exactly what heâs doing, and heâs brought in some sound advisors, from what I can tell.
In her earlier years, first in New York, then in Denver, she had been a rising star in the investment banking community and was known to have done some creative investment deals and made a very comfortable income in the process.
As you advised, she continued, I did get on my horse and go see Leonard. We had a long talk and he laid out the structure of the tribal trust and the conditions on its use he got the tribal council to adopt. Itâs a pretty solid arrangement and should carry them for a couple of generations or more. I suggested some provisions for individuals to cash out at current dollar terms. But if they do, they forfeit participation in the future proceeds. A few of them, a couple of the young hotheads, are taking off. But it looks like the large majority are sitting tight.
He nodded. Thatâs what Iâd hoped. Itâd be a shame if they fell apart and started quarreling.
She took a drink of the Jameson and said, You been down to see Two Hawks lately? She knew that he did so from time to time, and there were very few secrets on the reservation. I hear heâs still very respected, even among the younger ones.
He nodded again. Yeah, I dropped in on him. But we didnât get into the money stuff.
She waited.
His large glass was now half empty, the ice melting quickly. Itâs strange, he said finally. After Iâve spent an hour or so with him, Iâm kinda lighthearted, or as much so as I ever was. And I have aâdonât laugh, nowâI have a really powerful feeling about the spirits at work in the natural world. Heâs got some strong medicine inside him. Sheridan gestured toward his heart. Iâve never understood it, but itâs always like that. Far be it from me to declare whoâs holy and whoâs not. But if anyone is, that old man is.
She got up, looked in the oven, and brought the whiskey bottle back to the table. She poured the width of a finger or two in each. This was the hour she treasured with Sheridan. Presently, she said, I went to see him too, Daniel.
He looked surprised.
I have a number of times, she continued. Pretty much for the same reason as you. Itâs very hard to explain and Iâd never even try with anyone but you. Donât worry, she said, we donât talk about you.
This was largely, but not totally, true. She and Two Hawks never discussed Sheridan by name. But they both referred to âour friendâ from time to time and walked carefully around his soul.
Caroline got up and brought plates and old silver to the table. He is holy somehow, she said. You couldnât explain this to anyone who hadnât known him a long time. It just sounds like some kind of Hollywood Indian talk. But he is. Iâm pretty much awestruck when Iâm with him. And like you just said, you come away better andâ¦I guessâ¦healthier, somehow.
Youâre the healthiest person I know, Sheridan said. She laughed. He said, No, I really mean it. Youâre always on an even keel. I havenât seen you mad inâ¦well, a pretty long time. You seem content with what youâve got. He smiled, Am I wrong?
She shook her head. No, youâre not wrong. Iâve been luckier than most. Ingratitude is a sin, and not one Iâm about to commit. She took a large sip of whiskey and looked evenly at him. She stood up again and said, I save my sins for other things. She removed a baked chicken from the oven and brought it and a pan of roasted potatoes to the table. This going to be enough? she asked.
Beggars canât be choosers, Sheridan said. Well, now Ms. Missionary Lady, we going to have a prayer meeting or should I carve this bird? He started carving without waiting for a response.
Didnât mean to wander off into theology, Caroline said. Itâs just that Iâm grateful for all that I have⦠She hesitated, then laid a
Laura Lee Guhrke - Conor's Way