The Wildflower’s Vow of Love (Preview)

Chapter One

Little Bird made her way through the small village, a jug of water clutched in her hands. It wasn’t much to look at on the surface. Even calling it a village might be a bit of a stretch. It was small, home to the half a dozen families that made up Little Bird’s tribe. Well, houses were also perhaps a bit of an exaggeration. They were small tents made of animal skin, easy to put up and take down.

It was also far less permanent than most people would consider necessary to call it a village. Her tribe needed to be able to move with the animals they hunted and the wild plants they foraged. The route they followed animals along had been passed down through their tribe for generations.

She held her head high even as she could feel the eyes of the other tribe members shooting her wary looks as she made her way back to her mother’s hut. Some of the more daring ones even whispered behind her back.

But the worst were the mothers who pulled their children to their sides. They did their best to put more distance between themselves and Little Bird as if they were worried she would hurt them just because of where she was born. As if she hadn’t lived beside them as part of their community for most of her life.

She tried to push down her hurt and offer understanding in its place. She always told herself that if she just made herself understand and had enough sympathy, it would take away some of the pain. She knew why they would be skeptical of someone who looked like her, but that didn’t make it sting any less. She had lived beside them for ten years, but none of that seemed to matter anymore.

She missed the early days of her life with the tribe. For so long, they had been so accepting. She had even started to see herself as part of them. She had grown up alongside many of them. Once upon a time, they played together as children, raced through the forests side by side, snuck off from chores, and shared secrets.

However, all of that started to disappear. It didn’t happen all at once, but things began to fall apart over the years. No matter what Little Bird tried, their minds were made up, and the more fighting occurred between the Indians and settlers, the more lives were lost in the altercations, the more distant the tribe became from her.

The second she stepped inside the small space her family called home, her mother called out from where she lay on her small cot. Her harsh, heavy breaths filled the room, warmth from the fire filling the space that once was so filled with people, life, and love.

“Is that my sweet Little Bird?” her mother called with a wheezing breath, struggling to sit up.

Little Bird forced a smile, coming to sit beside her. She laid a hand on her shoulder, stilling the older woman. Her heart ached at how small and weak her mother’s voice sounded. For so long, she had been the strongest person Little Bird had ever seen.

“It is, Mother. There’s no need to try to sit up. You know I will always come to you,” she said.

“I can sit up. There’s no need to wait on me like this.”

“I told you, Mother. I like taking care of you. I’m happy to do it.”

“There’s no need to spare this old woman’s feelings. I’m sure you have far more interesting things to be doing. You’re a young woman in your prime. Otherwise, why would you be sneaking off while I was sleeping? You’re only twenty-one.”

Little Bird chuckled, shaking her head. She was always careful not to let her mother know how the tribe had been making her feel. She didn’t want to give the ill woman even more reason to worry. “I would hardly say I was sneaking off. I just went out to get some more water before I got started on dinner.”

“That’s still good. It must have been nice for you to get out and get some air. I’m sure it must be hard to be stuck inside with an invalid like me. You need to get out and see your friends. If you don’t, you’re never going to meet a nice man.”

Little Bird came to sit beside her, bringing a cup to her lips to help her take a sip of water. “Oh, Mother, I could never mind a day in with you, especially after everything you did for me.”

She shook her head. “All I did was do my best to raise you. I know you didn’t join our family in the most traditional way, but I’d like to think we were able to give you a good life.”

“You did. If I’m honest, I think I had a far better life here with you than I ever hoped.”

“I’m glad you feel that way, and I just know your father would be so proud of you now if he were here to see you today.”

She smiled. “I’m glad you think so.”

“I’m only sad both of us will be leaving you while you’re still so young. I wish I were able to see you settled like your sisters.”

Little Bird’s eyes burned. She shook her head. “You could still see it.”

Her mother gave her a sad smile. “I’m tired.”

“Of course. I- I’ll let you get some rest.”

Still glancing at her mother from the corners of her eyes, Little Bird got to work on dinner. Even so, she found herself sneaking glances back at the older woman every few seconds.

She couldn’t help thinking back to when she first started learning to cook the traditional dishes of her tribe. At first they all seemed so strange and hard to understand, but her adoptive mother was so patient with her. It wasn’t long before she was asking questions about the food and life here.

