A Love Forbidden by Kathleen Morgan Read Free Book Online Page B

with the schooling issues, Miss Wainwright, I can’t. I will, however, try to ease your way with them by sending one of the more trustworthy braves to escort and introduce you. And, if doling out a few trinkets to the squaws can help smooth things over for you, I’ll gladly provide some extra gifts from the annuity supplies. Are you willing to join me in this endeavor? I can surely use your aid.”
    Shiloh supposed it was the closest thing to an admission that he desperately needed her that she might get. “I’ll do my best for you, sir. I truly believe education will be the key to the Utes’ salvation, both on this earth and in the life beyond.”
    He shoved back his chair, came around the desk, and took her hand in his. “As do I, Miss Wainwright. As do I.” He paused. “Is tomorrow too soon to begin? With the unpredictable mountain weather this time of year, we’re sure to lose more than a few days to the snow and cold. So each day of good travel is best utilized.”
    “If that’s what you want, sir, I—”
    “Father,” Josie interjected just then, “the Bear Dance goes on for another two days. Hardly anyone will be home at their tepees, including the children.”
    Meeker’s mouth twisted in irritation. He released Shiloh’s hand and stepped back. “Ah yes. That infernal spring celebration of theirs. I suppose we’ve no choice but to wait until it’s over.”
    “It’d be the respectful thing to do, Father.”
    He sighed. “Yes, I suppose it would be. Too bad the respect isn’t returned in kind.” He looked down at Shiloh. “Two days from today, then. Make the most of the time in planning what you’ll do and say. And send me a list of the gifts you’ll want from the storehouse.
    “You may go, Miss Wainwright. And, as for my daughter,” he added, casting her a stern look, “I’d like for you to stay. I’ve a few things I need to discuss with you.”
    Shiloh nodded. “Good day to you, sir.” She shot Josie a swift smile as she turned to leave. “See you later.”
    Her friend returned the nod, then walked over to her father. “I’ve a few things to discuss with you too, Father,” Shiloh heard her say as she opened the office door and stepped outside. “Including an excellent candidate to escort Shiloh when she visits the camps . . .”

     
    The good weather held for the final days of the Bear Dance, but as if it had been planned all along, a fierce winter storm blew in the very next morning, bringing below-freezing temperatures, fresh snow, and frigid winds. Still, Jesse thought three days later as he angrily covered the distance from Captain Jack’s camp to the Agency office on his horse, he would’ve far preferred braving the wind and snow in order to put Meeker and his restrictive policies behind him. After all these years, he knew the mountains and all the warm places next to water and with sufficient game to get him through the rest of the winter. And now, more than ever, he wished to be as far from the White River Agency as he could get.
    Since that first day of the Bear Dance, he had managed, quite successfully, to avoid Shiloh. Not that he’d actually expected her to come looking for him after the way he’d rejected her overtures of renewed friendship. Still, he kept sensing her presence, and not a few times, he’d whirled around to find no one there.
    What aggrieved him the most was the acute sense of disappointment he’d always felt when that happened. It made no sense, indeed bordered on sheer lunacy, to want to see her again. He needed to put her from his mind and, in the doing, put as much distance as he could between them.
    Fate, at the very least, though, seemed dead set against him. Nothing he could say would convince Captain Jack that he wasn’t the man for this particular job. Agent Meeker had specifically asked for him, his leader had said, and he could see no reason not to comply.
    It had been on the tip of Jesse’s tongue to enumerate all the reasons he