BEYOND THE RIVER BEND| Little Puma

"Your apple‑jam pancakes have always been good, but today you have outdone yourself, my dear," Jerome said over breakfast and gave his wife an approving look.

"I do my best for you. Thank you, darling." Winifred nearly forced herself to say it. Her throat tightened with a spasm. She coughed and quickly took a sip of hot coffee to ease the pain.

Meanwhile, Jerome pushed his plate aside and drew on his cigar with pleasure. The tobacco smoke drifted through the dining room. It settled on the furniture and soaked it with an unbearable stench. In her mind, Winifred was already scolding Jerome for it. But sitting before her husband now, she did not show her anger. She only smiled and continued chewing on the single poor pancake, generously drenched in sweet jam.

"You know, my dear," Jerome suddenly blurted out, "today is fine weather for a walk. I am sick of sitting within four walls, you cannot imagine! I think some fresh air would do you good too. What do you say?"

Winifred choked on a sip of coffee. She quickly dabbed her mouth with a napkin and answered with an expression of genuine happiness: "That is a wonderful idea, Jerry! Shall we go to the Jameses or take a walk by the river?"

Oh, my dear, you finally remembered your wife has been locked up for half a month and now you want to play the caring husband?

Jerome finished his cigar, rose from the table, and said with the most important air: "No, my dear. We are going to town. I expect you to charm the local society just as you charmed the Jameses. Your pretty face will make us a good reputation in Independence. Everyone will talk about what a wonderful wife Jerome Kingsley has, and what a lucky man he is to have put a ring on her! Just think, my dear, there are not many such beautiful, young, and respectable ladies in town. You will be the very bridge I will build into the high society of Independence. We will make connections, and all our dreams will come true, my dear."

All your dreams will come true, my dear.

***

More than two weeks had passed since Winifred had settled into the new house. But even now, looking at the wonderful landscape outside the window, she could not imagine this place as hers. The promised land Eli James had spoken of, the land Jerome had dreamed of, now belonged to them. But at what cost? Winifred pressed her forehead to the cool glass and let out a convulsive breath. If, for them to live here in Kansas, for them to bring a piece of civilisation to people, the government would have to relocate the Osage, she would not agree to be part of that world.

Had she asked her husband what price had been paid for these free lands, he would never have answered her. Had she found out once and for all, perhaps a weight would have been lifted from her soul. But Winifred knew: Jerome would sooner cut off his tongue than let her know the whole truth.

She stepped away from the window and drew the curtain. She took a deep breath and tried to distract herself from her anxious thoughts. She opened the large wardrobe, from which the hems of her dresses already peeked out invitingly, and gathered several of them in her arms.

If Jerome wants me to make him connections in Independence, he will get them. I will make him such connections that he will thank me for the rest of his life! Winifred thought bitterly, and began trying on dresses one after another.

Winifred entered the hall dressed in a pleasant cream‑coloured gown. It flattered her dark hair, her grey‑green eyes, and her milky skin that had never known a tan. She raised her head and surveyed the space with a dignified look. Then her shoulders slumped, and she nearly sobbed.

What kind of lady am I? Just an unhappy wife, living within four walls, who never sees the light of day...

"My dear, are you ready?" Winifred first heard Jerome's voice, and then he himself appeared in the hall, immaculately dressed.

Winifred gave a weak nod and offered Jerome her hand. But he caught her wrist and raised her chin with his fingers, forcing her to look him in the eye.

"Have you been crying, Winifred?"

She shook her head and pressed her lips together until they hurt. Jerome squeezed her chin harder, then abruptly let go and said roughly: "Fix your face at once. How do you expect to go out in public with your eyes all red?"

Afraid that Jerome would change his mind about taking her to town, she quickly wiped the moisture from her lashes and smiled. "What are you talking about, Jerry! A speck of dust got in my eye, nothing more. Shall we go?" Winifred extended her hand to Jerome, and after some hesitation, he took it.

***

Independence had not changed at all since Winifred was last there. She did notice one thing, on an empty patch of land, busy construction was under way. Men in work clothes and wide‑brimmed hats were sawing logs and arguing among themselves.

"What are they building?" Winifred asked cautiously.

"A post office, my dear," Jerome answered cheerfully and pulled his wife toward Miss Henderson's store.

I must send letter to my family...

The store was so crowded that Winifred could hardly find a place to squeeze in. Her eyes darted over the counter in search of colourful ribbons and tobacco for Jerome. When she spotted both the ribbons and the tobacco, she was about to step forward to take them. But then two short figures of girls appeared ahead and blocked her way. They were chattering loudly with each other, until the younger of the two slipped into the crowd of customers, holding something in her hands.

"Hey, Laura, give that back! Those are my ribbons!" cried the older girl.

"Catch me if you can, Mary!"

Winifred pressed herself against the wall, but the girl, apparently Laura, still could not avoid colliding with her. She bounced back and raised an apologetic look at Winifred.

"Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am..." Laura mumbled softly.

"Ma! Laura is throwing herself at people, how rude!" Mary's thin voice reached Winifred, and she could not help but smile.

In the crowd, first a curly red‑haired head appeared, and then the mother of the girls herself, a tall, freckled woman of middle age. She gave Laura a stern look, took both daughters, and led them aside. Winifred watched them, so particularly happy, and her heart ached with longing. She knew very well that with Jerome she would never have such a family.

And God forbid such a family ever happens with us...

Soon the customers left the store one by one, and Winifred could finally see the familiar dark‑skinned smiling face of Emily Henderson. She approached the counter, waited until Laura and Mary's mother had made her purchases, and laid the ribbons and a paper packet of tobacco before Emily.

"You look terribly unhappy, ma'am. Has something happened?" Emily asked with concern.

Winifred quickly shook her head. "No, not at all! Quite the opposite."

Emily gave an understanding nod and handed Winifred her packages.

"Thank you, Miss Henderson," Winifred murmured and left the store at a brisk pace.

To her surprise, Winifred discovered that the family she had met a while ago had not left yet. The girls stood next to their mother, apparently waiting for someone. Winifred also looked around for Jerome, but he was nowhere to be seen. Not wanting to draw attention, she decided to wait for him by the store.

Soon Laura spotted Winifred standing alone and waved at her happily. The mother of the girls also saw Winifred, smiled faintly, and came over to her.

"I hope my daughters did not cause you any trouble, ma'am?" she began immediately. "They are usually not so restless, except, perhaps, for Laura."

"Oh, not at all, they are wonderful girls... Please do not think I'm angry with them!"

The woman placed her hand over her heart and said with undisguised relief: "What a relief, ma'am... Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Caroline Ingalls, and these are my daughters Laura and Mary." Then she called the girls over.

"Hello, ma'am," Mary greeted her. "You have a lovely dress."

"Thank you, dear," Winifred's smile widened.

"My name is Laura, ma'am."

"I am Winifred Kingsley, but please, call me Winifred."

Caroline nodded, stroked the younger girl's head, and continued: "I see you have recently moved to town... You know, my acquaintance Jemma James is organising a ladies' society, and I think she would be very glad to see you."

Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for her.

"That would be wonderful!" Winifred lied. "I truly am new here, and I desperately need new acquaintances."

Caroline smiled warmly. "Then I will let you know when the society gathers. And perhaps I will even visit you."

"I would be most grateful. And of course, you are a welcome guest in my home, Mrs. Ingalls, as are your wonderful girls," Winifred beamed.

"Thank you so much, Winifred, from the bottom of my heart."

Caroline and Winifred stood there for some time, talking, until the silhouette of a man in a hat appeared nearby.

"Oh, there is Charles!" Caroline exclaimed and then turned to Winifred: "I am so glad to have met you, and thank you for allowing us to come."

"Goodbye, Mrs. Ingalls," Winifred replied and watched the family for a long time.

***

"Where have you been, Jerry?" Winifred asked first thing, as soon as she crossed the threshold of the house.

Jerome pulled off his bowler hat, hung it in the hall, and without turning around, answered evasively: "I met Eli James. We discussed some possibilities for our cooperation."

And which, of course, do not concern me.

Winifred walked up to Jerome and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "I believe in you, darling. Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to read a book outdoors."

"Mmm, yes, yes, my dear, do as you like..." Jerome muttered, lighting his cigar as he went, and almost instantly disappeared behind the door of his office.

You ran off quickly, my dear. Did you really find a way to drive the Osage off their lands..?

***

Towards evening, a cool breeze arose, and Winifred savoured its light gusts against her face. She sat in a wicker chair in the backyard of the house, which faced a wide trail, and took advantage of the fact that Jerome could not see her from the window. The book on her lap was not so much read as she aimlessly let her eyes wander over its old pages. Winifred's thoughts were occupied not at all by Othello and Desdemona.

She was not sure whether her desire to meddle in Jerome's affairs was right, but one thing she knew for certain: she could not allow his and Eli James's plan to succeed.

***

When the sound of horse neighing reached Winifred, who was deep in her thoughts, she even thought she had imagined it. However, turning her head toward the sound, she indeed spotted a piebald horse not far away, with two riders. As they came closer, she made out a man in a wide‑brimmed hat and a girl behind him.

It is Good Eagle! she thought in surprise and stepped out onto the trail.

Recognising Winifred, the girl smiled broadly and jumped off the horse. The man dismounted as well, took Good Eagle's hand, and walked toward Winifred.

"Good day!" she greeted them first.

"Good day, ma'am." The man took off his hat and gave a bow. "I'm glad to finally meet our new neighbours."

Winifred smiled shyly. "I'm very pleased as well. My name is Winifred Kingsley."

"Hello!" Good Eagle greeted her.

"You can call me William Mitchell. And this is my daughter..."

"Good Eagle..." Winifred continued. "We have already met."

