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clearing. 
                  Beth had been the administrator of Thurston House, the orphanage over in Wolf Point.  When it had been forced to close, she and Black Fox had opened a new orphanage because they shared a love of children and hadn’t wanted the kids to be uprooted.  Devon had been one of the youngsters in Thurston House.  She and quite a few other kids had been adopted by families around the area.
                  Prior to that, the Dwyers had been trying to have another baby, but since it hadn’t happened, they’d decided to adopt a child.  When they’d gone to Thurston House to see which child they would connect with, three-year-old Devon had followed the Dwyers all over and they’d quickly realized that she was the one they were meant to take.
                  They’d lavished her with love and attention, just like their other kids.  Not long after they’d adopted Devon, Lacey had become pregnant with Joey.  Overjoyed, Lacey had insisted that if it was a boy, he would be named after Joe.
                  Sawyer rode his horse over to the central campfire and the heavenly scent of blood soup reached him.  The delicious, rich soup always seemed to be cooking somewhere in camp.  Most of the time, the same stock was used, with different meats, seasonings, and blood being added every day.  It was one of his favorite foods.
                  Dino helped him dismount and Sawyer walked over to the fire.
                  “Uncle!  It is good to see you,” he said in Lakota.  Many in their white family had grown up speaking the language.
                  Black Fox grinned as he stood up.  Sawyer stood six-foot-one, so he had to look up to his uncle’s six-foot-four height.  The chief’s posture had remained straight and he was still a strong man.  His hair reached midway down his back and was now more silver than black, but it only made him appear more powerful and mystical.
                  His ebony eyes shone with happiness.  “It is good to see you, too, nephew.  Come, sit.  Your Aunt Squirrel made fresh blood soup today,” he said, speaking about his sister.  He also warmly greeted Dino and Sandy.
                  They all sat down, Black Fox helping Sawyer get situated on a large log.  He folded a blanket up and put it under Sawyer’s bad ankle to cushion it.  Sawyer smiled, thinking how like his uncle it was to do such a thing.  Black Fox’s mission in life was to take care of other people, and he did it better than anyone Sawyer knew.
                  The Lakota chief had an innate ability to anticipate and meet people’s needs.  It was only one of the things that made him a great leader.  He was kind-hearted, generous with his time, abilities, and possessions, and fearless when it came to facing enemies or hardships.  And woe to the person who threatened his loved ones.
                  “I am glad you were finally able to come to camp,” Black Fox said.
                  Sawyer switched back to English.  “Me, too.  Grandpa said that you were in Helena for a couple of days.  How come?  You don’t normally travel that far away.”
                  Black Fox sighed.  “Someone told our insurance company that I wasn’t a citizen and I had to show them my citizenship documents so that we could keep our coverage,” Black Fox said.  “People keep causing trouble.  It is like putting out one small fire after another.”
                  “I’m sorry.  I don’t understand why they just can’t leave you alone.  People should be grateful for everything you and Aunt Beth have done for Dawson over the years,” Sawyer said angrily.
                  Black Fox smiled.  “Do not be troubled.  They will grow tired of the game.  I do not give up.”
                  “I know you don’t.  I