Read Providence for Free Online Page B

Smokey bounding after. He shook his head, knowing that the boy’s
heart lay with ranching, not farming. Sighing, he took his own snack from Nana,
kissed the top of her head, and turned to make his way to the barn.
    ***
    The sun was just rising above the
hills in the east, bathing the land in reds and pinks, lighting the few wispy
clouds with a golden glow as Nana approached the kitchen porch. Something
caught her eye. A jacket, not one she recognized, lay draped over the outer
rail. On closer inspection, she could clearly make out blood stains. Clutching
her heart, she froze. Fearing to go any further, she stared intently at the
windows, as though they would give up the secrets hidden within the house, but
they remained mute, giving no testimony to what might lie within.
    After what seemed an eternity,
she found the strength to move. Turning she ran to the barn where Jake was busy
with the horses. Gasping and nearly fainting from fear and exertion, she
collapsed inside the large front door.
    “What in God’s name....”
    “Kate - the house - a jacket....”
    Not able to make any sense of her
tangled words, fearing for her health, Jake knelt down trying to comfort the
old woman he loved so deeply. “Nana, please, stop, take a deep breath.”
    “No! Go - Kate - in trouble,”
gasped the frightened woman.
     ***
    “Oh, dear Lord.” Jake ran from
the barn. As he approached the house, caution over took him. He stopped, trying
desperately to assess the situation. The kitchen door opened and Kate appeared,
safe. Her face ashen, she motioned him to be silent, then beckoned to him. He
walked slowly up the stairs, questioning her with his eyes.
    Looking back over her shoulder,
she spoke quietly. “There are three Comanche in the kitchen.”
    “But they’re supposed to be down
to Fort Sill. How...”
    “I don’t know. They said they
lost some ponies, they’re tracking them. One is hurt, shot in the arm. He’s
just a boy. I’ve fixed him up as best I know how, fed the others, and now we
wait.” Her eyes were weary, frightened. “I’ve told them you’d be coming. I
think it’s best if we go on with our normal routine, don’t let them think we’re
scared; though God knows I am.”
    Jake nodded soberly.
    “Perhaps you best send Mrs.
Insley home?” Kate suggested.
    “I believe that might be best.”
    ***
    As Kate watched Jake head to the
barn to care for Nana, a choked scream and a series of semi-ferocious puppy
growls and yips erupted from the house behind her. Jo! Oh, Lord, protect
her, she thought briefly, turning and running to the kitchen. The scene
that met her eyes gave her pause. Jo was standing in the doorway, wide eyed,
mouth gaping. The pup was before her barking and growling in her best imitation
of a watch dog. The two men still sat at the breakfast table, now just as
wide-eyed and startled as Jo. Kate calmly strode across the room, heart still
pounding, scooped up the pup in one arm and Jo in the other.
    “Jo, we have guests this morning.
I’d like you to meet Tochoway and Mahseet. Their friend, Nocona was hurt, and
needed our help.” Turning to the men at the table, Kate continued, “This is my
daughter, Jolene.” She said setting Jo down. “And this is Candy,” indicating
the small brown bundle that she quickly placed outside.
    Jo looked at her mother, then
back to the table, and finally to the young boy on the pallet. “But, momma,
they’re....”
    “How about some breakfast, Jo.
The men will be in from morning chores soon, and there’s a lot to do today.”
Kate said brightly, as though nothing out of the ordinary were taking place.
    “Yes, ma’am,” the girl replied,
shyly taking her place on the far side of the table.
    Tochoway who spoke English, and
was the natural leader of the group, eyed the little girl with mirth. “Pretty
girl. You not know Indians?”
    Jo shook her head slowly, staring
at the large man.
     “Well, Jo, I believe this
is the first time I have ever seen you at