The Price of Indiscretion by Cathy Maxwell

he’d given in to that Shawnee side of him. He’d learned their ways with the same diligence he had once devoted to his Latin primer. His mother and grandfather could find no fault in him, and yet Alex had not had an Indian heart. He’d longed for what he had once known. He’d pretended he could live this life. He went through the motions and had been successful. He might even have followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and become one of the chiefs—that was, until he’d met Miranda.
    He’d accompanied another brave to her father’s trading post. Veral Cameron had cheated his friend after clouding his thinking with bad whiskey. Alex didn’t drink and had agreed to accompany his friend to provide a clear head and get back what was owed. He’d been warned by others that Cameron hated the Shawnee.
    Alex didn’t care what the trader liked or disliked. If he didn’t want to trade with the Shawnee, fine. But Alex would not let Cameron cheat them.
    The meeting went well enough. Cameron had been nursing a bad head from a night of drinking. He’d paid a portion of what had been owed, and Alex had counseled his friend to leave the matter alone.
    However, as they were leaving, Alex caught a glimpse of Miranda. She’d come into her father’s store and had pulled up short at seeing Alex and the brave there. It had been a chance encounter. He was certain that if she’d known they were there, she would not have entered.
    In that moment something happened to Alex that he’d not felt before or since. The moment their gazes met, there had been an instant recognition between them, an understanding that they had been fated to meet.
    Cameron had been furious for her interruption. Alex understood. If he’d had a daughter that lovely, he’d want to protect her, too.
    Alex left the store with his fellow tribesman but instead of going home, he’d hidden in the woods, waiting for an opportunity to speak to Miranda. He’d finally found her alone as she weeded a vegetable patch.
    She had not been afraid.
    She agreed to meet him at the place of the two elm trees where the road forked, and within days, he’d finally understood why his father had deserted him for a woman. There hadn’t been anything Alex wouldn’t have done for Miranda. She was the sun and the moon and all the stars.
    She had accepted him for who he was, and it had been a great gift to a boy who’d felt he’d had no true identity or place in the world. Of course, her acceptance was also the ultimate cruelty, because in the end she had cost him everything.
    Alex stopped and looked around the cabin that had been his home for the past year and a half. It was all he’d ever wanted. All he’d allowed himself to want.
    He had his ship, his crew, and his partnership with Michael. He commanded his own world—a world in which Miranda played no part, and he was going to keep it that way.
    A knock sounded on the door.
    “Come in,” Alex barked.
    Oliver stuck his head inside. “The pilot Esteves is here to see you, Captain.”
    “Good. Send him in.” He was ready for a fight.
    A moment later, the Azorean entered the cabin. Alex stood waiting. Oliver shut the door behind them.
    “So, Senhor Esteves, have you come to refund my money?” Alex demanded.
    Esteves didn’t answer immediately. He appeared more interested in the maps Alex had swept to the floor. He picked up the compass. “You must be careful, Captain. The seas are rough in port.” He set the compass on the table and met Alex’s gaze with a calm one of his own. He’d known Alex had lost his temper.
    “What is it about old men that they think they know everything?” Alex asked.
    “What is it about young men that they don’t realize how obvious they are to read?” the pilot countered, his English accented.
    Alex smiled in spite of his frustrations. “What is on your mind, Esteves? I know you aren’t going to give my money back.”
    He spread his hands as if begging Alex’s patience. “I wish