The Cowboy's Ready-Made Family. Linda Ford

piece. “Tomorrow I’ll return to take care of plowing the field for the crop. I won’t bother you again.”

      * * *

      Susanne stared after him as he rode from the yard. It seemed he couldn’t wait to get away. Her cheeks warmed. Had she said too much? Given him reason to think she expected him to be ready and willing to take care of chores other than the crop? But she wanted nothing from him other than the fulfillment of their agreement.

      She returned to the garden, planted a patch of lettuce and then marked out several round areas for flowers next to the fence so she could enjoy them from the kitchen window.

      Maybe Tanner had a young lady he was interested in. That would explain his eagerness to let Susanne know he would be avoiding her. The young lady should consider herself fortunate. Tanner would certainly make a good husband and father if the way he’d acted this afternoon was any indication.

      She’d enjoyed the afternoon, perhaps more than she had a right to. But the lessons learned from Aunt Ada had not been in vain. Every pleasant moment ended poorly, so she wasn’t surprised that Tanner had suddenly withdrawn and made it clear he wanted to avoid her in the future. However, she would not let it ruin her day. Another Aunt Ada lesson.

      She finished her planting, put away the tools and supplies then went out to the pasture to get the cow.

      The walk gave her time to settle her thoughts and bring them back to where they belonged. God, I’m trying to be grateful that Tanner seems to be the answer to my prayer for help, but in truth, I’m perhaps not as grateful as I should be. I’m sure You understand how cautious I am about this. You are the only one I can count on. You love me unconditionally. You will never leave me or forsake me.

      Since God could read her thoughts there was no point in being less than honest, so she admitted it had been fun working alongside Tanner. She even admitted she sometimes had yearnings for something more in her life. Those yearnings would not be given a name. They must be denied. Her job was to raise the children and do it in a way that they would never feel they were a burden to her. She’d never put them in a position of obligation.

      She’d tell Tanner she meant to end their agreement but then how could she get the crop in on her own? Besides, he already had his horses there.

      She couldn’t tell him not to come. But she’d make certain to accept nothing more from him.

      She put the cow in the barn, then as she headed for the house she noticed the children peering through the bars of the corrals watching the horses. “Please stay away from the horses.”

      Frank faced her. “We’re only looking. No harm in that, is there? We’re safe on the outside of the corrals. After all, Pa built them solid as a rock.”

      To suggest otherwise would be too close to inviting all-out rebellion. “So long as you stay outside the fence.”

      “Of course, we will.” Frank’s look accused her of foolishness.