“What did Whitfield want?” he asked as he entered the kitchen where Heather was making biscuits for dinner. There was little inflection in his voice, but she had the distinct impression he disapproved.

“He wished to welcome me to the community.” She wouldn’t admit to Sloan how much she had enjoyed Vernon’s visit. Not only had it provided her respite from the aching loneliness, but she had found a kindred spirit. “I was glad to meet him. Particularly since I wanted to discuss Janna’s schooling with him.”

“Schooling?” Sloan asked sharply. “What do you mean?”

“I thought I would take Janna to visit the schoolhouse this week and let her meet the other children. Ryan will be there and he can help introduce her. If she is to attend school in a few years—”

“Just a minute. I married you so you could teach her.”

Heather took a deep breath. “I intend to, of course, at least at first. But Vernon and I agreed it would be beneficial if—”

“Did you, now?” Sloan’s tone hardened dangerously. “Let me set one thing straight. No one is going to tell me what’s best for my daughter, least of all a bookish city fellow who can’t tell a rifle from a revolver.”

Summoning patience, Heather tried to ignore Sloan’s anger. “Before you reject his advice out of hand, you might consider this for a moment. If Janna is to be accepted in the white world, she needs to grow up in that world. It’s essential that she learn how to deal with other children—and they with her. I know she is just a baby, but it isn’t too early to start her acclimation. If I take her to school now and then, it will give the children a chance to grow accustomed to one other.”

Just then Janna looked up from where she was playing on her blanket and stretched out her arm toward Heather. “Ma-ma … Ma-ma… Eat…”

“You can eat in a few minutes, darling, just as soon as I finish the biscuits.”

Sloan went rigid as his gaze shot to Heather. “You aren’t her ma.” His tone was icy.

“No, of course not. I’ve never encouraged her to think so. I suppose she picked up the word because she’s heard Ryan call Caitlin mama.”

“I don’t want her calling you that!”

For Janna’s sake, Heather fought down an angry reply. “Would you please lower your voice in Janna’s presence?” she said calmly. “You’re frightening her.”

Sloan spun around to find his daughter watching him anxiously, her brow wrinkled with alarm. In two strides he reached her and scooped Janna up into his arms.

“I didn’t mean to scare you, sweetheart,” he said soothingly. He planted gentle kisses over her cheeks until the toddler gave a gurgle of laughter and patted his face.