It had been an unexpectedly effective way for her to learn the language and a great way for her to bond with her adoptive Mother Now. Thanks to the help of a few traders they knew who always gave her an opportunity to work on her English, even bringing books for her to buy on more than one occasion, she was fluent in both languages.

If Little Bird were ever asked what language she considered to be her native tongue, she wouldn’t be sure how to answer at this point. While it was true she had learned English first, she had spoken the language of her tribe for most of her life, and at this point, her thoughts were a blend of the two languages she wasn’t sure would make sense to anyone other than her.

The next time her gaze landed on her mother, Little Bird couldn’t help smiling. It was hardly how she would have imagined her life would have gone before she met them, but she couldn’t deny she belonged and was loved, at least in this one hut.

A short time later, as she was working, a sound cut through the air, making her freeze.

Her mother drew in a rattly breath. The kind that had haunted Little Bird’s dreams since her father passed away two years ago. Just like Mother, it had been a slow decline, and she had been by his side, nursing him until the night his breath began to sound like the wind coming through a small cropping of dead trees. He hadn’t lasted until the morning after that. At least he hadn’t been alone. He’d had his wife and Little Bird beside him and his other daughters.

Tears welled in her eyes, hot and heavy. Her heart fell in her chest.

It wouldn’t be long now.

All she could do was try and give her mother everything they had given their father.

She took a moment to collect herself, then stepped outside, flagging down the first person she saw. It was a young man, one of the ones who most frequently had to deal with conflicts with the white settlers. Possibly because of that, it also meant he was one of the most standoffish with Little Bird and one of the first to become wary of her.

Still, surely he could put all of that aside for a few moments, given the circumstances.

If the cold look he gave her was any indication, she might have to find someone else, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to try.

“Excuse me, can you please let Clear Sky and Green Leaves know they need to get here as soon as possible. It’s urgent.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Why should I do that for you?”

“Please, it isn’t for me. It’s for our mother, their mother,” she added in case it would help make her point. “I don’t think she has much longer. I don’t want them to miss her last moment.”

To her surprise, a compassionate look crossed his face. “I see. I’m sorry I didn’t realize the situation.” He nodded. “I’ll let them know.”

Little Bird let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you so much.”

She watched him head toward their homes, picking up his pace to nearly a run. It warmed her heart to see that even though she didn’t feel like part of the village the way she used to, they still did what they could to make sure her mother and sisters were looked after.

They looked after their own, even if they no longer considered her one of them.

With that thought in mind, she took a slow, grounding breath, slipped back inside, and took up vigil by her mother’s bedside. She did the few things she could do to make her mother comfortable. There wasn’t much, but she wiped the sweat from her brow and gave her sips of bitter herbal medicine to help ease any pain she might have.

As she looked after her mother, Little Bird couldn’t help thinking back to all the times her mother had done the same for her. How many fevers and stomach troubles had the woman nursed her through?

The least she could do was try to do the same.

It wasn’t long before her sisters made their way over.

Clear Skies was the first to come inside. She was the oldest of the three, having married a year before their father died. Her long dark hair was free from its usual braids like she had come when she had been combing it through.

Her large belly sent a lance of sadness through Little Bird. She had hoped their mother would have held on long enough to see her first grandchild be brought into the world. Maybe Clear Skies would name the child after their mother so the kid could always have a part of the woman they never got to meet but whose love would surely still find a way to shine through.

“Little Bird,” her older sister pulled Little Bird in for a warm hug. “I came just as soon as I heard. How is she?”

“Come see for yourself,” she whispered, voice lost in her impending grief.

“Does Green Leaves know?”

“I sent someone to tell her, but I don’t know if she heard yet. I didn’t want to leave Mother alone.”

“I can understand that. Do you want me to go make sure she was told?”

“Don’t you want to spend some time with Mother?”

“Of course I do, but I don’t want to make you go out there. I’ve seen how people talk to you lately. I understand they’re wary, but I don’t like it. It isn’t fair to you. You’re just as much a part of this tribe as I am.”

Little Bird put a finger to her lips. “I know I am, and it means a lot to know you worry so much for me, but please don’t bring that up here. I don’t want to give Mother something to worry about, especially not now. The least I can do is avoid causing her any more problems.”

Clear Skies pulled her in for a hug. “That is very sweet of you, but I don’t think we need to worry about her overhearing right now, and she would never say anything about you could even remotely be called a problem.”

