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Summer at the mission school had been quite lonely for Ike McSwain until Buck Cross’ appearance just two years earlier. Most of the other children, those who weren’t orphans, returned to their homes to help tend farms and fields. Even those few without families would be hired by local farmers, given bed and board in exchange for their hard work. In Ike’s case, though, no one had ever wanted to hire a bald young teen with no voice. For some it was the fact that he couldn’t communicate unless he had pen and paper. For others, his lack of hair was a painful reminder of a disease that had taken loved ones from them. Whatever the reason, Ike had spent many lonely summers with just the smallest children and the dedicated sisters for company. Buck’s arrival had changed a lot of things. Ike’s introduction to the Kiowa half-breed had been a painful one but he had never once regretted wading in to help the boy who was being beaten by several grown men. During their recovery, Buck had begun to teach Ike to speak with his hands. Eager to learn, it hadn’t taken long for the mute youngster to become proficient enough to be understood. By the time classes had started in the fall, Ike had felt confident enough to participate and before long many of the other students and the sisters had learned enough sign that Buck was only rarely needed to translate. Ike had seldom been embarrassed by the handicap since that summer.
Seldom that is, until the summer April came to the school.
The girl had to be the prettiest thing Ike had ever seen. He knew from overhearing the sisters that her name was April and that she would only be at the school until her aunt and uncle could be notified and come to get her from back east somewhere. By the end of the first day, one thing was crystal clear. Fifteen year-old Ike McSwain was in love. He stayed nearby over the next day or two, careful to stay just far enough away that she wouldn’t be bothered by his presence. He watched as the other boys walked up to her, boldly talking to her, offering to help carry whatever burden she carried. For the first time in a long time, Ike felt sorry for himself. He would never be able to do what the others were doing—even if he could get past his shyness. A week had passed before an opportunity presented itself for him to be of service. School had ended the previous day and April was alone for the first time, helping Sister Miriam Claire carry textbooks to the storage room. Ike watched as the stack began to topple and was at her side in the split second it took for the top book to hit the floor. Retrieving the tome, he offered it to her with a shy smile. “Why thank you,” April said gratefully, her own smile tinged with sadness. Ike’s heart leaped at the musical sound of her voice. “Get away from her, dummy!” a less than lyrical voice commanded. Strong hands pulled the book from his, then pushed him roughly away. “Leave him alone,” a third voice said quietly. “Ike is no dummy.” Ike didn’t even have to look around to know that his friend Buck was behind him. He watched as the bully looked passed him, gulping in fear. Buck hadn’t been at that school very long before everyone had known he was not someone to be messed with. This bully was no exception.
None of that mattered to Ike. All that mattered was that April was watching the exchange, confusion obvious on her face. Embarrassed more than he had ever been, Ike turned and ran.
Buck found him a short time later, just as he expected. He had known even as he ran that his friend would come after him. The ledge where he sat was one he had used in the past. “Why’d you run off?” the Kiowa asked. Doesn’t matter, Ike signed. “Yes it does,” Buck argued. “April was asking about you.” Ike looked away, unwilling to allow even his closest friend to see the hope that flashed in his eyes. Buck waited patiently until Ike turned to face him again. “You coming back now?” he asked. Ike shook his head, the embarrassment he felt still fresh in his mind. “No reason for you to be worried,” Buck reassured him. “I explained to her.” Why? Ike signed, his movements sharp with anger. “Why what?” Buck asked in surprise. You always explain for me! Ike responded. I don’t need your help! Buck stared at his friend. “What’s wrong with you?” he asked. “You’ve never had a problem with me doing it before.” This is different! “Different how?” Ike paused, trying to come up with the words to explain. It just is, he signed finally. “All right,” Buck responded. “You don’t want my help, I won’t help. But just so you’ll know, all I told her as that Frank is a bully and she should just ignore him.”
With that, the Indian jumped easily from the ledge and stalked away.
