke, then startet again.

"I feel like daughter to - to Salvadore and Francesca. Like sister to Teena, Barbra n Button... Josep n Mario, like brothers... Gabriel like Chief Spotted Tail. Strong, brave, wise... All are kind with me."

In the short silence that followed, Sal looket at his wife n then at Gabriel.

"We woult welcume you as our daughter Little Flower."

She turned her wettin' eyes to Gabriel. He stood as he looket back at 'er.

"Your name will be as you want it to be Violet. I am even more proud to have you in our family then Spotted Tail was to have you in his."

He opened his arms to the fast-coming young woman. Wrappin' her arms around him, she buried her face into his chest. He kissed the top of her head.

"Welcome Violet."...

*

Things inside the thick stone walled home were not always easy. It often took a strong word from a just as flustered Salvadore to settle the sometimes quick, short words. As Teena's small waist grew, her patience did not. After snappin' fer no reason at Violet, it were her mother that took her hand n led her outside into the soft fallin' snow n bitter cold.

"That girl's as much part of dis family now as anee one Faustina. She save us like Gabriel."

She waved her finger hard at her shocked daughter, her freezen breath washin' over her daughter's face.

"Never again Faustina!"

The two stepped quick back inside. No one said a word. Teena, blowin' into her cupped hands looket around n then hurried to a wet eyed Violet.

"F-forgive me sister..."

*

It were early April before the birds began singin' their songs, then chasin' each other n buildin' their nests. Gabriel Bishop started huntin' before the snow even startet to melt. He'd walk a bit father now, noticin' the game mite be plentiful but not much were worth takin'. It were the Sioux way as Violet had schooled 'im. The family had plenty food: no one went without. Yet they all wanted fresh meat. It were that time of year caution were the first thought. Grizzley n black bear were competin' fer the same food after a long winter. Deer n the few elk left had need too. Gabriel had happened onta more than one scattered boned n what was left carcass, proof they'd been lucky not havin' to deal with wolves.

He had more luck in the fast runnin' stream fore they split off into the sometimes creeks. Fish were plentiful, though with their minds on other things, not as easily caught as they'd be later in the spring. Trout n the occasional bass were loved near as much as the chubby, early huntin' black bear he claimed from deep inta the back of the valley.

He were gone near two days that time, Tenna givin' 'im a tongue lashin' that sent the entire family out into the chilly spring evenin' til she unwound. It weren't two days later she gave birth to their first son: Gabriel Salvadore Bishop.

Even in the slow meltin' snow there were plenty to do.

Ash n an occasional 'in the way' evergreen were felled, the ash preferred because it were easier made ready for buildin' n such. The evergreens were let be fer the wide, light green cover they offered. Stumps were pulled from the rich leaf fed soil, the ground turnet for mostly corn n a few other crops.

Salvadore spent a lot of time buildin' forms for the adobe brick he were goin' to make fer his grandson's new home; they'd be added to the top of a stone foundation n twixt the stone-built columns for supportin' beams...

*

It were late in the quick coolin' evenin', well after dinner n a long day's labor: Nicholas asked to speak with his parents n Gabriel... 'Alone please'. His parents n Gabriel knew why. They'd already discusset the coming ask long ago. It were decidet that it would be Gabriel that would deal with the young man's questions and then Sal giving their blessing. All three figured to act surprised when the time came.

"Mama, Papa... Gabriel."

The young man stood ram rod straight, hands held behind his back trying to control the tremblin' in his fingers.

"I-I've come to care for Violet very, very much."

Sal scratched at his beard.

"She is yur sister now, no? You shoult care for her."

Francesca lightly slapped her husband's thigh. The red slow deepenet in the young man's face.

"M-more then that Papa."

His feet shifted in his worn n stitch repaired boots. His dark eyes searched each of their faces.

"W-we want to get married Papa."

"Married!"

Francesca looked hard at her husband. Her husband looked wide eyed at Gabriel. The grey eyed man slow stood up.

"Why's that Nicholas."

This were a question Nicholas did not expect. He knowed their mite be trouble, her bein' half Indian. Neither one of 'em cared. They were safe here n wantet to stay in this valley, with their family. There'd be no side way looks here. No harsh words.

"I-I love 'er. Like you love Teena."

Gabriel shook 'is head, meetin' Nicholas's questionin' wide openet dark ones.

"Why Nicholas? I think she's more n pretty. We all know she's a good young gal. She'll make a fine wife someday. Why now?"

Nicholas struggled fer the words, his thoughts all jumblin' up in 'is head.