Dakota may have your red hair, but he has the skin and eyes of his fathers people.
Maggie jumped to her feet, and grabbed Winonas hands. You wont tell anyone, will you?
Pudgy brown fingers patted hers. I wont tell what is not mine to tell. But why?
Joe didnt want me because I wasnt Lakota.
Thats ridiculous. Winona waved her hand around the room filled with pictures of the teens Maggie worked with on a daily basis. You care about our children more than most of the people on the reservation.
He said I didnt fit in his way of life. I didnt belong. She dropped Winonas hand and turned to the window overlooking the indoor basketball court.
Men can say stupid things when theyre going off to war. They arent in their right minds. Winonas lips twisted. If hed known about the baby
No! The old hurt and fear surfaced and Maggie frowned. I was scared. Afraid that if I told him about the baby, hed take him away from me and raise him within the tribe. Id lost Joe, I couldnt lose my baby as well. And if hed decided to marry her, hed have been doing it out of obligation, not love. She couldnt stand to be an obligation. Shed thought shed be better off marrying someone else than being in love with a man whod never love her in return.
So you married Paul?
Yes. Maggies chin tilted up. I thought if I married Paul, everyone would think Dakota was his. I made him promise not to tell.
What was in it for Paul?
Paul. Dear, sweet Paul. Regret burned in Maggies gut. In her attempt to protect herself and her son, shed put Paul in the situation she most wanted to avoid. Paul had stepped in when she was desperate, but despite his love for her all she felt for him was platonic affection. Shed tried to sleep with him but couldnt, not with the knowledge she still loved her babys father. Hed given up his chance to choose a woman whod love him to help Maggie. And hed died before she could make things right. Paul loved me.
You should tell Joe about Dakota. He has the right to know. Especially, since its his son whos missing.
I know. Maggie clasped her hands together, twisting the simple gold band around her ring finger. Shed insisted she didnt want a diamond engagement ring. A band was all that was necessary to keep her secret.
She slipped the ring from her finger and shoved it into her pocket. Youre right, Winona. I should tell him. But I want to be the one who tells him. Please dont mention it. The news should come from me.
Yes. It should. Winona touched a hand to Maggies cheek. I promised Tom Id fix lunch for him. Will you be all right alone? I could tell him to fix his own lunch.
No. Ill be fine. Winonas offer to stay with her touched her. Shed made a few lasting friendships over the two years shed worked at the reservation. Maggie trusted the older woman with her life and that of her son. She was the family Maggie didnt have.
Call me if you need anything. Even if only for a shoulder to cry on, thiblo.
Pilamaya. Maggie responded with one of the few Lakota words she knew. Then she pulled the older woman into her arms and hugged her tightly, struggling to be strong when all she wanted to do was curl into a fetal position and cry. I miss my baby.
I know, I know. Winona patted her back once more and then held her at arms length and said, Trust him. After a long hard look, the old Lakota woman left.
The empty gym echoed with the sound of the outside door closing behind her. A blast of icy wind filtered across the concrete floors to send a chill across Maggies skin. She wrapped her arms around her middle, shivering, and wondered if Dakota was warm enough.
The door screeched open and Maggie looked up, half hoping Joe would walk through. Her hopes died when Leotie Jones slipped through and advanced across the concrete with her high-heeled boots grating against the silence. Oh, good, youre here, was her only greeting. No How are you? or Hello.
Maggie squeezed her eyelids shut for a moment and willed Leotie to go away. I dont need this. Not now. Then she opened her eyes and forced herself to be pleasant, something that wasnt easy around the self-centered woman. Leotie, she said, dipping her head in acknowledgement.
I just stopped by to tell you how sorry I was about your baby. She cinched the belt circling the waistline of her long, black leather jacket.
Thanks. She couldnt help it that the one word implied anything but gratitude. Leotie had had it in for her from the first day Maggie had set foot on the reservation. Or should she say from the first day shed run into Joe Lonewolf and instant attraction had practically ignited the dry prairie grass all around the youth center? Leotie considered Joe her territory and saw Maggie as an encroaching outsider. Shed done everything in her power to get between Maggie and Joe and spoil any chance of a blossoming relationship.
I was hoping we could forget about the past and, you know, let bygones be bygones, and all that. Leotie stared around Maggie into her office. Arent you going to invite me in? Although her words sounded cheerful, the slight curl of her lip indicated she wasnt impressed with the sparse furnishings or the two hard plastic chairs positioned in front of Maggies desk.
Normally, I would. But theres nothing normal about the way I feel today. She stared hard at Leotie, hoping shed get the message and leave. Leotie, Id rather be alone.
I see. Leoties forced smile turned into a sneer and she crossed her arms over her ample chest, flipping her red-streaked black hair over her shoulder. Joes working the case, isnt he?
This was more Leoties stylecut to the chase. Maggie braced herself for the attack. Yes, Joes working the case.
You know hell never marry you, dont you?
I didnt ask him.
Well, dont. Her eyes narrowed. He wont ever marry you. He has too much of his father in him to care about a white woman.
I said, I didnt ask him. If Leotie didnt get the hell out soon, Maggie was afraid shed say or do something shed regret. She had to remind herself not to rise to Leoties bait, to take the high road. But her emotions were raw and she wasnt in the mood.
Mentally, she counted to ten.
One.
If he marries, hell choose a Lakota woman.
Two.
Like me.
Three.
Do we understand each other?
Four-five-six-seven-eight-nine-ten! Leave, Leotie. Maggie pointed to the door, her lips set in a firm tight line, afraid if she opened them again, shed spew forth venom.
Fine. Leotie tugged at the belt of her already tight coat and flipped her hair back again. Just remember
Maggies control snapped. Out!
Leotie snorted and spun on her heel, marching to the door. But she couldnt leave without a parting shot. Just because hes helping you doesnt mean anything.
With her tongue pinched between her teeth, Maggie only pointed to the door.
Leotie flung the heavy metal door open and it crashed against the building, bouncing back to smack into her shoulder. She swore and shot a glance backward as if to see if Maggie had seen her fit of temper backfire.