Taboo Love in the West Part 1: A Heart Off-Limits (Wild West Adventures in Love Book 3) by Ella Camsen

separated them. He could never ask her to leave her privileged life behind for the hardships of reservation life, and though the town was now full of people from all around the world, he knew that he would never really be welcome there, and certainly taking one of their women would be unforgivable. Even though he knew that Reverend Gillespie respected him, and even liked him as a man, he would hardly be his ideal choice of son-in-law – would probably become much like every other white man and would try to run him out of town with a gun.
    As he approached the site of Matoskah’s summer camp, he heard the sounds of women laughing and smelled the scents of a rich stew in the air. He rounded the corner and was surprised to see the woman who had been haunting his dreams for all these months in exactly the garb his dreams had clothed her in within those fantasies. Here she was, the perfect Sioux wife, long hair loose and flowing all the way down her back, a simple tunic accentuating her natural curves, and soft moccasins on her feet as she went about her chores. He was so overcome that rather than storming in and whisking her back where she belonged, he could only stand in the shadows to watch her. She looked so at peace, so completely at ease with herself in a way he had never seen before. How like her to find a way to make even an ordeal like being captured by men she must think of as savages into something that was positive and good. He watched in awe as she worked alongside the women, learning how to make clothes and shoes from scratch. He smiled to see her fascination with every aspect – the way her cute nose wrinkled up at the stale urine used by the women to help cure the leather and make it soft and supple so that they could make it into comfortable and warm clothing and shoes. He realised he could have made it easy on himself and taken her before they returned, but as he heard the rustling through the trees as they came he was glad he had been distracted. It would be better to confront Matoskah sooner rather than later.
    He headed towards the sounds of the approaching hunters. Clearly they had achieved success, as Sioux were only ever this loud on their return when they had made a kill that would provide for their entire family. As he came closer, he saw Matoskah in the lead, laughing and joking with his brothers and cousins. He stepped out into the clearing and noted the immediate change in mood as he did so. “We need to talk,” Amitola said calmly. “Alone.” White Bear nodded to his men to continue on without him.
    “You are right. I am guessing that you are alone?” he asked, clearly already knowing the answer to his question. Everyone knew of Amitola’s diplomacy, his desire to make things right as easily as possible. If he had worked out where to find her, who had taken her and why, then he would not bring embarrassment or shame to his people – whoever they may be – unless it was truly needed. It was just one of the traits that people like Matoskah saw as weakness in him, but was in fact one of his greatest strengths.
    “Yes, I worked out that it was you when you didn’t show up for the council meeting. But I couldn’t fully grasp why, Matoskah? What purpose could kidnapping a white woman possibly have for you?”
    “This.” the slightly older man stated baldly. “I needed to know if I was right, and it seems that I was. You have feelings for her?” he asked already knowing the answer. Amitola nodded – there was no point denying it.
    “But that doesn’t change anything. I cannot do anything about those feelings. It would ruin her life. I won’t do that to her. I still don’t see how that changes anything for you, my friend?”
    “Amitola, for such a wise man you can be so foolish sometimes. My exposure of your feelings for her will sow doubt in the minds of those who blindly follow Iron Nation’s dictates. The entire tribe knows you are his favoured heir, but your blindness for the