"Rider Comin', I think." Kid called out and jumped off the porch and ran towards the horse ambling towards him. He paused when he saw Ike and a woman walking on the far side of Taffy. "Ike! I thought something was wrong!" Kid called out.

*I made a new friend.* Ike said with a smile, *Could you take Taffy?* He said handing off the reigns.

"Sure. I'll tell Teaspoon you're back."

*Thanks.* Ike said then he turned and looked at Ton-a and said, *Do you want to rest before we go see Emma?* Ton-a simply shook her head and kept walking straight ahead. Ike watched her and could see the tension in her body building with each step she took. She stopped suddenly and Ike nearly walked into her as she turned his hands reached out to steady himself and he gripped her upper arms. He felt her tense and pull away and immediately he dropped his hands and stepped back giving her whatever room she needed to feel safe.

*Will you come in with me? I know I don't know you but I know you more than anyone else here and I know you understand my language.*

*Of course.* Ike said and watched as Ton-a breathed deeply and nodded her thanks. He led them to Emma's porch and knocked on the door and it was less than a minute before the door opened and a pretty red head in a white patterned shirt and blue skirt opened the door. "Ike. We were wondering where you had gotten to." She took in the young woman beside him with the yellowing bruise that covered not quite half of her face and was also about 5 months along and said, "Who's your friend?"

*She needs Buck.* Ike said by way of explanation

"He's not due back until tomorrow. Why don't you two come on in and let's see if we can't figure out what all is going on and how we can help." Emma said holding the door open. "Young lady if you're anything like these boys, I'm sure you're hungry. I'll fix you and Ike a plate and something to drink and we can talk in the kitchen."

*Thank you. I'm starving* Ike said smiling and signed to Ton-a what Emma had said. As they entered the kitchen Ike showed her where to sit and she sank gratefully into a chair and breathed out heavily.

"You poor thing. You sound exhausted. Have you been walking long?" Emma asked as she quickly put together 2 plates and brought them to the table. Ike translated and Ton-a nodded. Then looking at Emma she tapped her chest and said softly, "Ton-a".

Ike started to explain but Emma pushed his hands down and said, "It's lovely to meet you Ton-a. I'm Emma." And when she said her name she patted her own chest.

Hearing Emma's name aloud for the first time, Ton-a smiled and said the unusual combination of sounds, "Um-Muh" and followed by doing the sign for her that she and Ike had been using.

"Close enough." Emma said with a smile. She turned her head slightly and catching Ike's eye said, "Now you can translate, Ike." Ike smiled and his shoulders shook with silent laughter as he began to sign as Emma spoke to Ton-a.

"You're Kiowa?"

"Aho" Ton-a said as she nodded

"You're here looking for Buck?" again Ton-a nodded.

"Why?"

Ton-a's face scrunched up a bit as she thought of how best to answer. There was so much she needed to explain to Running Buck but she didn't know if she should tell it all to Emma and Ike. *Running Buck's brother, Red Bear, sent me. I asked to leave the village and Red Bear sent me to Running Buck.* she reached under the collar of her dress and pulled out a necklace, *He gave me this. I am to give it to Running Buck.*

"You asked to leave the village because of this?" Emma touched the side of her own face not wanting to hurt or scare the girl.

Ton-a dropped her head down as though ashamed. *I didn't know it was still so bad. I walked slowly, because of the child, so it took me longer and I hoped it would be gone before Running Buck saw. He will be upset at the shame I have brought.*

Ike immediately began to sign quickly while Emma, began talking both saying similar things, "No, Ton-a. Buck will not be upset with you."

*Buck won't be mad. He will protect you. We will protect you.* Ike realized he'd stopped signing Emma's words and switched over and began signing for Emma again adding in a hurried, *sorry.*

"Why would you think Buck would be mad at you?"

*I embarrass the Kiowa by letting white people see me like this.*

"Buck will be worried about you and nothing else." Emma started to reach over and take her hand but stopped when she saw Ton-a stiffen, and instead took the empty plate, as she stood and stepped away she saw the girl exhale and relax slightly and knew that there was a lot more the story than what she'd heard so far. "Why don't you stay here with me tonight and tomorrow when Buck gets back we can all talk and figure out what we can do to help you."