Ike sat where Buck had left him. He considered staying out on the ledge all night, even though it was probably going to get cold. His pride was worth a little bit of inconvenience. He could always hope that April’s family would come for her before he had to return.
The thought only lasted a few minutes before Ike realized that he really had no choice. If he didn’t go back, Mother David Mary would send Buck to look for him and bring him back. Sighing softly to himself, he lowered himself down the side of the cliff and started the long walk back to the school.
Ike managed to find chores to keep himself busy and out of April’s sight for the next few days. If the sisters thought anything of his sudden interest in the cleanliness of the barn or the care and repair of the tack, they said nothing.
He and Buck had made amends, their friendship strong enough to withstand a minor disagreement. Buck said nothing about his friend’s obvious avoidance of April. While he didn’t necessarily understand why Ike was doing what he was doing, he accepted that the other boy had his reason.
The two horses that shared the barn looked up and whinnied as Ike stepped in from the bright sunshine. Pausing for a moment, the boy allowed his eyes to adjust before moving to the stalls. The old gelding pushed forward expectantly, snuffling softly as he nuzzled Ike’s jacket. Ike smiled widely, giving the horse an affectionate rub before reaching into his pocket to pull out the expected treat. As the horses munched contentedly on the carrots, Ike took a brush from the shelf. He had just opened the stall door and was stepping inside when he heard the noise. At first he thought it was a kitten mewing but then remembered that the youngest of the kittens born that spring had already been weaned and none of the cats was due anytime soon. Stepping away from the stall, Ike listened intently to see if the sound continued. He had just about decided his imagination was playing tricks on him when he heard the sound again, coming from the loft overhead. Moving as quietly as he could, Ike stepped to the ladder attached to one wall and climbed upward. April started as Ike’s head topped the floor of the loft. Hastily she wiped her eyes but not before he noticed the tears running down her cheeks. Bracing himself carefully to free both hands, he signed, are you all right? “I’m sorry,” the girl said, stifling a hiccup. “I don’t understand.” Sniffing loudly, she searched her pockets for a handkerchief. Ike immediately handed her one from his own pocket, thanking providence that he had pulled a clean one from his drawer that morning. “Thank you,” April responded automatically, then to Ike’s horror burst into tears once again. Unable to voice his concern in a way she would understand, Ike reacted instinctively. He vaulted the rest of the way into the loft and took the girl in his arms, holding her until her sobs tapered off and finally stopped. “Oh, I’m so sorry!” April apologized as she pulled away and saw the stain her tears had left on his shirt. Ike shrugged to indicate that it didn’t matter, then spread his hands and looked at her questioningly. “You want to know why I’m here?” she asked. At his encouraging node, she explained. “Today is—was Daddy’s birthday.” Fresh tears threatened, but she continued. “I can’t help it, I miss him so.” Ike awkwardly patted her shoulder, trying to convey his understanding. He waited patiently as she struggled to regain control. “I’m sorry I’m being such a baby,” April said finally. Crying can be good sometimes, Ike signed in return. April looked at him, fascination replacing the despair on her face. “I wish I could understand you,” she told him. Ike looked around, searching for some way to tell her what he was signing. It had been a long time since he’d had a need to carry a pencil and paper. “What are you looking for?” April asked curiously. Her eyes lit up as Ike mimed writing on the palm of his hand. Reaching into the pocket of her jumper, she pulled out a small journal and a stub of a pencil. Taking the pad, Ike wrote a careful note. “I can teach you,” April read aloud. “Teach me to sign?” she asked. Ike nodded eagerly in response. Not only would it help her to understand him, he hoped it would take her mind off dealing with her loss. Even though his own parents had died many years earlier, he still vividly remembered the pain he had felt. Any form of distraction back then had been a welcomed relief. “Oh,” she exclaimed. “I don’t know if I can learn.” Ike motioned for the pad, then wrote another, longer sentence. “Sister Sarita did, so can you,” April read, giggling. “I really would like to learn,” she continued more seriously. “Especially if it means you’ll stop avoiding me.” Ike blushed. He really hadn’t thought she’d noticed, or if she had, that it had mattered. “I asked Buck why,” April told him, noticing the way he stiffened in response. “Don’t worry, he didn’t tell me anything.” “Buck is a good friend,” Ike wrote. “Yes, he is,” she responded. “I wish I had a friend like him.” Ike scribbled two words on the piece of paper, followed by an emphatic slash of the pencil.