Tears filled Little Bird’s dark eyes. She shook her head. “I’ve caused so much trouble for her over the years, and you can’t know that. She could wake up again. It could happen any second now, couldn’t it?”

Clear Skies smiled sadly. “She might, but I don’t know how lucid she will be if she does.”

Before Little Bird could say anything else, the door opened again, and Green Leaves rushed inside.

“How is she?” she asked the second she crossed the threshold into Little Bird and her mother’s home.

“Not very well.” She shook her head.

“I see.” She took a shaky breath, turning toward where the woman lay on the bed.

The trio stayed there late into the night, watching over her, but their mother hung on until the moment they all fell asleep.

Little Bird woke up to the sound of her sister sobbing.

Her eyes shot open as she whirled to see their mother was gone, a peaceful smile on her face.

“Clear Skies,” she said, moving to wake her sister who was still sleeping, but when she woke, Little Bird’s words died in her throat.

The look on her face must have told her everything she needed to know. “She’s moved on then?” Clear Skies asked, her deep eyes brimming with tears.

All Little Bird could do was nod.

The trio mourned in silence as they all came to terms with the loss they had suffered and what this meant for them moving on with their lives.

Little Bird, in particular, was hit hard. She wasn’t sure what her life was without her mother to take care of.

Chapter Two

Little Bird had little time to think about herself and what she wanted to do with her life now in the coming days. She and her sisters were all far too busy taking care of the burial preparations for their mother. They only had a few days to get everything ready, after all.

And so, a few days later, she found herself standing beside her sisters as their mother’s body was laid into the ground. Tears rolled down her cheeks faster than she could wipe them away.

It felt like far more than her mother was being buried that day. It felt like her life as a part of the tribe had died with her. Other than her sisters, who did she have left here?

Little Bird scanned the other faces gathered at the grave. None of them were people she could call friends. She was well and truly alone.

When the burial ended, everyone started to go their separate ways. It made something in Little Bird break. She turned to her sisters.

“Do you want to come home with me for a bit? I don’t know if I want to be alone right now.”

“Of course,” they both agreed without hesitation. They said quick farewells to their husbands and went to their mother’s home in a grim silence.

Little Bird turned her eyes to the sky as they walked. Despite the somber occasion, the sky was clear, the sun shining down on them. It didn’t feel right.

How could it shine on such a horrible day?

Little Bird’s thoughts about her place in the village were put into stark contrast at the funeral. Everywhere she looked, it was clear that she didn’t belong. She knew she no longer had any place in the village she once called home. While so many of the tribe members clung together, she was left to stand apart. Other than her sisters, no one as much as asked how she was feeling or came to check on her.

These thoughts were still circling in her head like vultures when she and her sisters sat in her mother’s home; she dared to voice her thoughts and fears.

“I- I don’t know that I belong here anymore,” Little Bird said, eyes locked on the few rays of light that managed to push their way inside.

Clear Skies sighed. “I can understand if you want to move out of this house. You are welcome to stay with me until you know where you want to go.”

She shook her head. “That isn’t what I meant. I mean, I don’t know if I belong in the village anymore.”

“But where else would you go?”

“I was thinking I might try to find my birth family.”

“Our mother hasn’t even been gone a turn of the moon, and already you want to abandon her?” Green Leaves glared.

“There’s no need to be so harsh,” Clear Skies reprimanded her.

“But it’s true, isn’t it? She’s ready to leave all of us behind the second she has a chance.”

“I’m not! You two are my sisters, and I care for you deeply, but there’s nothing left for me here.” Little Bird shook her head.

“But there could be! I can help you find a reason to stay.”

“Green Leaves,” Clear Skies cut in, “she has a point. Things have changed here. She won’t be able to get married and build a life for herself anymore.”

“But where is she going to go?”

“Like I said, I’m going to try and find my birth family.”

“Would we ever see you again?” Green Leaves asked, emotion making her voice shake.

For a moment, Little Bird hesitated. Perhaps she was being too rash. Perhaps this was too much. Her family had just lost their Mother; was she about to take herself away from them as well? And yet, if she didn’t, if she stayed, what kind of life would she be able to build for herself? “I don’t know. I would like to think so. As long as I chose a town that isn’t too far to settle in, it isn’t like I wouldn’t be able to make the occasional trip to see you again.”

“But it wouldn’t be often?”