"Really? I'm very glad to hear that," William replied with complete sincerity and squeezed his daughter's hand a little tighter.

Winifred stared at William and then at Good Eagle for a few moments, not knowing how to continue the conversation, until she blurted out the first thing that came to mind: "You are Osage as well, aren't you, Mr. Mitchell?"

"Oh, is it that obvious?" William laughed, which thoroughly made Winifred blush.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Mitchell, I said something stupid..."

William smiled, and from his dark kind eyes, little wrinkles spread across his face. "It is quite all right, Mrs. Kingsley. We do not always find the right words in the middle of a conversation."

Winifred nodded. "I agree with you," she said, and added: "Do you live in the Osage settlement?"

"No, Mrs. Kingsley, our family lives nearby. Good Eagle and I were just on our way home. And, of course, we would be glad to have you as our guest if you wish."

Winifred grew even more embarrassed and looked away. "Oh, what are you saying... thank you for the invitation. I will certainly visit you as soon as I have the chance."

And if I can slip away from under Jerome's nose... she added in her mind.

"And thank you for buying me those candies back at Miss Henderson's!"

William turned a surprised look first to his daughter, then to Winifred. God knew he had no idea about any candies. At the unspoken question in her father's eyes, Good Eagle only smirked.

"You bought candies for my daughter? "Well, that explains why Little Puma was so down when he and Good Eagle returned home..."

"No, dad, he is just a grouch," Good Eagle replied.

Winifred barely managed not to laugh.

"Didn't you say you forgot your money at home?"

"Yes, I did."

"I thought Little Puma was upset that he could not take you to the store."

Good Eagle shook her head. "I'm never going anywhere with him again. He is such a grump..."

William laughed. Winifred, however, was not in a laughing mood. She swallowed and said quietly: "I'm truly sorry about how that turned out... Please tell Little Puma that I did not mean to offend him with my action..."

"No one said you offended me."

Winifred's heart skipped a beat. She spun around and saw Little Puma ahead, swaying steadily in the saddle. In his hands he held the carcass of a hare. When he drew level with William's horse, he stopped and said louder than before: "I just did not think I would end up indebted to a white woman."

"I did it from the bottom of my heart. You owe me nothing..." Winifred said, not taking her eyes off Little Puma.

At that, Little Puma only grunted. He said something to William in his own language and galloped off, kicking up clouds of dust along the trail.

Winifred gave William a puzzled look, but he only shrugged. He lifted Good Eagle into the saddle and mounted the horse himself. Then he said: "I'm afraid we must be going as well, or we will miss supper. It was a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Kingsley. Remember, you are welcome at our home."

With that, William turned his horse and rode after Little Puma. Good Eagle waved to her from afar in farewell.

"Goodbye, Mr. Mitchell. And goodbye, Good Eagle," Winifred whispered.

***

"Were you up reading again?" Jerome asked reproachfully, as soon as Winifred appeared on the doorstep.

"I could not put the book down, sorry."

Winifred slipped the thin shawl from her shoulders and let down her hair. "Would you help me with my dress, darling?"

Jerome let out a long sigh, unfastened all the buttons down the back with a jerk, and then deftly untied her corset as well.

"Thank you, Jerry," Winifred took off her dress and hung it in the wardrobe. "You know, today at Miss Henderson's store I met a very nice family. They have just arrived and want to pay us a visit. The family has two lovely daughters. Oh, Jerry, they are such good people!"

"Hmm, which family?" Jerome took off his jacket and folded it over a chair.

"The Ingalls, darling," Winifred smiled and sat down on the bed.

"The Ingalls?" Jerome looked at Winifred with a completely blank expression. "Are you sure you have not made a mistake, my dear?"

"What is wrong with them, Jerry?" Winifred asked cautiously.

"Those Ingalls fraternise with the Indians, that is what. I forbid you to associate with them or bring them into our house."

Winifred froze for a moment in confusion, and then she found her words: "Darling, not all Osage are as bad as you think... Take the Mitchells family, for instance... They are very respectable people and truly wish to build good relations with the settlers. There is nothing wrong in making their acquaintance..."

"What do you know?" Jerome snorted and climbed into bed. "Mitchells or not, I do not care. They are Indians, and that is that. I will not allow you to associate with those who are friends with Indians, nor with the Indians themselves. All Indians are untrustworthy, and so are their families. No, my dear, I forbid you even to think about the Mitchells or the Ingalls, do you understand me? We are a respectable family, and I will not allow you to tarnish our reputation by associating with those people."

Jerome collapsed onto the pillow, and within minutes his whistling snore reached Winifred.

She waited a little longer, then reached her hand into the bedside table drawer and pulled out an unfinished embroidery. In its centre was a small white eaglet. Winifred stroked it tenderly and pressed it to her chest.

She sank back against the pillows, knowing she would no longer let Jerome decide for her. Winifred would find a way to befriend both the Ingalls and the Mitchells, whether he liked it or not.