Free New Frontier of Love (American Wilderness Series Romance Book 2) by Dorothy Wiley Page B

too early for this conversation and he was losing his patience. “This is the wilderness, not a university,” he told John. “I know that is hard for an educated man like you to accept, but reason is a weak defense. If you’re being attacked, it’s a poor time to try to ‘understand’ them.”
    Bear nodded vigorously in agreement. “Aye, a scalp comes off an educated man as quick as it does a dumb bastard.”
    “If white men used more reason than powder, they’d be able….” John started to argue.
    Sam cut him off, tired of being caught in the crossfire. “What you
both
need to realize is that every tribe is different. You can’t throw them all in the same sack. Some are savage animals, so brutal it’s hard for white men to even imagine what they are capable of. Other tribes are peaceful hunters, fisherman and traders—far more peaceful than many white men I’ve known. Don’t make the mistake of thinking of them all the same way. On one side of a mountain, you might find friendly, even helpful, natives. But on the other side, they can be hostile beyond belief. And by offering bounties for settler’s scalps, the bloody Red Coats induced some of these natives to become our enemies, while other natives continue to fight
with
us against the British. My advice is to keep your eyes and your ears open, respect and be cautious of all men, and leave these debates to preachers and politicians.”
    “Maybe that’s just what I should do here in Boonesborough,” John said, squaring his big shoulders. The pain and fire had gone out of his voice.
    “A politician?” Bear asked, looking incredulous.
    “No, you big obstinate giant. A preacher, not a politician.” John poured himself more coffee and continued excitedly. “I can build the town a church. Maybe I can help those who have suffered a loss, as I have. I can teach them how to read the Bible if they’re not literate. Maybe, I’ll even be able to help some of these natives.”
    Sam hoped that were true. However, he doubted that the populace of Boonesborough or the Indians would receive John’s benevolent gestures as he intended. Trying to bring compassion to the wilderness might earn applause from heaven. But here it would more likely bring scorn and ridicule. Maybe worse.
    Nevertheless, John just gave himself a reason to continue on here in Kentucky. And reason to go on without Diana. Sam hoped it was reason enough.

    As Sam and Bear put away their sleeping pallets and the others started to stir, Sam said, “I feel like a horse locked in a corral too damn long. I’ll be glad when we get those land grants settled and get moving again. This doing nothing is almost more than I can stand. I feel like swearing till the leaves shake off the trees.”
    The men had been waiting several days for the land office to open on the first day of the month and the tedious delay was beginning to cause serious wear on Sam’s already frayed nerves. The thought of another day of just wasting time put him on edge.
    “Have a smoke and walk with me, while they get breakfast underway, it’ll calm ye down some. Ye’re wound up tighter than the sinew strung on an Indian’s bow.”
    He hated to admit it, but Bear was right. Was it just the waiting that had him so worked up? Maybe it was their heated conversation with John. Or was he worried about the recent attackon the settlers?
    “Sam, what do ye think of Catherine?” Bear asked, after they walked some distance away and both relieved themselves.
    Hell fire. Maybe that was the reason he was so on edge, because the question caused Sam’s nerves to tighten even more. With a clenched jaw, he reached for his pipe and tobacco as he struggled for an answer. “She’s amiable and cultured. Seems to be a strong woman and well mannered,” he finally said, hoping his true feelings didn’t show.
    “Is that all ye have noticed? Her culture and her fine manners?”
    Stalling, Sam filled and lit his pipe. “What do you mean? She’s