Shifting Targets Read Online Free PDF Page A

was saying before someone rudely and impatiently interrupted me…” He smirked. “When I was a
boy we were dirt poor. My parents had nothing. Mother wove
exquisite blankets and she had a special talent for making the most
favored dreamcatchers around. My dad was known for his
woodcarvings. People traveled far to purchase their handmade
goods.”
    “Your parents were Native American?” Shye
slowly took a seat.
    “Yes. But you’re probably wondering about the
blue eyes and blond hair about now.” He gave his ponytail a playful
tug.
    “It crossed my mind.”
    “I never knew my biological parents. Mother
died giving birth and my dad didn’t want to raise a child on his
own. Times were tough. He couldn’t work and take care of a kid so
he dropped me off at the reservation. Nobody there wanted to raise
a white boy, but one woman took kindly to me. Since her husband was
an esteemed chief among their people, she was permitted to take me
in. They raised me as their own and I never had much trouble with
the others. They respected their Chief’s decision to give this poor
homeless orphan a home.” He paused for another bite of jerky then
continued. “I worked hard, learned their ways, and adopted their
customs and faith as my own. As the years went by the others no
longer noticed my skin or hair color. I had earned their respect. I
went off to war to get an education just like you, Shye.”
    “Wow…what a wonderful story. Are your parents
still among the living?” She stole a glimpse at Trip who sat
looking somewhat shell-shocked.
    “My dear mother is. Dad passed away not so
long ago.”
    “I never knew this about you,” Trip
interjected. “Why are you telling us now?”
    “One thing I’ve always loved about living up
here…so many eagles. They are beautiful creatures.”
    A shiver raced over Shye. “Yes…they are…”
    Remle stared straight into her. “Last night
while I was out back making some brew I felt something ride in on
the wind that my father had often spoken of in his campfire tales.
He was quite a storyteller, my father.”
    Trip shifted in his chair. “Are you going to
clue us in?”
    Shye shot him a foiled look. “Be
patient.”
    He feigned a frown and sat back. “I’m glad
you two are enjoying this little bonding session but have you
forgotten about today’s news?”
    Ignoring Trip’s impatience, Remle simply
grinned. “My father’s favorite story was about a painting that hung
on his bedroom wall. Now I never could see what was missing in that
mysterious piece of work and he never told me. But he did love to
repeat the legend of the one who walks without a shadow.”
    Shye gasped, clutching one hand to her chest.
“You are Chief Blackwater’s son?”
    “Adopted son.” He didn’t speak for a few
minutes as if giving her and Trip time to absorb the shock.
    “I’m sorry for my disrespect.” Trip lowered
his eyes. “I did not know”
    “No worries, my friend. I understand more
than you think.”
    “You know who I am?” Shye looked up with a
humble heart.
    “When I heard Trip’s bike rumble up my drive
I wandered back to the house. But when I saw he had company I
decided to hang back and see who. There have been occasions when he
brought his prisoner here for the night before traveling on and
turning them over to the law. I didn’t expect him to come riding in
with a beautiful woman. He’s been gun shy of the female persuasion
for a long time.”
    “Really?” Shye arched her brows in disbelief.
“A gorgeous single man like him?”
    “Anyway,” he went on. “I felt a sudden chill
in the air when you arrived then while you were standing in the
moonlight gawking around I noticed something very peculiar. Only
one of you cast a shadow on the ground…and it wasn’t you, my
dear.”
    “No, it wasn’t. I only cast a shadow by day.
I am forbidden to walk in the shadows of darkness.”
    “My father entrusted me with the story
foretold by your great grandmother of a prodigy