Ton-a shook her head *I can sleep outside. I am ok.*

*No.* Ike said, *Stay here, you need to be safe. You'll be safe inside with Emma and so will your baby.*

Emma watched the exchange between the two and her eyes glittered with a hint of a smile. "Ike's right. Plus Buck would be upset if we let anything happen to you or your child. He would want you to be warm and comfortable, he will want you here."

Ton-a nodded and signed, *Thank you* and then added aloud, "Emma"

Later that day Ton-a helped Emma with making dinner for the boys. The two women had a good time trying to make themselves understood using Emma's limited signs and Emma pointing to things and saying the words and Ton-a repeating the words, though sometimes this became confusing, such as when Emma pointed to a cup with tea in it and said cup and Ton-a then thought that the tea was actually the cup and it took a few minutes and a lot of laughing to clarify what Emma really meant.

Once everything was ready Emma put everything on platters and indicated for Ton-a to follow her and then picked up the platters and began to walk out of the house. Ton-a picked up the remaining dish and followed behind wondering where they were going when she saw Emma heading for what Ike called Riders home. Ton-a felt nervous but did not know what to do so she continued to follow. Everything in her screamed at her to stop but it was like she was tied to Emma and she just kept walking. Emma stepped inside and Ton-a took her first steps in and saw so many white men staring at her.

"Hau ne" Ton-a said in a terrified whisper and stepped back. "Hau ne" She said again the tears falling freely down her face.

Ike stood, remembering the phrase from when he and Buck shared a room at the mission school. He put up his hands showing they were empty.

"Ton-a?" Emma said worried.

Ike hit his chest hard and everyone stopped and looked at him. *Stop. Please. No one move. Please. Don't say anything. Let me talk to her. Please*

Ton-a's eyes were wide as she continued to step backwards, until she tripped over the leg of the chair on the porch and screamed.

Slowly Ike stepped out to the doorway and kneeled down. *You're safe now* He watched Ton-a as she pulled herself into a tight ball. He kept a safe distance from her as he repeated himself. *You're here waiting for Running Buck, Red Bear sent you, so you would be safe.*

Ton-a began to shake. Ike looked back at the doorway and tried to imagine what she had seen that scared her so. What caused her to remember a nightmare this bad. Then he remembered her question, no boys? And things began to fall into place. *I know that's a lot of white men but they won't hurt you. They will protect you. We are Running Buck's family. You are safe with us.*

Ike watched as slowly his words began to sink through her terror and memories. He saw her breathing even out and remembered the nights at the mission school when Buck's would do the same and knew they were past the worst.

*Are you hungry? Do you want to eat out here?* Ike asked thinking how he can keep her calm but also get past this part. *I guess you're probably not used to spending all day in a wooden house.*

Ton-a shook her head no as her body relaxed. She scooted slightly so she was on the edge of the porch with her feet touching the ground and breathed deeply. She looked at the stars and then around to see the horses and chickens and a donkey watching them. She breathed again. She looked up and saw Ike sitting still in the doorway watching her his head cocked to the side and she nodded, *Food might be good. Outside would be better. Thank you Ike.* she said beginning to feel like herself again.

Ike nodded and stepped slowly inside and got two plates from Emma and came back out. He handed her one and then sat down with his back against the house wall.

"Ike?" Emma called softly, "Would the two of you like company?" Ike automatically translated for Ton-a.

She breathed deeply again and then looked around and realized she was safe. She looked at Ike and knew she had never been in danger and nodded. Ike snaked his hand around the doorframe and signaled for them to come out. Slowly and quietly the others joined them, spreading themselves out along the porch giving Ton-a space but company. Slowly different conversations started and dinner became it's normal loud affair with everyone talking over each other, laughing and teasing.

Ike for his part sat silently and ate. His eyes on Ton-a, watching over her and making sure she was ok.