A Love Forbidden by Kathleen Morgan Page A

smoking, or gambling. So your goings-on with those Ute braves is quite the talk right now.”
    “I just hope they stop soon. I don’t fancy being the topic of conversation or the butt of jokes, even as well meant as they might be.”
    “Oh, it’s just good fun. When Persune was trying to court me awhile back, I too had to bear some teasing and talk.” Josie’s expression sobered. “Of course, Father quickly put an end to all that, scolding me soundly for encouraging Persune with the visits I was paying to the camps. When I asked him how was I to convince the parents to send their children to school if they didn’t get to know and trust me, he finally calmed down a bit. Just count yourself fortunate that you don’t have a father nearby to lecture you about your behavior around men.”
    Shiloh’s heart twisted. “I think I’d rather have a father alive to lecture me than be without one entirely.”
    “Oh, Shiloh, I’m so sorry!” Josie halted and grabbed her arm. “That was thoughtless of me, complaining about my father, when you no longer have one. And you’re right. I shouldn’t be so hard on my father. He means well and only has my best interests at heart.”
    “I didn’t tell you to make you feel badly.” Shiloh’s smile was wistful. “Only to remind the both of us that we should strive always to treat others with patience and compassion. One never knows, after all, how long one has with a dear one.”
    Josie nodded. “So true. So true.” She paused and stared over Shiloh’s shoulder. “Speaking of treating others with patience and compassion,” she said, “there’s someone headed our way who equally deserves the same kindness. Or rather,” she added slyly, “ your kindness. Personally, I have no problem treating him cordially.”
    With a sinking feeling, Shiloh turned to find Jesse headed their way. Whatever did he want? Considering she hadn’t seen hide nor hair of him since the disastrous visit with Douglas two weeks ago, and that she really didn’t need him until she chose to make another trip to Jack’s camp, it was surprising to see him headed their way.
    The Chief Douglas fiasco notwithstanding, she was at least making some progress with the women in Johnson’s camp. And that was in no way thanks to Jesse. A lot of her good fortune was due to Susan paving the way for her in the past couple of weeks, but to Shiloh’s credit, it was her own efforts that had won over Susan.
    Still, Josie was right. Everyone should be treated with patience and compassion—at least to the best of one’s abilities. It was just that, at times, some people strained the limits of such actions, and one of those people was surely Jesse Blackwater.
    Funny, she thought, how these days being around Jesse set her on edge. She’d never felt like that when they were younger. But then, in the days back at the ranch, they’d both been so young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. Her more so than Jesse, of course, but still . . .
    As he drew near, Shiloh pasted on a smile of welcome and stepped forward to greet him. Best to seize the advantage, she resolved, and take charge before Josie got it into her head to do so. There was no telling where the conversation might lead if her gregarious friend got into another matchmaking mood.
    “I haven’t seen you in a while,” Shiloh said to the tall man who drew up before them. “What brings you all the way from Jack’s camp to the Agency?”
    “Jack wants to see you again,” Jesse replied without preamble. “When can you be ready to ride there with me?”
    Shiloh took a moment to digest that interesting bit of news and, as she did, a frisson of excitement vibrated through her. Was it possible? Was Captain Jack reconsidering allowing her to speak with his people? Oh, let it be so!
    “Any idea what Jack wants to see me for?” she asked, tamping down any outward display of pleasure at Jesse’s curt pronouncement. Though he tried to hide it, she could