A Love Forbidden (5 page)

After a second or two of hopping around while still attempting to remove her boot, Shiloh gave up the task temporarily and stood on both feet. “Yes, Mr. Meeker? Is there something I can do for you?”

“I need to speak with you and my daughter.” He glanced around as if hoping Josie would appear at any moment. “Do you know where she might be?”

“Likely still down at the Bear Dance. I just arrived back from there myself.”

He frowned, his thick gray brows nearly joining in the middle. “That girl involves herself too frequently and familiarly with those Indians. And, contrary to what she may believe, they’re not as friendly or benign as they may appear. I hope you will take greater care and keep a proper distance around them, Miss Wainwright.”

She didn’t know how to reply to his comments about Josie, so thought it best to address his request of her. “Since I’m to be the children’s teacher, I believe a professional demeanor—both with the children and their parents—is appropriate at all times.”

As if digesting that bit of information, Meeker paused, then nodded his approval. “Good. Good. Perhaps some of that will rub off on my daughter. We try our best, Arvilla and I do, to instill proper Christian morals and attitudes in our children. Josie, however, has always been a bit unruly and strong-willed. Perhaps a young woman closer to her own age is just what she needs.”

Shiloh managed a smile, all the while holding her opinions tightly reined in. “I’m sure Josie and I will both profit from our acquaintance.”

“Yes. I’m sure you will.” He paused again. “Well, I’ve work to do, but as soon as my daughter returns, would you and she join me in the Agency office? I’ve a plan to discuss regarding how to win over the Ute parents, so they’ll finally allow their children to attend school.”

Somehow, Shiloh doubted there would be much “discussion” on the plan, but wisely decided to forego expressing that observation. She felt a twinge of guilt at so swiftly taking Nathan Meeker’s measure, but she’d learned at an early age to trust her instincts. Instincts that generally proved very accurate.

Still, he was the Indian agent and ultimately in charge of everything that went on at the Agency. Shiloh made a mental note to keep her opinions to herself. Well, at least for now anyway. And, hopefully, once she got school going, he’d stay pretty much out of the teaching side of things. After all, it
was
why he’d hired her.

“I’ll be sure to tell Josie, just as soon as I see her, sir.”

“I’m sure you will. Good day, Miss Wainwright.” He grabbed his coat from a peg by the front door, donned it, and departed without another word.

Shiloh watched him leave, then resumed the removal of her boots. Boots that now were free of the snow that had melted into puddles of water on the pine plank floors. She picked up her boots, carefully stepped around the water, and headed for the kitchen to retrieve a mop.

Two hours later, just about the time Shiloh had finished unpacking everything, written a letter home, and decided on a nap, Josie arrived at her door. The other woman stood there out of breath, her eyes sparkling, her cheeks and nose pink from the cold.

“Oh, it was so much fun!” she said. “I wish you would’ve stayed.”

“By the looks of you, maybe I should’ve.” She swung the door wider. “Come on in while I get my boots back on. Your father asked that we meet him in his office just as soon as you returned.”

“Really?” Josie grimaced. “Well, I reckon he can’t mean to chide me for attending the Bear Dance if you’re there, so guess it’s about something else.”

“He mentioned discussion of a plan to win over the Utes to allowing their children to attend school.”

“Oh? That should be interesting.” Josie chuckled. “Considering I’ve tried everything short of kidnapping and outright bribery.”

“You’ve been having that much trouble, have you?” Shiloh asked from her spot on the chair as she finished pulling on her boots.

“After all these months, I’ve only managed to get one little boy to come to school—Chief Douglas’s son, Freddie.”

“Only one child? Oh, my, then we really do have a problem.”

As Shiloh followed Josie from her room and back down the stairs, her thoughts raced. It was all starting to fall into place now. She had always wondered why Nathan Meeker had seen the need to spend extra money for a professionally trained teacher, when his college-educated—and quite intelligent—daughter should’ve been sufficient for the task. It wasn’t as if the US government required that the Indians be given a high level of education, but rather just enough to change their outlook and old ways. Still, if there was a mandate placed on the White River Indian agent to produce results, and Meeker had hit a brick wall with stubborn parents . . .

The niggling unease that had been with her since shortly after her arrival flared into outright concern. Had she been given an impossible task and all but set up for failure, however unintended it might have been? Or was it, instead, a studied attempt by Nathan Meeker to absolve himself of blame? After all, if a professionally trained teacher couldn’t get the school going, what could a mere Indian agent hope to do? And he could lay the fault squarely on her shoulders.

