Andrew had been focused on his work until the last comment. His head snapped up from the log he was showing to Denny. “What did you say?”
“Thought that might get your attention.” Remli laughed and passed on by. “I’ll let you two figure it out.”
“Denny, go take care of our paperwork and get the loading started,” Andrew ordered. The younger man didn’t say a word but took the log and headed off. Andrew held Faith’s gaze. “I hope I’m not the man you plan to shoot.”
She smiled. “Not this time. Although I am rather upset that you’ve made yourself so scarce. I must have offended you.”
He shook his head. “I believe the offense should be yours. Nevertheless, come aboard and tell me what has you so vexed.” He led the way to the saloon. “Have a seat. You look done in.”
“I walked all the way here, and these shoes are hardly madefor it.” She sat on the nearest chair and reached down to rub her ankle.
Andrew pulled up a chair and waited for her to speak. She wasn’t quite sure where to start. She wanted to discuss their kiss, but Remli had made the comment about her shooting someone, so she supposed it was best to start there.
She straightened. “I’m in trouble. There’s nothing you can do about it, but I know you’re going to hear about it—hear terrible things about me—and I wanted to explain.”
“So you really plan to kill someone?”
She shook her head. “I can’t. As much as I think it might resolve my problem, I don’t have it in me to kill. At least I don’t think I do. When I actually try to plan it out in my mind, I get all sick inside.”
“That’s good. I wouldn’t want you to become a killer.” He was perfectly serious, but there was a hint of humor in his voice.
“How would you feel about me being someone’s mistress?” She couldn’t believe she’d just said such a thing.
“I doubt you have it in you to do that anymore than to kill,” he said matter-of-factly.
“I don’t have much of a choice.” She went on to explain what had happened to Seth and then Lakewood’s threats. She told him everything except the details of what Lakewood had on her personally, but as the conversation continued, Faith knew she had to be honest about that as well. It would explain why even though she’d loved their kiss, nothing could come of it.
“I know I can trust you, Andrew. And because of that, I need to tell you the whole truth, but I beg you to promise me you’ll tell no one.”
Andrew nodded. “I promise.”
“And promise you’ll hear me out—even if the truth offends you.”
He frowned but nodded again. “I promise.”
Faith licked her dry lips. She had never in her life told another person what she was about to tell Andrew. “Lakewood had me dismissed from the college because ... he found out something about me. About my family background. He thinks he knows ... but while the facts are not quite right, the result is the same.”
“And what result is that?”
She felt her face grow hot. “I’m part Indian.”
Andrew stared at her and said nothing. Faith felt sick to her stomach but knew she had to continue.
“My mother was forced. It was during the Whitman Mission attack. Only family knows this, and I beg you to say nothing.”
“I won’t, but I thought you said Lakewood already knew.”
“He believes me to be part Cherokee because the family I was given to at birth had Cherokee blood. My adoptive father was a quarter Native, and it was well known back east where he grew up, so it was easy enough to find out. Lakewood apparently investigated me, hoping to find information he could use against me and my family, and that’s what he dug up. I don’t really care if he tells everyone that Isaac Browning was a quarter Cherokee. Isaac and his wife are dead. Most important, if people believe that I am Indian because of Isaac, then it saves my mother from being publicly humiliated. I’ve lived with the guilt of passing as white all these years, so perhaps it’s only right that the truth comes out, but I don’t want anything to hurt her. She did nothing wrong.”
Andrew remained silent. He just stared at Faith, leaving her feeling even more exposed. Would he demand she leave the ship once she finished explaining?
She hurried on. “Lakewood threatened to reveal my bloodline and harm my family if I don’t help him with the Indian war he wants. He intends to see the reservation Indians make war on the surrounding settlers. If Seth weren’t near death, I might have gone to him and asked for counsel, but he can’t help me now.” Her vision blurred as her eyes welled with tears. “Lakewood admitted to having Seth beaten, and he said he’ll kill Nancy’s baby and Nancy and my family if I don’t obey him.”
Her voice broke, and she stopped trying to speak. She looked at the carpeted floor and shook her head.
Andrew got to his feet, and Faith braced herself for the command that she leave. Instead, he came to her and pulled her to her feet. Was he going to physically throw her out?
She raised her head to look at him, and when she did, Andrew lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her. He pulled her so close and held her so tightly that when Faith’s knees gave way, he simply held her in place. When he finally pulled back to speak, Faith could hardly breathe.
