Chapter 2
The church was decorated with as much white cloth as the community could gather. The Schultz family was large, and Greta was the eldest. A robust young woman with light brown hair and blue eyes, she possessed physical strength and mental toughness. Rocky and she together built their cabin, the two young people working easily as a team. It was far from the Moss cabin, Rocky trying everything in his power to prevent his sister's "misfortunes" from infecting his new wife and their expected family.
An hour before the service the Mosses arrived at the little church. Rocky stayed as far from Ivy as possible. Thus far he had avoided any physical injury, though his new shirt had popped two buttons. Milly had quickly resown them in place and the young man stood at the front of the church, careful not to spoil his new clothes.
A few minutes later Mingo stalked into the fort, a resigned look plastered on his handsome brown face. He had retied his necklace and belt, checked all the seams on his blue trousers, surveyed his boots for any signs of wear, and felt his black braids to see that they were tightly bound. Milly Moss saw him as he entered the church and bustled to his side.
"Injun! I'm so glad to see you are a man o' your word. I just knowed you'd be the one to watch out for my little Ivy." Milly slapped Mingo on the back. The tall Indian grimaced and bowed slightly from the waist. Ivy stood several feet away, her small hands clasped together. She was very pretty, her blonde hair braided and gathered on the back of her head, her new green calico dress matching her unusual ivy-green eyes. She smiled shyly at Mingo, who returned her smile with one of his own. He liked the girl, though he remained wary of her peculiar talents.
She slipped to his side and he stiffened, concentrating on avoiding physical injury. Her bright green eyes looked up into his and her light voice pleased him. "I don't really need someone to look after me. Mama just wants me to be safe. She knows that people don't like me."
"Miss Ivy, that's not true. It's not that people don't like you, it's just that……" Mingo's voice trailed away as he looked down into her innocent eyes. How could he explain so that she would understand and yet not feel hurt? Her eyes looked into his expectantly. He reached out a hand to pat her shoulder, then caught himself and dropped it to his side. She noticed the gesture and her bright eyes dimmed with pain. She hung her head and went to stand against the wall. Mingo tightened his lips in discomfort. He walked to stand beside her.
"You don't have to stand here, Mingo. I understand that you don't want to be close to me. And I don't blame you. I don't blame anyone." Her light voice quivered and her green eyes sparkled with tears. She whispered and Mingo leaned down to hear her. "Greta's afraid of me."
Mingo's face relaxed into sympathy. He steeled himself and reached for her hand. He squeezed it companionably, then released it and closed his eyes, ready for the calamity. But nothing happened. He slowly opened his eyes and glanced around the small church. Everything seemed in place. He frowned in puzzlement.
More people were entering the church and soon nearly the whole settlement was there. Rocky Moss was well liked, and the Schultz family was known to be industrious and prosperous. The minister walked up the aisle to the front of the church and stood beside Rocky. Then everyone stood as Greta slowly walked up the aisle. In her hands she carried a small prayer book and a bouquet of ivy. She looked happy, and Rocky reached out and claimed his bride.
After her son was pronounced a married man, Milly Moss strode to the front of the room. "Alright ever'b'dy, into the tavern for the celebratin'!" She hugged both her son and daughter-in-law in one embrace, then pushed them into the crowd. Beside Mingo Ivy dabbed her eyes and smiled at her brother. He thoughtlessly hugged her tightly, and when nothing happened Greta hugged her too. Pushed along with the throng, Ivy and Mingo arrived at the tavern together. Daniel wove his way through to Mingo's side. He leaned over, his green eyes twinkling.
"Mingo, you seem to be all together. How are you doin'?"
Mingo replied sotto voce, "I am all together, and I don't understand why. I've been beside Ivy for several minutes, and even touched her, and nothing happened. Maybe whatever it was is finished and she's normal now."
Daniel raised his eyebrows in doubt just as there was a crash from the bar. Everyone turned to look. Ivy stood still against the wall. Cincinnatus' red face appeared over the bar. "Sorry folks. I dropped one o' the whiskey barrels. There's still some in it if you want to come 'round the bar and get some."