“You do!” she read.
Interrupted by the bell indicating time for dinner, Ike had written that April’s lessons would start first thing after they finished their chores the next morning. Dutifully she met him at the barn and waited patiently as he finished filling the feed bins. “Should we go to the classroom?” she suggested, thinking a blackboard would be easier than a pad. Smiling, Ike reached up to a shelf and pulled down a small slate and a piece of chalk. April smiled in return, then asked. “Where do we start?” “At the beginning,” Ike wrote.
Buck wandered into the barn a couple of hours later to find Ike signing and April rushing about pointing to various objects. The Kiowa smiled as he caught Ike’s eye. He nodded in approval, then slipped out, unseen by the student.
I’m just glad the others have left for the summer, Ike signed to his friend that evening. At least I don’t have to worry about Frank making fun of me. “Somehow, I don’t think it would matter anyhow,” Buck replied. “She didn’t ask me about Frank.” She’s learning very quickly, Ike said, ignoring his friend’s remark. She says it’s because she has a good teacher. Buck’s unbridled laugh earned him a glare. What’s so funny? Ike demanded.
“I-ike’s in lo-ove!” Buck sing-songed, then ducked and ran before his friend could catch him.
As the days progressed, April was able to understand more and more. While she still eagerly looked forward to their lessons, Ike noticed she frequently gazed off to the horizon, appearing to search for something. What are you looking for? he signed after watching her for several minutes. “Mother David Mary got a letter from my aunt and uncle earlier this week,” April answered. Ike’s heart lurched suddenly. Her watchfulness was suddenly very understandable. She was waiting for her family to come, and when they came, it would be to take her away. “If they left on the day they wrote the letter,” she continued, “they should be here very soon.” The girl’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t want to leave!” she cried. “I don’t even know them!” Ike put his arms around her, lending what comfort he could in spite of his own desire to cry as well. “I was just a baby when we left Pittsburgh,” April explained once she had regained her composure. “This is my home! It’s the only home I’ve ever known!” Your aunt and uncle must love you very much Ike comforted. At least they are coming to get you instead of leaving you here alone. April considered his words for a brief time before realizing the deeper meaning behind them. “No one came for you?” she asked without thinking. No, he signed, turning away. “Oh, Ike,” April cried, stepping close to put her hand on his arm. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.” It’s all right, he told her. It was a long time ago. “But I don’t understand,” April protested, her own worries forgotten for the moment. I only have one aunt, Ike explained. She didn’t think she could take care of a dummy. “You are not a dummy!” April argued. “Don’t you ever say that again!” she demanded. Ike smiled wryly. You should be glad that you have someone who cares enough about you to come all this way to get you. And to give you a home. “I guess you’re right,” April agreed reluctantly. “But I just wish I didn’t have to leave. Especially since . . .” Her voice trailed off as she colored with embarrassment. Since? Ike prompted, hope that it might be because of him soaring in his heart. “Just because,” April replied, blushing madly.
No amount of teasing or prompting on his part convinced her to say anything more.
Sister Mariam Claire watched as Ike and April moved about the yard. “I’m pleased to see that Ike has taken it upon himself to keep the girl entertained,” she said turning away from the window. “But I fear their relationship may present a problem when her family arrives.” Sister Sarita shook her head. “At the very worst it’s a case of ‘puppy love’,” she argued. “I think both of them have benefited from their association.” Mariam Claire turned to see April laughing at something Ike had signed. “I’m not sure she has fully dealt with her loss,” she said frowning. “To compound that loss with the loss of someone she has grown to care for may be more than her aunt and uncle are prepared to handle.” “I’ve been watching her,” Sarita responded. “And listening. She speaks of her parents with sadness but no longer with despair. I believe her association with Ike has proven to her that life does go on. While it most certainly will not be the same, Ike has shown her that she is allowed to experience some happiness.”
