Brave Beginnings Read Online Free Page A

is limited.”
    “They are a lovely people, aren’t they,
Julia?”
    Surprised that she was suddenly the focus of
the conversation, Julia cleared her throat and said, “Yes, they
are.”
    Her aunt stood and went to retrieve Ernest’s
hat and coat by the doorway. “I hope you won’t be a stranger.”
    He waited for Julia to stand and walked
beside her as she approached her aunt. Being near him felt as
comfortable as she remembered. It’d always been nice to be around
him. So much was the same that she found it hard to believe there
had been any passage of time. The only thing different was that
they were older.
    Ernest slipped his coat and hat on and smiled
at them. “I hope to see you again.”
    Even as he looked at Erin and Julia, Julia
wondered if he directed the statement to her. “I’m sure we’ll cross
paths again,” Julia replied.
    “I look forward to it.” He tipped his hat and
left.
    Erin shut the door behind her and gave her a
knowing grin. “That boy never stopped loving you.”
    Julia didn’t know how many times in one night
she could feel her face flush, but she was sure this was a new
record. “He was being polite.”
    Even as Julia said it, she suspected her aunt
was right. But nothing had to be decided tonight. She had time to
think through her swirling emotions. Giving the matter no more
thought for the night, she joined her aunt in washing the
dishes.
     
     
    ~~********~~
     
     
     

Chapter 3
     
    F or the hundredth
time, Chogan wondered if he was making a mistake. He’d opted to go
into Bismarck to trade the furs even though he wasn’t needed. This
time Citlali wanted guns.
    “They’re more efficient than bows and
arrows,” Citlali had said before they left the tribe that Wednesday
morning.
    It was on the tip of Chogan’s tongue to ask
why Citlali felt the need to take so much of the white man’s world
when he still insisted that Chogan marry Sarita in order to produce
more full-blooded Mandans. Either they were going to remain
authentic to their heritage or blend fully into the white man’s
world. Citlali seemed to think a compromise would be reached, but
the more Chogan listened to the younger man, the larger the blur
between their world and the white man’s world grew. The gradual
progression pointed to the inevitable. The day would come when the
last full-blooded Mandan would die, and though that day wasn’t
soon, Chogan couldn’t deny the reality of it.
    Chogan wrapped the robe of buffalo fur
tighter around himself. He didn’t care to enter the store. Instead,
he stood outside with his friend and watched Gary and Citlali talk
to the owner.
    Achai shook his head. “Before we know it,
Citlali will want us to wear the white man’s clothes,” he said in
their native language.
    “If he likes this place so much, why doesn’t
he move here?” Chogan muttered.
    “If you hate this place so much, why did you
insist on coming?”
    He shot his friend a stern look. “I’m not
amused.”
    Achai grinned. “You need to go to her. I’m
tired of watching you spend all your days brooding.”
    “I haven’t been brooding.”
    “No? I can’t remember the last time you
smiled, and God forbid you should laugh.”
    “I’m not that bad,” Chogan argued, realizing
that even as he denied it, the way he crossed his arms and glowered
at his friend proved otherwise.
    Achai rolled his eyes but didn’t comment.
    Citlali and Gary thanked the store owner and
rolled the guns and bullets into the hides. Chogan straightened.
This was it. Next Gary would see his aunt and sister.
    “I hope you manage a pleasant attitude with
Julia,” Achai said. “If you give her the same ominous look you’re
giving me, she just might run from you.”
    As much as Chogan hated to admit it, his
friend was right. Uncrossing his arms, he shook his limbs to force
the tension from his muscles.
    “That’s better,” Achai said.
    Citlali and Gary left the store and went over
to Achai and Chogan.
    “Now when we