Taboo Love in the West Part 1: A Heart Off-Limits (Wild West Adventures in Love Book 3) Read Online Free

east. The street was dusty and bustling, and the sun didn’t let up in its glaring heat, but she could have been in any small country town anywhere. There would certainly be no hardship here for her. Her father was clearly respected and held in high esteem, something his parish in Boston had never done. Their final port of call on their short tour was the chapel, and Eliza could tell from the way her father was almost bursting his buttons again just how proud he was of the simple white building that the people had built for him to deliver his sermons and offer them spiritual sustenance from every Sunday. It was elegantly simple, devoid of all ostentation, a simple cross above the door and a steeple the only marker that this was any different to any other building. Her father opened the door with a flourish and bowed her into his sanctuary. The cool white interior was welcoming and felt full of love and calm, and she was gladdened to truly be able to feel God’s presence in the humble place of worship.
    The chapel was an oasis of peace, and Amitola often found himself drawn there when he came into Oacoma, especially on a hot day like today when it was one of the few places that offered some welcome shade from the heat to one of his kind. He liked the kindly Reverend Gillespie, and he could almost understand why this Christian god could hold such an appeal if his home here on earth was such a haven. He had to admire the ability of the diminutive minister to be able to insist that, as God’s house, it was open to all and to enforce its status as one of the few places in the emerging town that made the oyate an open invitation to stop by and visit. Though accord had been reached to some extent, the newcomers were still wary of his kind, and they didn’t open their doors to them often. They were happy to trade with them and to use their skills, and though their money was welcomed in the shops and market places, their faces were not welcome in anyone’s home. Polite society rules still applied, even in a place like this. Amitola had been surprised not to find the gentle minister here when he arrived, but knew it wouldn’t be long before he made an appearance. So, rather than hunting him down, he chose to stay in the shaded serenity the simple building offered him and began to meditate on the things he needed to do. He heard the large door at the other end creak open on its decorative iron hinges, and the sunlight broke through the cool shade he had been enjoying, warming his skin again gently. He looked up to see who was entering and was pleased to see the smiling face of Reverend Gillespie. They had reached as respectful and close a relationship as any proud Sioux and a Methodist minister ever could, but though their views in some fundamental areas were different, Amitola respected this charming little man’s ability to see past that and be able to admire and enjoy the ones they did hold in common. The reverend was not only educated, but wise, too, and Amitola respected that in any man or woman.
    “Amitola!” Reverend Gillespie cried, clearly delighted to see him. “Just the man I wanted to see. Did Judd find you earlier?” He bustled up the narrow aisle excitedly, and Amitola rose to greet him and had his arm almost pumped out of its socket by the enthusiastic handshake that always accompanied a meeting with the portly man. What he lacked in height he more than made up for in enthusiasm, but, even for him, he seemed particularly pleased with himself, and his eyes sparkled with happiness. Amitola wondered why, but got to the point of his visit.
    “Yes, Sir, he told me of your ideas. I thought I would come and talk it through with you,” he said respectfully.
    “Oh, I am so glad. That sounds like you think it might be a good idea.” He turned around behind him, and gestured to a young woman in a sprigged muslin gown to come forward. “Amitola, this is my daughter, Miss Eliza Gillespie,” he said proudly. Miss