Linda Ford (2 page)

“Whoa.” He jumped down and went to the back of the wagon.

Already Neil was on his feet with Pansy and he helped Daisy to the ground as Billy scampered down to join them. All four regarded him with wary eyes.

He pushed his hat farther back on his head and returned their study. “Your ma would be proud of you.” Where had that come from? The words must have been dropped to his tongue by the good Lord because the three older kids beamed, and Pansy gave him a shy smile that turned around in his heart and nestled there. “Now let’s find your pa.”

They trooped into the store. Macpherson leaned across the counter talking with another man. Roper recognized the North-West Mounted Police officer, Kipp Allen. “Howdy, Constable. Didn’t see your horse outside.”

The man nodded a greeting. Even though he lounged against the counter, he had a way of holding himself that let you know he saw clear through you. “He threw a shoe. He’s down at the smithy.” His eyes shifted to the young ’uns and he straightened, his gaze watchful.

Roper paid him no mind. “Macpherson, these here are the Locke kids looking for their pa, Thaddeus Locke. I’ll give them transport if you tell me where I can find him.”

Macpherson blinked. Just once but enough for Roper to wonder what secret the man had. “Best you be asking the constable.”

Roper shifted to meet Allen’s study. “I’m asking.”

The Mountie’s eyes softened and he faced the children. “I’m sorry to inform you that your pa passed away last winter. I buried him on his property.”

Neil and Daisy drew in a gasp.

Orphans. Just like him. Roger remembered well the loneliness, the discouragement of it. How many times had he held his breath and watched a man and woman come to the orphanage for a child? Waiting. Wanting. Hoping. Never chosen. The matron tried to comfort him. “People want to know your background.” But he had no background. No name. Only what someone had given him after he was discovered as a squalling infant on the doorstep. “You’d do well to forget about a home and family,” she’d said.

He tried to heed her advice and turned his attention to helping others. Making them laugh. Teaching them how to smile for strangers so they would be chosen. Helping others find a home helped him find his joy and satisfaction.

But as he grew older and left the orphanage he forgot the matron’s sound advice. Until it was too late. He learned the hard way that his background mattered more than who he was. After that experience he knew he would never belong in a forever family.

Small whimpers brought Roper’s attention back to the children. Billy’s eyes were wide as dishpans. Pansy stuck her fingers in her mouth and burrowed against Neil’s shoulder.

“What...how’d he die?” Neil squeaked out.

The Mountie closed the distance between himself and the children. Roper automatically stepped away, out of respect for the sorrow visibly carved on their faces.

“Son.” The man clasped Neil’s shoulder. “I regret to have to tell you that he froze to death. Near as I can figure he went out in a storm to check on his animals and got turned around trying to get back to his cabin.” He let the news sink in. “I have admiration for a man who is willing to face hard things rather than shirk his responsibilities. You kids can be proud of him.”

Although the kids seemed to welcome the praise, Roper couldn’t help wondering if staying safe for his family wouldn’t have been more responsible than worrying about a couple or three animals.

The Mountie straightened. “We’ll see you get back to your mother.”

“Mama’s dead.” Billy blurted out the announcement, then sobbed into Daisy’s dress.

“I see. What other family do you have?”

Daisy’s mouth worked silently for a moment. Life had dished out a lot of bad news for them. No doubt she reeled inside, making it difficult to recall things.

“Mama had a brother but we haven’t heard from him since I was Billy’s size.”

“Do you know where he was at the time?” The Mountie pulled out a little notepad, ready to jot down the information.

“We were living in Toronto then. It was before Papa decided we would do better to move West. He always wore a suit. I think I remember Mama saying he was a lawyer. Maybe. I can’t be certain.”

“Do you remember his name?”

“Jack. And Mama’s name before she married was Munro.”

“Can you spell it?”

Neil answered. “I can. I saw it in the Bible.” He spelled it.

The Mountie wrote it down, closed his notepad and stuffed it into his breast pocket. “Fine. We’ll locate him for you. In the meantime, we’ll have to find a place for you to live.” He turned to Roper. “I expect Mrs. Gardiner would take them in.”

“Normally, yes.” His boss’s wife shared her home with anyone who needed it. “But she’s been awfully sick. The boss has been plenty worried about her. I ’spect he’d say no to the idea.”

“Then I’ll have to take them back to the fort.”

“And then what?”

“No one will likely take four but we’ll split them up between willing families. Or...” He didn’t finish the thought.

But Roper knew.

Send them to an orphanage.

Daisy stepped back, Neil at her side. They pressed Billy behind them and Pansy between them both holding her tight.

“We aren’t going,” Daisy said.

“We’re sticking together,” Neil added.

And then Roper heard himself say, “I’ll look after them.”

The kids relaxed so quickly he was surprised Pansy didn’t drop to the floor.

