The Cowboy's Surprise Bride. Linda Ford

would avoid it altogether except it provided her only hope of escaping her father’s plans.

      Eddie waited until she was settled. “I’ll say the blessing.”

      She bowed her head. Although Eddie had insisted on Grady’s obedience, he’d at least been gentle with the boy. It wouldn’t be hard to be wife to a man who treated her with such kindness and respected her heart’s yearnings. But she feared she wanted more than she could hope for. More and more it looked as if she would not find freedom here any more than she had in England. Still, anything was better than marrying a lumpy, lecherous old man.

      She waited until everyone had taken a biscuit or several. “I’m afraid I’m not much of a cook,” she murmured. “We had a cook at home who refused to let me in the kitchen.”

      “This is fine.”

      She’d done nothing but put stuff on the table. If she expected to prove her worth she would have to do much better. “I’m sure I’ll manage.” If only someone would explain what to do with the supplies. Surely Cassie knew. She sent the woman an imploring look. They had to learn to enjoy each other’s company. “This is your second winter on the ranch, isn’t it?”

      Eddie looked relieved to have something to talk about. “It is.”

      “Tell us what it’s like.”

      “Unpredictable.”

      She laughed at his tone—half regretful, half admiring. “How so?”

      “It can snow four feet. The temperature can drop out of sight. Then we get a Chinook that melts the snow and makes us all foolishly think the worst is over.”

      Cassie perked up. “A Chinook? What’s that?”

      “A warm wind that blasts over the mountains. We can go from shivering under a heavy coat to working in our shirtsleeves all within an hour or less.”

      “It’s a legend then?” Cassie said, sarcasm dripping from each word.

      Linette silently prayed Eddie wouldn’t be offended. Was she destined to spend her days interceding on Cassie’s behalf?

      Thankfully Eddie chuckled. “Part legend in that the Indians have all sorts of stories about what it is, but there’s nothing remotely imaginary about what happens.”

      “I can hardly wait,” Linette said. “It’s going to be exciting to experience a wild Canadian winter.”

      Eddie’s look challenged her before he pushed his plate away to indicate he was done. Did he think she had undertaken this trip solely for the sake of an adventure? She willingly admitted she enjoyed seeing new and exciting things. But no, the impetus behind her bold venture was twofold—escape the specter of a marriage with a man who made her skin crawl, and hopefully, God willing, find a place where she could obey the dictates of her conscience without regard to foolish social expectations.

      The kettle steamed again and Linette prepared to do the washing up with the hot water. Cassie turned her chair and pushed it closer to the stove.

      Eddie stood and piled up the dirty dishes. “Everyone does his share here.” He glanced toward Cassie.

      Linette’s hands remained suspended over the washbasin. She could manage on her own and didn’t mind doing the work, but Eddie gave her a warning look. She ducked her head. Seems he was intent on establishing his rules and she was helpless to do anything but cooperate. Not that she didn’t think Cassie should help, but she didn’t know how far he meant this rule making to go. She kept her head down as she studied him, measuring him, wondering what would happen if she refused to obey one of his directives. His expression remained patient. On the other hand, how pleasurable to share goals and dreams with such a man.

      Slowly it dawned on Cassie that Eddie expected her to help. She pushed her chair back so hard it banged into the table. “Don’t see how much help it will be for me to be stuck under Linette’s elbow. There’s not enough room for one, let alone two.”

      Linette pulled the basin closer and handed Cassie a towel. She took it silently and dried the few dishes.

      Eddie strode outside.

      “He’s lord and master here, that’s for sure,” Cassie grumbled. “I’m sick of men controlling everything. Why don’t we pack up and leave?”

      “Cassie, where would we go?” She’d gladly leave if she could find an alternative that wouldn’t bring her father’s wrath about her head. Except—an errant thought surfaced—this was where she wanted to be. She’d dreamed of it for weeks as she prepared to leave home and as she crossed the ocean and the country. She pictured herself sharing life with a man who honored her heart’s desire, and the dream refused to die in spite of Eddie’s insistence that she go back home. She forced her mind back to Cassie’s question. “It’s not like there are hundreds of homes around here that would welcome us.”

      “What about that ranch where those men were going? They seemed like nice gentlemen.”

      “They were very polite but no doubt would expect to rule their home as well.”

      “I’m sure we could throw ourselves on their mercy.”

      Linette grabbed Cassie by the shoulders. “I don’t intend to beg any man to keep me.” She’d prove her worth to Eddie. She’d make him want her to stay. “Wherever I go, whatever happens, I will do my share. In return, I will expect freedom to make a few decisions on my own.”

      Cassie shook Linette’s hands off. “Mr. Gardiner told you he expects obedience.”

      “Surely a woman can please a man and still be allowed to express her opinion and choices.”

      Cassie rocked her head back and forth. “He could make life miserable for us.”

      “I pray it won’t be so.”

      “You were prepared to marry him.”

      “I thought I knew a bit about him from Margaret’s letters.” Now she wasn’t so sure. In fact, nothing seemed so simple anymore.

      Cassie plucked at her sleeve. “He could take advantage of us if he wants. Both of us. Look at how small this place is. We have no hope of escaping him.”

      Linette smiled. “The closeness is our protection. If you feel threatened, you only have to call out. But I think we have nothing to fear from him. Does he not strike you as a man of strong morals?” He seemed intent on doing things the right way. Just how far that went, they would no doubt see in the following weeks as they shared this tiny cabin.

      Eddie strode through the door with a length of lumber and a hammer in hand.

      Cassie watched with undisguised wariness as he fastened a shelf across one side of the room.

      “This should serve as a pantry for now.”

      “Thank you.” Linette truly appreciated his efforts. She hoped it meant he intended to make the best of the situation—a thought that buoyed her heart.

      Now that she’d finished the clean-up, Linette called Grady to her and washed him in preparation for the night. “Cassie, do you want to put Grady to bed?”

      Cassie jerked her gaze away from studying Eddie, relief filling her eyes. “I’ll lie down with him.” Linette understood she was grateful for escape from the close quarters.

      Linette soon had the shelf neatly organized with their kitchen supplies. Cassie and Grady were only a few steps away in the bedroom, but suddenly she was alone with Eddie. Neither of them spoke and the quietness crowded every corner of the room.

      “Tell me about Grady.”

      His question shattered the stillness and made her nerves twitch. Then she drew in a deep breath, grateful he had initiated conversation. “You mean besides the fact he is an orphan?”

      “He has a father, so technically he is not an orphan. No other relatives?”