“Ike has been good for the girl,” the third nun spoke for the first time. “And she for him.” She held up her hand to prevent further protest from Mariam Claire. “I do, however, agree that we should keep an eye on the pair. If it appears their involvement is becoming more serious, we may have to intervene.” Mother David Mary rose slowly to her feet. “The child’s family will be here within the week. Until that time, I see no reason to interrupt their harmless fun.”
April’s Aunt Jesse and Uncle Patrick arrived the following Saturday. Unaware, Ike, Buck and April had taken the horses and gone riding to a nearby lake, taking a picnic lunch with them. They returned late that afternoon, racing hell-bent-for-leather for the barn with Ike and April riding double on the old gelding and Buck on the mare. After taking care of their animals, the trio started for their rooms. “I don’t care, Ike,” Buck argued as his friend signed rapidly. “You knew there were two of you on the horse when you challenged me to the race!” “He’s right, Ike,” April giggled. “We should have known old . . . “ Her words trailed off and she stopped dead in her tracks. You’re supposed to be on my side! Ike reprimanded. His hands stopped as he saw the girl go deathly pale. Stepping closer he prepared to catch her if she fell. What’s wrong? he signed anxiously. “Daddy?” April’s voice had an almost haunted quality to it that made Ike look in the direction she was staring. Sister Sarita stood on the porch with an older couple. At first glance, Ike concluded that they must be a visiting priest and nun. Looking more closely, he realized that, while both of them wore black, the man wore a regular tie instead of a Roman collar. The woman, he noted, wore a simple scarf rather than the wimple that was typical of the sisters he knew. The man was smiling openly while the woman wore a serious almost disgusted look.
“April, dear,” Sarita called. “Come meet your aunt and uncle.”
“Your father never mentioned that he and I were twins?” April’s uncle asked after the girl had recovered enough to join them on the porch. “No, Sir,” April answered shyly. “I’m sorry to have shocked you,” Patrick told her sincerely. “Had I known, I would have had the sisters prepare you.” “Speaking of preparing,” Sister Sarita interrupted. “Dinner will be ready soon. Perhaps the children should go clean up and change.”
“Yes, Sister,” Buck and April replied, rising to their feet with Ike and moving into the house.
“Did you see her?” Jesse was saying as Ike approached the dining room. “Dressed like a boy and racing about like a wild savage!” Ike stood, out of sight, in the hall, unable to turn away from the words he was hearing. “To think she was allowed to go out, alone, with those boys—and one of them an Indian!” “Jesse, please,” Patrick responded. “I’m certain when we return to Pittsburgh, you will be able to instruct her in what it means to be a proper young lady.” “I most certainly will,” the woman vowed. “I simply cannot believe that the nuns here have allowed her to . . . “ The tirade stopped abruptly as the sisters entered the room. At the same time, Buck and April came down the steps. April started to take Ike by the hand but he pulled away. “What’s wrong?” she asked curiously.
He shrugged without answering and stepped on into the dining room.
“What did you hear?” Buck asked as they prepared for bed that evening. Ike looked at him, eyes wide in innocence. “I know you overheard something before we went into dinner,” Buck said, not accepting the look. “Something that has made you angry. What was it?” It doesn’t matter, Ike signed. “It does if you’re going to start acting stupid,” Buck argued. “You were being rude to April’s folks and don’t think I was the only one to notice it. Sister Sarita is going to be calling you into her office if you don’t start acting right.” She was angry with April, Ike signed reluctantly. Because she was out with us. She said April shouldn’t have been out alone with us. “That’s the way folks back East think, Ike,” Buck told him. “They are a lot less trusting of their daughters than folks out here are.” She has to go back with them doesn’t she? “They’re her family. Where else would she go?” She could stay here with us, Ike signed. She’s not going to like it back there with them. “Ike, you don’t know that,” Buck protested. “Her uncle seems like a good man. And they are her folks.”