Billy poked his head out between his older brother and sister. “You will?”

“Now wait a minute.” The Mountie held up his hands. “You live in a bunkhouse when you’re not out on the range. You expect to bunk these children with you or carry them on horseback across the mountains?”

“Well, no.” Put that way it sounded pretty dumb. But something about their predicament forced him to speak and act on their behalf. “But I’ll think of something.” Eddie wouldn’t object to giving him some time off. If he did, there were other ranches that could use another cowhand. His smile tightened. Eddie was a good boss. Roper liked working for him. But he wouldn’t let these kids be sent someplace they weren’t wanted. No siree.

The sound of a pounding hammer came from behind the store. The corners of his mouth lifted. “I know a young woman who will help me care for them.” If he could make her see what a good arrangement this was for all concerned. It was perfect. God sent. He could help Cassie get set up. In return, she could help care for the kids until the uncle came. Then he’d be at ease about moving on and letting her run her business.

The assurance in his voice caused the Mountie to study him carefully. Then he shook his head. “’Fraid I can’t simply take your word for it.” He turned to the kids. “I’ll find a wagon and be right back for you.” He headed for the door.

The kids pressed tight to each other, fear vibrating from them.

Roper leaped forward, catching the Mountie before he could open the door. “Constable, there’s no need for that. Give me a chance to make arrangements.” He bored his eyes into the Mountie’s but the man had more experience staring down people and Roper thought he’d blink before the Mountie finally relented.

“Tell you what. I’ve got to check on my horse and finish my business here. That’d give you enough time to arrange things?”

What he meant was that was how much time he’d allow Roper and his silly idea. “It’s all I need.”

“I’ll be back shortly.” The Mountie pushed past him, and strode down the street.

Roper wanted to holler at him to take his time but knew the Mountie would do as he chose. Instead, he turned to contemplate the kids and his predicament. All he needed was a convincing argument. But if Cassie got all independent and resisted the idea, what would he do? He needed help from the good Lord and he uttered a silent prayer. “Come on, kids. I think I know just the place for you.” As he shepherded them out the door, he prayed some more. If ever he needed God’s help—and he had many times in his life—it was now.

Chapter Two

C
assie had heard a wagon stop at the store but she paid it no mind. Her thoughts were on other things.

She pulled out a length of wood and dragged it to the site she’d chosen for the house and laid it alongside the other three she’d put there. She still had no idea how to proceed. Did she build the floor and put the walls on top? Did she make the walls and build the floor inside? How did she put in the windows?

She sat down on the stack of lumber and stared at the four pieces of wood. If she had the money she’d hire someone to do this. Someone who knew what they were doing. Someone who would expect nothing in return but his wages. But she was out of funds. Roper’s offer to help flashed across her mind but she dismissed the idea. She did not want to be owing a man for any reason. She bolted to her feet. She’d ask Macpherson what to do, and she’d do it. By herself.

Her mind set, her back stiff, she turned and staggered to a stop as a wagon drew up before her property.

Roper jumped down, leaving a boy on the seat. She thought she glimpsed two or three more kids in the wagon but she must be dreaming. Why would Roper have kids with him? She supposed the boy could be headed out to work at the ranch, though he looked too young to have to earn his way in life. But if Roper took him to the ranch Eddie and Linette would see he was properly treated. He could be a companion for Grady, the four-year-old boy Linette had rescued on her ocean voyage from England.

Roper crossed the grassy property and stopped two feet from her. “See you’re about ready to move into your house.” His grin mocked her.

“Check back in a week or so and your grin won’t be so wide.”

He glanced at the lumber on the ground. “Guess you know what you’re doing.”

What he meant was,
You’re lost in the fog.
“I was about to ask advice from Macpherson. Who are those kids?” Three pairs of eyes peered at her over the edge of the wagon and the boy on the seat watched with unusual interest.

Roper removed his hat, scratched his head until his hair looked like a windblown haystack then shoved the hat back on, adjusting it several ways until he was satisfied.

She’d never seen the man at a loss for words. “Roper, what are you up to? You haven’t kidnapped them, have you?”

“Nothing like that.” He stared at the wagon and the kids, who stared right back.

“Well, what is it like?” She alternated between watching Roper and watching the kids as wariness continued to creep across her neck like a spider.

He faced her so quickly she stepped back, as much from his bleak expression as from being startled. “The kids’ mother is dead. They came West hoping to join up with their pa but they just heard he’s dead, too.”

Cassie’s heart dipped low, leaving her slightly dizzy. She remembered what it was like to hear your pa had died, recalled what it felt like to suddenly be homeless.

“I said I would keep them until their uncle sends for them. Or comes for them.”

“Roper, how will you look after four children?”

“I will.”

She didn’t bother pointing out the obvious arguments. “Why are you here?”

