Once out the door, Matthew paused beside the corral. Sabbie paced back and forth, greeting him with a robust snort and toss of her head. The mare trotted to him and butted the fence with her broad chest. When he reached over the top rail, Sabbie nibbled up his arm, her way of giving kisses. "I love you, too, girl," he said, running his hand down her neck and over her shinny red coat, "but Jesse's on his own today. I've got things to work through."
Since childhood, he discovered he had a special way with animals. Somehow, he sensed their needs, understood their fears. His ability to tame even the wildest creature baffled Jesse. Naomi and White Feather said it was a gift from the spirits. He drew his hand to his forehead and touched the fur-like mass above his brow. Maybe what he saw as a curse was his talisman.
The mare hiked her long black tail and raced to the shed and back, kicking up a cloud of dust and snorting her disapproval. The animal's reaction sparked a twinge of guilt, and Matthew gave serious consideration to changing his mind and going to help Jesse. Skinning animals and re-setting the traps alone would not be easy. Like Wolf, age had weakened Jesse's muscles and slowed his pace. More and more he depended on Matthew for help. He shook his head and held his resolve, thinking it best not to rush things between them. Given time, they would work through their problems.
He cut across the clearing and headed on foot into the mountains. The long climb to the pond energized him. With each step, he drew in the cool scent of pine, expelling the air with a whoosh, like bellows fueling a fire. His muscles stretched and tightened as he met the challenge of the steep incline. Not until he caught a glimpse of the pond shimmering in the bright sun did he slow his pace.
He expected to see Wolf before now. This morning she was nowhere in sight. Nor did he see his other illusive companion. Pausing to catch his breath, he continued his search. Following a familiar path, he spotted his furry friend. She moved toward him, ears laid back and lips twitching. Matthew took stock of his surroundings. What he didn't see or hear put him on edge--no chatter of birds, no sing-song chirping of crickets, no croaking of frogs. The uncanny silence ignited a surge of adrenalin, causing his heart to race.
"Wolf, come here, girl," Matthew called, a ring of urgency in his voice. He moved forward with trepidation, anticipating the unknown. The crack of a branch startled him, and Wolf bolted into the brush. Several yards ahead a silhouetted figure stepped from behind an enormous fir tree. Recalling his near-fatal encounter with the trapper, Matthew stepped back, wary of the stranger. Like an icy finger, fear snaked its way down his spine. "Who are you?"
The mysterious stranger answered. "I heard you were weird looking. Didn't know you were also touched in the head. Who you talking to? Ain't nobody here 'cept you and me."
Something about the voice sounded familiar. When the intruder drew near, recognition seeped in.
"I see you remember me. Yeah, I'm the one you ran into at Doc Clayton's place? Name's Daniel."
Matthew nodded. "My name's--"
"I know who you are. Doc called you Matthew."
"Sorry about bumping--"
"I didn't come here for no apology." Daniel edged closer, scrutinizing Matthew's face. "What you trying to hide?"
Before Matthew could react, Daniel reached out and grabbed the eye patch. "What the hell?" he said, reeling back on his heels. "You are part wolf! I ain't never seen hair like that on anyone. Bet you got a wolf's eye behind that flap of skin, too." Daniel threw the patch to the ground and wiped his hand down the front of his shirt, as if Matthew's affliction might somehow rub off on him.
"I ain't no wolf," Matthew snapped. "I was born this way. Otherwise, I'm just like you."
"Like me? Now I know you're crazy." Daniel stepped closer, his face inches from Matthew's. "Yeah, Rachel would feel sorry for the likes of you. She's that kind of person. Guess she figured she hit the jackpot when she saw you. But I'm here to tell you it ain't gonna happen. She's my girl, and I don't want you around her. If you don't stay hid up here, you'll be sorry."
Matthew sized up Daniel. A few inches shorter and several pounds heavier, he looked fit enough to take on a bear. Right now Matthew had a bear raging inside of him. Daniel had no business telling him what to do. If he came here looking for a fight, he'd get one. No one was going to deny him a chance to meet with Rachel.
"You don't understand," Matthew said. "Rachel and I share something special. We--"
Daniel's fist struck with such fury that Matthew's feet left the ground. He landed on his back, knocking the breath out of him. As Matthew gasped for air, Daniel stood with legs apart, glaring down at him.