Ike sighed, then blew out the lamp.
“I hate her!” April complained. Two days had passed since the trio had been allowed to spend any time alone. April’s aunt and uncle had gone into town to arrange for their trip home. “She does nothing but correct the way I talk and tell me to sit up straight and act ‘properly’!” “She’s just trying to make you into a lady,” Buck suggested, earning an angry glare from both of his companions. “If this is what it takes to be a ‘lady’,” April protested, “I think I’d rather be a little girl!” “And now they’re in town getting ready to go back to Pittsburgh!” she cried. “I don’t want to go!” What can we do? Ike asked. You have to go with them. They’re your family. “You and Buck don’t have any family,” the girl stated, oblivious to the pained look her words caused in the two young men. “You’re doing all right.” “We’re doing what we have to do,” Buck countered. “Your aunt and uncle came all the way out here to get you.” They did it because they care, Ike agreed sadly. If I had family that cared like that, I’d probably be with them. “Oh, Ike,” April exclaimed. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t say that to hurt you, I swear.”
I know, Ike replied. But Buck is right, too. Your aunt and uncle came all this way to get you, you have to go home with them.
“I don’t have to go with them,” April posed later that day. She had gone to the barn to help Ike take care of the horses. Ike looked at her questioningly. “We could run away!” she answered excitedly. “We could go back to my cabin,” she added, gulping at the thought. “No one would expect me to go back there.” It wouldn’t work, Ike signed in response. Someone would be bound to spot us and tell your aunt and uncle. “Well then we could just go far away,” April said firmly. “We could go somewhere where no one knows us and make a life for ourselves there!” Ike looked at her uncertainly. He knew he didn’t want her to go away, but he didn’t think that running away would be the best way to avoid the situation. You don’t think they would come after you? He questioned. They seem to love you very much and I’ll bet they won’t just give up and go away without you. “I don’t care!” she answered angrily. “I’m going to run away, Ike, whether you come with me or not. I’m not going back to Pittsburgh and no one can make me.”
She turned away from him then and started back to the house. Ike had just seconds to make up his mind. Grabbing her by the arm, he turned her back to face him. I’ll go with you.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Buck asked quietly. Ike turned around with a soft sigh, then reached over to light the only lamp in the room. Turning it up just enough that he and Buck could see, he responded. I’m running away. “With April?” Buck asked unnecessarily. Yes, Ike replied. She doesn’t want to go back to Pittsburgh and she says she’ll run away alone if she has to. He looked pleadingly at the only real friend he had ever known. I can’t let her go alone, Buck. “Where you going to go?” I thought maybe up near the lake to start, Ike suggested. We can hide out there until they leave and then maybe go on West until we find a place where we can live. “You really think they’re going to just go back to Pittsburgh and just forget she ever existed?” She’s going to go alone, if I don’t go with her, Ike repeated. She needs me. Buck’s sigh was only slightly louder than Ike’s had been. He stood up and started pulling on his pants. What are you doing? Ike asked.
“I’m going with you,” his friend answered. “You’re going to need my help.”
It had taken the trio the rest of the night and all of the next day to get to a small clearing near a lake where Buck felt they could safely hide. He had argued convincingly against taking the mission’s horses, saying that it wouldn’t be fair to the nuns to steal more than what they absolutely needed. “Besides,” he added, “it will be a lot harder to track the three of us on foot.” April had gamely kept up with the two boys, but it had been a hard trek for her. They had stopped often, especially when her feet had started to blister. Buck and Ike had set up a crude lean-to and had collected enough firewood to start a small blaze. “Make sure to keep the wood dry,” he explained. “There’ll be less smoke that way.”
That had been easier said than done. Less than three hours after they had arrived at their destination, it had begun to rain. In no time their small fire had been doused and the three of them were cold, wet and miserable.
