Chapter Seven
Sky Chaser was still trying to figure out why her father would give her the task of naming this quiet, white man. Should not that job fall to her uncle; after all they were the ones who were friends. She decided to speak to her uncle about this task. Perhaps he could help her with this task.

Ike had left the day before and should be back soon, she would need a name to present to her father before his return. She pushed back to covering to the teepee where her uncle was being kept. She spoke quietly before entering, “Is it alright for me to enter?”

Buck replied, “That would be nice. I would like some company.”

Sky Chaser crawled inside. “Where is my father?” she asked not trying to hide the disapproval of finding Buck alone. “He is to be here with you.”

Buck smiled at his niece. “He was needed elsewhere, and I feel much better.” He struggled to a sitting position. It still caused him pain to move, but he didn’t wish his brother to be in trouble because he was needed by the other people in the village. Besides, Buck didn’t want to give anyone here another reason to dislike him; they had enough already.

Sky Chaser settled in across the fire from him. “Father has given me a task that I need your help with.”

Buck nodded. “What task is that?” he asked, doing his best to hide the pain his recent movement had caused him. “I can’t help you with much.”

Sky Chaser smiled at him. “You are the only one who can help with this task,” she said. “Father has instructed me to come up with a name befitting a warrior for your friend. I do not know him well enough to do that; I do not know why Father gave the task to me instead of you.”

Buck watched the girl across the fire as she spoke of Ike. He noticed that her eyes lit up a little when she did; similar to the way Ike’s did when he spoke of her. Buck smiled as it occurred to him that his older brother was becoming more observant with age.

“I would be honored to help you choose a name for him,” Buck said with a smile. “Tell me what you have considered, and I will give my opinion.”

Sky Chaser sat quietly for a few seconds before admitting, “I have not really been able to think of any names. I do not know enough about him to give him a name. I know he is strong, considerate, cares deeply for you…” she paused when Buck’s expression changed.

“I did not mean to upset you,” she said softly, dropping her gaze to the ground. “It is just so obvious in the way he talks about you, and the way he touches you…” she once more paused and looked up at her uncle.

He smiled at her once more. “I am not surprised that you would notice such things; you have always been a rather observant child. You are right about us; we both care deeply for the other.” It was Buck’s turn to pause as he saw a flicker of disappointment cross Sky Chaser’s eyes.

He quickly continued, “But not the way you mean; while we are close, we also both wish to find a woman to share our lives with. Ike just recently lost the one he thought was meant for him; she died trying to avenge her father’s death.” He waited until his niece looked up at him before continuing, “He has not smiled when talking about a woman since her passing almost four moons ago until yesterday when he spoke to me of you.”

Sky Chaser once more dropped her gaze to hide the smile that she could not stop from appearing. She waited a few seconds before once more looking at her uncle. “So,” she said, “I still do not know a good name for him.” She sat once more thinking.

Buck did the same. The silence was interrupted when the teepee covering was pulled back and a second young lady looked in. “I was told to bring food,” she said as she crawled inside.

Buck quickly readjusted the deer hide that was covering him. He wasn’t sure why his state of undress did not bother him with Sky Chaser, but caused him embarrassment in front of this new person. Sky Chaser noticed, but said nothing. She also made a note of the fact that Little Fawn did not drop her eyes as she entered.

Little Fawn, the newcomer, set the bowls in front of Sky Chaser and Buck. “I hope this is adequate,” she said. “I was not sure what to bring.”

Buck reached for the bowl. As he did, Little Fawn went to pick it up to hand it to him. Their hands touched and she smiled at him shyly. “I hope you like it,” she said.

Buck blushed as he noticed that she was studying him intently. “I’m sure I will,” he said as he settled back adjusting his cover once more. As he began to eat, Buck couldn’t shake the feeling that he should know this girl. He was about to ask who she was when she decided to make her exit.

She turned to Sky Chaser, “I am sorry to interrupt, but Red Bear said I was to be sure you both ate.” She leaned in whispered something, laughed softly as Sky Chaser blushed, and made her exit.

Buck waited until she was away from the entrance before asking, “Who is she? I feel like I should know, but…”

Sky Chaser nodded. “You do know her,” she said. “She is about 6 moons younger than you so she was 11 summers when you left us the first time. Her brother is Little Fox.”

Buck looked up at Sky Chaser over his bowl. “That was Little Fawn?”

Sky Chaser nodded.

“She sure has changed,” Buck mumbled as he returned to eating.

Sky Chaser once more nodded and quickly took a bite of her food to hide the smile. The reason Sky Chaser had blushed as Little Fawn left was what the other girl has said, “He sure has done a nice job of growing up; you think he feels the same about me? I hope so; I need a husband that will appreciate my stamina.”