He gave her a look rife with possibilities and she didn’t like any of them. “I know how to build a house. I could put this up for you in short order.”

“We’ve had this discussion.”

He snatched the hat from his head. “Hear me out. What I have in mind is a business proposition.” He paused, waiting for her response.

“I’m listening.” The word
business
appealed to her. She had every intention of becoming a successful businesswoman.

“I plan to take care of the kids until the Mountie finds their uncle. But I can’t do it alone. If you helped I would pay you by building your house.” He grinned, as pleased with himself as could be. “I’ll stay here, in a tent, as long as it takes me to build it.”

She stared at him, turned to study the kids who listened intently. She wanted to help. Not for Roper’s sake but because her heart tugged at her. She knew how uncertain the children would be feeling right now. She hoped their uncle would welcome them, unlike her grandfather who had never welcomed Cassie and her mother. He’d made it clear every day how much it cost him, though the way he’d worked Ma she knew he’d gotten a bargain in the arrangement. Cassie didn’t want the children to feel as lost as she had felt, but if she went along with Roper’s suggestion would he end up thinking he had the right to control her life? She would never give up her dream of being self-sufficient.

The youngest boy sank back in the wagon. “She don’t want to help us,” he muttered.

The words were slightly different than the ones that had echoed in her head from the time she was nine until she’d run off to marry George, but the ache was the same. The need to be accepted, to feel secure.

Before she could reason past the emotion, she turned to Roper. “It’s a deal.” She held out her hand, and they shook. He held her hand a moment longer than the shake required, his eyes warm and thankful. She clamped her lips together and tried to deny the feeling that the two of them had stepped across an invisible line and entered strange new territory.

He released her hand and turned to the children. “Come on, kids. You’re staying here.”

They scrambled from the wagon and edged their way over to face Cassie. She felt their uncertainty like a heat wave.

She wanted to ease that fear. “You’ll be safe here as long as you need.”

The oldest girl teared up. “Thank you. Thank you.”

The oldest boy’s expression remained guarded. Cassie knew he wouldn’t easily accept words; he’d have to see for himself they were more than empty promises.

Roper introduced them all and at Cassie’s request they gave their ages: Daisy, thirteen; Neil, twelve; Billy, six; and Pansy, two.

Cassie quickly assessed them. They seemed weary and afraid but not defeated, especially Daisy who appeared competent in her role as mother, her watchful brown eyes never leaving her siblings.

Neil, too, seemed strong though not yet grown past childhood. His brown hair was in need of a cut, she noted as he stared at Cassie with the same deep brown eyes as Daisy.

The two younger children were both fair-haired, like their older sister, and blue-eyed and clung to their older siblings.

They all shuffled their feet and grew exceedingly quiet as the Mountie crossed from Macpherson’s store.

“You kids ready to go?”

Cassie shot Roper a look full of hot accusation. He had neglected to say anything about the NWMP having a claim to these children. What else had he not told her?

“Constable, they’ll be staying here with us.” Roper included Cassie in his announcement.

The Mountie looked about slowly, taking in the pile of lumber, the tiny sagging tent and likely a whole lot more. His gaze stopped at Cassie. “Are you in agreement with sheltering these children temporarily?”

She nodded, too nervous to speak as he studied her. His look seemed to see a whole lot more than the tight smile she gave him.

His gaze again went to the tent.

Roper stepped forward. “I guarantee they’ll be as safe and dry as any kids setting out with their folks in a wagon.”

He might as well have said things would be a little rough.

The Mountie didn’t answer for several minutes then shook his head. “This is most unusual. Two unmarried people caring for a family. However, I’ve had reports about a group of Indians stirring up trouble and I need to check on them before I head back to the fort. Should be gone a few days. I’ll leave the children in your care until then. When I get back, I’ll make my decision.” He donned his Stetson to indicate the interview was over and headed back to the store.

Tension filled the air after he left. Cassie searched for something to ease the moment, but as she glanced about, the enormity of the situation hit her.

“Where is everyone going to sleep?” She waved her hand toward her tent that grew more bowed with each puff of wind. Obviously that wouldn’t be sufficient.

The kids considered the tent. As if the thought of so many inside was too much for it to contemplate, the tent collapsed with a heavy sigh.

Billy giggled. “It got tired and laid down.”

For some reason his words tickled his brother and older sister and they pressed their hands to their mouths, trying to contain errant giggles. They failed miserably and stopped trying.

Pansy’s eyes widened and she gurgled at their amusement—a sweet pleasing sound that brought a smile to Cassie’s mouth.

Their reaction was likely the result of all the emotion of the past few hours, Cassie reasoned. She glanced toward Roper. As he met her gaze, he started to chuckle.

“I don’t see what’s so funny about the prospect of sleeping out in the open.” But there was something infectious about the laughter around her and she could no longer keep a straight face.

