She paused and looked away, hesitant to continue. Johnny saw her nervous flush and took her hands back into his, noticing they had suddenly become chilled. Rubbing his thumbs over the back of her hands he gave a squeeze of encouragement. "It's fine Honey, you can have the new dress for the church dance. The stagecoach was in yesterday, I'm sure the General Store has some new fabrics."
His smile faded as he saw she was still looking away. "Was there something else you wanted?, he asked, his head tilting in puzzlement at her unaccustomed reticence.
Leaning forward, she kissed him on the cheek. "I love you Papa, thank you for the dress." Taking a deep breath, she continued quietly, "Papa, this year the Supper Dance is ladies choice where we get to invite our partner… I want to ask someone special to me, but Michelle said I should let you know before I do."
Unable to stop beaming at the realisation that his daughter had a beau, he ran several names through his mind as he asked, "And who's the lucky young man?"
Taking a deep breath, she continued quietly, "Papa, I want to ask Wolf as my partner."
"Wolf!" Unsure, thinking he had misheard, he repeated, "Wolf?"
Nodding, his daughter remained silent.
"Honey, he's... they... we… we don't socialise with them. We're different cultures. Damnit Kimberly, he's an Indian!"
"But he's also English Papa, he's only half Indian and I like him... Papa, I care for him."
"You care for him?" he thundered. "You don't even know him." But he could see by her sudden flush that perhaps this wasn't true.
Controlling his temper, he tried to sound regretful. "Honey look, I'm sorry, but it's just not possible, not right now with all the Indian unrest. The town won't tolerate an Indian at a social occasion, specially a church event."
"But Papa, he's not just any Indian, he's Wolf, everyone knows him. And listen Papa," she beseeched, "Everyone listens to you so if you show you accept him, the others will follow. Miss Chloe is organising this year's dance and she doesn't like hardly anyone, but I know she likes Wolf, so she won't mind. Please Papa, please say yes!"
"No, I'm sorry Kimberly, but it has to be no. You can't ask him to the dance and I don't want you spending time with him either. That isn't the life I've planned for you... look, your Aunt Carol has invited you for the Fall social season and I think that's what we'll do. I'll write and make the arrangements. You can then attend all the dances you---"
But Kimberly had pulled away in a fury. Stamping her foot she stormed, "You have no right to plan my life Papa! That's for me to do and I shan't be going to San Francisco either. Everything I want is right here. Everything!" And with that she twirled away and was gone, her sobbing the only sound until Johnny was left in total silence.
----
It was several more hours before Johnny was finally satisfied the Salazar preparations were in order and he was able to return home. He had stopped off at the jail tree to tell Ramon they would be leaving at 5pm but Salazar had refused to speak, merely rattled his chains in contempt. Johnny hoped part of the reward money would go towards building the town a jail. It was primitive to have to chain the prisoners to the trunk of the town's largest mesquite tree.
Disappointed that Kimberly wasn't home, he helped himself to some cold pie from the larder, hoping for her appearance. He knew he had mishandled this morning's encounter and he hoped that a calm discussion, with backup from Michelle, would help sway his daughter. Her independence and stubbornness were her strengths but they could also be equally destructive. The pie finished, he lay down on the bed, pulling the patchwork quilt up for comfort. Despite his worries, he was soon asleep.
He awoke sometime later with Michelle's hand sliding under his shirt, her breath hot in his ear. Rolling over, he pulled her with him & they laughed as they bumped noses, eager to kiss, to touch, to explore, to satisfy. Pulling back to help him off with his pants, she asked, "How did it go with Kimberly?"
"She left in tears; I'll need your help to make her see reason."
"Tears? What did you say to her?" Sitting back, she ignored that her dress was half off. Now her attention was fully focused on his words, not his actions.
Sitting up, Johnny pulled his shirt off and tried to reach for her dress as he said, "She wanted to ask Wolf to the dance and of course I said no. I'll write to Carol and ---"
"Why'd you say no? She really likes him Johnny, they're ---"
"You knew about Wolf? Damnit Michelle, why didn't you say something?"
"Because I just learnt of it myself, and anyhow, I'm not in the habit of running to you every time Kimberly does something. Furthermore, I see nothing wrong with them being together if that's what they want... so why did you say no?"
"He's an Indian Michelle, isn't that reason enough? And with the latest atrocities it's about open season on Indians right now. He'll never be accepted in Victory and I can't see Kimberly living on the plains in a tepee, can you?"
"Johnny, the town knows he has nothing to do with the Apache problems, also I think you're underestimating the power of your influence. I'm a Mexican whore, now don't look at me like that, it's true, and yet I'm accepted in Victory because I'm your wife. They respect you and it carries over to me, Mrs. Johnny Bauer. If Kimberly and Wolf are together they'll be accorded the same respect… Honey, you need to let them work things out for themselves. She only wants to dance with him, not marry him. If you try to dictate her life she'll resist and you'll end up losing her." No longer in the mood for making love, Michelle rose from the bed and straightened her clothing before leaving the room.
Johnny lay back on the bed mulling over her words. It all sounded so clear, so easy, but Johnny knew the world wasn't so clear cut. His heart ached at the thought of the obstacles his daughter, his baby, had erected for herself by following such a foolish path. Surely he had the right, no, the obligation, to clear away the hurdles? Yes, as soon as he returned from Catlin, he'd write to Carol.
Michelle didn't return to their bed and all too soon it was time to leave. A quick kiss for his wife, then Johnny lead his two horses down to the livery stables to collect the men. With Salazar tied to his mount, the group of seven left Victory.
----
It wasn't until several hours later that Michelle became worried and went in search of Kimberly. A cursory check of her room and the barn yielded nothing; it was only when Michelle returned to Kimberly's room that she noticed the slip of paper sticking out from under the pillow.
Dear Papa and Michelle
I've gone to be with Wolf.
I love you both very much but I'm a grown woman and need to lead my own life. Please don't worry about us, we'll be fine.
Love
Kimberly