"You and Rachel share nothing. You keep away from her. You got that? Get up. I ain't finished with you."
Matthew's head pounded from the blow, but a quick brush of his hand through his hair told him his wound wasn't bleeding. He rolled onto his knees and pushed up. In the next instant, he sprang forward, launching himself feet-first into Daniel's stomach--something he had learned from White Feather.
Daniel, caught off guard, stumbled backwards and slammed against a tree. As he plucked a piece of bark from his scalp, blood covered his fingers. "Damn you!"
Daniel let rip a blood-curdling yell, charged forward, and buried his head in Matthew's stomach, driving him to the ground. They locked arms and legs, rolling over and over.
Matthew broke free and scrambled to his feet.
Daniel pulled his knife from his scabbard and crouched for another attack. With a menacing grin, he weaved the blade back and forth.
"You got a knife," Daniel growled, glancing down at Matthew's leg. "Pull it." He inched closer and closer, each step a prelude to disaster.
"No. I'll fight you, but not with weapons. I don't want to kill you."
"You kill me?" Daniel's sinister laugher echoed down the slopes. He jabbed then swung the knife at Matthew as if to slice him in half.
Matthew dodged each attempt. His quickness frustrated Daniel, who charged forward, determined to land a blow.
"Hold still you son-of-a--"
Matthew feinted to right, and Daniel lunged in that direction. Then Matthew stepped aside, grabbed Daniel's wrist, and lifted the knife overhead. Wrapping a leg behind Daniel, Matthew threw him to the ground. The knife fell free. When Daniel stretched for the weapon, Matthew drove his boot into Daniel's ribs. Daniel writhed in agony, clutching his side.
Matthew had just enough time to kick the weapon out of reach before Daniel's legs locked with his. Daniel rolled over, twisting Matthew to the ground and squirming on top. Squatting, Daniel dropped all his weight on Matthew's chest. As the air rushed from Matthew's lungs, Daniel clamped his hands around Matthew's throat.
Matthew struggled in vain to pry loose Daniel's fingers. Desperate for air, he clawed at Daniel's face, wanting to gouge his eyes, but Daniel stiffened his arms and twisted his head beyond reach. Matthew looked up into eyes burning with the fires of hell, a madman who had no intention of turning loose. Matthew's arms weakened. His hands slid from his attacker. As darkness began to overtake him, something streaked past his face. With a thud, Daniel catapulted backwards.
While Matthew gasped for air, his eye focused on a bundle of fur and a flash of white. Wolf's sharp teeth disappeared into Daniel's arm.
"No, Wolf!" Matthew's hoarse and cracking voice sounded foreign to his ears. The animal ignored the command. With her jaw locked in place, she shook her head with a fury. If she continued her attack, she would mangle Daniel's arm in a matter of minutes.
"Help me!" Daniel tried but couldn't fend off the powerful animal.
Matthew stumbled forward. Gripping the back of Wolf's neck, he pleaded with his protector. "Please, Wolf, let go."
For a moment the three seemed frozen in time. Answering with a menacing growl that seemed to rumble from the depths of her bowels, Wolf slowly opened her mouth. Bloody saliva drooled from her fangs. As she backed away, her eyes remained locked on Daniel who had met his match.
"Let me help you," Matthew said, reaching out to Daniel.
"Get away from me ... you and that creature of yours." Using his good arm and legs, he scooted backward.
"But you're hurt bad."
"I don't want your help." Cradling his arm to his body, Daniel staggered to his feet. "This ain't over between us," he said between clenched teeth. "Here, boy," he shouted. From a distance, a stallion whinnied and tossed his head, refusing Daniel's command to come any closer.
"He's afraid of the wolf," Matthew said.
Daniel cut his eyes at the animal. Wolf snarled as if to challenge him.
"Damn beast, it listened to you. Ain't natural. You and that thing's the Devil's doing." Daniel worked his way toward his horse, trying to calm the stallion. "Whoa, boy. It's okay." Over labored breaths steeped with painful moans, he picked up the reins and pulled himself up into the saddle. "You and the wolf ain't seen the last of me. Don't forget what I said about Rachel. I'd better never catch you with her. You hear me?" Daniel slumped over the saddle, and his horse started through the woods.
Matthew stood beside Wolf and stroked her head until Daniel disappeared from view. No doubt they would tangle again.
)
