Shifting Targets by Austina Love Read Free Book Online Page B

cautious
eyes as he carefully guided his bike along small roads and around
narrow bends. So much poverty, he thought, but wouldn’t
disrespect Shye by voicing his silent observations. His heart sank
just knowing these people had been forced to live like this. He
wondered if their spirits had been broken or if they’d resigned
themselves to a life without hope.
    She pointed to a small house with a wooden
front porch. Two figures came into view as they drew closer. He
pulled into the drive, parked the bike and cut the engine. “Is this
your home?”
    “I guess. You saw our farm…quite a different
lifestyle on the reservation than on our own land.”
    He held her hand as she slid off the seat. “I
understand now why you’ve been fighting so hard to repossess your
farm. From what I saw it’s a magnificent spread.”
    “It is. And there is gold in the streams. The
soil is rich for planting and the water is still pure for drinking.
I want my parents to spend their final years on earth where all our
ancestors have. There is an ancient burial ground in the very back
corner of the property. If I cannot give them a proper burial I
fear their spirits will not be free when the time comes.” She
looked up with misty eyes that stole his breath.
    “Shye? Is that you?” a woman’s voice called
from the porch. She walked to the edge and peered into the yard,
shielding her eyes from the sun with one hand.
    “Yes, Ina , I’ve come to visit.” Shye
took his hand and led him up the dirt walkway. “I’ve brought a
guest.”
    He recognized the Lakota word for mother from when Shye had spoken it before. Trip offered his
hand in greeting but the woman didn’t accept.
    “You bring this wasicu here…to our
home?”
    “ Ina ! He is my friend. It does not
matter that he is white. Not all white people are bad.”
    A tall slender man descended the small flight
of steps to the yard. He stared Trip straight in the eyes. Though
his skin had aged, the spark in his eyes shone brightly. Trip felt
humbled by this man’s approach yet stood tall. If he rejected him
because of his skin color then so be it, Shye would have to
choose.
    “ Ate …please,” Shye pleaded softly. “I
love him.”
    “You are Wildflower’s tehila ?” Her
father spoke low and firm. “Do you seek to dishonor my only
daughter without becoming her hignaku ?”
    “I would never bring shame to your daughter.”
He looked to Shye for a little translation. “What does he think I
am doing to you?”
    An adorable shade of pink flushed her tan
cheeks. “He is throwing some Lakota words at you to confuse you.”
She shot her father a scolding look, then turned back to Trip. “He
asks if you’re my lover without the promise of marriage. Hignaku is husband. My parents are very protective.” She
frowned in open disapproval. “Aren’t you?”
    “Shye…he is wasicu !”
    Trip took a step toward them and squared his
shoulders. “I would marry your daughter today if you gave me your
blessing. I love her.”
    Shye gasped and stared at him with wide eyes.
He had hoped for a more romantic proposal but he could tell that
his first impression on her aging parents would be the most
important for everyone standing here right now. He refused to look
weak by not giving a solid reply. He felt her rising anxiety as her
grip on his hand tightened. Her father eyed him carefully for what
seemed like forever.
    “I am sorry that the white men tricked you
into selling your farm. I have been helping Shye with her plan to
get it back.”
    “It is our tradition that a young warrior
offers a gift to the family of the woman he seeks to take as his
wife. Do you have something to show good faith in exchange for my
daughter’s hand?”
    “Please, Ate , don’t be so hard on
him.” Shye reached out and touched her father’s arm.
    He caught the twinkle in the man’s eyes and
observed the closeness between them.
    “It’s okay, babe. I have something that will
most certainly please your