They laughed until she was weak in the knees and had wiped tears from her face several times.

As if guided by some silent signal they all grew quiet at once.

“I’ll put up a temporary shelter,” Roper said. He headed toward the pile of lumber.

Neil sprang after him. “I can help.”

“’Preciate that. Let’s find something to build half walls with.”

“Half walls?” Cassie asked.

“Temporary but solid. I’ll get some canvas from Macpherson to cover the top. It will be warm and dry until we get the house done.”

Neil grabbed the end of a board that Roper indicated.

Cassie trotted over and reached for a second board.

Roper caught her shoulder and stopped her. “I can handle this.”

Did he think he could simply take over? “We need to discuss our arrangement.” She edged away from the children so they wouldn’t hear the conversation. “I want to be clear this is only while the children are here.”

“Cassie, that’s all I expect.” Something about the way his eyes darkened made her think of retracting her words. But only for a quick second.

“I don’t need or want help for my sake.”

He lifted his gaze to the sky as if seeking divine help then grinned at her.

She gave his amusement no mind. “I’d pay you if I could.”

“You take care of the kids.” He tipped his head toward the quartet. Neil had joined the others and they regarded her warily. “I want nothing more.”

“Good. So long as you understand completely.”

“You’ve made yourself more than clear. Now about the children...”

“Of course.” She had no idea how she could manage until they had some sort of shelter and a stove, but she’d keep her part of the bargain and care for them. She squared her shoulders as she joined them. “When was the last time you ate?”

“We’re not hungry,” Daisy said but the way Billy’s eyes widened with hope and little Pansy stopped sucking her fingers, Cassie knew Daisy did not speak for the others. “I’ll make tea.” She headed for the tent to retrieve her stack of dishes. She lifted the canvas and crawled inside, fighting the billows of rough material. A moment later, she backed out with her hands full.

Billy giggled.

“Shh,” Daisy warned.

He sobered but the way his lips trembled tickled the inside of Cassie’s stomach.

“I feel like a bug crawling out from a hole.” She grinned and ran her hands over her hair.

“Pretty big bug.” Billy’s smile flickered and sputtered to an end as Daisy poked him in the back.

“He doesn’t mean anything bad. He just hasn’t learned to think before he speaks.” Daisy’s stare dared him to say anything more.

“Have, too.”

Cassie chuckled. Obviously the boy didn’t seem inclined to listen to Daisy’s warnings, silent or otherwise. To distract him, she said, “Billy, why don’t you gather up some firewood?” There was plenty of it lying about. Neil had gone back to helping Roper so she asked Daisy, “Could you help with these things?” She indicated the kettle and the box of supplies.

Daisy jiggled Pansy farther up on her hip and grabbed the kettle.

It was on the tip of Cassie’s tongue to suggest that Daisy put her sister down but she wondered if either of them were ready to be separated and decided to leave it be.

It didn’t take long to get a fire going and hang the kettle over it. Roper paused from his work to drag logs close.

“Benches,” he explained, and she thanked him.

She took the biscuits and jam out of her provisions and when the tea was ready she called Roper and Neil. The other children hovered beside the fire, Pansy still riding Daisy’s hip.

Roper hung the hammer over the board walls he had started and squatted to begin a mock fistfight with Neil. “You hungry, boy, or do you want to stay here working?”

“I’m hungry.” Neil batted Roper’s harmless fists away and tried to jab Roper’s stomach.

Roper bounced away on the balls of his feet, still throwing mock punches.

As Neil laughed, the other three watched, their expressions relaxed, the guardedness gone from their posture.

Cassie studied them. Strange how the kids seemed to feel comfortable with Roper. Maybe because he was always laughing and teasing. Didn’t he know there were times to be serious? Times to think about the future?

The pair reached the campfire.

“I haven’t a cup for everyone until I unpack some boxes.” She indicated the crates nearby. In one of them were dishes purchased from Macpherson that she planned to use when she served meals to people passing through in need of a feed and willing to pay for it.

“We’ll share,” Daisy said and offered a drink to Pansy from her cup. “Neil and Billy can share, too.” Her look ordered them to agree without fuss and they nodded.

Cassie dipped her head to hide her smile. Daisy had taken on the role of mother. She didn’t have much choice but Cassie wondered how long it would be before the others, especially Neil, decided otherwise. Still smiling she lifted her head and encountered Roper’s gaze. He darted a glance at the kids and winked at her.

Winked! Like she was a common trollop he found on the street. Her cheeks burned. Her heart caught fire. How dare he?

He left his perch by Neil and plopped to the log beside Cassie. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to offend you. I meant only to signal that I understood the way you’d read the children.” He kept his voice low as the kids shared their drinks. “Neil and Daisy are both strong. So far they work together for the good of all. I hope it continues until their uncle arrives.”