“This is crazy!” April exclaimed, listening to Ike sneeze for the third time in as many minutes. “We can’t stay out here in this rain. We’ll all get sick and d—“ “We won’t!” Buck interrupted sharply. “We just need to find a place to get dry and warm up.” The trio had given up on their lean-to after the rain had soaked through the leaves and the blankets they had spread over them. They had been walking for the better part of three days, hoping to find some better form of shelter. Almost as if Fate had decided to answer their prayers, a small cabin came into view. Buck looked to the other two, and at their nods, walked boldly onto the porch and knocked. The woman who opened the door exclaimed loudly over the condition of the three children who stood bedraggled in the pouring rain. Within minutes she had them safely inside and was ordering them to get out of their soaking wet clothes. As soon as they had stripped and were wrapped in dry blankets in front of the now roaring fire, the woman began preparing them some soup. “Eat every last drop of this, you hear?” she ordered. “I’ll just put your clothes out here to dry while you’re eating.” “Yes, Ma’am,” Buck answered for the three of them. “What in the name of heaven were you three doing out there on foot in this storm?” the woman asked. “Just passing through,” April replied. “We’re on our way West.” “Just the three of you? Alone?” the woman asked incredulously. “This is really good soup, Mrs. . . .” Buck said, trying to change the subject. “You just call me Addy, boy,” she replied. “And there’s plenty more where that came, from so eat hearty!” “All right, . . . Addy,” Ike chose that moment to sneeze again. Addy moved quickly to his side, placing her hand on his forehead. “Why, child, you’re burning up!” she exclaimed. “We need to get you to bed right away.”
Ike was too tired to even sign a protest. In no time he was bundled up on a cot in front of the fire.
April refused to sleep that night. Instead, she sat by Ike’s side, holding his hand. He slept fitfully but seemed quieter with her at his side. No amount of prompting by Buck or Addy would convince the girl to leave her post. “How long have you three been out there?” Addy asked Buck. “Three days,” Buck answered. “Is Ike going to be all right?” he asked anxiously.
“We’ll know better in the morning,” Addy replied. “If his fever breaks, he should be right as rain in no time.”
The rain fell steadily for the next two days but no one in the cabin noticed. They were anxiously watching and waiting for Ike’s condition to change. April had finally been convinced to get some sleep, but only after she could no longer keep her eyes open. Even then she had insisted that she sleep on the floor by Ike’s cot. Addy had learned quickly that arguing with the girl did little good. Finally, on the third day, Ike’s breathing became easier and his face became less flushed. By noon he was awake and aware enough to admit to being hungry. How long? he signed to Buck as the other boy helped him to the small shelter in back of the cabin. “It’s been three days,” the Kiowa answered. “You had us worried, you know?” I’m sorry. “Well, you’re better now. We just have to wait until you’re ready to move on.” You don’t think Addy will mind? “She doesn’t seem to mind,” Buck replied. “I’ve been hunting when I can to help with the food and April has been helping her around the cabin . . . when she wasn’t tending to you.”
“Besides,” he added as they returned to the cabin, Ike leaning heavily on his shoulder, worn out from even the mild exertion, “where are we going to go?”
“We’re going back,” April declared the next morning. “I was a fool to ask you to do this for me.” No! Ike signed emphatically. My being sick wasn’t your fault! “Ike’s right, April,” Buck agreed. “He didn’t—“ “You wouldn’t have been sick if I hadn’t convinced you to come with me!” April interrupted angrily. “You don’t know that.” Ike pounded his chest to get their attention. If you go back, it has to be because YOU want to! His signs were sharply done and the look on his face determined. I won’t let you use me as an excuse. “I hope you children don’t mind my eavesdropping,” Addy interjected. “You’re the three that ran away from the mission down in the valley aren’t you?” “How . . . how did you know?” April stuttered. “A couple of days before you got here a search party stopped by to ask if I’d seen you,” the older woman responded. “I hadn’t then, of course, so they rode on.” “Why didn’t you say anything?” Buck demanded. “I didn’t figure it was my business,” Addy replied. “I figure you must have your reasons and I wasn’t in a position to tell you otherwise.” “Will you tell them now?” April asked quietly. “Not if they don’t ask me,” Addy said. “And I don’t figure they will come back here. They probably figure you’re long gone by now.” She finished drying the dish she had been holding and neatly folded the towel. “One thing though,” she added. “There was this one man with the search party. Said he was your uncle,” she indicated April. “If it means anything to you, he looked real worried. Looked like he hadn’t slept in some time.” April hung her head. “I didn’t think he cared,” she whispered.
