Read Online A Love Forbidden by Kathleen Morgan - Free Book Online

toward a tepee standing nearly straight ahead. It appeared a bit bigger than the others and was painted with various symbols. As did all the other tepees, its entrance faced east so the occupants could always greet the morning sun. As they approached the hide dwelling, the flap covering the entrance lifted, and a man stepped outside.
    From the look of him, Shiloh instantly surmised this was Captain Jack, the chief of the camp. Tall for a Ute, he was dressed in a blue trade shirt and brown vest, buckskin leggings and moccasins, and he wore a bear robe that he pulled tightly to him as he exited his tepee. His long hair was worn in two braids, and a large, round earring hung from each ear. His cheekbones were high, his lips full, and his nose long and straight.
    His eyes were narrowed and piercing, however, as he glanced first to Jesse, then Shiloh. And it was quite evident, from his scowling expression, that he didn’t appear at all happy to see them.
    Shiloh inhaled a steadying breath, squared her shoulders, then swung down from her horse. Without even waiting for Jesse to join her, she marched right up to the Ute chief and nodded in greeting.
    “My name is Miss Wainwright, and I’ve come at the request of Indian Agent Meeker to meet with you,” she said in the Ute language. “I am the new teacher for the Agency school, and I—”
    Jack lifted a hand to silence her and turned to Jesse, who had halted at Shiloh’s side. “So, Nuaru, do you now let a woman speak for you?”
    Jesse smiled and shrugged. “Remember, I’m only her escort. It was her wish to pay you the visit. And, as you can see, she speaks very well all by herself, without any assistance from me.”
    The Ute chief’s mouth quirked in grudging admission. “That she does. I don’t know many white women who are quite so forthright, though.”
    “If you wouldn’t mind,” Shiloh interjected just then, turning to Jesse, “could you bring me my saddlebags?”
    “Glad to be of service, ma’am,” he said with an edge of mockery in his voice, then promptly turned and headed back to the horses.
    His lips quirked in amusement, Captain Jack watched Jesse walk away, then riveted his attention back to Shiloh. “You’re a bold one. I’ve heard tales about red-haired white women.”
    “And all of them complimentary, I’m sure,” Shiloh softly muttered.
    The Ute cocked his head. “What did you say?”
    She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.” She plastered on her most winning smile. “As leader of your band, you make all the important decisions for them. So, I’ve come to ask your permission for the children to attend the Agency school. I’m a professionally educated teacher, and I’ve many exciting plans to discuss with you—”
    Jesse sauntered up just then, and Captain Jack immediately turned his full attention on him. “Though I told Meeker I’d loan you as her escort, knowing full well how I feel about the white man’s school, I thought you’d have done a better job of convincing her not to come.”
    “I warned her you wouldn’t be pleased, but she insisted on coming anyway,” Jesse said, apparently not at all daunted by Jack’s flare of anger. “Out of courtesy and hospitality, the least you could do is hear her out. Besides,” he added, holding up the full saddlebags, “she brought gifts.”
    Jack eyed the saddlebags with thinly disguised disdain. “It’ll take more than a few trinkets for me to send the children to the school. Unlike some of my brothers, I’m not so cheaply bought.”
    “Nonetheless,” Shiloh said, “there’s no harm done bringing gifts for the women and children. It’s my way of introducing myself and offering my friendship.”
    The Ute chief stepped aside and indicated the entrance to his tepee. “You are welcome to visit as a friend. Please, enter my home and share some food and drink.”
    Shiloh nodded. Then, lifting the tent flap, she stooped a bit and walked inside.

     
    A half hour later, they