Tyler led Lindsey to the truck and helped her into the cab as Lindsey asked, "Where are we going?"
Tyler smiled at Lindsey's never ending curiosity. "We're going down to the barn to see Charlie, the man I work for. Then I thought we might go into town to see a few of my friends and relatives. That ok with you Sugar?"
Lindsey nodded her agreement with the plan. When they pulled up outside of a large barn, Lindsey followed Tyler out of the truck and into the building. She watched in confusion as Tyler led a horse from a stall and saddled him, "What are you doing? I thought we were here to see Charlie."
Tyler turned her attention from the horse to Lindsey, "We were, but he's not here. His truck is gone. He's probably in town right now, so I figure we could go for a ride." she could see the apprehension in Lindsey's face and smiled warmly at her, "Don't worry, this is King. He's one of my favorites. He is a great horse."
Lindsey accepted the hand being held out to her and tried to relax as she was lifted into the saddle. Tyler vaulted into the space behind her before reaching around her to grasp the reins, encasing her between her arms. Lindsey found herself slowly relaxing back into the solid strength of Tyler as the horse moved into a slow, gentle walk. Trying to ensure that Lindsey wouldn't have time to become scared, Tyler began to talk in a low, soothing voice about the time she had spent as Charlie's assistant. Lindsey became wrapped up in the story and was surprised when she noticed they had reached the town and were riding along the side of the road.
Tyler pulled the horse to a stop outside a small general store and asked, "I've got some people I'd like you to meet, if that's ok with you Sugar?"
Lindsey smiled and nodded before receiving a quick kiss from Tyler. She stiffened in the saddle when Tyler jumped down from behind her and was very grateful when she was lifted to the ground. Tyler caught her around the waist to steady her when her knees wobbled.
"Don't worry about that Sugar. Most new riders get weak in the knees." Tyler told her with a chuckle.
Once Lindsey was steady, Tyler led her into the front of the store. They had gotten only a few steps inside when the sound of small, running feet reached them. Tyler grinned and dropped into a crouch in time to catch the three small children that threw themselves at her. The four of them talked excitedly in Apache for a while until Tyler noticed that Lindsey looked utterly confused and a little lost. She stood and motioned to the kids around her, "These are Charlie's triplets. This is Clay, Jennifer, and Cameron." she pointed out each as she named them. Lindsey smiled warmly and introduced herself, "Hi. Its nice to meet you I'm Lindsey."
The kids smiled at her and the little girl suddenly turned to look at Tyler. She reached up and tugged sharply on her belt to get her to bend to her level. She whispered something in Tyler's ear which caused Tyler to begin to laugh. She turned the girl back to face Lindsey and told her, "Ask her yourself."
The little girl blushed and glanced up shyly through her lashes at Lindsey, "Are you E-Du-Tsi's girlfriend?"
Lindsey hesitated for a moment before she figured that if Tyler didn't want them to know, she wouldn't have allowed Jennifer to ask her the question. She turned her attention back to the little girl, "Yes I am."
The girl nodded then turned back to Tyler. They started to speak rapidly and forcefully in Apache. The other two kids seemed to have gotten bored and wandered off leaving Lindsey alone to puzzle out what was happening. She was confused as to why they were arguing, but she thought that it must have something to do with her because Jennifer kept pointing at her. Their disagreement was interrupted by an amused voice from behind them, "Tyler dear, you do know that you are arguing with an eight year, don't you?"
Tyler turned sheepishly to face the newcomer and shrugged. The woman looked at Lindsey then back to Tyler, "Well? Aren't you going to introduce me to your A-Da-Li-I?"
"She is not my A-Da-Li-I." Tyler shot the giggling Jennifer a withering glance to which the little girl stuck her tongue out at her before she walked away. The older woman laughed, "She isn't? She wears your De-Lv-Ne-Gv, does she not?"
Tyler nodded, "She does, but I have not explained the full meaning to her yet."
The woman stared hard at Tyler for a moment before realizing Lindsey was being ignored. She walked forward and took her hand, "Hello. You must forgive my bad manners. I am Alice. The three terrors you saw are mine."
They talked for a while longer before Tyler and Lindsey left so that Tyler could show Lindsey around. They rode up to the outside of a teepee and dismounted. Tyler held the flap open and followed Lindsey inside. Inside, seated in a semicircle, were several elder people. Tyler bowed deeply and spoke in a low respectful voice, "I would like to introduce Lindsey Willows. I ask that she be welcomed among us for the time that she is here, if it pleases the Council."
An old woman reached out a hand and Tyler nudged Lindsey forward. Lindsey walked towards the outstretched arm hesitantly. The old woman noticed her reluctance and laughed, "Do not be afraid. I will not bite."
Once Lindsey was within range the woman cupped Lindsey's face in her hands and studied her carefully. Lindsey noticed her eyes drop to the necklace she wore before the old woman spoke to Tyler.
She could not understand what was said, but she could tell that Tyler was trying to keep her voice even, though she was becoming annoyed by whatever they were discussing. Finally the woman released Lindsey and turned to the other elders in the room. She said something to them and all the men present rose and walked out. The last man had to basically drag Tyler out over what must have been objections. The only thing she understood were the words 'The gods are too fond of a joke.' before she switched back to complaining in Apache.
With the disappearance of her girlfriend, Lindsey became nervous. She started to fidget while the women around here spoke in Apache. The same old woman smiled at her, "Don't worry. You will come to no harm here. We just had to convince the stubborn one to leave us alone for the ritual."
Lindsey raised her eyebrows, "Ritual?"
The old woman nodded, though it was another that spoke, "You must bear her mark before you can be wed."
Lindsey practically squeaked. "Wed?"
The woman nodded, "The necklace you wear is like a an engagement ring in your culture. She told us that you did not know this, but if you wish to continue to wear it you must marry. If you don't want the wedding you will have to give the necklace back."
Lindsey hand shot up to cover the jewelry in question. Her thoughts were in turmoil. Was she ready for marriage? Sure, she loved Tyler, but marriage was a huge step. Tyler must love her deeply to have given her something that obviously meant so much.
Her thoughts finally calmed as she came to her decision, "What do I need to do for the ritual?"