“Oh, he cares all right,” Addy told her. “Them other fellows, they were all for turning back to the mission, what with the rain and all. But your uncle, he said he couldn’t leave you out there in the rain and he was going on no matter what the others did.”
By the end of the week, Ike felt ready to travel. By mutual agreement, the trio had said nothing more about which direction they would be heading. Instead they waited and left the decision in April’s hands. The girl spent quite a bit of time talking to Addy. At one point Ike caught her crying after one of their discussions. He had done that day exactly as he had done the first time he had seen her cry. Taking her in his arms, he held her until she had cried herself out. “I don’t want to leave you, Ike,” she whispered. “I don’t know what to do, but I do know I don’t want to leave you.” It doesn’t have to be forever, he signed. We can write to each other and I can come to Pittsburgh to visit you. “You’d do that?” she asked, hope springing into her blue eyes. I’d go anywhere with, or for, you. Haven’t you figured that out yet? the boy responded.
April smiled through her tears. “I was hoping you’d say that,” she said, stretching up to kiss him on the cheek.
The next morning, Buck and Ike waited patiently as April hugged Addy goodbye. The older woman stepped forward as if to say something to them, then impulsively gave them both a strong hug. “You boys take good care of my girl here, you hear me?” she commanded. “Yes, Ma’am,” Buck replied for the two of them.
April led the way off the small porch and resolutely turned back toward the mission.
They had returned to the mission and some very angry, but relieved, adults. The sisters had tried to be stern and reprimand their charges but, in the end, had simply hugged them gratefully. April’s aunt and uncle had reacted in much the same way. Jesse had pulled April into the parlor and had soundly scolded her. April had been properly penitent and had apologized profusely for the trouble she had caused. Her words became even more sincere as her aunt had begun to cry. “I was just so afraid we had lost you—that I had driven you away!” Jesse cried. “You can’t possibly know how awful that made me feel.” “Oh, Aunt Jesse,” April responded. “I was so foolish. I’m so very sorry for hurting you. Please believe me!” The two had ended the conversation holding each other tightly. Patrick was still out searching for them when they had gotten back, but had come back as quickly as he possibly could. He had taken April in his arms and spun her around excitedly. “You have no idea how much of a scare you gave me, young lady!” he roared. “If you ever try anything like that again, I’ll tan your hide!” The anger in his words was tempered by the concern on his face. “Patrick Boone!” Jesse exclaimed. “Put her down! It’s not seemly.”
“I don’t care, Jesse,” Patrick replied, all the while smiling broadly. “I am just so angry!”
“I’ll write you every day,” April promised. “You have to promise to write me, too.” I promise, Ike signed, crossing his heart in affirmation. “Every day?” Every day! The pair stood away from the adults and Buck as they waited for the stage to arrive. They held each other’s hand tightly until the last possible moment, even after she had taken her seat, separating only when the stage pulled away and he could no longer hang on. Ike stood, watching the stage as it rolled away. He didn’t move until even the trail of dust had disappeared. Finally Buck stepped up to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Race you back to the mission?” the Kiowa challenged. “Loser does the winner’s chores for a week?”
“Hey!” he shouted as the other boy took off at a dead run. “No fair!”
April Love
Artist: Pat Boone
April love is for the very young
Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
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