Shiloh hated even to think such unkind thoughts about her new employer. Not only was it a poor beginning to a working relationship, but it was uncharitable. And Meeker was said to be a God-fearing man.

“Don’t lose heart, Shiloh,” her friend said as they paused in the entry to put on their coats. “It takes time to win the trust of the Utes. But once they get to know you and see your skill . . .”

“They’re good people. They only want the best for their families,” Shiloh replied. “I just pray that your father can give us the time we may need.”

Josie nodded as she opened the front door and they walked out. “If the timetable of things was up to him, likely he would. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, however, isn’t known for its patience. And, seeing as how they’re far away in Washington and probably don’t know much of anything about how things are out here, I’m not sure how much more time they’ll give us. That’s what’s got my father worried.”

“He’s in a difficult position,” Shiloh said by way of agreement as they walked up the street to the Agency office. “Stuck right in the middle between two vastly different cultures with vastly different needs.”

“Unfortunately, only one can come out on top,” the other woman said as they finally paused in front of the Agency office door, “and I don’t think it’s going to be the Indians.”

“So, here’s what I want you to do.” Nathan Meeker glanced directly at Shiloh. “Beginning tomorrow, visit all the Ute camps on this reservation—which, for starters, includes Chief Douglas’s, Chief Johnson’s, and Captain Jack’s—meet with each set of parents of school-age children, and procure their commitment to enrolling their children in your school.”

He paused to glance down at a calendar. “I’ll give you until the end of April. That should be more than sufficient time to get the children enrolled and everything set up to start lessons on May first.”

A little over a month, Shiloh thought. Meeker must be feeling a lot of pressure from his superiors to spare so little time. But then, Josie had been trying since her arrival last summer with no appreciable results. And another summer would soon be upon them.

“I’ll do my best, sir,” she said. “It might take awhile, though, for the Utes to get to know and trust me, much less accept my reasons for why they should send their children to school.”

“Unfortunately, Miss Wainwright,” the agent said with a sigh, “I don’t have awhile. And neither do the Utes. I’ve been very patient with them, tried to be a benevolent father and bend over backward to accommodate them. Yet, for the most part, all I get in return is an avid interest in procuring all the government annuity supplies they can get their hands on and then going their merry way. It never seems to enter their childlike brains that to continue to receive, they must also give.”

“They don’t have a lot of choice, do they, sir, when the government requires they remain within the confines of the reservation? They can’t find much game or gather much food that way, and so need the annuity supplies to survive.”

Nathan Meeker’s head jerked up from a note he was making on his calendar, and his glance turned to Josie, then Shiloh. “I see my daughter’s already been filling your head with her thoughts on the treatment of the Utes.”

“No, actually, sir,” Shiloh replied, “I’ve been of that opinion for a while now. It’s pretty much common knowledge amongst those who care to look past the white man’s needs to those of the other inhabitants of this state.”

He arched a graying brow. “Indeed, Miss Wainwright?”

She could tell by the angry glint in his eyes that she needed to tread carefully here. Nathan Meeker meant well. It was evident, though, that he was deeply frustrated. Whatever his initial plans had been for the Utes, things hadn’t gone as he’d first envisioned. He seemed a man near the end of his resources and patience. He needed help, or the next steps he took might lead to very unpleasant consequences. Unpleasant not only for the Utes but the Agency employees as well.

“Indeed, sir.” She paused, trying to choose her next words with all the tact she possessed. “From your letters to me when I was first seeking employment here, I was most impressed with your vision for the Agency and the Ute Indians. That you would lead them from sin to a new life of Christian virtues. That you would teach them to once again become self-sufficient within the confines of their reservation by learning how to farm, raise cows and other livestock, and settle into warm, snug, permanent homes. It might not be the old way of things for them, but it’s the only way. And they get to remain in their beloved mountains.”

His angry look now mellowing to one of consideration, Meeker rested his chin in his hand. For several long, tortuous seconds, Shiloh watched him, wondering, fearing that she may have just talked herself out of a job. But she had told the truth. There wasn’t more she could say. Either they shared the same vision or she couldn’t remain here anyway.

Finally, the Indian agent lowered his hand and nodded. “As much as I’d like to give you more time 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.”