Daniel and Mingo exchanged a relieved look. The fiddlers whispered together then swung into a lively reel. Rocky grabbed Greta's hand and they led the figure as the couples wove in and out. Mingo glanced at Ivy and was surprised to see a strange young man talking to her. He nudged Daniel.
"Who is that man talking to Ivy? He seems somewhat familiar but I don't know him."
"That's Philadelphia Banks. I think he was here when we got back after rescuing Ivy from Saugus last fall. We left soon after trappin' but Phil stayed here for the winter. He seems like a right nice boy, but he……. Mingo! He's got the same talents as Ivy. Everything near that boy breaks or falls apart. He's been stayin' in Yad's old cabin, and it's amazing it's still standing." The two men stared at Philadelphia's back. They could see Ivy's smiling face.
"Excuse me, Daniel, but I am being remiss in my guard duties." Mingo walked softly to Ivy's side. From across the room Daniel could see Mingo conversing with the young man. Then the youth reached for Ivy's little hand and together they stepped out onto the dance floor. Every couple near them scooted as far away as possible. It was a comical sight, an entire room of dancers squeezed into half the room and one couple twirling happily in the remaining half. Mingo's arched eyebrows rose in amusement.
Milly Moss trundled to Mingo's side. She slapped him on his shoulder, causing him to rock to the side before he caught his balance. "How're ya doin', Injun? My Ivy looks happy there, spinnin' round like a top. Who's the youngster you let drag her off?"
Mingo grimaced at the implied criticism. He cleared his throat. "The young man is Philadelphia Banks. He has been in Boonesborough for several months, waiting for the thaw."
"What's he do?" Milly narrowed her eyes and looked the young man over carefully.
"I am not privy to that information, Madam."
Milly looked up at Mingo, then slapped him again. "Where'd ya learn to talk thataway, Injun? You talk the King's English better'n one of them Lords or whatever." Mingo's patience was stretching to the breaking point, and from across the room Becky saw his expression and understood. She skipped to his side.
"Mingo, would you favor me with this dance? I don't think I've ever had the pleasure before."
Mingo looked down into her sparkling blue eyes and smiled gratefully. He slipped his arm around her waist, took her hand in his and spun gracefully into the figure. They finished the dance and Mingo supported her curtsey as he bowed gallantly. Then they exchanged a broad grin as Daniel came to claim his wife.
"Mingo, watchin' you dance that figure with your feathers and beads is a sight I don't think I'll be able to match anytime soon." Just as Daniel finished speaking Mingo's beaded necklace sprang apart and scattered beads in all directions. Mingo's eyes held Daniel's as beside him Becky's earrings dropped to the floor. All over the room objects fell. Men's belts popped open, women's bodices lost buttons. Daniel's shirt cuff launched a button several feet through the air. Together everyone in the room turned to stare at Ivy standing alone in the corner.
Rocky and Greta walked to stand beside the trembling girl. Greta's braids came unpinned and dropped around her shoulders. Beside her Rocky closed his eyes and gritted his teeth as three buttons popped off of his new shirt. Milly strode through the gathering and put her arm around her daughter's waist. The hem in her skirt suddenly released and several inches brushed the floor.
Cincinnatus behind the bar clutched the beer keg tightly. Three men standing at the bar held their mugs in both hands. A group of children, Israel included, stood off to the side holding their rock candy to their chests. The settlers nearest the door quickly exited the room, followed by nearly everyone else. Pushing, shoving, babbling, the throng vacated the large room.
Becky held her hand out to Israel who came wordlessly, his eyes never leaving Ivy's slender body. Daniel followed his family. Mingo stood several seconds, unsure what to do. Milly's voice dismissed him softly as she gathered her sobbing daughter in her arms.
Shaking his head, Mingo saluted Cincinnatus still holding the beer keg and trailed behind Daniel.