A Bride for Noah Read Online Free Page A

words from the almost constant Indian visitors to their camp.
    â€œI’ll try,” he told Arthur. “What do you want to say?”
    â€œIt’s Mary and Louisa. They’re all worked up because a pair of braves have been hanging around the cabin, staring at them and the children.”
    Noah wrinkled his brow. “Just staring? They haven’t tried to hurt them?”
    â€œNo,” Arthur was quick to say. “No, they just watch, like they do here. But yesterday the women left the cabin door open to get some fresh air, and these two wandered inside. Apparently they walked around the cabin, touching the beds and the stove, inspecting the cookware, and they even rubbed little Margaret’s curls.”
    A smile threatened Noah’s lips, but he worked hard to control it. Arthur and Mary’s second daughter had a head full of wild red curls, no doubt fascinating for the Duwamish. He schooled concern into his expression. “I can see how that would be unsettling for them.”
    â€œSo if you can make the chief here understand they shouldn’t do those things, perhaps he might speak with his people.”
    Chief Seattle watched their exchange with his usual impassive expression. Noah wasn’t sure how much English he understood, since the man refused to speak anything but his native tongue. David insisted the man possessed a keen intellect, so he probably understood the gist of Arthur’s request already. At least, Noah hoped so. He knew enough Duwamish to barter salmon or hire a guide, but beyond that his vocabulary was limited.
    He faced the chief. “Chief Si’ahl. ” He awarded the man the respect of using the tribal pronunciation of his name and ducked his head, though taking care not to lower his eyes.
    Without a noticeable change in his expression, Seattle fixed polite attention on Noah.
    What’s the word for woman? Noah cast about in his mind. “Ah, the klootchman in the cabin that way.” He pointed eastward in the location of the Denny cabin.
    Seattle’s eyes followed his hand, and then he indicated he understood with a nod. Not surprising, since there were the only two white klootchman within a hundred-mile radius. No doubt everyone knew their location.
    By using gestures and a few words he had picked up, he managed to communicate Arthur’s request. At least, he hoped the message came through accurately. The chief turned his head and spoke to his tribesmen in a commanding voice. Then he turned to Arthur and regally lowered his head as if to indicate that the request had been granted.
    Relief flooded Arthur’s features, and he extended a hand toward Seattle. “Thank you. You don’t know how I appreciate that.”
    The chief hesitated only a moment before shaking the offered hand. Behind him, the braves chuckled and mumbled to one another in low voices. The Duwamish did not shake hands with one another but their leader’s willingness to learn the white man’s customs, if not his language, spoke of his respect and hopes for a peaceful future relationship.
    Noah bid the visitors farewell and returned to his work. As he picked up the ax, he shook his head. Women. Nothing against Mary and Louisa, who were both upstanding and hardworking, but life was much easier without the burden of protecting and caring for a woman, especially in the rugged environment of this part of Oregon Territory. The crew obviously did not agree, and continued to complain bitterly about the lack of female presence in the new settlement.To Noah, though, that was one of the appeals of the place. Hard work during the day and solitude at night. That was the life for him.
    If only he’d figured that out before he’d squandered his inheritance on that deceitful woman back in San Francisco.

    Chattanooga, Tennessee
    The morning was well underway when Mr. Coffinger finally put in an appearance downstairs. As was her custom, Mrs. Coffinger would linger