Forever by Your Side (Willamette Brides #3) - Tracie Peterson Page 0,89

the United States—would not bode well for the Indians. They always end up losing everything.”

“He speaks the truth,” James Menard said. “This war is not to our benefit.”

“But what can we do? Our young men’s hearts are full of fire. They want revenge for their people,” the old man countered. “They no longer care what the old chiefs say. They don’t listen to us.”

Tom knew what he said was true, but there had to be a way. “We have to try. Remind them what has happened to others who rebelled. Do whatever you can to encourage their peace. Explain that their house of rifles was discovered, so there will be no weapons. Explain to them that once I talk to the army colonel, Clint Singleton will be arrested. They will have no leader and no arms.”

The men began to talk amongst themselves. Tom hoped it was enough to move them to action. While the Legislature discussed the matter, he prayed they would come to the right conclusion. Adam had told him this reservation lived peacefully because there were reasonable men in its leadership. He had to believe calmer heads would prevail.

“We will do what we can,” the old man finally said after the discussion concluded. “We will go now and talk to our young men.”

Tom breathed a sigh of relief and looked to Isaac, who offered him a smile. Hopefully the Indians would work together to dissipate interest in the uprising, explaining to the young men that war would not ensure their freedom but would guarantee their demise.

James Menard approached them. “We will ride with you part of the way back to your house.”

“We didn’t bring our mounts,” Isaac said. “We were afraid to be seen.”

James nodded. “I will lend you horses.”

“My feet will be very grateful,” Isaac said, smiling.

The men from the Legislature rode a little more than half the distance back with Tom and Isaac. When they reached the first collection of closely built houses, they parted company. Tom and Isaac, now on foot, went different ways in order to keep suspicion to a minimum. Isaac needed to check on the family’s livestock, but they agreed to meet at the army’s camp.

Tom made his way toward the Browning house, where he planned to saddle up one of the horses in order to go in search of Colonel Bedford. He was an old-fashioned soldier who had refused Clint’s offer of a room in his house and insisted on tenting with his men. With the soldiers camping at both the old fort and just beyond the church, Tom wasn’t sure where he’d find Colonel Bedford. Nevertheless, it was imperative that he locate him and warn him of Singleton’s plans to poison the soldiers.

Tom didn’t know why it hadn’t dawned on him sooner that Clint was the inside man on the reservation. Everyone thought he was of the same mind as his father and brother, but instead he’d been working against the Indians all along. Even Adam Browning had thought Clint in support of the Indians and a strong man of God. Funny how Clint had pulled the wool over Browning’s eyes. It seemed he was good at deception. He’d toyed with Connie, and Tom doubted he even cared for her. He probably just wanted to use her for the short-term fun he could have.

Tom wondered if Connie was safe. The family would no doubt be staying with the Carpenters. Hopefully it would be a simple matter for them to clear things up for Mr. Browning. Once they did and this was all over with, Tom intended to ask for Connie’s hand. He knew Connie cared for him—maybe even loved him a little. He intended to prove to her they belonged together. He’d never been surer of it.

Tom was deep in thought when he heard a rifle fire and felt an immediate searing against the outer part of his upper arm. He looked down at the blood already turning his coat crimson. Then another shot was fired, and Tom felt the bullet skim his head in the same spot where the soldier had hit him with his gun. There was an explosion of pain. He put his hand to his head and drew it back bloodied.

Dizziness and nausea flooded him at once, and he slumped forward and fell to the ground. He fought to stay conscious. It was funny, but of all the things that came to mind, he suddenly remembered a portion of a verse Adam Browning had shared at