“I don’t know how often I could make it work if I’m honest, but no matter what happens, you will always be my family.”

They shared a hug before Clear Skies turned to Little Bird, concern written all over her face.

“If you’re going to do this, you need to be careful.”

“What do you mean?”

Clear Skies hesitated, clearly choosing her words with care. “The white man and our tribe have been at war with one another for a very long time. You’ve seen what they do to our people. You need to be careful no one finds out you were staying with us.”

“This is exactly why I don’t think she should go,” Green Leaves muttered.

“But this is her decision,” Clear Skies insisted. “And all we can do is be here to support her.”

“I am supporting her, but I worry. She’s going to be all alone.”

She smiled, shaking her head. “Don’t think of it as me being alone. Think of it as me being independent.”

“You always did like to do things your own way. When you think about this, it really isn’t any different. Mother and Father would be proud.”

Tears welled in Little Bird’s dark chestnut eyes. “It means so much to hear you say that. I don’t want them to feel like I’m making a mistake by leaving the tribe.”

“I think they would be proud that you want to find your own way.”

“Thank you.”

“She’s right,” Green Leaves chimed in. For a moment, her face was conflicted, then she let out a long breath and spoke. “And I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”

“We both will.”

Clear Skies smiled at her. “It’s funny; I can still remember the day you came to live with us.”

“So can I,” Green Leaves echoed.

“I don’t know that we’ve ever talked about what it was like for you,” Little Bird said.

“Never seemed like the right time. None of us knew you were coming. I can tell you that. Father left to go out, and he came home with you by his side.”

“I remember I was so upset.” Green Leaves sighed. “We had just lost Little Bird less than three months ago, then he came home with you and gave you her name. It was too much too soon.”

“But you gave her plenty of trouble for it, didn’t you? Mother reprimanded you so many times for it.”

She shrugged. “It was just a bit of growing pains, wasn’t it?”

Little Bird chuckled. “It was hard at the time, but I can look back at it and laugh now.”

“Was it really that bad?”

“You could stand to give her a handful of apologies,” Clear Skies cut in with a strained smile. “You did almost drown her after all.”

“That was an accident! All I did was throw her in a pond. How was I supposed to know she didn’t know how to swim!”

“The white men don’t teach their children to swim.” Little Bird laughed. “At least they don’t teach their daughters.”

“That seems so dangerous to me,” Green Leaves said, shaking her head. “I mean, if Clear Skies hadn’t been there that day to save you, who knows what could have happened.”

“But she was, and it turned out alright in the end. In fact, that was the day we actually sat down and really talked for the first time. I remember she was crying beside my bed when I finally woke up.” Little Bird shot her sister a smile.

“And we were close friends every day after that.”

“That might be a bit generous.” Clear Skies chuckled. “You two fought constantly when you were children. Beyond that, it wasn’t until you moved out and got married that you really started to grow close.”

Green Leaves pouted. “That isn’t how I remember it.”

“It doesn’t matter how we got here,” Little Bird cut in. “What matters is that we care about each other now, and we will always be sisters.”

The trio stayed up late into the night talking about their childhood together and sharing memories of their mother. By the time Green Leaves and Clear Skies left, the moon was high in the sky.

But even for all the laughter they had shared and the moment of brightness her sisters had provided, it only made the place feel more silent and still when they left. The darkness seemed to push in through every corner, reminding Little Bird how alone she truly was.

It only served to make her even more sure of her choice to leave the village behind.

In the coming days, Little Bird’s main focus was going through her mother’s things. Her mother had been a practical woman. She had taken care of most of her possessions as soon as she realized she was ill, giving gifts to everyone she knew until all she had were the bare essentials.

Only a few things were left, but Little Bird was left with a few things for each of her sisters, mostly some of the tools her mother used for sewing and cooking. When she had the last of it organized and wrapped up for them, she reached out to her sisters and arranged for them to come over that afternoon.

When they arrived, the trio sat around the kitchen table in the same chairs they had always sat in as children. While their parents had never assigned them to sit in specific spots, they might as well have. None of them ever sat anywhere different.

“I’m glad you two could make it,” Little Bird said, pulling each of them in for a hug before they sat around the table.

“Of course, we came.” Clear Skies smiled.

“Wouldn’t miss seeing you for anything,” Green Leaves agreed.

