Read Riverbreeze: Part 2 for Free Online Page B

looked fierce and her eyes opened wide at what he was wearing. He had changed into unusual clothing that she had never seen anyone wear before; buff-colored, long trousers and a buff-colored, long-sleeved shirt of some sturdy-looking material. He was also wearing moccasins on his feet; they almost looked identical to the ones Owasewas was wearing. And that’s when she realized the clothes were made from deer hides, just like the moccasins. With his big hunting knife strapped around his waist, he looked quite savage.
    “Shut those dogs up!” He snapped.
    “I’m sorry.” She said, reining in the dogs. They finally settled down, looking curiously towards the three men. “I’m sorry, what did you say before?”
    “I said, what the hell were you two doing?” He glared pointedly at both her and Owasewas.
    She bristled at his tone and was about to talk back, but Owasewas beat her to it. “She wife?” He asked sharply, glaring right back at Robert with his piercing black eyes.
    “Yes, Owasewas, she is my wife.” Robert answered, emphasizing each word. He continued to stare at the Indian as if sending a message.
    She watched them in silence, wondering what was going on between them. It was clear that there was something not being said, something not for her ears, but deciding it was none of her business and not worth probing into at this time, she broke the tension between them by asking Robert, “Why are you dressed like that?”
    It seemed to take a few seconds before Robert realized she had spoken to him. He slowly broke contact with Owasewas and turned to her. “I have to leave for a while and I need you inside. Nathan will take the dogs to the small house.”
    Disappointment bloomed on her face. “You have to leave!” She cried. “We just arrived; today is our first day of marriage. And why can’t I bring the dogs into the house?”
    “Elizabeth!” He said sternly. “Do not argue with me. Come inside. Now!”
    That got her attention. Something serious must have happened.
    She studied his face. As much as she wanted to argue with him about the dogs, she decided this would not be a good time to do that. He had already saved the life of one of them; she couldn’t ask him to accommodate them further. And they weren’t going to be left outside or left with a stranger. She started to mount the steps when she remembered Owasewas. “Aren’t you going to invite Owas…?” Her voice trailed away embarrassingly as she felt like she couldn’t pronounce his name properly.
    But Robert didn’t need to hear the rest of her question. “No, I’m not.” He answered matter-of-factly. “He won’t come in the house anyway.”
    “What? That’s nonsense!” She exclaimed. “He’ll come inside if I invite him, won’t you.” She turned to Owasewas and even though he had a frightened look in his eye, she went up to him and grabbed his hand. She started to pull him with her to the steps.
    Owasewas tried to resist, shaking his head slightly. He looked to Robert for help and Robert finally said. “Elizabeth, stop. He won’t come in the house because he doesn’t feel comfortable. Just let him stay outside.”
    Elizabeth stopped, staring at Robert, then at Owasewas. She couldn’t imagine why the savage would feel uncomfortable in this house. It was a beautiful house. She hadn’t seen the inside yet, but didn’t think it was repugnant or anything.
    “I stay outside.” Owasewas said apologetically.
    “Oh.” She said, disappointed. “Well, if you’re more comfortable out here…”
    He nodded once or twice.
    “All right.” She capitulated, dropping his hand.
    There was a moment of awkward maneuvering as Nathan and Dolnick exited the house so that Nathan could take the dogs and Dolnick could retrieve the cargo from the boat and Elizabeth entered the house.
    Once the door was shut behind them, Robert took Elizabeth’s cloak and hung it on a peg on the wall. She took that time to look around. She was pleasantly