“I’m glad. I found a few more things Mother wanted you to have.”

“I’m starting to wonder if you kept anything for yourself at this point.” Green Leaves frowned as she took her bundle.

“You don’t need to worry about me. Mother left plenty for me, too.”

“I know she did. I’m just hoping you actually kept some of it.”

Little Bird looked away. “I’m only her adopted daughter. The two of you should have more.”

“She wouldn’t see it that way, and you know it.”

“But everyone else does.”

“Little Bird,” Clear Skies sighed, pulling her in for another hug.

“It isn’t just that.”

“Then what else is it?”

“If I do end up journeying into the white man’s settlement, I wouldn’t be able to take most of it with me.”

The pair shared a look. Green Leaves looked like she had something to say, but Clear Skies shook her head.

Green Leaves took a deep breath, and her smile returned. “That’s actually a great point. As of right now, if you do that, you won’t have much to take with you.”

“I know, but I’m sure I can get enough together. It might take some time, but I can work something out with the trader.”

“Or maybe we could start you off,” Green Leaves said.

“Start me off? What do you mean?”

“We have something for you,” Clear Skies said, fishing through the basket she had brought with her. After a moment, she pulled out a large bundle wrapped in brightly woven fabric.

“What is it?” Little Bird gasped, almost hesitant to take it from her hands.

“Open it and see.” She grinned.

Little Bird shot her sisters a smile and gently took it from them. She shot them another look before she began carefully unwrapping it. When she saw what was inside, she let out a breath in surprise, a hand coming up to cover her mouth. She could hardly believe what she was seeing.

There, in the wrapping, was a simple settler’s style dress made of a deep blue fabric with a dainty white trim around the neckline.

Little Bird ran her hands over the thick, stiff fabric of the dress. She was almost afraid to unfold it. As she traced over the seams and weaving, her other hand trailed over what seemed like dozens of undergarments underneath.

“Where did you get this?” she whispered in awe.

“We spoke to John and got it for you,” Clear Skies explained.

Warmth filled Little Bird’s chest. Unlike Little Bird, her sisters had never been the most social with John, the trader who came through their village every few weeks. They must have gone out of their way to do it just for her. “Thank you. This means so much to me. I can’t tell you what a weight it is off my shoulders to know I have your support.”

Green Leaves smiled. “I want you to be happy, and if this will make you happy, then we want to support you.”

“That means so much to me. I want you to know that you are my family. That won’t change no matter where I am.”

They all shared an embrace before Clear Skies pulled back.

“He said he can take you to town with him when he leaves if that is still what you want.”

She smiled, shaking her head. “Thank you for doing all this. I wasn’t expecting to be able to go so soon.”

“Is it too soon?” Green Leaves asked.

“We’re not trying to push you out,” Clear Skies rushed to add. “We just thought you might like the option.”

“I do.” Little Bird grinned at them. “Thank you. I just wasn’t expecting it. I’ll need to make sure I’m ready.”

“You’re going to do great. I only hope you can find the happiness you deserve,” the eldest said.

“I’m going to miss you so much,” Green Leaves pulled her in for another hug.

“I’m going to miss you too,” Little Bird assured her.

“Just remember, if you ever want to come home, you’re always welcome here,” her younger sister added.

Little Bird chuckled. “I appreciate the sentiment, but I think we both know that might not be true.”

“Do you want to try it on?” Clear Skies asked, changing the subject.

Little Bird hesitated, chewing her lip. “I don’t know. It’s a lot to put on. I don’t want to risk ruining it.”

“If you risk ruining it just by wearing it, then it isn’t a very good dress,” Green Leaves said.

Little Bird chuckled. “I think I’d rather play around with it alone before I show it off.”

“Alright, I won’t push it, but I hope you like it and it fits well.”

“I’m sure it will be perfect. Thank you.”

That night, when her sisters left, Little Bird sat awake tracing her fingers over the seam of the dress until late into the night.

This was it. She was going to see where she had come from, to learn about the life she almost had. It wasn’t that she didn’t love her adoptive family, it wasn’t that they didn’t treat her well, but part of her always wondered in the back of her mind, what if.

Would she have been happy? Would she be married by now? With that thought, her mind brought forward the face of a boy around her age with a bright smile, showing off two missing front teeth. Maybe if she would have been allowed to stay, he would have followed through on his childhood promise, and they would be married now.